ACT Party: Equal Rights, Democracy and Accountable Government

ACT proposes changes to local government, the public service and professional regulation aimed at improving accountability, political neutrality, and equal treatment. The following are the key ACT policies relevant to equal rights and democratic principles; this list is not exhaustive.

·      One law for all: One law for all means the same rights, the same duties, and the same protection under the law.” ACT Leader David Seymour.

·       Parliament is supreme: Parliament makes the laws, not the courts.

·       Rule of law: The legal system must treat everyone fairly and clearly.

·       Equal citizenship: Apply the same laws and political rights to all citizens, regardless of ancestry.

• Equal rights: Enshrine equal rights in the Constitution Act. ACT will add three principles to the Constitution Act, affirming the basic values that Parliament is sovereign, the rule of law is fundamental, and all New Zealanders are equal before the law.
• Local democracy: Amend the Local Government Act to prohibit voting rights for unelected appointees on local council committees. This applies equally to any unelected appointee of any background, whether iwi representatives, youth councillors, or business and community groups.
• Smaller, simpler, and more accountable government: ACT will untangle the bureaucracy with fewer departments, fewer ministers, and clear lines of accountability.
• Public-sector merit: Reinforce merit as a principle for public-service appointments and employment. “To unlock New Zealand’s potential, we need one law for all, and one future together. That starts with a public service that treats people as individuals, hires the best people for the job, and delivers services according to need,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.
• Legally enforce need before race in the delivery of public services. “There is already a Cabinet expectation that services should be delivered according to need rather than race. ACT will give that principle real teeth by writing it into the Public Service Act.” ACT Leader David Seymour
• ·        Freedom of expression: Protect lawful speech from restrictions imposed through professional regulatory bodies. ACT will require regulators to stay politically neutral, keep compulsory training tied to competence and safety, and give the courts stronger ability to stop regulatory overreach.
• ·        Property rights: Strengthen property rights for everyone by adding them to the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act.
• Winding up the Waitangi Tribunal: ACT will amend the Treaty of Waitangi Act, so the Tribunal will be restricted to historical claims lodged before the existing September 2008 cut-off and will be disestablished once all eligible historical claims have been completed.

References

Act Party Equal Rights & Democracy

ACT’s plan for a consolidated bureaucracy

Press Releases

David Seymour:

Finish the settlements, wind up the Waitangi Tribunal

One Law for All with One Future Together

ACT to campaign on reversing democratic backslide in local government

ACT will restore one public service for all New Zealanders

Todd Stephenson:

Free Speech for Regulated Professionals

Media Coverage

Finish the settlements, wind up the Waitangi Tribunal