Latest news with #Christopher Luxon
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
New Zealand attorney general warns her government's electoral reform could breach human rights law
New Zealand's prime minister Christopher Luxon has defended his government's plans to overhaul its electoral laws, despite warnings from his own attorney general the changes could breach human rights law and disenfranchise more than 100,000 voters. The right-wing government last week announced its plan to shake up electoral laws it said were 'outdated and unsustainable', including closing voter enrolment 13 days before election day, reinstating a total ban on prisoner voting and prohibiting anyone from providing free food, drink or entertainment within 100 metres of a voting station. Since 1993, voters have been allowed to enrol to vote during the two week advance voting period and, more recently, on election day, casting what is called a 'special vote'. Luxon told RNZ on Monday the late enrolments had led to weeks-long delays in counting votes. 'We want everyone to participate in our democracy … but we need to make sure that people are registered in advance of voting,' he said. But in a report to parliament, the attorney general, Judith Collins, warned the proposal 'appears to be inconsistent' with the Bill of Rights, including the right to vote and the right to freedom of expression. Collins noted that during the 2023 general election, there were more than 200,000 special votes cast, including 97,000 people who registered for the first time during the voting period, and nearly 134,000 people who changed electoral districts during the voting period. 'This gives some indication of the number of people who may be affected, and the farther out the registration deadline from polling day, the greater the disenfranchising impact is likely to be,' Collins said. Changing the enrolment deadline to one to seven days before polling day would 'impose less onerous limits on the right to vote', she said. Special votes are more likely to come from younger people and areas with larger Māori, Asian and Pasifika communities, and these communities may be more affected by the proposed registration deadline, Collins said. With respect to the blanket ban on prisoner voting, Collins said it would disenfranchise those who have a right to vote 'and cannot be justified'. Luxon said the attorney-general has a statutory obligation to examine whether legislation will contravene the Bill of Rights and the government would consider that advice. Collins declined the Guardian's request for further comment. The proposed changes have drawn ire from opposition parties, who believe the government is weakening democracy. 'As a country we should be encouraging voter turnout and making changes to support that – not shutting them out,' said Duncan Webb, Labour's justice spokesperson. 'This is an appalling change that will make it harder for a lot of people to exercise their democratic right.'
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
New Zealand attorney general warns her government's electoral reform could breach human rights law
New Zealand's prime minister Christopher Luxon has defended his government's plans to overhaul its electoral laws, despite warnings from his own attorney general the changes could breach human rights law and disenfranchise more than 100,000 voters. The right-wing government last week announced its plan to shake up electoral laws it said were 'outdated and unsustainable', including closing voter enrolment 13 days before election day, reinstating a total ban on prisoner voting and prohibiting anyone from providing free food, drink or entertainment within 100 metres of a voting station. Since 1993, voters have been allowed to enrol to vote during the two week advance voting period and, more recently, on election day, casting what is called a 'special vote'. Luxon told RNZ on Monday the late enrolments had led to weeks-long delays in counting votes. 'We want everyone to participate in our democracy … but we need to make sure that people are registered in advance of voting,' he said. But in a report to parliament, the attorney general, Judith Collins, warned the proposal 'appears to be inconsistent' with the Bill of Rights, including the right to vote and the right to freedom of expression. Collins noted that during the 2023 general election, there were more than 200,000 special votes cast, including 97,000 people who registered for the first time during the voting period, and nearly 134,000 people who changed electoral districts during the voting period. 'This gives some indication of the number of people who may be affected, and the farther out the registration deadline from polling day, the greater the disenfranchising impact is likely to be,' Collins said. Changing the enrolment deadline to one to seven days before polling day would 'impose less onerous limits on the right to vote', she said. Special votes are more likely to come from younger people and areas with larger Māori, Asian and Pasifika communities, and these communities may be more affected by the proposed registration deadline, Collins said. With respect to the blanket ban on prisoner voting, Collins said it would disenfranchise those who have a right to vote 'and cannot be justified'. Luxon said the attorney-general has a statutory obligation to examine whether legislation will contravene the Bill of Rights and the government would consider that advice. Collins declined the Guardian's request for further comment. The proposed changes have drawn ire from opposition parties, who believe the government is weakening democracy. 'As a country we should be encouraging voter turnout and making changes to support that – not shutting them out,' said Duncan Webb, Labour's justice spokesperson. 'This is an appalling change that will make it harder for a lot of people to exercise their democratic right.'
