1. RODNEY HIDE (Leader—ACT) Link to this
to the Minister of Commerce
Has she had her officials consider my Regulatory Responsibility Bill that is now before the Commerce Committee; if so, has she formed a view whether some form of legislation is desirable to combat red tape?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL (Minister of Commerce) Link to this
Yes. I have agreed to the chair of the committee’s request that Ministry of Economic Development officials act as advisers to the Commerce Committee. The Government is committed to ensuring a high-quality regulatory environment in New Zealand and, as part of that, tomorrow I will announce the results of the Quality Regulation Review. I am also interested in any other initiatives that might strengthen the regulatory environment, and, in that context, I am prepared to consider a legislative framework that enhances the regulatory environment for business.
In light of that answer, would she envisage her officials providing advice and, indeed, drafting support to the committee if the committee concluded that a reworded bill is necessary to support a high-quality regulatory environment?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
As the member is aware, I arranged for the bill to be referred to the Law Commission before it was introduced into the House for its first reading. I did so because I take the matter very seriously, and I am very grateful that the member has brought the matter to the attention of the House in this way. I wanted to ensure that I was fully briefed on any potential risks that might arise in the way the bill had been drafted, and I have asked my officials to assist the committee to the fullest extent possible as it considers the bill. So, in essence, the answer is yes.
Maryan StreetHon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
On 1 April this year a new regulatory impact analysis regime was implemented. The regulatory impact analysis regime now requires Government agencies to confirm that the principles of the code of good regulatory practice have been complied with and that analysis has been undertaken in accordance with the new requirements. The changes also include giving more teeth to the regulatory impact assessment unit that assesses the quality of the more important regulatory impact statements, and requiring discussion documents to include a draft regulatory impact statement, or include questions that would assist the drafting of the regulatory impact statement. These changes have already enhanced confidence in the Government’s approach to regulatory responsibility.
Does she believe that with cross-party support our Parliament may well be able to deliver, through my bill, a statute that provides a systematic process for all legislation, to ensure the high-quality legislation that New Zealanders so desperately want, and that such an outcome, indeed, is one that all of our Parliament may well be able to agree upon?
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL Link to this
Despite nearly 17 years in Parliament, I still think anything is possible when people put their minds to it. On this occasion, I believe that everyone is agreed on the outcome, which is a high-quality regulatory environment, as evidenced by the Government’s actions to date. I look forward to working with that member, and, indeed, all parties in the House, on this.