ACT's Simon Court

Last week NZ First’s Shane Jones unveiled the government's draft mineral act, supported by the ACT party’s Simon Court. 

The proposal would mean an increase in mining, including in areas of conservation land. As well as the government projecting 2000 new jobs for miners and increasing mining revenue by $1 billion by 2035. 

For our weekly catch up with the ACT Party, Producer Evie talked to Simon Court about this proposal and some of the concerns that have arisen following its announcement. 

She also talked to him about some comments he made on X about a Pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Canterbury.

The coalition government has made changes to the Residential Tenancies Act, including allowing landlords to charge an additional bond of up to two weeks rent on top of the standard bond of up to four weeks, if a tenant wishes to have a pet on the property. 

No-cause evictions have also been reintroduced, allowing landlords to evict tenants without providing a reason, provided they give them 90 days notice.

For our weekly interview with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to MP Simon Court about these changes.

For their weekly interview, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to ACT’s Simon Court about the government’s new measures aimed at reducing youth vaping, significant cuts to the Ministries for Primary Industries and Health as directed by the government, and calls from more than 30 organisations, including World Vision, Save the Children, and Greenpeace, for the government to create a special humanitarian visa for Palestinians in Gaza with family connections to New Zealand.

The coalition government has announced a fast track consents bill, which would speed up the consenting process for significant regional and national projects, giving ministers decision-making power.

According to Minister for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, the proposed law will be a “one-stop shop” for major infrastructure project approvals currently gained under the Resource Management Act. 

The government has not ruled out whether the legislation will be used to approve mining, conservation, and wildlife projects.

For their weekly interview, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, asked ACT’s Simon Court to defend the policy.