NZ Election 2020 live updates: Green Party delegates accept deal with Labour

Green Party delegates have approved the "cooperation agreement" with the Labour Party.

It comes after details of the proposed deal were released by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at a Saturday press conference.

The Green Party, which scored 10 seats at the October 17 election, has been negotiating with Labour for the last two weeks about what role it might play over the coming term and if it will be part of the next government.

About 150 Green Party delegates took part in a conference call to vote on the proposed agreement. It needed the support of 75 percent to be approved.

Newshub's live updates have now ended.

8:30pm -

8:10pm - Green Party MP Ricardo Menéndez March has tweeted saying that Davidson will be an "excellent minister advocating for an end to homelessness and family + sexual violence".

"The work to ensure this Govt is accountable to its rhetoric of transformative change will continue!"

8:05pm - It's expected the agreement will be signed by the respective party leaders at the Beehive on Sunday morning.

7:50pm - The statement says the Green Party is "very pleased" with the ministerial positions for Shaw and Davidson.

"The Green Party is thrilled to enter into this governing arrangement with Labour, after three years of a constructive Confidence and Supply relationship," said Davidson.

"We entered into this negotiation hoping to achieve the best outcomes for New Zealand and our planet. This was after a strong campaign where we committed to action on the climate crisis, the biodiversity crisis, and the poverty crisis.

"New Zealanders voted us in to be a productive partner to Labour to ensure we go further and faster on the issues that matter. We will make sure that happens this term."

Shaw said the parties were happy to have "secured areas of cooperation in achieving the goals of the Zero Carbon Act, protecting our nature, and improving child wellbeing."

"We have a larger caucus this term who are ready to play a constructive role achieving bold action in these areas.

"In the areas of climate change, looking after our natural environment and addressing inequality, there’s no time to waste. Marama will do incredible work rapidly addressing the issues of homelessness and family violence.

"We are proud to have achieved a first in New Zealand political history, where a major party with a clear majority under MMP has agreed to Ministerial positions for another party, as well as big areas of cooperation."

7:45pm - The Green Party delegates have accepted the proposed agreement with the Labour Party.

"Labour won a clear mandate to form a majority Government on our own to accelerate our recovery from Covid-19. This agreement respects the mandate voters provided Labour while continuing our cooperative work with the Green Party in areas where they add expertise to build as strong a consensus as possible," Jacinda Ardern said in a statement following the Green Party vote.

"On election night I said Labour would govern for all of New Zealand and continue to build as much consensus as possible – this agreement achieves that objective.

"We showed in the last Government we can work well with the Green Party. On environmental and wellbeing issues there is much we agree on that is good for New Zealand and I want to draw on our shared goals and expertise to keep moving forward with that work."

She called James Shaw a "capable Minister for Climate Change".

"He led the work on the Zero Carbon Act and the establishment of the Climate Change Commission, as well as building important relationships with stakeholders and it’s my view continuity and predictability on climate policy is important.

"Marama Davidson will pick up the work led by Jan Logie in the last term of parliament to address New Zealand’s shameful record on family and sexual violence. Again this work is at a critical stage of implementation and continuity will be critical to its success. "

Ardern said the agreement reflects the two parties' "positive working relationship" and their areas of shared interest, while also "respecting the mandate voters gave Labour to form a Government."

"It will deliver stability and cooperation in key policy areas while allowing the Greens to take an independent position from the Government on all other matters".

7:20pm - The Prime Minister has offered the Greens two ministerial positions in a post-election deal despite her Labour Party winning a majority because she wants the Government to represent all New Zealanders.

More about the PM's press conference from Zane Small here.

7pm - During her 4:30pm press conference, the PM also defended her decision to not say she voted to legalise cannabis until the results came out.

Find Tova O'Brien's story here.

6:30pm - An outcome from the Greens' conference call is expected later on Saturday night. We will have that whenever it comes through.

5:15pm - It now becomes a bit of a waiting game. The conference call between Green Party members after the 2017 election went for a matter of hours.

