Prime Minister-elect Jacinda Ardern and Deputy Prime Minister-elect Winston Peters have released the details of the coalition agreement for the new Government.
They have agreed to major policies including a re-entry to the Pike River mine, the introduction of three new commissions, a boost to the minimum wage to $20 per hour by 2020 and free doctor's visits for under-14s.
NZ First's ministerial portfolios will include Foreign Affairs, Infrastructure, Regional Economic Development, Internal Affairs, Seniors, Defence, Veterans' Affairs, Children, Forestry, State Owned Enterprises, Racing, Associate Finance, Associate Education and an Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Regional Economic Development.
- Revealed: Labour and Greens confidence and supply agreement
- Winston Peters to be Deputy Prime Minister
Here are the priorities of the coalition:
A commitment to re-enter Pike River
A $1 billion per annum Regional Development Fund including:
- Investment in regional rail
- Planting 100 million trees per year in a Billion Trees Planting Programme
- Commission a feasibility study on moving the Ports of Auckland, including giving serious consideration to Northport
Other regional policies:
- Relocating Government functions to the regions
- Re-establish the New Zealand Forestry service, located in regional New Zealand
- Other large-scale capital projects
- An increase to MPI BiosecurityNZ’s resourcing and a Select Committee Inquiry into Biosecurity
- Honour existing Crown Irrigation investment commitments
- Recognise the potential for aquaculture in promoting regional economic growth
- Examination of agricultural debt mediation as well as receivership fees and charges
Immigration:
- Ensure work visas reflect genuine skill shortages and cut down on low quality international education courses
- Take serious action on migrant exploitation, particularly of international students
Environment:
- Introduce a Zero Carbon Act
- Introduce an independent Climate Commission based on the recommendations of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Envrionment
- "Significant boost" to Department of Conservation funding
- Introduce agriculture into the Emissions Trading Scheme if recommended by the Climate Commission, with a 95 percent free allocation to the agriculture sector and revenue recycled to agricultural innovation, mitigation, and forestry planning
- An emissions-free Government fleet (where possible) by 2025/26
- Introduce a royalty on bottled water exports
- Establish a tyre stewardship fund
- Increase support for National Science Challenges, including for piloting alternatives to 1080 and countering myrtle rust and kauri dieback
- No resource rentals for water in this term of Parliament
- Higher water quality standards for urban and rural using measurements which take into account seasonal differences
- Work with Māori and other quota holders to resolve outstanding issues in the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill in a way that is satisfactory to both Labour and New Zealand First
Health:
- Re-establish the Mental Health Commission
- Annual free health check including a free eye check for SuperGold Card holders
- Teen health checks for all Year 9 students
- Free doctor's visits for all under-14s
- Progressively increase age for free breast cancer screening to 74
Economy:
- Review and reform of the Reserve Bank Act
- Reform government procurement rules to give New Zealand companies greater access.
- Review the official measures of unemployment to ensure they accurately reflect the workforce of the 21st Century
- Increase Minimum Wage to $20 per hour by 2020, with the final increase to take effect in April 2021
- Increase penalties for corporate fraud and tax evasion
- Investigate growing KiwiBank to position it to become the Government's Banker when that contract is next renewed
- Strengthen the Overseas Investment Act, create a comprehensive register of foreign-owned land and housing
Research and Development:
- Work to increase Research & Development spending to 2 percent of GDP over ten years
Social Development:
- Increase funding for family violence networks including Women's Refuge and Shakti
- Introduce programmes such "Ready for Work" for the long-term unemployed
- Pilot the Youth Education, Training & Employment initiative
- 800 extra places for the Limited Service Volunteer programme
Superannuitants:
- Eligibility to remain at 65
- Introduce a new generation SuperGold smartcard containing entitlements and concessions
Education:
- Pilot counsellors in all primary schools
- Restore funding for gifted students
- A 30-year strategic plan for New Zealand education
- Offer free driver training to all secondary students
- Restore funding for Computers in Homes
- Restart the Te Kotahitanga teacher professional development initiative
Defence:
- Re-examine the Defence procurement programme within the context of the 2016 Defence Capability Plan budget
Housing:
- Establish a Housing Commission
Law and Order:
- Aim to introduce 1800 new police officers by 2020 and commit to a serious focus on organised crime and drugs
- Increase Community Law Centre funding
- Investigate a volunteer rural constabulary programme
- Establish a Criminal Cases Review Commission
Democracy:
- No new Parliamentary building to proceed this term
- Independent review of the integrity of electoral processes and enrolments
- Review the processes of Parliament to reflect an MMP environment
- Introduce and pass a ‘Waka Jumping’ Bill
Other:
- Build a museum to commemorate the Māori Battalion at Waitangi
- Hold a full-scale review into retail power pricing
- Allow a conscience vote for MPs on New Zealand First's Supplementary Order Paper to the End of Life Choice Bill, which provides for a referendum
- Hold a Public Inquiry "A decade after Shand" to investigate the drivers of local government costs and its revenue base
- Support New Zealand First's Racing policy
- Work towards a Free Trade Agreement with the Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan Customs Union and initiate Closer Commonwealth Economic Relations
- Record a Cabinet minute regarding the lack of process followed prior to the National-led government's sponsorship of UNSC2334
Ms Ardern and Mr Peters signed the agreement at Parliament on Tuesday afternoon.
The Prime Minister-elect will announce the full line-up of ministers and their portfolios on Wednesday, and the new Government will be sworn in on Thursday.
Newshub.
