The Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to Parliament this week and it’s caused quite the storm.

The mainstream media, opposition parties and Waitangi Tribunal went into a frenzy and have launched a campaign to shut down the debate. ACT says they should explain why they think New Zealanders should be given different sets of rights based on ancestry.

But the most telling thing is that despite all of the baseless accusations about ACT or the bill being thrown around, none of its critics can actually outline what exactly it is they disagree with. 

A perfect example of this was David Seymour’s interview on TVNZ’s Breakfast show. This must-watch interview shows exactly why we need to have this debate.

The Treaty Principles Bill means we can have a long-overdue difficult, but important, conversation about the role of the Treaty in our future. All New Zealanders will have the opportunity to be part of that conversation.We hope you’ll take the time to make a submission when consultation on the bill opens.Other parties claim they won’t support the bill beyond its first reading in Parliament. But we suspect that when they see just how much New Zealanders value equal rights, they might just change their minds.

David discussed that with Mike Hosking here.

If you attend any events with MPs from other parties present over the next few weeks, make sure to ask them why they’re refusing to stand up for equal rights for all New Zealanders, regardless of their ethnicity.

NEW BILL STANDING UP FOR SMALL BUSINESSThis week, ACT’s Small Business spokesperson, Laura McClure, had her member’s bill drawn from Parliament’s ballot.Her bill offers a practical solution to one of the most frustrating challenges employers and employees face: Resolving disputes when an employment relationship breaks down. Costly personal grievance or unfair dismissal claims shouldn’t be the default outcome when things don’t work out.Laura’s bill introduces protected negotiations, allowing employers and employees to mutually agree on contract termination in certain situations – such as when performance falls short or there is a relationship breakdown. Sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, a working relationship just isn’t sustainable.

Some employers would happily offer an employee money to leave, and in many cases the employee would happily accept. But this is not an option under current law.

Hefty legal fees for personal grievance and unfair dismissal claims should not be seen as ‘the cost of doing business’. The Bill makes it easier for two adults to come to an agreement, shake hands, and move on to greener pastures before any dispute is escalated to the Employment Relations Authority.

Similar legislation in the United Kingdom has proven effective, and this bill aims to provide a fair and balanced approach for both employers and employees in New Zealand.

We hope Laura’s bill will have support from parties across Parliament. If you support Laura’s bill, please get in touch with your local MP asking them to back it. MP contact details can be found here

PUTTING RACE-BASED UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

Something else that caught ACT’s eye this week was a newly-published study which finds the University of Otago has failed in its goal to increase the number of students from poorer backgrounds, while it prioritises enrolments of Māori and Pacific students.Smart young people who work hard deserve a fair chance to go to university based on their efforts, not their background. But Otago and Auckland universities choose who gets into medical school partly based on ethnicity.

It means a capable young person can lose their place to someone who gets poorer grades, but has the ‘right’ family tree.

It’s divisive, and disrespectful to each person’s dignity, hard work and ability.

ACT’s coalition agreement secured a commitment to review race-based admission schemes at Otago and Auckland universities. We look forward to the results.

…AND MORE

Todd Stephenson wrote to the new Public Services Commissioner, suggesting that he allow public servants to use rideshare services like Uber as a more taxpayer-friendly alternative to traditional taxis.

Todd also highlighted that the twin threats of GP fee hikes and the downscaled Dunedin hospital project ought to put steel into the Government’s efforts to find savings and interrogate the business case for the proposed $380 million Waikato medical school.

David announced progress on ACT’s coalition commitment to get New Zealanders access to more medicines, faster. He also announced how the Government is cutting red tape in the ECE sector to help make it easier for providers to operate and offer more options to families looking for home-based education and care for their children.

Mark Cameron stood up for famers as the Government progressed ACT’s coalition commitment to keep agriculture out of the Emissions Trading Scheme.