Introduced on July 28, the bill sets up an administrative framework intended to address systemic accessibility barriers for disabled people. First reading Aug 2 opposed by Greens and  Te Paati Māori. Referred to the Social Services and Community Committee with a longer than usual report back date of May 16 2023.

Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill

Introduced on Dec 2. The bill creates a new penalty regime for ETS participants with low-volume liabilities of less than 25,000 units on average per year from forestry activities who fail to surrender or repay units by the due date. The bill also reforms industrial allocation settings for NZUs. Read a first time on Feb 21 with all parties in favour and referred to the environment committee, to be reported back by July 20.  Reported back on Aug 9 with numerous amendments including how the free units are allocated and on what terms allocations are reviewed. All remaining stages completed under Urgency on Aug 15 with Act opposed. Climate Change Response (Late Payment Penalties and Industrial Allocation) Amendment Bill

Member’s bill in the name of Deborah Russell drawn from the ballot on Feb 15. The bill provides a mechanism for directors who have serious concerns about their safety regarding the publication of their residential address information to request that their residential address be substituted with an address for service. First reading on March 20 and sent to economic development, science and innovation committee with National and NZ First opposed.

Companies (Address Information) Amendment Bill

Member’s bill in the name of National’s Rima Nakhle drawn from the ballot on Feb 1. The bill would create an obligation on Correction’s chief executive and prison managers to protect those who are subject to a protection order and victims of crime from unwanted contact from prisoners. First reading on March 20 and sent to the justice committee with all parties in favour.

Corrections (Victim Protection) Amendment Bill

Introduced on June 21. The bill includes a suite of prison law reform ranging from new powers to monitor inmates’ communications, controls over weapons, rehabilitation programs and best practice corrections policy.  First reading on June 27 with Greens and Kerekere opposed and sent to the justice committee.

Corrections Amendment Bill

Introduced on March 7. The bill intends to increase remote participation in court proceedings. First reading on March and sent to the justice committee with National, Act and NZ First in favour to be reported back by July 31.

Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill

Introduced on April 6. A member’s bill in the name of Ibrahim Omer. The bill makes it an offence of theft under the Crimes Act for an employer to deliberately not pay an employee their full entitlements with imprisonment of up to a year or a fine of up to $30,000. First reading on Aug 30 and sent to the Education and Workforce Committee with National and Act opposed.

Crimes (Theft by Employer) Amendment Bill

Introduced on Aug 15. The bill reduces the voting age in local elections and polls from 18 to 16 years of age. It establishes a new category of electors, named youth electors, and provides for 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds to be registered on a youth electoral roll. It does not change the age for voting, being elected or appointed as a member of an alcohol licensing trust or trustee of a community trust or serving as a juror. First reading on Aug 29 and sent to the justice committee with National and Act opposed.

Electoral (Lowering Voting Age for Local Elections and Polls) Legislation Bill.

Introduced on June 27. The bill replaces the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 and retains the existing functions and powers it provides for managing emergencies at local, regional, and national levels. It establishes a more flexible regulatory framework for setting standards and managing the emergency management system across the 4 stages of risk reduction, readiness, response, and recovery. First reading on June 29 with National and Act opposed and sent to the governance and administration committee.

Emergency Management Bill

Member’s bill in the names of Tracey McLellan drawn from the ballot and introduced on June 7. The bill aims to ensure that workers cannot be discriminated against because they are members of a Kiwisaver scheme or a complying superannuation fund. First reading on Aug 30 and referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee with Act opposed.

Employment Relations (Protection for Kiwisaver Members) Amendment Bill