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ACC levy reductions become law
ACC levy reductions worth more than half a billion dollars a year to workers and businesses have been signed into law by Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae.
As announced last year, ACC’s $3.5 billion surplus in 2010/11 and continuing improvements in rehabilitation rates have enabled the reduction in levies that will save households $340 million a year and businesses $247 million a year.New tower brings faster broadband to rural homes
More rural homes can say goodbye to dial-up internet following today’s launch of the first of 154 new broadband wireless towers, says Minister for Communications and Information Technology Amy Adams.
Ms Adams was on site at Eureka, near Hamilton, to see the tower launched as part of the Government’s Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI).
“The new tower in Eureka represents the first of many that will give rural New Zealand homes and businesses better access to fast broadband – a necessity in today’s world,” says Ms Adams.Accounts show need for spending discipline
Lower Government spending has offset lower than expected tax revenue, helping keep the Government's finances on track in the six months to 31 December 2011, Finance Minister Bill English says.
The Crown accounts show tax revenue was $400 million below forecast and revenue $743 million lower overall. However this was offset by lower core Crown expenses of $887 million, leaving the operating balance before gains and losses close to forecast.It’s not how much money, but how it’s used – OECD education survey
Education Minister, Hekia Parata, today welcomed a new report showing New Zealand students are continuing to perform well compared with their overseas counterparts.
The OECD programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) report assessed whether a country’s wealth had a bearing on attainment at school.
New Zealand was singled out as a top performer achieving better-than-average results despite its comparatively low gross domestic product.Environmental champions sought
Environment Minister Nick Smith today called for nominations for the 2012 Green Ribbon Awards which recognise the achievements of New Zealanders who are dedicated to protecting and improving our environment.
“The nominations should show how the work of an individual or organisation has contributed measurable environmental benefits, is innovative, goes the extra distance and has raised awareness of environmental issues,” Dr Smith said.
This year, the Awards include a new category, recognising the Green Economy.New air services arrangements with Japan
Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee says new air services arrangements with Japan build on the already strong relationship between the two countries.
“The arrangements New Zealand and Japan have negotiated will remove many of the current restrictions on services by the airlines of the two countries,” says Mr Brownlee.
“New Zealand has close ties with Japan, and it is an important trading partner. This should help strengthen these links, by making it easier for the airlines of the two countries to introduce new services.”Budget Policy Statement sets out clear plan
The Budget Policy Statement issued today confirms the Government’s clear economic plan for the next three years – including a return to budget surplus and starting to reduce net debt, Finance Minister Bill English says.
“The Government has a comprehensive policy agenda, which will guide Budget priorities over the parliamentary term,” he says.
The main priorities are:
• Responsibly managing the Government’s finances.
• Building a more productive and competitive economy.McCully to visit Cook Islands ahead of 2012 Forum
Foreign Minister Murray McCully will travel to the Cook Islands today to meet with the Prime Minister and Cabinet members, and to conduct discussions regarding the Pacific Forum Leaders' meeting to be held in Rarotonga in August of this year.
“New Zealand and the Cook Islands have a special and long standing relationship,” Mr McCully said.
“My visit is an opportunity to discuss issues of shared interest as well as the 2012 Pacific Islands Forum, which the Cook Islands will be hosting in August.High Court decision on Crafar farms
Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson and Associate Finance Minister Jonathan Coleman said today’s High Court judgment on the judicial review of Shanghai Pengxin’s bid to acquire the 16 Crafar farms provides a new judicial interpretation of complex legislation.
The High Court considered the case on two grounds. These were:
1. Under section 16 (1) (a) of the Overseas Investment Act and whether the bidder had the relevant business experience and acumen.Road User Charges legislation passes
Transport legislation to modernise and simplify the road user charges (RUC) system has passed in Parliament.
Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee said the Road User Charges Bill 2010 will reduce compliance costs for transport operators and ultimately reduce transport costs for businesses and exporters.
“This Bill represents the most significant reform of the RUC system since it was introduced in 1978,” Mr Brownlee said.New $70m plant shows commitment to investing in NZ
Construction of a new $70 million gas plant to supply New Zealand Steel is another strong sign of confidence in the New Zealand economy, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.
Mr Joyce today marked the start of work to construct the new BOC gas facility at a ground breaking ceremony at New Zealand Steel’s site at Glenbrook. The construction will create 120 jobs over two years.Minister addresses Pacific Leadership Group
Pacific Island Affairs Minister, Hekia Parata, told a group of Pasifika leaders at a breakfast in Wellington this morning not to be afraid to put their names forward for senior management roles.
