increase font size
Michael Woodhouse, Minister of Workplace Safety.
The controversial Health and Safety Reform Bill has been sent back to a parliamentary select committee for another six weeks in an effort to break a deadlock on some of the proposed reforms.
Farmers have been highly critical of some aspects of the bill, especially plans to ban passengers from quads and also the red tape with which the bill is laced. And there are other facets of the bill, such as the law as it might apply to volunteers working for organisations such as DOC, which are viewed as highly prescriptive and impractical.
The bill was due to be reported back to parliament last Thursday, but on Tuesday (May 26), the transport and industrial relations committee sought and was granted permission to delay this for a further six weeks.
It was widely known that many National Party MP’s were unhappy with what the select committee was going to report back to parliament, so the delay was sought in the hope that some sort of compromise could be reached over time.
The bill has generated much angst in rural New Zealand and Federated Farmers has noted it’s one of the hottest topics at Feds annual meetings now being held around the country.
Michael Woodhouse, the Minister of Workplace Safety and the person responsible for the bill, says it’s the biggest shake-up of health and safety laws in NZ for 20 years. Recently he told Rural News the present laws were fragmented and complicated and in his words – “a bugger’s muddle”.
He says the transport and industrial relations select committee has made excellent progress, and is confident the Bill is in good shape.
“But it is important that we get this right and I make no apologies for ensuring we take the time we need to land this reform in the right place. The six week extension on the report-back date will enable us to kick the tyres and make sure the proposals are sensible, workable and will make a real difference to improve New Zealand’s unacceptable safety record.”
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
Will the good times last? That's one of the key issues to come out of the latest Federated Farmers confidence survey.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
