Parliament’s justice select committee has decided to re-open submissions for the Treaty Principles Bill until 1 PM on Tuesday, January 14, due to technical difficulties experienced by users on the initial submission portal. Early reports indicate that the committee received around 300,000 submissions, with nearly half submitted on the final day, significantly surpassing the previous record of approximately 107,000 submissions for the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill in 2021.
As the committee staff process these submissions, the final count is expected to change. Individuals can still submit their feedback via email to treatyprinciples@parliament.govt.nz or justice@parliament.govt.nz until Thursday at 9 AM, as long as they reference the technical issues, provide their name, and meet the submission criteria. Those whose email submissions do not comply will need to re-submit through the official website portal.
The committee has urged participants to submit their feedback without delay and not wait until the final hours. For those facing technical challenges or unsure if their email meets the criteria, committee staff are available for assistance at treatyprinciples@parliament.govt.nz, and it is advised to attach a screenshot of any issues encountered.
Despite challenges presented by the web portal, the Justice Committee appreciates the high levels of public engagement and assistance from staff during this period. It is worth noting that each individual submitter will be counted only once, regardless of multiple submissions.
Technical consultant Louisa Taylor suggested that the website errors could stem from low server capacity or potential cyber-attacks, emphasizing the importance of a reliable submission portal for public participation. The committee’s decision to extend the deadline allows more voices to be heard, a positive outcome fostering civic engagement.
In conclusion, this reopening presents an opportunity for increased participation in the legislative process, underscoring the importance of public input in shaping laws and policies.
Leave a comment