Labour Pushes for Repeal of Controversial Regulatory Standards Act

The Labour Party has introduced a new member's bill aimed at repealing the controversial Regulatory Standards Act, inviting New Zealand First to support the effort. This move comes shortly after New Zealand First leader Winston Peters pledged to campaign for the repeal of the law in the upcoming election.

Labour MP Duncan Webb, who sponsored the bill, expressed his confidence that the law could be repealed within the current parliamentary term. He emphasized that Labour had already committed to scrapping the law within its first 100 days in power, but he was eager to act sooner if New Zealand First was willing to step up.

“I’ve already reached out to Winston Peters and asked for his support. If he’s serious about opposing this law, now is the time to take action,” Webb said. He also criticized Peters for his previous support of the law, pointing out the inconsistency in his stance.

Peters, however, quickly responded, accusing Labour of playing political games. In a post on X, he criticized Webb for sending out a press release even before New Zealand First had replied to the request for support. Peters reiterated his party’s commitment to a public referendum on the matter, arguing that New Zealanders should have the final say rather than having it decided in Parliament.

“Labour doesn’t understand the meaning of integrity. We’ve always said this issue should be decided by the people, not through political maneuvering,” Peters remarked. He also took a swipe at Webb for a spelling error in the press release, further adding fuel to the fire.

Webb’s press release attacked the National Party’s backing of the law, claiming that the party had prioritized corporate interests over public safety. He highlighted the overwhelming public opposition to the legislation, citing that fewer than 1 percent of submissions supported it. Webb also called out Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for pushing the bill despite widespread public disapproval.

“If we can gain New Zealand First's support, we can pass this bill and get rid of this harmful law for good,” Webb said, stressing that New Zealanders should not be at the mercy of political whims.

The Regulatory Standards Act has been a hot topic in recent months, with many critics arguing that it threatens key public protections. As the debate continues, all eyes are on New Zealand First to see whether they will back Labour’s bill or stick to their pledge for a referendum.