Committee notes
Commerce
The committee meet on 15 March to hear further evidence on the financial reviews of Meridian Energy and the Electricity Commission, commence its consideration of the Copyright (New Technologies and Performers' Rights) Amendment Bill, and further consider the two inquiries. The committee will commence hearing submission on the Copyright (New Technologies and Performers' Rights) Amendment Bill at its next meeting.
Education and Science
On 14 March the committee heard evidence on the 2005/06 financial reviews of AgResearch Ltd and Industrial Research Ltd. It also heard evidence from the Education Review Office on its inquiry into making the schooling system work for every child.
When the committee next meets, on 21 March, it will hear evidence on the 2005/06 financial reviews of NIWA and Hort Research Ltd, and will receive a briefing on the technology curriculum in schools.
Finance and Expenditure
The committee met this week to consider the petition of Mr Peter Cleary, the Income Tax Bill, and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s March 2007 Monetary Policy Statement. The committee also met with the Speaker of the Mongolian Parliament and an accompanying parliamentary delegation.
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
The committee met this week to consider the 2005/06 financial review of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, its inquiry into New Zealand’s relationships with South Pacific countries, the Protocol to the Geneva Convention and a number of petitions from Poutama Tsoi. It also reported on the World Wine Trade Group Agreement on Requirements for Wine Labelling.
Government Administration
The committee met on 14 March to consider the Therapeutic Products and Medicines Bill, as well as the Statutes Amendment Bill, and the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Amendment Bill. It conducted the hearing of evidence for the 2005/06 financial review of the Office of Film and Literature Classification, and reported on the 2005/06 financial review of the New Zealand Sports Drug Agency.
Health
This week the committee heard evidence on the financial review of the Auckland District Health Board and the two human tissue bills - the Human Tissue (Organ Donation) Amendment Bill and the Human Tissue Bill. It considered further the Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Bill.
At its meeting on 21 March the committee will receive a Polish parliamentary delegation, hear evidence on the financial review of the Otago District Health Board and the two human tissue Bills. The committee will consider further the Health (Drinking Water) Amendment Bill.
Justice and Electoral
The committee met on 15 March to consider the New Zealand Bill of Rights (Private Property Rights) Bill, as well as the Arbitration Amendment Bill and the Property Law Bill. It conducted the hearing of evidence for the 2005/06 financial review of the Privacy Commissioner, and reported on the 2005/06 financial review of the Human Rights Commission, the 2005/06 Financial review of the Electoral Commission, Petition 2005/114 of Gail Diane Reeves, and Petition 2005/69 of Steve Baron on behalf of Better Democracy New Zealand.
The committee will meet next week on 22 March to hear evidence in regard to the 2005/06 Financial review of the Legal Services Agency, and continue its consideration of other items of business.
Law and Order
The committee met on 14 March to continue consideration of the Young Offenders (Serious Crimes) Bill and four petitions.
Next week the committee will meet on 21 March at 9.30am to hear evidence on the Young Offenders (Serious Crimes) Bill, and continue consideration of the 2005/06 financial review of the Police Complaints Authority, the Corrections (Mothers with Babies) Amendment Bill, and several petitions.
Local Government and Environment
The committee met this week to consider the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Bill and heard evidence on the Waste Minimisation (Solids) Bill.
Māori Affairs
The committee met this week to hear evidence on the 2005/06 financial review of Te Māngai Paho, and to receive a briefing on Māori underachievement in schools from the Ministry of Education and Te Puni Kōkiri.
Next week the committee will receive a briefing on the Waitangi National Trust Board, and consider the 2005/06 financial review of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission). The meeting will be open to the public between 10am and 11am.
Primary Production
The committee met this week to hear evidence on the 2005/06 financial review of AgriQuality Limited, met with a delegation from Mongolia, and considered the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Bill.
Next week the committee will to hear evidence on the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Bill, as well as consider the 2005/06 financial review of AgriQuality Limited and its continuing examination of the restrictions on the importation of plant germplasm. The meeting will be open to the public between 11am and 12pm.
The committee is calling for submissions on the Fisheries Act 1996 Amendment Bill, with a closing date of 13 April 2007. The bill is intended to provide clearer direction to persons making fisheries management decisions to adopt a precautionary approach and take measures to ensure sustainability where there are gaps or flaws in the available information.
Regulations Review
The committee met on 14 March and scrutinised statutory regulations, deemed regulations, a draft rule and consider the complaint regarding Midwifery Fees Notice 2005.
The committee will next meet on 21 March to scrutinise statutory regulations, consider the complaint regarding Midwifery Fees Notice 2005 and the complaint regarding Notice of Scopes of Practice and Related Qualifications prescribed by the Nursing Council of New Zealand.
Social Services
The committee met this week to hear evidences on the Social Security (Entitlement Cards) Amendment Bill and the Social Security Amendment Bill.
The committee next meets on 21 March to continue hearing evidence on the Social Security Amendment Bill. The hearings will be open to the public.
Transport and Industrial Relations
This week the committee was briefed by the Ministerial Advisory Group on Roading Costs, considered the Minimum Wage (Abolition of Age Discrimination) Amendment Bill and heard evidence on the Minimum Wage and Remuneration Amendment Bill.
The committee will next meet on 22 March to hear evidence on its briefing on the Onehunga Rail, the Minimum Wage and Remuneration Amendment Bill, and consider the financial review of ONTRACK and two petitions.
