July 6, 2025 • 10 mins
It's the second week of the winter recess at Parliament - known around the building as one of the quietest weeks in politics of the year.
But despite many politicians taking the week off or working back in their electorates, there's still work being done in the halls of power - including public submissions on the Regulatory Standards Bill today. What does the bill do, and why has it been so controversial?
Also, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says it's possible the government could introduce mandatory sentences for some crimes. What could this look like?
Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls joined Nick Mills for the Beehive Buzz.
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from news Talk, said B Direct from news Talk Saidb's
team at Parliaments the bee Hive buzz.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Hip joining us for the Beehive Buzzes news Talk, said
be Political editor Jason Wall's Good.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
Morning Jayson, Good morning Neck. How are you doing.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
I'm doing great. Thanks. Now, Paul Goldsmith's has made some
comments about the possibility of bringing in mandatory sentences. Now
I love this idea.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Yeah, well I thought you might. I think that it's
actually probably going to be one of those ones that
is relatively popular with quite a few people. Law and
order obviously has been a massive, massive point of contention
for this government. It's something that they've really been hammering hard,
especially in the last week. I mean it was Law
and Order Week last week, and what that was was
essentially a plethora of information around the Coward's punch around shoplifting.
(01:01):
And then we had Paul Goldsmith, who was with Mikey
Sherman on Q and A talking about this idea, saying
it was a possibility that the government could introduce more
minimum or mandatory sentences for crime. For example, So currently
when penalties are established for different offenses. Lawmakers normally set
out what's called a maximum sentence. So for example, the
(01:22):
government's newly announced Coward's punch, for example, has a maximum
sentence of either eight years or fifteen years in prison,
So a minimum sentences essentially, you know, almost exactly the opposite.
You say that you know they'll get forty percent, so
the government can is looking at the fact that if
(01:43):
you judges can't discount it for more than forty percent,
So it doesn't really it makes sense. You know, this
is a government that's focused on law and order. This
is a government that has spoken about mandatory minimum sentences before,
so it's no surprise to hear Goldsmith talking about it
over the weekend again.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
And realistically, I mean, judges will make their own decisions.
If we have a minimum then that's what they've got
the word to.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Well, that's certainly what the government's hoping, especially Paul Goldsmith,
is saying that this is a clear a clear not
shot across the bower per se, but a clear sense
of direction to the judiciary from the government.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Now, there are submissions this week on a controversial regitary
standards bill. Tell us what that means.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
The Regulatory Standards Bill. So you might have heard this
one being talked about. It has a really boring name,
the Regulatory Standard's Built, but it's really blown up. The
left wing parties in Parliament have really really taken hold
of this one and are pushing back and it's essentially
it's it's it's a proposed law and it's it's having
its it's having its submission period in that in Parliament
(02:51):
this week aimed at improving, according to David Seymour, improving
the quality of legislation by establishing the principles of quote
reasonable regulation and it seeks to ensure that new laws
are clearer, fairer and more efficient and that they are
thoroughly assessed before being enacted. And the bill also establishes
a Regulatory Standards Board to review the legislation as well.
