"I did not have sexual relations with that race card"
Try as he might to rebut suggestions that he was playing the race card, Phil Goff's attempt to stir up public angst over the repeal of the foreshore and seabed legislation was opportunistic, and his denials Clintonesque.
Goff had to do something about Labour's poor polling and his own terminal showing in the leadership stakes. Saying sorry and putting a softer public face on Labour were not cutting it. But making a play for red-necks and those hostile to special dealing with Māori was a desperation move that stretched Goff's credibility at the same time as raising questions about what his tactics were intended to achieve.
Goff's position wasn't helped by his earlier acknowledgement of the failings of the current legislation. He had even gone so far as to raise expectations of cross-party engagement and, in so doing, proffer an olive branch to Māori alienated by Labour's abrogation of customary property rights. In the face of that, his "it ain't broke, why fix it" concerns seem at best inconsistent and at worst insincere.
Even less helpful was the fact that Goff's tub-thumping was taken right out of Winston Peters' playbook. It even preyed upon Peters’ staple audience - a provincial gathering of Grey Power.
But seeking to cannibalise support from New Zealand First is an odd way of recapturing the political middle ground. Any hope Goff may have had of picking up two or three percentage points at the margins will be dashed when the Silver Fox reasserts his ownership of New Zealand's politics of division. It was never going to be a winner for the long-term.
The collateral damage done to Labour's relationship with the Māori Party also poses a question about who exactly Goff expects to stand alongside him after the 2011 election. It's a problem that will become even more pressing as the reported disaffection of Labour's Māori support base - even those with little stake in Government deals with iwi - makes the need for more than one coalition partner inevitable.
Whatever upside there may be from Goff's apparent flirtation with social illiberalism is yet to be seen - time is needed for all this to filter through to the polls. The early signs are not good though. Weekend polling shows Labour continuing to drop in public favour, Goff's personal support approaching the margin of error, and National undamaged after what ought to have been a damaging couple of weeks.
Unfortunately for Goff his latest gambit bears once again the hallmarks of not thinking things through. It was a scatter-gun affair that tried to pander to urban Māori dissatisfaction with the Government's direct engagement with iwi leaders, resurrect fears about access to the beaches and attack the Government's credibility and backroom dealing - all at the same time. The upshot does not look pretty, particularly for Goff, who would be replaced if anybody actually wanted his job.
Rodney Hide may have overstated things with his dismissal of National's appetite for political action. It has in fact been a busy year for the Government with the implementation of its 'First 100 Days' priorities and its assorted reforms in Auckland governance, financial regulation, the ETS and the justice sector. But it is also true that National's first year had been marked by a preference for low hanging fruit and populist initiatives. Not all of these were at the margins, or indeed necessarily popular. The changes in Auckland governance and what they foreshadow, for example, have a significance that is not yet fully apparent or appreciated.
However, it is equally true that the Government's agenda lacks real ambition. National backbencher, Alan Peachy, puts it bluntly. National, he says, is doing what it always does, "polishing Labour's crap."
But that is the fate of any incoming Government, left or right. The electorate might say that it wants the disposable income of Australians, but it will not tolerate the steps necessary to bring that about. And this is where Hide got it wrong, it is not the Government that lacks an appetite for fundamental reform, it is the public. Governments just want to get elected.
Which is why, of course, the key recommendations of the 2025 Taskforce may well go nowhere. Flat taxes and commercial interest rates on student loans are simply a bridge too far. Government will preoccupy itself instead with tinkering at the margins in the hope that it can do slightly better than staving off whatever day of reckoning is out there.
That is no small task, something Oscar Wilde got to the nub of: "To do nothing at all is the most difficult thing in the world, the most difficult and the most intellectual."
See also Taskforce 2025 Goes Boldly Where Many Have Gone Before.
Corrections (Use of Court Cells) Amendment Bill
Type of Bill: Government Bill
Member in Charge: Hon Judith Collins
This Bill enables temporary accommodation of over-flow prisoners in prison cells at courts as a measure of last resort. This Bill has already been passed.
