Legislation to ensure financial advisers meet minimum standards of competency has been passed unanimously in Parliament.
The Financial Service Providers (Pre-Implementation Adjustments) Act amends the regulatory framework established under Financial Advisers Act and the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act.
These changes greatly simplify compliance while still providing a higher level of consumer protection. The new law strengthens the Securities Commission's power to police financial advisers.
Meanwhile, the Government has called for public submissions on a discussion document on securities law. The document picked up many of the recommendations of the Capital Market Development Taskforce, and builds on the establishment of a new market regulator, the Financial Markets Authority.
The proposed changes will contribute to strengthening and improving our financial markets, as well as restoring mum and dad investor confidence.
More information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/financial+service+changes+passed+unanimously
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/minister+welcomes+discussion+document+securities+law
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Democracy restored for Police
Police will now be able to serve their communities in local government. The Policing (Involvement in Local Authority) Amendment Bill, passed this week, allows police to stand for local councils without having to be on special leave during the campaign.
Previously, police had to be on special leave during the campaign, and had to resign from the force if they were elected.
National is committed to supporting our police and their rights as private citizens. This change ensures that police are not treated differently to other state servants who are not prevented by legislation from standing for election and serving on local bodies.
Removing the restrictions on police was an election promise for National, and the bill has been passed in time for this year's local government elections.
More information
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/democracy+restored+nz+police
Previously, police had to be on special leave during the campaign, and had to resign from the force if they were elected.
National is committed to supporting our police and their rights as private citizens. This change ensures that police are not treated differently to other state servants who are not prevented by legislation from standing for election and serving on local bodies.
Removing the restrictions on police was an election promise for National, and the bill has been passed in time for this year's local government elections.
More information
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/democracy+restored+nz+police
Victims' rights over prisoner compo assured
We have taken another step in putting victims at the heart of the criminal justice system with the passing of a new law this week.
The Prisoners' and Victims' Claims (Expiry and Application Dates) Amendment Act ensures that victims continue to have access to compensation awarded to prisoners.
If compensation is awarded, the Act allows prisoners’ victims to claim against it before prisoners. Anything remaining after the victim has claimed will be used to fund additional services and entitlements for victims of crime generally.
For more information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/bill+ensure+victims039+rights+over+prisoner+compo+passes+law
The Prisoners' and Victims' Claims (Expiry and Application Dates) Amendment Act ensures that victims continue to have access to compensation awarded to prisoners.
If compensation is awarded, the Act allows prisoners’ victims to claim against it before prisoners. Anything remaining after the victim has claimed will be used to fund additional services and entitlements for victims of crime generally.
For more information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/bill+ensure+victims039+rights+over+prisoner+compo+passes+law
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Protecting public access to the Foreshore and Seabed
The National-led Government has agreed on a new approach to ownership of the foreshore and seabed. We are determined to resolve the foreshore and seabed issue for once and for all.
Our new approach is in the best interests of all New Zealanders. We are making sure the foreshore and seabed cannot be sold, protecting public access, and restoring iwi’s ability to test their customary rights through the courts.
The 2004 Foreshore and Seabed Act will be repealed and replaced with new legislation which will:
- Remove Crown ownership of the public foreshore and seabed, and replace it with a non-ownership model.
- Ensure that the foreshore and seabed cannot be sold.
- Protect public access, and existing navigation and fishing rights.
- Restore the ability of iwi to test their customary rights to the foreshore and seabed through the courts.
- Exclude privately-owned land.
National wants to settle the foreshore and seabed issue, so it does not remain as a weeping sore that would have to be addressed by a future government.
For more information visit:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/repeal+foreshore+and+seabed+act+announced
Our new approach is in the best interests of all New Zealanders. We are making sure the foreshore and seabed cannot be sold, protecting public access, and restoring iwi’s ability to test their customary rights through the courts.
The 2004 Foreshore and Seabed Act will be repealed and replaced with new legislation which will:
- Remove Crown ownership of the public foreshore and seabed, and replace it with a non-ownership model.
