Stanford: Labour has had plenty of chances to see U16 social media ban bill
New Zealand Education Minister Erica Stanford claims she has provided Labour MPs multiple opportunities to review a proposed bill banning social media for under-16s. Labour's technology spokesperson argues that restrictions on sharing the document with colleagues have hindered their ability to properly evaluate the legislation.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights the tension between government transparency and legislative confidentiality regarding controversial youth safety regulations.
The education minister says she has already given Labour plenty of opportunities to see a proposed bill that aims to ban social media for under-16s, despite a Labour MP claiming he is the only one allowed to see it.
Labour's science, technology and innovation spokesperson Reuben Davidson told media on Tuesday that he had a chance to see the bill while in the Erica Stanford's office, but was not allowed to take a copy of his own to share with the wider Labour caucus.
The legislation has been on hold since May and Stanford, the minister responsible, said she had "really good" engagements with Davidson and had given him a number of opportunities to read and ask questions about the bill.
She said there were "legal reasons" she could not give Davidson a copy of the bill.
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