Connecting with Carl

17 April 2025

Carl Bates

In the House with Carl

Last Wednesday my Members’ Bill, the Juries (Age of Excusal) Amendment Bill had its First Reading in Parliament. The Bill passed its First Reading by a margin of 102 votes to 21 and will now proceed to the Justice Committee for further consideration.

The Bill arose from a visit to the High Court in Auckland in October last year with Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. Court staff told me of their frustrations in assembling jury panels where up to 47% of excusals were solely age related. This Bill aims to make their jobs easier, while recognising that New Zealand demographics have changed significantly in the recent past.

You can see highlights from my speech in the First Reading debate here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BjGBuof4V/

With the Government’s focus on Justice legislation, I have spoken a number of times in the House on Law and Order. This included during the third reading of the Sentencing (Reform) Amendment Act, the Disputes Tribunals Amendment Bill and the Child Protection Amendment Bill.

Around and about the electorate

Artists Open Studios in Whanganui was a huge success, attracting large numbers of out-of-town and even overseas visitors. It was excellent to wish all those involved the best for the 10 days during the launch function and thank the volunteers and organising committee. Relay for Life was another great success during the last month, on a beautiful autumn afternoon and evening. Our team participated in the relay and the fundraising.

Over the last month I have continued with my visits to the electorate’s 72 schools, spoke at the 125th of the Friends of the Opera House anniversary, hosted Katie Nimon MP for Napier in Whanganui and spoken to the Residents and Ratepayers Association. I also went along to a couple of 100th birthday celebrations and helped put the signs on one of the Minis in the Pork Pie Charity Run.

Lastly, Taiko Edwards-Haruru has been appointed as Youth MP for the Whanganui Electorate for 2025. Taiko is in his final year at Whanganui High School and will be an enthusiastic, passionate representative for Whanganui, South Taranaki and Stratford. Thanks to Mayors Andrew Tribe, Phil Nixon and Neil Volzke for their participation in the selection process. You will be seeing a bit more of Taiko over the coming months.

UPDATE: Please note that consultation is now open on a reconsideration of the State Highway 3 speed limit between Turere Place and Tirimoana Place in Whanganui. The team and I have done a lot of work with constituents on this issue. Consultation closes on 14th May and you can have your say here: https://nzta.mysocialpinpoint.com/consultation-urban-connectors/nz-transport-agency-urban-connectors-consultation-manawatu-whanganui

Governing for you

The National-led Government made a major announcement last week about Defence spending. This new Defence Capability Plan contains $12 billion of funding over the next four years, which includes $9 billion of new spending. This will raise New Zealand’s defence spending from just over one per cent of GDP to more than two per cent in the next eight years and will make a huge difference to NZDF after decades of underinvestment by successive governments.

Meanwhile the Government has announced its plan for Q2. The Minister of Finance, Hon. Nicola Willis will deliver her second Budget on 22 May focused on boosting economic growth, improving social outcomes, controlling government spending, and investing in long-term infrastructure.

Lastly, superannuitants and veterans will have noticed a boost to their payments from April 1st with a 3% increase. New Zealand Superannuation is linked to the average after-tax wage, therefore last year’s tax cuts have now flowed through to superannuation payments as well. See the River City Press story below for more information.