- Ensure that the foreshore and seabed cannot be sold.
- Protect public access, and existing navigation and fishing rights.
- Restore the ability of iwi to test their customary rights to the foreshore and seabed through the courts.
- Exclude privately-owned land.
National wants to settle the foreshore and seabed issue, so it does not remain as a weeping sore that would have to be addressed by a future government.
For more information visit:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/repeal+foreshore+and+seabed+act+announced
Measures to improve Education
We are introducing measures to enable secondary-tertiary programmes and remove red tape.
The Education Amendment Bill (No 2) highlights National’s commitment to the Youth Guarantee by allowing students to take part in a secondary-tertiary programme while still enrolled at school.
Students will then be able to begin studying at the planned Trades Academies in 2011. Trades Academies will keep young people engaged in learning by giving them more options for study.
National is committed to bringing out the best in our young people. We want to see more students gain qualifications and help them achieve in their chosen field.
The legislation also removes red tape for crèches at gyms and shopping malls.
Currently these creches need to be licensed as an education provider. The bill will remove this compliance burden. They will have to meet legislative requirements to ensure the safety and welfare of children.
For more information visit:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/education+bill+promotes+secondary-tertiary+reduces+red+tape
The Education Amendment Bill (No 2) highlights National’s commitment to the Youth Guarantee by allowing students to take part in a secondary-tertiary programme while still enrolled at school.
Students will then be able to begin studying at the planned Trades Academies in 2011. Trades Academies will keep young people engaged in learning by giving them more options for study.
National is committed to bringing out the best in our young people. We want to see more students gain qualifications and help them achieve in their chosen field.
The legislation also removes red tape for crèches at gyms and shopping malls.
Currently these creches need to be licensed as an education provider. The bill will remove this compliance burden. They will have to meet legislative requirements to ensure the safety and welfare of children.
For more information visit:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/education+bill+promotes+secondary-tertiary+reduces+red+tape
Supporting our world-class athletes
New Zealanders want to see our top sportspeople succeeding internationally, and we are proud of them when they do.
National has announced a major investment in high performance sport to ensure we are consistently one of the most successful sporting nations in the world.
The multi-million dollar funding boost will help expand and develop world-class sporting facilities, including the Millennium Institute, which will become the National Training Centre for High Performance Sport.
Our goal is to help our world-class athletes become world-beaters.
For more information visit:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt+boost+high+performance+sport
National has announced a major investment in high performance sport to ensure we are consistently one of the most successful sporting nations in the world.
The multi-million dollar funding boost will help expand and develop world-class sporting facilities, including the Millennium Institute, which will become the National Training Centre for High Performance Sport.
Our goal is to help our world-class athletes become world-beaters.
For more information visit:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt+boost+high+performance+sport
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
The power of performance reporting
Florence Nightingale once said “if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” This is as true today of our health care systems as it was 130 years ago.
Last year Minister of Health Tony Ryall introduced a simple performance reporting system for our DHBs. They are required to report every three months against the Government’s six priority areas for health:
- Shorter stays in ED;
- Improved access to elective surgery;
- Shorter waits for cancer treatment;
- Increased childhood immunisation rates;
- Better help for smokers to quit; and
- Better diabetes and cardiovascular services.
It’s been amazing to watch how simply setting an achievable target and asking DHBs to report to their communities about how they are going against those targets has resulted in improvements.
In Otago and Southland the improvement between the second and third quarters of last year in five of those six target areas was very encouraging. Southland has also shown improvement in a number of areas. I expect the new Southern DHB will continue that focus on these priority areas.
Last year Minister of Health Tony Ryall introduced a simple performance reporting system for our DHBs. They are required to report every three months against the Government’s six priority areas for health:
- Shorter stays in ED;
- Improved access to elective surgery;
- Shorter waits for cancer treatment;
- Increased childhood immunisation rates;
- Better help for smokers to quit; and
- Better diabetes and cardiovascular services.
