Introduced on November 10. The Bill makes a number of amendments to the Maritime Transport Act. It would require commercial maritime operators to have drug and alcohol management plans, including random testing for staff carrying out safety sensitive activities. The Bill will increase legal liability for companies in the event of a major oil tanker spill and exclude the costs of wreck removal, cargo removal and remediating damage from hazardous substances from liability limits. All parties supported the Bill at its first reading on November 16 and it was referred to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee for consideration. Reported back on May 16 with a number of changes. Labour and the Greens wrote a minority report objecting to the new addition of mandatory random drug testing and changes allowing foreign-registered ships to carry freight to the Chatham Islands. Second reading completed on Aug 16 with National, Maori Party, ACT and United Future in support. Committee stage begun on Dec 5 with the Minister responsible Julie Ann Genter introducing amendments to reverse the addition of mandatory random drug testing and allowing foreign-registered ships to carry freight to the Chatham Islands. Genter said the law would still allow for drug and alcohol management on ships. This included testing in the work place in some circumstances and for testing following an incident.  The Authority could also ensure testing took place if it was felt to be needed. She said a mandatory drug testing framework was unnecessary and would impose large unnecessary costs on small operators. Allowing foreign vessels to take freight to the Chathams could undermine the current non-profit shipping company and lead to its demise and end up driving up shipping costs to the islands. Committee stage completed on Dec 6 with National indicating opposition to the changes in the bill. Third reading interrupted on Dec 7 and completed on Dec 12.

   Maritime Transport Amendment Bill

Introduced on May 19. The bill follows a court ruling questioning the power used to fast track a number of medicines and vaccines including one for covid-19. The Bill clarifies the law and validates historic decisions. Passed through all stage under Urgency on May 19 with all parties in support.

Medicines Amendment Bill

Introduce on June 7.  The bill amends the Medicines Act to allow for fourth doses of covid-19 vaccines to be lawfully administered for off-label use, and for further doses to be administered if supported by scientific evidence. First reading on June 7 with all parties in favour and sent to the Health Committee with a shortened consideration time. Reported back on June 20 with little change, second reading, committee stage and third reading all completed on June 21 with all parties in favour.

Medicines Amendment Bill (No 2)

A bill in the name of Labour MP David Parker drawn from the ballot on June 4. It provides for contractors to be paid not less than the minimum wage. First reading debate interrupted on July 22 and completed on August 12. National opposed saying they agreed with the principle but the bill would have negative unintended consequences. Peter Dunne and the Maori Party joined Opposition parties to send the bill to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee for consideration by 61 to 60. Submissions close on September 29 with a report due by February 12. By agreement the report back deadline was extended to April 29, 2016. Report back deadline pushed back again to June 30. Reported back on June 29. Committee divided, but National’s majority membership voted the bill should  not proceed arguing it would cause more problems than it would fix and abuse of contractors was best dealt with under current employment law. They also argued the proposed law would be complex and costly for employers and contractors who did not need the protection. Both Labour and NZ First MPs argued the bill should proceed saying it would crack down on employers abusing employment law. Second reading debate held on August 10 and progressed by 61 to 60 with Peter Dunne and the Maori Party still continuing to support Labour’s bill. Labour has indicated it will make a number of amendments at committee stage after they were blocked from making them in the select committee process. They believe these changes will take the edge off concerns held on the bill. Bill defeated and negated at the committee stage. Peter Dunne joined National and ACT in opposing the bill after intense lobbying. Dunne described the campaign targeting him as ill-informed bullying. The Government promised Dunne it would use current regulatory tools to clamp down on abuse of contractors in exchange for his support.  Minimum Wage (Contractor Remuneration) Amendment Bill

