Last week ACT Party Leader, David Seymour, announced 153 million dollars in funding for the establishment of 50 charter schools. This covers 15 brand new schools and the conversion of 35 state schools.
Between 2011 and 2017 less than 20 charter schools were open in Aotearoa, before they were disestablished by the Labour government in 2018. Seymour himself has said that previously the schools were both difficult to establish and run.
For our weekly interview with the ACT Party, Producer Evie spoke to MP Simon Court about what will be different this time, and why the party thinks these schools are the best option.
They also talked about some recent conflicts of interests that have arisen surrounding the already contested Fast Track approvals bill.
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 our weekly interview with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to MP Simon Court about the government’s proposal to increase student attendance rates and his post on X last week, in which he stated he stands with Israel.
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.
Homeowners across the motu are facing an average rates rise of 15 percent in the next year.
Councils say they need to balance the need for investment with affordable rates increases, but that budgetary pressures have reached a “tipping point”.
For their weekly interview, News and Editorial Director, Jessica Hopkins, spoke to ACT’s Simon Court about their party’s stance on investing in local infrastructure, amid the government reducing funding for public transport.
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.
Spike speaks to Act MP Simon Court about the party's recent policy announcement to put 17 year olds through the Adult Court system instead of the Youth Courts.
This week, Spike speaks to ACT MP Simon Court about the party's opposition to the Let's Get Wellington Moving project, the currently proposed plan to revamp the central city's transport and pedestrian infrastructure.
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