Judith’s New Job, Waitangi Avoidance and Modern Slavery Legislation

Hosted by Phil Goff and Chris Finlayson with Sam Collins, Cross Party Lines returns with a grounded, institutional-focused episode that looks at how democracy works when it’s doing its job — and where it still needs strengthening.

This week’s conversation centres on law, legitimacy, national rituals and rare moments of bipartisan progress.

In this week’s episode:

Judith Collins and the Law Commission — A deep dive into Collins’ appointment as President of the Law Commission. Phil and Chris weigh her experience as a former Attorney-General and Justice Minister against concerns about partisanship, precedent, and the importance of protecting the Commission’s independence. Is this continuity, risk — or both?

Waitangi Day and political leadership — With the Prime Minister choosing not to attend the formal Waitangi Day ceremony, the panel explores precedent, protest, respect, and whether leaders lose political ground by avoiding discomfort.

Modern slavery legislation — A rare bipartisan moment as Labour and National combine to advance Camilla Belich and Greg Fleming’s modern slavery bill. Why mandatory supply-chain reporting matters, how New Zealand’s inaction has damaged its reputation, and why progress shouldn’t be held hostage to ideological purity.

Trade, migration, and scapegoating — How the modern slavery debate intersects with the India free trade agreement, immigration politics, and the dangers of reheating tired populist narratives that blame migrants for structural problems.

Cross Party Lines exists to lift political literacy and create space for calm, good-faith political conversation.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit crosspartylines.substack.com