Update on Submission on the Regulatory Standards Bill (2)

Jun 23, 2025

NOW FOR SOME GOOD NEWS…

Further to my blogpost yesterday (22 June), I shared my submission on David Seymour’s benighted Regulatory Standards Bill - aka, a sneaky Trojan wooden-horse ‘Corporate Bill of Rights’.

Near the end of my text, I wrote:

“I would implore Labour, the Greens, and Te Pāti Māori to repeal this odious Bill should it become law, in their first 100 days of becoming government.”

I repeated that sentiment in the Comments Section, in a response to reader Judith Paulin:

“…
It will be interesting how Labour deals with this Bill, if it becomes law. Will they repeal it? Or let it stand? Unless 'Chippie' (who is a really nice guy) takes a firm stand against it, he might find an exodus of electorate support to the Greens or TMP...
It'd be a dramatic turn of events if, should this become law, he calls a sudden press conference and announces his Party's first policy statement for next year's election: Labour will scrap this Bill/Act in their First 100 Days of Action!” (Posted 22 June, 8.17PM)

Not that someone in Labour probably read my blogpost-submission and comments because today (23 June), at 3.55pm, Labour’s justice spokesperson, Duncan Webb, issued this press statement:

“The Regulatory Standards Bill has no place in a fair and democratic New Zealand and Labour is committed to repealing it in our first 100 days if elected next year.
This Bill is another concession by Christopher Luxon to ACT that puts corporate interests ahead of the public good, making it harder to pass laws that protect people and the environment.
Under the Regulatory Standards Bill, laws that would keep people healthy and safe, like requiring landlords to heat homes, limiting the sale of vapes, or keeping our air and water clean would be at risk.
It allows David Seymour to create his own hand-picked ‘appeals body of regulatory economists’ to criticise laws that are out of line with his minority views.
Put another way, it takes power away from communities and hands it to corporate friends of the ACT Party.
Christopher Luxon was too weak to stand up against it, but Labour will repeal it.”

And as if to drive home the point, ‘Chippy’ came out on Instagram with this clear, unequivocal statement today (23 June), a few hours later:

“If you’ve submitted on the Regulatory Standards Bill, I’ve got a quick but important message that I want to share with you: Labour will repeal the Regulatory Standards Bill in our first 100 days.
This bill has no place in a fair and democratic New Zealand. A law that says that those who own property have more rights than those who don’t is anti-democratic. It cannot be allowed to stand.
Christopher Luxon was too weak to stand up against it, Labour will repeal it.” - Chris Hipkins, Leader, Labour Party, 23 June 2025

Which is good news.

Furthermore, it should give Winston Peters something to consider.

If public opinion is steadfastly against the Bill, and if NZ First is tarred with the same brush as Act, then what possible benefit is there for Peters and his Party when a Labour-Greens-Te Pāti Māori coalition will scrap it within 100 days? Peters will have burned his political capital by aligning himself with Act’s corporate interests - for nothing.

It must be galling for Seymour to know that even if his wretched Bill becomes law, it will be short-lived.

References

Substack: Comments Section - Frank Macskasy to Judith Paulin

Scoop media: Labour Will Repeal Regulatory Standards Bill

Instagram: chrishipkinsmp

Additional

NZCTU: Submission on the Regulatory Standards Bill

Other Blogs/Social Media

Bluesky: Danielle ‪@dimsie.bsky.social‬ - Submission on RSB

No Right Turn: A parliamentary purpose?

Previous related blogposts

Submission on Treaty Principles Bill