Labour backtracks on manifesto commitment

Stuff reports:

The new Government will not repeal the ‘Hobbit law’, but instead plans to make changes to the controversial legislation. …

Lees-Galloway said it was more important to get new legislation right than to do it in 100 days, and that was what industry and unions wanted.

“It would be pointless to stick to a manifesto commitment that didn’t actually get us the result that we were looking for.”

The Government would set up an advisory group to develop new legislation for the film and television sector.

Lees-Galloway said there needed to certainty to encourage continued investment in the industry.

“My message to the international film industry is that New Zealand will remain both a premium hub of film craft and innovation, and as easy to do business with in future as it is today.”

The new Labour Government had promised to set about changing the controversial ‘Hobbit law’ in its first 100 days in office.

A huge but welcome back down from Labour. It looks like they discovered just how many productions and jobs would be lost if they repealed the law.

Working with industry on an acceptable solution is a far better way to go, than their manifesto commitment of an urgent repeal of the law.