Standards for schools

3 July 2009

The Government is looking into the details of the National Standards for Reading, Writing and Mathematics, which will be introduced to schools in 2010. Maxim Institute has made a submission on the draft Standards, supporting their introduction and suggesting that some more work needs to be done on how the Standards are assessed, to make sure they really provide the quality information they are intended to.

Submission on Electoral Finance Reform

26 June 2009

Elections are a fundamental part of what makes our society work. The Government is in the process of looking into laws that regulate elections. Maxim Institute has made a submission to the first stage of the this process, arguing that the law needs to strike an appropriate balance in respecting both freedom and equality, while also allowing citizens to participate. This balance is difficult to find, but it is particularly crucial that freedom is respected as a first principle when it comes to the way that elections are run. The submission also looks at what should constitute advertising in the lead up to an election.

Submission on Income splitting for families with children

30 June 2008

Maxim Institute supports the introduction of income splitting, with two qualifications. Firstly, we believe there is a case for more fundamental reform of personal income tax, involving a lowering of rates and a flattening of the rate scale, and that the introduction of income splitting would not preclude reform in the future. Secondly, we believe that income splitting should be available to all families, and should not be limited to families with children.

Submission on Schools Plus

30 May 2008

Maxim Institute has made a submission to the Ministry of Education on Schools Plus, an initiative designed to keep young people in education or training until the age of 18. While we support many of the features of Schools Plus, we are strongly opposed to the compulsory nature of the policy.

Submission on the Policing Bill

28 March 2008

Maxim Institute believes that the Policing Bill is a timely and appropriate piece of legislation that deserves the support of all Members of Parliament and that the process culminating in the current Bill has been transparent, wide reaching and effective and has lead to a Bill that reflects the needs of the New Zealand Police and our communities in the twenty first century.