SELECT COMMITTEE BUSINESS
From 10 November to 17 November 2000
Committee meetings
There were 20 meetings, all in the parliamentary complex, and one site visit.
Reports presented (3)
Health
New Zealand Public Health and Disability Bill (48-2)
Business
Recommended sitting programme for 2001
Finance and Expenditure
Inquiry into specific activities of the Inland Revenue Department surrounding Jan and Murray Willis’s taxation matters
Bills referred to select committees
The New Zealand/Singapore Closer Economic Partnership Bill was referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
Committee.
The Subordinate Legislation (Confirmation and Validation) Bill was referred to the Regulations Review Committee.
Supplementary Order Paper No 85 relating to the Crimes Amendment Bill (No 6) was referred to the Law and Order
Committee.
Committee notes
(for further information on an item, please contact the committee staff noted in brackets)
Commerce (Alan Witcombe, SC-Commerce@parliament.govt.nz)
This week the committee considered the Commerce Amendment Bill. In addition the committee has called for submissions on
the Electronic Transactions Bill and set a closing date of 1 February 2001.
Next week the committee will meet twice to further consider the Commerce Amendment Bill.
Education and Science (Clare Sullivan, SC-ES@parliament.govt.nz)
The committee met and considered the Apprenticeship Training Bill. The subcommittee on the inquiry into reading met. The
subcommittee on the inquiry into student fees, loans, allowances and the overall resourcing of tertiary education met
and heard evidence over two days in Wellington.
Next week the committee will hear evidence on the 1999/2000 financial review of the Ministry of Research, Science and
Technology. The subcommittee on the inquiry into student fees, loans, allowances and the overall resourcing of tertiary
education will meet and hear evidence over two days in Christchurch on the afternoon and evening of 23 and 24 November.
Finance and Expenditure (Graham Hill, SC-FE@parliament.govt.nz)
The committee met on 15 November to hear evidence from the Controller and Auditor-General on the 1999/2000 financial
review of the Audit Office, hear evidence on an inquiry into the specific activities of the Inland Revenue Department
surrounding Jan and Murray Willis's taxation matters and consider further the Taxpayers' Charter Bill. The inquiry was
reported to the House with a recommendation that a financial settlement be reached.
At its next meeting on 22 November the committee will hear evidence on the 1999/2000 financial reviews of the Treasury,
the Inland Revenue Department and the Crown financial statements. The committee will also hear evidence on its inquiry
into the powers and operations of the Auditor-General in relation to community trusts.
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (David Sanders, SC-FD@parliament.govt.nz)
The committee will meet in Auckland on 23 November to hear evidence on two inquiries: New Zealand’s economic and trade
relationship with Australia; and the role of human rights in foreign policy.
Government Administration (Louise Sparrer, SC-GA@parliament.govt.nz)
The committee heard evidence from the State Services Commission on the 1999/2000 financial review.
The Crimes (Criminal Appeals) Amendment Bill was referred to the committee last week. This bill has a report date of 23
November. The committee has decided to invite submissions on this bill. The purpose of the bill is to reform and clarify
the case management procedure for dealing with criminal appeals in the Court of Appeal. The removal of the processing of
legal aid applications from the Court of Appeal will change the way in which cases are handled by the Court. The bill
also provides for the validation of Court of Appeal decisions under the current legislative framework (except for two
proceedings that commenced before the bill’s introduction).
The committee has also been referred the Summit Road (Canterbury) Protection Bill. This is a local bill in the name of
Hon David Carter. This bill provides for the consolidation and amendment of the law relating to the protection of the
scenic amenities for the Summit Road and other roads in the Port Hills of Canterbury. The deadline for submissions on
this bill is 31 January 2001.
Health (SC-Health@parliament.govt.nz)
On 14 November the committee presented its report on the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Bill. The majority of
the committee has recommended a number of amendments. The bill as introduced contained separate clauses and provisions
for health outcomes for Maori and for other groups. The committee's report states that “The majority recommends that
subclauses 17(1)(d) and (e) be collapsed to create a new subclause (1)(d) with a single objective relating to health
disparities. The new provision makes it clear that the [District Health Boards’] objective is to reduce health
disparities by improving health outcomes for Maori and other population groups.”
Justice and Electoral (Wendy Proffitt, SC-JE@parliament.govt.nz)
This week the committee heard submissions on the Local Elections (Single Transferable Vote Option) Bill, a member’s bill
in the name of Rod Donald. The committee also initiated an inquiry into the Law Commission, for which there will be a
hearing of evidence next week. Next week the committee will also hear evidence on the 1999/2000 financial review of the
Crown Law Office and complete the hearing of evidence on the 1999/2000 financial review of the Ministry of Justice.
The committee is calling for submissions on the Prostitution Reform Bill, a member’s bill in the name of Tim Barnett.
The closing date is 26 February 2001. The aims of the bill are to decriminalise prostitution, to safeguard the human
rights of sex workers and protect them from exploitation, to promote the welfare and occupational health and safety of
sex workers, to create an environment which is conducive to public health, and to protect children from exploitation in
relation to prostitution.
Law and Order (Tracey Rayner, SC-LO@parliament.govt.nz)
The committee met on Thursday, 16 November. The morning session was open to the public, from 10.30 am to 12 noon during
a hearing of evidence on the 1999/2000 financial review of the Department of Corrections.