Member’s Bill in the name of Julie Anne Genter drawn from the ballot on June 8. The Bill amends the Misuse of Drugs Act to make a specific exemption for any person with a qualifying medical condition to cultivate, possess or use the cannabis plant and/or cannabis products for therapeutic purposes, provided they have the support of a registered medical practitioner. The exemption for cultivation and possession would also apply to an immediate relative or any other person nominated by the person with such a diagnosis, for the sole purpose of administering or supplying cannabis or its related products to the person. Transferred to Chlöe Swarbrick.  Defeated by 47 to 73 at its first reading on Jan 31. Opponents said it would be de facto decriminalisation. Some National MPs had indicated they would vote for the bill, but in the end all its MPs opposed. All NZ First MPs voted against the bill as did some in Labour. Most Labour MPs, ACT’s David Seymour and all Green MPs backed it. Some of those who were sympathetic to the bill voted against it as they were convinced the Government’s much narrower bill was a better vehicle to debate the issues.. Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis and Other Matters) Amendment Bill

Introduced on Dec 20. The Bill creates an exception and a statutory defence for terminally ill people to possess and use illicit cannabis. It creates a regulation-making power to set standards for cannabis products manufactured, imported, and supplied under licence must meet; and amends the law so cannabidiol (CBD) and CBD products are no longer classed as controlled drugs. Completed first reading on January 30 and was referred to the Health Committee with all parties in support. A number of MPs expressed personal concern about the further progress of the Bill and others said it was far too restrictive in terms of decriminalisation. There was general agreement the issues should be examined at select committee. Reported back on July 25 with the evenly divided committee unable to agree on changes, but the report included a raft of changes they considered. National also began promoting a draft Bill on the same subject but was refused leave to introduce it, so it will have to go through the Ballot process. After talks between the governing parties the second reading debate was held on Nov 29. The Government indicated it would be introducing a number of amendments. These included around the defence also covering those requiring “palliation” and clarification about what the regulations would cover in terms of supply and standards, and how those supplying to qualifying people would be treated. National supported the Bill, but expressed doubts around the lack of detail around what would be in the regulatory framework. Second reading completed on Nov 29. Committee stage completed on Dec 5 with changes made along the lines of agreement with the Government parties. National suggestions for a more detailed regime were rejected and the third reading was completed on Dec 11 with just National opposed. Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill

Introduced on July 28, a member’s Bill in the name of Shane Reti. It proposes a new medicinal cannabis regulatory scheme to license domestic medicinal cannabis production, regulate health practitioner controlled gateway access, and facilitate pharmacist dispensing. First reading on March 10 and voted down with just National and ACT in support.
Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill (No 2)

Introduced under Urgency on Feb 20. The bill would change the classification of pseudoephedrine as a controlled drug, so that cold and flu products containing pseudoephedrine can be sold in pharmacies without a prescription. First reading on Feb 20 with Te Pāti Māori opposed and referred to the health committee for consideration. Reported back on March 13 without amendment. Second reading on March 19 with only Te Pāti Māori opposed. Committee stage completed on March 27 without amendment. Third reading on April 9 with no opposition.

Misuse of Drugs (Pseudoephedrine) Amendment Bill

Introduced on August 9. The Bill tidies up flaws and oversights in the stock animal monitoring system after problems were highlighted in the last year. First reading, second reading and committee stage all completed under Urgency on August 15. National did support the bill, but strongly opposed parts of it. In particular they expressed concerns about the power for officials to conduct searches of farmers homes. They said it was an extension of powers beyond those originally contemplated. Government parties maintained it was envisaged and aligned the powers and protections contained in the Search and Surveillance Act. Third reading completed on August 16 with all parties in agreement. National Animal Identification and Tracing Amendment Bill

The Bill introduced on July 23 makes changes to NAIT system as a result of the recommendations of the OSPRI-led Review 2016-18 and addresses issues identified during Mycoplasma bovis response. First reading on July 30 with all parties in support and sent to the Primary Production Committee with a Nov 4 report back. Reported back on Oct 31 with a large number of changes including placing an obligation on those transporting animals. Second reading completed on Nov 12 with National supporting despite concerns some of the obligations may be unfair. Committee stage Nov 19. Third reading Dec 10 all parties in support. National Animal Identification and Tracing Amendment Bill (No 2)