Few hot-spots on road to polls

A push to ban the docking of dog tails is one of the few proposed new laws likely to be contentious this year.

For the most part, Parliament's law-making agenda looks relatively benign.

It will not have the sting of some high-profile legislation that hit the headlines last year, such as the Civil Union Bill.

The Beehive considers the legislative agenda relatively free of controversy and wants it to stay that way until the election.

But hot-spots are expected around land access legislation, resource management law changes and a Labour MP's bill banning the docking of dog tails.

The bill legislating for access to streams and waterways is expected to be tabled mid-year.

The Government will sell it as a sensible way to ensure access to publicly owned rivers and lakes, while National and Act will make a fuss in the run-up to the election about impinging on property rights.

But the Government is happy with the year ahead after it deliberately cleared the decks of controversial bills before Christmas, including the civil union and foreshore and seabed legislation.

This week Parliament is entirely devoted to debate on Prime Minister Helen Clark's statement to the House delivered on Tuesday, so law-making will not start again until next week.

There will be more noise when the Relationships (Statutory References) Bill - part two of the civil unions proposals - is finally reported from the select committee but it is not expected to attract the level of flak that the Civil Union Bill did.

A member's bill from Labour MP Dianne Yates banning the docking of dog tails may provoke more public debate early this year.

The Animal Welfare (Restriction on Docking of Dogs' Tails) Bill is backed by the SPCA but groups such as the New Zealand Kennel Club have reportedly slammed it as political correctness gone "barking mad".

The bill is being considered by a select committee, which will produce its report in mid-April.

National's shadow Leader of the House, Gerry Brownlee, said the Government's legislative programme was "incredibly weak".

He wondered what Government MPs would be doing this year in the House.

Bills to watch

* New Zealand Day

United Future Peter Dunne's member's bill seeks to rename Waitangi Day as New Zealand Day. It is not due to come to a first reading until next month and Mr Dunne is unsure of the support it will attract.

* Resource Management Act

Several changes will upset the environmentalists, who argue that local decision-making will be stripped in favour of the Government's pet infrastructure projects. The select committee report is due in mid-June.

* Overseas investment

Law changes are afoot that are supposed to impose tougher rules on foreigners buying special heritage or environmental sites. It will be vigorously opposed by the Green Party and the select committee report is due in mid-June.

* Marine reserves

This bill will greatly expand the number and scope of marine reserves and is likely to concern some Maori and fishing interests. The bill is also before a select committee and its report is due on April 30.

* Inmate compensation

The Prisoners and Victims Claims Bill, which was tabled in mid-December, makes it more difficult for prisoners to get compensation. Likely to be popular with the public, it will run into opposition from the Greens and human rights groups.

* Search powers

Police will get wider power to search and seize suspected drug dealers' substances under Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill No 3. Again, the Greens oppose it and the select committee report is due in mid-March.