Latest news with #Swarbrick
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Greens Call For Safe Passage Of Madleen And Government To Sanction Israel
Press Release – Green Party Weaponising critical humanitarian aid must stop. Shooting at innocent people lining up for kai must stop. Aotearoa New Zealand cannot remain a bystander to the slaughter of innocent people in Gaza. The Green Party is calling for the safe passage of the Madleen, a civilian aid vessel on course to Gaza, following the Freedom Flotilla being seized by the Israeli Military and urging the New Zealand Government to sanction Israel for its illegal occupation of Palestine. 'The Green Party is calling for the safe passage of the Madleen and for the New Zealand Government to step up and sanction Israel for its violent occupation of Palestine and continued disregard for international law,' says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. 'The Madleen was trying to get much-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza, and has been intercepted by the Israeli Military in international waters. This seizure blatantly violates international law and defies the International Court of Justice's binding orders requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. 'Weaponising critical humanitarian aid must stop. Shooting at innocent people lining up for kai must stop. Aotearoa New Zealand cannot remain a bystander to the slaughter of innocent people in Gaza. 'I was on a peace flotilla for Gaza almost ten years ago and it pains me to still see the need for one all these years later. 'If we stand for human rights and peace and justice, our Parliament must act. The New Zealand Government must sanction Israel and can do so by supporting Chlöe Swarbrick's Member's Bill. All we need is the support of six Government MPs to make this happen. 'In September, Aotearoa joined 123 UN Member States to support a resolution calling for sanctions against those responsible for Israel's 'unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in relation to settler violence.' 'Our Government has since done nothing to fulfil that commitment. Our Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill starts that very basic process. 'The Green Party stands with the Madleen and will continue to fight for the people of Palestine,' says Marama Davidson. Notes: In 2016, Marama Davidson was a part of the Women's Boat to Gaza which brought awareness to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and highlighted the crucial role of women in keeping their communities afloat, particularly in post-conflict situations. Standing Order 288 outlines the process for Member's Bills to bypass the member's bill ballot (colloquially known as the 'biscuit tin'), with the support of 61 non-executive members. With 55 Opposition members now officially in support of Swarbrick's Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill, the support of just 6 Government MPs are necessary to get the Bill onto the floor of Parliament. On 10th December 2024, Swarbrick wrote to all Members of Parliament asking their support for the Bill to bypass the ballot, and later asked the Prime Minister in the House if there would be any Government policy or position preventing MPs from exercising their democratic right to support the Bill bypassing the ballot. He said that he would have a 'good look at the Bill'. In the tenth emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly on 18 September 2024, NZ joined 123 other member states in supporting United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-10/24 'Advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences arising from Israel's policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and from the illegality of Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory'. This resolution affirmed the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice regarding Israel's actions and presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, called upon all states to comply with their obligations under international law, and, amongst other actions, called upon all States to implement sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, against natural and legal persons engaged in the maintenance of Israel's unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in relation to settler violence. This Bill implements a sanctions framework, duplicating the Russia Sanctions Act, to allow sanctions to be imposed by the Government against Israel in response to Israel's unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Bill implements some initial sanctions against Israeli Ministers, Israeli MPs who have supported the occupation, and military leadership, as well as sanctions on assets and services relating to arms and assets and services that are of economic or strategic importance to Israel.
