The number of prisoners testing positive for drugs has reached a record low. Latest figures, for the eight months to the end of February, show that only 4.3 per cent of prisoners tested positive after random drugs tests.
These figures are fantastic, and show that National’s significant investment in addiction treatment and prison security is paying off.
This is a great improvement since 2007/08, when 13 per cent of prisoners tested positive.
If we want to stop prisoners from reoffending we have to break their addictions. Since 2008, we have doubled the number of prisoners able to attend specialist drug treatment units.
National is addressing the drivers of crime and keeping our communities safe.
For more information, click here.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Vehicle licence reform
National has announced a reform project to look into reducing compliance costs for motorists by making the vehicle licensing system simpler and more efficient. We are reviewing annual registration, warrant of fitness, and the transport services licensing systems.
The review has the potential to save millions of dollars in unnecessary costs and time for households, businesses, and the government.
National is committed to finding ways to improve economic growth, reduce costs for people living in New Zealand, and deliver services in a better way. We’re committed to getting this right and we will look closely at the recommendations of the review. You can have your say here.
Recommendations will require government approval. Announcements on any proposed changes are expected by the end of 2012.
For more information, click here.
The review has the potential to save millions of dollars in unnecessary costs and time for households, businesses, and the government.
National is committed to finding ways to improve economic growth, reduce costs for people living in New Zealand, and deliver services in a better way. We’re committed to getting this right and we will look closely at the recommendations of the review. You can have your say here.
Recommendations will require government approval. Announcements on any proposed changes are expected by the end of 2012.
For more information, click here.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Better local government for New Zealanders
National’s “Better Local Government” reforms are part of our programme for building a more productive, competitive economy, and better public services for New Zealanders.
Ratepayers need to know their council is spending their money wisely, on services that matter to them. New Zealand’s 78 councils spend $7.5 billion dollars of public money each year. Since 2002 council debt has quadrupled from $2 billion to $8 billion, and rates have increased 7 per cent a year.
Our reforms will focus councils on their core roles of providing local infrastructure, public services, and regulatory functions, at the least cost to households and businesses. They will make councils more fiscally responsible, strengthen council governance provisions, and streamline council reorganisation processes.
Simply put, they will give councils more tools to help keep debt down and rates affordable for our families.
For more information, click here.
Search and Surveillance Bill becomes law
National’s search and surveillance bill passed its third and final reading in Parliament this week.
The new act brings certainty, clarity and consistency to messy, unclear and outdated search and surveillance laws. It updates provisions found across 69 different acts. We now have a regime fit for the 21st century.
There are a number of safeguards in the legislation to balance law enforcement and investigation powers with human rights. We have achieved the right balance between the need for effective and modern powers, and protecting the rights of citizens.
National is delivering on our promise to provide our law enforcement officers with the tools they need to protect New Zealanders.
The new act brings certainty, clarity and consistency to messy, unclear and outdated search and surveillance laws. It updates provisions found across 69 different acts. We now have a regime fit for the 21st century.
There are a number of safeguards in the legislation to balance law enforcement and investigation powers with human rights. We have achieved the right balance between the need for effective and modern powers, and protecting the rights of citizens.
National is delivering on our promise to provide our law enforcement officers with the tools they need to protect New Zealanders.
Helping people into work
Delivering better public services is one of National’s four key priorities for our second term, and welfare reform is a significant part of this.
National believes that those who can work should work. Getting off welfare and into work means a better life, better opportunities, and a brighter future for people and their families.
This week we introduced welfare reform legislation to Parliament that focuses on those most at risk from long-term dependency. It will target resources to help young people on benefits make better choices, encourage them to be in education or training, and budget with their weekly income. It will also require young parents to do parenting courses.
This investment will save the taxpayer and our community large costs in the longer term.
We will also require sole parents to look for part-time work when their youngest child is five, and full-time work when their youngest child is 14. We’ll ask those on the Widow’s and Women Alone benefits to work if jobs are available.
