Needs not Race Based Government Directive and the Draft Treaty Principals Bill w/ ACT's Simon Court: 16 September, 2024

Last week the government announced a directive to create a public service that delivers based on ‘need not race’ - fulfilling a coalition agreement secured by Act and New Zealand First. 

The Government says it’s concerned that public servants have been using race as a proxy for need.

Despite this the coalition government has introduced things such as free bowel cancer screening for those over 60, but due to Māori and Pasifika’s increased risk of cancer, this applies for those over 50. Completely negating the incentive now being pushed. 

For their weekly catch up producer Evie spoke to the ACT Party’s Simon Court about why what they are calling a ‘colourblind public service’  is being pushed forward. 

They also talked about the Treaty Principals bill which a draft of was tabled in cabinet for the first time last week.