The Bill was amended to reflect the LAC’s s ubmissions and the amended version is now proposed as the basis for regulation of the gas industry in a Bill, the Electricity and Gas Industries Bill 2003, currently before Parliament. 10 14 The LAC’s submissions do not always make it popular. Its submissions and the appearances of its members before select committees are, however, welcomed by select committees because the LAC is acknowledged as being non-partisan. It has no  axe  to  grind.  It  can  call  it  as  it  sees  it.  Being  on  the  receiving  end  of  LAC submissions  is  not  always  comfortable.  The  practice  of  making  submissions reinforces what is in the LAC Guidelines. 15 The LAC’ s submissions invariably result in changes to legislation. Its contribution to improving the quality of legislation in this country has been undervalued. It does not have a high profile. It works quietly and behind the scenes. It seeks to influence by reasoned argument and persuasion. New Zealand is fortunate to have it and the contribution of those who have led it over the years and those who have served and who now serve on it. Through the process of making submissions on Bills that are seen  as  falling  short  of  principle  and  good  practice,  the  LAC  and  the  LAC Guidelines are a powerful discipline on the Government and its advisers. New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 16 The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 affirms New Zealand’s  commitment to the  International  Covenant  on  Civil  and  Political  Rights  (1966).  It  does  this  by expressly affirming the rights and freedoms contained in the Bill of Rights. The rights and freedoms protected by the Bill of Rights include the rights to life and security  of  the  person  and  to  be  free  from  torture  or  cruel  or  degrading  or disproportionately severe punishment, the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief, freedom of expression, non-discrimination and minority rights, the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of association and movement, and the rights relating to unreasonable search and seizure, arbitrary arrest or detention, and