ACT's Simon Court

A total of 149 projects have been selected for fast tracking through the government's new Fast-track Approvals Bill.

There’s a variety of projects on the list, in sectors including farming, infrastructure, energy, and mining. 

The bill has been contentious since its introduction, with many concerns surrounding its potential effects on the environment. 19 projects on the list are mining related, with many of them successfully opposed in the past by environmental agencies, and even the supreme court. 

For their weekly catch up Producer Evie spoke to the ACT Party’s Simon Court about the newly unveiled list, and why some of these projects have been included on it. 

They also talked about emails to David Seymours office that were revealed by Newsroom last week, showing the party leader was invited to King Tuheitias Koroneihana earlier this year, despite repeated claims he did not receive an invite.

The government has outlined its upcoming changes to the law to clarify whether a worker is an employee or a contractor. The changes would restrict contractors from challenging their status in the employment court. 

This comes following a case brought to the employment court in 2022, in which four Uber drivers were granted the rights of employees, rather than of contractors as they were employed. Thus allowing these drivers to be entitled to protections such as guaranteed hours, leave, kiwisaver contributions and the right to unionise. 

Uber appealed the decision, but were dismissed. Now the government wants to adjust the law to prevent this from occurring again. 

For their weekly catch up Producer Evie spoke to the ACT Party’s Simon Court about this change, and the concerns that have arisen around it. 

They also talked about the gang patch legislation passing into law, including last minute additions to the bill and how it will be imposed.

To add to the contention surrounding David Seymour's revitalisation of charter schools, new documents have revealed that the bill may go against international labour obligations and fair trade agreements. 

A select committee report revealed a late addition to the charter schools bill, blocking staff at the schools from joining Multi-Employer Collective Agreements, which enable employees to be tied to unions. 

This sparked controversy, with opposition MPs concerned about the omission of this information from the select committee and the public. 

For their weekly catch up, Producer Evie spoke to the ACT Party’s Simon Court about why staff should be prohibited from these collectives, and why the information was withheld from the public. 

She also asked him about new concerns surrounding Nicole McKee and firearms reform, in which McKee used her power as a Government minister to reduce regulation for gun clubs — without any public consultation.

And finally they talked about the ACT party’s views on 43 out of 45 councils voting to hold a referendum on their Maori wards, rather than disestablishing them. 

Last week the eighteenth Koroneihana of the Māori King took place, attended by all the political parties - minus one. The ACT Party was notably absent from the celebrations. 

For their weekly catch up Producer Evie asked ACT MP, Simon Court, why this was. 

They also talked about David Seymours Ministry of Regulation, which has been making headlines in recent weeks as it was revealed the average salary of its employees was $150 thousand dollars. Given the government has cut, or set to cut, over 6,500 public sector jobs the revelation has sparked some outrage. 

And finally, she asked Court about the ACT party’s views on the changes to the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill, in which decision powers have been removed from ministers.