'Agree to disagree' over the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill, changes to housing policy, and the Easter Trading Bill w/ the ACT Party's Cameron Luxton, 8th July, 2024

Last Tuesday, Broadcasting Minister Paul Goldsmith announced the Government would progress with the former Labour government’s Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill with amendments to "support our local media companies to earn revenue for the news they produce".

This announcement saw ACT invoke the “agree to disagree” provision of their coalition agreement by opposing the bill. Wire host Sofia spoke to the ACT Party’s Cameron Luxton about why the party opposes this bill, and what agreeing to disagree means for the coalition’s relationships. 

Additionally, she asked Cameron about last week’s announcements about changes to housing policy by "flooding" the country with new homes where Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced six key changes. These include freeing up land for development, removing unnecessary planning barriers and relaxing standards. 

Lastly she asked Cameron about his member’s bill, the Easter Trading Bill, which has been drawn from the ballot. The bill would liberalise easter trading laws, allowing New Zealanders who want to trade over Easter to do so.