The committee next meets on Thursday, 23 November. The morning session will be open to the public, from 10.30 am to
12.15 pm, during a hearing of evidence on the 1999/2000 financial review of the Department for Courts. The afternoon
session will be open to the public, from 3.30 pm to 6.00 pm, during a hearing of evidence on the 1999/2000 financial
review of the Serious Fraud Office.
Local Government and Environment (David Bagnall, SC-LGE@parliament.govt.nz)
On Wednesday the committee received evidence from Transfund New Zealand on the Tauranga District Council (Route K Toll)
Empowering Bill. An official from the Tauranga District Council who was in attendance also answered questions from the
committee. The committee then considered the bill in closed session, and will continue to do so next Wednesday. At next
week's meeting the committee will also consider the Auckland City Endowments and Reserves Vesting Amendment Bill.
The subcommittee on Otorohanga Termites will meet twice next week. The first meeting will be in Room G.001, Parliament
House, on 22 November 2000, from 3.15 pm to 4.15 pm to receive a briefing from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
on the termite situation. This is open to the public.
On Friday, 24 November, the subcommittee will travel to Otorohanga for a site visit in the morning, followed by hearing
of evidence in the afternoon including submissions from the Residents Against Subterranean Termites (RASTS) at the
Otorohanga Council Chambers.
Maori Affairs (SC-MA@parliament.govt.nz)
This week the committee heard evidence from Te Puni Kokiri as part of its 1999/2000 financial review. The committee
asked questions about the capability of the department in terms of closing the gaps, evaluating the effectiveness of its
policy advice and outcomes for Maori in education. Next week the committee will further consider the Te Ture Whenua
Maori Amendment Bill.
Primary Production (Bob Bunch, SC-PP@parliament.govt.nz)
The committee met on Thursday, 16 November, to consider and hear evidence on its inquiry into organic agriculture in New
Zealand. The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Limited appeared before the committee. The
committee also considered its 1999/2000 financial reviews of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry
Fisheries.
Next week, on 23 November, the committee will hear evidence on the 1999/2000 financial reviews of Land Information New
Zealand and Timberlands West Coast Limited. It will also receive a briefing from ENZAFRUIT about the forthcoming
pipfruit export season.
Regulations Review (Fiona McLean, SC-RR@parliament.govt.nz )
At its meeting on 15 November, the committee heard evidence on a complaint relating to the Survey (Departmental Fees and
Charges) Regulations 1998 and the Survey Regulations 1998. Evidence was heard from the complainant and from the
department responsible for administering the regulations, Land Information New Zealand.
The committee will next meet on 22 November and will hear evidence on a complaint relating to the Meat (Residues)
Regulations 1996. Any person can make a complaint to the committee if he or she is aggrieved at the operation of any
regulation. The committee will hear from the complainant and from the department responsible for administering the
regulations, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The hearing is open to the public from 3.15 pm to 4.30 pm.
At its meeting on 22 November, the committee will also hear evidence from the Minister of Immigration, together with
officials from the Department of Labour, as part of its examination of the Immigration (Special Regularisation)
Regulations 2000. This hearing is open to the public from 5.00 pm to 5.30 pm.
Social Services (Tim Cooper, SC-SS@parliament.govt.nz)
This week the committee finished hearing evidence on the 1999/2000 financial review of the Ministry of Social Policy and
on the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Amendment Bill (No 3). The bill transfers powers of search and seizure
from regulations into primary legislation. Next week the committee will hear evidence from the Department of Work and
Income on its 1999/2000 financial review. This hearing (10.00 am to 10.30 am, Room 11.03 Bowen House) will focus only on
student services (that is, loans and allowances). The committee will also hear evidence on the financial review of the
Department of Child, Youth and Family Services (11.00 am to 12.15 pm).
Transport and Industrial Relations (Lyn Main, SC-TI@parliament.govt.nz)
On 15 November the committee heard evidence from the Department of Labour as part of its examination of the 1999/2000
financial review of the department. The committee will continue this hearing of evidence on 29 November 2000.
At its next meeting on Wednesday, 22 November, the committee will hear evidence on the 1999/2000 financial review of the
Ministry of Transport.
Closing dates for submissions
Committees are receiving submissions on the following items with the closing date shown:
Commerce
Electronic Transactions Bill (1 February 2001)
Finance and Expenditure
Taxation (Beneficiary Income of Minors, Services-Related Payments and Remedial Matters) Bill (30 November 2000)
Government Superannuation Fund Amendment Bill (15 December 2000)
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
Volunteers Employment Protection Amendment Bill (30 November 2000)
International Treaties Bill (31 March 2001)
Government Administration
Inquiry into New Zealand’s adoption laws (31 January 2001)
Summit Road (Canterbury) Protection Bill (31 January 2001)
Health
Inquiry into health strategies relating to cannabis use (7 February 2001)
Justice and Electoral
Bay of Plenty Regional Council (Maori Constituency Empowering) Bill (12 February 2001)
Prostitution Reform Bill (26 February 2001)
Maori Affairs
Tutae-Ka-Wetoweto Forest Bill (31 January 2001)
Primary Production
Inquiry into sustainable forestry management (23 January 2001)
Regulations Review
Inquiry into regulation-making powers that authorise international treaties to override any provisions of New Zealand
enactments (17 November 2000)
Standing Orders
Procedures of the House and select committees (30 November 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, 17 November 2000