ACT And Greens Unite For Democracy
“The ACT Party has this evening moved a motion in Parliament asking for Labour and National’s rushed housing policy to go back to Select Committee,” says ACT Deputy Leader and Housing spokesperson Brooke van Velden.”
“Every party, other than the Greens
voted down the opportunity to improve this rushed and deeply
flawed legislation.
“ACT has expressed concerns
about this deal from the get-go. ACT wants to support good
policy to solve the housing crisis. We can’t support the
legislation as it currently stands.
“Submitter
after submitter at the shortened Select Committee expressed
concerns about the Bill – and yet very few changes were
made. It was sent back to Parliament so it could be rushed
through without scrutiny before
Christmas.
“Builders and councils say the real
shortage is infrastructure and councils can’t afford it.
It doesn't matter how many houses could be theoretically
built if there are no connections to pipes. Without more
infrastructure, there won't be more houses in total, they'll
just be in different places.
“ACT has proposed
local councils receive a payment equivalent to 50 per cent
of the GST for every new dwelling constructed in its
territory. This provides an incentive for councils to enable
building and a means of covering infrastructure
costs.
“By sending the Bill back to Select
Committee we had an opportunity for people to have a proper
say and allow Parliament to get the legislation into a
position where we can do it once and do it
properly.
“This policy divides New Zealanders
against each other. Homeowner will resent having a
three-storey home blocking their view and light and young
New Zealanders will resent that the housing crisis hasn’t
been solved.
“It’s a sad day for democracy
that Labour and National want to pass this through without
proper scrutiny or improvements. ACT believes in good public
policy and proper processes for law making. We commend the
Greens for taking a stand with us
today.”