This week Japan is hosting the 22nd annual APEC Ministerial Meeting. Twenty economies are meeting to discuss key regional and international trade issues.
High on the agenda for New Zealand is the Trans Pacific Partnership. Negotiation on this is now attracting wide interest around the region. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on her recent visit to New Zealand that her government is committed to making it work. Trade between our two countries is worth around $8 billion a year.
APEC plays an important role in promoting trade among a diverse range of economies at different stages of development. This meeting will also conclude the Doha Development Round of trade negotiations for the World Trade Organisation.
Trade is a crucial part of National’s six-point economic plan to boost our economy, create jobs and growth, and build a brighter future for all New Zealanders.
More information: http://beehive.govt.nz/release/groser+meet+trade+counterparts+apec+0
Friday, November 12, 2010
New drug treatment unit opened
Funding treatment services is a key part of the Government's fight against P. It's important that people ready to quit can get the help they need.
This week an expanded residential service at Dunedin's Moana House was opened. It houses six new beds for the treatment and rehabilitation of methamphetamine users. The extra beds are being funded through the $23 million the Government has invested over three years in additional methamphetamine treatment services. This will provide 60 new residential beds for P users across New Zealand.
The $23 million for methamphetamine treatment services is on top of the $111 million spent on publicly funded addiction treatment services in the last financial year.
Moana House offers rehabilitation programmes for male offenders. Rehabilitation for methamphetamine users with criminal backgrounds can help break the cycle of crime and abuse that P inflicts on people.
More information: http://beehive.govt.nz/release/more+p+treatment+beds+dunedin
This week an expanded residential service at Dunedin's Moana House was opened. It houses six new beds for the treatment and rehabilitation of methamphetamine users. The extra beds are being funded through the $23 million the Government has invested over three years in additional methamphetamine treatment services. This will provide 60 new residential beds for P users across New Zealand.
The $23 million for methamphetamine treatment services is on top of the $111 million spent on publicly funded addiction treatment services in the last financial year.
Moana House offers rehabilitation programmes for male offenders. Rehabilitation for methamphetamine users with criminal backgrounds can help break the cycle of crime and abuse that P inflicts on people.
More information: http://beehive.govt.nz/release/more+p+treatment+beds+dunedin
Continuing the fight against P
P creates misery for those who are addicted to it, for their families, and for our communities. Tackling P is a major priority for National. Quite simply, we want to stamp it out.
This week the Prime Minister released the second Indicators and Progress report on our fight against P. The crackdown by Police and Customs continues to produce high levels of pseudoephedrine and methamphetamine seizures, and the increased focus on P by Police has seen more offences detected and offenders apprehended.
Over the past year we have introduced new policies aimed at tackling criminal gangs and the drugs trade. More than 25 kilos of methamphetamine worth around $25 million have been seized so far this year, and border seizures of pseudoephedrine look like they’ll rival the 1.2 tonnes seized in 2009.
We all know that P is hugely damaging to those who take it and the people who share their lives. It comes hand in hand with violence, allows organised crime to flourish, and entices young people into criminal careers. We are committed to using every tool we have to fight P.
More information: http://beehive.govt.nz/speech/%e2%80%98p039+plan+update
This week the Prime Minister released the second Indicators and Progress report on our fight against P. The crackdown by Police and Customs continues to produce high levels of pseudoephedrine and methamphetamine seizures, and the increased focus on P by Police has seen more offences detected and offenders apprehended.
Over the past year we have introduced new policies aimed at tackling criminal gangs and the drugs trade. More than 25 kilos of methamphetamine worth around $25 million have been seized so far this year, and border seizures of pseudoephedrine look like they’ll rival the 1.2 tonnes seized in 2009.
We all know that P is hugely damaging to those who take it and the people who share their lives. It comes hand in hand with violence, allows organised crime to flourish, and entices young people into criminal careers. We are committed to using every tool we have to fight P.
More information: http://beehive.govt.nz/speech/%e2%80%98p039+plan+update
Alcohol law reform underway
Alcohol is a major driver of crime. It plays a part in 30 per cent of all offences, 34 per cent of family violence, and half of all homicides. Our alcohol reform package empowers communities, zeroes in where alcohol harm is happening, and helps make our neighbourhoods safer.
Our reform package targets young people because young people suffer a high and disproportionate level of alcohol-related harm. To have any impact on our binge-drinking culture, we need measures to help control both the supply of alcohol to youth, and the environment they drink in.
Our Alcohol Law Reform Bill is a starting point for Parliament's discussion about alcohol. We will be listening carefully to public submissions on the bill.
National knows legislation alone won’t turn binge-drinking around. These reforms can, and will, support a culture change by helping control the availability and distribution of alcohol.
