ACT's Simon Court

The US and Israel’s War on Iran and subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz has fuel prices increasing across the country. As fuel prices increase, people are continually looking towards alternatives, primarily public transport and electric vehicles. With public transport use at a 7 year high last week and demand for electric vehicles increasing, demand seems to contradict government policy. 

Since the start of its term, the government has been cutting discounts to public transport and cutting incentives to buy electric vehicles. At the same time, the government has touted investments in LNG and offshore oil and gas exploration as the solutions to New Zealand’s energy woes. 

As fuel prices continue to rise, so too does the cost of living, with prices in supermarkets already spiking and hitting consumers where many are already struggling. Despite the government’s campaigning and signalling around cost of living, prices are continuing to rise without a similar increase to wages. 

For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News Director Castor asked him about the fuel crisis and the lessons the government is taking.

Last weekend saw the United States and Israel airstriking Iran, with Iran retaliating with strikes on Israel, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. The New Zealand government put out a press release soon after, condemning Iran for the strikes and for protest crackdown earlier this year. 

While the press release and later communications from the government have called for all parties to follow international law, the government has offered little in criticism of the United States and Israel’s bombings. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, when asked if the strikes were legal, said it would be up to each country to provide a justification. 

This past week also saw a new policy from the government that would look to reclaim ACC payments from those already receiving welfare payments. ACC claimants usually receive funding to support their inability to work, however those on the benefit will already be receiving such funds regardless. While there is cross-party support for a change that would remove this “double dipping”, the policy would also charge back some of those who have already benefited from this loophole. 

The move has been criticised by opposition MPs, who say creating debt for already marginalised or vulnerable groups is unfair and morally questionable.

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about the New Zealand government’s stance on conflict in the Middle East and issues with this new ACC policy change, beginning on the Middle East.

The government has been in discussions this past week over a bill adding English to the list of New Zealand’s official languages. Currently, the list comprises only te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language. The bill has been criticised as “pointless” and a “waste of time” by opposition MPs, while its main supporter NZ First leader Winston Peters suggests it is “common sense”. 

Also this past week has seen Housing Minister Chris Bishop announcing changes to housing plans PC120. While the plans had previously proposed a minimum housing capacity of 2 million for Tāmaki Makaurau, the quota has been lowered to 1.6 million. The change follows criticisms of the plan from some who say intensification could harm the character of their suburbs, especially wealthier areas around central Auckland. 

For our weekly catchup with ACT’s Simon Court News and Editorial Director asked about each of these issues, beginning with English as an official language.

This Waitangi weekend saw politicians gathering at the Treaty grounds to pay homage to Aotearoa’s founding document. At the event, party leaders and MPs across parliament gave speeches around the significance of Te Tiriti for their work. ACT leader David Seymour spoke about colonisation - stating that it wasn’t “all bad” and that there were some positives. 

Seymour also acknowledged the tensions around the Treaty Principles Bill, which he called a pyrrhic victory. 

Also last Thursday saw protestors from the Workers First Union gathering outside the office of Workplace Relations Minister Brooke Van Velden to protest against the Employment Relations Amendment Bill. The Union says this bill will take rights away from workers and put them into a place of uncertainty, which is especially worrisome as unemployment reaches its ten year high.

For this week’s catchup with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, News Director Castor asked about each of these issues, beginning by asking about this Waitangi weekend.