We are expecting some announcement from the party following the call.

5:10pm - Here's a breakdown of the ministerial positions offered in the "cooperation agreement.

5:04pm - The PM has wrapped up her press conference.

4:59pm - This proposed agreement is referred to as a "cooperation agreement" rather than a confidence and supply agreement.

The 2020 proposed deal says:

"The Green Party agrees to support the Labour Government by not opposing votes on matters of confidence and supply for the full term of this Parliament.

"In addition, the Green Party will support the Labour Government on procedural motions in the House and at Select Committees on the terms set out in this agreement. This will provide New Zealanders with the certainty of a strong, stable Labour Government with support from the Green Party over the next three years."

The 2017 confidence and supply agreement said:

"The Green Party agrees to provide confidence and supply support to a Labour-led Government for the term of this Parliament. The Green Party will oppose any no confidence motions and will support Budgets developed in accordance with this agreement."

4:55pm - Ardern believes the Green co-leaders walked away from the conversations happy.

There were no real sticking points, she says.

4:54pm - "In accordance with the Cabinet Manual, Ministers from the Green Party must support and implement Cabinet decisions in their portfolio areas.

"However, Ministers from the Green Party will not be restricted from noting where that policy may deviate from the Green Party policy on an issue. If this is required, it may be noted in the Cabinet minute that on a key issue, the Green Party position differs from the Cabinet decision."

Ardern says this is almost an iteration of an 'agree to disagree' provision.

4:53pm - On voting yes on the cannabis referendum, Ardern says she weighed the issues up, such as not wanting to see people imprisoned for personal possession as well youth access.

She doesn't believe she could have helped the yes campaign by expressing her position.

4:52pm - She doesn't believe that Labour MPs or members will be annoyed that the Greens could be part of the Government. Green members still need to approve the deal.

4:51pm - One of Ardern's key considerations when choosing her Cabinet is Māori representation. The Māori community has given her party strong support, she says.

4:48pm - No coalition deal was considered, Ardern says.

Some ministers from the last term, like Eugenie Sage and Julie-Anne Genter, have not been offered positions under this deal.

Term limits and electoral finance are issues of interest, Ardern says.

4:47pm - Ardern says a strong mandate for Labour allows the COVID-19 response to be accelerated. She says MMP arrangements can cause complications, but this arrangement allows for the skills in the Green Party to be used.

The PM believes this deal is in the best interests of New Zealand.

4:45pm - "It is also the Government’s intention to work with political parties from across Parliament (including the opposition) on issues that affect our democracy, including the Electoral Commission’s 2012 recommended changes to MMP, electoral finance law, and the length of the Parliamentary term," the text says.

Ardern says these issues came up in the lead up to the election. She believes consensus can be found on these long-term issues and there appears to be an appetite across Parliament to address them.

The new Cabinet will be announced on Monday. Ministers will be sworn in on Friday.

4:44pm - She says the deal provides continuity, especially on climate policy. It allows Labour to be bolestered on key votes.

The deal is now in the hands of Green Party members. The outcome of their decision will be announced once it is made later today.

4:42pm - We will have a full breakdown of the proposed text soon. You can read the text below at the 4:30pm timemark for the moment.

4:40pm - Ardern says the agreement balances Labour receiving the majority of votes at the election and creating consensus with the Greens on policy areas.

She says the parties won't be held back from getting on with the COVID-19 recovery.

4:39pm - "The Green Party agrees to support the Labour Government by not opposing votes on matters of confidence and supply for the full term of this Parliament. In addition, the Green Party will support the Labour Government on procedural motions in the House and at Select Committees on the terms set out in this agreement," the deal says.

"This will provide New Zealanders with the certainty of a strong, stable Labour Government with support from the Green Party over the next three years."

4:38pm - Jacinda Ardern is here to speak about the deal.

On Friday, discussions on the final text of the proposed deal were completed. The deal is currently being discussed by Green Party members. The text is being released in interests of transparency, she says.

