WYSIWYG NEWS - 7 December, 2006
news at wysiwygnews.com
news at wysiwygnews.com
Thu Dec 7 11:50:26 NZDT 2006
Subject: 7 December, 2006
----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------
Copyright, Brian Harmer.
Our able editorial assistant, GS has had a bereavement and had
to dash back to her native land, so I am sorry for the gap. I
am sure you will join me as I express our condolences to her
the loss of her father.
Here in Wellington, despite the official start of Summer this
week, we have had snow on the Tararua ranges. In December!
Bizarre! We have had howling winds, and sufficient rain that
no more seems necessary until about April! The contrast with
the distressing drought conditions across the Tasman could
scarcely be more extreme. We are told that we are in for a
pacific weather pattern of the El Niño type. For Wellington,
that may mean cooler than normal weather, and higher than
normal winds!
Of course the Christmas Season approaches and already, despite
the variable weather, there are Pohutukawa trees in full and
wonderful bloom. (There is a nice picture of such a tree at
http://www.terranature.org/contact.htm) Various local bodies
have their seasonal banners flying, and in some of the more
affluent suburbs, the American custom of decorating houses
with extravagant displays of lights is becoming more common.
The Grandchildren are prospering both here and in Australia,
and each is in her or his own way, a joy to my heart. Through
sheer proximity, I see most of little Maggie who is now almost
two. I hope she never loses her sense of fun or the imp
inside. I hope to return to a normal schedule this weekend.
----
Any text above this point, and all subsequent material in
parentheses, and concluded with the initials "BH" is the
personal opinion of Brian Harmer as editor of this newsletter,
or occasionally "GS" will indicate an opinion from our
editorial assistant. In all cases they are honest expressions
of personal opinion, and are not presented as fact.
All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced
by kind permission of copyright owner, Newstalk ZB News. All
copyright in the news items reproduced remains the property of
The Radio Network Limited.
This edition of the news is sponsored by my friends George and
Pat Berger in Alexandria, VA. Greetings and thanks to you
both.
----
On with the News.
Monday, 27 November 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LAB WORKERS TO STRIKE
---------------------
The final day of mediation to avert another major medical
strike has failed. That means around 1200 medical laboratory
scientists from The Blood Service,15 DHBs and three private
labs look likely to strike for seven days from Wednesday. The
workers who test blood, tissue and other samples help
determine and diagnose disease. President of the Medical
Laboratory Workers Union, Stewart Smith, says DHBs today
merely repackaged an already rejected offer. He says unless
DHBs come forward with a new offer tomorrow, the strike will
begin on Wednesday.
MICROSOFT SHOWS OFF NEW TOYS IN AUCKLAND
----------------------------------------
The next generation of Microsoft's Windows empire is upon us.
New Zealand business has had its first look at Windows Vista
and the 2007 Office system, during a launch at Sky City in
Auckland today. Microsoft's New Zealand-born Chief Financial
Officer Chris Liddell introduced the new technology,
describing it as the most significant development of their two
flagship products in over a decade. He says one of its key
benefits is increased productivity, which is great news for
New Zealand business which has previously relied on increased
input from the workforce. Mr Liddell says the country's low
unemployment rate suggests companies will struggle to find
skilled people to any new jobs they create, so they need to be
able to find more efficient ways to use the workers they
already have. Mr Liddell says they expect the bulk of users to
move to the new technology over the next 18 months to two
years.
(Well and good, but I understand that many large organizations
are holding off because of the massive resource implications.
