Introduced on Dec1, 2020 under Urgency. The Bill increases a qualifying employee’s sick leave entitlement from 5 to 10 days’ sick leave per 12-month period. Currently, a qualifying employee may carry over up to 15 days’ of unused sick leave. The Bill keeps the maximum current entitlement as 20 days. Opposed by National and ACT referred to the Education and Workforce Committee with a report back by April 6, 2021. Reported back on Mach 25 without amendment. National opposed the Bill proceeding. The Greens support the Bill but raised concerns about how long an employee had to work before qualifying for sick leave and other issues. The Committee report also notes a number of issues it believes are worth ministerial attention including the accumulation of sick leave. Second reading completed on May 5. Committee stage May 18 and third reading on May 29. National and ACT opposed throughout. Holidays (Increasing Sick Leave) Amendment Bill

Member’s bill in the name of Labour’s Terisa Ngobi drawn from the ballot on March 11. It amends the Holidays Act to allow workers with children to take leave to attend parent-teacher interviews. First reading on June 30 and referred to the Education and Workforce Committee. Opposed by National and ACT who said it was an imposition of costs on employers. Discharged May 30, 2021.

Holidays (Parent-Teacher Interview Leave) Amendment Bill

Bill in the name of Labour MP Kelvin Davis drawn from the ballot on December 1. The Bill requires the Minister of Housing to build 10,000 affordable houses per year. Defeated at its first reading on March 8 with National, ACT and United Future opposed. Housing Corporation (Affordable Housing Development) Amendment Bill

Member’s bill in the name of Act’s Brooke van Velden introduced on Aug 4. The bill proposes 50% of GST revenue from a new home going to local councils that issued the consent to help them cover the infrastructure costs associated with new housing developments. Defeated at first reading on June 7 with just Labour opposed.

Housing Infrastructure (GST-sharing) Bill

Introduced under Urgency on Sept 6 and passed through all stages.  The Bill extends special housing area provisions which were due to expire the following week. All parties expressed at least lukewarm support for the special housing areas, but there was opposition to provisions ruling out first right of refusal provisions for land acquired under the Public Works Act. The provisions apply to Crown land being used for housing and do not apply to Treaty settlements. ACT’s David Seymour demanded and received a 10 year sunset clause on this change. Only National, ACT and United Future supported the bill. The debate on the Bill went on for longer than the Govt expected, as Labour put up wide ranging amendments representing their housing policy which were all debated and voted down.

Member’s bill in the name of Ricardo Menéndez March introduced on April 8. The bill clarifies that discriminating against a person for having or using a disability assist dog is discriminating against the person on the basis of their disability. First reading on Sept 22 supported by all parties and sent to the Social Services and Community Committee. Reported back on March 16 with a number of amendments but the main thrust of the bill intact. Second reading on April 6 with all parties in agreement. Third reading completed on May 4 with all parties in favour.

Human Rights (Disability Assist Dogs Non-Discrimination) Amendment Bill

Introduced on May 5. Makes wide ranging changes to the Immigration Act for a one year period to allow for greater discretion around the issuing, management, and extension of visas. Referred to the Epidemic Response Committee to be reported back by May 12. Reported back and passed under Urgency on May 14 with all parties in support.  Immigration (COVID-19 Response) Amendment Bill

Introduced on April 1. This bill extends the repeal date of the government’s temporary powers relating to visa rule variations in response to the covid-19 outbreak by 2 years until May 2023. It also extends the maximum duration of a suspension in the ability of certain offshore persons to make temporary entry class visa applications from 3 months to 6 months. First reading on April 8 and referred to the Education and Workforce Committee and to be reported back by April 29. Opposed by National and ACT who objected to the very short time frame for submissions and consideration by the select committee. Reported back from select committee on April 28. with no major changes. Second reading May 4 and third reading May 6 opposed by National and ACT.
Immigration (COVID-19 Response) Amendment Bill

Introduced under Urgency on May 30 and passed through all stages opposed by National and ACT. The Bill sets up a regulatory framework for a levy on tourists, with some exceptions including Australians. The money will be used for conservation work and tourism infrastructure. Immigration (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy) Amendment Bill

Introduced on March 28. The bill makes changes to the immigration regime to manage irregular migrants by providing more time for District Courts to consider an application for a mass arrival warrant of commitment and allowing migrants to be detained until an application is determined. It also clarifies responsibilities of members of a mass arrival group to apply for entry permission and a visa. First reading on March 29, opposed by the Greens and Te Paati Māori and referred to the foreign affairs, defence and trade Committee. Reported back on July 27 2023 with the select committee unable to agree on whether it should proceed. Some said there was no need for the bill, while others wanted changes. The new govt decided to process with the bill getting its second reading on May 7 with the Greens and Te Pāti Māori opposed. Committee stage completed on May 22 with the govt inserting a number of changes. Third reading under Urgency on May 28 with just the Greens voting against.

Immigration (Mass Arrivals) Amendment Bill