This is edition 2025/119 of the Ten@10 newsletter.
Welcome back. It's 2025 and 20 years since I started writing about politics and anything else that took my fancy. Thank to my VIP members for making this site what it is today.
This is the Ten@10, where I collate and summarise ten news items you generally won't see in the mainstream media.
Enjoy!
1. Legislating For Liberty
Chris Trotter
- 🏛️ Boring but Powerful Bill: The Regulatory Standards Bill (RSB) might sound dull, but it's set to drastically alter New Zealand's political landscape.
- 🔓 Libertarian Influence: The bill is crafted by the Act Party, known for its strong focus on individual liberty and property rights.
- 🏠 Laissez-faire Ideology: Act's core belief is that individuals should be free to act as they wish, as long as they don't harm others or infringe on their property.
- 🌍 Opposition from the Left: Environmental groups, iwi, unions, and the Left oppose the bill, fearing it will undermine collective welfare.
- ⚖️ Regulatory Scrutiny: If passed, the RSB will make all future regulations be evaluated by an appointed board focused on individual liberty and property.
- 🔄 Potential Repeal: If the bill leads to negative outcomes, future governments can repeal it, preventing it from becoming permanent.