(03:14):
So this has been pushed back on because there are
a number of sort of treaty of White Hongy checks
and balances that have been removed, and we've got a
lot of people submitting on it this morning and throughout
the entire week. Almost all of them are against the bill,
including former Prime Minister of New Zealand Jeffrey Palmer. Have
listened to what he had to say.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
This is the strangest Peace on New Zealand legislation I
have ever seen, and it is quite bizarre and it
will not work. There is no chance of working.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
So he's obviously not a fan. There's been a number
of academics and lawyers as well saying that it's just
inconsistent with the Treaty of White Tangy and just one
person said it should get in the bin, was one
of the submissions, So expect to hear those for the
rest of the day and the rest of the week. Actually,
some familiar faces in terms of the submitters. One that
really caught me by surprise was in about hour's time,
(04:06):
we're going to hearing from Darley and Tanner. Remember the
Green MP. So she's forty for whatever reason, but we'll
keep an ear out. And yeah, it's.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Interesting that Jeffrey Palmer was so against it though, because
I mean, he comes from a legal background, doesn't he.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
Yeah, I mean he is the constitutional guy, like he
knows the stuff and he's very very enshrined and entrenched
into the constitutional law making of New Zealand. And this
isn't the first time that we've seen him pop up
in a Select committee. In fact, we saw him at
the Treaty Principals Bill as well, and we've seen him
at a number of other Select committees. So it's not
the first definitely not going to be the last.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
But I mean for him to come out so hard
though normally he just he gives an opinion, like an
educated opinion and leaves it at that.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
Yeah, I mean, and he's done that before, and he's
he that's kind of what he's done here. I mean,
he's he's come out strongly with some colorful language because
he's he's a politician. You know, he was the former
Prime minister. He knows what he's doing to get some attention.
But there's also he has very well backed arguments. And
I'll tell you what, it's quite interesting because as I
said there, most of the submissions so far have been
(05:12):
against the bill. It's the job of the act Party
MPs on the committee, which is Mark Cameron, to basically
challenge everybody on their challenging of the bills. So it's
quite a robust exchange at times. It's fairly fascinating.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Now this week is the last week of winter recess,
which is known through political circles as the quietest week
in policies politics of the year. Tell us why they're
not doing anything the lazy buggers.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Well, I mean the Regulatory Standards Bill is going through
the Select Committee, so they are doing things. But yeah,
it's the winter recess period is usually seen as the
second choir. I would say the second quietest part of
the year because there's an early summer where absolutely nothing happens.
But that's not unique to Parliament. That's the whole country
basically shuts down until January fourteenth, really, but this is
(06:03):
a quiet time. The House isn't sitting. MP's usually use
this time to go away or have a bit of
a break. Their contracts are way different to normal employment contracts,
whereas they don't get angual leave, they don't get sick leave.
If you want to get away, you've got to negotiate
it with the whip. So the Prime Minister, you know,
he wasn't on doing his normal media appearances and is
not doing his post cabinet press conference today. In fact,
(06:25):
there's no cabinet meeting today, so they're all away doing
either constituent stuff or having a bit of a break.
So don't expect to hear much from the Prime Minister
this week or many of his ministers.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
I was thinking that as the Prime Minister away, is
he on holiday for the week?
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Yeah, I'm not sure where, but he's not here this week.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
He's taken the week off, having a little bit of
a midterm. He probably with Mike Costkings somewhere. I think
Mike Costking's having the week off as well, So maybe
they're all holidaying somewhere and then.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
It's just me and you. They've got to hold down
ZB for the rest of the time. I No, we've
got here heavy hitters.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
We've got Hither Duper c Allen doing breakfast, and we've
got Rhyme Brick's doing drive. We've got Andrew Dickens doing
early edition. We're fully we got the A team still working, buddy,
all the names.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
You could truy. Still I keep hearing in the ads.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
So what else is happening in politics? Got any other
scoops to tell me? Come on, don't leave me hanging.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Well. You know, it's a tough one, Nick, because there's
things happening in terms of you know, the Regulatory Standards Bill.
But that's about it. As much as I'd love to
regale you with the things that are going on. I mean,
I see that Nicola Willis has just announced a Family
Boost announcement. As much as I'd love to tell you
what that is, because it's only me in the office today,
I've been covering regulatory Standards bill, so I have no
(07:37):
clue what it is that she actually announced, but it's
one of those things you know. The Family Boost is
is is part of National one of their campaign policies.
Here it is the government is increasing the early childhood
the early childcare refund for families will receive under the
Family Boost, and is widening the eligibility income. Nicola Willis
(07:58):
announced the policy this morning, tweaking, making the tweaks at
an early childhood center in Johnsonville, actually saying the changes
would leave thousands of households better off. So keeping your
art to z B on that one. We'll have plenty
more information on that and hopefully more that happens this week.
