| Type of parliamentary body |
Multifunctional |
| Nature |
Permanent |
| Related to chambers |
House of Representatives
|
| Date of creation |
1999 (successor to Justice and Law Reform Committee, 1986) |
| Last renewal date |
|
| Mandate |
The Committee from time to time considers human rights in New Zealand as part of its justice subject area. The Committee considers bills, petitions or other matters referred to it by the House and may conduct inquiries. The Committee also scrutinises the performance of relevant departments and institutions. |
| Membership |
Membership: Eleven members appointed by the Business Committee of the House on the nomination of parties for the duration of the Parliament. |
| Working methods |
The Committee decides how it will proceed on matters referred to it by the House. Submissions from the public and interest groups are normally invited. Hearings of evidence are usually held in public. Reports by the Committee are public documents. |
| Relations with other parliamentary bodies |
As a select committee, the Committee reports to the House. |
| Relations with external bodies |
Most legislation is promoted by the Government. The Minister in charge of a bill is entitled to participate in Committee proceedings. Departmental officials may be invited by the Committee to assist it as advisers. Other witnesses such as the Human Rights Committee or NGOs may also present evidence. |
| Subjects dealt with |
The Committee considered the Human Rights Amendment Bill in 2001; examined the 2000/01 estimates for Vote Justice; and conducted a financial review of the Ministry of Justice, as regards human rights matters and the performance of the Human Rights Commission. Matters currently before the Committee include the Sentencing (Offender Levy) Amendment Bill, the Criminal Investigation (Bodily Samples) Amendment Bill and Petition 2005/178 of Heinz Rosenberg. These are the bills that seek to impose a $50 tax on offenders at the point of sentence and extend police powers to collect DNA samples from suspects respectively. The petition is in regard to a request for the House to support the petitioners claim for an ex-gratia payment for wrongful imprisonment. |
| CONTACT INFORMATION |
|
PRESIDING OFFICER(S)
|
| Name |
Mr. Chester Borrows |
| Notes |
Chairperson |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+64 4 817 69 44
|
| Fax |
... |
| E-mail |
chester.borrows@national.org.nz |
| Website |
www.borrows.co.nz
|
|
SECRETARY
|
| Name |
Mr. ... ... |
| Notes |
Clerk |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+64 4 817 95 20
|
| Fax |
+64 4 499 04 86 |
| E-mail |
select.committees@parliament.govt.nz |
| web site: |
...
|
| Notes |
|
