Flurry of last minute bills from Simon Power

Simon Power introduced four bills to Parliament this afternoon.

They were the Commerce (Cartels and Other Matters) Bill, the Companies and Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill, the Prisoners' and Victims' Claims (Redirecting Prisoner Compensation) Amendment Bill and the Human Rights Amendment Bill.

The cartels bill introduced criminal sanctions to deter hard-core cartel behaviour, Mr Power said.

“Current fines for cartel behaviour are seen by some as just a cost of doing business, but I believe the threat of up to seven years’ imprisonment and the implications of a criminal record will be a powerful disincentive to engage in such behaviour,” he said.

The bill clarifies the scope of prohibition and exemptions, and introduces a clearance regime so businesses can manage risk by approaching the Commerce Commission before entering into or amending an arrangement.

The Companies and Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill tightens rules around company directors and company registration, in particular overseas interests using New Zealand-registered shell companies to undertake criminal activity.

“The bill will aid in stamping out this kind of behaviour and help ensure New Zealand remains a trusted place to do business,” Mr Power said.

Under the bill, every company registered in New Zealand will be required to have a resident agent if there is no director living in New Zealand or in an approved jurisdiction. Resident agents will be responsible for ensuring companies provide accurate information to the Registrar of Companies, and will be liable if companies breach their record-keeping and filing requirements under the Companies Act.

The Prisoners’ and Victims’ Claims (Redirecting Prisoner Compensation) Amendment Bill provides that any compensation awarded to a prisoner and not paid to the direct victims must be used to fund general services for victims of crime.

“The re-directed money will help the Government provide even more services for victims in future years,” Mr Power said.

The Human Rights Amendment Bill will see a disability rights commissioner established at the Human Rights Commission.

The bill also makes changes to the composition, governance arrangements, and functions and powers of the commission, to strengthen its performance and enable it to better respond to emerging human rights issues.

Bills can be tabled up to 11am on October 20, when Parliament is dissolved for the General Election.