New Zealand Gene Technology Bill Faces Further Delays in Parliament

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has clarified that the ongoing delays in progressing the Gene Technology Bill are not due to his coalition partner, New Zealand First. Instead, he emphasized that the government is taking necessary time to refine the “complicated” legislation. Originally scheduled for a report back from Parliament’s health committee on July 31, the timeline has shifted multiple times, now pushed to October 10.

New Zealand First initially supported the bill during its first reading but raised concerns over the boundaries of gene technology applications. The party has stated it will thoroughly review the select committee report before deciding on its ongoing support. The proposed legislation aims to relax New Zealand’s restrictions on gene technology, effectively ending a 30-year ban on such practices outside laboratory environments. Under the new framework, a dedicated regulator within the Environmental Protection Authority would oversee gene technology.

The National Party has expressed that New Zealand is lagging behind other countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, which have already adopted gene technologies. The new regulatory regime would also recognize comparable overseas regulators, facilitating international collaboration.

During the bill’s introduction in December by former science minister Judith Collins, she assured that this change would not lead to unrestricted use of gene technologies. “This change simply means that gene technologies have a pathway to regulatory assessment designed to ensure the public and environmental safety of New Zealand,” Collins stated. She emphasized that this legislative change does not mandate the use of gene technologies but provides a regulatory method for those who wish to utilize them.

Concerns about the implications of the bill were echoed by New Zealand First MP Mark Patterson, who highlighted the need for careful consideration of the potential trade-offs. Patterson noted that feedback from food exporters, the organic sector, and consumers should play a crucial role in shaping the legislation. “We must understand the trade-offs we are making. This is very much a risk-reward,” he stated.

The complexity of the bill has led to differing opinions within the coalition. Shane Jones, temporarily representing the science minister Dr. Shane Reti, characterized the bill as a “work in progress.” In response to questions about whether the delay was linked to New Zealand First’s concerns, Winston Peters, the party leader, reiterated their commitment to examining the report thoroughly.

Labour, the Greens, and Te Pāti Māori oppose the legislation, which means that all three coalition parties must align for it to advance. Labour’s science spokesperson Reuben Davidson has suggested that internal disagreements within the coalition may hinder the bill’s progress, stating, “There isn’t a pathway within the coalition to support the bill. It would seem that behind closed doors there’s disagreement, bickering, and a lack of clarity on a direction to move forward.”

Davidson further expressed concerns that the bill advances too quickly without adequately addressing the implications for trade. “There are still unanswered questions. The sector is still not comfortable about the lack of clarity and the lack of certainty,” he said.

In light of these challenges, Prime Minister Luxon reassured that he is not worried about New Zealand First withdrawing support. He underscored the government’s commitment to carefully crafting the legislation. “We’re just taking a bit more time through the select committee process to ensure we get that drafted in the right way,” he explained.

Luxon emphasized the necessity for New Zealand to modernize its legislative framework to align with 21st-century standards. “It’s just complicated work, and it’s important we get it right so we don’t make any mistakes,” he said. Davidson expressed skepticism regarding Luxon’s confidence, noting that the bill appears to have encountered significant delays and challenges.

As the deadline approaches, the future of the Gene Technology Bill remains uncertain, with the coalition’s internal dynamics and public concerns hanging in the balance. The outcomes of the select committee’s review will be pivotal in determining the bill’s fate.