Swearing in on Thursday, October 26, 2017
Jacinda Ardern
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Agreements with New Zealand First and the Green Party lay the foundation for a strong and proactive coalition government.
The agreements set out a positive agenda for the Labour-led coalition Government to tackle the issues facing New Zealand.
Determined and focused
The majority of people voted for change to the status quo and that’s why we are committed to taking a new approach to how our country is governed and how the economy is managed.
This will be a government of action. We will be determined and focused on what needs to change to make life better for all New Zealanders.
As a priority, we will restore funding to the health system to allow access for all, ensure all Kiwis can live in warm, dry homes, take action on child poverty and homelessness, crack down on foreign speculators, clean our rivers, and strengthen efforts to tackle climate change and the transition to a low carbon economy.
We will focus on sustainable economic development, supporting our regional economies, increasing exports, lifting wages and reducing inequality.
Fiscal responsibility
We are committed to being fiscally responsible and growing the economy, while ensuring all New Zealanders share in our economic prosperity. We firmly believe economic growth must also go hand-in-hand with environmental responsibility.
Today, we embark on a new era for New Zealand. I’m very proud to soon lead a government that will be committed to a better, fairer New Zealand, a government that will ensure the well-being of all New Zealanders is at the heart of all our work.
Newshub reports:
Labour leader Jacinda Ardern and Green co-leader James Shaw have signed and released the confidence and supply agreement formed between the two parties.
The parties have agreed to introduce free counselling to under-25s, a Green Transport Card, a referendum on legalising cannabis for personal use, and a host of major environmental policies.
Greens Ministers
The Greens will be given the following Ministerial portfolios (all outside of Cabinet): Climate Change, Associate Finance, Conservation, Women, Land Information New Zealand, Associate Environment, Statistics, Associate Transport, Associate Health, Statistics, Under Secretary to Justice Minister (Domestic and Sexual Violence).
Labour’s agreements with NZ First and the Greens were negotiated separately but there is crossover in a number of areas.
Here’s a look at what Labour and the Greens have committed to:
Sustainable Economy:
Establish a Zero Carbon Act and a Climate Commission
All new legislation to have climate impact assessment analysis
A new cross-agency climate change board of public sector CEOs
A Green Transport Card prioritising lower fares for those in low income households and on benefits
Begin work on light rail to the Auckland Airport
$1 billion investment in low carbon industries by 2020, starting with a $100 million Green Investment Fund
Healthy Environment:
Significant boost to Department of Conservation funding
Better enforcement of the Resource Management Act
Improved water quality with stronger regulation and more funding for freshwater enhancement, while winding down support for irrigation
Work with Maori to establish the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary
Look to establish a Taranaki blue whale sanctuary
Minimise landfill with significant reductions in all waste classes by 2020
Fair Society:
An overhaul of the welfare system, removing excessive sanctions, ensuring access to entitlements, and reviewing Working for Families so everyone has a standard of living and income to live in dignity
Ensure every child with special learning difficulties can fully take part in school life
Eliminate the gender pay gap within the core public sector by 2020 and put the rest of the public sector and private sector on a similar pathway
Aim to ensure every New Zealander has a warm, dry, secure home with a significant boost to the number of insulated homes
Introduce a Rent to Own scheme or a similar model as part of the KiwiBuild programme
Free counselling for under 25s
Have a referendum of legalising cannabis for personal use by 2020, boost funding for alcohol and drug addiction services
Prime Minister-elect Jacinda Ardern will announce the full line-up of Ministers and their portfolios on Wednesday, and the new Government will be sworn in on Thursday.
Deal with New Zealand First
Prime Minister-elect Jacinda Ardern and Deputy Prime Minister-elect Winston Peters have released the details of the coalition agreement for the new Government.
They have agreed to major policies including a re-entry to the Pike River mine, the introduction of three new commissions, a boost to the minimum wage to $20 per hour by 2020 and free doctor’s visits for under-14s.
NZ First’s ministerial portfolios will include Foreign Affairs, Infrastructure, Regional Economic Development, Internal Affairs, Seniors, Defence, Veterans’ Affairs, Children, Forestry, State Owned Enterprises, Racing, Associate Finance, Associate Education and an Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Regional Economic Development.
Here are some of the key policies from the agreement:
A commitment to re-enter Pike River
$1 billion per annum Regional Development Fund:
Investment in regional rail
Planting 100 million trees per year in a Billion Trees Planting Programme
Study the feasibility of moving the Ports of Auckland, giving serious consideration to Northport
Relocating Government functions to the regions
Re-establish the New Zealand Forestry service in the regions
Immigration:
Ensure work visas reflect genuine skill shortages and cut down on low quality international education courses
Take serious action on migrant exploitation, particularly of international students
Environment:
Introduce a Zero Carbon Act
Introduce a Climate Commission
“Significant boost” to Department of Conservation funding
Introduce agriculture into the Emissions Trading Scheme if recommended by the Climate Commission, with a 95 percent free allocation to the agriculture sector
An emissions-free Government fleet (where possible) by 2025/26
Introduce a royalty on bottled water exports
Health:
Re-establish the Mental Health Commission
Annual free health check including a free eye check for SuperGold Card holders
Teen health checks for all Year 9 students
Free doctor’s visits for all under-14s
Progressively increase age for free breast cancer screening to 74
Economy:
Review and reform of the Reserve Bank Act
Review the official measures of unemployment to reflect the 21st Century
Increase Minimum Wage to $20 per hour by 2020
Increase penalties for corporate fraud and tax evasion
Investigate growing KiwiBank to position it to become the Government’s Banker
Strengthen the Overseas Investment Act, create a comprehensive register of foreign-owned land and housing
Social Development:
Increase funding for family violence networks including Women’s Refuge and Shakti
Introduce programmes such “Ready for Work” for the long-term unemployed
Pilot the Youth Education, Training & Employment initiative
800 extra places for the Limited Service Volunteer programme
Education:
Pilot counsellors in all secondary schools
A 30-year strategic plan for New Zealand education
Free driver training to all secondary students
Housing:
Establish a Housing Commission
Law and Order:
Aim to introduce 1800 new police officers by 2020
Increase Community Law Centre funding
Investigate a volunteer rural policing programme
Establish a Criminal Cases Review Commission
Ms Ardern and Mr Peters signed the agreement at Parliament this afternoon.
The Prime Minister-elect will announce the full line-up of ministers and their portfolios on Wednesday, and the new Government will be sworn in on Thursday.
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Photo Caption:
Prime Minister-designate Jacinda Ardern speaking to Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau earlier today.
(Picture Supplied)