Fair Trading (Soliciting on Behalf of Charities) Amendment Bill
Type of Bill: Member's Bill
Member in charge: Amy Adams
This Bill increases transparency and accountability of professional, third party collectors for registered charities in light of recent negative publicity. Where the collector is retaining more than 20 percent of a donation, this must be disclosed.
Human Assisted Reproductive Technology (Storage) Amendment Bill
Type of Bill: Government Bill
Member in Charge: Hon Simon Power
This Bill prohibits storage of a human in vitro embryo (being an embryo whose development has been suspended), or a human in vitro gamete for longer than the applicable statutory period (currently 10 years).
Policing (Constable's Oaths Validation) Amendment Bill
Type of Bill: Government Bill
Member in Charge: Hon Judith Collins
This Bill confirms that Police employees who took the Constable's Oath between 1 October 2008 and 12 October 2009 have valid constable powers. This Bill has already been passed.
Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 Repeal (Easter Sunday Local Choice) Amendment Bill
Type of Bill: Member's Bill
Member in charge: Todd McClay
This Bill empowers local authorities to allow or restrict trading on Easter Sunday, placing the decision about such trading in the hands of local communities. Territorial authorities will be able to pass bylaws to allow trading on Easter Sunday.
Statutes Amendment Bill
Type of Bill: Government
Member in Charge: Hon Nathan Guy
This Bill is an omnibus Bill which makes minor amendments to a large number of statutes.
Taxation (Annual Rates, Trans-Tasman Savings Portability, KiwiSaver, and Remedial Matters) Bill
Type of Bill: Government Bill
Member in charge: Hon Peter Dunne
This Bill enables savings to be moved between Australia and New Zealand by amending the Income Tax Act 2007 and the KiwiSaver Act 2006.
Trans-Tasman Proceedings Bill
Type of Bill: Government Bill
Member in Charge: Hon Simon Power
This Bill implements the Agreement between the New Zealand and Australian Governments on Trans-Tasman Court Proceedings and Regulatory Enforcement which was signed on 24 July 2008. It is mirrored by a piece of legislation in Australia.
Wanganui District Council (Port and Harbour) Bill
Type of Bill: Local Bill
Member in charge: Chester Borrows
This Bill amends historical anomalies in the treatment of public land in the Wanganui District. It consolidates the vesting of such land in the Council, and outlines both the purposes of the land and how income flowing from the land is to be used or held by the Council. It also terminated the lease between the Council and River City Port Limited, and is backed by a memorandum of understanding between Ko Nga Hapu o Te Runanga o Tupoho and the Council regarding land near the mouth of the Whanganui River.
Bills To Select Committee
Open for submissions
Bill |
Select Committee |
Submissions close |
Report due |
Dairy Industry Restructuring (Raw Milk Pricing Methods) Amendment Bill |
Primary Production |
3 December 2009 |
2 March 2010 |
Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill |
Education and Science |
31 March 2010 |
28 May 2010 |
Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
10 December 2009 |
27 April 2010 |
Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Amendment Bill |
Transport and Industrial Relations |
26 November 2009 |
12 February 2010 |
Ngāti Apa (North Island) Claims Settlement Bill |
Māori Affairs |
15 January 2010 |
17 March 2010 |
Whanganui Iwi (Wanganui (Kaitoke) Prison and Northern Part of Wanganui Forest) On-Account Settlement Bill |
Māori Affairs |
15 January 2010 |
19 March 2010 |
Submissions not yet called
Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Amendment Bill
Marine Reserves (Consultation with Stakeholders) Amendment Bill
Subordinate Legislation (Confirmation and Validation) Bill
Submissions closed
Bill |
Select Committee |
Report due |
Arms Amendment Bill (No 3) |
Law and Order |
26 February 2010 |
Cluster Munitions (Prohibition) Bill |
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade |
28 January 2010 |
Franklin District Council (Contribution to Funding of Museums) Amendment Bill |
Local Government and Environment |
30 April 2010 |
Limitation Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
4 February 2010 |
Marine Reserves Bill |
Local Government and Environment |
30 December 2010 |
Motor Vehicle Sales Amendment Bill |
Commerce |
30 December 2009 |
Patents Bill |
Commerce |
30 March 2010 |
Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
30 March 2010 |
Public Works (Offer Back of and Compensation for Acquired Land) Amendment Bill |
Local Government and Environment |
17 June 2010 |
Radio New Zealand Amendment Bill |
Commerce |
24 December 2009 |
Sale and Supply of Liquor and Liquor Enforcement Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
30 June 2010 |
Sale of Liquor (Objections to Applications) Amendment Bill |
Social Services |
30 June 2010 |
Search and Surveillance Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
1 May 2010 |
Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill |
Law and Order |
30 March 2010 |
Sustainable Biofuel Bill |
Local Government and Environment |
29 January 2010 |
Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Bill |
Māori Affairs |
30 June 2010 |
Customs and Excise (Sustainable Forestry) Amendment Bill
Climate Change (Government Vehicle Procurement) Bill
Bills Awaiting Second Reading
Bills that have recently been reported back to the House from a Select Committee are in bold and the Select Committee reports on these Bills are linked.
