Latest news with #Luxton
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Albo, Luxton reaffirm Gaza ceasefire call
The Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand have reiterated their support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, while denying their decisions on recognising Palestinian statehood had been influenced by the United States' tariff regime. The two leaders met in Queenstown, New Zealand, on Saturday for an annual trans-Tasman meeting, telling reporters they'd discussed economic and defence co-operation, movement between the neighbouring countries and global issues. Pressed on recognition of a Palestinian state, both men restated longstanding positions of a two-state solution, while emphasising a desire for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Anthony Albanese said recognition of Palestine was a question of 'when, not if' for Australia. 'Prime Minister Luxton and I also discussed the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Today we reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire, the end of suffering and starvation in Gaza and the release of all hostages,' he said. The Australian Prime Minister joked the last time he was in Queenstown was 'last century' with a backpack on. Instagram Credit: Supplied Speaking of what he believed Australians wanted to see in the conflict, Mr Albanese said: 'they want to see peace in the region'. 'They want to see a ceasefire, they want to see the killing stop, they want to see hostages released,' he said. 'The second thing they want is they don't want conflict brought to Australia either and so we, for a long period of time, there's been a bipartisan position of support for two states.' New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxton echoed his counterpart's remarks, saying his county 'clearly' continues to advocate for a two-state solution. He told reporters he believed military action was not the way to solve the dispute, saying it required diplomacy and dialogue. 'I think all New Zealanders, all Australians would be horrified by what they see on the news and it's certainly plumbed new levels and that's why you've seen both of our Foreign Ministers sign up to a statement today with other countries today as well … to make that very clear,' Mr Luxton said. 'We are both a long way away from this conflict, we have limited influence, we have limited trade in the region and we have a set of values that we stand up for and we do what we can through advocating those values.' New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addressed the Australian delegation. NewsWire/ Miles Holden Credit: News Corp Australia Both Mr Albanese and Mr Luxton said their decisions on Palestinian recognition were independent of the United States' tariff talk. 'No, we have an independent foreign policy, as does 194 other countries,' The New Zealand Prime Minister said. 'Australia has exactly the same position,' Mr Albanese said. 'As a sovereign nation, we make our decisions.' The two leaders' comments come just hours after the Foreign Ministers of New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement opposing Israel's decision to take control of Gaza City through renewed military action. 'It will aggravate the catastrophic humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of the hostages, and further risk the mass displacement of civilians,' the statement reads. Mr Albanese received a Powhiri, a ceremonial welcome, in Queenstown ahead of the talks. NewsWire/ Miles Holden Credit: News Corp Australia Speaking about what was discussed during the Australia-New Zealand Leaders' Meeting, Mr Albanese said the two leaders spoke about efforts to grow joint defence capability to 'contribute to peace and stability in our region' and opportunities to boost business collaboration and grow trans-Tasman trade and investment. 'Prime Minister Luxton and I agreed today to co-ordinate our reform programs, including his Going for Growth agenda, to make it easier for businesses to trade, invest and operate on either side of the Tasman,' he said. 'This compliments the work that Australia is doing, including the roundtable that we'll hold in a couple of weeks time.' Mr Albanese is expected to return from the short international trip on Sunday afternoon.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Scoop
Boaties Soon Off The Hook: ACT Ends Unfair Petrol Tax
ACT MP and keen boatie Cameron Luxton is celebrating a long-overdue win for fairness with the end of petrol excise taxes for boat users and other off-road fuel users. 'Fuel tax is supposed to fund roads. So why have boat owners been forced to pay it when their vehicles never touch a road,' says Luxton. 'It's always been unfair, which is why ACT has been fighting since 2021 to scrap this boatie tax. Now, it's finally happening. 'Following the 2023 election, ACT secured a coalition commitment to replace petrol excise with road user charges (RUCs) across the board with progress confirmed this week. 'This means you'll no longer be taxed at the pump when filling up your boat, lawnmower, quad bike, or chainsaw. 'For boaties, that's around 70 cents a litre in excise saved, plus another 10 cents in GST that gets put on top. That's $120 off a 150-litre tank. It's a massive win for fairness and common sense. 'The shift to RUCs won't happen overnight – it's part of a broader transition and will involve public consultation – but the Government's direction is clear, and ACT will make sure this promise is kept. 'The day I get to go fishing without paying road tax will be a good one – and it's thanks to Kiwis who've supported ACT.'
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Time Is Money, Speed Limit Reversal Reflects That
ACT Transport spokesperson Cameron Luxton is welcoming the reversal of speed limit reductions as part of the Government's July 1 changes. 'Whether you're a tradie, a parent, or a courier - time is money. From today, speed limits across the country will revert to previous levels, and on some roads built to handle it, limits will increase to 110 km/h,' says Mr Luxton 'Lowering speed limits caused immense frustration for motorists and reduced productivity. These changes respect people's time without compromising safety. "ACT campaigned vigorously against snail-pace speed limits. Our volunteers put up signs all over the country after listening to the frustrations of New Zealanders. Being made to drive at comical speeds was insulting. 'ACT made raising speed limits a condition of coalition. Now, Kiwi motorists can look forward to making up for lost time, while being treated like adults again.'
