Labour's Carmel Sepuloni

The Labour Party has announced a new policy of sanctions against Israel following a recent ICJ ruling. The ruling states Israeli has breached international law with their long-term illegal occupation of Palestinian territories. 

This week Ngāpuhi also led a protest to Parliament in response to the repeal of section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The section is primarily intended to give practical effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi within the act.

It measures and reduces disparities for Māori, creates partnership with iwi, delegates function of the Act to Māori organisations and ensures cultural competency of staff. It is not concerned with decision-making to individual children.

National Iwi Chairs Forum Spokesperson Rahui Papa told MPs, “with the scrapping of 7AA we believe more harm will come to our mokopuna.”

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party Wire host Caeden spoke to MP Shanan Halbert about both of these topics.

Yesterday the Abuse in Care Inquiry was released to the public. It came with a set of formal recommendations, including a suggestion for a formal apology from the government, compensation, and new legislation to do with mandatory reporting. 

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins also acknowledged Labour’s role in beginning the inquiry and their response to the 2021 interim report, stating, “We didn't do enough and the ball now falls to you and your government.” He added that “this must be bigger than politics.”

And Data released last week showed the number of benefit sanctions being issued by the government is up 50% compared to this time last year. This has been met with criticism but the Minister for Social Development says the sanctions are because the government is serious about getting people into work.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden asks about both of these topics, as well as a bill that was dumped yesterday because the Minister failed to turn up to its first reading. 

They started by asking about the number of benefit sanctions.

Climate Change Minister Simon Watts has announced a new climate strategy. The strategy is based on five core pillars, including:

• Infrastructure is resilient and communities are well prepared
• Credible markets support the climate transition
• Clean energy is abundant and affordable
• World-leading climate innovation boosts the economy
• And nature-based solutions address climate change.

This strategy has been met with controversy, with Greenpeace describing it as being “as useful as teats on a bull.”

Wire Host Caeden asked Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about this new climate strategy as well as about the recent controversy surrounding former Green MP Darleen Tana.

They started by asking for her thoughts on the government’s new Climate strategy.

The Government is reintroducing the Three Strike laws which were repealed by Labour during their last term. These laws set out mandatory, lengthy sentences for some repeat offenders.

The laws have been controversial, with experts stating that there is no evidence that they work in preventing serious crime. 

The Government has also announced a reduction in support to community food providers. Auckland City Mission has stated they may need to cut their food packages by half. 

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden asks Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about both of these topics.