I'm sorry, mate, I'd love to give you more.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
She's also had Nikola Willis has also had to crack
up the big Australian banks. She's coming after them. She
saw the effects are going after me, so now she's
going after the big banks in Australia.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
The first Nick Mills, then the big banks. I think
that's how it works.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
So we have got a bit happening again. We've got
Nikola working her way. She's still trying to get.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Into it and it makes sense, you know that she
is talking big on the big banks like this. I mean,
she's never been wont to shy away from these big industries,
think about the supermarket competition. Now she's now she's going
after the banks. The government have been targeting the banks
for quite some time and it's an easy political hit,
you know, the banks and their profits making billions and
billions of dollars at a cost of living crisis. So
(08:58):
I'm not surprised to see her having a bit of
a side swipe at the banks either.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
What would it be like working in the beehive when
there's no one there or very very few people there
our colleagues, comrades or they are having weeks off two
are they?
Speaker 3 (09:12):
No? No, No, The beehive in Parliament is still relatively fully staffed.
There's still a lot of people walking around. There's just
fewer people in suits and ties and more people in
sweatshirts and track pants.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
And ah what lost what?
Speaker 3 (09:26):
I lose them? I'm sorry, I'm yep.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Oh sorry, I thought I lost you. So what they're not?
They're not wearing suits and tie? What are they wearing
shorts and jandles? Oh?
Speaker 3 (09:38):
No, not in winter? If it was some ofer there
probably would. But I'll tell you what, Nick, I am
wearing a suit and the tie as always, with a
little tie pin and a pocket square. So I'm keeping
the standards up in this place.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Always a pleasure. I know that you're the most best
dressed man. You and Mike Costing two best stressed men
on a new stool. Ryde and I suppose.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
Dress better than Hosking. He has a T shirt to work.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
I bet at ride Bridge and that he's always read well,
very well addressed as well. Ethan's looking at himself and
pointing to himself. I don't think he cuts. That doesn't
cut their mussage. Always a pleasure. Thanks Jason from the
Beehive Buzz Jason Wall's News Talks at Best Political Editor.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news Talks. It'd be Wellington from nine am weekdays
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio,
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from news Talk, said B Direct from news Talk Saidb's
team at Parliaments the bee Hive buzz.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Hip joining us for the Beehive Buzzes news Talk, said
be Political editor Jason Wall's Good.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
Morning Jayson, Good morning Neck. How are you doing.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
I'm doing great. Thanks. Now, Paul Goldsmith's has made some
comments about the possibility of bringing in mandatory sentences. Now
I love this idea.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Yeah, well I thought you might. I think that it's
actually probably going to be one of those ones that
is relatively popular with quite a few people. Law and
order obviously has been a massive, massive point of contention
for this government. It's something that they've really been hammering hard,
especially in the last week. I mean it was Law
and Order Week last week, and what that was was
essentially a plethora of information around the Coward's punch around shoplifting.
(01:01):
And then we had Paul Goldsmith, who was with Mikey
Sherman on Q and A talking about this idea, saying
it was a possibility that the government could introduce more
minimum or mandatory sentences for crime. For example, So currently
when penalties are established for different offenses. Lawmakers normally set
out what's called a maximum sentence. So for example, the
(01:22):
government's newly announced Coward's punch, for example, has a maximum
sentence of either eight years or fifteen years in prison,
So a minimum sentences essentially, you know, almost exactly the opposite.
You say that you know they'll get forty percent, so
the government can is looking at the fact that if
(01:43):
you judges can't discount it for more than forty percent,
So it doesn't really it makes sense. You know, this
is a government that's focused on law and order. This
is a government that has spoken about mandatory minimum sentences before,
so it's no surprise to hear Goldsmith talking about it
over the weekend again.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
And realistically, I mean, judges will make their own decisions.
