Social obligations mean better outcomes for children

National is introducing new requirements to ensure children who live in benefit-dependant households get the vital education and health services they need – the services that can make a real difference for each child’s future.

We’ll require children to be enrolled in at least 15 hours of early child education and attend school. They will also need to be enrolled with a general practitioner and complete core health checks.

We expect beneficiaries to take “reasonable steps” to meet requirements. Parents will have three opportunities to meet these obligations before a financial sanction of 50 per cent will apply. We believe these obligations are reasonable and achievable and reflect the expectations most New Zealanders have of parents.

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$1 billion investment in Canterbury education

$1 billion investment in Canterbury education

The Government will invest $1 billion over the next ten years to restore the education sector in greater Christchurch, Selwyn, and Waimakariri. Rebuilding Christchurch is one of National’s four priorities for this term in government.

The education sector and wider community have signalled support for new approaches including greater sharing of resources and capital. To achieve that, schools have been grouped into clusters based on their geographic location.

This will enable decisions about the schooling network to consider housing developments and surrounding infrastructure.

Of the 215 schools in the greater Christchurch region, we will consult on a proposal to close 13 schools. Another 18 schools will be involved in mergers of some kind.

$92 million boost for high-tech

Building a more competitive and productive economy is one of the Government’s four priorities this term. That’s why we’re investing $92 million into research that will help grow the high-tech manufacturing sector through Science and Innovation in New Zealand.

Crown Research Institutes, and private research organisations have been awarded research grants in the high-value manufacturing sector. The 31 projects range from medical technologies like early cancer detection to nanotechnology insulation and cryogenic refrigeration.

The $92 million for the projects over six years is the second tranche of the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment’s 2012 science investment round. It follows the $133 million in science research grants that we announced last month.

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New PPP prison in Auckland

A new public-private partnership (PPP) prison, focused on rehabilitating and reintegrating offenders, will be constructed at Wiri, South Auckland.

The SecureFuture consortium will design, finance, build and operate the 960-bed prison, at a $170 million saving to the taxpayer. Three hundred staff will be employed to operate the prison, while up to 1000 workers could be involved in its construction.

The contract has strong performance incentives based on custodial, rehabilitation and reintegration indicators. This contract will support the Government’s ambition of reducing reoffending by 25 per cent by 2017, and is part of National’s commitment to responsibly manage the Government’s finances.

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Greater protection for frontline staff

A bill that will ensure greater protection for frontline staff when they are responding to dangerous situations became law this week.

Any offending against law enforcement or emergency service officers will now be an aggravating factor during sentencing. Previously, there was no requirement for judges to take first responder status into account.

Our police, prison officers, ambulance staff, paramedics, doctors, nurses, and firefighters are our first line of defence. They put their own lives at risk every day to save and protect their fellow New Zealanders.

This new law sends a clear message that National is committed to protecting frontline staff, and that offences against them will not be tolerated.

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Benefits stopped for those with arrest warrants

National has announced that people with outstanding arrest warrants will no longer receive a benefit while evading police.

About 8200 of 15,000 people with arrest warrants are receiving benefits. This reform will mean that if someone has an outstanding arrest warrant, their benefit could be stopped, unless they do the right thing and come forward to the authorities.

The welfare system will always be there to support people and families who genuinely need it. But people who are actively evading police should not receive taxpayer assistance while they do so.

National campaigned on delivering better public services, and this means building confidence in our welfare system through stronger obligations on those receiving benefits.

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More performance gains in tertiary education

Tertiary results from 2011 show National’s continued focus on performance is working. The 2011 performance information shows that university, polytechnic, wānanga, and private training establishments have improved their course and qualification completion rates, and student retention rates.

Course completions have risen from 77 per cent in 2009 to 82 per cent in 2011, with qualification rates increasing from 62 to 71 per cent.

Completion rates at level 4 and above have also continued to increase, putting us on track to deliver on our better public services target of 55 per cent of 25 - 34 year olds having a level 4 qualification or above by 2017.

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Savings for Government in student loans

Changes over the past three budgets have helped reduce the cost to Government for student loans from 48 cents to 39 cents in the dollar. That is a significant achievement. We said we would get it down to 40 cents, and now we’ve surpassed that.

Budget 2012 forecast that student support changes would provide a one-off saving of about $250 million, and $60-$70 million of annual savings. As at 30 June 2012, the actual savings are $286 million.

This is another demonstration of National delivering on one of our key priorities of responsibly managing the Government’s finances. It also means we can reinvest in the next generation of learners.

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New Christchurch hospital one step closer

The Government’s commitment of $5.5 billion to the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Fund has given certainty for the hospital rebuild, and over the past six months progress has been made.
Cabinet has approved the redevelopment of the Canterbury District Health Board hospitals. The project will be the largest hospital build in the history of New Zealand’s public health service, including fast-tracking the design of the Burwood Hospital redevelopment.

The final business plan, due at the end of the year, will establish the best option to build additional operating theatres, replace about 500 beds, expand the intensive care unit and emergency department at Christchurch Hospital, and build a new hospital for older people’s health at Burwood.

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New Zealand confirms intentions for Bamyan withdrawal

Cabinet has confirmed the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team will be coming home from Bamyan province, Afghanistan, by the end of April 2013.

The timing fits well with the International Security Assistance Force’s planning and logistical considerations. It also ensures a sensible, orderly and professional transition for our troops and international partners. Until then, the Provincial Reconstruction Team will continue its work training and mentoring the local security forces.

Over its 10-year deployment, the Provincial Reconstruction Team has contributed to international counter-terrorism efforts, improved security, and the development and governance of Bamyan province. Our success is reflected in Bamyan’s position as a leader in the transition process.

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Government share offer announced

The Government has announced that an initial public offering of up to 49 per cent of Mighty River Power, which was planned for later this year, will now go ahead between March and June next year, market conditions allowing.

Claimants to the Waitangi Tribunal raised concerns that the partial share of Mighty River Power would make it more difficult for the Crown at some point in the future to recognise Maori rights and interests in water.

The Government’s position on water rights is consistent and clear - in common law no-one owns water, and the minority sale of Mighty River Power does not impact on the Crown’s ability to address local Māori claims to rights and interests in water.

Ministers carefully considered the tribunal’s report and decided that the right thing to do at this point is to undertake a short period of consultation with relevant iwi on one aspect of the Waitangi Tribunal’s report, described as “shares plus”.

Despite the delay, the Government is firmly committed to the share offer programme.

By taking the time to consult with iwi, we will also be able to provide potential investors with more certainty and confidence as to the timeframe for the share offer.

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