It should result in good business with Dell and others
providing upgraded hardware. - BH)
EDEN PARK GETS OFFICIAL NOD
---------------------------
The Auckland Waterfront Stadium option for the 2011 Rugby
World Cup has been permanently sunk. The proposal had been
looking increasingly uncertain following last week's unanimous
rejection by the Auckland Regional Council. Rugby World Cup
Minister Trevor Mallard says there has been a pretty clear
verdict that people are not supportive enough of the
waterfront option for it to proceed. He says Cabinet has
decided, subject to funding, design, and finance issues, that
Eden Park will be the venue for the Rugby World Cup final. Mr
Mallard has also ruled out any hope for the final to be held
on Christchurch should anything scuttle plans for the
redevelopment of Eden Park. He says North Harbour Stadium will
be the reserve option if Eden Park falls through. Meanwhile,
Auckland ratepayers could pick up part of the tab for the
rebuilding of Eden Park. Trevor Mallard says the level of
government funding has not been decided but the Eden Park
Trust Board is asking for 175 million dollars. He says the
Auckland City Council has already set aside 50 million
dollars. Mr Mallard says given that bed and airport taxes have
been ruled out, he cannot guarantee that ratepayers will not
have to fork out. Auckland mayor Dick Hubbard is not impressed
at the news. Mr Hubbard says Auckland City ratepayers are
rightfully concerned that they should have to pay - while
other councils in the region are not planning to pay anything
at all. He believes it is a total abdication of the Auckland
Regional Council's responsibility to advocate Eden Park in one
breath - then turn around and say it will not put a penny of
its ratepayer money into it. Dick Hubbard says Eden Park is
clearly a regional facility and the benefits of the Rugby
World Cup will be spread region-wide.
(I wonder what part of "Rates Revolt" eludes Mr Hubbard. If I
recall correctly, most of the previous elected members of the
ARC were tossed out on their ears because of extravagant rates
imposts. There is a local body election in 2007. I would say
that the ARC was very smart in first seeking a mandate. And if
I were an Auckland ratepayer, they would not get it from me.
Let the people who will profit from this by the sale of TV
rights and merchandise front up. It should not be our job to
gift them with a money-making enterprise. - BH)
JOB MARKET UP FOR OVER 55S
--------------------------
Latest figures suggest redundant older workers are finding it
a little easier to get new employment. Statistics New Zealand
says filled jobs increased by just over four percent last
month - and 18 and a half percent in the past year. The
greatest increase in jobs is for those over 55. Statistics New
Zealand says workers over 65 tend to have the lowest salaries,
but they have also had the highest increase in earnings
between 2000 and 2005. In that period their mean quarterly
earnings rose almost 19-hundred dollars to six-thousand-610
dollars a quarter.
MYSTERY BIRD DEATHS CONTINUE
----------------------------
More dead birds are turning up in areas around Havelock North,
while the search for their mystery killer continues. Most of
the birds picked up since last week have been from Anderson
Park, but there have also been reported of dead birds in other
areas, including Te Mata Peak. Hawke's Bay Regional Council is
coordinating the investigation into what is killing them.
Group manager Mike Adye says mass bird deaths are not
uncommon, but the Havelock North case is unusual in the range
of species dying. Sparrows, blackbirds, starlings and a few
magpies have all fallen victim to the mystery illness. At
least four cats and a dog have died after coming into contact
with carcasses of the birds.
TE PUIA REBUILD GOING WELL
--------------------------
Another boost for the multi-million dollar redevelopment at
Rotorua tourist attraction Te Puia. It is now increasing
likely the $17.5 million project, which includes several new
buildings and features, will come in well under budget. Te
Puia CEO Andrew Te Whaiti says it could end up costing around
a million dollars less than expected. He says the project as a
whole is on time and by year's end some features will be up
and running. Redevelopment works are expected to be complete
by late March or early April.
SYSTEMS ERROR BRINGS DHB CHAOS
------------------------------
Whanganui District Health Board has a massive job ahead of it,
as it starts contacting more than 600 patients who have missed
specialist appointments at Wanganui Hospital because of a
systems error. Revelations of the error, coupled with a staff
shortage in the maternity and paediatric departments, have
emerged as a senior doctor resigns over safety concerns at the
hospital. DHB chief executive Memo Musa says measures have
been taken to ensure the systems error does not happen again.
He says new appointments will be made for all those who have
missed referrals in the past three years. He says they are
required in all the areas affected by shortages.
(For many, this is one error too far. I have seen "Goodhealth
Wanganui" in action and have been consistently unimpressed,
despite the best efforts of good people at the coal face. -
BH)
Tuesday, 28 November 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COCAINE BUST AT AKL AIRPORT
---------------------------
Customs officers have made a huge cocaine bust at Auckland
International Airport. The three-and-a-half kilos, thought to
be worth more than $5.5 million, was found hidden in the
lining of two suitcases. The man arrested as a result had
flown in from San Paulo and was travelling on to Rarotonga.
However Customs believes the drug was destined for the
Australian market. A 46 year old Australian has been whisked
to the Manukau District Court charged with importing a Class A
drug. He has been remanded in custody until late January.
