Kia ora
The halls of Parliament are a long way from the lives of most New Zealanders so it's important for MPs to keep things in perspective.
Sometimes it's as easy as stepping outside and joining protests like Tuesday's against unfair and unnecessary cuts to ACC, Wednesday's by Parliamentary cleaners who get paid only $12.55 an hour, or Thursday's for men and women to have pay equity.
Green MPs spoke at all three. It was great to get out of the stuffy halls of power and stand with real people who are demanding a better deal from John Key's Government.
Kevin Hague, Green MP
- recommended 
- includes video
Video
Gareth Hughes MP
Green MP Gareth Hughes introduces himself, talking about his family, his early career and his aspirations as New Zealand's newest member of Parliament. Welcome to the Green caucus, Gareth! Watch the video...
Podcast
MMP or Bust
Twenty years ago, Rod Donald led the campaign to reform our First Past the Post electoral system and replace it with a more representative one - MMP. After his success, Rod went on to become the first male co-leader of the Green Party. Rod is no longer here to defend his political legacy, but the party he once lead is. And so is his daughter. Listen to podcast...
News
Kedgley complaint against Demon upheld
18 February 2010
A decision condemning Demon Energy Drink's marketing methods highlights the lengths corporate interests will go to hook Kiwi kids on their products, Green Party Food Spokesperson Sue Kedgley said today. Read more...
Animal Welfare Amendment Bill needs strengthening
18 February 2010
The Green Party will be introducing amendments to strengthen the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill, said the Green Party's animal welfare spokesperson Sue Kedgley. Read more...
Step change is a step backwards
17 February 2010
The "Step Change" report on Education misses the point that the only real way to lift educational performance is to address underlying inequality, the Green Party said today. Read more...
Blog posts
Appalling ACC Bill back in the House - by Kevin Hague
National’s appalling ACC Bill will be back in the House this afternoon for its second reading. Fundamentally the Bill is about cutting back on entitlements and coverage, continuing the slash and burn tactics the Government has employed to undermine ACC to date. The majority of the Select Committee (i.e. the National members) have recommended passing the Bill almost unmodified. Both Labour and we are strongly opposed to the fundamental undermining of… Read more...
Does anyone know what Tolley is trying to say? - by frog
I have hesitated to use this image, even though it has appeared on several sites already over the last week. But today’s confused and confusing effort by Anne Tolley in Parliament persuaded me to go there. Here is Education Minister Anne Tolley responding to a Parliamentary Question this afternoon: Hon ANNE TOLLEY: It is not “my” method of inter-school moderation that is… Read more...
The great welfare benefit rip-off - by frog
Given that beneficiary bashing is back in fashion, I thought it would be interesting to have a look at where the biggest rip-offs occur. Work and Income has a benefit called Temporary Additional Support (TAS). It replaced Special Benefit as the benefit of last resort in 2006, although Special Benefit is still available to those who have been in continuous receipt of it since then. TAS / Special Benefit are… Read more...
Kids 1, Bashers 0 - by frog
If there were ever a court case that justifies the Green Party initiated amendment to section 59 of the Crimes Act, it is this one: The case also had a political and social background, Mr Keegan [the defendant's counsel] said. The premise of spare the rod and spoil the child came from the Bible and was the traditional belief of many who still believed in physical punishment and that the state… Read more...
Beneficiary bashing back in fashion - by Catherine Delahunty
The Government smokescreen for inaction on the rising unemployment figures is to raise the spectre of benefit fraud. I had a look at the Ministry of Social Development statistics and found this is not a growing problem. Read more...
Speeches
Strengthen Animal Welfare Amendment Bill - Sue Kedgley MP, 18 February 2010
This is something of a red letter day for animal welfare. Whilst we support the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill, we believe it needs strengthening Watch video or read transcript...
Oral questions
Catherine Delahunty questions Pansy Wong about gender equity - Catherine Delahunty MP, 19 February 2010
5. CATHERINE DELAHUNTY (Green) to the Minister of Women's Affairs: Does she stand by her statement: "it is important that women and men stand shoulder to shoulder in our boardrooms"?Hon PANSY WONG (Minister of Women's Affairs) : Yes. Watch video or read transcript...
