Racing Industry (Unlawful Destruction of Specified Greyhounds) Amendment Bill

We will now come to clause 2. The question is that clause 2 stand part.

Point of order. I seek leave for all provisions to be taken as one question.

CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): Leave has been sought for that purpose. Are there any objections? There are no objections. The question is that clauses 2 to 4 stand part.

Thank you, Mr Chair. I’ve only got a couple of questions for the Minister. In looking at clause 4, which inserts the new Subpart 5, in new section 53A(1), it basically identifies “A person (other than a veterinarian or a veterinary student). Further down, in new subsection (2), there is a reference to “a veterinarian” as well but not the veterinary student. I was just wanting a comment on the consistency or otherwise of the term. Is it that the primacy of it sits with the veterinarian, so, basically, this student is not surplus but that’s covered?

The other question was around the penalty provision of “not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding $50,000, or both.”, and whether that’s consistent with other offences—I know it’s within the section, but where that kind of sits in the wider scheme of things.

The final question from me was just the role, if any, of the ministerial advisory committee in any of this work, or is that only sort of related to the additional piece of legislation that will come next year?

Perhaps I could answer those three questions. The first one is as to the class of person that can be responsible for euthanising the animal. Well, clearly in the veterinary practices, the vet is able to assign qualified people within his organisation—not necessarily veterinarians but oversight is still his or hers, and that’s how the job’s done.

The second question that you asked was whether the level of offence was about where it should be. Now, I don’t know how you’d liken other offences, but a year in prison, or $50,000, is a pretty stiff fine and enough to be a serious consideration if someone’s thinking about offending. As to where it fits into the criminological code, well, who knows—it depends who you’re talking to and which side of the House you’re on on this matter, so I don’t want to go there at this time of bipartisan approach.

The last one: yes, those three people on that committee, including one who’s a veterinarian, I think that those people will be having oversight as we go through, and that’s why such a senior, respected group has been chosen.

I’m talking about the commencement time. My understanding is that it is possible in exceptional circumstances for a bill to come into effect at the time of it passing—at the time of Royal assent rather than a day after Royal assent. I wonder if the Minister for Racing is comfortable that the day after Royal assent is sufficiently rapid for the purpose that we’re trying to achieve here, which is to get legislation on the books as quickly as possible, or whether the Minister might be open to considering an amendment to bring the Act into force at the time of Royal assent, acknowledging that that should be a thing—if it was an amendment put up, and I’d be happy to put that amendment forward, that that would be something we would want the full support of the committee for also, we have for the rest of the bill.

There is only one slight complication: the Governor-General is on the Chatham Islands—right?

Hon Member: It’s still New Zealand.

Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS: Just our luck! I know it’s still New Zealand, even though over there they refer to “going to New Zealand”. We’re constrained by that, but we’ve set the date and the date starts when this bill passes its third reading today.

I move, That debate on this question now close.

Motion agreed to.

Clauses 2 to 4 agreed to.

Bill to be reported without amendment.

House resumed.

Mr Speaker, the committee has considered the Racing Industry (Unlawful Destruction of Specified Greyhounds) Amendment Bill and reports it without amendment. I move, That the report be adopted.

Motion agreed to.

Report adopted.

This bill is set down for third reading immediately.

Third Reading