Scoop
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Climate Emergency Hypocrisy Makes Case For Ending Council Climate Activism
ACT Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton says today's revelations of councils spending over $1.3million on international flights since 2019 while declaring climate emergencies show exactly why ACT Local councillors are needed to stop local government climate activism. 'The hypocrisy of those councils declaring a climate emergency but then sending staff on junkets shows exactly why more common sense councillors are needed around the council table,' says Mr Luxton. 'ACT Local councillors will oppose attempts to reduce emissions at the local government level, and will move for much stricter policies for international travel. That means no international climate junkets, and all other travel must have clear benefits for ratepayers – in most instances this will mean no travel at all. 'The role of a council is to deliver core services and resilient infrastructure that can't be delivered privately – not to try to change the weather. ACT Local candidates' approach to climate change will mean: Stopping local emissions reduction plans Ending 'climate emergency' declarations Banning ratepayer-funded climate junkets Closing down emissions reduction slush funds Requiring consenting and land use decisions to disregard emissions Making spending decisions based on cost, not carbon Continued improvement of infrastructure like stormwater and stopbanks 'Emissions are already managed at central government level via the Emissions Trading Scheme - councils don't need to be involved,' says Mr Luxton. 'In Parliament, ACT is addressing local climate activism with Mark Cameron's member's bill to stop councils from considering emissions in their land use plans. ACT councillors would take this a step further, working to secure majorities around the council to take climate ideology out of councils entirely. 'ACT councillors will focus on delivering the basics well, with less waste and lower rates.'
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
ACT Councillors Will Oppose Local Government Climate Activism
ACT Local candidates, once elected, will oppose attempts to manage emissions at the local government level, ACT Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton has announced. 'ACT believes the proper role of a council is to deliver core services and resilient infrastructure – not to try to change the weather,' says Mr Luxton, who is at Fieldays today. 'Councils should focus on what they can control, not sign symbolic declarations, publish costly 'climate strategies', or employ teams of climate advisors at ratepayer expense. In practice, ACT Local's policy would mean: No local emissions reduction plans No 'climate emergency' declarations No ratepayer-funded climate junkets No emissions reduction slush funds Emissions disregarded in all consenting and land use decisions Spending based on value for money, not carbon Continued improvement of infrastructure like stormwater and stopbanks 'Emissions reduction is properly handled – and indeed, already is handled – at the central government level, such as through the Emissions Trading Scheme. 'Through the ETS, all New Zealanders, including council decision-makers, are already incentivised to reduce emissions in whatever way is most cost-effective for their circumstances. If a council wants to save on its energy costs by switching to LED street lights or electric buses, go for it. But additional grandstanding over climate action is just an expensive virtue signal. 'In Parliament, ACT is addressing local climate activism with Mark Cameron's member's bill to stop councils from considering emissions in their land use plans. ACT councillors would take this a step further, working to secure majorities around the council to take climate ideology out of councils entirely. 'Ratepayers expect potholes to be fixed, not platitudes about planetary salvation. ACT councillors will focus on delivering the basics well, with less waste and lower rates.' ACT has now completed candidate selection and in the coming days will begin to announce its candidates in territories across New Zealand. Examples: ACT spokespeople are available to offer commentary on any local council's climate plans. Cameron Luxton is at Fieldays, and ACT Climate Change spokesperson Simon Court will be in Auckland. Local climate plans typically have flow-on effects for consenting decisions, staffing, procurement policies, and council assets like vehicle fleets. Councils representing three-quarters of New Zealand's population have declared climate emergencies. Whangarei District Council has declared a climate emergency, with an Emission Reduction Plan which replicated national targets to produce net zero emissions by 2050. Auckland Council has a Climate Plan introduced in 2020 to halve emissions for the region by 2030 reach net zero emissions by 2050. Tauranga City Council has committed to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Hamilton City Council has an ' Our Climate Future ' strategy with goal to reduce the city's emissions by 82% by 2050, and a commitment to 'consider climate change in all we do'. Horowhenua District Council has a Climate Action Plan to 'limit future impacts of climate change by reducing future emissions'. Councils in Wellington, Wairarapa, and Horowhenua have signed up to a joint Regional Emissions Reduction Plan to 'help drive the system change that creates the environment for behaviour change'. Hutt City Council has set a goal of reducing emissions to net zero by no later than 2050. Wellington City Council has a ' First to Zero ' plan to become a net zero emission city by 2050, and has declared a State of Climate and Ecological Emergency. Christchurch City Council has a plan to half emissions by 2030, compared with 2016/2017. Dunedin City Council has a Zero Carbon Plan to become a carbon neutral city by 2030. All of these plans are redundant because emissions targets are set nationally by central government, and behaviour change is advanced via the Emissions Trading Scheme.