RULES OVER TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TO CHANGE
------------------------------------------
The rules and regulations governing tertiary institutions are
to be streamlined. Tertiary Education Minister Dr Michael
Cullen has confirmed the move today, signalling the aim is to
reduce compliance costs as well as planning and reporting
structures. He says the proposed changes will halve the number
of industry planning documents and are likely to come into
effect from January of 2008.
HALF ALL MEDICINES NOT TAKEN CORRECTLY
--------------------------------------
PHARMAC has spent a record $28.5 million dollars on medicines
in the past year - around half of which are not taken
correctly. The state drug buying agency is suggesting we take
a close look at what happens to medicines once a doctor has
prescribed them. It is quoting independent research showing 50
percent of people do not take the medicines as prescribed -
which could be anything from not taking it at all, or taking
the wrong dose. As well, nine percent of prescriptions, or
two-and-a-half million a year, are incorrectly dispensed.
TELECOM SPLITTING INTO THREE
----------------------------
It seems Telecom will be split into three separate divisions.
A Select Committee is recommending the change in a bid to
force the telecommunications giant to give competitors equal
access to its fixed lines. But it held back from recommending
Telecom sell the split-off operations. The three proposed
divisions are network access, wholesale and retail. Telecom
says it is not ideal but it will do its best to work with it.
Telecom Chairman Wayne Boyd says they would have preferred a
simpler separation than the three way split. He says it is
more costly and complicated than necessary and Telecom will
work to implement it as swiftly as possible.
(I would like to see them split into far more pieces than
that. I am paying for ADSL with download speeds of "up to 7.6
Mb/s" and so far have not managed any service faster than 2.4
Mb/s. I suspect the upload cap at 128 Kb/s might be implicated
in this. - BH)
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES UNDER SPOTLIGHT
--------------------------------------
The Corrections Minister has been given a tour of Auckland's
Odyssey House as mental health treatment services come under
the spotlight. The Government is reviewing the availability of
alcohol and drug related treatment services as well as the
interface between such services and the criminal justice
system. Damien O'Connor says up to 60 percent of offenders are
affected by alcohol or drugs at the tine of offending. Odyssey
House CEO Christine Kalin says the programme is not a soft
option, with some prisoners seeing prison as an easier option.
She says she wants more funding so Odyssey House can extend
its services.
WORRIES OVER LAB TECHNICIANS STRIKE
-----------------------------------
The seven day strike by laboratory technicians will impact on
blood donor clinics in several provincial centres. New Zealand
Blood service spokesman Paul Hayes says they will have a very
reduced staffing level during the strike. He says that means
they will need to focus all their resources at their main hub
sites. Paul Hayes says the three affected clinics will reopen
on December 6.
SUICIDE NUMBERS DOWN
--------------------
Latest suicide data shows there are fewer people taking their
lives. Figures released by Associate Health Minister Jim
Anderton show there were 486 suicide deaths in 2004 compared
with 517 in 2003. Males continue to have a higher suicide rate
than females - in 2002 to 2004 there were 3.1 male suicides to
every female suicide. The suicide rate among Maori is
significantly higher than non-Maori. Between 2002 and 2004,
the average rate of suicide for Maori was 17.1 deaths per 100
thousand people. The disparity between the average suicide
rates for Maori and non-Maori males in 2002 to 2004 is the
widest its been in eight years. During that time, the average
suicide rates for Maori males and females were 26.9 and 7.9
deaths per 100 thousand respectively. For non-Maori males and
females, the rates were 18.4 and 5.9 respectively. In 2004,
among males, those aged over 85 years old had the highest
suicide rate.
EDEN PARK LOOKS TO GOVT FOR UPGRADE CASH
----------------------------------------
Eden Park expects the Government to stump up at least part of
the cash for the ground's redevelopment for Rugby World Cup.
$210 million of the $385 million needed has been located
already, but that leaves a $175 million shortfall. The first
$210 million comes from the Government, the Auckland City
Council, New Zealand Rugby 2011 limited, the ASB Bank Trust
and Eden Park. The Auckland Regional Council says it will not
help. Eden Park Redevelopment Committee Chairman Rob Fisher
expects Trevor Mallard to help out, considering his close
interest in a successful tournament. He says they will be
reliant on the minister to get the Councils around the table
to come up with what is fair and equitable. The Committee says
they have enough money to do the ASB stand's extensions, but
they do not need the rest of the cash until September of next
year. But Mr Fisher says they certainly want to know where
they are going well before then though.
