Families with new babies victims of today’s veto
Sue Moroney
List MP based in Hamilton
MEDIA
STATEMENT
29 June 2016
Families with new babies victims of today’s veto
Families with new babies are the victims of an historical “first” for the New Zealand Parliament today.
“For the first time ever, a Bill will have a third reading debate and no vote will be taken at the end because the National Government has used its veto – an extreme measure against families,” says the Bill’s sponsor, Labour MP Sue Moroney.
“Labour’s proposal to extend paid parental leave to 26 weeks is backed up by research and evidence, is supported by the majority of New Zealanders and the majority of MPs in Parliament.
“For four years National has been playing politics with children’s lives by lying about the cost of the Bill, using delaying tactics, trying to stop MPs’ votes from being correctly recorded and finally overturning a democratic vote.
“It is further evidence of a short-sighted Government that is increasingly arrogant and out of touch with most New Zealanders.
“This is a sad day for democracy, for families and for the future of our country,” Sue Moroney says.
ends