A bill updating 50 year old law on the regulation of radiation has been sent to select committee for consideration.
The first reading debate on the Radiation Safety Bill was completed on a voice vote and sent to the Health Committee.
Michael Woodhouse said the bill repealed outdated legislation and replaced it with law which was more fitting for modern practices. Nuclear radiation technology was widely used in the health sector and other changes in the use had to be reflected in a law which was now 50 years old.
Annette King said Labour would support the bill which had its genesis in a review when she was minister. This and other health related legislation showed the Government was being slow to deal with outdated law.
The bill was generally supported but both Green and NZ First MPs questioned whether the bill should cover non-ionising radiation (such as microwaves) as well as ionising radiation (such as that used in x-ray machines).
MPs began debating the first reading of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2015-16, Research and Development, and Remedial Matters) Bill.
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