If we have a minimum then that's what they've got
the word to.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Well, that's certainly what the government's hoping, especially Paul Goldsmith,
is saying that this is a clear a clear not
shot across the bower per se, but a clear sense
of direction to the judiciary from the government.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Now, there are submissions this week on a controversial regitary
standards bill. Tell us what that means.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
The Regulatory Standards Bill. So you might have heard this
one being talked about. It has a really boring name,
the Regulatory Standard's Built, but it's really blown up. The
left wing parties in Parliament have really really taken hold
of this one and are pushing back and it's essentially
it's it's it's a proposed law and it's it's having
its it's having its submission period in that in Parliament
(02:51):
this week aimed at improving, according to David Seymour, improving
the quality of legislation by establishing the principles of quote
reasonable regulation and it seeks to ensure that new laws
are clearer, fairer and more efficient and that they are
thoroughly assessed before being enacted. And the bill also establishes
a Regulatory Standards Board to review the legislation as well.
(03:14):
So this has been pushed back on because there are
a number of sort of treaty of White Hongy checks
and balances that have been removed, and we've got a
lot of people submitting on it this morning and throughout
the entire week. Almost all of them are against the bill,
including former Prime Minister of New Zealand Jeffrey Palmer. Have
listened to what he had to say.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
This is the strangest Peace on New Zealand legislation I
have ever seen, and it is quite bizarre and it
will not work. There is no chance of working.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
So he's obviously not a fan. There's been a number
of academics and lawyers as well saying that it's just
inconsistent with the Treaty of White Tangy and just one
person said it should get in the bin, was one
of the submissions, So expect to hear those for the
rest of the day and the rest of the week. Actually,
some familiar faces in terms of the submitters. One that
really caught me by surprise was in about hour's time,
(04:06):
we're going to hearing from Darley and Tanner. Remember the
Green MP. So she's forty for whatever reason, but we'll
keep an ear out. And yeah, it's.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Interesting that Jeffrey Palmer was so against it though, because
I mean, he comes from a legal background, doesn't he.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
Yeah, I mean he is the constitutional guy, like he
knows the stuff and he's very very enshrined and entrenched
into the constitutional law making of New Zealand. And this
isn't the first time that we've seen him pop up
in a Select committee. In fact, we saw him at
the Treaty Principals Bill as well, and we've seen him
at a number of other Select committees. So it's not
the first definitely not going to be the last.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
But I mean for him to come out so hard
though normally he just he gives an opinion, like an
educated opinion and leaves it at that.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
Yeah, I mean, and he's done that before, and he's
he that's kind of what he's done here. I mean,
he's he's come out strongly with some colorful language because
he's he's a politician. You know, he was the former
Prime minister. He knows what he's doing to get some attention.
But there's also he has very well backed arguments. And
I'll tell you what, it's quite interesting because as I
said there, most of the submissions so far have been
(05:12):
against the bill. It's the job of the act Party
MPs on the committee, which is Mark Cameron, to basically
challenge everybody on their challenging of the bills. So it's
quite a robust exchange at times. It's fairly fascinating.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Now this week is the last week of winter recess,
which is known through political circles as the quietest week
in policies politics of the year. Tell us why they're
not doing anything the lazy buggers.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
Well, I mean the Regulatory Standards Bill is going through
the Select Committee, so they are doing things. But yeah,
it's the winter recess period is usually seen as the
second choir. I would say the second quietest part of
the year because there's an early summer where absolutely nothing happens.
But that's not unique to Parliament. That's the whole country
basically shuts down until January fourteenth, really, but this is
(06:03):
a quiet time. The House isn't sitting. MP's usually use
this time to go away or have a bit of
a break. Their contracts are way different to normal employment contracts,
whereas they don't get angual leave, they don't get sick leave.
If you want to get away, you've got to negotiate
it with the whip. So the Prime Minister, you know,
he wasn't on doing his normal media appearances and is
not doing his post cabinet press conference today. In fact,
(06:25):
there's no cabinet meeting today, so they're all away doing
either constituent stuff or having a bit of a break.