It’s been amazing to watch how simply setting an achievable target and asking DHBs to report to their communities about how they are going against those targets has resulted in improvements.
In Otago and Southland the improvement between the second and third quarters of last year in five of those six target areas was very encouraging. Southland has also shown improvement in a number of areas. I expect the new Southern DHB will continue that focus on these priority areas.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Boosting support for youth offenders
The Government is boosting funding by $550,000 for innovative programmes for serious youth offenders and those at risk of offending.
The initial funding round of $350,000 received 115 applications. Providers have a range of innovative ideas to connect with young offenders, and address their behaviour to help turn their lives around.
Successful applicants include mentoring and early intervention, and marae or camp based programmes, specifically targeting young Maori, and female offenders.
The Innovation Fund is part of the Fresh Start suite of programmes and a second round of funding for $1.4 million for 2010/2011 opens on June 7.
For more information visit: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/fresh+start+innovation+fund+increased+meet+demand
The initial funding round of $350,000 received 115 applications. Providers have a range of innovative ideas to connect with young offenders, and address their behaviour to help turn their lives around.
Successful applicants include mentoring and early intervention, and marae or camp based programmes, specifically targeting young Maori, and female offenders.
The Innovation Fund is part of the Fresh Start suite of programmes and a second round of funding for $1.4 million for 2010/2011 opens on June 7.
For more information visit: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/fresh+start+innovation+fund+increased+meet+demand
New authority to safeguard our environment
The Government has announced its decision to create a stand alone Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to strengthen New Zealand's environmental management.
New Zealand needs a strong, independent regulatory authority to ensure the protection of our environment at a national level. The EPA brings together a wide range of regulatory functions, and provides stronger national direction to the environmental roles of regional and district councils.
The new agency will be established as a Crown agent, with the board accountable to the Environment Minister. Legislation will be introduced to Parliament later this year with an intended operational date of 1 July 2011.
We're delivering on our election promise to establish an EPA, which is part of our work to grow the economy while protecting New Zealand's natural environment.
For more information visit: www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new+environmental+protection+authority+announced
New Zealand needs a strong, independent regulatory authority to ensure the protection of our environment at a national level. The EPA brings together a wide range of regulatory functions, and provides stronger national direction to the environmental roles of regional and district councils.
The new agency will be established as a Crown agent, with the board accountable to the Environment Minister. Legislation will be introduced to Parliament later this year with an intended operational date of 1 July 2011.
We're delivering on our election promise to establish an EPA, which is part of our work to grow the economy while protecting New Zealand's natural environment.
For more information visit: www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new+environmental+protection+authority+announced
Extra funding for cancer diagnosis
Our increased funding for PET (Positron emission tomography) scans will benefit up to 500 extra cancer patients.
The additional $1 million funding will see almost twice the number of cancer patients offered PET scans, enhancing diagnosis and treatment of the disease. This additional funding will be available to DHBs based on population, ensuring more equal access for patients no matter where they live.
Up to 40 per cent of patients may have their treatment plans revised after a PET scan. This means some patients are able to avoid the stress of unnecessary surgery or other interventions.
Ensuring more cancer patients, no matter where they live, can access PET scans as part of their treatment is another step this Government is taking to ensure New Zealanders receive better, sooner, more convenient healthcare.
For more information visit: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/extra+funding+pet+scans+will+benefit+cancer+patients
Leaky homes package gets support
National’s leaky homes financial assistance package has won resounding endorsement from the most affected local authorities.
The eight councils that represent 90 per cent of active leaky home claims are Auckland, Christchurch, Manukau, Waitakere, North Shore, Tauranga, Wellington, and Rodney District. All eight have voted to support the package in principle and agreed to work with the Government on developing the package’s operational details.
A further 13 councils have also indicated their support in principle for the package. Other councils will be able to opt in at a later stage. This is further welcome news for the many thousands of homeowners who want to get their leaky homes fixed as quickly as possible.
