Latest news with #Members'Bill
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Government Must Deliver On KiwiSaver Promise For Young Farmers
Press Release – Federated Farmers Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre says young farmers across the country are being held back by outdated rules that don't reflect the reality of farm ownership or rural employment. Federated Farmers is calling on the Government to deliver on National's pre-election promise to change KiwiSaver rules to help young farmers get their foot on the farming ladder. On the eve of the 2023 election National pledged that, if elected to Government, they would allow young farmers to use their KiwiSaver to buy their first home, farm, herd or flock. 'They made that campaign promise in Morrinsville, but 18 months later there has been no action,' says Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre. 'The announcement was incredibly popular, particularly among the next generation of farmers, but also with older farmers who are looking for succession pathways. 'There are a lot of people out there waiting for these changes to be made, so it's important they follow through and deliver on their promise.' While National MP Suze Redmayne has since submitted a Members' Bill that would address some of the issues young farmers face, McIntyre says that isn't enough. 'It's great that Suze has put forward a bill – but it's one of more than 70 others in the Members' Ballot. It's effectively a raffle and the bill may never be drawn. 'That aside, having a Members' Bill in the biscuit tin doesn't even come close to delivering on their campaign promise. It needs to be picked up as a Government Bill. 'To make that happen, we need the Minister of Agriculture, and all rural MPs, to really get in behind farmers and push hard on this issue. They should be championing the cause.' McIntyre says young farmers across the country are being held back by outdated rules that don't reflect the reality of farm ownership or rural employment. 'These rules are holding young farmers back years in their career progression as they scrimp and save every dollar to get on the ladder, particularly for sharemilkers and contract milkers. 'I understand that KiwiSaver is about saving for retirement, but for these young farmers, owning a farm, herd or flock is going to be what sets them up for their later years. 'These are ambitious young people who are trying to build a future in farming, who just need the Government to get out of their way and allow them to access their own savings to invest in their future. 'A change in policy would give them a tangible pathway towards ownership and investment in agriculture – something the next generation of farmers desperately needs to see.' McIntyre says changing the rules would help level the playing field for young farmers and encourage greater use of KiwiSaver. 'A lot of young people in towns get into KiwiSaver because they know they can use it as a great way to build a deposit for their first house. 'In their early years, that's effectively what they're doing – not saving for their retirement. 'On the other hand, so many young farmers don't use KiwiSaver because they know they're not allowed to access that for their first home, farm, herd, or flock. 'They won't be able to use those savings until their retirement, whereas there are really important things they need to invest in early in their careers, long before retirement age. 'It's an unfair playing field and young farmers are missing out on a key step towards growing their long-term wealth.' Federated Farmers are strongly calling on the National-led Government to deliver on this campaign promise and show their support for the next generation of farmers.
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Government Must Deliver On KiwiSaver Promise For Young Farmers
Press Release – Federated Farmers Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre says young farmers across the country are being held back by outdated rules that don't reflect the reality of farm ownership or rural employment. Federated Farmers is calling on the Government to deliver on National's pre-election promise to change KiwiSaver rules to help young farmers get their foot on the farming ladder. On the eve of the 2023 election National pledged that, if elected to Government, they would allow young farmers to use their KiwiSaver to buy their first home, farm, herd or flock. 'They made that campaign promise in Morrinsville, but 18 months later there has been no action,' says Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre. 'The announcement was incredibly popular, particularly among the next generation of farmers, but also with older farmers who are looking for succession pathways. 'There are a lot of people out there waiting for these changes to be made, so it's important they follow through and deliver on their promise.' While National MP Suze Redmayne has since submitted a Members' Bill that would address some of the issues young farmers face, McIntyre says that isn't enough. 'It's great that Suze has put forward a bill – but it's one of more than 70 others in the Members' Ballot. It's effectively a raffle and the bill may never be drawn. 'That aside, having a Members' Bill in the biscuit tin doesn't even come close to delivering on their campaign promise. It needs to be picked up as a Government Bill. 'To make that happen, we need the Minister of Agriculture, and all rural MPs, to really get in behind farmers and push hard on this issue. They should be championing the cause.' McIntyre says young farmers across the country are being held back by outdated rules that don't reflect the reality of farm ownership or rural employment. 'These rules are holding young farmers back years in their career progression as they scrimp and save every dollar to get on the ladder, particularly for sharemilkers and contract milkers. 'I understand that KiwiSaver is about saving for retirement, but for these young farmers, owning a farm, herd or flock is going to be what sets them up for their later years. 'These are ambitious young people who are trying to build a future in farming, who just need the Government to get out of their way and allow them to access their own savings to invest in their future. 'A change in policy would give them a tangible pathway towards ownership and investment in agriculture – something the next generation of farmers desperately needs to see.' McIntyre says changing the rules would help level the playing field for young farmers and encourage greater use of KiwiSaver. 'A lot of young people in towns get into KiwiSaver because they know they can use it as a great way to build a deposit for their first house. 'In their early years, that's effectively what they're doing – not saving for their retirement. 'On the other hand, so many young farmers don't use KiwiSaver because they know they're not allowed to access that for their first home, farm, herd, or flock. 'They won't be able to use those savings until their retirement, whereas there are really important things they need to invest in early in their careers, long before retirement age. 'It's an unfair playing field and young farmers are missing out on a key step towards growing their long-term wealth.' Federated Farmers are strongly calling on the National-led Government to deliver on this campaign promise and show their support for the next generation of farmers.
