It’s Budget Week at Parliament with the Government’s economic and fiscal plan set down to be revealed on Thursday May 20 but before that takes place there are some bills MPs need to work through.
Photo: VNP / Daniela Maoate-Cox
Foreign Buyers
Officially called the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill (No 3) this bill is one of two which intend to improve the foreign investment screening regime and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Overseas Investment (Urgent Measures) Amendment Bill was passed in May 2020 and introduced measures such as a national interest test and removed screening requirements for transactions that pose little to no risk.
This second bill proposes less time-sensitive measures including granting the Government powers like:
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A higher threshold for acquiring farmland and ensuring its advertised in a way that allows New Zealanders the best chance to get it
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Better recognise Māori cultural values like taking into account an applicant’s plans to protect wāhi tūpuna, wāhi tapu, and Māori reservations
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Considering the sustainability of water bottling or bulk water extraction investments
The bill is at the Committee of the Whole House stage which, unlike the other stages of the bill, isn’t given a time limit. MPs work through the parts of the bill to make sure it’s put together properly and they can also suggest or make changes.
Increasing sick leave from five to ten days
The Holidays (Increasing Sick Leave) Amendment Bill is also at the Committee of the Whole House stage having passed its second reading a couple of weeks ago.
The bill increases the amount of employer funded sick leave from five days to 10 and has the support of the Labour Party and Green Party. National and ACT voted against it at its second reading.
Legalising drugs testing
Until December 2020 drug testing services at festivals were at risk of being charged with offences like possession if they handled illegal substances for testing purposes.
Testing services like Know Your Stuff NZ have been operating at events for five years to help people make informed decisions about the drugs they’re taking by testing if their contents are what they claim to be.
They worked in an illegal grey area that hindered their ability to cooperate with event organisers who could also be put at risk of prosecution for knowingly allowing drug offences to take place.
The legislation passed last year was a temporary measure put in place to allow drug testing services to operate for the summer festival season and is set to expire in December 2021.
Replacing it is the Drug and Substance Checking Legislation Bill (No 2) which is due to have its first reading at Parliament this week.
At a first reading the MP in charge will outline the purpose of the bill including why it’s needed and how it will address the problem. Other MPs will indicate whether or not they’re likely to support it.
This bill is a government bill in the name of the Minister of Health Andrew little and as the government has the majority it is unlikely to fail. After it passes its first reading it will go to a select committee for about six months at which point the public will be able to submit their views.
The bill will establish a licensing system which will allow drug testing services to operate with legal certainty.
Drug and substance testing services will be able to:
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Give information on harm reduction advice to help people make informed decisions about drug use
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Test a drug or substance to figure out what it is and what it is made up of
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Return a drug or substance to whoever gave it up for testing
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Dispose of any samples surrendered for testing
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Dispose of and drug or substance given up by someone who no longer wants to keep it
See how far the House gets each day here.
See the full list of proposed legislation the House intends to work through here.
