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It seems she was referring to the three laws enacted throughout the lockdown – the Health Act, Epidemic Preparedness Act and Civil Defense Emergency Management Act – that gave the Government powers to intrude on civil liberties.
Labor MP and Attorney-General David Parker has similarly justified the legislation by pointing out that it will be less intrusive than the three laws the Government relied on throughout the lockdown period.
“Despite claims by some critics, the powers of the police will be narrower from midnight tonight than they have been for the past seven weeks,” he said, after the law passed its final reading in Parliament.
“Under this Act, police will only be able to enter private homes to break up gatherings that violate the rules on the numbers of people assembling, whereas under the previous powers they could do so for a number of reasons.”
He said another change will allow police to issue infringement notices rather than only being able to prosecute people that persistently flout the rules.
The law also spreads the responsibility to issue orders to Health Minister David Clark, instead of just Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield. It also requires police to report on the use of their powers.
The Opposition voted against the legislation, citing various concerns, including the anxieties raised about police powers shared by the Young Greens.
The state of national emergency in New Zealand has come to an end, making way for a “transition” period as the nation prepares for alert level 2, and National thinks it’s time for restrictions to end, especially now that case numbers are low.
“What is the basis for the fear the Government has to the extent the need to pass legislation that is going to seriously continue to infringe on the civil liberties of New Zealanders?” National MP Gerry Brownlee asked in Parliament.
National MP Chris Bishop described the process as “appalling” and said the legislation “gives too power much power” to the Government.
