Energy efficiency strategy released
Energy Minister Pete Hodgson this week released the draft Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy. The minister says it is a blueprint for slashing New Zealand's energy bills by hundreds of millions of dollars a year. The draft strategy aims for a 20 per cent improvement in New Zealand's energy efficiency by 2012 and a rise in the use of renewable energy sources. Achieving this will result in a wide range of environmental, economic and social gains for all New Zealanders, Pete Hodgson says. Public consultation will include presentations in 13 centres between April and May. The Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority is seeking submissions on the draft from April 1 to June 1 and Mr Hodgson is due to issue the final version of the strategy by October 1.
Govt firms up insider trading rules
The government this week confirmed it will introduce a tighter disclosure regime to clamp down on insider trading of shares and securities. Acting Commerce Minister Trevor Mallard said companies would also be required to provide ongoing and timely disclosure of information that would have a material effect on the price of securities. Company directors will be required to disclose their share
dealings at the time they are made and the Stock Exchange will be required to provide information to the Securities Commission about any breaches of security law as it becomes aware of them. Mr Mallard said the intention was to establish the Securities Commission as an enforcement agency. The beefed-up Commission would be able to take legal action on behalf of shareholders. Officials were now working through the technical details and they are scheduled to report back to Cabinet by mid-2001. Legislation will be enacted in the middle of next year.
Cull report on patients' complaints released
Health Minister Annette King this week released the review by Wellington Queen's Counsel Helen Cull on patient concerns in Northland and elsewhere. The review arose following revelations that Northland surgeon Graham Parry had a number of adverse findings made against him by ACC and bodies that represent medical practitioners. The Cull review recommends a "one stop shop'' to process complaints from disgruntled patients against medical professionals. The review says the current system for dealing with complaints is confusing, cumbersome, difficult to access, excessively lengthy and costly -- both financially and emotionally. The Government is drafting legislation which proposes, among other things, that there be mandatory reporting of practitioners whose practice is below acceptable standards, and gives the Medical Council the power to suspend practitioners when the public is at risk. Copies of the report are available on the Ministry of Health website www.moh.govt.nz
PM announces cabinet changes
Prime Minister Helen Clark this week announced that Marian Hobbs had been completely exonerated in recent inquiries and fully merited her speedy return to the Cabinet. Marian Hobbs was sworn in as a Cabinet minister by Chief Justice Sian Elias, in her capacity as the Administrator of the Government, at a special meeting of the Executive Council on Wednesday. Other portfolio allocations announced were: Jim Sutton, Minister of Biosecurity; Lianne Dalziel , Minister for Accident Insurance; Marian Hobbs, Minister for the Environment, Minister of Broadcasting (includes responsibility for Television New Zealand, Radio New Zealand, and New Zealand on Air), Minister Responsible for the National Library and for Archives New Zealand, Associate Minister of Education, Associate Minister of Biosecurity; Dover Samuels, Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Economic Development and to the Minister for Industry and Regional Development.
Guidelines for children's advertising
Marian Hobbs returned to her role as Broadcasting Minister this week by releasing guidelines for children's television advertising. The voluntary guidelines developed by the industry officially ends advertising in pre-school television times, limits advertising in school-age children's television times and prevents excessive repetition of advertisements. The guidelines, which broadcasters have already started to apply, were not expected to dramatically reduce revenue for the networks. Marian Hobbs was accompanied at the launch by former acting Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey and industry representatives.
PM presents Timor medals
Prime Minister Helen Clark this week presented the newly-created East Timor Medal to New Zealanders from a range of organisations who have served in East Timor. Helen Clark says the medal recognises the outstanding contribution made by many New Zealanders, in both a civilian and military capacity, to the reconstruction of East Timor since June 1999. She says the medal is a small but significant measure of thanks from the government for their work on behalf of the world's newest nation. Initially the East Timor Medal will be awarded to just over 2000 personnel from the New Zealand Defence Force, and nearly 100 from the New Zealand Police, New Zealand Customs Service, Department of Corrections, New Zealand Fire Service, Te Puni Kokiri, and United Nations volunteers and contractors.
Maori electoral option launched
Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia and Associate Justice Minister Margaret Wilson launched the five-yearly Maori option on Wednesday. The campaign is designed to encourage Maori to exercise their choice between the Maori and general electoral rolls. The slogan for the campaign is: "It's your choice - kei a koe te tikanga, Maori Roll or General Roll". The Ministers said the option was an important part of the democratic process. They say the campaign is neutral and promotes the right of Maori voters to choose between rolls.
Public Works Act submissions extended
Minister for Land Information Matt Robson says New Zealanders have an extra
two months to have their say on the review of the Public Works Act. The public now has until 31 May to make a submission on the public issues and options discussion paper, after requests made at hui and public meetings. The Public Works Act has provided the legislative backbone to New Zealand's infrastructure.
It has enabled land to be acquired, either by agreement or by compulsion, for the construction of roads, airports and railways, hospitals and schools.
Govt expands numeracy project
Education Minister Trevor Mallard has announced that the Count Me In Too numeracy project is to be expanded to 414 schools as part of the Early Numeracy Project. The expansion of the programme takes Government expenditure in the area of numeracy to $7.2 million this year. The project was trialed last year in 83 schools around the country. It has received exceptionally positive reviews in the evaluation report released last week by Trevor Mallard. The minister said Count Me In Too was a significant development in teaching mathematics to younger children. The course of the pilot programme saw real improvements, both among children in Years One to Three and in improving teacher capability and professional development. The evaluation report is available from Trevor Mallard's ministerial office (Ph 04 471 9456)
