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PM’s “belief” that Kiwis can buy a home an insult
Prime Minister John Key’s comment that he “believes” low income New Zealanders could one day buy a home is an insult to Kiwis who have been priced out of the market by Government inaction on housing, the Green Party says. John Key and Bill English were reported today to have conceded that rising house prices were contributing to inequality, but neither were prepared to take any responsibility for the fact. “To admit that the housing crisis in Auckland is...
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Government should review benefit levels
The Government should review benefit levels, following official advice showing that a family of four on welfare is likely to have $72 less per week than what they need to provide for the core essential items, the Green Party says. Advice provided by the Prime Minister’s department for the Budget 2015 included a budget breakdown for a family with two children on a benefit showing that they were $72 in the red each week without even paying for some basic...
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Govt can raise the 2030 climate target
The National Government ought to listen to the public and raise the ambition of its climate change target, the Green Party said today.
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Govt needs to listen to New Zealanders, who don’t want GE trees
Communities are saying no to genetically engineered (GE) trees and pushing back against the National Government’s attempt to remove the right of councils from controlling the release of GE trees in their regions, the Green Party said today. At public meetings held around the country to consult on the proposed National Environmental Standard for Plantation Forestry, which will replace existing plan rules for many plantation forestry activities, attendees have voiced concerns over allowing the planting of GE trees to be...
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National failing to build strong, export-focused economy
Growing economic pessimism is justified and will be reinforced further by National’s failure to grow the internationally competitive part of our economy, comprising of exports and import competing industries, the Green Party said today.
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Buried prison report shows need for Greens’ Independent Prison Inspectorate
The Green Party’s Independent Prison Inspectorate Bill would have brought to light the prison fight club problem much earlier, said the Green Party today.
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Is Govt running scared from TPPA’s implications for Māori?
The Government shouldn’t have argued against the Waitangi Tribunal fast tracking two claims regarding the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) because this has worrying implications for natural justice, the Green Party said today. “The Tribunal should be bringing forward an urgent hearing, as they did with the water claim for the sale of state owned power companies, because it’ll be too late if these claims aren’t heard before the TPPA is finalised,” Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said. “The Government...
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Greens claim win but more action needed on plastic bags
The Green Party is welcoming a new system for recycling plastic bags as a useful first step but one that is not by itself enough to solve the problem of plastic bag pollution. “While the new recycling system announced by the Government is a positive step in the right direction, it won’t fix the problem of plastic bags ending up in our waterways and on our beaches because it won’t actually lead to any fewer plastic bags being used,”...
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Benefit numbers no reason to celebrate
The latest figures from the Government about getting people off benefits don’t translate into more jobs for New Zealanders, the Green Party says. Benefit numbers from the Government show that although fewer people are receiving welfare, the number of cancelled benefits as a result of “Obtained Work” has also dropped. “National needs to show their heavy-handed sanction-based approach to welfare is actually getting more people off benefits and into work. The numbers suggest it is not.” Green Party Social Development spokesperson Jan Logie said...
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Greens disappointed with Northland waste contract decision
It’s very disappointing that the Far North Regional Council has dumped a pioneering and innovative, community and iwi owned waste management enterprise, the Green Party said today. “Cleanstream has been dealing with the Far North’s waste for over twenty years, and has made a huge contribution to the community and the local environment. It’s sad to see them dumped,” Green Party waste spokesperson Denise Roche said. “Cleanstream pioneered kerbside recycling in New Zealand and worked with Far North communities on...