4:36pm - The parties will cooperate on three agreed areas where the Labour and Green Parties have common goals:

Achieving the purpose and goals of the Zero Carbon Act through decarbonising public transport, decarbonising the public sector, increasing the uptake of zero-emission vehicles, introducing clean car standards, and supporting the use of renewable energy for industrial heat.
Protecting our environment and biodiversity through working to achieve the outcomes of Te Mana o te Taiao - Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy 2020, protecting Kauri, building on pest management programmes, and taking action to minimise waste and problem plastics.
Improving child wellbeing and marginalised communities through action on homelessness, warmer homes, and child and youth mental health.

4:33am - Davidson and Shaw will hold ministerial roles outside of Cabinet if the deal is approved. Here's a part of the proposed deal:

Marama Davidson will be appointed to the position of Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence and Associate Minister of Housing (Homelessness).
The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence will be the lead Minister for the whole of government response on family and sexual violence with the mandate to coordinate Budget bids in this area. The Minister will also be a member of the ad hoc Ministerial group on the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy.
Hon James Shaw will be appointed to the position of Minister of Climate Change and Associate Minister for the Environment (Biodiversity).
Ministers from the Green Party will attend Cabinet Committees for items relevant to their portfolios and receive Cabinet Papers relevant to their portfolios, as provided for in the Cabinet Manual.
In addition, the Labour Party will support the nomination of a Green Party Member of Parliament to be the Chair of a Select Committee, as well as a Green Party Member of Parliament in the role of Deputy Chair of an additional Select Committee.

4:30pm - The text of the proposed deal:

Cooperation Agreement between the New Zealand Labour Party and the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand

Preamble

1. The Green Party commits to supporting the Labour Government to provide stable government for the term of the 53^rd Parliament. The parties commit to working in the best interests of New Zealand and New Zealanders, working to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and building and maintaining public confidence in the integrity of Parliament and our democracy.

2. This agreement builds on the constructive and enduring working relationship between the two parties. It does this by setting out the arrangements between the parliamentary Labour and Green Parties as they relate to the Ministerial portfolios and areas of policy cooperation set out in this agreement.

Nature of agreement

3. The Green Party agrees to support the Labour Government by not opposing votes on matters of confidence and supply for the full term of this Parliament. In addition, the Green Party will support the Labour Government on procedural motions in the House and at Select Committees on the terms set out in this agreement. This will provide New Zealanders with the certainty of a strong, stable Labour Government with support from the Green Party over the next three years.

4. The Green Party will determine its own position in relation to any policy or legislative matter not covered by the Ministerial portfolios and areas of cooperation set out in this agreement. Differences of position within such portfolios and areas of cooperation will be managed in accordance with this agreement.

5. The Labour Government in turn commits to working constructively with the Green Party to advance the policy goals set out in this agreement, alongside Labour’s policy programme.

Ministerial positions

6. The Labour Government’s priorities for this term centre on a COVID-19 recovery plan. This includes the implementation of Labour’s manifesto promises and five point economic plan, with a focus on investing in our people and preparing for the future.

7. The Green Party’s aspirations include enabling a Just Transition to a zero-carbon economy; supporting equity, compassion and inclusive communities; ensuring ecosystems, indigenous species and their habitats thrive; and cultivating a flourishing democracy founded on Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

8. This agreement supports the advancement of these priorities by allocating portfolios and establishing areas of cooperation that are consistent with the direction and goals of the Labour Government, as well as contributing to addressing the Green Party’s aspirations.

9. The Green Party will hold the following portfolios outside of Cabinet:

a. Marama Davidson will be appointed to the position of Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence and Associate Minister of Housing (Homelessness).

b. Hon James Shaw will be appointed to the position of Minister of Climate Change and Associate Minister for the Environment (Biodiversity).

10. The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence will be the lead Minister for the whole of government response on family and sexual violence with the mandate to coordinate Budget bids in this area. The Minister will also be a member of the ad hoc Ministerial group on the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy.

11. These Ministerial portfolios also reflect areas where Green Party expertise provides a valuable contribution to the Labour Government.

