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Five year test a better bright line test
The National Government still has time to extend the bright line test to five years to better curb rampant housing speculation, the Green Party said today. National’s “bright line” rules will apply tomorrow, requiring income tax to be paid on any gains from residential property purchased and sold within two years, with some exceptions. The exceptions include the sale of an owner’s main home, inherited property, or the transfer of property in a relationship settlement. “National’s moves to clarify the...
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Australian and New Zealand Green parties call for deportation halt
The Green parties of New Zealand and Australia are jointly calling on the Australian Government to halt the indiscriminate deportation of New Zealanders, and people from other countries, and are raising concerns about their continued detention in off-shore detention centres.
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NZ should use leaders’ summit to further Syrian crisis ICC referral
The Green Party is calling for New Zealand to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at President Obama’s Leaders’ Summit, following similar calls by the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon.
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Greens applaud great start by Government over Kermadecs
The Green Party is excited by the news that the Government is creating an ocean sanctuary at the Kermadecs and hope that more is to come. “We’re delighted the Government has picked up the Kermadec ocean sanctuary concept that has been in a Green private member's Bill drafted by Gareth Hughes several years ago,” said Green Party environment spokesperson Eugenie Sage. “The 620,000 square kilometre sanctuary just announced is great news for the seascapes, underwater volcanoes and diverse wildlife that...
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CYFS Minister needs to support our kids
The Government must not use the Rebstock review to justify their own irrational ideological obsession to privatise CYFS, the Green Party said today. “The ‘radical overhaul’ that the Minister has signalled after seven years in Government should not result in a free-for-all grab of core Government services,” Green Party women’s spokesperson Jan Logie said. “The Rebstock review is being used as a stalking horse for companies like Serco to get in and make profit out of some of the most...
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John Key must back signing of SDGs with action or risk hypocrisy
It would be hypocritical of John Key to sign up to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to end extreme poverty around the world and stop climate change, if he does not actually implement those policies at home, said the Green Party today.
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Even TPPA supporters want more transparency
The National Government must listen to the overwhelming chorus of voices calling for them to come clean on exactly what’s in the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), including from people who support the deal, the Green Party said. A case is being heard in the High Court today about whether the Government must release secret analysis of the its TPPA negotiating position. “New Zealanders have said time and time again that they want the National Government to tell them exactly...
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Capital Gains Tax still the best option for Auckland
A proper Capital Gains Tax remains the most essential immediate option to fix the Auckland housing crisis, the Green Party said. Reserve Bank data released today shows that in the last year, 43 percent of mortgage lending has been for property investment while just 12 percent has been for first home buyers. “No solution to Auckland’s housing crisis is complete without a capital gains tax (exempting the family home),” Green Party finance spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said. “While National’s bright...
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Will Groser sign the TPPA dud deal?
Statements by Trade Minister Tim Groser today suggest he has given up on securing a good deal for New Zealand dairy exports and may not even attend the next round of Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) ministerial negotiations, the Green Party said. “Tim Groser has said that because what is on the table for dairy is ‘completely inadequate’, he probably won’t even attend the next round of ministerial negotiations. Why on Earth would he sign the deal if it’s inadequate?” Green...
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CYFS’s radical overhaul should not include privatisation
The radical overhaul that is needed for kids in CYFS care to thrive should not include privatisation or abdicate government responsibility the Green Party said today “The Rebstock Report acknowledges previous recommendations have not been implemented and tragically children’s safety has been compromised,” Green Party Social Development spokesperson Jan Logie said. “We needed urgent action at CYFS years ago. “I am pleased that the report is supporting a more child centred approach from Child, Youth, and Family...