For more information, click here.
Making energy cleaner, more renewable
New Zealand already has the second highest proportion of renewable energy in the OECD and National is committed to making further progress by reaching the goal of 90 per cent renewable energy by 2025.
This week we announced further progress towards this goal with 77 per cent of our energy being generated from renewable sources in 2011, up from 74 per cent in 2010.
National has taken action on renewable energy. We removed road user charges on electric cars, streamlined the RMA to make renewable energy projects more efficient, and developed the National Policy Statement on Renewable Electricity Generation.
These initiatives are working. In 2011 wind generation increased to 4.5 per cent of total generation and geothermal generation increased to 13.4 per cent.
For more information, click here.
This week we announced further progress towards this goal with 77 per cent of our energy being generated from renewable sources in 2011, up from 74 per cent in 2010.
National has taken action on renewable energy. We removed road user charges on electric cars, streamlined the RMA to make renewable energy projects more efficient, and developed the National Policy Statement on Renewable Electricity Generation.
These initiatives are working. In 2011 wind generation increased to 4.5 per cent of total generation and geothermal generation increased to 13.4 per cent.
For more information, click here.
Broadband in schools rollout making great progress
This week National announced the latest schools to be connected to the ultra-fast broadband network. A further 23 schools in Hamilton, Tauranga, New Plymouth, and Whanganui will be able to be connected to the network by July.
Ultra-fast broadband in schools will revolutionise the way kids learn. Schools will be able to share scarce specialist teachers, and students will be able to take part in virtual classrooms and courses that might not be available at their own schools.
Building a more competitive and productive economy is one of National’s four key priorities and ultra-fast broadband in schools is an important part of this.
For more information, click here.
Ultra-fast broadband in schools will revolutionise the way kids learn. Schools will be able to share scarce specialist teachers, and students will be able to take part in virtual classrooms and courses that might not be available at their own schools.
Building a more competitive and productive economy is one of National’s four key priorities and ultra-fast broadband in schools is an important part of this.
For more information, click here.
Friday, March 16, 2012
We’re changing the give way rule
We’re making changes to give way rules on March 25 and it’s really important to be prepared. We’re changing the law to make it simpler, bringing us into line with the rest of the world. There are two key changes. If you’re turning right, give way to vehicles turning left; and at a T-intersection, give way to vehicles on the continuing road.
Changes to the give way rules are one of many actions the National is taking under the Safer Journeys action plan, to improve safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. You can learn more about the changes at www.giveway.govt.nz.
For more information, click here.
Creating the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
One of National’s priorities is building a more productive and competitive economy. To help drive this we are establishing a single, dedicated business-facing government department to strengthen the public service’s ability to work on business policy, regulation and engagement.
On 1 July, the new Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will merge:
· Ministry of Economic Development
· Department of Labour
· Ministry of Science and Innovation
· Department of Building and Housing.
The new ministry will make it easier for New Zealand businesses to engage with government, rather than dealing separately with a number of different agencies when they are seeking advice or support.
For more information, click here.
On 1 July, the new Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will merge:
· Ministry of Economic Development
· Department of Labour
· Ministry of Science and Innovation
· Department of Building and Housing.
The new ministry will make it easier for New Zealand businesses to engage with government, rather than dealing separately with a number of different agencies when they are seeking advice or support.
For more information, click here.
Lowering the cap
National has reset the cap on the number of positions in core government administration at the lower level of 36,475 fulltime equivalents. We are already under that number and will stay under it.
In our last term we lowered the cap to just under 39,000 which helped us successfully turn around the huge increase in public service numbers under the Labour government.
Last year we campaigned on a lower cap. We are delivering on that promise.
The cap will count most people working in government departments and in some Crown entities. It will not include frontline staff such as teachers, hospital staff, police officers or prison officers. The lower cap reflects that the public service is subject to the same pressures as households and business right across New Zealand.
For more information, click here.