12. Ministers from the Green Party will attend Cabinet Committees for items relevant to their portfolios and receive Cabinet Papers relevant to their portfolios, as provided for in the Cabinet Manual.

13. In addition, the Labour Party will support the nomination of a Green Party Member of Parliament to be the Chair of a Select Committee, as well as a Green Party Member of Parliament in the role of Deputy Chair of an additional Select Committee.

Areas of cooperation

14. The parties will cooperate on agreed areas where the Labour and Green Parties have common goals:

a. Achieving the purpose and goals of the Zero Carbon Act through decarbonising public transport, decarbonising the public sector, increasing the uptake of zero-emission vehicles, introducing clean car standards, and supporting the use of renewable energy for industrial heat.

b. Protecting our environment and biodiversity through working to achieve the outcomes of Te Mana o te Taiao - Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy 2020, protecting Kauri, building on pest management programmes, and taking action to minimise waste and problem plastics.

c. Improving child wellbeing and marginalised communities through action on homelessness, warmer homes, and child and youth mental health.

15. These areas of cooperation reflect common goals between the Labour and Green Parties, and represent areas where the policy and experience of the Green Party provides a positive contribution to the Labour Government.

16. The Labour and Green Parties will work together in good faith and cooperate with each other in respect of executive and Parliamentary activities to advance these shared goals, including any public statements. The Prime Minister’s letters of expectations to Ministers will reflect the areas of policy cooperation and consultation processes required.

17. Beyond these stated areas of cooperation, it is also the Government’s intention to work with political parties from across Parliament (including the opposition) on issues that affect our democracy, including the Electoral Commission’s 2012 recommended changes to MMP, electoral finance law, and the length of the Parliamentary term.

Consultation

18. On the areas of cooperation set out in this agreement, or other matters as agreed, the parties commit to undertaking political consultation between the responsible Minister and the appropriate spokesperson. This process will also apply to Green Party Ministerial portfolio matters.

19. This process, which will be agreed between the parties and set out in a Cabinet Office Circular, will cover:

a. the initial policy development, including access to relevant papers and drafts of legislation,

b. the development of Cabinet Papers,

c. the public communication of the policy to acknowledge the role of the Green Party.

20. The Labour Government will also brief the Green Party on:

a. the broad outline of the legislative programme,

b. broad Budget parameters and process.

21. Outside of the areas specified in this agreement, there will be no requirement for consultation, but this could happen on a case by case basis.

22. Where there has been full participation in the development of a policy initiative and that participation has led to an agreed position, it is expected that both parties to this agreement will publicly support the process and outcome. This does not prevent the parties from noting where the agreed position deviates from their stated policy.

Relationship between the parties

23. The Labour and Green Parties will cooperate with each other with mutual respect on the areas set out in this agreement. Cooperation will include joint announcements relating to areas of policy cooperation.

24. The Leader of the Labour Party and the Green Party Co-leaders will meet every six weeks to monitor progress against the areas of cooperation set out in this agreement. The Chiefs of Staff will meet regularly.

25. The parties agree that any concerns will be raised in confidence as early as possible and in good faith, between the Prime Minister’s Office and the Office of the Co-leaders of the Green Party. Matters can be escalated to the Chiefs of Staff, and then Party leaders, as required.

26. The parties may establish a process in order to maintain different public positions on the areas of cooperation. The parties agree that matters of differentiation will be dealt with on a ‘no surprises’ basis.

27. This agreement will evolve as the term of Government progresses, including through opening up potential additional areas of cooperation. Any additional areas of cooperation will be agreed to between the Party leaders and given effect by a letter from the Prime Minister to the relevant Minister.

Cabinet Manual

28. Green Party Ministers agree to be bound by the Cabinet Manual in the exercise of Ministerial Responsibilities, and in particular, agree to be bound by the provisions in the Cabinet Manual on conduct, public duty, and personal interests of Ministers.

Collective responsibility

29. Ministers from the Green Party agree to be bound by collective responsibility in relation to their Ministerial portfolios. When speaking within portfolio responsibilities, they will speak for the Government representing the Government’s position in relation to those responsibilities.

