Select Committee Weekly News - June 23
SELECT COMMITTEE BUSINESS
16 June 2000 to 23 June
2000
Committee meetings
There were 18 committee
meetings, all held in the parliamentary complex.
Reports
presented (10)
Foreign Affairs, Defence and
Trade
International treaty examination of the
International Convention on Salvage 1989
International treaty examination of the Protocol of
Amendment to the International Convention on the
Simplification and Harmonization of Customs
Procedures
Education and Science
Education
Amendment Bill (12-2)
Law and Order
Petition
1999/27 of Hon Trevor Mallard
Commerce
1998/99
financial review of Radio New Zealand
Government
Administration
Estimates for 2000/01 for Vote
Millennium
Estimates for 2000/01 for Vote
Ombudsmen
Estimates for 2000/01 for Vote
Statistics
Primary Production
1998/99
financial review of Timberlands West Coast
Limited
Bills referred to select committees
No
bills were referred.
Committee notes
(for further
information on an item, please contact the committee staff
noted in brackets)
Commerce (Alan Witcombe, Matthew
Andrews)
On Wednesday the committee heard submissions on
the Economic Development (Industry New Zealand and the
Ministry of Economic Development) Bill. On Thursday the
committee considered the same bill, the Shop Trading Hours
(Abolition of Restrictions) Bill and the financial review of
Radio New Zealand.
Next week the Minister of Consumer Affairs will appear before the committee for an Estimates hearing on Vote Consumer Affairs. The committee will also be considering the Shop Trading Hours (Abolition of Restrictions) Bill, the Economic Development (Industry New Zealand and the Ministry of Economic Development) Bill and the Sale of Liquor Amendment Bill (No 3).
Education and
Science (Clare Sullivan, Ethan Tucker)
This week the
committee began its consideration of the Estimates for
2000/01 by hearing evidence on Vote Research, Science and
Technology from the Minister and Chief Executive of the
ministry. Issues discussed included the capability of the
ministry, the publication Transforming New Zealand
Challenges and opportunities for research, sciecne and
technology and investment in research and development.
The committee presented three reports this week as above.
Employment and Accident Insurance (Marie
Alexander)
The committee has three meetings scheduled
next week on the Employment Relations Bill. These are not
open to the public.
Finance and Expenditure (Graham Hill,
Julian Kersey)
The committee met on the morning of 21
June to consider the Supplementary Estimates for this
financial year. It heard evidence on the two culture and
heritage votes, Vote Police and Vote Finance. Later in the
afternoon on 21 June the committee completed the hearing
evidence on the Taxation (FBT, SSCWT and Remedial Matters)
Bill. On the afternoon of 22 June the committee continued
to hear evidence on Vote Finance and Vote Pacific Island
Affairs for the Supplementary Estimates. Next week on 28
June the committee will consider the Taxation (FBT, SSCWT
and Remedial Matters) Bill and hear evidence from the
Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister of Revenue on
the Government's response to the previous committee's
Inquiry into the Powers and Operations of the Inland Revenue
Department.
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (David
Sanders, Andrew Fieldsend)
The committee considered the
Pardon for Soldiers of the Great War Bill. The committee
will begin its Estimates examinations next week. Hon Phil
Goff and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be
appearing from 10.30 am to 11.30 and Trade New Zealand from
11.30 am to 12 noon.
Government Administration (Louise
Sparrer, Lesley Ferguson)
The committee has started its
round of Estimates examinations for the 2000/01 year. At
its meeting this week the committee examined Vote Office of
the Clerk. The Speaker of the House is the responsible
minister for this Vote. The Office of the Clerk contributes
to the functioning of the legislature in which members of
Parliament are able to discharge their constitutional duties
in respect of the consideration of legislation and other
parliamentary business. The critical issues for the Office
are the establishment of two additional select committees
(for the review of MMP and to consider employment relations
and accident insurance legislation), and to improve
Mori translation and interpretation services. Next
week the committee will examine Vote Parliamentary Service.
This will be open to the public for the hearing of evidence
from 10.20 am. The Speaker is also the responsible minister
for this vote. The committee will hear evidence on the Fire
Service Amendment Bill. This is scheduled from 12 noon and
is open to the public.
Health (Nick Aldous, Marcus
Ganley)
On Wednesday the committee finished its
consideration of the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill (No 4)
and the Alcohol Advisory Council Amendment Bill. Next week
the committee will hear evidence from the Minister of Health
and officials on the 2000/01 Health Estimates.
Justice and
Electoral (Tracey Conlon, Andrew Fieldsend, Fiona
McLean)
The committee considered the Statutes Amendment
Bill (No 7). The bill will make minor amendments to 37 Acts
and is due to be reported back by 30 June.
The committee heard further submissions on its Inquiry into the 1999 General Election. John Tamihere MP spoke about problems faced by Mori electors. Richard Prebble MP presented the submission of ACT New Zealand in which he expressed dissatisfaction with the current system of election broadcasting. The committee heard submissions from the Society of Local Government Managers and George Jones on advances in electoral technology.
Next Wednesday the committee will commence its examination of the Estimates, hear further evidence on the General Election Inquiry, and consider the Statutes Amendment Bill (No 7).
The Justice and Electoral Subcommittee met this week to hear further evidence on its inquiry into matters relating to the State visit of the President of China to New Zealand in 1999. Evidence was given by the New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties. To date, the subcommittee has heard evidence on the inquiry in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. The subcommittee is not scheduled to meet next week.
Law and
Order (Adrian Carpinter, Tracey Rayner)
This week, the
committee considered the Truth in Sentencing Bill. This is
a Member's bill in the name of Hon Richard Prebble. The
bill aims to amend the Criminal Justice Amendment Act 1993
to provide that all sentences are to be served in full
unless a person has a record of good behaviour, or shows to
the Parole Board that there are grounds for believing the
person has been rehabilitated.
