ACT New Zealand

We've scrapped Labour's policy requiring eight percent of government contracts be awarded to Māori businesses. Value for money must be the top priority, not the race of the contractor.

Today we've announced a new set of measures to crack down on crime and unwind Labour's legacy of lawlessness. This includes: - Capping sentence discounts at 40% - Ending repeat discounts for youth and remorse - Tougher penalties for those who target sole-charge workers or people whose home is connected to their work - Encouraging cumulative sentencing for those who offend while on bail, in custody, or on parole - Requiring judges to give greater weight to the needs of victims and communities over offenders Ultimately, these changes will mean tougher sentences for criminals who victimise peaceful and productive New Zealanders.

Yesterday, I announced some exciting changes that will provide certainty to contractors about their employment status. While I’ve been a long-time consumer of gig economy services, I’ve never had the opportunity to actually experience things on the other side. I decided to jump at the opportunity to pick up a food delivery gig. Here’s a snapshot of my experience

The gig economy offers innovation, flexibility, and efficiency – but murky employment law has led to costly court cases. Brooke van Velden is clarifying the rules to provide certainty for contractors and businesses alike.

Last month, ACT MP Todd Stephenson accepted a petition from advocates who believe it is wrong that someone with a terminal illness cannot choose assisted dying simply because the illness may not end their life within six months. This week, he lodged a Member's Bill to fix this issue so that more terminally ill Kiwis will have the choice to die with dignity, surrounded by loved ones at a time and place that suits them.

Cabinet has agreed to the next steps for the Treaty Principles Bill. The Treaty Principles Bill provides an opportunity for Parliament, rather than the courts, to define the principles of the Treaty, including establishing that every person is equal before the law. Parliament introduced the concept of the Treaty principles into legislation in 1975 but did not define them. As a result, the courts, the Waitangi Tribunal, and the public service have developed a set of principles to justify actions that many New Zealanders view as contrary to the principle of equal rights, including co-governance in the delivery of public services and even ethnic quotas within public institutions. The principles of the Treaty are not going anywhere. Either Parliament defines them, or the courts will continue to venture into an area of political and constitutional importance. The purpose of the Treaty Principles Bill is for Parliament to define the principles of the Treaty, provide certainty and clarity, and promote a national conversation about their place in our constitutional arrangements. Cabinet has agreed for the following principles to be included in the Bill: 1. Civil Government: The Government of New Zealand has full power to govern, and Parliament has full power to make laws. They do so in the best interests of everyone, and in accordance with the rule of law and the maintenance of a free and democratic society. 2. Rights of Hapū and Iwi Māori: The Crown recognises the rights that hapū and iwi had when they signed the Treaty. The Crown will respect and protect those rights. Those rights differ from the rights everyone has a reasonable expectation to enjoy only when they are specified in legislation, Treaty settlements, or other agreement with the Crown. 3. Right to Equality: Everyone is equal before the law and is entitled to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination. Everyone is entitled to the equal enjoyment of the same fundamental human rights without discrimination. A Bill will now be drafted and Cabinet will consider it before it is introduced to Parliament later this year. Once the Bill has had its first reading, every New Zealander will have the opportunity to make a submission and suggest changes at the select committee stage to a group of MPs from across the political spectrum. The Bill will not alter or amend the Treaty itself. It will be used to assist with the interpretation of legislation where Treaty principles would normally be considered relevant, in addition to legislation that refers to Treaty principles directly. Far from being a divisive document, the Treaty is a powerful guide for New Zealand’s future, establishing that all New Zealanders have the same rights and duties, and that the government has a duty to protect those rights. ACT is looking forward to this important national conversation about the place of the Treaty in our constitutional arrangements.

It is too difficult to invest, and Kiwis have their productivity sapped because of the time spent complying with edicts from Wellington. Not only does poor regulation add cost to the things we do, it ensures other activities don’t go ahead. That’s why as part of ACT’s coalition agreement the Ministry for Regulation has been setup to cut red tape.

We’re cutting red tape and improving the quality of regulation to turn New Zealand into a country of can do, not a country of can’t. The Ministry for Regulation is: 1.⁠ ⁠Cutting existing red tape with sector reviews 2.⁠ ⁠Improving the scrutiny of new laws 3.⁠ ⁠Improving the capability of the regulatory workforce

When this Government assumed office, New Zealanders were facing an uncertain future for medicine access. Pharmac had a $1.7 billion funding hole and no new money to increase access for medicines. It was a priority for this Government to fix that. We’ve allocated Pharmac’s largest-ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, so that it can get on and do its job – negotiating the best deals for medicine for New Zealanders.

We want New Zealand to be an attractive place to invest because we know that the key to economic success is to create wealth, not divide it.