Committee notes
Commerce
The committee met on 8 March 2012 to consider the petition of Penelope Mary Bright and 307 others, and consider and hear evidence on the 2010/11 financial reviews of Transpower New Zealand Limited, the Ministry of Economic Development, New Zealand Tourism Board, and the non-departmental appropriations for Vote Economic Development, Vote Energy and Vote Tourism. The committee also considered the Financial Markets Conduct Bill and called for submissions on the bill with a closing date of Thursday 26 April 2012.
The committee will not meet next week, and will next meet on 22 March 2012 to continue its consideration of the 2010/11 financial reviews.
Education and Science
The committee met on 7 March 2012 to hear evidence on the 2010/11 financial reviews of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited and the Education Review Office. The committee also considered the report from an ombudsman on Complaints Arising out of Bullying at Hutt Valley High School in December 2007, the petition of Judy Taligalu McFall-McCaffery and John McCaffery and 6686 others, and the report of the Controller and Auditor-General on Education Sector: Results of the 2010/11 audits.
The committee will not be meeting next week.
Finance and Expenditure
The committee met on 7 March 2012 to hear evidence on the 2010/11 financial reviews of the Earthquake Commission and the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority.
The committee also met on 8 March 2012 to hear evidence from the Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand on the Monetary Policy Statement.
The committee is next scheduled to meet on 21 March 2012 to hear evidence from the Minister of Finance on the Budget Policy Statement 2012.
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
This week the committee heard evidence on the 2010/11 financial reviews of the Ministry of Defence and the New Zealand Defence Force, and the non-departmental appropriation for Vote Official Development Assistance. The committee also considered the Defence Amendment Bill and set a closing date for submissions of 13 April 2012.
The committee will not be meeting next week.
Government Administration
The committee met on 7 March 2012 to consider the Crown Entities Reform Bill. The committee also heard evidence on the 2010/11 financial reviews of the State Services Commission, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, and the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs.
The committee will next meet on 21 March 2012.
Health
The committee met on 7 March 2012 to hear evidence on the Natural Health Products Bill.
The committee will not meet next week, and will next meet on 21 March 2012 to hear further evidence on the Natural Health Products Bill. The hearing of evidence will be open to the public.
Justice and Electoral
The committee met on 8 March 2012 to hear evidence on the 2010/11 financial reviews of the Crown Law Office and the Parliamentary Counsel Office. It also heard evidence on the Victims of Crime Reform Bill from Victim Support New Zealand, Leigh Woodman, and Deborah Marlow.
The committee has initiated an inquiry into the 2011 general election. The terms of reference for the inquiry are to examine the administration of parliamentary elections in light of the 2011 general election, with particular reference to:
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voter turnout and the maintenance of accurate enrolment data
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the conduct of, and education campaign for, the MMP referendum
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the conduct and performance of the electoral institutions, including the Electoral Enrolment Centre and the new Electoral Commission (merging the functions of the Electoral Commission and Chief Electoral Office), compared with previous elections and in ensuring the integrity of the voting
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electoral matters arising from the Canterbury earthquakes
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the statutory and regulatory frameworks governing elections.
The closing date for submissions is 4 May 2012.
The committee will next meet on 22 March 2012 to hear further evidence on the Victims of Crime Reform Bill, and to consider the Privacy (Information Sharing) Bill.
Law and Order
The committee met on 7 March 2012 to hear evidence on the 2010/11 financial reviews of the New Zealand Police and the Serious Fraud Office. The committee also considered aspects of the Arms Amendment Bill (No 3) and the Report from the Chief Ombudsman and the Ombudsman on Investigation of the Department of Corrections in relation to the Provision, Access and Availability of Prisoner Health Services. The committee also considered the Corrections Amendment Bill. Submissions from the public are now being invited on this bill, with a closing date of 12 April 2012.
The committee will meet next on 21 March 2012 when it will hear evidence on the 2010/11 financial review of the Independent Police Conduct Authority. This hearing will be open to the public.
Local Government and Environment
The committee met on 8 March 2012 to hear evidence on the 2010/11 financial reviews of the Department of Conservation and the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. The committee also considered the Marine Reserves Bill, the Marine Reserves (Consultation with Stakeholders) Amendment Bill, and the Game Animal Control Bill. Submissions from the public are now being invited on this bill, with a closing date of 20 April 2012. The committee also considered the Manukau City Council (Regulation of Prostitution in Specified Places) Bill.
Māori Affairs
The Māori Affairs Committee met on 7 March 2012 to hear evidence on the 2010/11 financial reviews of the Ministry of Maori Development and the non-departmental appropriations for Vote Māori Affairs. The committee also heard evidence on its briefing on tobacco control and Māori.
When the committee next meets on 21 March 2012 it will hear evidence on the 2010/11 financial review of Te Reo Whakapuaki Irirangi (Māori Broadcasting Funding Agency), and on its briefing on tobacco control and Māori. The committee will consider its inquiry into the determinants of wellbeing for Māori children. The committee will also begin its consideration of the Ngāti Manuhiri Claims Settlement Bill, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Claims Settlement Bill, Maraeroa A and B Blocks Claims Settlement Bill, Maraeroa A and B Blocks Incorporation Bill, and the Rongowhakaata Claims Settlement Bill.
Primary Production
The committee met on 8 March 2012 to hear evidence on the 2010/11 financial review of Land Information New Zealand. The committee also considered the petition of David Wills and a number of financial reviews.
The committee will not meet next week. The committee will next meet on 22 March to further consider a number of financial reviews.
Social Services
The committee met on 7 March 2012 to hear evidence on the 2010/11 financial review of the Department of Building and Housing, as well as the 2010/11 financial review of non-departmental appropriations for Vote Housing. These two items of business were considered together. The committee also considered its inquiry into boarding houses in New Zealand and the Home-based support services for older people report from the Office of the Controller and Auditor-General.
The committee will not be meeting next week during the adjournment.
The committee will next meet on 21 March 2012 to hear evidence on the 2010/11 financial review of the Retirement Commissioner. The meeting will be open to the public from 10.15am to 11.00am. The committee will also further consider the 2010/11 financial review of the Ministry of Social Development, as well as the 2010/11 financial review of non-departmental appropriations for Vote Social Development, and for Vote Youth Development. These three items of business will be considered together.
Transport and Industrial Relations
The committee met on 8 March 2012 to hear evidence on the 2010/11 financial review of the Maritime Safety Authority of New Zealand. The committee also considered a number of petitions and other business.
