Opposition Outpaces Government in Passing Laws in This Parliament

By [Your Name] | October 2024

For the first time in recent parliamentary history, opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) have surpassed National Party members in the number of bills passed into law. This week marked a significant milestone as two members' bills from opposition MPs secured their third and final readings, now awaiting the assent of the Governor-General. A third bill is expected to pass soon, potentially pushing the count to 7:4 by October.

This shift in legislative momentum reflects a growing influence of cross-party collaboration and the power of member's bills in shaping legislation. The current score stands at 6:4 in favor of opposition MPs, with the potential for a new record to be set as the session moves forward.

The Bills That Passed This Week

1. The Evidence (Giving Family Violence Evidence in Family Court Proceedings) Amendment Bill

This bill, which received unanimous support from all parties, extends protections for individuals giving evidence in family court proceedings about incidents of family violence. These protections, previously available in other courts, are now being applied to the family court, ensuring a more equitable and supportive environment for victims.

2. The Employment Relations (Employee Remuneration Disclosure) Amendment Bill

Proposed by Labour MP Camilla Belich, this bill legalizes the disclosure of employee salaries to others, regardless of what an individual's employment contract may stipulate. The bill was supported by the Greens, Te Pāti Māori, Labour, and the National Party, but opposed by ACT and New Zealand First. This marks Camilla Belich's third successful member's bill, a rare feat that has brought her very close to the current record of four, held by former Labour MP Louisa Wall.

Belich's success highlights the increasing ability of individual MPs to drive meaningful legislative change, even when their party is not in government. Her third bill, in particular, has sparked a broader national conversation about transparency in employment and the balance between individual rights and contractual obligations.

As the Parliament moves forward, the potential for more opposition-led legislation to pass into law could signal a new era in New Zealand's legislative process—one where cross-party cooperation and individual initiative play a central role in shaping policy.

Stay tuned for updates as the final bill moves closer to becoming law.