Next week, the committee begins its 2000/01 Estimates examinations. The votes allocated to the committee are Police, Corrections, Courts and Serious Fraud Office. The Minister of Police, Hon George Hawkins, and the Commissioner of Police, Rob Robinson, will be appearing before the committee on Thursday, 29 June from 10.30 am in Parliament House.
Local Government and Environment (David Bagnall, Malcolm
McNamara)
On Wednesday the committee commenced the
hearing of evidence on the Forests (West Coast Accord) Bill.
Submissions were heard from the New Zealand Forest Industry
Council and New Zealand Forest Owners' Association, the West
Coast Timber Association and Westco Lagan Limited (the
company that holds the major contract for the supply of
Timberlands West Coast Limited rimu sawlogs). The committee
also heard the submission of the Environmental Risk
Management Authority on the Hazardous Substances and New
Organisms Amendment Bill (No 2).
On Thursday the committee met in the evening to consider the Wildlife (Penalties) Bill and to hear submissions on the Resource Management Amendment Bill. Evidence was heard from the Resource Management Business Forum, Wellington Regional Council, Upper Hutt City Council, New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects, Westfield NZ Limited, St Lukes Group and Taiwhenua Iwi Authority.
Next week, the committee will complete the hearing of evidence on the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Bill (No 2) on Wednesday. Another meeting will be held on Thursday evening, at which more evidence will be heard on the Forests (West Coast Accord) Bill and the Resource Management Amendment Bill.
Evidence on the latter two bills will be heard when the committee meets in Christchurch on 12 July. The committee will then hear evidence on the Forests (West Coast Accord) Bill in Hokitika on 13 July.
MMP Review (Louise
Sparrer)
The terms of reference for the review of MMP are
set out in a press release shortly to be located at
www.clerk.parliament.govt.nz/programme/committees/pressrelease.html.
Primary
Production (Bob Bunch, April Bennett)
The committee met
on Thursday, 22 June 2000. It completed its final 1998/99
financial reviews of State enterprises by reporting on the
review of the 1998/99 financial performance and current
operations of Timberlands West Coast Limited.
The committee also commenced its consideration the 2000/01 Estimates of Expenditure. The committee has four votes, Agriculture and Forestry, Biosecurity, Fisheries and Lands, to examine and will be questioning the relevant Ministers about these votes over the next two months.
The committee further considered its inquiries into the sale of the Property Services Division of Terralink New Zealand Limited to its former employees and organic agriculture in New Zealand. The petition of Barry Nicolle and others, calling for an inquiry into sustainable forestry management on the West Coast, was also considered.
Next Thursday, 29 June, the committee will go on a site visit to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research at Greta Point, Wellington, to find out about the institute's research in relation to fisheries.
Regulations Review (Shelley Banks,
Tracey Rayner)
On Wednesday, 28 June the Regulations
Review Committee will hear evidence from the Ministry of
Agriculture about Codes of Welfare issued under the Animal
Welfare Act 1999 (3.15 pm to 3.45 pm). The committee will
also continue its consideration of the Biosecurity (Ruminant
Protein) Regulations 1999.
Social Services (Tim Cooper,
Louise Gardiner)
The committee began its consideration of
the Housing Restructuring (Income-Related Rents) Amendment
Bill this week. The bill aims to restore income-related
rents to State house tenants, and to move the focus of
Housing New Zealand Limited away from profit and give a
greater priority to social assistance. Submissions on the
bill close on Monday 26 June. The committee is also
beginning its consideration of the 2000/01 Estimates. Six
votes have been referred to the committee: Work and Income;
Child, Youth and Family; Social Services; Employment Policy;
Senior Citizens; and Housing.
Transport and Industrial
Relations (Lyn Main, Karen Smyth)
The committee heard
evidence from the Automobile Association and the Grey Power
Federation on Petition 1996/2062 of Dr Otto Bauer. This
petition seeks a review of driver licensing and testing fees
and rules in relation to older drivers.
Next week the committee will begin consideration of the Vote Accident Insurance, as part of its examination of the 2000/01 Estimates. Other votes allocated to the committee are Labour and Ministry of Transport.
Closing dates for
submissions
Committees are receiving submissions on the
following items with the closing date shown. Twenty copies
of submissions are required.
Commerce
Chartered
Professional Engineers of New Zealand Bill (7 July
2000)
Education and Science
Inquiry into student fees,
loans, allowances and the overall resourcing of tertiary
education (24 July 2000)
Education (Limiting Number of
Universities) Amendment Bill (30 June 2000)
Finance and
Expenditure
Taxation (Annual Rates, GST and Miscellaneous
Provisions) Bill (5 July 2000)
Taxpayers’ Charter Bill
(31 July 2000)
Foreign Affairs, Defence and
Trade
International Crimes and International Criminal
Court Bill (30 June 2000)
Government
Administration
Fire Service Amendment Bill (23 June
2000)
Justice and Electoral
Supplementary Order Paper
No 25 relating to the Matrimonial Property Amendment Bill (7
July 2000)
MMP Review
Review of MMP and other aspects
of the electoral system (31 July 2000)
Primary
Production
Inquiry into organic agriculture in New
Zealand (3 July 2000)
Social Services
Housing
Restructuring (Income-Related Rents) Bill (26 June
2000)
Social Welfare (Transitional Provisions) Amendment
Bill (11 August 2000)
General
You can find further information about select committees on our website at www.clerk.parliament.govt.nz. If you require additional information or have any feedback on the contents, please contact:
Carol Rankin
Senior Parliamentary
Officer
at carol.rankin@parliament.govt.nz
Compiled in the Select Committee Office, Office of the Clerk, 23 June 2000