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Politics
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Labour Arbitrarily Limit Debate on Conversion Practices Bill
Labour has again demonstrated their determination to limit any public scrutiny on legislation they have already decided to pass, National’s Justice spokesperson Simon Bridges says. “Today Labour members voted against putting the Conversion Therapy Practices Prohibition Bill through the usual six week public submission process. Railroading conventional democratic pathways
What Is Labour Trying to Hide?
Labour members of the Social Services and Community Select Committee appear intent on limiting further parliamentary discussion of the ‘They Are Us’ film production, in particular questioning of the New Zealand Film Commission over the details of its funding, National’s Arts, Culture and Heritage spokesperson Simon O’Connor says.
National Pulls Support at First Reading of Bill
Bryce Edwards democracyproject.nz Dr Bryce Edwards is Political Analyst in Residence at Victoria University of Wellington. He is the director of the Democracy Project. The big policy issue dividing the party in the weekend was the caucus decision last week to vote against the first reading of the Government’
Where To Now for National?
The National Party Conference last weekend has produced a range of reactions. The media, predictably, were overwhelmingly negative as the last thing they want is a National government. Their bias has been repaid handsomely by the government in return for which they are required to toe the party line. This
Give Us a Clue: COVID Edition
David Seymour ACT Leader Today’s big announcement will feel like Give Us A Clue: COVID Edition. After the highly disappointing Skegg report that was really just three letters, the Government needs to give us a clue on the big questions about our COVID future. The Skegg letters told us
Government Splashes the Cash on Splashes of Paint
David Seymour ACT Leader While vulnerable New Zealanders are desperate for shelter, the agency tasked with housing them is spending tens of thousands of dollars on artwork. Kainga Ora is supposed to house people, not expensive carvings. We have people living in motels and cars and tenants whose houses aren’
The Proposed Hate Speech Law
Groups from opposite sides of the political spectrum are united in their opposition to the proposed new Hate Speech law. Having people from polar opposite political views so united is a warning in flashing neon lights that this law is a BAD law and that it should be consigned to
National Is Putting in the Policy Leg-Work
Bryce Edwards democracyproject.nz Dr Bryce Edwards is Political Analyst in Residence at Victoria University of Wellington. He is the director of the Democracy Project. The lack of any policy announcements at the weekend was a disappointment to many observers. Instead, Collins announced in her speech that a new process
Letter to the Editor: The Stupid Party and the Evil Party
Dear Editor why is it that the large number of New Zealanders who are becoming increasingly cynical and disenchanted by the deteriorating state of affairs feel unable to mount any effective form of resistance? One reason may be that the Labour government has very effectively used the COVID pandemic to
If The IPCC Does Not Believe It, Why Do We?
With great fanfare and much media mind manipulation, the IPCC has released its long-awaited AR6 report. Surprise, surprise it is all much worse than we thought – or is it? There are a couple of statements that our local and national politicians should think very seriously about. In general, no
National to Support BDMRR Bill to Select Committee
National welcomes the opportunity for the public to have input on a proposed law change that will allow people to change their designated sex on their birth certificates according to how they self-identify, National’s spokesperson for Women Nicola Grigg says. “One of the proposed changes to the Births
Labour Can’t Keep the Lights On
I completely agree with the Energy Minister Megan Woods and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in their assessment of the blackouts on Monday as ‘not good enough,’ National’s Energy and Resources spokesperson Barbara Kuriger says. “It is a pity Labour is committed to proportioning blame to everyone but themselves. As
IPCC Report Highlights Size of Climate Challenge
The release of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change report on the Physical Science of Climate Change highlights the importance of sound and efficient climate policy, National’s Climate Change spokesperson Stuart Smith says. “The IPCC report makes apparent just how hard it will be for New Zealand and