Cabinet papers on health sector changes
The release this week of a further series of 19 Cabinet papers on changes in the
health sector will give New Zealanders an increasingly clear picture of how the
new system will look and work. The release of the papers aims to help
understanding of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Bill, tabled in
Parliament this week. The bill gives communities an input into local health
administration by having elected representatives on district health boards. The
Bill contains a reference to the Treaty of Waitangi, a first for health
legislation in this country.
(see details here on the Executive site)
Board appointments To TVNZ and NZ on Air
Five appointments to broadcasting boards were announced by the Minister of
Broadcasting this week. Three are to TVNZ; Craig Boyce, Trish Stevenson, Russell
Hewitt, and two are to New Zealand on Air; Gaylene Preston and James Coleman.
The Minister extends congratulations to new members and her thanks to outgoing
members.
The Employment Relations Bill
The Employment Relations Bill returned to Parliament this week improved by the
select committee process. The government supports the changes proposed by the
committee. The changes leave the policy planks of the original Bill intact,
while taking account of the key concerns voiced by employers, managers,
employees and unions.
To help understanding of the Bill, the government has mailed about 80,000
leaflets and fact magnets to businesses throughout the country. This direct
mail programme promotes the government's executive website, where extensive
information about the legislation can be found. Labour minister Margaret Wilson
said that the mailout was necessary to counter misinformation and scaremongering
by National and Act.
(see details here on the Executive site)
Tax inquiry terms announced
A review of New Zealand's tax structure, the first since 1967, was announced by
Michael Cullen this week. The inquiry will examine how the tax structure meets
New Zealand's current and future needs. Changes such as the emerging global
economy, the deregulation of the financial sector, e-commerce and social
developments like the rise of the two income household and the single parent
family, have important implications for the fairness and on-going viability of
the tax system. The government's decision to hold an inquiry developed out of
these changes, rather than any specific tax reform agenda.
The inquiry will be independent and has been given a comprehensive brief which
allows it to consider all relevant options. The first stage, to be completed by
31 July next year, will involve designing a set of principles to guide tax
policy and the general structure of the tax system. The government will release
this report and make public its response to the recommendations. The second
stage will be devoted to developing concrete policy proposals before the end of
the parliamentary term.
Release of special education review
The government this week released the final report into the Review of Special
Education 2000 and welcomed its recommendations and options. The review, carried
out by educationalist Dr Cathy Wylie, contains far-reaching recommendations that
will be given careful consideration by the government. The process has
identified what problems need to be addressed in special education in New
Zealand. It is obvious from the report that there are deep issues and concerns
within special education that cannot go unresolved.
The Budget provides an additional $48 million over the next four years so the
Government would be in a position to start any changes as a result of the before
the start of the 2001 school year. About 1200 submissions were received from
parents, schools and teachers, and other organisations. The Ministers said
decisions on the future of special education would be made in two months.
NZ deplores new Japanese whaling plans in North Pacific
The government is outraged that Japan has embarked on a new programme of
so-called scientific whaling in the Pacific. The government was responding to
news that the Japanese whaling fleet is about to leave port to begin its
slaughter of 100 whales in the North Pacific. Japan plans to hunt 50 Byrde's
whales, 40 minke whales and 10 sperm whales in the Pacific this year. New
Zealand condemns this latest Japanese proposal to slaughter whales. The Adelaide
meeting of the International Whaling Commission resolved that the information
sought by the Japanese did not justify the killing of whales for research
purposes, and that such information could be obtained by non-lethal purposes.
The government called on Japan to heed the wishes of the global community on
this issue.
Fairer state rents
The government moved closer to restoring income related rents for low income
state tenants this week with the final reading of the Housing Restructuring
(Income Related Rents) Amendment Bill in Parliament on Thursday.
Food labelling a victory
The decision for mandatory labelling of foods containing genetically modified
ingredients has been hailed as a victory for consumers. The decision by the
Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council will see the labelling of all food
that contains GE ingredients. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs will monitor
further international developments in this area.
