Latest news with #AmendmentBill
Otago Daily Times
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Farm forestry ban too late to help: advocate
The farm-to-forest ban passed its first reading last week but a Southland Federated Farmers executive says its too late, the damage has been done and is continuing. Executive member and farmer Dean Rabbidge said since the ban's announcement on December 4, there has been a rush to convert arable land into forests. "If anything, we've only seen an acceleration of it since December 4 with people knowing that this is their last chance," he said. The sheep, beef and dairy farmer said after pulling pines out of his own property he has learned the damage the conifers do to the soil. "It's taking a lot of work to get it back into productive land through fertiliser and seed and stuff," he said. Pine needles themselves are quite toxic, he said, and do not let anything else grow. He said the farms that have been converted into forestry would have had soil that was at the optimum level for animal health and pasture production. "[The soil] has been cared for and looked after for maximum food production values, and now we're just planting it in pine trees," he said. The ban, or Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme — Forestry Conversions) Amendment Bill, will include exemptions. After the first reading, Minister for Agriculture Todd McClay said investors that were able to prove intent to afforest between January 2021 and December 4 would be exempt from the ban. This exemption, which was part of the December 4 announcement, was clarified by the minister. Mr McClay said that the combination of buying land and ordering of trees prior to December 4 would be an example of proof of a qualifying investment. He said each of these actions alone would not. This exemption has been a source of confusion for concerned farmers who have said the grey area of "evidence of intent" opened up a loophole that has been exploited. Mr Rabbidge said the grey area remains and his organisation will continue to hold government ministers to account over this issue. "There's still been some very, very questionable land purchases go on recently under the guise of, hey, we had seedlings ordered — that was their intent to plant," he said. "We're still going to keep the pressure on the government to make sure that all the loopholes are closed." The Wyndham farmer said the rapid conversion is visible to those living rurally, but it will take a while for urban residents to recognise the affect. "It's far too late, but people are finally waking up to the damage that forestry, both production and carbon, is doing to the rural sector," he said. "It's not until the urban areas feel the effects of it that it's going to be far too late."
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Claim too late for farm-to-forestry ban
Dean Rabbidge. Photo: ODT files The farm-to-forest ban passed its first reading last week but a Southland Federated Farmers executive says it is too late, the damage has been done and is continuing. Executive member and farmer Dean Rabbidge said since the ban's announcement on December 4, there had been a rush to convert arable land into forests. "If anything, we've only seen an acceleration of it since December 4 with people knowing that this is their last chance," he said. The sheep, beef and dairy farmer said after pulling pines out of his own property he had realised the damage the conifers did to the soil. "It's taking a lot of work to get it back into productive land through fertiliser and seed and stuff," he said. Pine needles were quite toxic and did not let anything else grow, he said. The farms that had been converted to forestry would have had soil that was at the optimum level for animal health and pasture production, he said. "[The soil] has been cared for and looked after for maximum food production values, and now we're just planting it in pine trees." The ban, or the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme — Forestry Conversions) Amendment Bill, will include exemptions. After the first reading, Minister for Agriculture Todd McClay said investors who were able to prove intent to afforest between January 2021 and December 4 would be exempt from the ban. This exemption, which was part of the December 4 announcement, was clarified by the minister. Mr McClay said the combination of buying land and ordering of trees prior to December 4 would be an example of proof of a qualifying investment. He said each of these actions alone would not. This exemption has been a source of confusion for concerned farmers, who have said the grey area of "evidence of intent" opened up a loophole that has been exploited. Mr Rabbidge said the grey area remained and his organisation would continue to hold government ministers to account over this issue. "There's still been some very, very questionable land purchases go on recently under the guise of, hey, we had seedlings ordered — that was their intent to plant. "We're still going to keep the pressure on the government to make sure that all the loopholes are closed." The Wyndham farmer said the rapid conversion was visible to those living rurally, but it would take a while for urban residents to recognise the effect. "It's far too late, but people are finally waking up to the damage that forestry, both production and carbon, is doing to the rural sector."
The Citizen
a day ago
- Business
- The Citizen
What do you think of Malema's Bill to nationalise the Reserve Bank?
