Press Releases

When called deranged (because what else can you call their behaviour), the activists have gone berserk. They seem to think their feelings are much more important than the truth. That is a shame, especially for academics, but it shouldn’t stop the rest of us having a proper policy debate. This week Free Press debunks their claims. We show how the Regulatory Standards Bill will improve New Zealand. We start with what the Bill says, in its own words. The Purpose Statement says that the Bill is designed to “promote the accountability of the Executive to Parliament…” and “support Parliament’s ability to scrutinise Bills; and “support Parliament in overseeing and controlling the use of delegated powers to make legislation.”

“Rawiri Waititi once said he’s not a fan of democracy. We need to start taking take him seriously,” says ACT MP Simon Court, responding to the news that Rawiri Waititi’s ‘hero’ is dictator Ibrahim Traoré.

ACT Health spokesperson Todd Stephenson says the Government should sell the New Zealand Artificial Limb Service so amputees can finally get the choice and quality care they deserve.

ACT MP Simon Court has welcomed today’s announcement of the Government’s expectations for City and Regional Deals and the signing of the first agreements to begin negotiations with three regions.

ACT Transport spokesperson Cameron Luxton is welcoming the reversal of speed limit reductions as part of the Government’s July 1 changes.

Free Press hears from parents furious that children are taken away from learning maths, English, and science to do te reo Māori. They’re insulted when folk tales passed down through the generations (but never written down) are taught to be equal with the scientific progress of humanity. Saying a prayer before each lesson is outrageous in a secular school, and no it’s not less outrageous if you call it a Karakia.

“IKEA’s consent conditions show the absurd demands that councils are able to make that slow development, drive up cost, and make New Zealand a less attractive place to do business,” says ACT Leader David Seymour. ACT has obtained a copy of the 2023 resource consent for IKEA's Sylvia Park development.

Responding to this morning’s episode of TVNZ’s Q+A, ACT’s Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton says the panel made the case for change better than ACT ever could:


“Today, ACT has delivered on its promise to protect some of our most vulnerable workers,” says ACT MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar.

ACT MP Nicole McKee is welcoming sentencing reforms coming into force today that put rights for victims first and create tougher consequences for crime. Today's changes deliver on an ACT coalition commitment to introduce new aggravating factors at sentencing for offences against sole charge workers and those whose home and business are interconnected.

ACT MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar is welcoming the commencement of a select committee inquiry into social media harm faced by young people, with terms of reference that reflect concerns ACT had previously raised.