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Issue No 29, 11 December 2000
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Contents:
6. Health
- Social Investment - quality public health
The Government is restoring faith in, and public ownership of the health system.
Key health initiatives include:
- establishing District Health Boards
- the New Zealand Health Strategy
- 412 million more in 2000/2001, includes
- $74 extra million for elective surgery
- $40 extra million for disability support
- $257 million over the next four years for mental health
- capacity building for Pacific & Maori providers
- Health Action Zones
Hon. Annette King:
"We can improve the health of the community, take a simpler approach to funding, provide a community focus in the way services are organised and allow local input into decision-making."
7. Social Security
- Social Investment - Creating Opportunity
The Government is changing the social assistance system so it provides security for those who need it and opens new opportunities for those who can take them.
Actions taken so far include:
- working with beneficiary advocates
- reviewing benefit debt cases
- removal of the standard $5 deduction from Special Benefit
- changing the corporate language to offer greater respect to clients
- ending mandatory work for the dole
- development of a Work and Income service charter
- promoting opportunities to clients
- restoration of the value of the Training Incentive Allowance
- work on abatement and in-work-support to make sure going to work really pays
Hon Steve Maharey:
"Income support shouldn't be about passive payment, it should be focused on helping people build capacity and find decent work."
8. Education
- Social Investment - lifelong learning
Fostering education and training enhances and improve the nation's skills so that we all have the best possible future in a changing world.
Early Childhood
- funding increase
- development funding
Schools
- 7.4% more funding for schools
- literacy, numeracy recovery
- teacher registration and standards
- Study Support Centres
- school to work transition
Tertiary and Training
- no interest on loans while studying
- fees stabilisation
- Modern Apprenticeships
- improved participation
Hon Trevor Mallard:
"Education is an intrinsic good. It contributes to economic growth and prosperity and it enables people to participate in our society."
9. Housing
- Social Investment - affordable housing
Our policies ensure that state housing is more affordable and responsive to individual household income and need.
Key initiatives include:
- Income related rents - over 45,000 families will benefit
- state housing allocated on need rather than ability to pay
- end to state housing sales
- housing partnerships
- housing action zones
- Accommodation supplement for those who own or rent privately
Hon Mark Gosche:
"Affordable housing is fundamental to the health and well being of families and communities."
- Future directions - Social Investment
Building a better society means understanding and acting on the linkages across sectors. Health and Education are the foundation on which we build.
Merry Christmas from Team Maharey
Team Maharey is (left to right)
Back Row: Pat Thomas & Tom West (Pvt Secs, Dept Work & Income), Peter Lorimer (Snr Advsr), Michael Gibbs (Press Sec), Chris Eichbaum (Snr Advsr), Ruth Isaac (Pvt Sec, Tertiary Ed), David Choat (Tertiary Advsr), Annabel Taylor (Pvt Sec, Child, Youth and Family), Richard Bolton (Social Services Advsr), Geoff May (former Pvt Sec, Child, Youth and Family).
Front Row: Kathleen Lambert (Snr Pvt Sec), Margaret Monks (Exec Asst), Steve Maharey, Kyleigh Couch (Min Clerk), Tania Woodcock (Pvt Sec, Min Social Policy).
Closing the 'digital divide'
Cabinet papers detailing the Government's work this year to close growing skills gaps between the information 'haves' and the information 'have nots' were released last week by Social Services and Employment Minister Steve Maharey and Minister for Information Technology Paul Swain.
The ability to use computers and the Internet is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for many employment opportunities. Many New Zealanders lack the information and communications technology (ICT) skills necessary to gain employment in the new economy. In an information society, there is the potential for an inequitable distribution of ICT which exacerbates exisiting social and economic disparities.
The Ministers said that the Government has decided to implement a comprehensive strategy designed to enhance the capability of New Zealanders to effectively utilise ICT.
By-community, for community
Local solutions to local welfare problems are being promoted in 2001 through the Government's new $1.5 million Stronger Communities Action Fund. Steve Maharey announced the seven communities who will be the first to trial the Fund in 2001. The communities will be given responsibility for determining and purchasing the mix of social services appropriate to promote the well being of children and families in their area.
The seven communities (and the lead coordinating bodies) that will trial the Stronger Communities Action Fund in 2001 are the Hokianga (coordinated by Nga Puhi); Ranui (coordinated by Waitakere City Council); Glen Innes (coordinated by Auckland City Council); Whakatane (coordinated by Ngati Awa); Mangakino (coordinated by Taupo District Council); Porirua (coordinated by Pacific Safer Community Council); and Invercargill (coordinated by Ngai Tahu).
Depending on how well the programme works in practice additional communities may also be invited to join the trial. Child, Youth and Family will be providing support for the management bodies involved in the trial and assessing the results of the project.
New funds for Child, Youth and Family
The Government is to provide an additional $5.483 million to Child, Youth and Family this financial year to help it provide care for at-risk children. The additional funding for 2000/01 responds to heavier than expected demand for care services. New funding will be distributed around the country based on population and socio-economic factors. In addition, the Department is also identifying what else it can reprioritise to care costs from within its existing budget.
All regions will benefit from the extra funding, although those places identified as having greatest need will get proportionately more. The Government will be further reviewing Child, Youth and Family funding in the lead up to the 2001 Budget.
Wanganui Polytechnic package
A package of measures to support Wanganui Regional Community Polytechnic over 2000 and 2001 was announced by Associate Education (Tertiary Education) Minister Steve Maharey last Friday.
The Polytechnic reported an operating loss in 1999 of just under $2m, and another loss is expected for the 2000 year.
Mr Maharey said that the financial position of the polytechnic has been worrying and the Crown has had to move to ensure ongoing provision in Wanganui. The Ministry of Education has been working with the Polytechnic over the last year, but the governance and senior management of the organisation have been unable to give the Government assurance that they are able to manage the institution or develop a credible recovery strategy.
The package of measures includes:
- the provision of a Crown loan to meet the polytechnic's cashflow requirements;
- the appointment of a Crown Manager to address the Polytechnic's financial performance; and,
- the commissioning of longer-term work to ensure the ongoing viable provision of tertiary education in the region.
Tertiary council member fees
Maximum membership fees which can be paid to members of tertiary councils are to be increased. Despite the significantly changed role and workload of Councils, the maximum rates payable have not changed since they were set in 1991 and, in some cases, may not adequately reflect the work required of some councils.
