Committee notes
Commerce
The committee met on 11 June to further consider the Major Events Management Bill and on 14 June to further consider the Copyright (New Technologies and Performers’ Rights) Amendment Bill, commence its examination of the 2007/08 Estimates with Vote Communications.
Next week the committee will meet on 21 June to examine the 2007/08 Estimates for Vote Commerce and Vote Economic Development, Industry and Regional Development.
Education and Science
On 13 June the committee heard evidence on the 2007/08 Estimates for Vote Crown Research Institutes, Vote National Library, and Vote Research, Science and Technology from the ministers responsible for the Votes. It also considered Petition 2005/115 of Fiona Ambler, calling for a middle school to be established in Kerikeri.
At its next meeting, on 20 June, the committee will hear evidence on Vote Education, and Vote Education Review Office.
Finance and Expenditure
The committee met on 13 June and began its hearings on the 2007/08 Estimates. It heard evidence from the Ministers responsible for Vote Revenue, Vote Parliamentary Service, and the Museum Services component of Vote Arts, Culture and Heritage. The committee also completed its consideration of the Supplementary Estimates for the year ending 30 June 2007 and reported on them to the House.
The committee meets next week on 20 June to continue its hearings on the 2007/08 Estimates. It is to hear evidence from the Minister responsible for Votes Finance and State-Owned Enterprises. The committee will also hear evidence from the Minister of Finance on the Fiscal Strategy Report, the Budget Economic Fiscal Update, and the Statement on New Zealand’s Long-Term (40 years) Fiscal Position.
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
The committee met on 14 June to consider the Armed Forces Law Reform Bill, and conducted the hearings for the 2007/08 Estimates examinations of Vote Foreign Affairs, and Vote Official Development Assistance.
The committee will meet again 21 June to consider the Terrorism Suppression Amendment Bill, continue its hearing for the 2007/08 Estimates of Vote Foreign Affairs and Trade and Official Development Assistance and conduct the hearings for Vote Defence Force and Vote Defence.
Government Administration
The committee met on 12 June to consider the Therapeutic Products and Medicines Bill. It then met again on 13 June when it again considered the Therapeutic Products and Medicines Bill, and conducted the hearing for the 2007/08 Estimates examination of Vote Emergency Management. It then considered the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Amendment Bill, and the Statutes Amendment Bill.
The committee next meets on 20 June to conduct the 2007/08 Estimates hearings for Ministerial Services and Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. It will also consider the Statutes Amendment Bill
Health
The sub-committee continued consideration of its inquiry into obesity and type two diabetes in New Zealand on 13 June.
At a full committee meeting on 13 June the committee heard evidence on Vote Health from the Minister and the Ministry of Health. The committee also considered further the Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Bill.
At its next meeting on 20 June the committee will consider further the Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Bill and the Official Information (Openness of District Health Boards New Zealand) Bill. The committee will consider further the inquiry into obesity and type two diabetes.
The sub-committee will meet also to continue its consideration of the inquiry.
Justice and Electoral
The committee met this week to hear evidence for the examinations of estimates for Vote Justice, Vote Parliamentary Counsel, and Vote Attorney General. The committee also continued its consideration of the Property Law Bill.
Law and Order
On 13 June the committee conducted 2007/08 Estimates examinations of Vote Corrections and Vote Serious Fraud.
The committee will next meet on 20 June to conduct 2007/08 Estimates examinations of Vote Courts and Vote Police.
Local Government and Environment
On 14 June the committee heard evidence on the 2007/08 Estimates: Vote Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, and Vote Environment. It further considered the Building (Late Consent is a Free Consent) Amendment Bill, the Resource Management (Climate Protection) Amendment Bill, and the Waste Minimisation (Solids) Bill. It also continued its consideration of petitions about water charges in Auckland, and land ownership issues on Waiheke Island.
At its next meeting, on 21 June, the committee will hear evidence on Vote Conservation and Vote Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. It will further consider the Building (Late Consent is a Free Consent) Amendment Bill, and a petition concerning seabed mining.
Māori Affairs
The committee met this week on 13 June to consider and hear evidence on the 2006/07 Estimates for Vote Māori Affairs and Vote Treaty Negotiations.
The committee will meet next week on 20 June to consider the inquiry into Māori participation in early childhood education.
Primary Production
The committee met this week to consider the Fisheries Act 1996 Amendment Bill and the 2006/07 Estimates for Vote Lands, and to hear evidence on the 2006/07 Estimates for Vote Fisheries.
Next week, the committee will meet to further consider the Fisheries Act 1996 Amendment Bill, and to hear evidence on the 2006/07 Estimates for Vote Lands and Vote Food Safety. The meeting will be open between 9am and 10am for the hearing of evidence on Vote Lands, and between 10.30am and 11.30am for the hearing of evidence on Vote Food Safety.
Regulations Review
The committee met on 13 June and scrutinised statutory and deemed regulations, considered the complaint regarding Family Court Rule 89(2)(b), heard a verbal briefing from The Treasury and Audit Office representatives regarding Audit Office Guidelines on Costing and Charging for Public Sector Goods and Services and the Treasury Guidelines for Setting Charges in the Public Sector.
The committee will next meet on 20 June to scrutinise statutory regulations and consider draft maritime and civil aviation rules. The committee will also consider the complaint regarding Notice of Scopes of Practice and Related Qualifications prescribed by the Nursing Council of New Zealand.
Social Services
At its meeting on 13 June the committee heard evidence on the 2007/08 Estimates of Appropriations for Vote Social Development, Vote Employment and Vote Veterans’ Affairs. The committee also furthered its consideration of the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (Remedies) Amendment Bill.
The committee will next meet on 20 June to hear evidence on the 2007/08 Estimates of Appropriations for Vote Child, Youth and Family Services and Vote Housing. Both hearings will be open to the public.
Transport and Industrial Relations
This week the committee heard evidence on the Estimates of Appropriation for Vote Transport, considered the Aviation Security Legislation Bill, the Minimum Wage (Abolition of Age Discrimination) Amendment Bill, the Employment Relations (Flexible Working Hours) Amendment Bill and considered and deliberated two petitions.
The committee next meets on 21 June to hear evidence on Vote Labour, to hear evidence from the Families Commission on flexible working hours and to consider three of the bills currently before it.
