Q3 Action Plan saw passage of four law and order bills addressing gangs, firearms, rehabilitation
The New Zealand government has said that its Quarter Four (Q4) Action Plan seeks to restore law and order, to rebuild the country’s economy, to make it easier and faster to build infrastructure here, and to improve public services.
“The plan features a particularly strong focus on the delivery of modern, reliable infrastructure as part of a major effort to make it easier to get things built in this country,” said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in a news release of the New Zealand government.
“That includes clearing away the barriers to growth and development through comprehensive resource management reform – but also confirming a fresh approach to the funding and financing of infrastructure,” Luxon added in the news release.
The Q4 Action Plan’s 43 actions include passage of the Fast-track Approvals Bill, which aims to speed up the delivery of significant regional and national projects, and the first Resource Management Amendment Bill, which seeks to reduce the regulatory burden on farmers and the primary sector.
The final action plan for 2024 also covers the introduction of the second amendment bill for the Resource Management Act, which aims to cut any red and green tape holding back growth within the infrastructure, energy, housing, and farming sectors, as well as legislation to make it easier to build offshore wind farms.
“With inflation and interest rates falling, we’re now shifting focus to creating the foundations for growth,” Luxon said in the government’s news release on the Q4 Action Plan. “Our latest plan is critical to achieving that.”
Luxon added that the government intends to introduce legislation enabling heavier consequences for serious youth offences by the close of this year.
Previous action plan
The government’s Quarter Three (Q3) Action Plan saw the passage of four law and order bills addressing crime in New Zealand. First, the Gangs Legislation Amendment Bill limited the ability of gangs to associate and prohibited gang patches in public. Second, the Firearms Prohibition Orders Legislation Amendment Bill tackled the issue of guns.
Third, the Corrections Amendment Bill sought to support the effective rehabilitation of prisoners on remand. Lastly, the Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill was aimed at improving the courts’ efficiency and increasing access to justice.
Luxon emphasised in a news release that, in line with the government’s promise to restore law and order, the “Q3 plan has driven significant progress toward that with the passing of four new laws that crack down on criminal activity and support offenders to turn their lives around.”
“We have also introduced major sentencing reforms that will ensure criminals receive tougher sentences that reflect the harm they cause to their fellow Kiwis,” Luxon added in the government’s news release on the Q3 Action Plan.
In Q3, the government also passed the Local Water Done Well Bill, signed a new speed limit rule reversing blanket speed limit reductions, and introduced legislation seeking to remove barriers to overseas building products being used in New Zealand.
