FENZ Bill reviewed
16 Jan 2017
Legislation supporting the merger of various rural and urban fire services into Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) has returned to Parliament with recommended amendments from the Select Committee. The House will review these changes during the second reading of the Bill in February.
Included in this legislation is a totally revised method of funding although it remains insurance based. The changes to the funding will be introduced in a stepped approach commencing on the 1st July 2017. The proposed timetable is:
1st July 2017
Increased levy rate but calculation on the current basis
1st July 2018
Rate revised again with levy calculated on a new basis. Anti-avoidance regime introduced
1st July 2019
Further rate adjustment, levy calculated on the new basis. Rate to be held for following 3 years
IBANZ provided written submissions and appeared before the Select Committee to address several issues in the original Bill; a number of these matters have been taken into account in the recommendations. For full details follow these links:
IBANZ submissions: copies of all our responses - HERE
Select Committee: key issues for IBANZ members - HERE
Select Committee: full report including updated Bill - HERE
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