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Human Rights Amendment Bill
The Human Rights Commission welcomes the introduction of the Human Rights Amendment Bill introduced by Parliament today by Justice Minister Simon Power.
“This Bill recognises the importance of human rights to New Zealanders,” says Chief Commissioner David Rutherford. “Significantly, this Bill enables the Commission to have a dedicated Disability Commissioner, who will have a much greater capacity to improve the lives of disabled people in New Zealand.”
The Human Rights Amendment Bill also makes changes to the composition, governance arrangements, and functions and powers of the Commission. The current number of three full-time and four part-time commissioners will change to no less than four, and no more than five, full-time commissioners (including the Chief Commissioner).
The Bill states there will be a commissioner, other than the Chief Commissioner, appointed to lead the work in the following priority areas: race relations, equal employment opportunities and disability rights.
While the proposed changes will not affect the leadership role the Commission has protecting and promoting race relations and equal employment opportunities, Mr Rutherford says the Commission will need to ensure that the proposed abolition of the specific titles of these specialised commissioners does not lead to a lessening of those roles, or the particular character and visibility of these human rights areas.
He also said that the Commission welcomes the increase to four full time commissioners. However, as there will be fewer commissioners, those who appoint Commissioners will need to ensure those in key roles reflect the diversity of New Zealand. “We are supportive of the Bill and we will be able to address any concerns during the select committee process.”