(NO! GO AWAY! - BH)
BUG STRIKES RETIREMENT HOME
---------------------------
Sixty-nine residents and staff at a Wellington retirement home
have been affected by a suspected outbreak of norovirus. The
Rita Angus Retirement home in Kilbirnie has been forced to
shut down some communal facilities in an effort to stem the
outbreak. Tests have yet to confirm it is norovirus, but
Wellington Medical Officer of Health Annette Nesdale says the
symptoms are very characteristic of the illness. They include
vomiting and diarrhoea over a 24 hour period.
HELP FOR HOMELESS AT CHRISTMAS
------------------------------
A new mobile service for Auckland's homeless people will be up
and running in time for Christmas, a time when services are
usually stretched to the limit. The mobile after hours
emergency service is a joint initiative between the Auckland
City Council and a number of social services, including the
Auckland City Mission. Mission Chief Executive, Diane
Robertson, says at any given time there are up to 100 people
sleeping rough in Auckland City's inner area and another 300-
400 people without secure housing. She says the service will
offer practical support including immediate crisis referrals
to organisations such as Work and Income, Housing New Zealand
and the Auckland District Health Board. The city council is
putting $40,000 a year into the initiative.
RELIGION NOT A BIG PART OF KIWI XMAS
------------------------------------
Readers' Digest magazine has commissioned a poll on what New
Zealanders love about Christmas. Ten percent say the religious
message remains the most important aspect while 63 percent say
the best thing is spending time with family and friends.
Ninety-four percent eat Christmas dinner at home with up to a
dozen or more people. For most, that means a roast dinner
complete with Christmas pudding. People expect to eat and
drink too much, play backyard sport and take an afternoon nap.
New fads are also creeping in, with 26 percent of respondents
putting Christmas lights on the outside of their homes and 56
percent touring around suburbs looking at them.
(As I understand it, this is a survey of just over 350 people.
They are probably RD subscribers and that fact alone may skew
the sample. - BH)
MORE OPTIMISM FROM BUSINESS
---------------------------
Business confidence has hit an 18-month high, due to lower
fuel prices and dampened inflation. The National Bank's
monthly business outlook shows a net 23.7 percent of companies
expect their own business to improve in the next 12 months.
That is up from just over 18 percent in October. Chief
Economist Cameron Bagrie says a plethora of good news has
perked up confidence. He says the retail sector is humming,
because lower petrol prices have put money back into people's
pockets.
Wednesday, 29 November 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MED LAB STRIKERS FORCED BACK TO HOSPITAL
----------------------------------------
Striking Medical Laboratory scientists have been called back
several times already today to deal with life threatening
situations. Twelve hundred workers from 15 District Health
Boards, three private labs and the New Zealand Blood Service
are one day into their seven day strike for more pay. DHB
contingency planner Anne Aitcheson says so far everything has
gone to plan, but she says many union workers have had to come
in to work today. She says there have been a number of
requests for assistance from the union in life preserving
situations and obviously that increases by the hour. Anne
Aitcheson says the first few hours of the strike are always
extremely difficult as staff test processes put in place.
NAKED BILLBOARD BAD FOR BUSINESS
--------------------------------
A billboard featuring a scantily-clad woman with large, but
obviously fake breasts is being blamed for ruining a business
meeting. The Naked Muesli Bar advertisement features the
surgically-enhanced woman with the catch phrase "Need
something real?" Complainant J Everett says the billboard
outside his central Auckland office distracted his staff, who
are all men. He says it also distracted clients at a meeting
and blames the ad for disrupting his business. The Authority
agreed the billboard breached the code around people in
advertising and upheld the complaint.
