Articles tagged Andrew Little

A newly-drawn member’s bill would introduce heavy fines for jurors and strengthen protection for judges against defamatory comments. But could it infringe on the public’s right to free speech? Shane Cowlishaw reports.

A group of political and legal academics has urged the Government to scrap its controversial waka-jumping bill, calling it an “undesirable and harmful” law which could damage New Zealand’s democracy.

In this morning's email we caught up with the latest news from in and around Parliament.

Senior courts will soon be able to advise the Government that legislation is inconsistent with the Bill of Rights. The Government hopes it will add another check to Governmental power in New Zealand, but Thomas Coughlan reports this may just add bark to our ultimately toothless constitution. It doesn't hand ultimate power to the courts over Parliament, as some have hoped (or feared.)

The Government has shied away from reviewing law firm Russell McVeagh’s public contracts in the wake of serious allegations against some of their staff.

This morning's email focused on how Fonterra's efforts to break into China have led to it facing the possibility of writing off a $1 billion investment.

Andrew Little today fired the starting gun on reforming New Zealand's decades-old abortion laws, confirming that he had sent a draft referral to the two other governing parties for their comment. Thomas Coughlan reports on what to expect from the law change.

In this morning's email we look in detail at the new Tax Working Group and the parameters the Government has set for it.

After a year of huge ups and downs, Andrew Little is preparing for yet more change. He speaks to Shane Cowlishaw about his new ministerial roles and how he will make his mark.

Just over a month ago, in a reality that now seems like fantasy, the Labour Party was languishing in the polls with a different leader. Shane Cowlishaw talks to Andrew Little about what it’s been like to suddenly take a back seat.