Rehash of Old Ideas

The National Party have released their long awaited anti social welfare policy to the theme of ‘Back to the Past’.

“The 1990s is back and today the National Party showed how bereft they really are of new ideas,” said Ruth Dyson Minister for Social Development.

Their policy will:

News Worthy – 13 June 2008 – No. 250

Something is clearly wrong when the Government has doubled expenditure on health but hospitals are spiralling into deficit even through the Government promised not to let that happen.

Buried in the fine print of last month’s Budget is the revelation that nine of the country’s DHBs are expecting to run up huge deficits in the next financial year: Auckland, Counties Manukau, Tairawhiti, Hawke’s Bay, Whanganui, Capital and Coast, West Coast, Otago, and Southland.

Apparently there is a $24 million deficit at Wellington’s Capital and Coast DHB – more than double what was expected. Last week, Hutt Valley DHB admitted to a possible $6 million to $9 million deficit after planning to break even.

Southland’s deficit has jumped to more than $6 million. MidCentral’s deficit is expected to be over $7 million – four times the original estimate.

The response of Finance Minister Michael Cullen is that “cost containment strategies” are being put in place. It is not clear what that means in the context of sick or injured people.

Ironically, Helen Clark campaigned in Opposition on a promise that ‘the deficit funding of the public health sector has to stop. We should fund a balanced budget for our public health services – not a deficit budget’.

The New Zealand political economy

This month, Kerry McDonald, a well-known professional company director who was previously the director of the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research and then Managing Director of Colmaco, gave his insights in a published paper which was sub-titled “Ineffective policies, lost opportunities; miserable results and serious risks”.

It is a devastating indictment of the Labour-led Government and looks at a range of key performance indicators and key issues.

His comments include that an NZIER analysis of the Government’s recent report Economic Development Indicators 2007 concludes: the 24 underlying determinants of New Zealand’s living standards are “heavily clustered” in the “low” and “deteriorating” performance ratings. Twelve were rated low, 10 medium, and 2 high. In addition, 13 were deteriorating, 2 steady, and 9 improving.

Productivity is “low and deteriorating”, and its growth has been at or below benchmark countries since 1980. New Zealand was also “low and deteriorating” in savings, international trade, outward foreign direct investment, management skills, exchange rate, balance of payments, and net foreign assets. The tax system was “deteriorating” as the rest of the world has been steadily reducing tax rates and New Zealand’s share of total taxes from personal and corporate income is high! That is a woeful picture.

A referendum on MMP

When MMP was introduced we all believed there would be a further referendum. Not so. The plan was only to conduct a review that was conducted by a parliamentary committee dominated by minor party representatives.

The result, of course, was a foregone conclusion. The cynic would say that “turkeys don’t vote for an early Christmas”. These ones proved the strength of that aphorism.

If National wins the next election it has promised a referendum on MMP. That is not to say that some form of proportional representation would not be inappropriate but that it just might not be MMP.

Finance Company collapses

If you are interested in this issue, I made a speech to the Institute Financial Advisers on Wednesday – here is the link: Speech – Institute of Financial Advisers http://www.richardworth.co.nz/index.php?/archives/168-Speech-Institute- of-Financial-Advisers.html

Facebook

I have joined Facebook, and if you would like to join my page, the link is http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1317575450

Facebook has an interesting history. It was started in February 2004 and, by one count, is ranked seventh in terms of traffic. It has more than 70 million active users worldwide.

The website’s name refers to the paper facebooks depicting members of a campus community that some American schools give to students and staff as a way of getting to know other people on campus.

Who are you? I am of this place

When I was at elementary school (primary school) in New Zealand I learned about Captain James Cook – that he discovered the Hawaiian Islands in 1778.

I learnt that he landed in New Zealand and that he mapped my country, that he named many of the places in my homeland. Cooks Strait, Banks Peninsula, Stewart Island to name a few. In recent times we have the James Cook Hospital, the James Cook College, and the James Cook Hotel.

At school I learnt that Sir Walter Raleigh in England laid his cloak on the ground to allow Queen Elizabeth to walk across the mud – that Sir Francis Drake played bowls before going into battle against the Spanish Armada. That William Tell shot an arrow through the apple placed on his son’s head.

Ladies and gentlemen I am talking about colonisation. I am talking about the imposition of the colonial settler’s culture and way of life on top of the traditional way of life and customs of the indigenous inhabitants of the land. Colonisation happened all over the world, in New Zealand and in Argentina, in Australia, South Africa and in Hawaii.

How ever did Cook manage to discover Hawaii when our people had been living here for one and a half millenniums before he arrived?

