Introduced on June 2. An omnibus bill following the Inquiry into the Whey Protein Concentrate Contamination Incident. The Inquiry focused solely on the dairy sector. However, the Bill amends all three of the main food safety Acts—the Animal Products Act, the Food Act, and the Wine Act 2003. The fundamental model of the current system is not being changed, the Bill enables regulations to set requirements on the form and manner in which risk-based plans and programmes must be supplied. The Bill also provides for regulations to set traceability and recall requirements. First reading debate interrupted on August 9 with parties indicating general support. Debate completed on August 16 with the support of all parties and sent to the Primary Production Committee. Reported back on December 19 with minor changes. The committee rejected bids to insert mandatory labelling on country of origin and genetic modification. The committee was sympathetic to submissions small scale food manufacturers were being hit with high compliance costs but said it was outside the scope of the Bill. Second reading completed on June 22 with all parties in agreement. Committee stage interupted on August 16 with NZ First indicating it was withdrawing support due to the compliance costs for small producers. Committee stage interrupted again on Dec 6 and 12, though NZ First indicated it would now support the Bill. Committee stage completed on Feb 14. Third reading interrupted Feb 20 and completed on Feb 22. Food Safety Law Reform Bill

Introduced on June 21. The bill gives authority for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to continue to issue consular loans to NZ citizens and permanent residents where exceptional circumstances exist. First reading on July 26 with all parties in favour and sent to the foreign affairs, defence and trade committee. Reported back on Nov 24. Remaining stage completed on March 29 with all parties in favour.

Foreign Affairs (Consular Loans) Amendment Bill

Introduced on May 18, the bill establishes a new regulatory system to ensure timbers throughout the forestry and wood-processing sector has been legally harvested. First reading on June 21 with all parties in support and referred to the Primary Production Committee. Reported back on Dec 14 with a large number of mainly technical changes including definitions such as what qualifies as a legal forestry advisor. Second reading on March 9 with all parties in favour. Committee stage completed on May 2 and third reading on May 17 with all parties in favour.

Forests (Legal Harvest Assurance) Amendment Bill

Introduced under Urgency on May 30. This bill provides for the disestablishment of the registration system and all associated requirements for log traders and forestry advisers, and for the Ministry for Primary Industries to refund any fees or levies paid to MPI under the scheme and waive any fees or levies that are due but not yet paid at the time of commencement. Passed through all stages under Urgency on June 25 with the Greens and Te Pāti Māori opposed.

Forests (Log Traders and Forestry Advisers Repeal) Amendment Bill

Introduced on May 14. The Bill establishes a registration system for log traders and forestry advisers with the intention of ensuring supply of timber for domestic processing and export. First reading of May 14 with National and ACT opposed saying it was clear from Forestry Minister Shane Jones the intention was to regulate to control price for local processing supply needs. Referred to the Environment Committee. Reported back on June 15 with minor changes after strong opposition from many foresters and others. Concerns were also expressed the Bill could breach NZ’s international trade agreements. Second reading on June 30 with Jones saying the Bill would not result in prices being set, but would result in equity of supply. Opposed by National and ACT. Committee stage and third reading completed under Urgency on July 22 with National and ACT opposed.

Forests (Regulation of Log Traders and Forestry Advisers) Amendment Bill

Bill in the name of National’s Maureen Pugh drawn from the ballot and introduced on July 1. The Bill would make restrictions on freedom camping around NZ more consistent, and make it easier to punish breaches of the rules. Voted down at first reading on Oct 20 with Labour and the Greens opposed.Freedom Camping (Infringement Offences and Other Matters) Amendment Bill

Member’s Bill in the name of National MP Stuart Smith drawn from the ballot on April 13.  It amends the Friendly Societies and Credit Unions Act 1982, and is intended to remove unnecessary operating and compliance costs for credit unions by promoting greater efficiency, innovation, and accountability. It would bring credit unions into alignment with other financial service providers but is intended to maintain the element of mutuality and the requirement of a common bond between members. First reading completed on June 7 with all parties in support and sent to the Finance and Expenditure Committee for consideration. Report back extended to May 4. Reported back on May 4 with a number of amendments including those around the ability of the organisations to offer securities. Second reading completed on May 16 with all parties in support. Committee stage completed on June 13.Third reading completed on June 27. Friendly Societies and Credit Unions (Regulatory Improvements) Amendment Bill

Introduced on June 1. The bill increases the minimum stock levels for petrol, diesel and jet fuel which must be held in NZ and allows for levies to fund this to improve security in case of an energy shock. First reading on June 6 with all parties in favour and sent to the economic development, science and innovation committee. Reported back on Aug 9 with mainly technical changes. Second reading on Aug 15 with Act opposed. Remaining stages completed on Aug 22 with Act opposed.

Fuel Industry (Improving Fuel Resilience) Amendment Bill

Introduced on Nov 15. The bill provides a threat of wholesale price regulation, subject to a recommendation from the Commerce Commission, to incentivise suppliers to offer competitive terminal gate prices. First reading under urgency on Nov 22 with National and Act opposed and sent to the economic development, science and innovation committee. Reported back on May 16 with a large number of mainly technical changes. Second reading on June 6 with National and Act opposed. Remaining stages completed under Urgency on July 18 with National and Act opposed.

Fuel Industry Amendment Bill

Introduced under Urgency on June 30. The Bill implements the govt’s response to the Commerce Commission’s market study on the liquid fuels sector. The main provisions are regulation of the wholesale market requiring the supply of petrol to retailers under regulated contract and rules around the advertising of retail prices. Sent to the Finance and Expenditure Committee to be reported back by July 21 with the govt intending to pass it before Parliament dissolves. Reported back on July 21 with a large number of minor changes notably to underline it was not about price fixing. Remaining stages completed under Urgency on Aug 5 with all parties in support but with National expressing reservations including the lack of detail around regulations.

Fuel Industry Bill