Labour Party still deciding position on Tuiono's citizenship bill

A Labour MP says they are still formulating a position on the Restoring Citizenship Removed By Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill.

Speaking with Levi Matautia-Morgan on Pacific Mornings, Panmure-Ōtāhuhu MP Jenny Salesa says Labour is "definitely considering" the bill, but they have yet to decide an official stance until the full caucus considers the matter.

"The process that we usually go through is we have a discussion. We have a position that the whole caucus agrees to before we say what our position is," Salesa says.

"Once we have that caucus meeting, we will decide and then we'll let you know.".

The Restoring Citizenship Removed by Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 bill, which is due for its first reading in Parliament in the coming weeks, would reinstate New Zealand citizenship to those born in Western Samoa between 1924 to 1949, during New Zealand's administration of the country.

Watch the full interview below via 531pi's Facebook page below:

Beyond the citizenship bill, Salesa spoke on other issues and Labour's perspectives on them.

She also voiced concerns about the fast-track consenting law pushed through urgency, arguing it gives ministers too much power to approve projects without proper public consultation.

"The fast-track consenting law hands our lobbyists and ministers the key to our country but not with the transparency when it comes to our resources.

"A minister can be lobbied to make a decision and possibly disregard the interests of the public."

Salesa shared scepticism that the government's recently reinstated tax deductions for landlords would benefit renters, saying "there is no guarantee that we would see a reduction in rent".

Additionally, on the hotly-contested school lunches programme, which has been deemed "inefficient" by Associate Education Minister David Seymour, Salesa says over 40,000 people have signed a Labour petition to keep the programme going.

The government is currently reviewing the Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme but Seymour has already said he believes the budget should be halved.

Salesa says the free lunches programme is vital for all parties, including students, parents and schools.

"This government has decided that their priority is giving close to $3 billion in terms of tax deductions to landlords.

"We also see that their priorities are not ensuring that school lunches continue, ensuring that our kids eat while they go to school."