Under the package, central and local government will each fund 25 per cent of repairs. Homeowners will fund the rest, backed by a government loan guarantee. We hope to have the package up and running early next year.
For more information visit: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/leaky+homes+package+gets+support+go+ahead
The eight councils that represent 90 per cent of active leaky home claims are Auckland, Christchurch, Manukau, Waitakere, North Shore, Tauranga, Wellington, and Rodney District. All eight have voted to support the package in principle and agreed to work with the Government on developing the package’s operational details.
A further 13 councils have also indicated their support in principle for the package. Other councils will be able to opt in at a later stage. This is further welcome news for the many thousands of homeowners who want to get their leaky homes fixed as quickly as possible.
Under the package, central and local government will each fund 25 per cent of repairs. Homeowners will fund the rest, backed by a government loan guarantee. We hope to have the package up and running early next year.
For more information visit: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/leaky+homes+package+gets+support+go+ahead
Tax calculator proving popular
The Budget 2010 tax guide website, where you can calculate how the tax reforms affect you, is proving popular with New Zealanders both here and overseas.
Our major tax reforms will help lift economic growth by putting the right incentives back into the economy. Reducing tax rates will also leave the vast majority of New Zealanders better off. People can see this for themselves at www.taxguide.govt.nz, which calculates their tax cut, extra GST, and any additional compensation through increased Working for Families, NZ Superannuation, and benefit payments.
Since the 20 May Budget there have been more than 360,000 page views, and 158,600 unique visitors on the website. This includes large numbers from New Zealand, and visits from people throughout Australia, Britain, Europe, the United States, and Asia. This is encouraging given that one of the Budget's key objectives is to attract and retain skilled Kiwis, who are spread around the globe.
For more information visit: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/tax+calculator+site+popular+nz+and+offshore
Our major tax reforms will help lift economic growth by putting the right incentives back into the economy. Reducing tax rates will also leave the vast majority of New Zealanders better off. People can see this for themselves at www.taxguide.govt.nz, which calculates their tax cut, extra GST, and any additional compensation through increased Working for Families, NZ Superannuation, and benefit payments.
Since the 20 May Budget there have been more than 360,000 page views, and 158,600 unique visitors on the website. This includes large numbers from New Zealand, and visits from people throughout Australia, Britain, Europe, the United States, and Asia. This is encouraging given that one of the Budget's key objectives is to attract and retain skilled Kiwis, who are spread around the globe.
For more information visit: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/tax+calculator+site+popular+nz+and+offshore
Keeping Hillside in mind’s eye
For the last six months I have been a member of a steering group led by the Otago Chamber of Commerce and whose members include local MPs, city councillors, Hillside staff and representatives of the nearly 70 organisations that support carriage construction at the Hillside Engineering workshops in Dunedin.
The Government has advanced $500 million to KiwiRail for the electrification of Auckland and there was a very strong push for KiwiRail’s Dunedin-based engineering workshop to undertake at least some of that construction work.
While KiwiRail has ruled out Hillside being a lead tenderer in the tendering process, I’m neither surprised nor disappointed by this. The best advice the group received was that holding the head tender would not be in Hillside’s best interests, but that it still had a chance of doing at least some of the construction work under a subcontract with the head tenderer. The tender documents do encourage prospective tenderers to use kiwi companies where possible and Hillside is well positioned to market their skills to those organisations. The New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Industry Capability Network is also active in identifying potential tenderers and letting them know what’s able to be done in New Zealand.
The work of promoting Hillside and its associated Dunedin-based businesses continues and I’m optimistic that at least some of that work will come Dunedin’s way.
The Government has advanced $500 million to KiwiRail for the electrification of Auckland and there was a very strong push for KiwiRail’s Dunedin-based engineering workshop to undertake at least some of that construction work.