So don't expect to hear much from the Prime Minister
this week or many of his ministers.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
I was thinking that as the Prime Minister away, is
he on holiday for the week?
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Yeah, I'm not sure where, but he's not here this week.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
He's taken the week off, having a little bit of
a midterm. He probably with Mike Costkings somewhere. I think
Mike Costking's having the week off as well, So maybe
they're all holidaying somewhere and then.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
It's just me and you. They've got to hold down
ZB for the rest of the time. I No, we've
got here heavy hitters.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
We've got Hither Duper c Allen doing breakfast, and we've
got Rhyme Brick's doing drive. We've got Andrew Dickens doing
early edition. We're fully we got the A team still working, buddy,
all the names.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
You could truy. Still I keep hearing in the ads.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
So what else is happening in politics? Got any other
scoops to tell me? Come on, don't leave me hanging.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Well. You know, it's a tough one, Nick, because there's
things happening in terms of you know, the Regulatory Standards Bill.
But that's about it. As much as I'd love to
regale you with the things that are going on. I mean,
I see that Nicola Willis has just announced a Family
Boost announcement. As much as I'd love to tell you
what that is, because it's only me in the office today,
I've been covering regulatory Standards bill, so I have no
(07:37):
clue what it is that she actually announced, but it's
one of those things you know. The Family Boost is
is is part of National one of their campaign policies.
Here it is the government is increasing the early childhood
the early childcare refund for families will receive under the
Family Boost, and is widening the eligibility income. Nicola Willis
(07:58):
announced the policy this morning, tweaking, making the tweaks at
an early childhood center in Johnsonville, actually saying the changes
would leave thousands of households better off. So keeping your
art to z B on that one. We'll have plenty
more information on that and hopefully more that happens this week.
I'm sorry, mate, I'd love to give you more.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
She's also had Nikola Willis has also had to crack
up the big Australian banks. She's coming after them. She
saw the effects are going after me, so now she's
going after the big banks in Australia.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
The first Nick Mills, then the big banks. I think
that's how it works.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
So we have got a bit happening again. We've got
Nikola working her way. She's still trying to get.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
Into it and it makes sense, you know that she
is talking big on the big banks like this. I mean,
she's never been wont to shy away from these big industries,
think about the supermarket competition. Now she's now she's going
after the banks. The government have been targeting the banks
for quite some time and it's an easy political hit,
you know, the banks and their profits making billions and
billions of dollars at a cost of living crisis. So
(08:58):
I'm not surprised to see her having a bit of
a side swipe at the banks either.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
What would it be like working in the beehive when
there's no one there or very very few people there
our colleagues, comrades or they are having weeks off two
are they?
Speaker 3 (09:12):
No? No, No, The beehive in Parliament is still relatively fully staffed.
There's still a lot of people walking around. There's just
fewer people in suits and ties and more people in
sweatshirts and track pants.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
And ah what lost what?
Speaker 3 (09:26):
I lose them? I'm sorry, I'm yep.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Oh sorry, I thought I lost you. So what they're not?
They're not wearing suits and tie? What are they wearing
shorts and jandles? Oh?
Speaker 3 (09:38):
No, not in winter? If it was some ofer there
probably would. But I'll tell you what, Nick, I am
wearing a suit and the tie as always, with a
little tie pin and a pocket square. So I'm keeping
the standards up in this place.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Always a pleasure. I know that you're the most best
dressed man. You and Mike Costing two best stressed men
on a new stool. Ryde and I suppose.
Speaker 3 (09:55):
Dress better than Hosking. He has a T shirt to work.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
I bet at ride Bridge and that he's always read well,
very well addressed as well. Ethan's looking at himself and
pointing to himself. I don't think he cuts. That doesn't
cut their mussage. Always a pleasure. Thanks Jason from the
Beehive Buzz Jason Wall's News Talks at Best Political Editor.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news Talks. It'd be Wellington from nine am weekdays
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio,
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