RNZ News
19-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Watch: Govt says billions being spent on infrastruture will create thousands of jobs
The government on Sunday morning has released an infrastructure update showing $6 billion of government-funded construction is due to start between now and Christmas. The ministers who were visiting a construction site in Drury were due to speak to media at 10.30am. Their briefing can be viewed at the top of this story. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also took part in the briefing. Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis and Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop said in a media release the projects would drive economic activity and create thousands of jobs across the country. "The projects getting underway include new roads, hospitals, schools, high-tech laboratories and other government buildings," Willis said. "That means spades in the ground, jobs throughout the country and a stronger economy. Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii "Improving the quality of New Zealand's infrastructure is critical to growing the economy and helping Kiwis with the cost of living. "Good roads, schools and hospitals help business to move goods and services to market quickly and efficiently, children to learn and doctors and nurses to get patients back on their feet." The projects getting underway would create thousands of employment opportunities for New Zealanders, Bishop said. "Numbers vary according to the nature of projects, but data sourced from the Infrastructure Commission suggests each billion dollars of infrastructure investment per year equates to about 4500 jobs. "In total, workers are expected to start construction on $3.9 billion worth of roading projects in the next few months. They include the Ōtaki to north of Levin expressway, the Melling interchange, the Waihoehoe Road upgrade, and the new Ōmanawa bridge on SH29. All will help to lift productivity by getting people and freight to their destinations quickly and safely. "Health projects kicking off include upgrades to Auckland City Hospital, Middlemore Hospital, and the construction of a new acute mental health unit at Hutt Valley Hospital. Construction work on the new inpatients building at the new Dunedin Hospital has also just begun." Projects focused on improving school properties nearly $800 million in value would also be underway before the end of the year, he said. Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop. Photo: VNP/Louis Collins "Other government infrastructure projects due to start before the end of this year include a massive new state-of-the-art biosecurity facility in Auckland for the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Papakura District Court interim courthouse. "Importantly, this is just the start. The National Infrastructure Pipeline, managed by the Infrastructure Commission, now shows planned future projects totalling $207 billion across central government, local government and the private sector." Alongside the infrastructure update, Nicola Willis today released an update on the government's Infrastructure for Growth work programme. The update is the first refresh of the Going for Growth agenda launched in February to drive economic growth by backing business, improving infrastructure and skills, and removing barriers to innovation. The projects beginning construction include: Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
19-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Watch: Govt says billions being spent on infrastrastructure will create thousands of jobs
The government on Sunday morning has released an infrastructure update showing $6 billion of government-funded construction is due to start between now and Christmas. The ministers who were visiting a construction site in Drury were due to speak to media at 10.30am. Their briefing can be viewed at the top of this story. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also took part in the briefing. Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis and Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop said in a media release the projects would drive economic activity and create thousands of jobs across the country. "The projects getting underway include new roads, hospitals, schools, high-tech laboratories and other government buildings," Willis said. "That means spades in the ground, jobs throughout the country and a stronger economy. Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii "Improving the quality of New Zealand's infrastructure is critical to growing the economy and helping Kiwis with the cost of living. "Good roads, schools and hospitals help business to move goods and services to market quickly and efficiently, children to learn and doctors and nurses to get patients back on their feet." The projects getting underway would create thousands of employment opportunities for New Zealanders, Bishop said. "Numbers vary according to the nature of projects, but data sourced from the Infrastructure Commission suggests each billion dollars of infrastructure investment per year equates to about 4500 jobs. "In total, workers are expected to start construction on $3.9 billion worth of roading projects in the next few months. They include the Ōtaki to north of Levin expressway, the Melling interchange, the Waihoehoe Road upgrade, and the new Ōmanawa bridge on SH29. All will help to lift productivity by getting people and freight to their destinations quickly and safely. "Health projects kicking off include upgrades to Auckland City Hospital, Middlemore Hospital, and the construction of a new acute mental health unit at Hutt Valley Hospital. Construction work on the new inpatients building at the new Dunedin Hospital has also just begun." Projects focused on improving school properties nearly $800 million in value would also be underway before the end of the year, he said. Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop. Photo: VNP/Louis Collins "Other government infrastructure projects due to start before the end of this year include a massive new state-of-the-art biosecurity facility in Auckland for the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Papakura District Court interim courthouse. "Importantly, this is just the start. The National Infrastructure Pipeline, managed by the Infrastructure Commission, now shows planned future projects totalling $207 billion across central government, local government and the private sector." Alongside the infrastructure update, Nicola Willis today released an update on the government's Infrastructure for Growth work programme. The update is the first refresh of the Going for Growth agenda launched in February to drive economic growth by backing business, improving infrastructure and skills, and removing barriers to innovation. The projects beginning construction include: Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
19-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Watch live: Govt says billions being spent on infrastrastructure will create thousands of jobs
The government on Sunday morning has released an infrastructure update showing $6 billion of government-funded construction is due to start between now and Christmas. The ministers who were visiting a construction site in Drury were due to speak to media at 10.30am. Their briefing can be viewed at the top of this story. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also took part in the briefing. Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis and Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop said in a media release the projects would drive economic activity and create thousands of jobs across the country. "The projects getting underway include new roads, hospitals, schools, high-tech laboratories and other government buildings," Willis said. "That means spades in the ground, jobs throughout the country and a stronger economy. Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii "Improving the quality of New Zealand's infrastructure is critical to growing the economy and helping Kiwis with the cost of living. "Good roads, schools and hospitals help business to move goods and services to market quickly and efficiently, children to learn and doctors and nurses to get patients back on their feet." The projects getting underway would create thousands of employment opportunities for New Zealanders, Bishop said. "Numbers vary according to the nature of projects, but data sourced from the Infrastructure Commission suggests each billion dollars of infrastructure investment per year equates to about 4500 jobs. "In total, workers are expected to start construction on $3.9 billion worth of roading projects in the next few months. They include the Ōtaki to north of Levin expressway, the Melling interchange, the Waihoehoe Road upgrade, and the new Ōmanawa bridge on SH29. All will help to lift productivity by getting people and freight to their destinations quickly and safely. "Health projects kicking off include upgrades to Auckland City Hospital, Middlemore Hospital, and the construction of a new acute mental health unit at Hutt Valley Hospital. Construction work on the new inpatients building at the new Dunedin Hospital has also just begun." Projects focused on improving school properties nearly $800 million in value would also be underway before the end of the year, he said. Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop. Photo: VNP/Louis Collins "Other government infrastructure projects due to start before the end of this year include a massive new state-of-the-art biosecurity facility in Auckland for the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Papakura District Court interim courthouse. "Importantly, this is just the start. The National Infrastructure Pipeline, managed by the Infrastructure Commission, now shows planned future projects totalling $207 billion across central government, local government and the private sector." Alongside the infrastructure update, Nicola Willis today released an update on the government's Infrastructure for Growth work programme. The update is the first refresh of the Going for Growth agenda launched in February to drive economic growth by backing business, improving infrastructure and skills, and removing barriers to innovation. The projects beginning construction include: Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
