7. Dr RICHARD WORTH (National) Link to this
to the Chairperson of the Commerce Committee
Has the committee finished hearing evidence on the Regulatory Responsibility Bill?
GERRY BROWNLEE (Chairperson of the Commerce Committee) Link to this
There are two submitters who wish to be heard by the committee at this point. The dilemma the committee is facing is over the availability of suitable rooms in the complex in which to hear those submitters, because they live in far-flung parts of New Zealand and we wish to offer them the opportunity to be heard by videoconference. Of course, that presents a problem also, because in far-flung parts of New Zealand there are no videoconferencing facilities. So the committee may yet have to travel further in order that those New Zealanders may give their views on this most important bill.
When is the bill due to be reported back, and does he expect that the bill will be reported back prior to the due date?
Hon Dr Michael CullenYes, that is right. I should know; Dr Cullen is right. I wish to apologise to the House for not being as specific as I could be. None the less, I am advised that the bill is due back in the House by 19 May 2008, and at this stage it would appear that the committee’s workload will mean that the bill will be reported back by about that date.