My friends, in the late 1970s I made on my first visit to London, England, the antipodes of my tribal homeland in New Zealand. When I arrived and visited the various memorials in Trafalgar Square in Westminster Abbey and so on – I already knew all about the history of those places. I had been brainwashed by the ethnocentric history lessons in my schools and my University in Auckland. In all my social studies and history lessons I learnt so much about the coloniser’s history on the other side of the world – and almost nothing about the history of my homeland Aotearoa, New Zealand. What little that was mentioned about traditional Maori society was in most instances incorrect – and romanticised or sanitised and bore little or no relation to the actual spiritual, cultural and social events in my Maori history.

When I was elected to Parliament in Aotearoa I asked why those in power had so much difficulty in accepting the concept of tangata whenua, indigenous inhabitants. I stood before a predominantly P

Important purchase for Kerikeri Basin protection

Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick and Far North Mayor Wayne Brown today announced the purchase of the last remaining block of land still in private ownership in the Kororipo-Kerikeri Basin.

“The property has been owned by the Kemp family since the mid 1800s and I am extremely grateful to them for agreeing that the time was right for it to move into public hands. I can assure them the property will be treated appropriately and with respect,” Steve Chadwick said.

“The foresight of this historic Kerikeri family will contribute towards further sustainable development of the Kororipo-Kerikeri Basin. The purchase protects a critical historic part of the basin, while allowing for footpaths and access to the land from a new car park to be established behind the property.”

The Kerikeri Basin is considered by many historians to be one of New Zealand’s most important cultural and historic sites, and the government has recently announced that it is promoting the basin as a potential World Heritage Site.

The Far North District Council and the Department of Conservation (DOC) jointly purchased the property. The land will be held and managed by the Far North District Council.

The Kemp property was the site of the early Church of England Mission and currently houses a restaurant, an old blacksmith’s shed and a pear tree planted in 1819.

“The joint purchase of the Kemp property is a reflection of the good working relationship and understanding between the district council and DOC through the Kerikeri Heritage Bypass project,” Mayor Brown said.

“I am pleased that the community now has a tangible interest in the sustainable management of this important and iconic area.”

Survey of Boards of Trustees a helpful insight

The Minister of Education, Steve Maharey, is welcoming a report on school governance on the attitudes of principals and Boards of Trustees, which finds the system should be further strengthened.

“The report, ‘School governance in New Zealand: how is it working?’ is full of interesting information that will contribute to a Ministry of Education stock take, announced in 2006, looking at how the system can be improved.

“This survey finds the majority of trustees are very positive about their role, confirming that boards of trustees are an important and integral part of New Zealand’s education system.”

The report says most principals and board members thought their board is either on top of their task, or making steady progress (87 per cent of principals and 88 per cent of trustees), and parent levels of satisfaction with their child’s quality of education are high (79 per cent are generally happy).

“The report also highlights that boards of trustees could benefit from additional support, and the government will consider that in its current stock take of school governance.

“More than 12000 parents sit on boards of trustees, giving their valuable time and expertise to making our schools a better place for students, teachers and principals. Trustees help keep the focus of our education system on their children’s learning.”

Youth Employment News positive

Reports released today show that youth labour market indicators have improved markedly in the past seven years, Social Development and Employment Minister Ruth Dyson said today.

The twelve in-depth regional labour market reports hold up-to-date and vital labour market information on the different regions of New Zealand. They contain a range of information on the skills and employment of youth across the country.

“Compared to 2001, youth employment is up, unemployment is down, and the number of young people in education or training has increased over the past decade. New Zealand has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the OECD, but we must ensure no one is left behind,” said Ms Dyson.

“The government’s Schools Plus policy is designed to ensure that all young people participate in education, skills or other structured learning until the age of 18. This complements the Unified Skills Strategy, which focuses on the whole workforce, and the Youth Transition Service and Modern Apprenticeships, all of which are geared towards further developing a highly-skilled workforce,” said Ms Dyson.

The twelve Department of Labour reports focus primarily on data from the 2006 Population Census, which allows a once-in-five-year snapshot of the labour market at a particularly detailed territorial authority level. The most recent results from the Household Labour Force Survey, Linked Employer Employee Data and School Leaver Survey have all been used to supplement the more detailed Population Census data.

“This level of detail at a regional level will be invaluable for local government’s efforts to build skills and employment at a local level,” said Dale Williams, chair of the Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs.

“The Taskforce aims to have all young people under 25 in paid work, in training or education, or in productive activities in their community. Local councils normally have close connections with the issues in their local areas. They have the people, programmes and resources to tackle the problems, but what they are often lacking are funding and good information.

These reports will provide that information about the skills and employment characteristics of local youth, which can be used at a local level to plan activities and programmes through organisations like the Youth Transition Service. They show where our local strengths are and could help us identify whether long term development plans are feasible, and which training or other initiatives may be necessary,” said Dale Williams.

Physiotherapy services report released

ACC Minister Maryan Street today released the report into the Review of the way in which physiotherapy services are funded and accredited by ACC.

The review forms part of the Labour-led government’s confidence and supply agreement with New Zealand First. The report makes recommendations regarding the funding and accreditation arrangements for physiotherapists, the relationship between ACC and the physiotherapy profession, and ACC processes relating to monitoring, audit and investigation activities.

