Guy Nathan: Protected Disclosures Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Guy Nathan: Protected Disclosures Amendment Bill — In Committee 
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NATHAN GUY (National—Otaki) 
: 
 This is a very important bill judging by the support it has received across the whole of Parliament this evening. That just shows how important it is. I wish to make a contribution on the title and the commencement date of this bill. The bill will repeal and replace the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act 1974. 
There are some very important parts of this bill. I do not care to politicise it as the Labour Opposition has tried to do this evening. Even though those members are supporting the bill they are out there trying to scaremonger. It just shows that the departure of Dr Cullen who delivered his valedictory this evening has really put pressure on the interesting people who are busy doing the numbers down the corridors now. Maybe they will be working very hard now that they have lost two of the very key components of the Labour Party—but I digress. This is an important bill. It is important because the following people will have to hold a licence: private investigators security technicians security consultants property guards and personal guards. These people will be required to hold a licence which is extremely important. 
The other important thing— 
Grant Robertson 
: I raise a point of order Mr Chairman. I am sorry to interrupt but I was very confused there. The Government member was talking about security guards. This debate is on the Protected Disclosures Amendment Bill. Earlier today we were debating issues around security guards and private investigators but that is not what this bill is about so I cannot see what Mr Guy was talking about. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Rick Barker) 
: That is not a point of order. The bill is clearly the Protected Disclosures Amendment Bill. 
NATHAN GUY 
: It just shows that the new member from Wellington Central who has been in here a short time does not actually understand— 
The CHAIRPERSON (Hon Rick Barker) 
: It is out of order to comment on a Chairperson’s decision. The member is invited to continue with his speech. 
NATHAN GUY 
: Thank you Mr Chair. I will talk now specifically to the title which is the important part of this bill— 
Hon Members 
: What is it? 
NATHAN GUY 
: —the Protected Disclosures Amendment Bill—and also to the commencement date which will occur after the third reading. The important part of this bill is to do with the Ombudsmen. We have had some very good discussion across the whole of Parliament this evening. I wanted to make a particular comment on new section 15D which is to be inserted into the Protected Disclosures Act under clause 8. The provision relates to the Ombudsmen and it is very important; I will make some comments about it. The Ombudsmen are particularly busy as we all know. Section 15D states: “The Chief Ombudsman may by written notice appoint a person to perform an Ombudsman’s functions under this Act.” That is vitally important because the Chief Ombudsman is under a huge amount of pressure. This provision will mean that the Chief Ombudsman can delegate part of his or her role to get on top of the functions of that role. 
This bill has received a huge amount of support across the whole of Parliament this evening. The transitional provision has been talked about and that is enabled with this bill. The bill is not retrospective; it is looking forward. It was drafted under the Legislation Advisory Committee guidelines which is very important and that is why I believe this bill will be passed. It is very important that this Government carries on with the good work and that is why National the main Government party is supporting this bill. 
Clause 1 agreed to. 
Clause 2 agreed to. 
Clause 3 agreed to. 
Bill to be reported without amendment presently.