Watch Live: NZ First done, now Labour sign Greens deal

Author: NZ Herald,
Publish Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2017, 11:42AM

Jacinda Ardern and James Shaw have signed the Labour-Greens confidence and supply agreement.

This arrangement is in addition to the coalition agreement just confirmed between Labour and New Zealand First.

Climate Change
Introduce a Zero Carbon Act and establish an independent Climate Commission (which will also look at transitioning to 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2035), analyse all new legislation for climate impact, establish a Climate Change board of public sector CEOs and a set of indicators for environmental, social and economic sustainability

Transport
Investigate a Green Transport Card to reduce the cost of public transport for low-income people and welfare recipients, prioritise National Land Transport Fund towards rail infrastructure as well as cycling and walking, cancel Auckland's East-West motorway link, work towards light rail from Auckland city to airport

Green economy
Government-backed Green Investment Fund of $100 million to stimulate up to $1 billion of new investment in low carbon industries by 2020, assist agricultural sector to reduce biological emissions and improve water quality.

Environment
Increasing conservation funding and predator control, commit to minimising waste to landfill by reducing all waste classes by 2020

Rivers and lakes
Stronger regulation to clean up waterways, fund freshwater enhancement, wind down Government support for irrigation, better enforcement of the Resource Management Act

Ocean Sanctuaries
Work with Maori to establish the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary as well as a Taranaki blue whale sanctuary

Welfare
Ensure access to entitlements, remove excessive sanctions, review Working for Families, provide safe sleeping environments for vulnerable families

Health
Free counselling for under-25s, increase funding for alcohol and drug addiction services, referendum on the personal use of cannabis by the 2020 election

Education
Ensure children with special needs and learning disabilities can fully participate in school

Pay equality
Eliminate the gender pay gap within the core public sector

Homes
A rent-to-own scheme will be part of Labour's Kiwibuild programme, increase in the number of homes insulated

Refugees
Adequately fund and support family re-unification for refugees

The Greens will hold the following ministerial positions: Climate Change, Associate Finance, Conservation, Women, Land Information New Zealand, Associate Environment, Statistics, Associate Transport, Associate Health and an Undersecretary to the Minister of Justice (Domestic and Sexual Violence).