Latest news with #Members'Bill
Daily Record
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Lanarkshire MSP recognised for dedication to protecting Scotland's environment
Labour's Central Scotland list MSP Monica Lennon's award was 'in recognition of a MSP who has developed a personal connection with a species or habitat through her Nature Champions role'. A Lanarkshire MSP was recognised by Scottish Environment LINK for her dedication to protecting Scotland's natural environment, as part of a celebration of MSP Nature Champions, held in the Scottish Parliament. The reception recognised the efforts of MSPs currently signed up as Nature Champions and celebrated the different ways in which they have championed Scotland's iconic and threatened species and habitats over the current Parliament. Labour's Central Scotland list MSP Monica Lennon's award was 'in recognition of a MSP who has developed a personal connection with a species or habitat through her Nature Champions role'. In addition to her hands‑on advocacy, Monica has recently championed legislation that could dramatically reshape environmental protection in Scotland - the Ecocide (Scotland) Bill. Introduced into Parliament in May, this proposed Members' Bill would make 'ecocide' - severe environmental harm that is widespread, long‑term or irreversible - a new criminal offence in Scots law. Monica said: 'It is a privilege to receive this recognition from Scottish Environment LINK. 'Nature means a lot to me, and I've loved being part of the Nature Champions programme. Whether it's speaking up for Scotland's wildlife or pushing for stronger laws like the Ecocide Bill, I just want to do my bit to protect the places and species we all care about - now and for the future. 'Big thanks to everyone involved in this brilliant initiative. It's great to be part of a team that's so passionate about looking after our natural world.'
1News
27-06-2025
- Business
- 1News
'Terrible idea': Finlayson weighs in on Ngāpuhi settlement proposal
Former Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson has called Shane Jones' proposal to force New Zealand's largest iwi Ngāpuhi into a single commercial settlement 'a terrible idea'. Jones confirmed yesterday that he was drafting a Members' Bill that would stop the Northland tribe from receiving multiple commercial redress packages with smaller groups. That's despite Ngāpuhi being made up of more than 100 individual hapū or subtribes. Ngāti Hine, a group affiliated to Ngāpuhi, has long challenged the idea of a single commercial settlement and would like to negotiate its own separate deal. Shane Jones (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT Finlayson told 1News Ngāti Hine should be allowed to given how 'organised' and 'advanced' it was to enter negotiations. He said the Crown could adopt a similar settlement model to that Ngāti Kahungunu, the country's third largest iwi, which successfully negotiated multiple commercial deals. The official signing will be later today, former National minister Chris Finlayson saying the deal has been achieved in good time. (Source: Breakfast) That iwi's tribal territory stretches along the eastern coast of the North Island and was divided into seven 'natural groupings' according to geography and whakapapa. Each received their own commercial redress package. However, Finlayson said he did not agree with some suggestions that Ngāpuhi would receive the biggest settlement to date. He said Ngāpuhi did not experience 'raupatu' or 'land confiscation' to the same extent of other iwi like Waikato of Ngāi Tahu, who each settled for $170 million, ADVERTISEMENT He warned that if Ngāpuhi was to receive a quantum above that amount, it would dismantle the principle of 'relativity' among other settled iwi.
1News
24-06-2025
- Business
- 1News
Chris Finlayson weighs in on Ngāpuhi settlement proposal
Former Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson has called Shane Jones' proposal to force New Zealand's largest iwi Ngāpuhi into a single commercial settlement 'a terrible idea'. Jones confirmed yesterday that he was drafting a Members' Bill that would stop the Northland tribe from receiving multiple commercial redress packages with smaller groups. That's despite Ngāpuhi being made up of more than 100 individual hapū or subtribes. Ngāti Hine, a group affiliated to Ngāpuhi, has long challenged the idea of a single commercial settlement and would like to negotiate its own separate deal. Shane Jones (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT Finlayson told 1News Ngāti Hine should be allowed to given how 'organised' and 'advanced' it was to enter negotiations. He said the Crown could adopt a similar settlement model to that Ngāti Kahungunu, the country's third largest iwi, which successfully negotiated multiple commercial deals. That iwi's tribal territory stretches along the eastern coast of the North Island and was divided into seven 'natural groupings' according to geography and whakapapa. Each received their own commercial redress package. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds including Iran's retaliation, Auckland Council's catering cost, and the new way to look deep into space. (Source: 1News) However, Finlayson said he did not agree with some suggestions that Ngāpuhi would receive the biggest settlement to date. He said Ngāpuhi did not experience 'raupatu' or 'land confiscation' to the same extent of other iwi like Waikato of Ngāi Tahu, who each settled for $170 million, ADVERTISEMENT He warned that if Ngāpuhi was to receive a quantum above that amount, it would dismantle the principle of 'relativity' among other settled iwi.
