Home | Databases | WorldLII | Search | Feedback New Zealand Bill of Rights Act Reports

Rates Rebate (Statutory Declarations) Amendment Bill (Consistent) [2019] NZBORARp 48 (29 August 2019)

Last Updated: 11 March 2020

29 August 2019

LEGAL ADVICE

LPA 01 01 24

Hon David Parker, Attorney-General

Consistency with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990: Rates Rebate (Statutory Declarations) Amendment Bill

1. We have considered whether the Rates Rebate (Statutory Declarations) Amendment Bill 2019 (‘the Bill’) is consistent with the rights and freedoms affirmed in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (‘the Bill of Rights Act’).
2. We have not yet received a final version of the Bill. This advice has been prepared in relation to the latest version of the Bill (PCO 22335/2.2). We will provide you with further advice if the final version includes amendments that affect the conclusions in this advice.
3. The Bill amends the Rates Rebate Act 1973 to:
   1. make it easier for eligible applicants to apply for a rates rebate by removing the requirement to make a statutory declaration when applying; and
   2. replace the requirement to make a statutory declaration with a requirement to verify the application in a manner and form approved by the Secretary for Local Government.
4. We have concluded that the Bill appears to be consistent with the rights and freedoms affirmed in the Bill of Rights Act.
   

Jeff Orr

Chief Legal Counsel Office of Legal Counsel