IMPORTANT --- READ BELOW ******************************************************** [XI] Bills Assented To Note: The title of the Act is shown in italics where this differs from the Bill. [qp] Government Bills Assent No. 10 April 1995 Appropriation (Financial Review) Bill (No. 2) 19 Appropriation (Financial Review) Act 1995 Income Tax Act 1976 Amendment Bill (No. 2) 20 Income Tax Act 1994 Amendment Bill (No. 2) 21 Goods and Services Tax Amendment Bill (No. 2) 22 Goods and Services Tax Amendment Act 1995 Estate and Gift Duties Amendment Bill (No. 2) 23 Estate and Gift Duties Amendment Act 1995 Tax Administration Amendment Bill 24 Local Government Amendment Bill (No. 2) 25 Local Government Amendment Act 1995 Student Loan Scheme Amendment Bill 26 [xt] Local Bills [rt] Whakatane District Council (Rates Assessment Validation) Act 1995 2 [xt] Summary of Bills Presented This section contains a prcis of all bills presented to the House this week. Not all bills presented are introduced. The introduction of a bill requires the agreement of the House. Government Bills Electoral Reform Makes a number of miscellaneous amendments to the Electoral Act 1993, the Privacy Act 1993 and the Citizens Initiated Referenda Act 1993. The amendments to the Electoral Act 1993 relate to the following areas: Membership of the Electoral Commission and its powers in relation to the registration of political parties;[ciix] Functions of Returning Officers;[ciix] Powers of the Representation Commission;[ciix] Timeframe for receipt of an application to register as an elector after writ day;[ciix] Procedures for objections to registration as an elector;[ciix] Supply of information about electors;[ciix] Use of dormant files;[ciix] List seat vacancies, list candidates' expenditure restrictions and advertising both for list candidates and generally;[ciix] Order of the ballot paper;[ciix] Designation of polling places;[ciix] Special voting provisions for electors in remote areas; and[ciix] Appointment of scrutineers.[ciix] The amendments to the Privacy Act 1993 are consequential on the repeal of the Electoral Act 1956 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 1993. The amendments to the Citizens Initiated Referenda Act 1993 replace the definition of ``eligible elector'' and transfer responsibility for determining whether the Act's advertising requirements have been complied with to the Chief Electoral Officer. (Hon. D A M Graham/Referred to Electoral Law Committee). Financial Transactions Reporting Companion measure to the money laundering offences created in the Crimes Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1994. Facilitates enforcement of Proceeds of Crimes Act 1991. Satisfies New Zealand's international obligations as a member of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering. Requires financial institutions to:[riix] Verify the identity of customers; Report suspicious transactions to the Police; and[ciix] Keep records of customers and transactions for at least 5 years.[ciix] Defines ``financial institutions'' as:[riix] Banks, building societies, friendly societies, credit unions, life insurance agencies sharebrokers, casinos, the TAB, trustees, administration managers, investment managers of superannuation schemes, managers of unit trusts, real estate agents, lawyers, accountants;[riix] Anyone whose business consists of borrowing, loaning or investing money, administering or managing funds, acting as a trustee, providing financial services that involve the transfer or exchange of funds.[ciix] Requires anyone entering or leaving New Zealand carrying cash exceeding the prescribed threshold to report this to Customs officials; and[ciix] Commences on 1 January 1996, with the offences commencing on 1 July 1996.[ciix] (Hon. D A M Graham/Referred to Justice and Law Reform Committee). Banking Law Reform Repeals the Banking Act 1982 and amends the Evidence Act 1908, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989, and the Cheques Act 1960. Provides for three significant changes to banking law: A non-transferable cheque is introduced, payable only to the account of the payee named on the cheque;[ciix] ``Truncation'' is permitted for the clearance of cheques, allowing banks to pay cheques on the basis of information received electronically; and[ciix] Certain administrative requirements on banks are removed.[ciix] (Rt. Hon. W F Birch/Referred to Finance and Expenditure Committee). Health and Disability Services Amendment Amends the Health and Disability Services Act 1993. The main purpose of the bill is to abolish the Public Health Commission as from 1 July 1995, and to transfer the functions of the Commission relating to public health to the Ministry of Health and to regional health authorities. Consequential amendments are made to the principal Act and certain other enactments. Amends section 6 (1) of the principal Act, which provides for the National Advisory Committee on Core Health and Disability Support Services. The principal function of the committee is to advise the Minister of Health on the kinds, and relative priorities, of personal health services and disability services that should, in the committee's opinion, be publicly funded. The amendment extends that function to include public health services. (Hon. Jenny Shipley/Referred to Social Services Committee). Environment Amendment Amends the Environment Act 1986. The purpose of the bill is to give effect to recommendations of the Finance and Expenditure Committee on the Inquiry into Officers of Parliament relating to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, and to make consequential changes to the provisions relating to the office and staff of the Commissioner following changes made in the state sector. Provides for the appointment of a Deputy Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. The provisions of the Environment Act 1986 relating to the Parliamentary Commissioner apply, with the necessary modifications, to the Deputy Commissioner. In addition provision is made for the functions of the Deputy Commissioner. The Deputy Commissioner, subject to the control of the Parliamentary Commissioner, has all the functions, duties, and powers of the Commissioner. (Hon. Simon Upton/Referred to Planning and Development Committee). Crown Pastoral Land Amends the Land Act 1948. The main provisions are: Modifies provisions equivalent to those in the Land Act 1948, making it impossible to grant new pastoral leases except as a consequence of a subdivision of an existing pastoral lease;[ciix] Enables the review of existing tenures under pastoral leases and pastoral occupation licences with a view to restoring some pastoral land to full Crown ownership and control;[ciix] Amends the Land Act 1948 so as to make clear that where land is disposed of, or a new lease or licence is granted for it, the new title, lease, or licence comes not only subject to existing encumbrances, etc., but also with the benefit of existing covenants and appurtenant encumbrances over other land.[ciix] (Hon. John Falloon/Referred to the Primary Production Committee). Private Members' Bills Road Transport Revenues Fund This bill seeks to amend the Public Finance Act 1989 to provide for the establishment of a Road Transport Revenues Fund for the purpose of ensuring that all revenue derived from road transport is spent for the purposes of developing, maintaining, enhancing, or administering road transport in New Zealand. (Hon. Winston Peters/Introduction denied). Coromandel Hauraki Gulf (Prohibition on Mining) Seeks to prohibit mining activity in any conservation area (protected areas) in the Coromandel Peninsula and Hauraki Gulf Islands. It contains transitional provisions relating to existing mining rights and to existing applications for mining rights. (Judith Tizard/Introduction interrupted).