Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bill

Members, we now come to Part 6. This is the debate on clauses 258 to 297 and Schedule 4, miscellaneous provisions. The question is that Part 6 stand part.

This is the miscellaneous section of the bill which tidies up a number of matters. The only one which I want to draw the House’s attention to is Subpart 4 on the Council of Financial Regulators. This is something that I do believe is important. It is the statutory recognition of, effectively, the importance of coordination amongst those whose job it is to regulate our financial system in New Zealand. We saw in the wake of the royal commission of inquiry into the Australian banking system the importance of the way in which, for example, the Reserve Bank and the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) work together. I believe that there is considerable scope to improve the way in which regulation works in our financial sector to make it clearly understandable to the public to ensure that the interests of consumers are held in the highest regard, that we can do better in those areas in a more coordinated way. So I am particularly pleased that the council is recognised here, its membership with the bank, the FMA, the Treasury, and what is effectively the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment but also includes the Commerce Commission. It is important to, I think, all New Zealanders to know that those agencies are working together, and by giving that body statutory recognition, I believe we are enhancing that work. Otherwise, the part represents a number of tidy-up - related matters.

I just want to acknowledge what the Minister has said. I think it’s an important element of what is in this part of the bill. It’s an important function that we make sure that we do get proper regulation across the financial sector, involving all the key organisations. So, in terms of this being a part of this bill, it’s a good thing.

The question is that the Minister’s amendments to Part 6 set out on Supplementary Order Paper 44 be agreed to.

The question is that the Minister’s amendments to Schedule 1 set out on Supplementary Order Paper 44 be agreed to.

Amendments agreed to.

Andrew Bayly’s amendment to Schedule 1 set out on Supplementary Order Paper 46 is ruled out of order as being inconsistent with a previous decision of the committee. Therefore, the question is that Schedule 1 as amended stand part.

Schedule 1 as amended agreed to.

Schedule 2 agreed to.

Schedule 3 agreed to.

The question is that the Minister’s amendments to Schedule 4 set out on Supplementary Order Paper 44 be agreed to.

Amendments agreed to.

Andrew Bayly’s amendment to Schedule 4 set out on Supplementary Order Paper 45 is ruled out of order as being inconsistent with a previous decision of the committee. Andrew Bayly’s amendment to Schedule 4 set out on Supplementary Order Paper 48 is ruled out of order as being inconsistent with a previous decision of the committee.

Schedule 4 as amended agreed to.

Clauses 1 and 2