Hearings on the regulatory standards bill are currently underway, with around 23,000 total submissions both written and oral. Early analysis of the submissions estimated 88% percent are in opposition, while only 0.3% are in support.
The bill has been pushed by Minister for Regulation and ACT Party leader David Seymour, who says it should support the government to reduce regulation and ensure the protection of individual rights and private property. The bill has been criticised for not including clauses around Te Tiriti o Waitangi or environmental protections. It has also been criticised for potentially undemocratic elements, placing large amounts of control in the hands of the unelected Ministry for Regulation.
In our weekly catch-up with the National party, Wire host Castor asked Tom Rutherford about the regulatory standards bill in light of the select committee hearings and new criticisms.
Oto and Jaycee talked to Tāmaki Makaurau singer-songwriter Beizou about her debut single "Too Comfortable," her influences and plans for future releases as she officially begins her journey as an artist.
Recently, the government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Mayors of Auckland, Otago, and Western Bay of Plenty Councils over the government’s expectations of City and Regional Deals. These deals aim to tighten the partnership between central and local governments.
For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, speaks to MP Cameron Luxton about what to expect heading forward regarding the relationship between local, regional, and central government.
They also discussed last week's Youth Parliament.
Youth Parliament provides the opportunity for 143 rangatahi aged 16-to-24 as Youth MPs, representing MPs across the political spectrum, and Youth Press Gallery members, to understand the country’s political processes, understand how government works, and replicate the Parliamentary process.
Youth MPs had previously accused event organisers of ‘censoring’ their speeches. This follows the MPs being asked to remove elements of their speeches that were critical of government policies, such as the Treaty Principles Bill and pay equity.
However, The Ministry of Youth Development has come out saying the way they communicated their wishes with Youth MPs could have been clearer and more concise. The general manager of the Ministry, John Robertson, says reviewing speeches and suggesting changes was a part of the process, but these recommendations are not enforced.
They also spoke to Luxton about these accusations, and whether they are tantamount to censorship.
Finally, they discussed calls by over half of the Youth MPs represented in this year's Youth Parliament, from across the political spectrum, renewing calls for the voting age to be lowered, to allow 16-to-17-year-olds the right to vote.
5 ACT Youth MPs, including the Youth MP representing Cameron Luxton, Fletcher Brown, had signed a letter calling for the voting age to be reduced.
This follows the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling that found the current voting age is unjustified age discrimination and goes against the Human Rights Act 1993.
They also discussed these renewed calls to lower the voting age.
Recently, Justice Minister, Paul Goldsmith, and Associate Justice Minister, Nicole McKee, have announced tougher changes to those caught shoplifting, and those being trespassed.
Of the proposed changes to shoplifting include instant fines, the maximum punishment for theft being increased.
Of the proposed changes to trespassing include those being trespassed at one location of a business with multiple locations, such as a franchise, to be trespassed from multiple locations, increasing the maximum fine for someone refusing to leave, and increasing fines for anyone refusing to give out personal information.
News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the Chief Executive of Retail NZ, Carolyn Young, about these potential changes, and what this could mean for retailers, and businesses as whole.
For our weekly catch-up with the ACT Party, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to MP Cameron Luxton about the government’s expectations for City and Regional Deals, and Youth Parliament.
Joel speaks to the Chief Executive of Retail NZ, Carolyn Young, about proposed changes to increasing the penalties for shoplifting and trespassing from businesses.
And Producer Samantha speaks to Caroline Perry Director of the Brake road safety charity about the government reverseing lower speed limits implemented under Labour and the potential danger this poses to children.
Under the previous Labour government speed limits were lowered nationwide, however the current National lead coaltion goverment these changes have been reveresed.
This reversal was done without community or local coucil approval and has been criticised for potentially putting children in danger, particularly around schoolds. Children are at much higher risk or injury and death in vehicular collisions than adults, and that risk rises more and more as speeds increase.
To discuss these changes Producer Samantha spoke to NZ Director of Brake, Caroline Perry, about the potential danger to children that these changes pose.
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