Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee

4 July 2018

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee Chairperson, Simon O’Connor MP, is now inviting submissions on the Maritime Powers Extension Bill.

The bill seeks to provide the New Zealand Customs Service with an additional option to disrupt drugs smuggling, and to establish clear jurisdiction over offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. Submission are open until Friday, 20 July 2018.

“This bill will give the Customs Service much needed powers to tackle drugs coming into our country from ships. The committee looks forward to considering all the evidence and progressing the bill quickly so that Customs can continue their important work”, said Mr O’Connor.

Specifically, the bill seeks to amend the Customs and Excise Act 2018 and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. The aim is to incorporate New Zealand’s rights and obligations under article 108 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and article 17 of the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances into domestic law.

Tell the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee what you think

Send your submission on the bill by midnight on Friday, 20 July 2018.

For more details about the bill:

• Read the full content of the bill

• What’s been said in Parliament about the bill?

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ENDS

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