Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

National politicians not around for young people's concerns

National politicians disappear when asked to discuss young people's election concerns

Young people are being stonewalled by National Party candidates throughout New Zealand who are refusing to meet with them to discuss their concerns.

The outcomes of meetings being held with election candidates around the country are being uploaded to a website called Elect Who, a platform for young New Zealanders to find out candidates' stances on renewable energy, investment in low carbon technologies, and targets for reducing carbon emissions.

“As young people, shifting to low carbon alternatives is critical to protect our future. We think that all candidates serious about getting elected should at least take the time to talk to us about these issues,” says spokesperson Louis Chambers.

However, he says, when young people have contacted MPs and candidates from the National Party, most have refused to meet with them – directing them to Environment Minister Nick Smith or Senior Government Whip Chris Tremain, or not replying at all.

Lucinda Staniland, who tried to contact National MP Paul Quinn, was told Paul would be unable to participate. “When I repeated the request, stressing the importance of these issues to young people in his electorate, I was again refused a meeting.”

Elect Who has been launched by Generation Zero, a collective of young people frustrated at a lack of action on climate change and committed to finding and enacting sustainable solutions.

The group represents 6000 young people across New Zealand, and has forged partnerships with other youth organisations like Medical Students for Global Awareness.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“The broad support base behind Generation Zero shows that climate change is not just an environmental issue. It's about our future as young people, something everyone should be concerned about,” says Chambers.

Elect Who organisers say it appears National MPs have had a directive from caucus to channel all requests for meetings to Nick Smith and Chris Tremain.

“Frankly, this is a kick in the teeth for us. We’re not looking for a blanket response from caucus, but rather to inform individual electorates about how their candidates stack up,” says Chambers.

Earlier this year, the Elect Who campaign held successful meetings with Attorney-General Chris Finlayson and National Party candidates in Dunedin. A host of meetings with candidates from Labour, the Greens and the Act Party have also been held in electorates throughout New Zealand.

At these meetings, candidates were filmed responding to key questions about climate change, renewable energies and fossil fuel extraction. They were also asked to complete a pledge card, promising to support initiatives like increased spending on low-carbon and public transport services.

Candidate’s responses can be found at http://electwho.org.nz. In the next week more videos will be uploaded to the website as young people continue their nationwide campaign of meeting with candidates in their area.

“There is still time for National to come to the table,” says Chambers. “Some National MPs have agreed to meet with us despite the apparent directive not to. We are hopeful that the rest of the Party will see the light and stop ignoring the genuine requests of youth in their electorates.”

For further information visit www.generationzero.org.nz.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.