Members’ day will become ACT Day in Parliament this Wednesday, said ACT leader Hon Richard Prebble.
ACT is guaranteed to have three of its members’ bills debated by Parliament –a first for the party.
“We are pleased the House will spend most of the day debating important issues raised by ACT. It is ACT’s ambition to
get as many of our ideas and policies as we can before Parliament and the people of New Zealand.
“The bills reflect ACT’s view that sanctity of property rights, consumer choice and personal responsibility are vitally
important for security and opportunity in New Zealand. “
Mr Prebble said the three bills are:
* The Medical Practitioners (Foreign Qualified Medical Practitioners) Bill, promoted by ACT Deputy Leader and Health
Spokesman Ken Shirley.
The bill cuts through the red tape, which currently stops many eminently qualified overseas-trained doctors from
practising here.
There have been a number of instances where difficulties in registering doctors who are perfectly well qualified in
countries like Australia have restricted New Zealander’s access to medical treatment – for instance when Southland
Health was unable to use an Australian eye specialist to reduce waiting lists.
* The Resource Management (consultation with Landowners) Amendment Bill, promoted by ACT Environment Spokesman Owen
Jennings.
This requires local authorities to consult with all affected landowners before creating protection areas on private
land.
It is an important principle that private property owners be treated fairly when councils wish to reduce their rights
for common gain. There have been serious problems in areas such as Northland and Canterbury where property owners have
had their rights to farm and manage their land unilaterally confiscated without any notice.
* The Criminal Justice (Parole Offenders) Amendment Bill, promoted by ACT Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks.
The bill strengthens provisions for dealing with offences committed by parolees released from prison on trust. It would
also compel the Justice Minister to ensure that detailed information is both compiled and published on offences
committed while on parole.
A high percentage of prisoners released on parole commit fresh offences during the parole period – this includes
documented cases of rape and murder. This bill treats offending in this circumstance very seriously by requiring
prisoners to be recalled to complete their full sentence and sentencing on the new offence is to be cumulative, not
concurrent. It gives prisoners a strong incentive to “go straight” and will most certainly reduce the overall level of
offending.
“It is ACT’s intention to continue putting as many bills into the ballot as we can. We aim to keep our fresh ideas and
positive policies before Parliament and the people of New Zealand,” said Hon Richard Prebble.
ENDS
For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at
act@parliament.govt.nz.