While KiwiRail has ruled out Hillside being a lead tenderer in the tendering process, I’m neither surprised nor disappointed by this. The best advice the group received was that holding the head tender would not be in Hillside’s best interests, but that it still had a chance of doing at least some of the construction work under a subcontract with the head tenderer. The tender documents do encourage prospective tenderers to use kiwi companies where possible and Hillside is well positioned to market their skills to those organisations. The New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Industry Capability Network is also active in identifying potential tenderers and letting them know what’s able to be done in New Zealand.
The work of promoting Hillside and its associated Dunedin-based businesses continues and I’m optimistic that at least some of that work will come Dunedin’s way.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Kids ward/NICU upgrade at Dunedin Hospital approved
I was delighted to be at Dunedin Hospital yesterday when the Minister of Health announced funding had been approved for the $24 million upgrade of the paediatric inpatient ward, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the acute psychiatric ward.
In February this year I made strong representations to the Minister of Health Tony Ryall seeking approval for this project. While the doctors and nurses at Dunedin Hospital provide a fantastic level of care to our most vulnerable children, the ward is in a very old and dilapidated state and the cramped conditions in the NICU make it almost impossible to function well when the unit is full.
My own daughter spent a few days in the NICU after her birth in 2006 and it gave me an excellent insight into both the tremendous work being done by the staff in the NICU, but also the incredibly cramped conditions they have to endure. I really commend them for the good grace with which they’ve put up with those conditions and I am delighted the Minister has approved the capital funding which will enable the upgrade to go ahead.
In February this year I made strong representations to the Minister of Health Tony Ryall seeking approval for this project. While the doctors and nurses at Dunedin Hospital provide a fantastic level of care to our most vulnerable children, the ward is in a very old and dilapidated state and the cramped conditions in the NICU make it almost impossible to function well when the unit is full.
My own daughter spent a few days in the NICU after her birth in 2006 and it gave me an excellent insight into both the tremendous work being done by the staff in the NICU, but also the incredibly cramped conditions they have to endure. I really commend them for the good grace with which they’ve put up with those conditions and I am delighted the Minister has approved the capital funding which will enable the upgrade to go ahead.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Parliamentarians for Arthritis
Yesterday I launched the group Parliamentarians for Arthritis.
There are a number of parliamentary groups; most of them are friendship groups between New Zealand and other countries. The Parliamentarians for Arthritis group is just the second health-related group. The other is a diabetes group.
The purpose of the group is to raise awareness and understanding of arthritis amongst all members of parliament but holding occasional briefings and providing updates. There will be two or three forums per year between Arthritis New Zealand and other groups interested in this disease – for example The New Zealand Orthopaedics Association, Osteoporosis New Zealand, the New Zealand Rheumatology Association and the Bone and Joint Decade.
Half a million New Zealanders have arthritis and this is expected to grow to over 750,000 by 2020. It is expected that this will significantly add to the burden of musculoskeletal disease which is increasing with the ageing of the population.
We are in an increasingly dynamic policy environment for arthritis. Advances in drug therapies, stem cell research, and other exciting developments will challenge policy makers and politicians. This group will help contribute to meeting that challenge.
There are a number of parliamentary groups; most of them are friendship groups between New Zealand and other countries. The Parliamentarians for Arthritis group is just the second health-related group. The other is a diabetes group.
The purpose of the group is to raise awareness and understanding of arthritis amongst all members of parliament but holding occasional briefings and providing updates. There will be two or three forums per year between Arthritis New Zealand and other groups interested in this disease – for example The New Zealand Orthopaedics Association, Osteoporosis New Zealand, the New Zealand Rheumatology Association and the Bone and Joint Decade.
Half a million New Zealanders have arthritis and this is expected to grow to over 750,000 by 2020. It is expected that this will significantly add to the burden of musculoskeletal disease which is increasing with the ageing of the population.
We are in an increasingly dynamic policy environment for arthritis. Advances in drug therapies, stem cell research, and other exciting developments will challenge policy makers and politicians. This group will help contribute to meeting that challenge.
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