Tuesday, 05 December 2023
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDRIVEN Car GuideThe CountryPhoto SalesiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub
Voyager 2023 media awards
Subscribe

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand / Politics

Epsom should trial Act's RMA policy - Parker

NZ Herald
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail
Act Party leader Jamie Whye (L) and Labour Party finance spokesperson David Parker. Photos / NZ Herald

Act Party leader Jamie Whye (L) and Labour Party finance spokesperson David Parker. Photos / NZ Herald

Labour's finance spokesman David Parker this morning jibed that Act-held Epsom should be used to trial that party's policy of abolishing the Resource Management Act to demonstrate how unworkable the idea is.

The RMA featured in early discussions between Finance Minister Bill English, Mr Parker, Greens Co-leader Russel Norman and Act Leader Jamie Whyte at the Deloitte-BusinessNZ Election Conference this morning in Wellington.

Dr Whyte told the audience of about 300 that the RMA was one of the key obstacles to more affordable housing, particularly in Auckland where land made up about 60 per cent of the price of a house.

He said the underpinnings of the Act were so vague that there was little certainty for those including developers who were subject to it and as such it effectively undermined the rule of law.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Act's policy is to abolish the RMA which Dr Whyte says would free up the supply of land for residential building.

In a light hearted dig at Dr Whyte, Mr Parker said "we've promised Epsom that if we're elected and they elect Act we'd like an RMA-free zone for Epsom and see how long it is before they want the RMA back".

"A few more prisons, nice five-storey buildings blocking everyone's view, all permitted without the RMA", he said, drawing laughter from the audience.

Earlier, Mr English said his Government wanted to reform the RMA to shorten the process and reduce costs for applicants to make it less discouraging to investment while preserving the right of communities to be heard.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

But despite having "80 per cent agreement" from parties across the political spectrum the bill wasn't passed before Parliament rose for the election due to the loss of Act's vote.

The bill was still "sitting there" and would be revisited if National won a third term.

Tax was the other big issue at this morning's conference with Dr Whyte saying beyond his party's goal to reduce the corporate rate from 28 per cent to 20 per cent, which he said would boost economic growth, Act wanted to drop the rate ultimately to 12.5 per cent.

Mr English said paying down debt was a higher priority for National than corporate tax rate cuts.

Related articles

New Zealand|Politics

Inquiry to start ahead of election

05 Sep 12:20 AM
New Zealand

Child poverty march

06 Sep 02:36 AM
New Zealand|Politics

Act push to abolish RMA

07 Sep 06:19 AM
New Zealand|Politics

Left backs National's plan for prisons

10 Sep 05:00 PM

Mr Parker said Labour planned to reduce the tax burden on businesses but through mechanisms such as research and development tax breaks rather than through a corporate rate cut.

Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

Politics

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says protests send clear message to Luxon

04 Dec 08:26 PM
live
New Zealand

Te Pāti Māori protests: Peak-hour traffic disrupted; Parliament convoy disperses

04 Dec 08:07 PM
New Zealand

Three-car crash on Maungatapu Bridge, Tauranga, as traffic avoids protest

04 Dec 08:01 PM
New Zealand

'Marathon, not a sprint': Kahungunu wants mobilisation against Government policies

04 Dec 07:58 PM

Top toys of 2023 for kids & ‘kidults’

sponsored

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says protests send clear message to Luxon

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says protests send clear message to Luxon

04 Dec 08:26 PM

Protests important to unite Māori as new Government starts - Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

Te Pāti Māori protests: Peak-hour traffic disrupted; Parliament convoy disperses
live

Te Pāti Māori protests: Peak-hour traffic disrupted; Parliament convoy disperses

04 Dec 08:07 PM
Three-car crash on Maungatapu Bridge, Tauranga, as traffic avoids protest

Three-car crash on Maungatapu Bridge, Tauranga, as traffic avoids protest

04 Dec 08:01 PM
'Marathon, not a sprint': Kahungunu wants mobilisation against Government policies

'Marathon, not a sprint': Kahungunu wants mobilisation against Government policies

04 Dec 07:58 PM
Toy trends for Christmas
sponsored

Toy trends for Christmas

About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2023 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP