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Bird flu bill passed unanimously
14 December 2006 <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="5"><tbody><tr><td height="5">
</td></tr></tbody></table> By MARTIN KAY
A bill that gives the Government sweeping powers to suspend almost all laws to control a bird flu outbreak has passed with unanimous support - but the rules on triggering it have been tightened.
The Law Reform (Epidemic Preparedness) Bill and associated changes that amend other legislation is designed to allow authorities to contain the spread of any pandemic disease likely to disrupt essential government services or business activity. The law change was devised with a bird flu outbreak in mind. It grants sweeping powers - including the ability to ban public gatherings, requisition buildings, vehicles and medicines and allowing police to detain people for medical tests. The bill also allows the quarantine of people suspected of having bird flu or other pandemic diseases.
Less repressive measures include giving drivers extensions on their warrants of fitness in the event there are not enough fit mechanics and flexible welfare payments.
The bill is largely unchanged from its introduction, but Health Minister Pete Hodgson said the rules around triggering the provisions had been tightened. This followed submissions from the Law Commission and changes proposed by the select committee that considered the bill. Checks include parliamentary scrutiny of orders made under the law, including six-day parliamentary sessions to debate immediate orders to modify other legislation.
14 December 2006 <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="5"><tbody><tr><td height="5">
</td></tr></tbody></table> By MARTIN KAYA bill that gives the Government sweeping powers to suspend almost all laws to control a bird flu outbreak has passed with unanimous support - but the rules on triggering it have been tightened.
The Law Reform (Epidemic Preparedness) Bill and associated changes that amend other legislation is designed to allow authorities to contain the spread of any pandemic disease likely to disrupt essential government services or business activity. The law change was devised with a bird flu outbreak in mind. It grants sweeping powers - including the ability to ban public gatherings, requisition buildings, vehicles and medicines and allowing police to detain people for medical tests. The bill also allows the quarantine of people suspected of having bird flu or other pandemic diseases.
Less repressive measures include giving drivers extensions on their warrants of fitness in the event there are not enough fit mechanics and flexible welfare payments.
The bill is largely unchanged from its introduction, but Health Minister Pete Hodgson said the rules around triggering the provisions had been tightened. This followed submissions from the Law Commission and changes proposed by the select committee that considered the bill. Checks include parliamentary scrutiny of orders made under the law, including six-day parliamentary sessions to debate immediate orders to modify other legislation.