From NZ Herald · · 2m
Opportunity Party proposes Future Generations Commissioner
Opportunity Party to create independent Future Generations Commissioner to assess long-term policy impacts.
In brief
Opportunity Party to create independent Future Generations Commissioner to assess long-term policy impacts. Opportunity Party will establish a Future Generations Commissioner to evaluate government policies for long-term benefits and risks, with five-year term and protection from political interference. Originally…
Opportunity Party policy
Opportunity Party proposes creating an independent Future Generations Commissioner to assess government policy for long-term benefits and risks.
“The proposed commissioner would also co-ordinate the party’s policy to hold citizens’ assemblies which would debate long-term national goals for society, economy and environment”
Commissioner appointment
Commissioner appointed by cross-party committee for five years with protection from political interference.
“The commissioner would be appointed on the House’s recommendation and hold the role for five years”
Funding and oversight
Funding scrutinised by Parliament, not ministers; requires government entities to act for present needs while safeguarding future generations.
“Ministers, public service departments, specified Crown entities and councils will be required to act in ways that meet present needs while safeguarding future generations’ ability to meet theirs”
Policy coordination
Commissioner monitors adherence to longer-term plans including education, health, energy and infrastructure policies.
“In addition to assessing these entities against national long-term goals, the commissioner will monitor their adherence to their own specific longer-term plans and commitments”
Long-term policy disclosure
Government policy, Budget and investment proposals must disclose long-term costs and benefits for future generations.
“Enacted through a Future Generations Act, the policy would mean major government policy, Budget and investment proposals would be required to disclose long-term costs and benefits for future generations”
Political context
Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong says four out of five Kiwis support law requiring governments to consider future generations.
“Wong said research showed four out of five Kiwis wanted to see a law requiring governments to consider future generations within legislation”
Wales comparison
Wales implemented Future Generations Act in 2015 with citizens’ assemblies to debate long-term national goals.
“With Wales implementing a Future Generations Act in 2015, Wong pointed to the country’s use of in-person and digital mechanisms to advance citizens’ assemblies”
Infrastructure impact
Commissioner would address long-term costs of infrastructure, health system and environmental protection.
“Wong said we need to make the long-term consequences of decisions impossible to ignore, whether that’s the cost of neglected infrastructure, an overstretched health system or failing to protect our environment”
Cost estimate
Estimated annual cost of $5 million for commissioner role, less than wasted infrastructure spending.
“Wong estimated the cost at about $5 million a year by comparing the proposal to similar-sized commissioners here and in Wales”
Implementation
Commissioner would coordinate with Māori and Treaty of Waitangi principles for long-term national goals.
“The commissioner would also co-ordinate the party’s policy to hold citizens’ assemblies which would debate long-term national goals for society, economy and environment while in partnership with Māori and consistent with the Treaty of Waitangi”
Policy coordination
Commissioner would ensure better coordination between government agencies and policy implementation.
“Wong said the findings from Wales’ 10-year report have been taken into account, and the party’s proposal would give the commissioner more teeth by ensuring better coordination between government agencies”
Future Generations Act
Proposed law would require government to disclose long-term costs and benefits of policies for future generations.
“Enacted through a Future Generations Act, the policy would mean major government policy, Budget and investment proposals would be required to disclose long-term costs and benefits for future generations”
Political support
Cross-party support for commissioner with four out of five Kiwis supporting the policy.
“Wong said research showed four out of five Kiwis wanted to see a law requiring governments to consider future generations within legislation, with comparable levels of support across the political spectrum”
Infrastructure planning
Commissioner would oversee 30-year infrastructure planning process to prevent short-term decisions.
“In addition to assessing these entities against national long-term goals, the commissioner will monitor their adherence to their own specific longer-term plans and commitments, including the likes of Opportunity’s proposed 10-year plans for education and health, our 2050 goal for energy abundance and a 30 year infrastructure planning process”
Policy implementation
Commissioner would monitor long-term impacts of government decisions on environment, economy and society.
“Wong said we need to make the long-term consequences of decisions impossible to ignore, whether that’s the cost of neglected infrastructure, an overstretched health system or failing to protect our environment”
Here's the gist
Opportunity Party will establish a Future Generations Commissioner to evaluate government policies for long-term benefits and risks, with five-year term and protection from political interference.
