Raising the Accommodation Supplement could push rents up as more than a billion dollars flows from the Government’s accounts to landlords over the next few years, according to official advice from the Treasury and DPMC, the Green Party said today. In a report to the Prime Minister from the last time National considered raising the Accommodation Supplement, officials advised that ‘There is a risk that the increased subsidy will lead to an increase in rents.’ This is because landlords may raise...

The Green Party is applauding the decision by the Ports of Auckland to require total recapture of the toxic gas methyl bromide at the port by the end of the year, and says other ports must now follow suit. Methyl bromide is used to fumigate logs for export. Exposure to the gas, when it’s not safely recaptured, can pose serious risks to people’s health and contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer. “We’re really pleased by this decision. The...

A drop of merely 0.1 percent in climate pollution shows that the National Government is stalling on its commitments to tackle climate change in New Zealand. Information released today by the Ministry for the Environment shows that in 2015 gross greenhouse gas emissions were 0.1 percent lower than in 2014. This reduction was attributed to a fall in production resulting from drought and lower milk prices – not because of any proactive measures to reduce pollution.   “National is like a...

Budget 2017 continues the National Government’s shameful underfunding of the Department of Conservation (DOC) and puts our precious flora and fauna at risk, the Green Party said today. DOC will have $26 million less this year to invest in protecting nature than it did in 2009. This amounts to a cumulative budget cut of $422 million to Vote Conservation since National took office. These numbers have been provided by the Parliamentary Library and adjusted to account for inflation. “National have...

National’s Budget has delivered a waterfall of funding to destroy rivers, but only a drop in the bucket to clean them up, the Green Party said today. “National is showing its true colours in regards to water quality in this country. By injecting another $63 million into Crown Irrigation Investments in today’s Budget, National is subsidising the pollution of our rivers, lakes and aquifers,” said Green Party water spokesperson Catherine Delahunty. “To clean up our rivers, National has budgeted a...

Aucklanders are the biggest losers in today’s Budget, with nothing new that will fix transport and housing problems in the city, the Green Party said today. “National is either ignoring Auckland or they’re cynically holding back funding to offer later on as an election bribe,” said Green Party Auckland issues spokesperson Julie Anne Genter. “There is nothing in this Budget for the thousands of Aucklanders this afternoon on crowded buses and trains, sitting in gridlock, on their way home to...

Steven Joyce’s first – and final – Budget gives with one hand, takes away with the other, and gives the biggest break to the wealthiest New Zealanders, the Green Party said today. “National has always been long on grand announcements and short on real results. Steven Joyce’s first – and final – Budget is no different,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw. “The only pie Bill English should be eating today is humble pie. We’ve had nine years of National...

Any new version of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) without the United States (US) must be brought back to Parliament for scrutiny and examination, whether Bill English thinks it’s necessary or not, the Green Party said today. The Prime Minister has been reported saying a revised TPPA would “not necessarily” need to go back to Parliament, while leaked Crown Law advice says it would. “The TPPA without the US is potentially a very different beast. It would be dishonest...

The Government was told in 2011 by its own Savings Working Group that property investment enjoyed unfair tax advantages over savings, but National has consistently ignored the advice and the housing crisis it has fuelled, the Green Party said today. A new book, Tax and Fairness, out this month says an unfair tax system works in favour of property investors over everyday savers and KiwiSavers. “It’s good that Steven Joyce today recognised the need to tax income fairly but his...