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Greens Call For Safe Passage Of Madleen And Government To Sanction Israel
The Green Party is calling for the safe passage of the Madleen, a civilian aid vessel on course to Gaza, following the Freedom Flotilla being seized by the Israeli Military and urging the New Zealand Government to sanction Israel for its illegal occupation of Palestine. 'The Green Party is calling for the safe passage of the Madleen and for the New Zealand Government to step up and sanction Israel for its violent occupation of Palestine and continued disregard for international law," says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. 'The Madleen was trying to get much-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza, and has been intercepted by the Israeli Military in international waters. This seizure blatantly violates international law and defies the International Court of Justice's binding orders requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. 'Weaponising critical humanitarian aid must stop. Shooting at innocent people lining up for kai must stop. Aotearoa New Zealand cannot remain a bystander to the slaughter of innocent people in Gaza. 'I was on a peace flotilla for Gaza almost ten years ago and it pains me to still see the need for one all these years later. 'If we stand for human rights and peace and justice, our Parliament must act. The New Zealand Government must sanction Israel and can do so by supporting Chlöe Swarbrick's Member's Bill. All we need is the support of six Government MPs to make this happen. 'In September, Aotearoa joined 123 UN Member States to support a resolution calling for sanctions against those responsible for Israel's 'unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in relation to settler violence.' 'Our Government has since done nothing to fulfil that commitment. Our Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill starts that very basic process. 'The Green Party stands with the Madleen and will continue to fight for the people of Palestine,' says Marama Davidson. Notes: In 2016, Marama Davidson was a part of the Women's Boat to Gaza which brought awareness to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and highlighted the crucial role of women in keeping their communities afloat, particularly in post-conflict situations. Standing Order 288 outlines the process for Member's Bills to bypass the member's bill ballot (colloquially known as the 'biscuit tin'), with the support of 61 non-executive members. With 55 Opposition members now officially in support of Swarbrick's Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill, the support of just 6 Government MPs are necessary to get the Bill onto the floor of Parliament. On 10th December 2024, Swarbrick wrote to all Members of Parliament asking their support for the Bill to bypass the ballot, and later asked the Prime Minister in the House if there would be any Government policy or position preventing MPs from exercising their democratic right to support the Bill bypassing the ballot. He said that he would have a 'good look at the Bill'. In the tenth emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly on 18 September 2024, NZ joined 123 other member states in supporting United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-10/24 'Advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences arising from Israel's policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and from the illegality of Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory'. This resolution affirmed the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice regarding Israel's actions and presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, called upon all states to comply with their obligations under international law, and, amongst other actions, called upon all States to implement sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, against natural and legal persons engaged in the maintenance of Israel's unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in relation to settler violence. This Bill implements a sanctions framework, duplicating the Russia Sanctions Act, to allow sanctions to be imposed by the Government against Israel in response to Israel's unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Bill implements some initial sanctions against Israeli Ministers, Israeli MPs who have supported the occupation, and military leadership, as well as sanctions on assets and services relating to arms and assets and services that are of economic or strategic importance to Israel.
NZ Herald
26-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Finance Minister Nicola Willis to speak post-Budget in Auckland
'I think there are some benefits with universal superannuation … and if you are to make any change to that area we have to phase it in over a large period of time," she said. National previously campaigned on increasing the superannuation age gradually over many years, but the party's policy platform for the 2026 election has not yet been decided. Willis also confirmed yesterday that government departments and agencies were assessing the potential cost of the decision to phase in increased employer contributions to KiwiSaver. The default rate will reach 4% by 2028. She told RNZ any cost could be met with new spending in next year's budget, or be covered through cuts. Her comments came after the Green Party claimed the additional cost of potentially $700 million had not been accounted for in this year's Budget, which Willis deemed 'ludicrous'. Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick claimed the Government had failed to account for what could be $633m-$714m in additional costs. 'If she's honest with New Zealanders, that means the Government has intentionally hidden more than half a billion dollars extra in public service cuts to come,' Swarbrick said of Willis. The potential financial burden for the Government is referenced in the Treasury's Budget Economic and Fiscal Update, but it did not come with a cost estimate. Willis claimed Swarbrick's numbers were 'out of whack' and 'quite ludicrous' but acknowledged Crown agencies were currently assessing the 'potential implications'. 'They'll then provide advice to the Government. If additional funding is required, I expect it would have to take the form of a pre-commitment against next year's budget operating allowance,' Willis said. However, she later told RNZ it was possible any costs could be satisfied by cuts, while noting it was 'far too soon to say'. 'It may be that we say this needs to be met with additional funding, it may be that we say there's something we can reprioritise elsewhere.' Willis said she expected all government contractual obligations, including those regarding KiwiSaver, to be met and suspected employer contributions would form part of future pay round negotiations. She acknowledged the Government had 'limited visibility' of what its KiwiSaver obligations were. Swarbrick predicted the Government would cut spending from essential public services to make up the extra cost. 'If the Government doesn't front up with the funds between now and April next year when the first set of changes come into force, Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis will be forcing immediate cuts directly to frontline services in health, education and social services to pay for their fiscal hole.'
