Busy time expected in Parliament

Press, 8 December 1987, Page 8

Busy time expected in Parliament

By

BRENDON BURNS,

political reporter Parliament is due for a busy time from today until Thursday, the last scheduled time it will sit until next February. At least four bills are likely to be introduced before the House is due to rise on Thursday evening.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Caygill, has said he wants to introduce before Christmas the bill deregulating the petroleum Industry. This has already drawn the promise of a fight from the Motor Trade Association, representing the country’s service stations. They claim deregulation will lead to job losses and station closings in a price-

cutting war of little benefit to motorists.

The petroleum deregulation legislation would be subject to public submissions before being returned to Parliament As Minister of Health, Mr Caygill has said he wants to introduce a bill before Christmas revising the Dental Act. The Government has indicated it wants to tackle the monopoly some professions hold through their restrictive use of occupational licensing. Mr Caygill said the bill would allow people other than dentists to practice dentistry — such as extending the age requirement for children whom dental nurses can treat.

Another bill for likely introduction to Parliament this week is one which would revise the Mental Health Act.

The bill is likely to promote the trend to treat mentally ill people In the community rather than confine them to institutions. It will also focus heavily on safeguarding the human rights of mental patients. Legislation paving the way for the privatisation of D.F.C. New Zealand is also aimed for introduction to Parliament this week. The plan to sell the State-owned investment bank, formerly Development Finance Corporation, was announced in the Budget in June.