Underwhelming

The Privileges Committee has reported back on the New Zealand Bill of Rights (Declarations of Inconsistency) Amendment Bill. As I noted in my submission, the bill was the bare minimum that Parliament can do, a grudging acceptance of Parliament's wilful failure to guard our human rights. The good news is that the committee has strengthened it: now in addition to the Attorney-General being required to notify Parliament of any declaration of inconsistency, the executive will also be required to formally respond! And if that seems an underwhelming response to failure like this, that's because it is. Its better than the status quo, but like everything else Labour does, lightyears from what is required.