(While I appreciate the female form, I struggle with the giant
billboards used by Vodaphone. They portray a recumbent women
in a state of near total undress. Only the Vodaphone logo and
the small text tell you that they are selling phones rather
than sex. - BH)
STRIKING LAB WORKERS COULD GO OFFSHORE
--------------------------------------
A medical lab scientist based at Wellington Hospital says if
their salary demands are not met now, there will be a big
price to pay in the long term. A seven-day strike by lab
workers got underway at eight this morning. One of those
involved in the industrial action at Wellington Hospital,
Gary, has 25 years of experience as a lab scientist. He says
it takes four and a half years of study to do his job, and it
is time the true value of their work was recognised here, as
it is elsewhere. He says they could just hop on an plane and
get a lot more money working overseas and he says they might
even earn twice as much. Gary says someone starting in his job
today would be on 40 thousand dollars and they are asking for
that to be increased to 45 thousand.
HELL PIZZA BREACHES ADVERTISING ETHICS
--------------------------------------
The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a complaint
against Hell Pizza. The offending campaign was a letterbox
drop where the company used a single condom to promote its
Lust pizza. On one side of the envelope was the Hell Pizza
logo, on the other it said "our pizza for meat lovers".
Printed on the inside were instructions for using the condom.
The Association ruled the campaign breached the code of ethics
principle that ads should be prepared with a due sense of
social responsibility. It also found the ad breached the rules
around decency and offensiveness.
FOUR CENT RISE AT THE PUMP SPREADS
----------------------------------
Petrol price rises are slowly making their way throughout the
country's major providers. Mobil is the only company so far to
increase the price of both petrol and diesel - a four cent
increase this morning. Shell, BP and Caltex have all upped the
price at the pumps by four cents on a litre, but only on
petrol. It is believed the price of refined oil product on the
market is behind the increase.
(1.4399/litre in most city pumps, though there is a sudden
proliferation of discount vouchers associated with
supermarkets ranging from 4c to 10c per litre - BH)
PRESSURE ON REAL ESTATE AGENTS
------------------------------
The Government is putting pressure on the Real Estate
Institute to put in place regulatory measures to discipline
members. It follows several complaints, including the case of
a Napier agent who tried to get a woman to accept $230,000 for
two townhouses when she wanted $400,000 for them. Associate
Justice Minister Clayton Cosgrove wants an independent
watchdog appointed. Institute President Murray Cleland says a
real estate ombudsman has been suggested and it is an option
the institute favours. He says the institute has nothing to
hide and is happy to ensure that the system it has is
transparent to the public. The institute is drawing up a
proposal to put to Mr Cosgrove during a meeting on December
14.
MONORAIL TO SOLVE CAPITAL'S TRAFFIC WOES
----------------------------------------
A monorail is being suggested as the solution to Wellington's
transport problems. Auckland company SkyCabs International
says a monorail from Johnsonville through to the CBD and on to
the airport could be economically feasible. The company is
currently trying to raise the $31 million it needs to pay for
a 600 metre demonstration track at Auckland's Rainbow's End
theme park. SkyCabs Chief Executive Hugh Chapman says one of
the big advantages of monorail is the minimal impact it has on
existing roadways, as the support towers can go on the
footpath. He says on a two lane road, it would add the
capacity of a four lane highway.
HOSPITALS DEAL WITH ANOTHER STRIKE
----------------------------------
The latest strike to stall the workings of hospitals across
the country starts this morning. Around 1200 medical
laboratory scientists from 15 District Health Boards, three
private laboratories and the New Zealand Blood Service walk
off the job for seven days. Auckland DHB has cancelled 313
elective procedures and 105 outpatients are also affected.
Counties Manukau DHB has cancelled 400 operations and
Waitemata DHB has deferred at least 160 elective procedures
including radiology, gastro and cardiology procedures as well
as surgery. Local community laboratories are unaffected by the
strike and will be open as usual. The medical Laboratory
Workers Union is seeking a five percent pay rise claiming
salaries remain inadequate. Union secretary Brian Raill says
the buck stops with the Government. He says the DHBs are all
Government-funded, so it may be a case of boards telling the
Government it needs to pay their workers more or the strike
will continue. Mr Raill believes members have been backed into
a corner by the negotiations and says striking is the last
thing they wanted to do. DHBs spokesman Gordon Davies says
there is a big gap between what DHBs can pay and what the
unions are demanding and that will not have changed in a week.
