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Town Hall decision a victory for Christchurch and democracy
The decision to restore Christchurch’s Town Hall is a victory for the people of Christchurch and a validation of their democratic rights, the Green Party said today. “Since the earthquakes, Cantabrians have become all too used to Government-appointed bureaucrats making decisions without any real mandate, and without hearing the public’s concerns or heeding their wishes,” said Green Party Christchurch issues spokesperson Eugenie Sage. “By voting to restore the Town Hall, rather than bowl it, the Council has listened to the...
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Leaks prove Pharmac under threat from TPPA
The latest Wikileaks documents prove the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is a threat to Pharmac, and New Zealanders access to affordable medicine, the Green Party said today. The leaked documents include a series of principles and procedures by which agencies like Pharmac must operate. These procedures are designed to let the pharmaceutical industry challenge Pharmac’s decision-making process, rendering Pharmac less effective at saving money.
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Government’s live animal exports policy in tatters
Revelations that 50,000 live sheep are being shipped to Mexico highlights massive inconsistencies in the Government’s live animal export policy says the Green Party.Revelations that 50,000 live sheep are being shipped to Mexico highlights massive inconsistencies in the Government’s live animal export policy says the Green Party.
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Ball back in Govt’s court to fix Auckland housing crisis
The decision to cut the Official Cash Rate today is the right one but will add fuel to Auckland’s rapidly rising house prices unless central government acts swiftly and smartly, the Green Party said today. The Reserve Bank Governor reduced the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 25 basis points to 3.25 percent today citing low and falling inflation, an overvalued exchange rate, and subdued wage inflation expectations as the reasons for the cut. “Graeme Wheeler has finally done the right...
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Super Fund backs coal while the world rushes to dump it
The New Zealand Superannuation Fund has been increasing its investment in the world’s dirtiest coal companies over the last three years despite large declines in their value as the world dumps coal to save the climate, the Green Party said today. New analysis from the Parliamentary Library shows that the Superannuation Fund (the Fund) has increased the value of its investments in the world’s twenty dirtiest† coal companies from $29 million at June 30, 2011 to $36 million at June...
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OECD report shows Govt must step up and build affordable housing for New Zealanders
The OECD’s New Zealand report is an urgent wake-up call that shows the level of affordable housing supply is nowhere near enough, particularly in Auckland, and that we need a state-sponsored building programme to catch up, the Green Party said today. “The OECD report recognises that the housing market and the Government’s current policies are failing New Zealand families – it’s high time John Key, Bill English and Nick Smith got with the programme and acknowledged that too,” said Green...
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Green Party mourns the passing of Peter Conway
The Green Party is mourning the loss of trade union economist Peter Conway, and expresses its deepest sympathies to his family after his death today.
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Local Govt Commission must listen to Wellingtonians
“The Local Government Commission needs to pay attention to the vast majority of submitters who opposed the super-city idea,” said Green Party local government spokesperson Eugenie Sage. Plans to create a super-city for Wellington and Wairarapa look to be on hold – for now.
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Govt’s half-baked housing quality standards nowhere near enough
The Government’s proposed health and safety standards for rental properties are nowhere near enough to fix the shoddy state of cold, damp New Zealand homes and keep Kiwi kids from getting seriously sick, the Green Party said today. “If John Key thinks smoke alarms and insulation will stop our children from falling sick because of the appalling state of the houses they’re forced to live in, he is kidding himself and New Zealanders,” said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei. “Emma-Lita...
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National must protect quarry workers
Workers in quarries need the same protections as those that work in the mining industry, the Green Party said today. A digger operator buried in a quarry landslide is feared dead after being buried in 1000 tonnes of rubble. Mining safety laws were strengthened following the Pike River mine tragedy but the Government excluded quarries.