Time deficit for submissions on Social Security Amendment Bill unacceptable

The public has not been given adequate time to make submissions on the Social Security (Youth Support and Work focus) Amendment Bill said Green Party Income Support spokesperson Jan Logie today.

Green Party MP Jan Logie today put a motion of notice to the Social Services Select Committee to reopen submissions and request the Business Committee to extend the consideration of the bill. This was voted down by one vote.

"We have not allowed organisations the opportunity to hold full consultation processes with their communities. Consequently we have also missed out on the invaluable views of the young people, and women and particularly Māori and Pacifica who will be most directly affected by the planned changes.

"There were no submissions from Māori or Pacifica organisations, this is unacceptable on such an important issue.

Almost all submissions received by the Committee included concerns about their reduced capacity to submit in the short time frames provided. The Privacy Commissioner stated her preference is for the committee to wait until the Privacy Information Sharing Bill has been passed before reporting this bill back to the House.

"The democratic requirement for public consultation and considered law making should not be put at risk by an arbitrary Ministerial deadline," said Ms Logie.

This significant piece of legislation was introduced to Parliament in March 2012. The first reading was held on 27 March 2012. The deadline for submissions to the Social services Committee was Friday 13 April. Allowing for Easter this has meant only 10 working days for the public to consult with their communities and provide submissions.