More information: http://beehive.govt.nz/release/starting+point+alcohol+law+reform+introduced+parliament
Our reform package targets young people because young people suffer a high and disproportionate level of alcohol-related harm. To have any impact on our binge-drinking culture, we need measures to help control both the supply of alcohol to youth, and the environment they drink in.
Our Alcohol Law Reform Bill is a starting point for Parliament's discussion about alcohol. We will be listening carefully to public submissions on the bill.
National knows legislation alone won’t turn binge-drinking around. These reforms can, and will, support a culture change by helping control the availability and distribution of alcohol.
More information: http://beehive.govt.nz/release/starting+point+alcohol+law+reform+introduced+parliament
Kiwifruit vine disease
We’re treating the discovery of PSA kiwifruit vine disease in the Bay of Plenty very seriously. The immediate focus is on determining how widely spread PSA is, and if containment is possible. Movement restrictions have been placed on all affected orchards. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is working closely with the industry, and considerable resources are being made available.
Kiwifruit growers are obviously very worried about the situation. It’s encouraging that all primary sector stakeholders are supporting the industry and Government as we work out exactly what we are dealing with.
PSA is spread by pollen, heavy rainfall, strong winds, animals and humans, and seems only to attack under certain environmental conditions. There is no human or animal health risk and no effect on other plants. Kiwifruit remains safe to eat.
Biosecurity Minister David Carter has already met with industry representatives and growers in the region. An additional 20 MAF contractors have been deployed to help with the response.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/minister+updates+kiwifruit+disease+action
Kiwifruit growers are obviously very worried about the situation. It’s encouraging that all primary sector stakeholders are supporting the industry and Government as we work out exactly what we are dealing with.
PSA is spread by pollen, heavy rainfall, strong winds, animals and humans, and seems only to attack under certain environmental conditions. There is no human or animal health risk and no effect on other plants. Kiwifruit remains safe to eat.
Biosecurity Minister David Carter has already met with industry representatives and growers in the region. An additional 20 MAF contractors have been deployed to help with the response.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/minister+updates+kiwifruit+disease+action
Thursday, November 11, 2010
A taste of South Korea
Recently I spent a week in South Korea as a guest of the Korea Foundation – an organisation established by the South Korean National Assembly with the aim of enhancing the image of Korea in the world and promoting academic and cultural exchange. Although just a week long trip, it gave me an excellent insight into this rapidly developing Asian economy.
Korea’s evolution into a robust democracy was a bumpy one following the end of the Korean War and the National Assembly is occasionally a “robust chamber” but there is no doubt that South Korea is emerging as an Asian power and our relationship with that country will be extremely important in the future. Prime Minister Key and President Lee signed a heads of agreement in advance of FTA negotiations, and while those negotiations stalled earlier this year, excellent progress has been made with our Prime Minister recently describing a bilateral FTA as “within touching distance.”
I was particularly interested in their health funding and service delivery and had access to senior members of their Ministry of Health and Welfare. I also visited the Seoul National University Hospital and the Samsung Medical Centre. Samsung was built just 15 years ago and is one of the most modern hospitals I have seen. They have a fully electronic medical record that our hospitals would be very envious of. Interesting to note that Korean hospital cost structures are considerably lower than ours notwithstanding their advanced economy.
Environmental and sustainability issues are challenging South Korea as much as any Western country. Although not signatories to the Kyoto Protocol, South Korea has nevertheless made excellent progress in developing green technologies through their Green Growth strategy and some of the technologies being developed by their industry, including hydrogen and electrical cars and home appliances designed to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions, are very exciting developments.
Of all the experiences, the one that will live longest in my memory was the visit to the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) – the border between North and South Korea. It really is an extraordinary place. Part Orwellian, somewhat comical posturing, but nevertheless extremely tense as underscored by the shots that were fired across the border just 24 hours after my visit.
I look forward to contributing to strengthening the relationship with South Korea and visiting that country again in the future. In the meantime, if you want to see photos of the trip go to my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=2094143&id=1316784109
Not a Facebook friend of mine? Become one by visiting http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=1316784109
Korea’s evolution into a robust democracy was a bumpy one following the end of the Korean War and the National Assembly is occasionally a “robust chamber” but there is no doubt that South Korea is emerging as an Asian power and our relationship with that country will be extremely important in the future. Prime Minister Key and President Lee signed a heads of agreement in advance of FTA negotiations, and while those negotiations stalled earlier this year, excellent progress has been made with our Prime Minister recently describing a bilateral FTA as “within touching distance.”
I was particularly interested in their health funding and service delivery and had access to senior members of their Ministry of Health and Welfare. I also visited the Seoul National University Hospital and the Samsung Medical Centre. Samsung was built just 15 years ago and is one of the most modern hospitals I have seen. They have a fully electronic medical record that our hospitals would be very envious of. Interesting to note that Korean hospital cost structures are considerably lower than ours notwithstanding their advanced economy.
