Reference group to strengthen Tertiary Education Advisory Commission
An international reference group comprising leading post-compulsory
education specialists is being appointed by the government. The group will
assist the Tertiary Education Advisory Commission by providing expert
advice on international developments in post-compulsory education and
training. The reference group comprises leading educationalists from
Finland, Sweden, Ireland, the UK and Australia. The establishment of this
group will assist the Commission to explore issues identified by the
government and responds to stakeholder suggestions about how its thinking
can be kept up to date with international developments.
Submissions called on R&D
The government this week released a discussion paper proposing to make all
research expenditure and most development expenditure immediately eligible
for tax deduction. Feedback has been invited on issues relating to research
and development, specifically definitions for 'research' and 'development',
the form legislation should take and the application date for any change.
it is unlikely that the legislative process will be completed until the
second half of next year, with changes would not taking effect until the
2002-2003 tax year. The government will consider making it effective from
1 April if there is public demand to do so.
Website on economic and technical cooperation launched
The government this week launched a new APEC website. The APEC Ecotech
Clearing House site, launched by the Prime Minister at the Apec Leaders'
Meeting in Brunei, offers access to information on a wide range of APEC's
economic and technical interests. Ecotech is a New Zealand contribution to
APEC this year. The site has been developed by and will be sponsored for
the coming year by New Zealand. APEC sees the website as a resource for
the wider economic and technical co-operation community.
Tariffs removed on imports from developing countries
From July 2001 all of the least developed countries of the world will have
duty-free access to New Zealand for their imports, the Prime Minister
announced at the APEC leaders' meeting in Brunei. The move aims to ensure
that the benefits of globalisation are available for everyone, not just the
wealthier developed nations. The government also urged other countries
represented at APEC to adopt a similar stance when trading with undeveloped
or poorer nations. The removal of tariffs offers these countries a chance
to participate in a fair and inclusive trading system.
INCIS inquiry report released
The government this week released Dr Francis Small's report on the
Ministerial Inquiry into INCIS. The report identifies numerous,
interrelated and complex reasons why the INCIS project did not achieve its
objectives, identifies many problems and weaknesses with the project, and
captures lessons that can be learned from these. The report also
recommends a series of measures to address issues relating to the approval,
selection and management of information technology projects in the public
sector. It acknowledges that most of these lessons have been identified by
the parties involved and, in many cases, improved procedures already
established. An officials group will consider the Inquiry's
recommendations against current practices in the state sector, and
recommend further changes where necessary. They will report back by 31
March 2001.
Sports-educational scholarships
The government is to establish a multi-million dollar Prime Minister's
Scholarship programme to assist young athletes into tertiary study, it was
announced this week. Approximately $1 million will be available to support
study for young athletes next year. This will increase to $3 million in
2002 and $5 million in following years. The government is also seeking
private sector support for the programme. The programme aims to assist
young athletes realise success in the sporting field while also helping
them achieve tertiary education qualifications. The scholarship programme
is part of this government's investment in sports. Scholarships will
provide up to $5000-a-year to help cover course costs for athletes'
tertiary education. Athletes will also be eligible for up to $5000-a-year
for their living and sport-related expenses. Providing they continue to
meet the criteria, an athlete may receive support through the scholarship
programme for up to five years. The programme will be administered by the
NZ Sports Foundation.
24-hour child abuse freephone under development
A new 24-hour national freephone service to report suspected cases of child
abuse and neglect is being under development by the government. The
announcement comes in response to calls from Children's Commissioner Roger
McClay advocating the establishment of a freephone service. In most parts
of New Zealand, callers can be connected to the Child, Youth and Family
call centre by calling 0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459) during business hours.
Calls outside normal working hours are redirected and a staff member in the
caller's area is alerted to the call. By next year, the 0508 FAMILY
service will be nationwide and it is planned to have the call centre
staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
