Julie Collier, Select Committee News
Editor Julie Collier - monitoring the powerbrokers. Contact Julie at editor@scn.co.nz for further information on the progress and coverage of Select Committee hearings.

 

Select Committee News is an independent news service covering Parliament's select committees. SCN provides full notes on open meetings including submissions heard during the scrutiny of Bills before Parliament, the hearing of evidence during inquiries, and the financial reviews of government departments and SOEs.

Subscribers to the service include major law firms, corporates and a wide range of government departments and local governments. SCN also publishes a Parliamentary Library edition which is used by those working in Parliament.

Management magazine can provide readers with SCN coverage of current issues before select committees direct to your desktop. Subscribers may purchase a package providing complete SCN reporting of a Committee's hearings on any specific Bill, inquiry or financial review; or you may purchase reports singularly which cover specific meetings on specified dates.

A list of available packages on current hearings and recent individual reports that may be of interest is provided below with prices. All prices include GST. Where a package of reports is purchased, all reports to date will be sent in the initial e-mailing, while subsequent reports on the subject will be sent individually as they come to hand.

Two free sample reports are presented here to give users an indication of the depth of reporting which can be expected. The first is a 4100-word report entitled Inquiry into the Alleged Accidental Release of Genetically Engineered Sweet Corn Plants in 2000 and Subsequent Actions Taken, and the second a 2600-word report on the Border Security Bill.

To order click on the "Buy Now" button beside your choice of package or report. Please allow up to 24 hours for e-mail delivery.

Current Packages Available (these are all the full notes from all meetings on various bills and inquiries)
1  Electricity and Gas Industries Bill Price $750.00
  The Commerce Select Committee has begun hearing submissions on the Electricity and Gas Industries Bill. NGC, OMV, Contact, Meridian and the Electricity Networks Association were among those presenting their views on the legislation this week. The Bill aims to achieve the Government’s policy goals of an integrated approach and cross-sector solutions to energy issues. It is reflected in the establishment of an Electricity Commission charged with ensuring security of supply and adequate dry year reserve.
2  Police Complaints Authority (Conditional Name Protection) Price $150.00
  Submissions are now being heard by the Law and Order Select Committee on this Members Bill which proposes to allow the Police Complaints Authority to order name suppression for police officers who inflict lethal force.

3  Budget Policy Statement Notes Price $150.00
  The Finance and Expenditure committee convened to hear presentations from the Minister of Finance and other interested parties on the Budget Policy Statement (BPS).
4  Building Bill and Architects Bill Price $600.00
  This legislation has resulted from the Inquiry into the Weathertightness of Buildings in New Zealand undertaken by the Government Administration Select Committee, which reported back in March 2003. Together the Bills provide for the repeal of the Building Act 1991, the dissolution of the Building Industry Authority, and the introduction of a new regulatory framework for building work, building practitioners and product certification and accreditation. They establish a licensing regime for building practitioners and the setting of performance standards. Submissions on the Building Bill have been extended to 19th April 2004 (previous scheduled report back date: 3rd March, 2004).

The Architects Bill provides statutory protection of the title of architect at the same time subjecting architects to ongoing competency testing. Governance and administration processes will be modernised to bring the profession into line with current practice in occupational regulation. A public register with details of disciplinary action taken against an architect will be established in order to provide better information for consumers. Submissions closed on 5th December 2003.
5  Inquiry into the New Zealand Electricity Industry Price $950.00
  The Commerce Select Committee’s major inquiry into the New Zealand Electricity Industry is well advanced. Points of reference for the inquiry include the asset utilisation by electricity generation companies and their planning for capacity development; the workability of corporate separation of generation and retail activities of the electricity generation companies and what, if any, further reforms to the regulatory regime are required to ensure lines companies in the future receive a fair rate of return on invested capital and that consumers are charged fair prices. Notes of all meetings included in price.
6  Education (Export Education Levy) Amendment Bill Price $150.00
  Submissions close 13th February 2004. The Bill will allow export education levy funds to be used where necessary to reimburse students and recover any costs that taxpayers incur as a result of the failure of private education providers; directly from the Export Education Levy Fund. It will also allow the Government to recover any past and future costs that taxpayers incur as a result of the actions or inactions of this type of private business. Scheduled report back 10th June.
7  Resource Management (Waitaki Catchment) Amendment Bill Price $600.00
  Submissions close 9th February 2004. The Bill sets up a water allocation process for the Waitaki River and a consent hearing process for Project Aqua and other applicants and objectors for right to take water from the Waitaki River. Scheduled report back 15th March 2004. First subs are being heard next week (WE Feb 20).
8  Employment Relations Law Reform Bill Price $550.00
  Submissions close 27th February 2004. An Employment Relations Law Reform Bill with amendments to the Employment Relations Act and other relevant employment legislation is designed to strengthen the Employment Relations Act's objectives of promoting good faith, collective bargaining and effective resolution of employment relationship problems. Amendments are also proposed to protect employees in change of employer situations caused by the sale, transfer or contracting out of a business, and to update Equal Pay legislation. Scheduled report back: 10th June 2004.
9  Parole (Extended Supervision) and Sentencing Amendment Bill Price $300.00
  Submissions close 20th February 2004. The Bill amends the Parole Act 2002 and the Sentencing Act 2002 to introduce a new extended supervision regime for the management of child sex offenders - allowing a sentencing court to make an extended supervision order following an application by the Department of Corrections - and makes other amendments to those Acts. Scheduled report back date: 18th May, 2004.
10  Resource Management (Aquaculture Moratorium Extension) Amendment Bill Price $350.00
  Submissions close 2nd February 2004. The Bill is to amend the Resource Management Act 1999 to extend the expiry of the current moratorium on coastal permit applications for aquacultural activities (i.e. marine farming, spat catching or both) from 25th March 2004 to 31st December 2004 and make consequential amendments to the Act. Scheduled report back date to be advised.


Latest Reports (these are full notes on individual select committee meetings)
1  Sale of Liquor Amendment Bill No 2 Price $80.00
  The Bill amends the Sale of Liquor Act 1999 to provide existing licensing trusts with the option of reconstituting as community trusts with charitable, philanthropic, and related purposes. It also implements some of the recommendations of the Liquor Review Advisory Committee relating to licensing trusts.
2  Auckland, Waitemata and Auckland Region Health Boards financial reviews Price $150.00
  Select Committee News now has full notes available from the Health Select Committee meeting held to discuss the financial review of Auckland District Health Board, Waitemata District Health Board and Auckland Region District Health Boards. Issues facing each of the health boards were discussed including financial positions, critical areas of management and planning and regional cooperation initiatives that the DHBs are conducting. SCN notes are $150 for all three reports.
3  Pharmac financial review Price $80.00
   
4  TVNZ financial review Price $140.00
   
5  Trade New Zealand financial review Price $100.00