Youth parliament > Press gallery > Select committees summary by Rebekah Lyell

Select committees summary by Rebekah Lyell

The chance to take an in-depth look led to intense debate and witnesses being bombarded with questions.

By Rebekah Lyell

Ten select committees were undertaken during Youth Parliament with topics including the legal status of BZP, tax rates, cloning and justice.

A select committee allows MPs to take a more detailed look at issues than when they are in the House of Representatives.

Between six and 15 MPs are appointed to each after the general election; the committee make-up is represented in proportion to party membership in the house.

Members are allowed to call witnesses who have an interest in the topic of enquiry.
Witnesses are available to make presentations, produce documents and answer questions.

Your youth MPs tackled the tough topics with some issues recently in the media proving to be the most stimulating.

Roads the leading Killer of Youth
Tragic car accidents, which claimed youth’s lives in recent months, were the topic of concern in the Transport and Industrial select committee.

These events influenced our country to accept this is a serious issue that our young people are facing.

Witnesses told MPs the influence of alcohol and drugs while driving is the greatest threat on the roads.

However they also acknowledged the three main reasons why our young people are at risk were immaturity, emotion and inexperience.

In a bid to decrease the amount of lives lost on our roads, members recommended the learner’s license period be increased from six months to 18, with a reduction to one year if a defence-driving course is completed successfully.

They also wanted blood level limits decreased to cut drink driving and a harsher demerit point system.

Why have we not met our promise of overseas assistance?
Giving seven cents of every $10 the country earns doesn’t seem like a lot, but it’s a target the Government is behind on.

In the 70s a promise was made by UN countries to give 0.7 percent of their gross national income for aid.

This money is used to help underdeveloped countries establish the basic needs most of us take for granted.

New Zealand has agreed to reach this target by 2015, but eight years out we only give 0.3 percent.

Youth MPs heard submissions by Government officials and aid agencies involved in the ‘pointseven’ campaign.

They urged MPs to set a pathway for the Government to reach the target.

Tough questions were asked, including why foreign countries should receive money when New Zealand has problems as well.

Youth MPs asked for the Government to start a consistent campaign for the future.

They suggested legislation be written to encourage yearly increases towards the target of 0.7 percent so New Zealand would not be labelled the “Scrooge of the Pacific”.

Should Party Pills be legal?
The party may soon be over for a $25 million industry in New Zealand after the Government announced plans to ban BZP last month.

Party pills –made with BZP – will be reclassified as Class 1 drugs, the same as cannabis, and possession will be punishable by up to three months jail and/or a fine of $500.

The legal status of party pills was discussed in the Health Select Committee by 12 youth MPs.

Matt Bowden, spokesman of Social Tonics Association of New Zealand, told youth MPs the death of his nephew highlighted the dangers of drugs.

“To me its clear that if he had been using a safer no party pill alternative he might be alive,” he said.

However, Tim Harding, CEO of Care NZ, warned MPs BZP’s long-term effects had not been studied making it dangerous.

“Don’t be confused, BZP is a drug,” he reiterated.

Despite this, members recommended to the Government that party pills be made legal.

They called for stricter controls on supply and manufacturing and increased awareness of the dangers of the drugs.
 
How can we prevent young people joining gangs and reduce violent offending?
Hearing from a current member of Black Power hit home for 11 youth MPs in the Social Development select committee.

He joined the gang after becoming disillusioned with his own family life when he was younger.

He realised his life was heading in a downhill spiral when at 16 he was in prison for aggravated robbery, his Dad was in Paremoremo Prison, his brother was in Mt Eden Prison and his sister was in Arowhata Women’s Prison.

 “It is hard for members to ask their children to grow up and not be like them,’’ he said.

Ministry of Social Development (MSD) national gangs manager Carl Crafer told the MPs a multi-agency approach, including the Ministries of Justice and Education and the police, had been working with South Auckland gangs since 2005.

The committee thought good family influence is paramount.

They wished for schools to introduce programmes to encourage youth rather than demoralise them.

Some members recommended that compulsory military service be reintroduced as it offered excellent skills and structure.

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