Media Release

Organisation: Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives

On behalf of: Health Committee

For release: 14 November 2018

Have your say on the Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Bill

Following the Government Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking Water, Cabinet has agreed to a range of measures to address the Inquiry’s recommendations, including some technical amendments to Part 2A of the Health Act. The most significant effect of the bill would be to remove specific timeframes for consultation and reduce the minimum notice period for a change to drinking water standards. This would allow for changes to be developed and implemented in a responsive manner.

Currently the Ministry of Health is required to carry out consultation over a period of at least three years, and publish notice of any changes to drinking water standards at least two years before they can take effect. The bill would amend Part 2A of the Health Act to:

• remove the requirement for a consultation period

• reduce the minimum notice period to 28 days.

The bill would also make a number of additional, minor improvements to Part 2A of the Act.

Tell the Health Committee what you think

Send your submission on the bill by midnight on Friday 21 December 2018.

For more details about the bill:

• Read the full content of the bill

• Get more details about the bill/petition

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

• Follow the committee’s Facebook page for updates

ENDS

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