Six bills drawn

A record six bills were drawn from the ballot. They are:

My summary and thoughts on each bill:

1. Local Government (Management of Local Authorities) Amendment Bill: Is meant to strengthen the role of the Mayor and Councillors in relation to chief executives. Well intentioned, but unclear what the actual impact would be. Definitely worth sending to select committee. One issue worth exploring could be to clarify that the Council, not the Chief Executive, is the employer, and the chief executive is the manager of staff, but must get Council agreement on any staff policy or restructuring (as a board would be involved in any significant restructuring).
2. Crown Minerals (Prohibition on Mining on Conservation Land) Amendment Bill: Would ban not just mining but even exploration and prospecting on all conservation land regardless of the value of that land. It treats the Fiordland National Park just the same as some scrubby stewardship land.
3. New Zealand Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Medal Bill: Established a New Zealand Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Medal, to recognise service undertaken in the context of humanitarian aid or disaster relief activities on behalf of New Zealand. Sounds good.
4. Oranga Tamariki (Suitable Accommodation on Leaving Care) Amendment Bill: Requires Oranga Tamariki to Act 1989 to provide arrange suitable accommodation for a young person exiting care. On the face of it, this seems sensible. I would have thought this would already happen. There could be an argument against, but worth supporting to select committee to be considered.
5. Residential Tenancies (Requiring Landlords to Provide Curtains) Amendment Bill: Requires landlords to provide insulated curtains and blinds. I’m reluctant to impose further costs on landlords as we saw the impact under the last Government of ever increasing rents. How many houses have just normal curtains rather than insulated curtains? AI says insulated curtains can cost $400 a window so this could be a huge cost on landlords. Not 100% against the bill, but would want data on how many houses would be impacted, and what the cost would be. Also would it lead got fewer houses being available for renting?
6. Crimes (Impeding Major Bridges, Tunnels, and Roads) Amendment Bill: Would establish a new criminal offence for those who deliberately block people from lawfully accessing roads, bridges and tunnels with a maximum 2 year term or $20,000 fine. Would see an end to the sociopaths who think they have a right to glue themselves to a highway without consequence. Great bill.