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Government Must Deliver On KiwiSaver Promise For Young Farmers
Press Release – Federated Farmers Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre says young farmers across the country are being held back by outdated rules that don't reflect the reality of farm ownership or rural employment. Federated Farmers is calling on the Government to deliver on National's pre-election promise to change KiwiSaver rules to help young farmers get their foot on the farming ladder. On the eve of the 2023 election National pledged that, if elected to Government, they would allow young farmers to use their KiwiSaver to buy their first home, farm, herd or flock. 'They made that campaign promise in Morrinsville, but 18 months later there has been no action,' says Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre. 'The announcement was incredibly popular, particularly among the next generation of farmers, but also with older farmers who are looking for succession pathways. 'There are a lot of people out there waiting for these changes to be made, so it's important they follow through and deliver on their promise.' While National MP Suze Redmayne has since submitted a Members' Bill that would address some of the issues young farmers face, McIntyre says that isn't enough. 'It's great that Suze has put forward a bill – but it's one of more than 70 others in the Members' Ballot. It's effectively a raffle and the bill may never be drawn. 'That aside, having a Members' Bill in the biscuit tin doesn't even come close to delivering on their campaign promise. It needs to be picked up as a Government Bill. 'To make that happen, we need the Minister of Agriculture, and all rural MPs, to really get in behind farmers and push hard on this issue. They should be championing the cause.' McIntyre says young farmers across the country are being held back by outdated rules that don't reflect the reality of farm ownership or rural employment. 'These rules are holding young farmers back years in their career progression as they scrimp and save every dollar to get on the ladder, particularly for sharemilkers and contract milkers. 'I understand that KiwiSaver is about saving for retirement, but for these young farmers, owning a farm, herd or flock is going to be what sets them up for their later years. 'These are ambitious young people who are trying to build a future in farming, who just need the Government to get out of their way and allow them to access their own savings to invest in their future. 'A change in policy would give them a tangible pathway towards ownership and investment in agriculture – something the next generation of farmers desperately needs to see.' McIntyre says changing the rules would help level the playing field for young farmers and encourage greater use of KiwiSaver. 'A lot of young people in towns get into KiwiSaver because they know they can use it as a great way to build a deposit for their first house. 'In their early years, that's effectively what they're doing – not saving for their retirement. 'On the other hand, so many young farmers don't use KiwiSaver because they know they're not allowed to access that for their first home, farm, herd, or flock. 'They won't be able to use those savings until their retirement, whereas there are really important things they need to invest in early in their careers, long before retirement age. 'It's an unfair playing field and young farmers are missing out on a key step towards growing their long-term wealth.' Federated Farmers are strongly calling on the National-led Government to deliver on this campaign promise and show their support for the next generation of farmers.
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Government Must Deliver On KiwiSaver Promise For Young Farmers
Press Release – Federated Farmers Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre says young farmers across the country are being held back by outdated rules that don't reflect the reality of farm ownership or rural employment. Federated Farmers is calling on the Government to deliver on National's pre-election promise to change KiwiSaver rules to help young farmers get their foot on the farming ladder. On the eve of the 2023 election National pledged that, if elected to Government, they would allow young farmers to use their KiwiSaver to buy their first home, farm, herd or flock. 'They made that campaign promise in Morrinsville, but 18 months later there has been no action,' says Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre. 'The announcement was incredibly popular, particularly among the next generation of farmers, but also with older farmers who are looking for succession pathways. 'There are a lot of people out there waiting for these changes to be made, so it's important they follow through and deliver on their promise.' While National MP Suze Redmayne has since submitted a Members' Bill that would address some of the issues young farmers face, McIntyre says that isn't enough. 'It's great that Suze has put forward a bill – but it's one of more than 70 others in the Members' Ballot. It's effectively a raffle and the bill may never be drawn. 'That aside, having a Members' Bill in the biscuit tin doesn't even come close to delivering on their campaign promise. It needs to be picked up as a Government Bill. 'To make that happen, we need the Minister of Agriculture, and all rural MPs, to really get in behind farmers and push hard on this issue. They should be championing the cause.' McIntyre says young farmers across the country are being held back by outdated rules that don't reflect the reality of farm ownership or rural employment. 'These rules are holding young farmers back years in their career progression as they scrimp and save every dollar to get on the ladder, particularly for sharemilkers and contract milkers. 'I understand that KiwiSaver is about saving for retirement, but for these young farmers, owning a farm, herd or flock is going to be what sets them up for their later years. 'These are ambitious young people who are trying to build a future in farming, who just need the Government to get out of their way and allow them to access their own savings to invest in their future. 'A change in policy would give them a tangible pathway towards ownership and investment in agriculture – something the next generation of farmers desperately needs to see.' McIntyre says changing the rules would help level the playing field for young farmers and encourage greater use of KiwiSaver. 'A lot of young people in towns get into KiwiSaver because they know they can use it as a great way to build a deposit for their first house. 'In their early years, that's effectively what they're doing – not saving for their retirement. 'On the other hand, so many young farmers don't use KiwiSaver because they know they're not allowed to access that for their first home, farm, herd, or flock. 'They won't be able to use those savings until their retirement, whereas there are really important things they need to invest in early in their careers, long before retirement age. 'It's an unfair playing field and young farmers are missing out on a key step towards growing their long-term wealth.' Federated Farmers are strongly calling on the National-led Government to deliver on this campaign promise and show their support for the next generation of farmers.
