A member’s bill in the name of National’s David Bennett. Introduced on Sept 22, the Bill clarifies which jurisdiction’s law is applicable in actions of tort and provides guidance to the courts on matters of characterisation. This bill also abolishes certain common law rules dealing with actionability and sets out the general rule that the applicable law will be the law of the jurisdiction in which the events constituting the tort in question occur. Completed its first reading on December 7 and sent to the  Justice and Electoral Committee. Only NZ First opposed the Bill arguing it was not necessary and was not the best solution to the problem it tried to address. Bill transferred to Sarah Dowie and reported back from select committee on June 7 with minor amendments. Completed second reading on June 28 on a voice vote. Committee stage completed by agreement on July 26 with no amendments. Third reading completed with all parties in favour on Nov 29. Private International Law (Choice of Law in Tort) Bill.

Member’s bill in the name of Te Paati Māori’s Debbie Ngarewa-Packer introduced on Aug 4. The bill would put in place a ban on seabed mining consents within the Exclusive Economic Zone and coastal waters including retrospectively withdrawing existing seabed mining consents and exploration rights. Voted down at first reading on May 15 with National, Labour and Act opposed.

Prohibition on Seabed Mining Legislation Amendment Bill

Introduced on June 24 2020. The bill clarifies the definition of serious wrongdoing, enables people to report serious wrongdoing directly to an appropriate authority at any time, strengthens protections for disclosers, clarifies the internal procedure requirements for public sector organisations and the potential forms of adverse conduct disclosers may face. It also explicitly includes public money spent by private sector organisations. First reading on June 30 and sent to the Education and Workforce Committee with the support of all parties. Second reading on Nov 9 with the govt indicating there would be further changes in the committee stage on a number of matters including the definition of serious wrongdoing. Supported by all parties. Committee stage completed on March 8. Third reading complete on May 10 with all parties in favour.

Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Bill

Introduced on Sept 23, the member’s bill of Louisa Wall seeks to give protection to journalist from having to reveal there sources in court by amending the Evidence Act. It also amends the Search and Surveillance Act 2012, to ensure journalists’ sources are protected in relation to production orders and Police searches. First reading on Oct 20 and sent to the Justice Committee. All parties supported but reservations were expressed about aspects including the protection of material gained by illegal activity. The select committee reported back on Sept saying the MP now sponsoring the bill – Ingrid Leary – decided to withdraw the bill as it faced insurmountable drafting issues to make it work. Protection of Journalists’ Sources Bill

A bill in the name of Green Co-leader James Shaw drawn from the Ballot on December 8, The purpose of bill is to ensure the Govt balances the goals of economic opportunity with environmental responsibility in fulfilling its obligations for macro-economic planning. It is also designed to ensure economic management is undertaken consistently with the interests of sustainable development. Defeated at first reading with National, NZ First, ACT and United Future opposed.  Public Finance (Sustainable Development Indicators) Amendment Bill

Introduced on Sept 11, the Bill require the govt to report annually on its wellbeing objectives in the Budget and Treasury to report periodically on the state of wellbeing in NZ. First reading on Sept 17 with National and ACT opposed describing it as gesture politics. Referred to the Finance and Expenditure Committee. Reported back on March 13 with minor changes. Second reading on June 26, committee stage and third reading June 24 with National and ACT opposed. Public Finance (Wellbeing) Amendment Bill

Rewrites, updates and replaces the Health Act 1956 and the Tuberculosis Act 1948 and includes updates enacted in the Epidemic Preparedness Act 2006. National has shown no interest in proceeding with the bill since taking government. Some aspects of the bill have been dealt with under subsequent legislation. First reading in Dec 2007 with select committee reporting back in July 2008. The Government has indicated the bill will be discharged and replacement legislation introduced. Withdrawn Nov 11 2015. Public Health Bill

Introduced on Nov 18 repeals the 1988 State Sector Act and amends the Public Finance Act. The new Public Service Bill intends to create more collaboration between govt agencies. Allows for the creation of interdepartmental boards and more flexibility in employees moving between agencies. First reading on Nov 21 and referred to the Governance and Administration Committee with the support of all parties, though National objected to earlier than standard report back of April 28. Reported back on June 8 with a large number of minor changes. Second reading on June 24 with National opposing saying it supported the intent of the Bill, but there was a lack of public sector accountability. Committee stage and third reading completed under Urgency on July 22 with National and ACT opposed. Public Service Legislation Bill

Introduced on Sept 20. The bill enabled a one-off public holiday on Sept 26 to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Passed under Urgency through all stages on Sept 20 with Act and Te Paati Māori opposed.

Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Day Bill

Introduced on Dec 5. The Bill completes the reforms of the racing industry following a review setting up a new governance structure, a process to distribute the sector’s property and a new regulatory regime for sports betting. First reading on Dec 10 with all parties in support and sent to the Transport and Infrastructure Committee. Report back extended. Reported back on June 8 with a number of amendments. These included changes intended to protect the assets of small racing clubs and preserve them for community use and changes around the regulations covering overseas betting agencies. Second reading June 23, committee stage and third reading June 24 with all parties in support.Racing Industry Bill.