Luxon Defends Prioritising Rates Cap Over Social Media Ban

Lauren
Crimp Political reporter

Prime
Minister Christopher Luxon has defended prioritising a rates
cap over a social media ban for under 16s – despite the cap
not coming into effect until 2029.

Labour yesterday
confirmed it would support the social media ban through to
select committee, and urged the government to hold the first
reading before the election.

But with just three
sitting weeks left and a busy legislative agenda, Leader of
the House Louise Upston said there was not enough
time.

However, there will be a first reading for the
rates
cap legislation before Parliament rises.

Luxon
defended that call.

“The rates cap is about actually
helping people with the cost of living,” he said.

It
was pointed out to Luxon that during his and Education
Minister Erica Stanford’s announcement
of the social media ban, they highlighted the
seriousness of the problem detailing stories of children
learning to self harm on the platforms – but were choosing
to push ahead with a rates cap instead.

“Well, we’ve
got a legislative agenda, we’ve got a range of issues we
have to deal with as a government,” he said.

“A rates
cap, cost of living, major concern for New Zealanders, it’s
really important we do it, we said we would do it, it’s a
programme we’re following through, and we will follow
through. Have a good day,” he said as he walked away from
reporters.

Stanford said the decision was up to Luxon
and Upston.

“There are lots of other things that I
think are really important that I can’t get through either,”
she said.

“I’ve got a reading of my immigration bill
that we’re not going to get done either, which I’m also
really passionate about, so there are a few things we’ve
just run out of time for.”

Upston said many ministers
had been asking for their legislation to be completed before
the election.

“We’ve got a wide range of priorities
and a legislative log jam that we’re focused on getting
through,” she said.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins said
he was disappointed the ban would not progress
yet.

“They made a very compelling case for it on
Monday, it sounded like it was passionate and heartfelt when
they were doing that presentation in the Grand Hall, and
then 24 hours later, they’re now saying it’s not a priority
for them.

“We’ve given them the numbers to get this
bill past its first reading before the election, I think
they should take that opportunity.”

Getting the bill
to select committee would give the public plenty of time to
have their say on it, Hipkins
said.

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