In our last term we lowered the cap to just under 39,000 which helped us successfully turn around the huge increase in public service numbers under the Labour government.
Last year we campaigned on a lower cap. We are delivering on that promise.
The cap will count most people working in government departments and in some Crown entities. It will not include frontline staff such as teachers, hospital staff, police officers or prison officers. The lower cap reflects that the public service is subject to the same pressures as households and business right across New Zealand.
For more information, click here.
Setting 10 challenging results targets
National has set 10 challenging results which the public sector will be accountable for achieving over the next three to five years. Specific and measurable targets will be agreed in the next few months and made public by 30 June.
Ministers have been appointed to lead each of the results, along with public service chief executives who are accountable for demonstrating real progress against each result.
The areas of focus are: reducing long-term welfare dependency, supporting vulnerable children, boosting skills and employment, reducing crime, and improving interaction with government for Kiwis and New Zealand businesses.
Progress against each result will be publicly available so New Zealanders can judge for themselves how well we are doing in achieving results.
For more information, click here.
Ministers have been appointed to lead each of the results, along with public service chief executives who are accountable for demonstrating real progress against each result.
The areas of focus are: reducing long-term welfare dependency, supporting vulnerable children, boosting skills and employment, reducing crime, and improving interaction with government for Kiwis and New Zealand businesses.
Progress against each result will be publicly available so New Zealanders can judge for themselves how well we are doing in achieving results.
For more information, click here.
National sharpens focus on public sector results
Prime Minister John Key has outlined the next steps in National’s programme to create a public sector that is more innovative, efficient, and focused on delivering what New Zealanders want and expect.
Delivering better public services to New Zealanders within tight financial constraints is one of National’s four key priorities for its second term. The changes announced will help achieve that goal.
We want a public sector for the future that will be organised around delivering results, and at the same time, having a sharp focus on its costs.
For more information, click here.
Delivering better public services to New Zealanders within tight financial constraints is one of National’s four key priorities for its second term. The changes announced will help achieve that goal.
We want a public sector for the future that will be organised around delivering results, and at the same time, having a sharp focus on its costs.
For more information, click here.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Building investment, getting on top of debt
We need to build a more competitive economy based on savings and investment, and away from debt borrowed from overseas lenders.
We can see on television most nights the damage too much debt has done to economies in Europe and elsewhere – we don’t want that for New Zealand.
Our mixed ownership programme – offering New Zealanders minority shareholdings in four state-owned energy companies and Air New Zealand – is another step in getting on top of debt in this country.
This week we introduced legislation to Parliament to support the Government’s partial share floats for the energy companies – Mighty River Power, Genesis, Meridian, and Solid Energy.
It guarantees the Government will own at least 51 per cent of these companies and prevents any other shareholder from owning more than 10 per cent – ensuring widespread New Zealand investment.
The Government is aiming to undertake the first initial public offering – for Mighty River Power – around the third quarter of this year.
For more information, click here.
We can see on television most nights the damage too much debt has done to economies in Europe and elsewhere – we don’t want that for New Zealand.
Our mixed ownership programme – offering New Zealanders minority shareholdings in four state-owned energy companies and Air New Zealand – is another step in getting on top of debt in this country.
This week we introduced legislation to Parliament to support the Government’s partial share floats for the energy companies – Mighty River Power, Genesis, Meridian, and Solid Energy.
It guarantees the Government will own at least 51 per cent of these companies and prevents any other shareholder from owning more than 10 per cent – ensuring widespread New Zealand investment.
The Government is aiming to undertake the first initial public offering – for Mighty River Power – around the third quarter of this year.
For more information, click here.
Keeping our young people in education
More of our young people are benefiting from Youth Guarantee. A total of 9616 training places will be created in 2012 for 16- and 17-year olds under National’s Youth Guarantee Scheme.
And enrolments have trebled this year at our 16 trades academies with 1936 learners. This is a huge increase on the 625 who participated last year. Numbers are set to increase further with another five academies opening later this year.