“The government will work promptly with ACC and physiotherapists on the recommendations related to non-fiscal measures. Other recommendations which have funding implications will need to be considered in conjunction with other budget priorities. A formal government response to the report will now be developed and considered,” said Maryan Street.

“The Labour-led government’s priorities for the ACC scheme are to maintain it as a fully public social insurance scheme which focuses on injury prevention, along with fair and effective treatment and rehabilitation provisions.

“I am grateful to David Goddard QC for the excellent work he has done to produce this report and to New Zealand First deputy leader Peter Brown for his commitment and cooperation,” said Maryan Street.

New Zealand First deputy leader Peter Brown said this is an issue which has been of particular concern to New Zealand First since physiotherapists first raised it, “which is why we negotiated it into the Confidence and Supply Agreement.”
“Having said that I must compliment the Government, particularly former ACC Minister Ruth Dyson, for encouraging and implementing a thorough review. David Goddard QC and all those who assisted have done an excellent job. The issues have been properly and thoroughly identified, the report recommends reasonable and practical solutions and I look forward to working with the new ACC Minister Maryan Street on them”, said Peter Brown.

Clear heads needed for cannabis conversation

The Green Party looks forward to the end of anxiety-fuelled stonewalling, and the start of an objective and balanced discussion on the status of cannabis in New Zealand society, as called for by a respected authority on drug policy and research.

Associate Health Spokesperson Metiria Turei says that the New Zealand Drug Foundation, which is known for its evidence-based and non-partisan policy advice, is an ideal organisation to facilitate such a discussion.

“The drug debate in New Zealand very quickly becomes dominated by fear and anxiety. Developing a sensible approach to drug use becomes very difficult in that kind of climate. As a result New Zealand has a set of inconsistent and ineffective drug policies that are little more than a drain on public funds and judicial resources.

“The Green Party recognises that the healthiest lifestyle is drug-free, but we also recognise that some current government policies do not reduce harm but rather create a further set of problems.”

The Drug Foundation says that half of New Zealanders have used cannabis, and one in eight people use it regularly.

“Rather than these figures indicating that every second New Zealander is a drug-addled criminal, they show that current Government policies are not based on the reality of the situation and do not contribute to developing socially responsible behaviour.

“A balanced and informed national debate facilitated by the Drug Foundation will be an excellent step towards developing a constructive approach to drug use, rather than the piece-meal, fanciful and ultimately damaging official response that currently exists,” Ms Turei says.

The Green Party’s preferred method of cannabis control is to include it in a strengthened regulatory framework that also encompasses tobacco and alcohol.

“All of these substances require better regulation, with inadequate advertising standards being of particular concern for tobacco and alcohol. The Green Party considers alcohol, tobacco and cannabis to present similar challenges for New Zealand society, and we seek consistent regulation across all three.”

Which one is it John Carter?

National’s local government spokesman can’t seem to decide if he wants the Independent Inquiry into Local Government Rates sped up or slowed down, Local Government Minister Mark Burton said today.

“In November John Carter lamented that the Inquiry ‘won’t report back

Prisoners run drugs under Labour’s nose

If Labour had taken the issue of prison contraband seriously and introduced cellphone blocking technology and telephone monitoring when it said it would, prisoners would not be trafficking drugs, says National’s Justice & Corrections spokesman, Simon Power.

“Raids yesterday at Auckland Prison and Spring Hill, which resulted in eight prisoners being charged with serious drug-related offences, are further testimony to the fact that Labour moved much too slowly to crack down on crime being run from inside prisons.

“Police should be congratulated that these raids will significantly disrupt the manufacture of methamphetamine in the North Island.

“But it should not have come to that if Labour had moved when it said it would.

“They did nothing for years. It wasn’t till a court was told that $1 million of ‘P’ was smuggled into New Zealand from Thailand by a Rimutaka prisoner using a smuggled cellphone that this Government finally acted.

“The then-Minister, Damien O’Connor, said Corrections had been working on cellphone blocking technology for four years, but what took them so long?

“And, despite saying in the middle of last year that all prisons should have the technology within a year, the problem is still not fixed.

“Phil Goff admitted today that only four prisons have it, and Auckland and Spring Hill are not among them.

“It also took them till this year to start monitoring all telephone calls made by prisoners, when they had it legislated as long ago as 1999.

“In fact, a Corrections Department document from 2004 expresses concern that ‘the fact that legislation is in place and no monitoring is occurring is a continued risk for the Department’s credibility,’ and notes that it ‘has not been operationalised to date due to a lack of funding’.

“This is typical of this department. Monitoring would have cost just $567,000 over four years but because they had a culture of denial that there was a serious contraband problem, they didn’t bother finding the money.

“This and the fact that they have not collated contraband finds since 2005 does make you wonder about their commitment to stamping out this problem.”