30. In accordance with the Cabinet Manual, Ministers from the Green Party must support and implement Cabinet decisions in their portfolio areas. However, Ministers from the Green Party will not be restricted from noting where that policy may deviate from the Green Party policy on an issue. If this is required, it may be noted in the Cabinet minute that on a key issue, the Green Party position differs from the Cabinet decision.

31. When Ministers from the Green Party are speaking about matters outside of their portfolio responsibilities, they may speak as the Co-leader of the Green Party or as a Member of Parliament.

32. Agree to disagree provisions of the Cabinet Manual will be applied as necessary.

Confidentiality

33. Ministers from the Green Party will be bound by the principle of Cabinet confidentiality, as set out in the Cabinet Manual.

34. Where Cabinet papers or other briefings are provided to the Green Party, or where the Green Party is involved in consultation on legislation, policy or budgetary matters, all such material and discussions shall be confidential unless otherwise agreed.

35. In the event that Government or Cabinet papers are provided to the Green Party for the purposes of political consultation they shall be provided to a designated person with the office of the Green Party, who will take responsibility for ensuring they are treated with the appropriate degree of confidentiality.

36. Once confidential information is in the public domain, both parties are able to make comment on the information, subject to any constraints required by collective responsibility or this agreement.

Management of Parliamentary activities

37. Both parties commit to a ‘no surprises’ approach for House and Select Committee business. Protocols will be established for managing this.

38. The Leader of the House will keep the Green Party informed about the House programme in advance of each sitting session.

39. Consultation on legislation outside of the scope of this agreement will be conducted on a case by case basis. The Green Party will consider its position on each Bill in good faith and advise the relevant Minister and the Prime Minister’s Office.

40. The Labour and Green Parties agree to a ‘no surprises’ approach to new Members’ Bills. However, neither party is under any obligation to support the other party’s Members’ Bills.

41. The Green Party will support the Government on procedural motions in the House and in Select Committees, subject to consultation being undertaken. This excludes urgency, which will be negotiated on a case by case basis. The Labour Party Whip and Green Party Musterer will establish protocols to ensure these processes work effectively to meet the expectations of both parties.

42. The Green Party undertakes to keep full voting numbers present whenever the House is sitting where the Green Party has committed to support the Labour Government and on matters of confidence and supply. The Green Party also undertakes to keep full voting numbers in Select Committee, unless otherwise agreed.

4:10pm - The Prime Minister will release the text of the proposed deal between Labour and the Greens at about 4:30pm. That will be followed by a press conference, which Newshub will livestream above and here.

4pm - If everything is going to plan, Green Party delegates will now be starting their conference call.

3:50pm - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is back in the Beehive, taking a photo in front of a large whiteboard in her office.

"That’s where I’ve been working on our cabinet line up, which I’ll be announcing next week. It’s quite a big job," she says.

"It means matching people’s skills and talents with the different jobs we have. I also want to make sure we use the experience in the team but also the great talent in the wider caucus. Stay tuned to hear more about where my whiteboard workings land!"

We are expecting a press conference at 4:30pm.

3:10pm - Here's a look back at some of the stories from the last couple of weeks regarding the deal negotiations:

2:50pm - Kia Ora, welcome to Newshub's live updates. We are expecting Green Party delegates to join a conference call from 4pm to vote on the proposed agreement negotiated with the Labour Party.

We will have all of the latest updates and reaction to that later in the afternoon. Plus, tune into Newshub Live at 6 for a breakdown of the afternoon's events.

Greens co-leaders James Shaw and Marama Davidson have spent the last two weeks speaking with Labour about what role the minor party could play in the next Government. However, ultimately, it's up to about 150 Green delegates to decide whether to go ahead with the deal.

If 75 percent of the delegates give support, the deal is accepted. If they do not, then the Greens head to Opposition after three years providing confidence and supply to Labour.

NZ Election 2020 live updates: Green Party delegates accept deal with Labour

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