Aquaculture Legislation Amendment Bill (No 2)
Antarctica (Environmental Protection: Liability Annex) Amendment Bill (37-1) (Report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade Committee)
Border (Customs, Excise, and Tariff) Processing Bill (Report of the Government Administration Committee)
Carter Observatory Act Repeal Bill
Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Amendment Bill (No 6)
Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Youth Courts Jurisdiction and Orders) Amendment Bill (Report of the Social Services Committee)
Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill (Report of the Finance and Expenditure Committee)
Dog Control Amendment Bill (No 2)
Education Amendment Bill
Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill (Report of the Education and Science Committee)
Electricity (Continuance of Supply) Amendment Bill
Infrastructure Bill
Inquiries Bill (Report of the Government Administration Committee)
Judicial Matters Bill
Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement (Regional Agreements) Amendment Bill
Māori Trustee and Māori Development Amendment Bill
Oaths Modernisation Bill
Privacy (Cross-border Information) Amendment Bill
Public Health Bill
Rail Network Bill
Regulatory Improvement Bill
Regulatory Responsibility Bill
Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill
Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill
Serious Fraud Office (Abolition and Transitional Provisions) Bill
Student Loan Scheme (Exemptions and Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Bill (Report of the Education and Science Committee)
Therapeutic Products and Medicines Bill
Trade (Safeguard Measures) Bill
Trade Marks (International Treaties and Enforcement) Amendment Bill
Trustee Amendment Bill
Unit Titles Bill
Waka Umanga (Māori Corporations) Bill
Bills Awaiting Third Reading
Cultural Property (Protection in Armed Conflict) Bill
Gambling Amendment Bill (No 2)
Legal Services Amendment Bill
Methodist Church of New Zealand Trusts Bill
Biosecurity Amendment Bill
Bills divided from Border (Customs, Excise, and Tariff) Processing Bill:
- Customs and Excise Amendment Bill
- Tariff Amendment Bill
Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill
Corrections (Contract Management of Prisons) Amendment Bill
Corrections (Use of Court Cells) Amendment Bill
Crimes (Provocation Repeal) Amendment Bill
Immigration Bill
Policing (Constable's Oaths Validation) Amendment Bill
Remuneration Authority Amendment Bill
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Amendment Bill
Taxation (Consequential Rate Alignment and Remedial Matters) Bill
Acts divided from Settlement Systems, Futures, and Emissions Units Bill:
- Personal Property Securities Amendment Act
- Reserve Bank of New Zealand Amendment Act
- Securities Amendment Act
- Security Markets Amendment Act
Insolvency Amendment Act
Palmerston North Showgrounds Act Repeal Act
Securities Markets Amendment Act (see In Other News for description)
Securities Act (Multiple Participants Superannuation Schemes) Exemption Amendment Notice 2009
Tariff (AANZFTA) Amendment Act 2009 Commencement Order 2009
Customs and Excise (AANZFTA) Amendment Act 2009 Commencement Order 2009
Customs and Excise (Rules of Origin for AANZFTA Goods) Amendment Regulations 2009
Tariff (AANZFTA) Amendment Order 2009
Tariff (Specified AANZFTA Parties) Order 2009
Crown Entities (New Zealand Fast Forward Fund Limited) Order 2009
Ombudsmen Act (Schedule 1) Order 2009
Public Finance (New Zealand Fast Forward Limited) Order 2009
Crimes (Interception Warrants) Amendment Regulations 2009
War Pensions Amendment Act 2009 Commencement Order 2009
Education (Export Education Levy) Regulations 2009
District Courts Amendment Rules 2009
Sentencing Amendment Regulations 2009
Summary Proceedings Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2009
New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Amendment Act 2009 Commencement Order 2009