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Government Must Deliver On KiwiSaver Promise For Young Farmers
Federated Farmers is calling on the Government to deliver on National's pre-election promise to change KiwiSaver rules to help young farmers get their foot on the farming ladder. On the eve of the 2023 election National pledged that, if elected to Government, they would allow young farmers to use their KiwiSaver to buy their first home, farm, herd or flock. "They made that campaign promise in Morrinsville, but 18 months later there has been no action," says Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre. "The announcement was incredibly popular, particularly among the next generation of farmers, but also with older farmers who are looking for succession pathways. "There are a lot of people out there waiting for these changes to be made, so it's important they follow through and deliver on their promise." While National MP Suze Redmayne has since submitted a Members' Bill that would address some of the issues young farmers face, McIntyre says that isn't enough. "It's great that Suze has put forward a bill - but it's one of more than 70 others in the Members' Ballot. It's effectively a raffle and the bill may never be drawn. "That aside, having a Members' Bill in the biscuit tin doesn't even come close to delivering on their campaign promise. It needs to be picked up as a Government Bill. "To make that happen, we need the Minister of Agriculture, and all rural MPs, to really get in behind farmers and push hard on this issue. They should be championing the cause." McIntyre says young farmers across the country are being held back by outdated rules that don't reflect the reality of farm ownership or rural employment. "These rules are holding young farmers back years in their career progression as they scrimp and save every dollar to get on the ladder, particularly for sharemilkers and contract milkers. "I understand that KiwiSaver is about saving for retirement, but for these young farmers, owning a farm, herd or flock is going to be what sets them up for their later years. "These are ambitious young people who are trying to build a future in farming, who just need the Government to get out of their way and allow them to access their own savings to invest in their future. "A change in policy would give them a tangible pathway towards ownership and investment in agriculture - something the next generation of farmers desperately needs to see." McIntyre says changing the rules would help level the playing field for young farmers and encourage greater use of KiwiSaver. "A lot of young people in towns get into KiwiSaver because they know they can use it as a great way to build a deposit for their first house. "In their early years, that's effectively what they're doing - not saving for their retirement. "On the other hand, so many young farmers don't use KiwiSaver because they know they're not allowed to access that for their first home, farm, herd, or flock. "They won't be able to use those savings until their retirement, whereas there are really important things they need to invest in early in their careers, long before retirement age. "It's an unfair playing field and young farmers are missing out on a key step towards growing their long-term wealth." Federated Farmers are strongly calling on the National-led Government to deliver on this campaign promise and show their support for the next generation of farmers.
STV News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- STV News
MSP aims to create 'true deterrent' for domestic abuse with offenders register
An MSP has published a Bill which would create a register of convicted domestic abusers, similar to the sex offenders register. Conservative MSP Pam Gosal says the measure in her Members' Bill would act as a 'true deterrent'. The Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill would also ensure convicts receive mandatory assessments for rehabilitation courses. Gosal says she has received widespread backing for her Bill from other MSPs and charities dealing with domestic abuse. Her proposal for a domestic abusers' register would place reporting requirements on offenders. Public bodies would also have a legal duty to manage risks. She said domestic abuse is a 'scourge' across the country. Gosal said: 'My proposed Bill aims to turn the tide on this, and contains specific measures to make a difference. 'A domestic abuse offenders register would work in a similar way to the sex offenders register, bringing increased shame on perpetrators, acting as a true deterrent and giving further protection to potential victims.' She said extending the use of rehabilitation courses 'would clearly help reduce the risk of reoffending and protect victims, who are overwhelmingly women, in future'. Gosal added: 'In a similar vein, we would also introduce mandatory education in schools to aid the cultural shift, and ensure the next generation are fully informed about the horrific nature and far-reaching consequences of this crime.' Ms Gosal also said her Bill would ensure improved gathering of statistics on domestic abuse. A consultation on the proposed Bill garnered 247 responses: 33 from organisations and 214 from individuals; with 91% saying they support the Bill and 86% said they are 'fully supportive'. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
NZ Herald
08-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Hawke's Bay parents agree social media for under-16s is scary - but will a ban work?
Hawke's Bay parents say social media and the internet is a frightening place for under-16s, but are divided on whether Tukituki MP Catherine Wedd's Members' Bill to ban them from social media will shield them from the dangers. The National Party bill will remain a Members'