The Youth Guarantee Scheme, which now encompasses trades academies and Youth Training fees-free tertiary places, gives our young people the opportunity to gain practical skills and a career.
National is investing more than $100 million in the scheme this year to continue our focus on engaging youth at risk of dropping out of school.
For more information, click here.
And enrolments have trebled this year at our 16 trades academies with 1936 learners. This is a huge increase on the 625 who participated last year. Numbers are set to increase further with another five academies opening later this year.
The Youth Guarantee Scheme, which now encompasses trades academies and Youth Training fees-free tertiary places, gives our young people the opportunity to gain practical skills and a career.
National is investing more than $100 million in the scheme this year to continue our focus on engaging youth at risk of dropping out of school.
For more information, click here.
Broadband to be rolled out to hundreds more schools
National announced this week that a further 693 schools will be connected to the ultra-fast broadband network. We are investing $1.35 billion on the ultra-fast broadband initiative and $300 million on the rural broadband initiative.
By July next year, more than 410,000 students at over 1500 schools around the country will be connected under both initiatives.
Ultra-fast broadband is a vital part of National’s plan to build a more competitive and productive economy – one of the four key priorities for our second term.
By the end of 2015, 97.7 per cent of schools and 99.9 per cent of students will receive ultra-fast fibre enabling speeds of up to100 Mbps.
The remaining schools in the most remote locations will receive a high-speed wireless or satellite connection. Our commitment means no school will miss out once the roll-out is complete.
For more information, click here.
By July next year, more than 410,000 students at over 1500 schools around the country will be connected under both initiatives.
Ultra-fast broadband is a vital part of National’s plan to build a more competitive and productive economy – one of the four key priorities for our second term.
By the end of 2015, 97.7 per cent of schools and 99.9 per cent of students will receive ultra-fast fibre enabling speeds of up to100 Mbps.
The remaining schools in the most remote locations will receive a high-speed wireless or satellite connection. Our commitment means no school will miss out once the roll-out is complete.
For more information, click here.
Next steps for new public-private prison
National’s new public-private partnership (PPP) prison at Wiri in South Auckland will provide improved facilities, better services, and a tighter focus on results.
A consortium of companies, SecureFuture, has been chosen to design, finance, build, operate, and maintain the new 960-bed facility, which is needed to meet growing demand for prisoner accommodation in Auckland.
Construction will start in the second half of this year, with the prison expected to open in 2015.
Delivering better public services is one of National’s four key priorities this term. And we are confident the new prison will reduce reoffending, improve public safety, and help lift performance across the entire prison system.
The contract will have strong performance incentives, SecureFuture will need to achieve lower reoffending rates than the average for publicly run prisons to receive incentive payments, and it will be strongly focused on rehabilitation.
For more information, click here.
A consortium of companies, SecureFuture, has been chosen to design, finance, build, operate, and maintain the new 960-bed facility, which is needed to meet growing demand for prisoner accommodation in Auckland.
Construction will start in the second half of this year, with the prison expected to open in 2015.
Delivering better public services is one of National’s four key priorities this term. And we are confident the new prison will reduce reoffending, improve public safety, and help lift performance across the entire prison system.
The contract will have strong performance incentives, SecureFuture will need to achieve lower reoffending rates than the average for publicly run prisons to receive incentive payments, and it will be strongly focused on rehabilitation.
For more information, click here.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Budget on May 24
Finance Minister Bill English will deliver the Government’s fourth Budget on Thursday 24 May.
The Budget will focus on implementing the Government’s clear and comprehensive plan to build a more productive and competitive economy.
National’s plan includes our four priorities for our second term. They are responsibly managing the Government’s finances, building a more productive and competitive economy, delivering better public services within tight financial constraints, and rebuilding Christchurch.
For more information, click here.
The Budget will focus on implementing the Government’s clear and comprehensive plan to build a more productive and competitive economy.
National’s plan includes our four priorities for our second term. They are responsibly managing the Government’s finances, building a more productive and competitive economy, delivering better public services within tight financial constraints, and rebuilding Christchurch.
