I bet you have an opinion on the End of Life Choice Bill. Probably a strong one. I think most people do. And many people’s opinions are likely informed by their own experiences of death. And/or religion.
When a proposed law goes through Parliament, one part of the process is for a select committee (a smaller group of MPs) to ask both the public and experts for their opinions on it, and to suggest changes as a result of that input.
When they did that for End of Life Choice they were inundated with opinions, more than 35,000 of them. Most bills get dozens of submissions, many get hundreds, thousands is less common, Tens of thousands is crazy talk.
A map showing how many people who had written submissions from each region also asked to be able to also speak with MPs about the End of Life Choice Bill. Photo: Parliament
And when you make a submission you can also ask to speak to the committee (in person or via a video call). Thousands did this as well.
The committee decided to listen to them all, and as much as possible go and hear their evidence in their own town or region. You might call them brave, or possibly foolhardy for attempting this, but they’re definitely busy.
Sub-groups of the Justice Committee (the one charged with looking into this bill) have been shuttling around New Zealand to listen to hundreds of submitters. Dozens a day, many of whom have heart wrenching stories to tell of the deaths of loved ones.
MPs jobs are not all about kissing babies and shouting. Sometimes they just sit still, listen and take notes.
By the beginning of October the Justice Committee had heard direct evidence from more than 1000 people and 60 organisations in more than 30 different hearings around the country. But they’re not finished yet.
The House sat down with two MPs from the Justice Committee, Ginny Andersen (Labour MP from Hutt South) and Chris Bishop (National MP for Hutt South).
We wanted to hear about the huge effort they're putting into hearing public evidence on this particular bill, and about the other work their committee is doing on many other bills, petitions, and inquiries all at the same time. Because, you know, one herculean task at a time is never enough.
That's all in the audio at the link above.
