Introduced on Aug 6, 2020. The Bill seeks to improve the allocation and transfer process provided in the Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004. It follows some iwi facing indefinite delays in receiving their aquaculture settlement assets from the trustee, Te Ohu Kai Moana Trustee Limited, due to the inability of iwi in those regions to reach agreement about how regional aquaculture settlement assets should be allocated among. The Bill provides Te Ohu Kaimoana with a limited discretionary power to allocate and transfer aquaculture settlement assets to iwi. First reading on Dec 9 with the support of all parties and  referred to the Māori Affairs Committee. Reported back from select committee on June 4 with only minor amendments. Second reading on Aug 10 supported by all parties. Committee stage completed on March 17 with little debate. Third reading completed on April 7 with all parties in agreement.

Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Amendment Bill

Introduced on May 3, 2016, the bill implements treaty obligations. It introduces new offences relating to maritime terrorism, the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction and the transportation of fugitives by ship. The Bill also introduces a maritime boarding regime which clarifies enforcement officers’ powers. Completed first reading debate on July 5 with all parties in support, though the Greens had some concerns the provisions might be applied to environmental protest groups. Sent to the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee for consideration. Reported back on Dec 7 with minor amendments. Amongst the changes were “avoidance of doubt” provisions. This specifies a peaceful act of protest or industrial action would not by itself, be a basis for criminal liability under the Act. Completed second reading debate on Feb 16, 2017 with all parties in agreement and the Greens satisfied with the amendments around protest activity. Committee stage completed on Dec 6 with all parties in support. Third reading completed on Dec 12.  Maritime Crimes Amendment Bill

Introduced on June 23. The Bill This bill provides powers to board and arrest on ships in international waters where NZ has jurisdiction, and situations where alleged offending is located on vessel in international waters. First reading on July 7 and referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee with the support of all parties. Reported back on Nov 8 with mainly technical changes. Second reading completed on March 2 opposed only by the Greens who said the powers being given were too broad and powerful. Committee stage completed on May 11 with no changes made. Third reading completed on May 17 with just the Greens opposed.

Maritime Powers Bill

Introduced on June 27. The Bill allows Customs and other agencies such as Defence to intercept vessels suspected of drug smuggling outside New Zealand’s territorial waters. First reading on July 3 and referred to the Foreign Affair, Defence and Trade Committee. Reported back on Sept 10 with no major changes, second reading Sept 18, committee stage Sept 20 and third reading on Sept 26. All parties in support. Maritime Powers Extension Bill

Introduced on May 19. The Bill gives ministerial powers to make marine protection rules in relation to Annex VI of the international marine transport treaty – MARPOL. These relate to vessel fuels and pollution standards. First reading on June 1 with the support of all parties. Sent to the transport and infrastructure committee to be reported back by Sept 16. The shortened time frame was so NZ can accede to the latest annex and take part in upcoming talks on maritime greenhouse gas emissions. Reported back on Sept 14 with minor changes. Second reading on Sept 28 with all parties in support. Committee stage completed on Oct 26. Third reading Nov 9 supported by all parties. Maritime Transport (MARPOL Annex VI) Amendment Bill

Introduced on June 20. The Bill increases the requirements on owners of offshore oil and gas installations to hold insurance or other financial security in relation to their liability for clean-up and compensation resulting from an oil spill. It introduces a graduated scale based on an assessment of risk rising to $1.2b at the high end of the scale. First reading on June 27 with all parties in support though National MPs indicated the highest level of liability was more than they envisaged when in govt. Bill sent to the Transport and Infrastructure Committee to be reported back by Oct 29. Report back extended to Nov 18.Reported back on Nov 18 with minor amendments including clarification around insurers liability and limitations on that liability.Second reading Dec 10, committee stage Dec 11 and third reading Dec 12 supported by all parties. Maritime Transport (Offshore Installations) Amendment Bill

Introduced on November 10. The Bill makes a number of amendments to the Maritime Transport Act. It would require commercial maritime operators to have drug and alcohol management plans, including random testing for staff carrying out safety sensitive activities. The Bill will increase legal liability for companies in the event of a major oil tanker spill and exclude the costs of wreck removal, cargo removal and remediating damage from hazardous substances from liability limits. All parties supported the Bill at its first reading on November 16 and it was referred to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee for consideration. Reported back on May 16 with a number of changes. Labour and the Greens wrote a minority report objecting to the new addition of mandatory random drug testing and changes allowing foreign-registered ships to carry freight to the Chatham Islands. Second reading completed on Aug 16 with National, Maori Party, ACT and United Future in support. Committee stage begun on Dec 5 with the Minister responsible Julie Ann Genter introducing amendments to reverse the addition of mandatory random drug testing and allowing foreign-registered ships to carry freight to the Chatham Islands. Genter said the law would still allow for drug and alcohol management on ships. This included testing in the work place in some circumstances and for testing following an incident.  The Authority could also ensure testing took place if it was felt to be needed. She said a mandatory drug testing framework was unnecessary and would impose large unnecessary costs on small operators. Allowing foreign vessels to take freight to the Chathams could undermine the current non-profit shipping company and lead to its demise and end up driving up shipping costs to the islands. Committee stage completed on Dec 6 with National indicating opposition to the changes in the bill. Third reading interrupted on Dec 7 and completed on Dec 12.

   Maritime Transport Amendment Bill

Introduced on May 19. The bill follows a court ruling questioning the power used to fast track a number of medicines and vaccines including one for covid-19. The Bill clarifies the law and validates historic decisions. Passed through all stage under Urgency on May 19 with all parties in support.

Medicines Amendment Bill

Introduce on June 7.  The bill amends the Medicines Act to allow for fourth doses of covid-19 vaccines to be lawfully administered for off-label use, and for further doses to be administered if supported by scientific evidence. First reading on June 7 with all parties in favour and sent to the Health Committee with a shortened consideration time. Reported back on June 20 with little change, second reading, committee stage and third reading all completed on June 21 with all parties in favour.

Medicines Amendment Bill (No 2)

A bill in the name of Labour MP David Parker drawn from the ballot on June 4. It provides for contractors to be paid not less than the minimum wage. First reading debate interrupted on July 22 and completed on August 12. National opposed saying they agreed with the principle but the bill would have negative unintended consequences. Peter Dunne and the Maori Party joined Opposition parties to send the bill to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee for consideration by 61 to 60. Submissions close on September 29 with a report due by February 12. By agreement the report back deadline was extended to April 29, 2016. Report back deadline pushed back again to June 30. Reported back on June 29. Committee divided, but National’s majority membership voted the bill should  not proceed arguing it would cause more problems than it would fix and abuse of contractors was best dealt with under current employment law. They also argued the proposed law would be complex and costly for employers and contractors who did not need the protection. Both Labour and NZ First MPs argued the bill should proceed saying it would crack down on employers abusing employment law. Second reading debate held on August 10 and progressed by 61 to 60 with Peter Dunne and the Maori Party still continuing to support Labour’s bill. Labour has indicated it will make a number of amendments at committee stage after they were blocked from making them in the select committee process. They believe these changes will take the edge off concerns held on the bill. Bill defeated and negated at the committee stage. Peter Dunne joined National and ACT in opposing the bill after intense lobbying. Dunne described the campaign targeting him as ill-informed bullying. The Government promised Dunne it would use current regulatory tools to clamp down on abuse of contractors in exchange for his support.  Minimum Wage (Contractor Remuneration) Amendment Bill