The Covid-19 committee
Newsroom reports:
From 11.59pm on Wednesday night, the Government will assume hitherto unseen control over the lives of New Zealanders.
With Parliament joining other workplaces in entering lockdown, the obvious question was who would hold our elected ministers and officials to account.
In the wake of the unprecedented decision, Leader of the House Chris Hipkins promised an accountability mechanism of sorts to keep a check on the executive. Now, some more meat has been put on those bones of that promise.
Speaking to media on Tuesday, Speaker Trevor Mallard confirmed Parliament’s business committee – made up of representatives from all political parties – had agreed to establish a special select committee to run for at least the next month in the absence of Parliament.
The 11-person committee will be chaired by National leader Simon Bridges or a nominee of his choosing, and will have five National MPs in total – meaning the Opposition, with the addition of ACT leader David Seymour, will hold a majority (a relatively rare state of affairs).
Mallard said the committee would have “unusual powers” akin to those of the Privileges Committee – the powerful body tasked with investigating alleged breaches of privilege or contempt of the House, and has subpoena-like powers to summon people and receive documents.
It’s good the Opposition has a majority on the committee and chairs it. That means it should be able to effectively scrutinise the decisions made.
David Seymour argues Parliament should not close though:
“We accept that the Government has a difficult task ahead. All New Zealanders stand ready to support it. But this is no reason to partially suspend democracy.
“The Prime Minister will soon issue an epidemic notice and invoke the Epidemic Preparedness Act. This legislation gives the Government the ability to change almost any law at the stroke of a pen. The Health Act will allow medical officers to enter any premises, detain people, prescribe treatment, and take possession of land and buildings.
“It may be necessary for the Government to have these extraordinary powers. If so, it is critical that Parliament is able to continue to hold the Government to account.
“New Zealanders have just faced the greatest peacetime loss of civil liberties in our history, and it is possible we may not have an election this year. ACT believes there should be a Question Time and local electorate offices should remain open. Half of New Zealanders did not vote for this Government. It is wrong to suppress their representation.
“The Government should deem democracy an essential service. If we need couriers, banks, and breakfast radio shows, then we also need democracy. We will have a situation where The Warehouse and the Waitakere Licensing Trust are able to remain open, but democratic accountability has been partially suppressed.
Fair points. I know quite a few MPs are not happy their electorate offices have to shut. Their job is to help people in need, and there will be a lot of people needing assistance during this time.