If the South African Reserve Bank Amendment Bill is passed in parliament, there will be no more checks and balances. Parliament wants to know what you think of Julius Malema's Bill aimed at nationalising the South African Reserve Bank. Malema tabled the South African Reserve Bank Amendment Bill in parliament in 2018 and published for comment at the end of May 2018. However, it lapsed at the end of the fifth parliament, but the National Assembly revived it in October 2019. According to Cabinet, the Bill also lapsed at the end of the sixth parliament but was revived by the National Assembly in July 2024. In September last year, the standing committee on finance resolved to open the Bill to another round of public comment. The South African Reserve Bank Amendment Bill seeks to establish the state as the sole shareholder of the Reserve Bank's shares, while the minister of finance will exercise the rights attached to the shares in the bank the state owns. ALSO READ: The ANC's war about nationalising the Reserve Bank is pointless Aims of the South African Reserve Bank Amendment Bill The South African Reserve Bank Amendment Bill also aims to amend the South African Reserve Bank Act to: delete certain definitions; insert a definition; provide for the minister to appoint certain board directors; provide for the tenure of appointed directors; deal with the filling of casual vacancies for appointed directors; repeal certain sections of the Act; give the minister the power to appoint auditors of the Reserve Bank; give the minister the power to make regulations regarding the appointment of appointed directors; and provide for related matters. ALSO READ: Why the Reserve Bank should not be nationalised Free SA already had its say The organisation Free SA already made a formal submission to parliament, expressing its strong opposition to the South African Reserve Bank Amendment Bill, warning that the proposed nationalisation of the central bank threatens the country's economic stability, institutional independence and international credibility. While the Amendment Bill does not alter the Reserve Bank's constitutional mandate to protect the value of the rand, Free SA cautions that it will undermine the very independence that makes this mandate effective. 'An independent central bank is the cornerstone of any credible economic system. Handing full control of the Reserve Bank to political authorities opens the door to fiscal dominance, inflationary pressure and potentially disastrous economic mismanagement,' Reuben Coetzer, spokesperson of Free SA, says. He points out that Free SA's submission details the economic, legal, institutional and reputational risks of centralising the Reserve Bank's governance in the executive. Drawing on examples from Zimbabwe and Venezuela, he says the submission illustrates how loss of central bank independence historically led to hyperinflation, currency collapse and widespread poverty. ALSO READ: The slow nationalisation of the South African Reserve Bank Specific dangers in South African Reserve Bank Amendment Bill The submission highlights these specific dangers in the South African Reserve Bank Amendment Bill: Inflation risk: politicised monetary policy could lead to the Reserve Bank financing government deficits, weakening the rand and driving up inflation; Governance concerns: transferring all shareholder powers to the minister of finance eliminates external oversight and invites politicisation of appointments; Legal ambiguity: while technically constitutional, the Bill may undermine the spirit of section 224 of the Constitution, which demands independence 'without fear, favour or prejudice'; Investor flight: market confidence in South Africa's monetary policy regime could erode, resulting in capital outflows and higher borrowing costs. 'Symbolic ownership should not come at the cost of real economic harm. The Reserve Bank is one of South Africa's most respected institutions. Undermining its independence, whether deliberately or by accident, will hurt ordinary South Africans most, especially the poor who suffer first and worst from inflation.' Coetzer says Free SA calls on all members of parliament to reject the Amendment Bill and to uphold the constitutional and economic safeguards that protect South Africa's monetary integrity. 'Reform should focus on strengthening accountability and transparency within the Reserve Bank, not eroding the institutional checks that preserved macroeconomic stability through some of the country's most turbulent years.'
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Bihar will throw Act in dustbin': Tejashwi, Pappu Yadav join thousands at protest against Waqf Amendment
Thousands of people from different parts of the country gathered at Patna's Gandhi Maidan on Sunday to take part in a protest to oppose the Waqf Amendment Act. Several politicians, including MPs and MLAs, also attended the protest organised under the banner of Imarat-e-Shariah, a Muslim organisation active mainly in Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand. The Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, Dipankar Bhattacharya of the CPI(ML), Rajya Sabha member Imran Pratapgarhi, and Lok Sabha member Pappu Yadav were also at the gathering, along with other MPs and MLAs from the INDIA bloc. The Congress state president also read out messages of support from Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and party national president Mallikarjun Kharge. Addressing the gathering, Tejashwi Yadav said the RJD has been opposing the Act both in Parliament and on the streets. '…When the Amendment Bill regarding Waqf came to Parliament in 2025, we strongly opposed it in both Houses. And not just that, when the JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee) was formed and after the Bill was passed, our party also went to the Supreme Court against it… Whether in the House, on the streets, or in the courts, we will fight this battle everywhere…,' he said. 'Those who are in power now are on their way out… When the government of the poor comes to power, Bihar will throw this Act into the dustbin…,' he said. Assembly elections are set to be held in Bihar later this year. Tejashwi also alleged that attempts were being made to disenfranchise the poor and those in minority communities by making changes to the electoral rolls. 