Beyond the headlines, ACT delivers real progress

“Whatever New Zealanders make of this week’s political headlines, the serious work of improving the country has continued,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“ACT advanced five priorities this week. Together, they mean fewer barriers to building, simpler rules for workplaces, fairer firearms laws, and more children attending school.

“ACT’s progress this week includes:

• Property rights and building: The legislation replacing the Resource Management Act has been reported back to Parliament. It will put property rights into law and halve the number of consents required, making it easier for New Zealanders to build and use their land.

• One law for all: The legislation also confirms that Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements being rushed through ahead of the law change will be removed. Councils should not be able to pre-empt Parliament to create different rules for different groups.

• An end to the Holidays Act nightmare: Brooke van Velden’s Employment Leave Bill passed its second reading. The replacement law will make holiday pay easier to calculate, ending two decades of confusion and costly payroll errors for employers and workers.

• Fairer, more effective firearms laws: Nicole McKee’s Arms Bill passed its second reading and committee stage. It will focus the law on public safety and firearm crime while treating licensed firearm owners with the respect law-abiding people deserve.

• More children attending school: Regular attendance reached 64.2 per cent in Term 2, the best Term 2 result in a decade, as the Government’s attendance reforms take effect. Education unlocks opportunity, but only when children are in the classroom.

“These changes directly affect whether a family can build, whether an employer can pay staff correctly, whether licensed firearm owners are treated fairly, and whether a child gets the education needed to build a good life. That is what politics is supposed to be about.

“ACT is not stopping there. This weekend we will release two more major policies we will campaign to make reality after the election.

“On Saturday, Nicole McKee will announce ACT’s Hunting and Conservation Policy. On Sunday, Todd Stephenson and I will announce ACT’s policy for funding medicines.

“This week’s headlines will move on. These reforms will keep making a difference.”