 |
|
ISSUED 12 APRIL 2001
CONTENTS
New Ministry of Social Development
The Department of Work and Income and the Ministry of Social Policy will form the basis of a new Ministry of Social Development, State Services Minister Trevor Mallard announced this week. Cabinet agreed that a new Ministry based on the Department of Work and Income and the Ministry of Social Policy should be the Government's primary adviser on strategic and cross-sectoral social policy, as well as continuing to deliver income support and other social services to the community. It will be a relatively small change. Mr Mallard said the government will not be readvertising everyone's jobs and spending millions on rebranding. Cabinet's decision was part of a wider Government objective to strengthen the centre of the public service.
Government monitoring of major IT projects
The Government has strengthened the monitoring regime for major departmental information technology (IT) projects as part of the response to the INCIS project. The Government wants to reduce the risk of major IT projects over-running budgets and deadlines, and where there is the potential for over running budgets, get early warning. The changes are in line with the recommendations of Dr Francis Small's review of the INCIS project. Under the new regime, departments that are managing major IT projects will have to:
- Establish an agreed programme with the State Services Commission and Treasury (the monitoring agencies) for reporting regularly on risk, including risks in financing, capability, technology, and in effects on the business of the department.
- Ensure that major projects are consistent with the department's information systems strategic plan and are supported by a business case and comprehensive project plan.
- Satisfy monitoring agencies that a suitable risk management process is in place, and that there are contingency plans to deal with emerging risks.
- Report on any significant change to the criteria, governance, and structures of a major project, or any change in functionality, and test change against business cases.
Land swap adds "significant" wetland area to New Zealand's conservation heritage
The government has announced that a land swap between two farming families and DOC has added a significant area of Lake Ellesmere wetland to New Zealand's conservation heritage. Conservation Minister Sandra Lee says the public-spirited actions of the families can only enhance what is already the most important wetland habitat of its type in New Zealand. Lake Ellesmere, or Te Waihora, is internationally recognised not just for its wetlands but also for its wildlife habitat. Inland sections of two wildlife management reserves were swapped for freehold land along the lake margin, located approximately 8km north-east of Leeston. As a result, four and half kilometres of wetland habitat are now protected across the front of four lakeside farms. The area is dominated by native sedges and rushes and also contains plants of the endangered native swamp nettle. Around 70% of the lake margin is now accessible to the public, with DOC managing about 30%. Lake Ellesmere is Canterbury's most important area for game bird shooting. Vehicle access for hunters during the shooting season had been negotiated as part of the agreements.
Crime falls
Crime statistics for the year ended 31 December 2000. show a drop in crime and an improvement in the proportion of crimes resolved by Police. There were almost 210 fewer recorded offences each week. The 2.5% drop in overall recorded offences corresponds to 10,844 less offences than in 1999. Almost 130 more crimes were resolved per week in 2000 compared to 1999 - an impressive 41.4% of recorded offences were resolved. In 1999 only 38.9% of offences were resolved. There was also a 5.3% drop in the number of dishonesty offences, including burglary.
Changes to Police Complaints Authority
Justice Minister Phil Goff has announced decisions designed to enhance the independence of the Police Complaints Authority. The announcement follows the release of the Review of the Police Complaints Authority by retired High Court judge Sir Rodney Gallen, which Mr Goff commissioned last year. The major decision arising out of the Review was to provide the Authority with an enhanced investigative capacity of its own, independent of the police. This will allow the most serious complaints against the police to be investigated directly by the staff of the Authority itself, rather than the Authority reviewing police investigations of their own members. This decision does not reflect dissatisfaction with the Authority's track record. During its 12 years in existence the PCA has done much to promote public confidence in police accountability. A study of complaints dealt with by the Authority shows that, overwhelmingly, investigations by the police have been thorough and fair and supervision by the Authority effective. However, when serious complaints are made against the police, there is a problem of perception that the police are seen to be investigating themselves, which raises doubt about impartiality of the findings. Mr Goff said there is a strong public view that police investigation of complaints against themselves is neither independent or appropriate, and it is critical that there is full public confidence that such investigations are independent. There will be a name change to the 'Independent Police Complaints Authority' to recognise this new capacity.
|
|