'Your land is being taken away and now they are going to take away the voting rights of the poor, backward, Dalit, extremely backward, and poor from the minority communities… The Election Commission has issued a notification that they are going to make a new list of 8 crore voters, and this new list has to be made in just 30 days… You all should stay alert, be careful that no one's name is removed from the voter list, this is a big conspiracy. After the voter list, they will remove names from the pension list as well,' he claimed. Pappu Yadav made similar allegations, saying, 'By taking away the voting rights of 4.7 crore poor people through the Election Commission, they (NDA) want to contest elections in Bihar… This is a proxy war… Within one month, they want to make those 4.7 crore people (of Bihar) who are outside, homeless.' Maulana Faisal Rahmani, the head of Imarat-e-Shariah, described the protest as a milestone and not a conclusion. 'This movement will continue until the Waqf Act is withdrawn,' he said. He criticised the Act as unconstitutional and anti-minority, citing alleged violations of Articles 13, 14, 25, 26, and 300A of the Constitution as well as Supreme Court judgments. 'We accept the 1995 Waqf law. But these amendments are nothing but a bid to take away our places of worship and heritage buildings. This law undermines the spirit of brotherhood in the country,' Rahmani had told The Indian Express. The voices from the crowd echoed the voices on the stage. Under the scorching sun, thousands of people, both old and young, packed the Gandhi Maidan. A man from Madhubani, holding both the Tricolour and a black-and-white Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind flag, said on the condition of anonymity, 'There has been a consistent pattern of anti-Muslim actions, starting with NRC and continuing with Triple Talaq and now with Waqf. This law is an attack on Shariat, but we want to proceed peacefully. We are here for that reason.' 'Our mosques, schools, and lands are all under Waqf for our protection… All religions are treated equally under the Constitution. So why are we being divided by the government?' an elderly attendee asked.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
The House: Parliament's Week Ended Early But Was Still Packed Full
This year, 2025, is the middle year of the 54th Parliament. Middle years in a three-year term are typically when the largest number of bills get passed by a government. The current executive is certainly trying to follow that pattern. In two weeks before Christmas in 2023 five new laws were enacted. During 2024 Parliament passed 44 laws (including one member's bill). Now, half-way through 2025's sitting year it has completed 30 bills. Eight of those were finalised this week. One reason for the very rapid pace is the sheer number of bills that have not graced a Select Committee, even for a brief period of public consultation. Of the 79 bills passed, 40 are noted as being considered in committee. The apparent nearly 50/50 split of bills skipping select committee is misleading - the total of bills passed includes eight appropriations and imprest supply bills (about cash not policy). A more accurate number is 40 bills considered in committee from 71. Across recent parliaments the use of extra sittings and urgency seems to have accelerated. Urgency in and of itself is now barely newsworthy. This week's sprint under urgency to finalise those eight bills in just two days was impressive, but it is important to know what laws are being debated and agreed - at whatever speed that happens to be. Below is a quick rundown on the bills debated this week - those finalised and those initiated. First readings this week Each of these bills was referred to a Select Committee and will now be available for public feedback. The Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill would make approvals for incoming foreign investment, faster and easier. Investment tests would be coalesced and a three-week deadline imposed for approvals to be given unless there are reasonable grounds for a national interest assessment. The Immigration (Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity) Amendment Bill gives the Minister of Immigration a range of new powers, imposes new penalties, fixes some legislative holes and allows immigration-related levies to be charged to new groups. The Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme-Forestry Conversion) Amendment Bill seeks to disincentivise the conversion of farms into exotic forestry by no longer allowing owners to register for benefits through the Emissions Trading Scheme. The Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill adjusts current legislation so that species currently designated as needing extermination (as pests) can be kept from being eradicated by being designated herds of special interest by the minister. These are things such as Himalayan tahr that were initially naturalised as a hunting target then later legislated against as being environmentally problematic. This bill seeks to preserve some for the original purpose. Third and final readings this week The below bills were all read for a third and final time and will now be signed into law. The House completed the Supplementary Estimates (which updates last year's budget numbers), and an Imprest Supply Bill (which affords the government an ongoing cash supply). The Social Security (Mandatory Reviews) Amendment Bill creates a mandatory requirement for those receiving specific benefits or supplements to re-apply for these yearly. It also appears to widen the allowance for what sounds like AI to make decisions about matters like ending benefits or imposing sanctions. The Rates Rebate Amendment Bill slightly increases the earnings limit within which SuperGold Card holders can apply for a rates rebate. Don't get too excited: it's a small increase, but the bill was widely supported but without acclaim. The Racing Industry Amendment Bill widens the current betting monopoly held by the TAB to include online betting. The Invest New Zealand Bill creates a new agency with the objective of attracting international investment. The Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Legislation Amendment Bill changes the mechanism and agencies responsible for watching over the performance of Oranga Tamariki, the child protection agency. The Employment Relations (Pay Deductions for Partial Strikes) Amendment Bill allows employers to withhold wages from employees for undertaking partial strikes, like working to rule or refusing overtime. The Victims of Sexual Violence (Strengthening Legal Protections) Legislation Bill seeks to enhance protection for victims of sexual violence participating in court processes. *RNZ's The House, with insights into Parliament, legislation and issues, is made with funding from Parliament's Office of the Clerk. Enjoy our articles or podcast at RNZ.
