Aviva Submission on the Regulatory Standards Bill
14th of January, 2025
To the Ministry for Regulation,
Aviva is a leading charity founded over 50 years ago and committed to supporting survivors of family and sexual violence. Our vision is a New Zealand free from violence, and we work tirelessly to support and empower individuals to overcome it effects, and to strengthen communities to become safer.
As a publicly funded organisation, we have a duty to act in the best interests of all New Zealanders. Our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our concern for the well-being of future mokopuna compel us to strongly oppose this bill.
Our Position:
This Bill poses a grave threat to the well-being of our people and the planet.
- Undermines Te Tiriti: The Bill completely disregards Te Tiriti o Waitangi, limiting its ability to protect Tangata Whenua and the environment. Its individualistic focus clashes with the collective rights and interests of iwi and hapū, enshrined in Te Tiriti and its principles.
- Corporate Power Grab: This Bill empowers corporations to sue the government for losses, effectively giving them veto power over crucial decisions regarding public health and environmental protection. This is undemocratic and dangerous.
- Increased Burden on Taxpayers: To compensate corporations, taxpayers will likely face increased taxes without any corresponding benefit. Funds that should be allocated to essential public services like healthcare and education will be diverted to corporate coffers.
- Erosion of Social Progress: This Bill will deepen systemic inequalities and reverse the hard-won progress we have made towards a more equitable and just society.
As an organisation committed to equity, we cannot stand by while this Bill threatens our future. We urge you to reject this legislation and safeguard the well-being of all New Zealanders and our environment.
This Bill fundamentally undermines our democracy and threatens the well-being of all New Zealanders.
- Corporate Domination: If this Bill passes, corporations will wield undue influence over government policy, effectively undermining the democratic process and the will of the people. Why participate in elections if corporations ultimately control the laws?
- Increased Inequality: Deregulation disproportionately harms the most vulnerable members of our society. This Bill threatens to erode worker protections, further exacerbating poverty and inequality for ordinary Kiwis and those who choose to live here.
- Environmental Destruction: This Bill could embolden corporations to challenge crucial environmental regulations, jeopardising our efforts to combat climate change and protect our planet for future generations.
- Betrayal of Te Tiriti: This legislation disregards Te Tiriti o Waitangi, undermining the rights and interests of Māori.
We strongly urge the government to reject this Bill and any other legislation that threatens our democracy, undermines Te Tiriti, and jeopardises the well-being of our people and our planet.
Our submission is that the Regulatory Standards Bill be rejected.