NZPA News September - New Zealand Police Association

New Zealand Police Association NewsletterThe legislative process:How we can make a difference togetherWhen new legislation, or anamendment to existing legislation isproposed, it is presented to theHouse as either a Government or aMembers’ Bill. A debate ensues anda vote is taken as to whether or notit should go before a SelectCommittee for further consideration.Select Committees are appointed bythe House of Representatives toundertake business on behalf of theHouse. There are usually eightmembers on each committee andrepresentation is based on thebalance of parties in the House.Select Committee considerationallows for detailed examination ofmatters pertaining to legislation, ina manner that would not be possiblein the House.There are 13 subject SelectCommittees. The three Committeesthat most closely reflect the day-todaybusiness of Associationmembers are: The Law and OrderCommittee, the Justice and ElectoralCommittee and the Transport andIndustrial Relations Committee. TheAssociation’s submissions may reachoutside this focus if the proposedlegislation is likely to impact uponour members.SubmissionsOrganisations and members of thepublic can have a direct input intothe parliamentary process throughwritten submissions and byattending public hearings.The Association regularly consultsAssociation members, both servingand retired, and other experts toascertain if the proposals for newlegislation or amendments toexisting legislation, will impact onAssociation members.Many of you have already madevaluable contributions toAssociation submissions and some ofyou have appeared before a SelectCommittee and this feedback hasplayed an integral part in being ableto frame or amend proposedlegislation.We welcome this input andencourage members who havedetailed knowledge or expertiserelating to upcoming legislation tobe part of the submissions process.This month “Police News” introducesa new column called “On The Hill”(see below), to keep membersinformed of upcoming legislation.How you can helpIf you have the requisite detailedknowledge in a particular field,which directly relates to proposedlegislation, we would welcome yourinput. Your contribution will requireyou to receive a copy of the Bill,scrutinise each clause and considerhow, if at all, this will impact onmembers and then report yourfindings to the Association. Thedeadlines are usually very tight.Once a Bill has been referred to aSelect Committee there is usually nomore than three weeks allocated forSubmissions areinvited frommembers for thefollowing Bills:Police ComplaintsAuthority(Conditional NameProtection)Amendment Bill(Law and OrderCommittee):The aim of this Billis to amend thePolice ComplaintsAuthority Act 1988to give conditionalname suppression to police officersinvolved in firearms incidents whilecarrying out their duty, until thePolice Complaints Authorityinvestigation is completed. If youconsider you are able to make avalid contribution to an Associationsubmission please request a copy ofthe Bill for return comments to theAssociation by Monday, 15September, 2003.Sex Offenders’ Registry Bill (Lawand Order Committee):The purpose of this Bill is toestablish a registry of persons whohave been convicted of serioussexual offences. It will includemechanisms to keep the registry upto date so that the Police haveavailable to them at all times,information on the whereabouts ofsex offenders. If you haveexperience or knowledge in thisSeptember 2003organisations to obtain copies ofthe Bill, consult, receive feedback,co-ordinate the responses andproduce a report to go before theSelect Committee. We will, however,give you as much notice as possibleto provide your comments.If you would like to have your sayabout how legislation is framed inNew Zealand then this is yourchance. If you think changesshould be made, why not help tomake it happen? Contributing tothe Association’s submissions willgive voice to your opinions and youcould be instrumental in changingthe law.The Police Association is your voice;let’s make a difference together.area and wish tomake acontribution to anAssociationsubmission pleaserequest a copy ofthe Bill for returncomments to theAssociation byMonday, 15September, 2003.Care of ChildrenBill (Justice andElectoralCommittee):This Bill replacesthe Guardianship Act 1986. Itspurpose is to modernise the lawabout guardianship and care ofchildren. The Bill seeks to establish‘welfare and best interests of thechild’ as the paramount principle.Any member who currently works, orhas previously worked with childrenand families and who has beeninvolved in taking possession of achild on warrant, to place that childinto suitable care or been involved inissues surrounding guardianship of achild, may wish to make acontribution to this Bill. Pleaserequest a copy of the Bill as soon aspossible. Returns are required to bewith the Association no later thanFriday, 18 September, 2003.For a copy of any of the Bills above,please contact: Karen Spence(04) 496 6803 or e-mailkspence@policeassn.org.nz129