Introduced on Aug 24. The bill attempts to reduce the time being taken with coronial processes by a number of administrative rule changes. Also creates a new position of coronial associate to deal with lower-level administration. First reading on Aug 30 with all parties in favour referred to the Justice Committee. Reported back on Dec 15 with minor amendments. Passed through all remaining stages on March 29 with all parties in favour.

Coroners Amendment Bill

Introduced on Oct 20. The bill amends the scheme which designates an individual or a group as a terrorist entity under the Terrorism Suppression Act. It clarifies how this scheme applies to individuals who have been designated as terrorist entities and who are imprisoned whether it be for a terrorist act or other matter. First reading on Oct opposed by Te Paati Māori and sent to the justice committee. Reported back on March 13 and second reading on April 4 with the Greens and Te Paati Māori opposed. Committee stage May 2 and third reading on May 4 with the Greens opposed and  Te Paati Māori not voting.

Counter-Terrorism Acts (Designations and Control Orders) Amendment Bill

Introduced on Nov 22. The bill extends by another two years the powers and other matters set in the covid protection framework under the Act and reduces some of those powers, restrictions, and punitive measures. The policy intent is to develop an overarching epidemic response law. Passed through all stages under urgency on Nov 22 with the Greens, Act and Te Paati Māori opposed.

COVID-19 Public Health Response (Extension of Act and Reduction of Powers) Amendment Bill

Introduced on May 20, The Bill validates the imposition and collection of managed isolation and quarantine charges following questions over their application on Australians. Passed through all stages under Urgency opposed by National and ACT.

COVID-19 Public Health Response (Validation of Managed Isolated and Quarantine Charges) Amendment Bill

Introduced on Dec 1. The Bill aligns powers and responsibilities under the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act with the new covid-19 response portfolio and provides for less restrictive measures under alert levels to be applied sooner. Passed through all stages under Urgency with the support of all parties. COVID-19 Public Health Response Amendment Bill

Introduced on May 12 under Urgency. The omnibus bill establishes standalone legislation provides a different legal framework for responding to covid-19. Ministers said the new regime was necessary to enforce restrictions under alert level 2. National and ACT opposed at first and second reading arguing it was too restrictive and should not be dealt with under Urgency. The Government made a number of amendments including that the Bill had to be refreshed every 90 days and restricting who could be deemed an enforcement officer.

COVID-19 Public Health Response Bill

Introduced on June 16 and given it first reading under Urgency. The Bill sets up a fast-track process for RMA consents through named inclusion in the Bill and later by referral from the Environment Minister to a board of inquiry with proscribed time frames, reduced consultation and reduced appeal rights. Also give some agencies the power to undertake limited work with no consent. The Bill has a two year sunset clause. Supported by all parties at first reading. Reported back from select committee on June 24 with minor changes to the Bill itself and nominated projects. Second reading, committee stage and third reading on July 2. Opposed by the Greens only at third reading. 

COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Bill

Introduced on March 8. The bill gives judges more powers to run court proceedings in the wake of the covid pandemic with greater discretion around how evidence is heard and other matters. First reading completed on March 10 with Act opposed, though other opposition parties were unhappy with the justice committee having to report back the bill by March 31. Reported back on March 31 with a number of mainly technical changes. Both National and Act filed reports opposing the bill for a number of reasons including that is was no longer necessary. Second reading completed on April 12 with National and Act opposed. Committee stage completed April 13. Third reading completed on April 14 with National and Act remaining opposed.

COVID-19 Response (Courts Safety) Legislation Bill

Omnibus bill introduced on May 5. Amongst other things it makes changes to commerce law to allow a “business debt hibernation” regime and a safe harbour for insolvency-related directors’ duties. Also changes termination rules around commercial property and the Commerce Commission’s treatment of cartel behaviour. The Bill also contains amendments to a large number of laws around regulatory requirements which will not be able to be met in the current environment. Supported by all parties and referred to the Epidemic Response Committee, to be reported by May 12. Reported back and passed under Urgency on May 12 with the support of all parties except for ACT.
COVID-19 Response (Further Management Measures) Legislation Bill

Introduced on Aug 4 an omnibus Bill which among other things gives the IRD more freedom to deal with the tax liabilities of people and businesses hit by covid-19. It also extends the reporting requirements of a number of organisation including councils, Crown entities and state owned enterprises. Passed through all stages under urgency on Aug 4.

COVID-19 Response (Further Management Measures) Legislation Bill (No 2)