Government unveils veterans' package
The Cabinet decided this week to recognise war veterans in a $9 million package that includes a one-off $30,000 payment to those held captive by the Japanese in World War II. The package also included measures to improve case management for all veterans, and health benefits for those who witnessed nuclear testing in the Pacific and for Vietnam veterans and their families. Helen Clark said that for some years there had been slow progress on addressing the needs and concerns of veterans. The government was doing something about that, recognising their special needs and restoring a sense of fairness. Helen Clark said the government was continuing to consult veterans over further recognition for those who had not received New Zealand service medals.
E-government strategy launched
The government has announced a plan to make New Zealand a world leader in delivering government information, services and processes on-line. Prime Minister Helen Clark and State Services Minister Trevor Mallard presented the strategy, government.nz@your.service, on Thursday. It aims to make the internet the dominant means of accessing government information, services and processes by 2004. Helen Clark said the strategy would guide government to change the way that it works, improve the quality of what it does and provide better opportunities for people to have their say. The strategy, which gives milestones to be reviewed and updated every six months, complements other government initiatives such as its e-commerce strategy and digital opportunity initiatives. The e-government strategy is available at: www.e-government.govt.nz
Sutton to North America
Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton is visiting Canada and the United States for talks with fellow Trade and Agriculture Ministers, key trade policy makers and business leaders. He left on Anzac Day and returns on 3 May. Before leaving Jim Sutton said he was looking forward to having the opportunity to talk to his Canadian and American counterparts about the importance of seeing a new WTO trade Round launched, and about their shared interest in trade liberalisation efforts. While in Washington Mr Sutton will sign the Multilateral Air Services Agreement along with the US Secretary of Transport, and the Transport Ministers of Brunei, Chile and Singapore. New Zealand had taken a leading role in negotiating the agreement, an initiative that arose out of APEC, aiming to improve international air links.
Youth development strategy issued
Youth Affairs Minister Laila Harre this week released a proposed youth development strategy. The ideas include reviewing some legal age limits and giving youth a louder voice. The discussion document, Supporting the Positive Development of Young People in New Zealand, establishes six goals towards ensuring all young people are supported and encouraged to seek a fulfilling life. The goals include achieving a greater commitment by government sectors to youth development, increasing the participation of young people in decision-making and equipping adults to better understand and support young people.
Laila Harre said she wanted the strategy to become a collective vision on how the Government and everyone in New Zealand could better support people aged 12 to 25. People are invited to comment on the strategy either via written
submissions, which close on 15 June or by attending meetings that will be held around the country during the next two months.
Community service card review
The Cabinet decided this week to increase funding for Community Services Card provision to ensure that no superannuitant or beneficiary loses their entitlement to it as a result of the social security increases which took effect on 1 April. The card gives access to subsidies for doctors' visits and medicines. Health Minister Annette King also said that the Cabinet had decided to review the future of the Community Services Card. She called it a blunt instrument in terms of securing access to affordable health care for low income New Zealanders. Annette King said the card has been used as the main mechanism to attract government subsidies for GP care, but the government believes there must be a move from a fee for service model to population-focused capitation funding. That would restore a sense of fairness and balance to health funding for low-income New Zealanders.
New support for business 'incubators'
Minister for Small Business Pete Hodgson announced on Friday that the government is establishing a support agency and cash awards to help New Zealand's business incubators. A number of incubators, typically providing work space and support services, have been established recently to help entrepreneurs and new businesses through their start-up and early stages of development. Examples include Unitec's Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Victoria University's Innovation Greenhouse. Pete Hodgson said stimulating economic growth and supporting innovation are key goals for the government. A small Incubator Development Unit will be established within Industry New Zealand as a resource for incubator managers and other interested parties. It will set up a national Incubator Network to share information about best practice and processes.
Tourism's big contribution to economy
Tourism Minister Mark Burton says a report issued this week underlines tourism's "immense" contribution to the New Zealand economy. The report covered the main findings of the Tourism Satellite Account 1997, released on Thursday by Statistics New Zealand. 1997 is the most recent year for which complete data is available to construct a Satellite Account. The report shows one in 10 workers were directly or indirectly involved in tourism in 1997. In that year tourists spent $11.5 billion, which equated to 4.7 per cent of New Zealand's gdp. If indirect
income from tourism was added, the contribution was 9.3 per cent. This compared to the direct contribution to gdp of agriculture (5.9 per cent) and construction (4.5 per cent). Tourism created the equivalent of 86,000 full-time jobs directly servicing tourists. Another 63,000 people were indirectly involved. Mark Burton said he expected further satellite accounts would show even greater growth in the tourism sector, given that international visitor arrivals had increased by 19 per cent between 1997 and 2001. A draft tourism strategy is due out from the government next month.
New Anzac memorial dedicated
Helen Clark and her Australian counterpart, John Howard, attended a dedication ceremony in Canberra on Tuesday for the New Zealand Memorial. The visit also included the opening of the Anzac: The New Zealand Story exhibition at the Australian War Memorial. Helen Clark said the New Zealand Memorial is New Zealand's gift to mark Australia's centenary of federation and symbolises the strength of the trans-Tasman relationship. She said the memorial provides a striking and enduring symbol of the close relationship between New Zealand and Australia. The Prime Minister said the Anzac relationship had evolved over time. While separate nations, the two countries - perhaps more than any other two countries - shared close family, historical, cultural, sporting and economic bonds.
