Time to consider legislation

Press, 12 July 1979, Page 16

Time to consider legislation

Members of the Waimairi County Council were upset this week by the insufficient time allowed the consideration of draft legislation that affects local bodies. In one instance the council and its officers found that they had but a few days to consider a Parliamentary bill and to prepare submissions to a select committeee. In another instance a very large, complicated consolidating bill has to be examined within a few weeks.

Both bills have no doubt been long in their preparation, printing, and distribution, but the Waimairi County is not alone in its dilemma. Local authorities all over the country face the same problem. To do justice to draft legislation that directly concerns local body administration, the staff, their legal advisers, and councillors must have reasonable time to consider what the Government and the law draftsmen have produced.

The normal legislative process

allows for a great deal of consultation if interested people are prepared to take up the challenge of inspecting proposed laws and making submissions to Ministers, members of Parliament, or to appropriate committees of the House. This process demands adequate public notice of the existence of bills, prompt distribution of drafts, and adequate time for their perusal.

Failure to foster participation in law making is often a failure on the part of the public. Such apathy may be deplorable, but it is understandable. When the failure springs from Government haste in pressing legislation through the House or from an administrative delay, it is not excusable. Parliament’s time-table should be flexible enough to give people who are immediately concerned with legislation, and who are competent to comment upon it, ample time to play their part in making the law.