Immigration Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2009
Valuers Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2009
Double Taxation Relief (United States of America) Amendment Order 2009
Income Tax (Fringe Benefit Tax, Interest on Loans) Amendment Regulations (No 3) 2009
Income Tax (Minimum Family Tax Credit) Order 2009
Securities Act (Transition to Securities Regulations 2009) Exemption Notice 2009
The House is in recess. It resumes on Tuesday 8 December.
Although the Parliament is due to rise for the Christmas recess on 22 December, it is expected that the last day of business will be brought forward to 16 December. The final edition of Watching Brief for the year will be adjusted accordingly.
In Committee - 30 November
Substantive analysis of legislation has been somewhat sparse over the past fortnight, with the annual financial review of several Government departments and state owned enterprises dominating Select Committee proceedings.
Commerce Committee
The Committee heard several submissions on the Inquiry into Finance Company Failures. This inquiry shall focus on improving investors' awareness and knowledge about the remuneration of financial advisors; the issue of moratoria; steps that need to be taken to reduce the chances of failure in the future; and finally, issues of redress.
The Committee also heard further submissions from Vector and the Electricity Commission on the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment's Report on Smart Meters.
Justice and Electoral Committee
President of the Law Commission, Sir Geoffrey Palmer, appeared before the Committee to provide a preview of the Law Commission's report on private investigators, due to be published in early 2010. Sir Geoffrey focussed on the removal of section 52 of the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act 1974 (and it's clause 66 equivalent in the current Bill) which unreasonably restricts photography and bans voice recording for mechanical (but not digital) devices. The Commission also recommended amendments to the Harassment Act 1997, alongside the introduction of a new Surveillance Devices Act in line with several Australian states, as well as the inclusion of a professional code of ethics.
The Committee also heard further submissions on the Search and Surveillance Bill.
Foreign Affair, Defence, and Trade Committee
The Committee heard submissions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on a number of recently concluded international agreements including: the Malaysia - New Zealand Free Trade Agreement; the Malaysia - New Zealand Agreement on Labour Cooperation; the Malaysia - New Zealand Agreement on Environmental Cooperation; and the Exchange of letters constituting an Agreement between Malaysia and New Zealand on the treatment of alcoholic beverages in the Malaysia - New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
Transport and Industrial Relations Committee
The Committee heard several submissions on the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Amendment Bill. Submissions were largely critical of several aspects of the Bill; in particular focussing on the "Full Funding" model proposed in the Bill, entitlement reductions, and that the Bill, from a holistic perspective, seeks to shift the cost and risk arising from injury compensation away from the Government and onto individual parties.
Legal Aid and Agency Board in the Gun
Dame Margaret Bazely has presented an uncompromising report into the state of legal aid and its abuse by members of the legal profession. Pointing to corruption on the part of at least some lawyers who derive their incomes from legal aid, Bazely concluded that the scheme is unsustainable. Padding, unwarranted delay and variable legal competence have combined, she concluded, to deliver a manifestly poor outcome both for those unable to afford legal counsel and the taxpayer.