The group of 27 is the second intake for the Pasifika Leadership Course, set up by the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs in conjunction with the Leadership Development Centre last year to help increase Pacific public servants in senior roles in the state sector.New Zealanders urged to have their say on MMP
Justice Minister Judith Collins is urging New Zealanders to take part in this year’s review of the MMP voting system, launched today by the Electoral Commission.
“New Zealand voted to keep MMP in last November’s referendum on the voting system, and now the Electoral Commission is undertaking a review of how MMP works,” said Ms Collins.
“I strongly encourage all New Zealanders to take part and have their say in this important process, and to suggest any improvements they’d like to see made to our MMP voting system.”Groser announces New Zealand’s new Russia FTA Lead Negotiator
Trade Minister Tim Groser is pleased to announce the appointment of Vangelis Vitalis as New Zealand’s new Lead Negotiator for the FTA with the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Vangelis Vitalis is currently New Zealand’s Ambassador to the European Union in Brussels – a role which he will continue to undertake in addition to his new responsibilities. He has an extensive trade background. Vitalis concluded the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA as well as the New Zealand-Malaysia FTA.Turf laying a great sign of progress
Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee today inspected construction progress at the new Christchurch Stadium, joined by members of the Crusaders rugby franchise who pitched in to help lay recycled turf harvested from AMI Stadium.
“It’s a very tight schedule to build an entire stadium in four months but the efforts and outstanding cooperation of the roughly 400 workers on site has this project on track for completion at the end of March, just 43 days away,” Mr Brownlee said.Taking action to raise quality in early childhood education
Education Minister Hekia Parata has announced the establishment of two working groups to improve quality early childhood education for young children.
“We are taking action to make sure all early childhood education services are of the highest possible quality,” says Ms Parata.
“The early years of children’s lives are crucial for learning and development, and every single one of our children deserves the best education they can get.Discussion paper reviewing 111 system released
Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams today released a discussion paper reviewing the 111 emergency calling system.
The review considers the performance of the 111 system through to the point where calls are handed over by Telecom to emergency service providers. It does not cover the response of emergency service providers to 111 calls.
About three million 111 calls are made each year, 25 per cent of which are genuine calls needing to be transferred to emergency service communication centres.Healthline clocks up 2.5 million calls
Health Minister Tony Ryall has joined the Healthline team celebrating the 2.5 millionth call to the free 24-hour health advice phone line.
Mr Ryall met the parents of a young girl who believe their daughter's life may have been saved by the advice she got from Healthline (story attached). He also met with the nurse who took call number 2.5 million, and was shown how the telephone triage system works.
About 80 percent of calls to Healthline require nurse assessment.Steady progress in job numbers
The fall in unemployment from 6.6 per cent to 6.3 per cent in the December 2011 quarter is further evidence the economy is heading in the right direction, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says.
The results from Statistics New Zealand show that 3000 more people were employed in the quarter.2012 proposed block offer released
Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley has welcomed the latest “block offer” process for awarding oil and gas exploration permits in selected areas, released today by the Ministry of Economic Development. The 2012 proposed block offer covers 25 areas.
“While we don’t necessarily expect exploration to be undertaken in all the blocks on offer this year, this is an important step in developing New Zealand’s significant resource wealth,” the Minister said.Bill supporting identity verification service passes first reading
Internal Affairs Minister Amy Adams has welcomed the first reading of a bill that will make it easier for people to verify their identities to government agencies.
The Electronic Identity Verification Bill will provide people using the Internet with the option of an easy and secure way to verify their identities to access a range of services from government agencies.Minimum wage increased to $13.50
The Government will increase the minimum wage from $13 to $13.50 an hour, Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson announced today.
The training and new entrants’ minimum wages will increase from $10.40 to $10.80 (or 80% of the adult minimum wage).
“Those working full time on the minimum wage will earn an extra $20 a week or more than $1000 a year,” Ms Wilkinson said.
“This increase strikes the right balance between protecting low paid workers and ensuring that jobs are not lost during these tough economic times.”Freephone number to empower consumers
Consumer Affairs Minister Chris Tremain says a new freephone number will help empower and protect consumers from being preyed on by unscrupulous loan companies.
The freephone number 0800 LOAN STRESS was launched today. It will give consumers better access to services to help them clearly understand their rights and resolve disputes with finance companies.
“Too many consumers are being treated unfairly by their loan providers,” says Mr Tremain.Royal Commission into Canterbury building failures new reporting dates announced
The Governor-General has amended the reporting dates for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Building Failure caused by Canterbury Earthquakes, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.
The Royal Commission’s report will now be delivered in parts, to allow the fullest examination of important issues while allowing the rebuild of Christchurch to proceed without unnecessary delay.
