Parker given senior Govt position on key select committee

Otago MP David Parker has been given the senior Labour position on the Government¡¦s Constitutional Arrangements Select Committee.

The Committee will be chaired by United Future MP Peter Dunne.

It has been set up to undertake a review of New Zealand¡¦s existing constitutional arrangements by identifying and describing:

ƒ{ New Zealand¡¦s constitutional development since 1840;

ƒ{ The key elements in New Zealand¡¦s constitutional structure, and the relationships between those elements;

ƒ{ The sources of New Zealand¡¦s constitution;

ƒ{ The process other countries have followed in undertaking a range of constitutional reforms; and

ƒ{ The processes which it would be appropriate to follow if significant constitutional reforms were considered in the future.

The committee consists of seven members; NZ Labour 4; Green Party 1; Act New Zealand 1; and United Future 1.

Mr Parker now sits on four select committees. He is deputy chair (senior Labour position) of the Local Government Environment Committee which reported on the GE Corn Inquiry and the Waitaki River legislation; and a member of the Finance and Expenditure Committee which reviews the budget and Reserve Bank monetary policy; and Regulations Review Committee which examines whether regulatory powers are appropriately used.

The Constitutional Review Committee is due to report its findings to the Government prior to the election.

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