TELECOM USERS HAPPY ABOUT TELECOM SPLIT
---------------------------------------
The Telecom Users Association says New Zealand's
telecommunications industry is set to open up to competition
at a level never seen before. A select committee recommends
Telecom split into three businesses operationally separate
from each other, to give competitors equal access to its lines
network. TUANZ spokesman Ernie Newman says Telecom has been
dominating the market, while smaller innovative companies have
been trying to get a foot in the door. He believes the split
will ensure a level playing field so that smaller operators
can have a fair crack at the market. Under the split,
Telecom's services to consumers will be sold by the retail
arm. Telecom packages to other companies will be resold by the
wholesale arm and the network access division will set charges
for all companies, including Telecom's retail unit. Telecom
says it will be a costly and complicated exercise.
CALL TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RENEWED
-------------------------------------
Women's Refuge is backing a call from police for an end to
domestic violence as a former top cop prepares to spend years
in jail. Fifty-five-year-old David McSweeney, from Auckland's
North Shore, has been sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in
jail after he stabbed to death his wife Suzanne Marie
McSweeney in April at the textile business the pair ran in
Silverdale, north of Auckland. She was stabbed 30 times in her
arm, neck and heart. Mc Sweeney was also jailed for nine
months for assaulting Doreen Radford, his mother-in-law, who
was in the building at the time. He pushed her into the lunch
room then went back and finished killing his wife. McSweeney
then tried to kill himself by cutting his throat and wrists
and taking pills. The couple's son, Steven, found him. The
court heard that McSweeney was upset when his wife filed a
protection order against him. His lawyer Roger Chambers said
McSweeney was devoted to his wife and remains so. Heather
Henare of Women's Refuge says a woman is at her most
vulnerable two weeks after taking action by either leaving or
taking out a protection order. She says New Zealanders need to
believe that domestic violence is a problem in New Zealand.
She says Christmas is a particularly difficult time for some
women and children.
Thursday, 30 November 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NZ REJECTS AUSTRALIA'S APPLE ASSESSMENT
---------------------------------------
Biosecurity Australia has released its final risk assessment
for New Zealand apples, saying they can be imported - under
strict conditions - to every state except Western Australia.
New Zealand apples have been banned from Australia since 1921,
ostensibly on grounds that they could bring with them the
destructive bacterial disease fire blight. The trade dispute
has incensed Kiwi farmers, who have been threatening to take
the dispute to the World Trade Organisation. Today's ruling
contains tough control measures, which are likely to spark
further complaints from New Zealand growers, who already
believe the restrictions make any export endeavour unviable.
They include orchard inspections in New Zealand to check for
fire blight symptoms, the use of disinfection treatments in
packing houses, and auditing that involves the Australian
Quarantine and Inspection Service. Minister of Agriculture Jim
Anderton says he is extremely disappointed that the conditions
for access to Australia do not appear to have materially
changed. He says New Zealand provided significant analysis in
support of the argument that our apples pose no risk. Mr
Anderton says this ruling will not be acceptable to the New
Zealand apple industry.
(The Australian stance is viewed with weary contempt here.
This is nothing to do with fireblight, everything to do with a
non tariff trade barrier and protectionism. This has been
debated for 86 years now, and the WTO has previously ruled
that fireblight is not transmitted on mature fruit. Boycott
Holdens, I say. - BH)
STRIKE'S IMPACT FELT BY CANCER SUFFERER
---------------------------------------
A Buller woman with a cancerous growth on one of her kidneys
is one of those hit hard by the medical laboratory workers'
strike. The second day of the week-long industrial action got
under way today. The woman, who prefers not to be named, was
diagnosed earlier this month with a cancerous growth on one of
her kidneys. She needs exploratory surgery to fully
investigate the nature of the growth and to remove the non-
functioning kidney. Her husband John says the strike means the
surgery cannot go ahead. He feels helpless as he cannot do
anything to help his wife.
CHANGES AHEAD FOR LANDLORDS AND TENANTS
---------------------------------------
The rules and regulations governing landlords and tenants are
being reformed. Building Issues Minister Clayton Cosgrove has
announced a number of changes will be made to the Residential
Tenancies Act. They include limiting the liability of tenants
for damage they do not cause or cannot prevent and extending
access to tenancy dispute resolution. Mr Cosgrove says the
interests of landlords will also be protected, as they will
have the ability to seek redress from those responsible for
damaging their properties, even if they are not tenants.