Environmental and sustainability issues are challenging South Korea as much as any Western country. Although not signatories to the Kyoto Protocol, South Korea has nevertheless made excellent progress in developing green technologies through their Green Growth strategy and some of the technologies being developed by their industry, including hydrogen and electrical cars and home appliances designed to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions, are very exciting developments.
Of all the experiences, the one that will live longest in my memory was the visit to the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) – the border between North and South Korea. It really is an extraordinary place. Part Orwellian, somewhat comical posturing, but nevertheless extremely tense as underscored by the shots that were fired across the border just 24 hours after my visit.
I look forward to contributing to strengthening the relationship with South Korea and visiting that country again in the future. In the meantime, if you want to see photos of the trip go to my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=2094143&id=1316784109
Not a Facebook friend of mine? Become one by visiting http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=1316784109
Neurosurgery decision welcomed
News that neurosurgery services will continue to be provided at Dunedin Hospital will be a huge relief to the people of Otago and Southland. Those services were under threat following concerns about its continuing viability as a standalone service. There was a significant push to have the service moved to Christchurch. While clinicians agreed that the South Island should have a single regional service, they disagreed about whether that should be a one-site or a two-site model with two neurosurgeons based in Dunedin. The Director-General of Health convened an expert panel to review the possibilities and today announced that not two but three neurosurgeons will be based in Dunedin providing surgery and academic services as part of a regional service.
I’m not surprised by the decision which is the right one in my view. The process of considering the future of the service was robust and despite attempts by some politicians and activists to politicise the issue this was always going to be a decision made on its clinical merits. That said, the overwhelming public support for the retention of the service as evidenced by the nearly 56,000 signature petition presented to parliament by Eric Roy and me – one of the largest non-referenda petitions ever presented to parliament – left no one in any doubt what the people of the South wanted. Those views have prevailed and the challenge now commences to ensure that a safe, robust and sustainable service under a regional model can be provided.
I'm very proud of the services we provide in the South and this is further evidence that others can see the quality of that service also.
I’m not surprised by the decision which is the right one in my view. The process of considering the future of the service was robust and despite attempts by some politicians and activists to politicise the issue this was always going to be a decision made on its clinical merits. That said, the overwhelming public support for the retention of the service as evidenced by the nearly 56,000 signature petition presented to parliament by Eric Roy and me – one of the largest non-referenda petitions ever presented to parliament – left no one in any doubt what the people of the South wanted. Those views have prevailed and the challenge now commences to ensure that a safe, robust and sustainable service under a regional model can be provided.
I'm very proud of the services we provide in the South and this is further evidence that others can see the quality of that service also.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Promise kept on coastal policy
National is delivering on our promise to provide more guidance for local authorities to meet their obligations under the Resource Management Act.
The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 will provide stronger direction and protection for the management of our coastal areas. It will include direction on natural character, outstanding landscapes, nationally significant surf breaks, biodiversity, planning for subdivision use, and it will emphasise the priority the Government places on public access to the coast.
There is updated policy on managing coastal hazards and a stronger requirement to identify where water quality is degraded and should be enhanced. The statement also includes policies on ports and aquaculture to recognise the importance these industries play in our national economy. It will replace the 1994 policy statement when it comes into force on December 3.
For a copy of the statement visit: www.doc.govt.nz/coastalpolicy
The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 will provide stronger direction and protection for the management of our coastal areas. It will include direction on natural character, outstanding landscapes, nationally significant surf breaks, biodiversity, planning for subdivision use, and it will emphasise the priority the Government places on public access to the coast.
There is updated policy on managing coastal hazards and a stronger requirement to identify where water quality is degraded and should be enhanced. The statement also includes policies on ports and aquaculture to recognise the importance these industries play in our national economy. It will replace the 1994 policy statement when it comes into force on December 3.
For a copy of the statement visit: www.doc.govt.nz/coastalpolicy
Communities benefit from doubling of landcare funding
National has doubled funding for the Landcare Trust to improve management of waterways and native flora and fauna near farm land.
The Landcare Trust, a partnership between Federated Farmers, Fish & Game, Forest & Bird and four other national stakeholders, has worked with hundreds of farmers and landowners to review and improve their land management practices. As a result, waterways have been protected, trees planted, pests controlled, and native flora and fauna has flourished. Baseline funding of $400,000 a year has not changed since 1996.
National is serious about improving fresh water quality – one of our most precious environmental and economic resources. Our announcement of another $400,000 a year will enable the Trust to expand and grow its successful land management work. This includes support for Landcare and community-based groups, fostering research, and providing land management training.
