The real objective of the Remuneration Authority Amendment Bill is to use the public backlash against MPs’ pay rises to constrain the pay of public sector workers, the Green Party said today. “It became clear in the debate over this rushed law change last night that the Government’s objective is to constrain salaries across the whole public sector,” Green Party open government spokesperson James Shaw said. “Minister Michael Woodhouse said that the Bill would ‘shine a light on profligate spending...

Bringing forward the start date on the Puhoi to Wellsford motorway will not help Northland or the rest of country that will have to pay for it, the Green Party said today. National’s Northland candidate Mark Osborne announced the Government’s intention to start construction on the low value Puhoi to Warkworth motorway project next year in a bid to influence the outcome of the Northland by-election. “Building the Puhoi motorway sooner doesn't stop it being a waste of money,” says...

The Green Party wants real constraints on MPs’ pay, not hurried superficial changes that continue large annual pay rises for MPs. “The Government has tabled yet more changes to MPs’ pay today, without consulting with the public or even giving other political parties time to consider the proposals,” said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei. “We oppose this latest change, because we are not convinced that it provides a fairer way to set MPs’ pay. “What’s needed is a completely different approach,...

In the wake of cyclone Pam, the National Government must respond to calls from our Pacific neighbours to take real action on climate change, the Green Party said today.

The Waitemata Harbour tunnel idea announced today by Transport Minister Simon Bridges doesn’t make sense unless the City Rail Link is built first, the Green Party said. “The Government is trying to sugar coat this tunnel announcement by saying it can include rail, but rail to the North Shore won’t work until Britomart is expanded for the City Rail Link,” Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said. “The City Rail link should be the number one transport priority in...

The Green Party has blocked the Government’s plan that could have increased travel benefits for MPs that entered Parliament prior to 1999.

The Green Party’s thoughts and condolences are with people of Vanuatu who have been affected by Cyclone Pam, and believes this must serve as a wakeup call for action on climate change.

New Zealand’s relationships with its Pacific neighbours have been damaged by the latest revelations that the GCSB has been spying on Cabinet Ministers and top level Government officials in the Solomon Islands, the Green Party said today. “Our relationships with Pacific countries are hugely important and the Government now needs to fix the damage it’s done by spying,” said Green Party security and intelligence spokesperson Kennedy Graham. “When it first became known that the GCSB was spying on the Pacific,...

Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei is inviting John Key to join her for lunch at decile 1 Windley School in Porirua next Wednesday, following the Prime Minister’s offer to undertake such a visit during question time yesterday. “I’m challenging John Key to come face to face with the reality of hunger for some of our kids. When he does, he will find it harder to vote against my Bill to alleviate child hunger in schools,” said Green Party Co-leader Metiria...

The Government’s attempt to change the formula for setting MPs’ salaries could be riddled with embarrassing errors, the Green Party said today.