Justice Minister Simon Power has acted, accepting the resignation of the administering Legal Services Agency Board chairwoman Carol Durbin, as well as those of board members Jane Taylor, Alister James and Dr Pare Keiha. The outgoing board members are being replaced by retired High Court judge Sir John Hansen, who will be the new board chairman, and Wellington company director John Spencer. They join existing board members Jane Huria and Ross Tanner, who were appointed earlier this year.
On the heels of Bazley's report the Cabinet has agreed today to fold the LSA into the Justice Ministry, and to appoint an independent statutory officer who will oversee the granting of legal aid and the running of cases by the Public Defence Service.
Global Economic Crime Survey makes for Grim Reading
PricewaterhouseCoopers' Global Economic Crime Survey makes grim reading for Kiwis with a rosy view of our collective honesty. Although far from being in the league with the world's failed states, New Zealand placed 8th of the 54 surveyed countries for the levels of reported fraud.
42% of New Zealand respondents said they had experienced economic crime in the previous 12 months (versus the global average of 30%) and internal fraudsters were the main perpetrators, figuring in no less that 72% of reported cases. This figure contrasts unfavourably with Australia (33%), Asia Pacific (57%) and the global average 53%.
Even more concerning was the result for the government and public sector which had an 89% reported level of internally perpetrated fraud.
Offering us some comfort, the report noted that our over-representation in the statistics may be an artefact of increased detection and reporting systems.
ETS: an Unlikely Pasodoble
The Government, with the support of the Māori Party and United Future, has passed the Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill through its third reading in Parliament. Although a 'grand coalition' between National and Labour on the shape of the emissions trading scheme failed to eventuate, the Government managed to strike a deal with the Māori Party, meaning it will arrive at the climate change negotiations in Copenhagen on the 7th of December with an emissions trading scheme in place.
The deal involved National inserting a Treaty of Waitangi clause into the Bill, which permits specific iwi to plant trees on Department of Conservation land and receive the corresponding carbon credits. Other benefits include a fully-funded home insulation scheme for the poorest New Zealand households. Minister for Climate Change issues Nick Smith hailed the passing of the Bill as "an important first step for New Zealand in doing [its] fair share on climate change."
Just what that 'fair share' will be will become clearer once the Copenhagen negotiations are complete. The parties to the negotiations have set themselves the ambitious goal of agreeing a set of binding emissions reductions targets from 2013 onwards. Prime Minister John Key has publicly stated that it is unlikely such a goal will be achieved and as a consequence Nick Smith and Associate Minister for Climate Change Tim Groser will head New Zealand's negotiating party. With the protracted domestic negotiations completed, it is now time for the Government to begin the real negotiations. Striking a deal on the international stage may not prove as easy.
Emissions Units Trading Facilitated
The Simon Power sponsored Securities Markets Amendment Bill was given royal assent on 23 November 2009. The Settlement Systems, Futures and Emissions Units Bill was split into four parts at the Select Committee Stage, with the Securities Markets Amendment Bill being one of the four. The original Bill was first introduced as a response to NZX's desire to upgrade the settlement system and expand it to allow trading in emissions units - particularly relevant given the recent passing of the amended Emissions Trading Scheme. Settlement systems are a key part of New Zealand's financial system as they are used to transfer the ownership of assets and commodities such as shares and oil. New Zealand currently has two settlement systems - Austraclear (run by the Reserve Bank) and NZX's FASTER system.
This reform gives statutory backing to the settlement systems that are in place, allowing for greater stability. The systems are monitored by the Securities Commission and the Reserve Bank, who have a joint role in terms of recommending designation of a system and regulating the regime. The Securities Markets Amendment Bill's main changes are primarily defining which bodies can be designated in terms of settlement systems, particularly in regards to the futures markets.
Government Action Plan to Develop New Zealand's Petroleum Sector
Building on its recent commission of reports to estimate New Zealand's likely petroleum resources and potential revenues in the sector, the Government has adopted an Action Plan to aid development of New Zealand's petroleum resources.
The petroleum sector currently accounts for around $3 billion per annum of New Zealand's export revenue. This figure could increase to $30 billion by 2025 pending development of estimated resources in our unexplored basins.