For more information, click here.
More patients getting key health services
The latest results for the six National Health Targets show record achievements.
District Health Boards are focusing even more strongly on patients, and patients are benefiting from the Government's $1.5 billion extra funding over the past three years.
These achievements have undoubtedly been helped by the fact that district health boards employed an extra 800 doctors and 2000 nurses during the past three years.
Emergency departments recorded their best result ever. In the three months to the end of December, 238,000 New Zealanders turned up at hospital emergency departments, and 92 per cent of them were treated or transferred within the six-hour target.
And every cancer patient ready for radiation treatment started within the world gold standard of four weeks.
For more information, click here.
District Health Boards are focusing even more strongly on patients, and patients are benefiting from the Government's $1.5 billion extra funding over the past three years.
These achievements have undoubtedly been helped by the fact that district health boards employed an extra 800 doctors and 2000 nurses during the past three years.
Emergency departments recorded their best result ever. In the three months to the end of December, 238,000 New Zealanders turned up at hospital emergency departments, and 92 per cent of them were treated or transferred within the six-hour target.
And every cancer patient ready for radiation treatment started within the world gold standard of four weeks.
For more information, click here.
Better protecting our children
How we value, nurture, and protect our children is a long overdue debate Kiwis are having.
National has led this debate with our Green Paper on Vulnerable Children. When submissions on the Green Paper closed at midnight Tuesday 28 February more than 8800 submissions had been received.
Themes emerging from submissions and public meetings include the need for greater information sharing, support for parents, monitoring children from birth, and mandatory reporting of suspected abuse and neglect.
Work will now begin on the White Paper and from that a 10-year Children’s Action Plan will be developed to be released midway through this year.
For more information, click here.
National has led this debate with our Green Paper on Vulnerable Children. When submissions on the Green Paper closed at midnight Tuesday 28 February more than 8800 submissions had been received.
Themes emerging from submissions and public meetings include the need for greater information sharing, support for parents, monitoring children from birth, and mandatory reporting of suspected abuse and neglect.
Work will now begin on the White Paper and from that a 10-year Children’s Action Plan will be developed to be released midway through this year.
For more information, click here.
Making welfare work
National believes that those who can work, should work, and we’ll help them to do just that. Delivering better public services is one of the National-led Government’s four key priorities for our second term, and welfare reform is a significant part of this.
The benefit system is simply not working and not delivering for New Zealand. One in eight New Zealanders of working-age, is on a benefit, while 220,000 children live in benefit-dependent homes. This is creating too many vulnerable people and trapping them in a life of limited choices, poverty, and poor health. Evidence clearly shows children are better off when their parents are in work and not on welfare.
This week we announced a two-stage programme to fundamentally alter the welfare system with a new work-focused benefit, greater work expectations, and an approach that focuses on the long-term cost of welfare dependency.
This month we will introduce legislation that will require some beneficiaries with children to be work available, as well as those on Widow’s and Women Alone benefits. It will also target support for youth who are on a collision course with long-term welfare dependency.
Later this year we’ll introduce more legislation to overhaul of benefit categories and clamp down on fraud.
The benefit system is simply not working and not delivering for New Zealand. One in eight New Zealanders of working-age, is on a benefit, while 220,000 children live in benefit-dependent homes. This is creating too many vulnerable people and trapping them in a life of limited choices, poverty, and poor health. Evidence clearly shows children are better off when their parents are in work and not on welfare.
This week we announced a two-stage programme to fundamentally alter the welfare system with a new work-focused benefit, greater work expectations, and an approach that focuses on the long-term cost of welfare dependency.
This month we will introduce legislation that will require some beneficiaries with children to be work available, as well as those on Widow’s and Women Alone benefits. It will also target support for youth who are on a collision course with long-term welfare dependency.
Later this year we’ll introduce more legislation to overhaul of benefit categories and clamp down on fraud.
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