Cyber bullying bill to be debated at Parliament today

A bill attempting to deal with cyber-bullying and other issues is due to be debated by MPs today, according to parlimentary news site ParliamentToday.co.nz.

Following Question Time it is expected there will be a motion on the effects of Cyclone Pam in the Pacific. This will be followed by the second reading without debate of the Appropriation (2013/14 Confirmation and Validation) Bill

MPs will then debate the second reading of the Harmful Digital Communications Bill. The bill's purpose is to mitigate harm caused to individuals by digital communications (a digital communication includes any text message, writing, photograph, picture, or recording) and to provide victims of harmful digital communications with a means of redress.

This bill is largely based on the Law Commission's 2012 Ministerial Briefing paper Harmful Digital Communications: The adequacy of the current sanctions and remedies.

This will be followed by the committee stages of the Construction Contracts Amendment Bill and theStatutes Amendment Bill (No 4).

The Government indicated last week it would still seek to pass through all stages the Remuneration Authority Amendment Bill, though it would not interrupt tomorrow's Members Day to do this.