The Plan (announced on 18 November) provides for continued management of the Crown's petroleum estate, as well as other initiatives. The key objective is to establish New Zealand as a globally attractive petroleum exploration and production investment destination. Scientific estimates of New Zealand's offshore petroleum basins will be carried out under the Plan. These estimates could uncover a potentially significant resource which, if managed effectively, would contribute to economic benefits in terms of economic growth, levels of employment, and investment in industry infrastructure. In the short term, increasing exploration and improvement of knowledge of New Zealand's petroleum basins have been identified by Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee as the immediate focus of the Plan. Government expenditure in the area of scientific data collection is intended to focus on both strategic management of explored resources as well as maximising investor interest in exploration and development.
A short-focused review of the Crown's management of its petroleum estate (with particular emphasis on Ministry of Economic Development capability and performance) is expected to be carried out in May 2010. A review of the regulatory, royalty and taxation schemes for New Zealand's petroleum sector is also scheduled to take place in December 2010. This could lead to changes to the legislative framework of the petroleum sector, for example the Government's powers to assess options in terms of national interests under the Crown Minerals Act may undergo legislative clarification. Although currently in its initial, investigative stages, over the course of the next year the Plan could well have significant implications for businesses involved or looking to become involved in the petroleum sector.
The Treasury Report Getting Started on Closing the Income Gaps: Some Economic Scenarios and Options for Reform and Rebalancing outlines changes needed to reverse the large (and widening) average per capita income gap that currently exists between New Zealand and its OECD peers - particularly Australia. New Zealand has consistently fallen behind in per capita income growth in comparison with citizens of other OECD countries, with the gap to Australia currently at approximately 30%. To catch up with Australia, the potential per capita income growth will have to be doubled each and every year until 2025.
The suggested changes are as follows:
- Tax reform to the extent that less focus is on tax that favours consumption and more emphasis is put on investment, innovation, participation and savings.
- Regulatory policy settings need to be changed in a way that improves the ease with which business resources are moved to where they can best be used. Growth rates can be improved by following the OECD best practice standards.
- Dramatically decreasing government spending.
Interestingly, the Treasury notes that some current policy plans do not appear to improve potential growth capacity or act in closing the income gap, namely the carbons emissions target, which acts as a drag on growth. The Treasury recommends a number of measures going forward, including structural tax reforms, further reforms of the RMA, completing the review of the Building Act, reviewing overseas investment, and examining the tax environment for investment. Also, there should be a focus on realistic pricing regimes for natural resources such as carbon and water, and improved innovation in these areas.
Taskforce 2025 Goes Boldly Where Many Have Gone Before
Taskforce 2025, the Dr Don Brash-headed initiative set up under the Government's agreement with the ACT Party, was tasked with coming up with bold ideas to close the income gap with Australia by 2025. And bold ideas it has certainly produced, including:
- Significantly cutting government spending (from 37.3% to 29% by 2012/13, and thereafter reducing more) and reviewing all government spending through special taskforces
- Abolishing the "Cullen Fund" and use of its assets to reduce government debt
- Increasing the age at which citizens become eligible for Superannuation
- Significantly cutting tax rates (eg to 20% maximum rate for personal, company and trust taxes)
- Implementing a major overhaul of health and education funding
- Improving the efficiency of government service delivery
- Improving the evaluation process of government spending
- Improving the quality of economic regulation (and the passing of a Regulatory Responsibility Bill)
- Removing government from the ownership of business assets (including local government) where the business operates in a market where competition is feasible or actual
- Introducing congestion charging in central Auckland
- Introducing a greater ability to mine for mineral resources
- Overhauling labour law
- Removing Zespri's status as a single-desk exporter and encouraging the transformation of Fonterra
- Reviewing the Commerce Act, the ETS, foreign investment rules and removing all remaining tariffs
- No recommendation of a capital gains tax.