More information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt+boosts+funding+improve+land+management+practice
The Landcare Trust, a partnership between Federated Farmers, Fish & Game, Forest & Bird and four other national stakeholders, has worked with hundreds of farmers and landowners to review and improve their land management practices. As a result, waterways have been protected, trees planted, pests controlled, and native flora and fauna has flourished. Baseline funding of $400,000 a year has not changed since 1996.
National is serious about improving fresh water quality – one of our most precious environmental and economic resources. Our announcement of another $400,000 a year will enable the Trust to expand and grow its successful land management work. This includes support for Landcare and community-based groups, fostering research, and providing land management training.
More information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt+boosts+funding+improve+land+management+practice
New path for social housing
Recommendations from the Housing Shareholders Advisory Group for a different approach to the delivery of social and state housing are being considered by Government.
The state housing model is not providing for those most in need. Despite record levels of investment, the Housing New Zealand waiting list remains static at 10,000 people, of which more than 4000 are classified as high priority. National is very concerned about those families on the waiting list who are in significant need while Housing New Zealand is maintaining thousands of old houses that are the wrong size, often in the wrong areas, and 5000 of which are occupied by tenants who could afford rent privately.
If the Government were to adopt new policies, such as the introduction of reviewable tenancies, it is likely these would be introduced for new tenants. The elderly and the infirm will not be adversely affected by any changes.
More information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government+consider+new+path+social+housing
The state housing model is not providing for those most in need. Despite record levels of investment, the Housing New Zealand waiting list remains static at 10,000 people, of which more than 4000 are classified as high priority. National is very concerned about those families on the waiting list who are in significant need while Housing New Zealand is maintaining thousands of old houses that are the wrong size, often in the wrong areas, and 5000 of which are occupied by tenants who could afford rent privately.
If the Government were to adopt new policies, such as the introduction of reviewable tenancies, it is likely these would be introduced for new tenants. The elderly and the infirm will not be adversely affected by any changes.
More information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government+consider+new+path+social+housing
Cutting red tape and saving jobs
As part of National’s campaign to cut red tape, we have repealed regulations which each year would have added more than $20 million to family grocery bills and put an extra 30 million plastic containers into the waste stream.
These regulations would have required more than 1000 household products, in cardboard boxes and refill bottles, to have child resistant packaging, despite having similar toxicity to table salt or lemon juice. Products that would have been banned include Persil, Palmolive Dishwashing Liquid, Surf, Spray 'N Wipe, Mr Muscle, and Toilet Duck. National’s commonsense approach to regulations is about reversing Labour's Nanny State, containing the cost of living, and saving jobs.
Child safety is important, but Labour’s regulations went too far. There is no evidence of serious or fatal injury of children from these products. Those products which do pose a threat to safety will have child-resistant packaging.
More information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/regulation+reversal+will+save+households
These regulations would have required more than 1000 household products, in cardboard boxes and refill bottles, to have child resistant packaging, despite having similar toxicity to table salt or lemon juice. Products that would have been banned include Persil, Palmolive Dishwashing Liquid, Surf, Spray 'N Wipe, Mr Muscle, and Toilet Duck. National’s commonsense approach to regulations is about reversing Labour's Nanny State, containing the cost of living, and saving jobs.
Child safety is important, but Labour’s regulations went too far. There is no evidence of serious or fatal injury of children from these products. Those products which do pose a threat to safety will have child-resistant packaging.
More information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/regulation+reversal+will+save+households
The Hobbit stays in New Zealand
John Key has stepped in to ensure The Hobbit movies will be made in New Zealand, bringing long-term benefits for our country.
Movie giant Warner Bros was seriously considering making the Sir Peter Jackson movies elsewhere after unions threatened the production. In a deal hammered out this week, the Government is providing the film industry with the certainty needed to continue making films in New Zealand. The deal will help protect the film industry and the livelihoods of thousands of hard-working Kiwis who depend on it, and will help lift the long-term performance of our economy – National’s main focus.
The film industry is worth $2.8 billion to our economy and the two Hobbit films will bring in $670 million alone. They are vitally important to our film and tourism industry and will showcase New Zealand to the world as a great place to live, visit, and do business.
More information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/hobbit+movies+be+made+new+zealand
Movie giant Warner Bros was seriously considering making the Sir Peter Jackson movies elsewhere after unions threatened the production. In a deal hammered out this week, the Government is providing the film industry with the certainty needed to continue making films in New Zealand. The deal will help protect the film industry and the livelihoods of thousands of hard-working Kiwis who depend on it, and will help lift the long-term performance of our economy – National’s main focus.
The film industry is worth $2.8 billion to our economy and the two Hobbit films will bring in $670 million alone. They are vitally important to our film and tourism industry and will showcase New Zealand to the world as a great place to live, visit, and do business.
More information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/hobbit+movies+be+made+new+zealand
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