Important Facts of the News
- The Parliament Bill has passed its third reading with unanimous support.
- It consolidates and modernises four major laws governing Parliament’s operations.
- New funding model ensures Parliament’s budget is recommended by the House.
- Parliamentary Security Officers receive statutory powers similar to court officers.
- Responsibility for Citizens’ Initiated Referendum petitions moves to the Electoral Commission.
- Roles of Speaker and Deputy Speaker clarified in carrying out official duties.
- The Clerk of the House’s functions are modernised to reflect current practices.
- The Bill’s development began in 2015 and involved both previous and current governments.
- A special select committee chaired by Rt Hon Adrian Rurawhe reviewed the Bill.
- Leader of the House Chris Bishop called the Bill’s passage a “significant constitutional moment.”
Parliament’s Long-Awaited Bill Gains Unanimous Support
New Zealand’s Parliament has passed the Parliament Bill with full cross-party backing, marking a key constitutional development for the country. Leader of the House, Hon Chris Bishop, described the moment as “an important milestone” that brings together decades of legislative reform into a single, coherent framework.
Consolidating and Modernising Core Parliamentary Laws
The new law merges and updates several pieces of legislation that govern how Parliament operates, including the Clerk of the House of Representatives Act 1988, the Parliamentary Service Act 2000, the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Services) Act 2013, and the Parliamentary Privilege Act 2014. These previously separate statutes are now unified under one modern framework, making parliamentary administration more transparent and efficient.
Key Reforms Introduced by the Bill
Among the most notable reforms is a new funding model for the Office of the Clerk and the Parliamentary Service. Under this system, their budgets will now be recommended by the House itself instead of being determined by the executive branch, strengthening Parliament’s independence.
The Bill also grants statutory powers to Parliamentary Security Officers, aligning their authority with that of court security staff. Additionally, responsibility for verifying petitions related to Citizens’ Initiated Referendums will now rest with the Electoral Commission, rather than the Clerk of the House.
It also provides clearer guidelines on when the Deputy Speaker may perform the Speaker’s duties and revises the statutory functions of the Clerk to reflect contemporary parliamentary practices.
Years in the Making: A Collaborative Effort
Chris Bishop highlighted that the Bill’s origins trace back to 2015 and that its completion reflects Parliament “working at its best.” He acknowledged that the legislation was initiated under the previous government and carried forward with bipartisan effort. A special select committee led by former Speaker Rt Hon Adrian Rurawhe was tasked with its detailed examination, ensuring a balanced and thorough review.
A Tribute to Parliamentary Service
As the year draws to a close, Bishop expressed gratitude to all those who serve within Parliament, from staff to security and administrative officers, for their dedication in supporting Members of Parliament. He remarked that New Zealand’s democracy continues to thrive due to their commitment and professionalism.