NEWS ON POLICY
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A MATTER OF OPINION Although likely to suffer a setback in the polls as a result of its recent political fumbling, the National party was saved from sustained public scrutiny by revelations of yet another government surplus. more... IN OTHER NEWS Energy strategy outlined IN PARLIAMENT Bills Introduced/Awaiting First Reading more... Bills At Select Committee more... Bills Reported Back/Awaiting Second Reading more... Bills Not Proceeding more... Supplementary Order Papers more... Acts Assented more... Regulations more... HEARINGS OF NOTE more... LEGISLATION IN THE WINGS more... IN CONSULTATION more...
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| A MATTER OF OPINION | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Although likely to suffer a setback in the polls as a result of its recent political fumbling, the National party was saved from sustained public scrutiny by revelations of yet another government surplus. Prompting fresh calls for tax cuts and accompanying public irritation at the Finance Minister's apparent proprietary regard for other people's money, the announcement of fiscal plenty could not have been timed better for National. Nor could the High Court decision to allow the prosecution of former Labour MP, Phillip Field. In a week in which public concern about the performance of National's front bench should have been cemented in the public mind, Labour found itself once again on the back foot. The net result is that any fillip it may receive in the most recent polls may prove fleeting. But while National may end the week with a relieved sigh, its troubles are far from over. Wise heads may observe that it's better that the Party's mistakes are made now when lessons can be learned. But those mistakes are far from novel and those responsible for them have been around long enough to know a lot better. The unfortunate sense that is left is of another shoe waiting to drop. This will not be lost on Key and the result may be a tactical shift that will give greater exposure to the talent that sits immediately behind National's front row. Certainly, shadow Attorney-General Chris Finlayson is one who could be heard more from, as could former school principal Alan Peachy and fellow list MP Kate Wilkinson. Meanwhile, Labour continues to rely on having its eggs in the sustainability basket and the leadership it has shown on climate change and, this week, energy. Over the short term, it's a strategy that is likely to play well for the government and there can be no doubt that it has managed the theatre of its successive announcements exceptionally well. But style cannot substitute for substance over the longer term and the government's policies will come under increasingly critical regard as the hard questions get asked. Early cracks in the emissions trading scheme have already become evident. Concern has been expressed at the apparent preoccupation of limiting exposures to Kyoto liabilities, rather than bringing about a net reduction in emissions. The absence of any mechanism for government to deal with price spikes or unintended economic consequences of a 'pure' market for emissions units is also giving rise to worry. Similarly, the week's announcement of government's energy strategy has given rise to concerns over the adequacy and security of supply. Suggestions that government will intervene to ban high energy use products such a plasma televisions - despite setting up the market mechanism to modify consumer choice - are also unlikely to play well with a public that will wonder where all this might lead.
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| IN OTHER NEWS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Energy strategy outlinedThe Government this week launched the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy. Highlights include:
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IN PARLIAMENT |
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Bills Introduced/Awaiting First ReadingBiofuel Bill. Government Bill. Hon David Parker Land Transport Amendment Bill (No 4) Government Bill. Hon Annette King
Currently, it is difficult to prosecute a person driving under the influence of drugs as the existing offence requires a person to be "incapable" of having proper control of the vehicle. The new offence proposed in the Bill is committed when a driver is impaired and there is evidence of illegal drugs in the driver's blood. The objective of the new Part 17 is to establish a regime that protects personal information held on the register of motor vehicles but permits this information to be used for purposes consistent with the purposes of the register and such other purposes as the Minister of Transport may from time to time decide. Current legislation does not, in general, protect personal information from release. Public Transport Management Bill: Government Bill. Hon Annette King Bills At Select CommitteeOpen For Submissions
Bills Reported Back/Awaiting Second ReadingHuman Tissue Bill Bills Not ProceedingPrinciples of the Treaty of Waitangi Deletion Bill Supplementary Order PapersSOP 150: Waste Minimisation (Solids) Bill This SOP significantly amends the Waste Minimisation (Solids) Bill, including renaming it to the Waste Minimisation and Resource Recovery Bill. Originally a Member's Bill (sponsored by Nandor Tanczos), the SOP will convert the Bill to a Government Bill developed by the Ministry for the Environment in conjunction with the Green Party. The SOP removes the provisions relating to the Waste Minimisation Authority, waste control authorities, organisational waste minimisation plans, the public procurement policy and public organisation reporting. It introduces a new purpose provision and amendments to the definitions in the Bill. The resulting Bill provides a high level of discretion to the Minister for the Environment and provides for regulation across a range of matters, including priority products (to be subject to a stewardship regime) and waste levies. The SOP will omit Parts 2 to 10 and substitute new Parts 2 to 7 to the Bill:
The Bill and the SOP are currently before the Local Government and Environment Select Committee for consideration. The Committee has sought written submissions from those who presented submissions on the original Bill. These are due by 31 October. SOP 147: Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Bill This SOP amends the Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Bill to:
Acts AssentedAnimal Products Amendment Act 2007 RegulationsBuilding (Registration of Building Consent Authorities) Regulations 2007 |
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The Commerce Select Committee will begin its consideration of the Limited Partnerships Bill this week. This Bill proposes to establish a new regulatory regime for limited partnerships, allowing for more flexible business relationships and aligning New Zealand with similar international business structures. It is hoped that the Bill will facilitate development of the venture capital industry in New Zealand.
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Subordinate Legislation New Public Health Act
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IN CONSULTATION |
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What's New
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| RELEASED BY ... | ISSUE | SUBMISSIONS
CLOSE ON... (2007) |
| Commerce Commission | Draft Decisions and Reasons for Not Declaring |
9 November (30 November for cross subs) 12 November |
| Education, Min of | 26 October |
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| Electricity Commission | Review of Reserve Energy Policy Information System Definition Review North Auckland and Northland proposal |
15 October 19 October 26 October |
| Food Standards Australia NZ | Genetically modified rice | 14 November 14 November |
| Land Transport NZ | Guideline for dispensing with a survey under section 167 of the Land Transfer Act 1952 | 19 October |
| Standards NZ | Fire hydrant systems for buildings | 26 November |
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© Russell McVeagh 2005. All rights reserved.