Kia ora
Roger Douglas is a lucky man. He's had two Members' Bills pulled from the ballot in recent months. It's a shame they're both terrible!
The latest would bring back a lower minimum wage for youth, reversing Sue Bradford's victory of 2007. This would be a huge step backwards and it's flat out discrimination. It's not ok to discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, so why should it be ok to pay 16 and 17 year-olds less for doing the same jobs as older people?
As Parliament's newest and youngest MP, I will be opposing this Bill as loudly as I can and I hope you'll join me. This facebook group is a good place to start.
Gareth Hughes, Green MP
- recommended 
- includes video
Podcast
Gareth's challenge to Parliament
The Greens' newest and youngest MP, Gareth Hughes, has taken his seat in Parliament and delivered his maiden speech, laying down a challenge to Parliament to take climate change seriously and to listen to the voices of the new generation he represents.This week we present some highlights from his maiden address. Listen to podcast...
News
Biggest issue left out of cow welfare code
19 February 2010
A new code of welfare for dairy cows that completely ignores the issue of factory-style dairy farming is a major concern, Green Party Co-Leader Dr Russel Norman said today. Read more...
Blog posts
Economics is not as certain as some people make out - the minimum wage - by frog
In economics theories come into fashion, wane, get tossed onto the junk heap and sometimes dusted off and given another run around the block. For example, the minimum wage:
A common claim is that wages are like any other price and as such obey the economic laws that govern supply and demand. Therefore, raising the minimum wage (or having any minimum wage, actually) is a bad… Read more...
Is Roger anti-youth? - by Gareth Hughes
Roger Douglas is a lucky man. He's now got two Private Members Bill out of the ballot, with his latest Minimum Wage (Mitigation of Youth Unemployment) Amendment Bill, pity they're both so terrible.
You've got to ask though - is Roger anti-youth?
His youth rate Bill would reverse Sue Bradford's success from 46th Parliament to end the minimum wage discrimination based on age. The Standard has a great parody here,… Read more...
Welcome to a dimmer future - by frog
This one came in from the PPTA:
I agree with PPTA President Kate Gainsford:
The government has failed to listen to the hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders who have had their lives enriched by night classes. They had no mandate to make these cuts and have ignored the fact that night classes have made a… Read more...
Members' Bills - the good, the bad, and the ugly - by frog
There were three Members' Bills drawn from the ballot today.
The good Bill is Green MP David Clendon's Smart Meters (Consumer Choice) Bill. It gives effect to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment's recommendations to ensure all electricity meters have functionality that enables them to automatically control loads and to talk to smart appliances. It will also require meter installers to give consumers the choice to have… Read more...
NZEI Bus Tour out west - by Catherine Delahunty
I have always had trouble with geography in West Auckland and frequently get lost in Glen Eden while trying to get to Muriwai or Karekare beaches.
Today was no exception when I tried to find the NZEI National Standards campaign bus at a mall out west.
I entered a kind of Bermuda Triangle of malls from Westgate to West City and ended up in a state of sweaty fear of… Read more...
Speeches
Gareth Hughes' Maiden Speech - 26 February 2010
The Greens' newest and youngest MP, Gareth Hughes, delivers his maiden speech and issues a challenge to Parliament to take climate change seriously, and to listen to the voices of the new generation he represents. Watch video or read transcript...