These proposals are to be considered by the Government, with Finance Minister Bill English noting that "this Government is pragmatic. And any decisions about key economic policies must meet the tests of fairness and equity." Prime Minister John Key has already ruled out adopting wide-sweeping changes.
This week Commerce and Justice Minister Simon Power met with Australian Attorney-General Robert McClelland and his counterparts in Canberra to discuss the further development of the trans-Tasman harmonisation agenda.
The bilateral exchange coincides with the introduction of the Trans-Tasman Proceedings Bill 2009 into both the Australian and New Zealand Parliaments. The Bill implements a Treaty signed between the two nations in 2008 aimed at reducing the cost of doing business in the Australasian market. Among the measures included in the Bill is the establishment of a cooperative scheme to make trans-Tasman litigation cheaper, simpler and more efficient. The Bill will extend the range of civil court judgements and civil penalties that can be enforced across the Tasman and allow for court appearances by video-link from one country to the other.
Who |
What |
By when… (2009) |
Ministry of Economic Development |
Petroleum Action Plan |
29 January 2010 |
Environmental Risk Management Authority |
Amendments to Hazardous Substances assessment framework |
19 February 2010 |
Ministry of Fisheries |
Inclusion of Patagonian Toothfish in QMA |
5 January 2010 |
Department of Labour |
Risk management and safety standards for adventure tourism |
16 December |
Local Government Commission |
Boundaries and political divisions of Auckland super city |
11 December |
Māori Affairs Select Committee |
Inquiry into the operation of the Māori Community Development Act 1962 |
12 February 2010 |
Who |
What |
By when… (2009) |
Biosecurity New Zealand |
Draft import health standard for table grapes from China |
11 December |
Draft import health standard for pears from China |
11 December |
Department of Building and Housing |
Retirement villages disclosure statement |
11 December |
Department of Conservation |
Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre Trust concession notification |
17 December |
Kauri National Park proposal |
tbc |
Draft Guidelines for Aircraft Access for Canterbury Conservancy |
Ongoing |
Ministry of Economic Development |
The future of the telecommunications relay service in New Zealand |
16 December |
Statutory framework for financial reporting; and accounting and assurance standards under this framework |
29 January 2010 |
Electricity Commission |
Transmission pricing review |
7 December |
Scarcity pricing and compulsory contracting options |
7 December |
Options for managing locational price risk
nb: consultation paper has been modified |
7 December |
Transparency of charge components |
14 December |
Minor editorial changes to the Electricity Governance Rules |
29 January 2010 |
Environmental Risk Management Authority |
Reassessment of methyl bromide as a hazardous substance |
18 December |
Ministry of Fisheries |
"Re-starting Aquaculture"– Aquaculture Technical Advisory Group Report |
16 December |
Māori commercial aquaculture settlement |
Not yet set |
Inland Revenue Department |
GST: Accounting for land and other high-value assets |
18 December |
Residential rental property depreciation |
18 December |
Maritime New Zealand |
Life jackets in small craft |
18 December |
New Zealand Transport Agency |
SH73 route security strategic study |
4 December |
Omnibus amendments to the Land Transport Rules |
11 December |
Standards New Zealand |
Installing insulation in residential buildings |
8 December |
Electrical installations - construction and demolition sites |
8 December |
Safety of chain saws |
14 December |
Safety of range hoods and other cooking fume extractors |
14 December |
Safety of spin extractors |
14 December |
Safety of surface cleaning appliances for household use employing liquids or steam |
14 December |
Safety of insect killers |
14 December |
Safety of fixed immersion heaters |
14 December |
Safety of portable immersion heaters |
14 December |
Safety of hedge trimmers |
14 December |
Safety of switch mode power supply units and transformers for switch mode power supply units |
14 December |
Backflow preventions devices |
17 December |
Structural design actions: wind actions |
21 December |
Fire-resistant doorsets and smoke-control doors |
22 January 2010 |
Land development and subdivision |
5 February 2010 |
New Zealand Walking Access Commission |
Draft National Strategy for Walking Access |
18 December |
Draft New Zealand Outdoor Access Code |
18 December |
