Panthers reject Bill as ‘Corporate Trojan Horse’ threatening indigenous rights

The Pacific Panthers Network has criticised the Government’s Regulatory Standards Bill, labelling it a ‘corporate Trojan horse’ that elevates unelected boards above the voices of the community.

On the second day of hearings for the Bill, which passed its first reading in May, Pacific Panthers member Te Ao Pritchard says that, “This bill is not just flawed, it is dangerous.

“It threatens democratic accountability, environmental protection and indigenous rights,” Pritachard says.

“It undermines Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It erodes the hard-fought gains of Māori, Pacific and other marginalised communities and the process, an insult to democracy.”

The bill aims to help Parliament improve its examination of laws and monitor how its rule-making powers are being used.

It proposes introducing a set of rules against which existing regulations would be measured and establishing a Regulatory Standards Board to assess the consistency of legislation with these principles.

Thursday will be the final day for hearings for the Regulatory Standards Bill. Photo/PMN News/Ala Vailala

The Minister for Regulation, David Seymour, argues that the bill will improve the quality of regulation.

He claims that New Zealand’s low wages and productivity can be attributed to poor regulation.

“To raise productivity, we must allow people to spend more time on productive activities and less time on compliance,” Seymour says.

Minister for Regulation, David Seymour. Photo/PMN Digital/Joseph Safiti

“In a nutshell: If red tape is holding us back because politicians find regulating politically rewarding, then we need to make regulating less rewarding for politicians with more sunlight on their activities. That is how the Regulatory Standards Bill will help New Zealand get its mojo back.”

The bill has reportedly received 150,000 submissions and this week, members of the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee will hold all-day hearings, totalling around 30 hours of oral submissions.

Pritchard says she’s concerned that the limited time allocated for submissions excludes thousands of voices, adding that this is only a third of the time given to the Fast Track Approvals Bill. Despite these concerns, Pritchard urges New Zealand First to take a bold stance.

“We acknowledge that New Zealand First, and particularly Winston Peters, have positioned themselves as open to revision, stating that the Regulatory Standards Bill is a work in progress, and that their continued support depends on the findings of this committee. We urge you, be bold, be the circuit breaker.”

The bill is currently at the Select Committee stage, where members will compile a report and make recommendations based on the submissions before it returns to Parliament for its Second Reading.