New Social Security Agreement with Australia
Prime Minister Helen Clark and her Australian counterpart, John Howard, this week announced a new transtasman Social Security Agreement. Helen Clark emphasised that the new arrangements preserve the right of New Zealanders to move to and live and work in Australia. New Zealanders presently living in Australia will see no change in their eligibility for social security.
The key change will see New Zealand and Australia cost-sharing for superannuation and for payments for people with severe disabilities. Helen Clark said instead of wrangling over the level of reimbursements paid by New Zealand to Australia, the two governments will pay their share of superannuation and disability benefits to eligible New Zealanders and Australians living in each other's countries directly, based on the years of working life spent in each country. She noted that New Zealand has not being reimbursing Australia for unemployment and sickness benefits, and nor will it under the new agreement.
From 26 February New Zealanders will have to be granted permanent residency, as well as have lived in Australia for two years, before they can access social security payments other than for superannuation and severe disability, as provided for in the new agreement. The new agreement will save New Zealand nearly $100 million in the next three years.
Sweeping reforms to juries proposed
A Law Commission report, Juries in Criminal Trials, was tabled in Parliament this week. It recommends sweeping changes to the way juries operate, including the introduction of majority verdicts. Its recommendations will shortly be considered by Cabinet and will result in draft legislative changes. Justice Minister Phil Goff welcomed the report, in particular the recommendation of procedural changes designed to make evidence easier for jurors to understand. These include increased use of written and visual aids and more explanation to jurors about the case they are hearing, including the notes of evidence given to the court. Mr Goff says of the procedures for jurors are stuck in the 19th century and need to come into the modern age.
Pacific Forum to Nauru
Prime Minister Helen Clark has welcomed the announcement that Nauru is to host the 2001 meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum. Helen Clark said it was a sensible decision. At last year's meeting in Kiribati, New Zealand's view was that it would be inappropriate for this year's Forum to be hosted by Fiji in its present circumstances. These concerns were shared by a number of other Pacific countries. Helen Clark said the decision to switch to Nauru sends a strong, clear message to Fiji that it must restore democracy and its constitution.
Govt response to CYF review
The government has issued its response to the report by former Principal Youth Court Judge Mick Brown on his reviews of Child, Youth and Family procedures, Care and Protection is about Adult Behaviour: The Ministerial Review of the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services (the Brown Report). Social Services and Employment Steve Maharey says it is a searching and thought provoking report into the Department and the extreme and diverse pressures it works under. The Government has accepted the thrust of the report and is now working to implement the recommendations. The report includes 57 recommendations. They include calls for increased resources from the government and changes to the culture and operation of the Department. The Brown Report is on the Ministry of Social Policy website: www.msp.govt.nz
More support for regions
Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton this week announced that another five regions are to receive support through the government's Jobs Machine, Industry New Zealand. Wairarapa has been allocated $80,000, Tairawhiti will receive $155,000, Hawkes Bay $100,000, Kapiti Horowhenua $51,000 and Northland region $200,000. The funding is to assist regions to make economic development plans and build the ability to implement those plans. Jim Anderton said further funding of up to $2 million per region is available to contribute to major regional initiatives that come out of the strategies developed.
Climate change papers released
Energy Minister and Convenor of the Ministerial Group on Climate Change, Pete Hodgson, has released nine recent Cabinet papers on climate change policy. The papers cover areas such as research on climate change, consultative procedures, transport issues, proposals for cutting CO-2 emissions and forest carbon sinks. Pete Hodgson said the papers were being made public in the interests of open government and an informed public debate on climate change policy. The papers are available on www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/climate.htm
Policy statement on deer
Conservation Minister Sandra Lee has announced the permit system to hunt deer on public conservation land will be streamlined and unnecessary restrictions on recreational hunting removed, as one of the key elements in a policy statement on deer. Sandra Lee this week released the Department of Conservation Policy Statement on Deer Control. It focuses on deer primarily as a serious conservation pest but also takes account of the needs of recreational and commercial hunters and of the deer farming and game estate industries. Copies are available from the minister's office, Ph (04) 471 9679
Govt acts to keep education costs down
Associate Education Minister (Tertiary) Steve Maharey has announced that the headline interest rate for the student loan scheme is to remain at 7 per cent under a new rate-setting formula. Steve Maharey also announced adjustments to the thresholds of the student loan scheme. The repayment threshold will rise from $14,678 to $15,132, and the income threshold at which part-time students receive a full interest write-off will rise from $24,596 to $25,073. The minister said the government has acted to keep the costs of the loan scheme down. The 2001/02 tax year headline interest rate is the first set under a new formula which has arisen out of the student loan interest rate review. Under the previous formula the interest rate would have risen to 7.9 per cent. It equates to a saving of up to $180 per year in interest charges for a borrower with a $20,000 debt
Gaming review document issued
Internal Affairs Minister George Hawkins this week released a discussion document on gaming called Gaming Reform in New Zealand: Towards A New Legislative Framework, and the public is invited to give their views on it. The deadline for submissions is 30 April. The government intends to make decisions on gaming by July 2001, and plans to introduce a bill to Parliament by the end of this year. The public will be further invited to make submissions to select committee at that time. The key issues are what role should gaming play in our society; what effect does internet gambling have on New Zealand; what effect technological change has on gaming, and whether it is possible to regulate cross-border gaming. Those wanting a copy of the document can write to: Gaming Review Team, Policy Group, Department of Internal Affairs, PO Box 805, Wellington, fax (04) 494-0567, or e-mail: gamingreview@dia.govt.nz
First step towards Ngati Ruanui settlement
The Government and representatives of Ngati Ruanui this week initialled a Deed of Settlement proposing a settlement of grievances dating back to the New Zealand Wars. The proposed settlement is the first Taranaki claim to reach this stage. Treaty Negotiations Minister Margaret Wilson says it is over to the people of Ngati Ruanui whether the settlement is supported. She says she hopes it will be approved, and that the process of healing for which the whole Taranaki regions has waited so long can begin.
