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Government in denial and out of touch on Auckland housing
John Key has once again shown how out of touch he is with ordinary New Zealanders by denying there’s a crisis in the Auckland housing market, the Green Party said today. “John Key obviously doesn’t know what it’s like for a young couple wanting to buy their first home in Auckland, who are constantly being outbid by investors looking to make a quick buck,” said Green Party housing spokesperson Kevin Hague. “He needs to stop denying there’s a housing crisis...
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Government tries to hide massive deforestation in latest climate report
The Government’s greenhouse gas inventory, released today, shows that in the last recorded year of 2013, twice the area of land was deforested as opposed to planted with new trees.
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Budget surplus back-down deeply embarrassing for Govt
The Government must be deeply embarrassed that it won’t achieve its long-promised Budget surplus this year, the Green Party said today. Government financial statements published today show a $269 million deficit in the Crown’s operating balance before gains and losses, and an operating balance deficit of $952 million, in the eight months to 28 February 2015. This follows media reports yesterday that Finance Minister Bill English has “all but given up” on reaching surplus this financial year. “Bill English has...
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Prison closures could increase community risk
Closing provincial prisons is counterproductive to rehabilitating prisoners and integrating them back into the community said the Green Party today.
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Movie jobs decline despite National’s promises and deals
The number of jobs in the screen industry has been in decline since 2009, despite National’s promise that its backroom deals with Warner Bros would secure more jobs here, the Green Party said today.
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Hector’s dolphin death highlights need for tougher stance on set nets
The Green Party is calling for a total ban on recreational set nets in the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary to stop more Hector’s dolphins from being caught in them and drowning. Scientists have today confirmed the death of a Hector’s dolphin found in Akaroa Harbour was caused by a set net. Current legislation allows set nets to be used in some inner bays of Akaroa Harbour from 1 April to 30 September to catch flat-fish. Set nets create a...
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Govt lets down sexual violence victims - again
The Green Party is concerned a widespread inquiry into how the court system treats sexual violence victims is being watered down. The Green Party understands the Government has decided on a September deadline for the Law Commission’s work on possible changes to the pre-trial and courtroom procedures faced by sexual complainants. “This looks like a lost opportunity to address New Zealanders’ serious concerns about how sexual violence victims are treated in the system,” said Green Party spokesperson for women Jan...
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National must rule out new diesel for Main Trunk Line
The National Government must rule out KiwiRail’s proposal to replace electric with new diesel trains on the Main Trunk Line, the Green Party said today. KiwiRail is proposing to replace electric trains with more diesel-powered engines in a cost-saving plan to buy a dozen more diesel locomotives from China rather than refurbish or replace the electric units. The move will also put hundreds of jobs at risk. “The Government must ensure the massive investment in rail electrification is protected and...
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New Zealand going backwards on human rights
Despite the National Government’s claim that New Zealand is progressive on human rights, we’re falling behind on best practice especially in areas of child poverty and equality, said the Green Party today.
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Lower dairy prices highlight lack of economic diversity
Further falls in dairy prices overnight highlight why New Zealand needs to diversify its economy, the Green Party said today. Global dairy commodity prices fell further overnight. Whole milk powder, a key price for Fonterra's pay out to farmers, fell another 13.3 percent to $US2538 a tonne. “Our overwhelming economic focus on dairy exports makes New Zealand extremely vulnerable to global dairy prices,” Green Party Co-leader Russel Norman said. “Dairy will continue to be an important export sector for New...