The Serious Fraud Office investigation into political donations received by the National Party is deeply alarming and highlights why we need stronger and more transparent political donation rules says Green Party Electoral Spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman.
“Currently there are too many grey areas in the donation rules which allow political parties to auction off our democracy to the highest bidder while hiding the donations.”
Ko Ranginui kei runga
Ko Papatuanuku kei raro
Ko ngā tangata kei waenganui
Tihei Mauri Ora!
Ka nui te koa me te hari ki te kite i a koutou.
I’ve just had a wonderful weekend hanging out with you all.
This is a key event in our Green Party diary where we come together to build on the never-ending work of strengthening our Green Party policy platform.
This is one of the things I love deep in my bones about our party.
Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter is celebrating the value of unpaid work to celebrate International Women’s Day 2019.
“This year, my partner and I have welcomed the birth of our first child. As a full time working mum, I rely on unpaid work by my partner to enable me to do my job,” says Ms Genter.
“The caring work that has traditionally been shouldered by women needs to be recognised as productive and valuable work, and shared between all genders.
The Green Party welcomes the introduction of legislation to address the synthetic drugs crisis and broader addiction problems in Aotearoa.
“Today we’re tabling the most fundamental change in drug law in New Zealand in over 30 years”, Green Party spokesperson on drug law reform Chlöe Swarbrick said.
“Working with Police, the Government has developed a process to see that those caught in the web of addiction are supported into care and recovery, instead of being pushed into the criminal system, where problems often get far worse.
Green Party Justice spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman has called on National Party leader Simon Bridges to follow the will of the people and add his voice to MMP changes that were recommended in 2012.
“National put the country through an MMP review that took thousands of public submissions and made a series of independent recommendations. Judith Collins then refused to bring these to Parliament. There was no genuine consultation.
The Green Party welcomes further steps to combat tax evasion, Green Party Co-leader James Shaw said today.
“Tax evaders have been able to avoid paying their fair share of tax that go towards hospitals and schools, while the rest of us chip in.
“The announcement today – a collaboration between expanded networks of countries – will ensure this happens less and less.
“The Green Party has long advocated for changes to the tax system to ensure that everyone pays their fair share for the public services that improve the quality of life for everyone.
The Green Party welcome the survey on Māori support for legalisation and regulation of cannabis released today, says Green Party Māori Development spokesperson Marama Davidson.
The Horizon Research poll shows 75% of Māori would vote to legalise cannabis for personal use if a referendum were held tomorrow.
“The new poll shows a strong appetite for change among Māori in how we treat drug use in Aotearoa.
“Tangata whenua have been bearing the brunt of the war of drugs and are disproportionately being sent to prison for low level offences.
A suite of measures to strengthen democracy are being proposed by the Green Party with a Member’s Bill.
The Electoral Strengthening Democracy Bill seeks reform in four key areas:
New Government funding will see the Department of Conservation invest an extra $76 million over the next four years to address New Zealand’s biodiversity crisis.
“More than 4000 of our native plants and wildlife are threatened or at risk of extinction,” said Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage.
“In the 750 years since humans arrived in New Zealand, more than 50 native bird species have gone extinct, three frogs, at least three lizards, one freshwater fish, four plants and an unknown number of invertebrate species.
The Green Party is deeply disappointed to see the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Bill delayed after going through the Select Committee process.
“We unequivocally support our trans, non-binary and other rainbow communities,” says Jan Logie, Green Party spokesperson on rainbow issues.