Submitted by Thomas Beagle on
We were recently asked if we would provide feedback on the government's draft Covid-19 Public Health Response Bill. This law is to provide a legal basis for the government's ongoing measure to limit the spread of the Covid-19 disease.
Unfortunately we were only given 16 hours to review it, a time which is really not sufficient for an in-depth analysis of a Bill which will have such an impact on our lives for the next two years.
While there are elements to like in the Bill, including its expiry, the tight coupling of the powers to the purpose of stopping Covid-19, and the lack of retrospectivity, we also found overreach and a lack of accountability.
Our response is attached but our main recommendations are as follows:
- Set this Bill to expire in 6 months rather than 2 years, so that the new government must recommit to its exceptional powers and with proper Select Committee scrutiny.
- Strengthen the requirements for reporting by the Attorney General around Bill of Rights breaches in the section 11 orders.
- Remove "without limitation" from the description of the types of orders that can be made. The powers are already wide and the government has already shown willingness to pass new laws quickly if required.
- Provide recognition of the right to protest and organise, safely, in the section 11 orders around gatherings.
- Review the requirements for medical examination or testing in light of the rights in sections 10 and 11 of the NZ Bill of Rights Act.
- Expire section 11 orders made by the Minister after 3 months. They could still be extended but this would require Parliament to review them.
- Clarify and strengthen the requirements for orders to be "under review", with mandatory monthly reporting.
- Expressed our concern about the broad powers of entry to homes, businesses, and marae, and recommended collecting and publishing data about the use of this power in order to assist with accountability.
- Recommended aligning the ability to demand information from people with the protections around misuse in the Policing Act.
12 Comments
Cocet 19 public health response bill
Submitted by Ken Braines (not verified) on
Already kiwis rights have been trampled on over a virus proven to be greatly over sensationalused. To take away further freedoms with this bill after inadequate consultation is TREASONOUS and should be delayed
I do not concent
Submitted by Wendy drummond (not verified) on
This legislation is a direct breach of our human rights ..i am a human being and i do not concent.
the coup
Submitted by Christopher St ... (not verified) on
I have no confidence that this iniquitous Bill can be prevented from receiving the Royal Assent today and being in force from midnight tonight. It is apparent that no public consultation was desired, and there has been none worthy of the name. This is a coup.
Broad powers of entry to homes, businesses, and marae
Submitted by Martin Wright (not verified) on
I think there is a merit in all of your recommendations. Referring specifically to your recommendation regarding "the broad powers of entry to homes, businesses, and marae," it seems that you accept the very narrow basis for entering a home or marae without a warrant (when it is not possible. to effectively deliver a direction any other way). The recommendation to collect and publish data is a very good one.
Public Freedoms
Submitted by Ewan Harold Cornor (not verified) on
Best wishes. You are up against a jubbernaut. National, Labour, and overseas agenda's. We will definitely come out of this with our freedoms compromised....
Set this bill to expire in
Submitted by Maryann Bennett (not verified) on
Set this bill to expire in six months rather than two years
Govt draft Covid-19 Response
Submitted by Maryann Bennett (not verified) on
New Zealanders deserve to be freely able to make their own decisions without having new draconian laws dominating their lives
Covid19 public health response bill
Submitted by Greg Bell (not verified) on
Thank goodness, we have NZ Council for Civil Liberties !!! I have a query as who funds you ?
Thank you,
Greg J Bell
NZCCL funding
Submitted by Thomas Beagle on
Hi Greg, thank you for your kind words. We are funded by the donations of our members.
Stop the Covid -19 Bill for police to enter homes and marae
Submitted by Mihihea TUREI (not verified) on
Where does this apply in the BILL OF RIGHTS Act 1990 and the Magna Carta 1215?
Covid 19 Public Health response bill
Submitted by Kaarito Latham (not verified) on
I support Thomas Beagle's comments and recommendations
Covid-19
Submitted by Shaun Quayle (not verified) on
I do not consent to any of the laws or legislation passed by this Corporate Government.
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