Street Maryan: Law Reform (Epidemic Preparedness) Bill — First Reading 
Street Maryan: Law Reform (Epidemic Preparedness) Bill — First Reading 
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MARYAN STREET (Labour) 
: 
 I rise to support the introduction of the Law Reform (Epidemic Preparedness) Bill. It is about leadership and it is about preparedness. If the law were the only vehicle available then some of the previous speaker’s comments might be valid. But it is not the only vehicle available to prepare for a pandemic in this country. Other means and other plans are well advanced and this legislation is but one part of that planning. It is a necessary part but it is not the only thing that is available. So if the previous speaker has further suggestions to make about what appear to be gaps in the planning for a pandemic then I suggest he looks beyond simply this one mechanism and contributes constructively to the whole planning process. 
In the event of a bird flu or of any other pandemic or epidemic we need to be careful we need to be responsible and we need to be modern about our responses. This bill is all of those things; it is careful responsible and modern. It is about being ready to deal with some of the most serious social and economic challenges this country would have faced in over a generation as the Minister of Health has said today. It provides not only for a flu epidemic but for future epidemics of any kind by amending the 50-year-old Health Act and updating other legislation such as the Parole Act and the Immigration Act. It also introduces some new powers that are only appropriate given the changes in society since the 1956 Health Act. I refer particularly to the provisions around measures such as welfare payments and automatic visa extensions to any visitors or tourists who may be trapped in New Zealand that provide for the restriction of face-to-face contact. 
The key point in this legislation is the protection of the people of New Zealand. We need to balance an infected person’s right to freedom with the rights of an uninfected person to be protected and not to become infected. The powers given to the police in this bill may appear unusual but it is important to remember two things. One is that the circumstances will be extreme and the second is that the additional powers are time limited. The police will have the power to detain people for medical tests and for treatment. They will have powers to assist medical officers of health and health protection officers in the carrying out of their duties and in the protection of the public and the restriction of any further spread of infection. But it is important to note that the notice of epidemic expires on the day 3 months after its commencement. It can be renewed but it has a time-limited application. That should give some comfort to those who may consider that they have concerns about the increased powers. 
The Government has said it invites submissions on the bill. It is open to all constructive suggestions about how the bill can be improved and how additional security and preparedness can be advanced. We welcome any constructive suggestions in that regard. This legislation is about balance. It is about responsible government and it is about being prepared for something that we hope may never happen but that statistically the chances of it occurring are high. It is also a chance for all parties in this House to participate in the protection and care of New Zealanders. I commend the bill to the House.