NEWS ON POLICY
AND POLITICS |
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A MATTER OF OPINION The Best Form of Defence? PM Admits Election Spending Bill Goes Too Far Rating Inquiry Report IN PARLIAMENT Bills Introduced more... Before Select Committee Bills Reported Back /Awaiting Second Reading more... Supplementary Order Papers more... Bills Passed 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Best Form of Defence?Having failed to recapture its political momentum with the public, Labour has decided to attack National not at its weakest point, but at its strongest - John Key. Recognising that National's front rank is still building its political credentials, the hope is that a well-aimed assault on Key will demoralise National's backbench and shatter the unaccustomed unity that the Party has shown since his accession to the leadership. It's an ambitious tactic that some may see as a last throw of the political dice. At best, it will only buy Labour time while National's forces regroup. But time is what Labour needs most. The challenge of repairing its public image is still before it, as is the need to bed in some genuinely fresh faces at the Cabinet table. Also outstanding is the need to deliver in some tangible way on the 'sustainability thing' and the grab-bag of policy objectives that attend it. Of course timing is everything. As the last election showed, the chance (or shrewd design) that enabled Labour to catch the public just at the point where the trend lines were shifting finally in National's favour, was decisive. The hope must be that it can bring about a sufficient swing in political mood to achieve the same thing again and, if last week's performance in the House is any indication, it is determined upon it. The unstated difficulty in all this is that John Key is no easy mark. Already, he has earned a reputation for never making the same mistake twice and having taken a hit last Tuesday, last Wednesday saw him come back swinging. Labour will continue to try to undermine his credibility as a potential Prime Minster, but it has probably had the only completely free strike that it's going to get. PM Admits Election Spending Bill Goes Too FarForeseeing the prospect of having to defend what lobby groups will paint as an assault on free speech, the Prime Minister has conceded the Labour Party's proposals to tighten election advertising and campaigning rules may have gone too far. She has not been clear about how the Bill has transgressed and in what way. However, what is clear is that she has picked up misgivings on the part of the electorate, which can be relied upon to look beyond the extreme case of the Brethren to the central issue. The responsible Minister, Hon Mark Burton, has been more sanguine. Taking the opportunity to remind the public of National's purported links to the Brethren, he has welcomed Winston Peters' obliging reference to National's financial relationship with noted business interests. The tactic, it seems, will be for the PM to reflect the rational view, leaving it to her Minister to use the Bill as an excuse to savage the Opposition. It is a dangerous approach. Although it has its immediate uses it has longer term potential to expose Labour to a serious attack on its purportedly liberal credentials. The Prime Minister's more measured commentary is unlikely to be a sufficient prophylactic. Rating Inquiry ReportThe report of an independent inquiry into rates has been delivered to Ministers, but will not be released for another fortnight. The delay has been attributed to the absence overseas of inquiry chairman, David Shand. Whilst rates relief should not be expected an extension of the rates rebate scheme and a relaxation of rules on local body debt raising are on the cards.
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IN PARLIAMENT |
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Bills IntroducedGambling Amendment Bill (No 2) - Government Bill. Hon Rick Barker Immigration Bill - Government Bill. Hon David Cunliffe
This reform aims to modernise, simplify, and overall make the immigration system a more robust and accountable system. Among the interests and needs the Bill seeks to balance are those of:
The Bill prescribes minimum standards in the areas of international protection, deportation, appeals, compliance and enforcement. Provision is made for a single appeals system and the capacity to detain for up to 96 hours without warrant of commitment. Significantly, the Bill provides for the collection of biometric information from people presenting at the Border as New Zealand citizens, for the purported purposes of ensuring that they are who they say they are. That information will not be retained where identities are properly confirmed. Limited Partnerships Bill .Government Bill. Hon Lianne Dalziel Bills Before Select CommitteeNew Zealand Geographic Board (Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa) Bill (referred to Government Administration committee) Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Bill (referred to Commerce committee) Building Amendment Bill (referred to Social Services committee) Social Assistance, Debt Prevention and Minimisation Amendment Bill (referred to Social Services committee) Open For Submissions
Bills Reported Back / Awaiting Second ReadingCopyright (New Technologies and Performers' Rights) Amendment Bill Supplementary Order PapersSOP 132: Wills Bill Hon Clayton Cosgrove. Substantive Amendment This SOP amends the Wills Bill to remove a consequential amendment to the Evidence Amendment Act (No 2) 1980. SOP 133: Weathertight Homes Resolution Services (Remedies) Amendment Bill. Hon Clayton Cosgrove. Substantive Amendment This SOP makes amendments intended to:
SOP 134: Weathertight Homes Resolution Services (Remedies) Amendment Bill Hon Clayton Cosgrove. Substantive Amendment This SOP proposes to divide the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services (Remedies) Amendment Bill into the following two Bills:
SOP 135: Mental Health Commission Amendment Bill Hon Pete Hodgson. Substantive Amendment This SOP amends the Mental Health Commission Amendment Bill by omitting clause 9(2) and inserting a new clause 9(2) and (2A). The effect of the amendment is that:
Bills PassedMental Health Commission Amendment Bill Acts AssentedSentencing Council Act 2007 RegulationsTakeovers Code (Pharmacy brands Limited) Exemption Notice 2007 |
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The Transport and Industrial Relations select committee has continued to consider the Airport Authority (Sale to the Crown) Amendment Bill submissions.
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Dairy Industry Restructuring Broadcasting Amendments Patents Bill Maori Trustee Amendments New Organised Crime Legislation Forfeiture under Customs and Excise Act The Prime Minister also telegraphed the introduction of the Trustee Amendment Bill based on Law Commission’s report of the subject, the Bio-Fuels Bill and the Food Bill. Policy decisions have also been taken in respect of the Corrections Act with an amendment Bill to be introduced this year.
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IN CONSULTATION |
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© Russell McVeagh 2005. All rights reserved.