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Electricity (Continuance of supply) Amendment Bill (Consistent) [2008] NZBORARp 41 (22 August 2008)

Last Updated: 19 March 2020

Electricity (Continuance of supply) Amendment Bill

22 August 2008

Attorney-General

LEGAL ADVICE

CONSISTENCY WITH THE NEW ZEALAND BILL OF RIGHTS ACT 1990: ELECTRICITY (CONTINUANCE OF SUPPLY) AMENDMENT BILL

1. We have considered whether the Electricity (Continuance of Supply) Amendment Bill

(PCO 13272/7.0) (the "Bill") is consistent with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act

1990 ("Bill of Rights Act"). We understand the Bill is likely to be considered by the

Cabinet Legislative Committee at its meeting on Thursday, 28 August 2008.

2. The Bill amends the Electricity Act 1992 to remove the expiry date from the existing obligation on electricity distributors to continue to supply line function service to places supplied as at 1 April 1993. This obligation is currently set to expire on 31

March 2013. The Bill also permits distributors to supply electricity by alternative means, provided notice is given to consumers along with the opportunity to comment. In addition, the Bill provides for successors to distributors to take over their supply obligations.

3. We have concluded that the Bill appears to be consistent with the rights and freedoms contained in the Bill of Rights Act.

Michael Petherick

Manager, Ministerial Advice

Office of Legal Counsel

Stuart Beresford
Manager
Human Rights/Bill of Rights Team

In addition to the general disclaimer for all documents on this website, please note the following: This advice was prepared to assist the Attorney-General to determine whether a report should be made to Parliament under s 7 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 in relation to the Electricity (Continuance of Supply) Amendment Bill. It should not be used or acted upon for any other purpose. The advice does no more than assess whether the Bill complies with the minimum guarantees contained in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. The release of this advice should not be taken to indicate that the Attorney-General agrees with all aspects of it, nor does its release constitute a general waiver of legal professional privilege in respect of this or any other matter. Whilst care has been taken to ensure that this document is an accurate reproduction of the advice provided to the Attorney-General, neither the Ministry of Justice nor the Crown Law Office accepts any liability for any errors or omissions.