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Hello Friend,
Should we be at Alert Level 1? Yesterday, thousands of protesters flocked to Auckland's Aotea Square to show their solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States. Exercising our freedom of expression is fine, but the protesters were not observing physical distancing. The number of attendees also exceeded 100 people, these violate Alert Level 2 rules. Many of our small and medium Kiwi businesses have been faithfully abiding by strict Alert Level 2 rules, we believe that no one should be exempt from these same rules. Small and medium Kiwi businesses are struggling to implement physical distancing in their establishments. Many families have made great sacrifices in their personal lives during Alert Levels 3 and 4 to safeguard our population from the virus outbreak. It is only fair we hold every one to the same set of rules. If the protesters are going to be tolerated breaching Alert Level 2 rules, then it is futile imposing restrictions on everyone else. Either that or we can admit we can safely move to Alert Level 1 immediately.
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What’s newWe are getting Northland rail back on track:
Work is underway on the Northland line, repairing bridges and lowering tracks as part of a $204.5 million rail investment from the Provincial Growth Fund. Getting rail back on track has been a core focus of New Zealand First, with many benefits including;
For a time, Northland suffered greater socioeconomic deprivation than anywhere else in New Zealand. Northland has the potential to thrive, and investments by the Provincial Growth Fund, and the plan for rail, will help unleash that potential. READ MORE: Northland rail work to help create regional jobs
Urgent changes to the Overseas Investment Act will protect Kiwi businesses from foreign buyers
We’re protecting our vulnerable Kiwi-owned businesses from
predatory foreign entities during our Covid-19
response.
Mark Patterson MP gives his contribution to the second reading of the Overseas Investment (Urgent Measures) Amendment BillOur List MP based in Clutha-Southland Mark Patterson MP discusses the amendments to the Overseas Investment Act and why they are necessary to protect Kiwi businesses.
Government investment supports the acquisition of new Interislander ferries
State-Owned Enterprises Minister Winston Peters has welcomed KiwiRail’s announcement that it is seeking a preferred shipyard to build two new rail-enabled ferries for the Cook Strait crossing. “This Government is committed to restoring rail to its rightful place in New Zealand. Bigger, better ships, with new technology are yet another step on that journey,” Mr Peters said. Interislander ferries carry 800,000 passengers and up to $14 billion of road and rail freight each year. The two new ferries will be able to carry twice as many passengers as the current three ship fleet, as well as three times more rail wagons and almost double the number of trucks and other vehicles. READ MORE: Government investment supports the acquisition of new Interislander ferries
NZ First receives
petition demanding more protection for nurses
On the steps of Parliament today the Rt Hon Winston Peters, Darroch Ball MP and Jenny Marcroft MP received a petition from registered nurse Anna Maria Coervers, requesting an amendment to the Protection for First Responders Bill to also include registered nurses. The members bill, introduced by New Zealand First Spokesperson for Law & Order Darroch Ball, is currently at select committee and is seeking to introduce mandatory prison sentences for those who assault paramedics, police, firefighters, and corrections officers. READ MORE: NZ First receives petition demanding more protection for nurses
Farmers to Shane Jones: “We don’t want subsidies, we just want to be exempted the Building Act, and we’ll go build our own dam on our own farms."
Lake Brunner’s Mount Te Kinga to go Predator Free
The West Coast forests of Mount Te Kinga at Kotuku Whakaoho/Lake Brunner are the latest predator free project to receive Government funding, announced Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage and Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau. The Predator Free Lake Brunner project will see a total investment of $15.7 million including $4.4 million from Predator Free 2050 Ltd thanks to the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) and significant in-kind contributions from the West Coast Regional Council, and community groups such as the Lake Brunner Community Catchment Care Group who have been pivotal in the development of the project. Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau said it is pleasing to see the $19.5 million of Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) funding announced for Predator Free 2050 Limited in February 2019, to expand predator control in regional New Zealand and reduce the need for repeated 1080 use, is being put towards this transformational project. “This project will not only offer benefits for conservation and provide much needed progress towards a predator free future for New Zealand, but also provide great prospects for local employment and the long-term economic future of the West Coast district,” Fletcher Tabuteau said. READ MORE: Lake Brunner’s Mount Te Kinga to go Predator Free
New Zealand First disappointed that Section 70 spouses won’t get relief
New Zealand First is disappointed that the removal of the spousal deductions has had to be delayed by the Ministry fo Social Development, due to COVID19 workload pressures. “New Zealand First has always stood for fairness when it comes to superannuation so we are very committed to removing what we consider an unfair deduction from New Zealanders who happen to have partners with an overseas pension,” said Rt Hon Winston Peters, Leader of New Zealand First. READ MORE: New Zealand First disappointed that Section 70 spouses won’t get relief
Shane Jones MP on Hapū handbrakes
The Hon Shane Jones talks about hapū roadblocks, saying these should not stifle our economic recovery. He makes a plea to Iwi leaders to not use the post-COVID-19 environment as an opportunity to push further ideological outcomes.
In the HouseWe update you on developments on New Zealand First members' bills in the House.
An amendment to the ‘Protection of First Responders Bill’ is being tabled which will see emergency department healthcare workers included in the legislation. The ‘Protection for First Responders Bill’ will see a mandatory minimum prison sentence of six months for those who intentionally injure our emergency workers. READ MORE: Nurses to get more protection, added to 'First Responders' legislation
NZ First Members' Bills drawn from the ballot:Mark Patterson MP - New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income (Fair Residency) Amendment Bill Darroch Ball MP - Protection for First Responders and Prison Officers Bill Darroch Ball MP - Oranga Tamariki (Youth Justice Demerit Points) Amendment Bill
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