New Zealands delayed Electronic Transactions Bill is likely to pass
its final stages in the next few days.
The bill regularises the status of electronic transactions, giving
them broadly the same status in law as transactions concluded on
pieces of paper. It makes tacit provision for recognition of
electronic signatures, not defining what a signature is, but
leaving its recognition to common law.
The legislation has the potential to facilitate the growth of
e-business, remove legislative barriers to online trade and reduce
compliance and transaction costs. It would make this country's laws
more compatible with those of its trading partners.
The ruling Labour party and other parties, notably the Greens, have
been accused by IT industry spokespeople of giving the bill
insufficient attention and priority. Green co-leader Rod Donald at
the time rebutted the accusation, saying there was other important
legislation to be passed.
IT bodies such as ITANZ and InternetNZ have emphasised that this
bill and the Crimes Amendment No 6 Bill, criminalising "hacking",
are important for the progress of e-business.