Report clears MPs of any wrongdoing
A Parliamentary Service report issued on 19 January says Wellington accommodation allowances to government ministers Phillida Bunkle and Marian Hobbs were paid properly. Phillida Bunkle's claims for the Wellington allowance were made within the "applicable conditions" of the Higher Salaries Commission and Parliament's administrative requirements, the report says. When a decision was taken to allocate a ministerial house to Ms Bunkle her primary place of residence was "stated and accepted as being outside the Wellington commuting area as defined under the Higher Salaries Commission's determination". In light of an opinion from the HSC, the report says Ms Hobbs was "eligible to claim for and receive the Wellington accommodation allowance". The HSC, however, said there was a need to review the issue of whether an MP can claim a Wellington accommodation allowance once he/she has registered on a Wellington electoral roll and declared a Wellington residential address.
Better car buyers' protections planned
Commerce Minister Paul Swain and Consumer Affairs Minister Phillida Bunkle this week released a discussion document outlining proposals for the reform of the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act. The documents outlines plans to widen protection for car buyers. The intention is to replace the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act with a new Act focussing more generally on all motor vehicle sales other than private sales. This will extend the coverage of the regime to car auctions and car fairs, which are currently not covered by the legislation. That would mean simplifying the requirements for consumer protection. A new motor vehicle dealer disputes tribunal is proposed, comprising a chairperson lawyer, a consumer representative and a technical expert. The document also proposes keeping a list of people who would be banned from any involvement in the car dealer's trade. The document's at: www.med.govt.nz/buslt/bus_pol/media20010116.html
Sealord deal approved
Finance Minister Michael Cullen and Fisheries Minister Pete Hodgson have approved the sale of BIL's 50 per cent stake in Sealord to the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission [Te Ohu Kai Moana] and Japanese seafood company Nissui. Under the deal, Nissui will own 50 per cent of the Sealord operating company but Sealord's fish quota - almost a quarter of New Zealand's total - will be held entirely by Te Ohu Kai Moana. The ministers said Te Ohu Kai Moana's ownership of the quota is very important, as the policy of this and previous governments is that fisheries are a strategic asset that should remain in New Zealand hands. They said New Zealand welcomes foreign investment, especially of the quality represented in this agreement. Nissui has a proven track record in New Zealand. It was a shareholder in Sealord from 1973 to 1990 and has a stake in ANZCO Foods Ltd, and is also a sponsor of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union.
Industry NZ head appointed
Minister for Economic, Industry and Regional Development Jim Anderton has announced that Neil Mackay will be the first CEO of Industry New Zealand, taking up the position in April. Mr Mackay is currently the New Zealand managing director of Budget Rent a Car Ltd. Industry New Zealand has been set up to support industry, regions and businesses and overcome a range of barriers to employment and business development.
NZ aid for El Salvador
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Jim Sutton announced this week that New Zealand would make a contribution of $100,000 to the International Red Cross to support relief work following the earthquake in El Salvador. Mr Sutton said the New Zealand grant would help the Red Cross mobilise immediate relief efforts in co-operation with El Salvadorian authorities. The government has sent a message of sympathy and condolences to the El Salvadorian President.
SOE in receivership
Finance Minister Michael Cullen and State Owned Enterprises Minister Mark Burton said this week that Gary Traveller and Richard Agnew, from accountancy firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers, have been appointed receivers for the State Owned Enterprise, Terralink. The two shareholding Ministers said the decision had been made at the request of the Terralink board. The decision came after the Terralink board notified the ministers of the company's insufficient cash reserves to pay its debts. Terralink was established in 1996. Formerly part of the Department of Survey and Land Information, its principal business is to supply maps and other geographic spatial information services and products. The ministers said Terralink's current problems arise from a contract entered into in June 1999 with EDS as part of the Landonline initiative. The contract underestimated the costs and timeframes associated with this type of project and is now causing Terralink significant losses and risks. Terralink employs around 200 fulltime staff with another 80 staff contracted to work on the EDS project.
NZ probes uranium exposure risk
Defence Minister Mark Burton said this week the investigation into the possible risk to New Zealand service personnel from exposure to expended depleted uranium munitions is proceeding with urgency. Nearly 1300 questionnaires have been sent to current and former service men and women who worked in the Gulf and the Balkans. A special task group will move to ensure that all NZDF personnel who may potentially have been exposed to debris from depleted uranium are identified. Mr Burton says New Zealand will make use of close contact established with medical experts in Europe and the United States to determine the most appropriate protocol for medical assessments.
Ministers to Antarctica
Cabinet Ministers Phil Goff, Pete Hodgson, Marian Hobbs and Matt Robson will make a three-day familiarisation visit Antarctica next week, from Wednesday 24 to Saturday 27 January. The visit has been planned by Antarctica New Zealand to give the ministers a first-hand understanding and appreciation of New Zealand's activities and interests in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. Antarctica New Zealand is responsible for New Zealand's activities in the region. Current issues include strong international interest in fishing in the Ross Sea, increasing diversification in tourism, and New Zealand's role in international science, environmental and education projects.
