NEWS ON POLICY
AND POLITICS |
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IN POLITICS Emissions Trading Legislation timed for Christmas consultation Leading not bleeding PROGRESS OF LEGISLATION Bills Introduced/Awaiting First Reading more... Bills At Select Committee more... Bills Reported Back/Awaiting Second Reading/Stalled more... Bills Passed Second Reading more... Supplementary Order Papers more... Acts Assented more... Regulations more... In Committee more... LEGISLATION IN THE WINGS more... IN CONSULTATION more...
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Emissions Trading Legislation timed for Christmas consultation All the indications are that the Emissions Trading legislation and associated submission process will be timed to occupy that slot traditionally reserved for initiatives that governments would prefer did not attract attention - Christmas. Driven by the practicalities of getting the legislation up and running by the promised deadline of mid 2008, officials are understood to be pressing for a six week submission period to run from the week immediately before New Zealanders head to the beach. If true, this will only reinforce growing criticism of what is being seen increasingly as a rushed and potentially hazardous process. The open question is, which Select Committee will find itself shepherding the legislation? The Local Government and Environment Committee might be seen as a candidate, but the directive role being taken in the process by Treasury and the fiscal exposures associated with the Kyoto Protocol suggest the Finance and Expenditure Committee as the more likely candidate. Leading Not Bleeding The New Zealand Institute has joined business groups in highlighting the likelihood that climate change represents more of a cost to New Zealand than it does a source of economic opportunity. Noting the difficulty of identifying benefits and the potential to achieve an economic upside of the government's approach the Institute questions the adoption of a world-leading stance. Carbon flight, or the departure of investment to less demanding jurisdictions, together with the substantial restructuring of the economy that will be a consequence of the ambition to be a global leader in addressing climate change are also cited as reasons for New Zealand to be cautious in charting its course. The lack of flexibility in the positions of both the Government and the Opposition is also noted as is the lack of strategic clarity about where we as a nation are going. According to the Institute these factors argue for a 'fast follower' approach that will see New Zealand defer the date by which it satisfies its Kyoto commitments to 2020 and establish a staged set of emissions reduction targets that have in-built flexibility to allow the pace of change to be accelerated or slowed according to international developments and technological progress. The Institute's position has been rebutted by the Business Council for Sustainable Development, which sees no reason for New Zealand to defer taking advantage of what it suggests are the massive economic advantages of being a prime mover on emissions reduction.
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PROGRESS OF LEGISLATION |
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Bills Introduced/Awaiting First ReadingLand Transport Management Amendment Bill The Bill is intended to enhance New Zealand's transport planning and funding system established under the Land Transport Management Act 2003. Melanesian Trusts (Income Tax Exemption) Amendment This Bill proposes amendments to the Melanesian Trusts Act 1974 to provide that from the commencement date of the Melanesian Trusts Act 1974 income derived and distribution of income made by the Melanesian Mission Trust Board are exempt from income tax. New Zealand Guardian Trust Company Amendment Bill The Bill proposes amendments to the New Zealand Guardian Trust Company Act 1982 to authorise the trustee company, among other things, to transact business with its parent company and that parent company's subsidiaries and associated companies. Subordinate Legislation (Confirmation and Validation Bill (No 3)) Type of Bill: Government This Bill confirms and validates certain subordinate legislation that, in accordance with confirmation and validation provisions in the Acts under which it is made, lapses at a stated time unless earlier confirmed or validated by Act of Parliament.The Bill has been referred to the Regulations Review Committee. Bills At Select CommitteeBiofuel Bill Open For Submissions
Bills Reported Back/Awaiting Second Reading/StalledMinimum Wage and Remuneration Amendment Bill - Transport and Industrial Relations Committee The Bill was intended to amend the Minimum Wage Act 1983 by extending its provisions to apply to payments under a contract for services that are currently remunerated at below the minimum wage. The Select Committee examined the Minimum Wage Act and was unable to reach agreement and could not recommend that the bill be passed. Sale of Liquor (Youth Alcohol Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill - Law and Order Committee The Committee has recommended, by majority, that the Bill be passed with amendments. It divided the Bill, creating two Bills: 1) the Sale of Liquor (Youth Alcohol Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill, dealing with restrictions on the broadcast advertising of liquor; and 2) the Sale of Liquor (Youth Alcohol Harm Reduction: Purchase Age), dealing with the minimum legal purchase age and supply of liquor to minors. Education (Tertiary Reforms) Amendment Bill - Education and Science Committee The Bill amends the Education Act 1989 to align the tertiary education sector’s outcomes more closely with the social, economic, and environmental interests of New Zealand. The Committee, by majority, recommended that the Bill be passed. Bills Passed Second ReadingCrimes (Repeal of Seditious Offences) Amendment Bill Supplementary Order PapersSOP 152: Armed Forces Law Reform Bill This SOP makes the following technical amendments to the Armed Forces Law Reform Bill:
SOP 151: Armed Forces Law Reform Bill This SOP divides the Armed Forces Law Reform Bill into the following four Bills:
Acts AssentedAgricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Amendment Act 2007 RegulationsDiplomatic Privileges (Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat) Order 2007 In CommitteeThe Commerce Select Committee has commenced its consideration of the Limited Partnerships Bill and the Electricity (Disconnection and Low Fixed Charges) Amendment Bill. It has also resumed consideration of the Regulatory Responsibility Bill. |
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Criminal defence of provocation Anti-Money Laundering
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IN CONSULTATION |
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What's New
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| RELEASED BY ... | ISSUE | SUBMISSIONS
CLOSE ON... (2007) |
| Economic Development, Min of | Limited Partnerships Bill: Safe Harbour and Fees Regulations |
29 October |
| Education, Min of | Proposed licencing criteria for ECE services and playgroups |
20 November |
| Electricity Commission |
Proposed aggregated Installation Control Point numbers by retailer by network supply point | 9 November |
| Environment, Min for | Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Refurbishment and Recycling Good Practice Guidelines | 23 November |
| IRD | GST - Lottery operators and promoters Tax Review - Developing an active income exemption for controlled foreign companies |
31 October 30 November |
| Land Information NZ | Guidelines for stop notices on land titles Surveyor-General's Rules for Cadastral Survey |
2 November 1 February 2008 |
| Land Transport NZ | Level crossing design guidelines |
16 November |
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subject matter of this newsletter, please contact the partner/solicitor
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Doug Bailey - Consultant Ph 04 819 7572 [email protected] |
© Russell McVeagh 2005. All rights reserved.