NZ Herald
25-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Budget 2025: More cuts possible to cover Govt's extra KiwiSaver costs
The Government also halved its contribution to $260 for people earning less than $180,000 and scrapped it entirely for those earning more. Across the next four years, it would give the Government almost $2.5 billion in savings and more than $500m in expected revenue. In a statement this morning, Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick claimed the Government had failed to account for what could be $633m-$714m in additional costs. 'If she's honest with New Zealanders, that means the Government has intentionally hidden more than half a billion dollars extra in public service cuts to come,' Swarbrick said of Willis. The potential financial burden for the Government is referenced in the Treasury's Budget Economic and Fiscal Update, but it did not come with a cost estimate. Willis claimed Swarbrick's numbers were 'out of whack' and 'quite ludicrous' but acknowledged Crown agencies were currently assessing the 'potential implications'. 'They'll then provide advice to the Government. If additional funding is required, I expect it would have to take the form of a pre-commitment against next year's budget operating allowance,' Willis said. However, she later told RNZ it was possible any costs could be satisfied by cuts, while noting it was 'far too soon to say'. 'It may be that we say this needs to be met with additional funding, it may be that we say there's something we can reprioritise elsewhere.' Willis said she expected all government contractual obligations, including those regarding KiwiSaver, to be met and suspected employer contributions would form part of future pay round negotiations. Swarbrick predicted the Government would cut spending from essential public services to make up the extra cost. 'If the Government doesn't front up with the funds between now and April next year when the first set of changes come into force, Christopher Luxon and Nicola Willis will be forcing immediate cuts directly to frontline services in health, education and social services to pay for their fiscal hole.'
Otago Daily Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Greens claim $700m 'uncosted hole' in Budget
By Susan Edmunds of RNZ The government could face an unbudgeted hole of hundreds of millions of dollars in increased KiwiSaver contributions for public sector workers, the Green Party says. As part of the Budget last week, the government announced that the default KiwiSaver contribution for employees and employers would lift to 4 percent, in stages. But the Green Party said the government had not accounted for that increase for its own employees in its books, and over the Budget forecast period it could add up to $714 million in costs. Co-leader Chloe Swarbrick said last time the government increased the compulsory employer contribution, it set up a fund to help cover its costs. The increased cost to government as an employer was highlighted in the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update and in the KiwiSaver reforms regulatory impact statement. "What we've found is what we believe to be a hole in the government Budget, an uncosted hole of anywhere from $633m to $714m over the forecast period," Swarbrick said. "The Crown is obviously an employer of thousands and thousands of people with billions and billions of dollars in wage bills. If we're to project from the base line of around 72 percent of the population... at the default rate which is increasing, the Crown will have an increased liability to meet those employer contributions." She said the government either did not spend enough time working it out, or was "intentionally hiding or obscuring what I'm sure the minister will say are going to have to be new cuts that agencies and ministries will be forcing departments to make to account for the increased contributions". Finance Minister Nicola Willis's office said the potential cost had been noted. "Crown agencies as employers will assess the potential implications for agency budgets. If any additional funding is required, it would count against the Budget 2026 operating allowance." But Swarbrick said it was not being sufficiently upfront. She said it seemed the government did not want to be seen to be being "mean" by just halving the member tax credit, to $260 a year, and so had to increase contributions at the same time. It should have happened as part of more consultation and a full review of retirement settings, she said. "This will be an additional cost as soon as the changes come into effect." Employers who offer total remuneration packages to employees will dodge some of the increase but Swarbrick said it was clear that the government would not be able to shift people on to that arrangement to avoid the increase in a way that reduced their take-home pay. Craig Renney, policy director at the NZ Council of Trade Unions and a member of the Labour Party Policy Council, said it was an issue for the government as an employer. "It would be good to know what calculations they have made themselves as to their additional remuneration costs. Is the Crown going to force workers to eat the increase themselves? It would set a very bad example for the rest of the market." He said good employers should see the increase as an opportunity to improve employees' retirement outcomes. "The risk is that for some employers they might view the 'total remuneration' of their employees as a single package. That would mean they would expect any increase in KiwiSaver to come from the same money. That would mean lower real pay increases for employees and less cash in hand. "Given that we have very weak demand in the economy, there are probably limited opportunities for employees to get a different job - especially with unemployment forecast to keep rising. Ultimately, that would mean that the government has set up a system where employees end up paying for increased employers contributions to their own KiwiSaver. "There are some industries where there might be a simple pass-on to the consumer for these costs, but again, in a subdued market these are probably fewer than you might expect. These are probably also higher income earners, so the likelihood is that lower income earners will be more likely to face that 'total remuneration' issue. That will simply compound existing income adequacy problems in New Zealand." Employees will be able to opt to return their contribution to 3 percent, matched by an employer's 3 percent. Renney said there was a risk some people could face pressure to do so. "Again, it is likely to low paid/lower market power employee who face this challenge. Secondly, if we make it easier to become a contractor - where this is not an issue - this move will encourage employers to pretend that their employees are contractors. The current proposed changes by government in that regard might drive more of that behaviour, putting workers at a significant disadvantage."
