Law Reform (Epidemic Preparedness) Bill

Part 2 does not need an awful lot of debate, but it seems that because there is a Supplementary Order Paper coming at the end of it, I should make a few remarks. The Supplementary Order Paper makes minor changes to the very good work done by the Government Administration Committee, and I take the opportunity to thank the select committee again for its work on what has been a difficult piece of legislation, and to acknowledge the work of the Law Commission, and in particular of Sir Geoffrey Palmer, in dealing with some of the difficult constitutional matters.

I also acknowledge, as they are in the Chamber, the work of a huge number of officials, especially in the calendar year 2005 and the first half of 2006 as we got this plan together, and indeed the work of people from all around the hospital sector and other sectors in this country who have put together what is probably the best pandemic plan in the Western World—if not the best, then one of the best.

I say to my colleague from Kaitāia that, yes, I am sure that a lot of people do not know what to do, but one thing he can do when he goes home this weekend is, first, make sure that in his house he has a bag of rice, some water, and some Panadol—and, in case it is not a pandemic but actually an earthquake—some batteries, and so on. Then he should ring again the person he was talking to, and invite her to do the same thing. These are basic things we can all do, and they are a start. I commend this legislation.

National has supported this bill right through. I acknowledge the Minister’s comments on the Government Administration Committee, and on the work that officials put in. National had a major input into this bill, with Shane Ardern being the chairperson of the select committee, and Brian Connell and Sandra Goudie making contributions. National has supported this bill right through. It is important legislation, and it is very interesting that the whole Committee is supporting it tonight.

The question was put that the amendments set out on Supplementary Order Paper 82 in the name of the Hon Pete Hodgson to Part 2 be agreed to.

Amendments agreed to.

Part 2 as amended agreed to.

Schedule agreed to.

Clause 1 agreed to.

Clause 2 agreed to.

The Committee divided the bill into the Epidemic Preparedness Bill, the Health Amendment Bill, the Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2), the Parole Amendment Bill, the Sentencing Amendment Bill (No 2), the Social Security Amendment Bill (No 2), and the Summary Proceedings Amendment Bill (No 2), pursuant to Supplementary Order Paper 81.

Bill to be reported with amendment presently.

House resumed.

The Chairperson reported the Māori Purposes Bill without amendment, and that the Committee had divided it into five bills; and the Law Reform (Epidemic Preparedness) Bill with amendment, and that the Committee had divided it into seven bills.

Report adopted.