PAY RISE FOR MPS
----------------
MPs are about to get an early Christmas present. The
Remunerations Authority is expected to unwrap a pay rise of
around four percent. The New Zealand Herald reports Prime
Minister Helen Clark will receive an extra $14,000, taking her
annual salary to around $360,000. Pay increases for judges are
also due out today.
(I think the Remuneration Authority is off the planet and
should be abolished. MP's salary should be indexed to the
average wage, and not to the high flyers of the corporate
world. Allegedly, if you pay more you get better people. I am
here to tell you this policy is not working! - BH)
Friday, 1 December 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
STRIKE BATTERS REPUTATION
-------------------------
There are fears the health sector's reputation is taking a
battering as the strike by laboratory technicians continues.
There have been three health services' strikes so far this
year. The latest industrial action is in its third day, and is
set to go on for seven days. Orthopaedic Association president
Murray Fosbender says their reputation amongst patients is
really suffering with the walkouts. He says elective surgery
is falling well behind schedule.
SPECIAL NEEDS WORKERS IN FOR PAY RISE
-------------------------------------
Support workers who work with special needs children in
education centres and schools are to get a pay rise. The 250
workers are to get between four and five percent. It means the
top earning workers will get around $16.40 an hour. The
agreement, which has been negotiated through their union NZEI
Te Riu Roa, will also help them receive compensation for using
their own cars to get to work.
NZERS SPENDING BIG AT HOME
--------------------------
New Zealanders holidaying at home or travelling the country on
business spent just over $7 billion in the year to June. That
is an increase of almost five percent on the previous year.
Ministry of Tourism research manager Bruce Bassett says it is
encouraging to see the increase, which seems to be driven more
by holidaymakers than business or visiting friends and family.
However much of the increase was also driven by higher
transport costs related to increased fuel prices.
WARNING OF PATIENT DANGER
-------------------------
The Orthopaedic Association is warning those involved in
strikes in the health sector at the moment they need to be
fully aware of the dangers they are putting patients in.
Laboratory technicians are in the third day of a seven day
strike action. Association president Murray Fosbender says
elective surgeries are really falling behind because of the
industrial action. He says what they want is a bit of
understanding and commitment from both sides to resolve the
issues without strikes. Mr Fosbender says they are not
denouncing the right of workers to take action, merely asking
for a bit more consideration.
DRUGS LAB MILESTONE REACHED
---------------------------
The police have arrived at a milestone they would rather not
have reached. One thousand clandestine drug laboratories have
been discovered since records began back in 1996. In 1996
police located just one lab, but so far this year they have
uncovered 184. Police national manager of the clandestine
laboratory team John Brunton says it is going to take a lot of
hard work to stop another thousand labs being set up over the
next 10 years. He says methamphetamine is entrenched in
society, particularly in the upper half of the North Island,
and it will take a lot to break that.
SECURITY SHAKE UP ON THE WAY
----------------------------
Consultation is about to begin on a major proposed shake up of
the security and private investigation industry. Associate
Justice Minister Clayton Cosgrove says the aim is to raise
standards in the industry. He says this would include
mandatory training as a condition of licensing, and tougher
measures to keep unlicensed operators out of the industry. Mr
Cosgrove says targeted consultation with the police, the
Privacy Commissioner, regulators, and industry organisations
will begin early next year.
BUTTER TRADE DEAL STRUCK
------------------------
A deal has been struck to secure New Zealand's butter trade
with Europe though it is one that will see profit margins cut.
The butter trade has been under question after the EU tried to
ban New Zealand imports mid-year following a court ruling over
a trade technicality. Trade Minister Phil Goff says an
agreement has been reached which will see the butter imported
into Europe at 700 Euros per tonne, a price reduction of
almost 20 percent. He describes the discussions as difficult
and complex and acknowledges the changes are yet to be
approved by the Council of the European Union. If approved the
new trade rules will come into effect in the New Year.
APPLE GROWERS FRUSTRATED
------------------------
New Zealand apple growers are running out of patience with
what they see as an ongoing charade from authorities across
the Tasman. The Australian government's final report into
clearing the way for New Zealand apples to be imported for the
first time since 1921 comes with tough control measures. They
include Australian officials being allowed to inspect New
Zealand orchards for fire blight symptoms. Australian Access
Action Group spokesman Phil Alison says all the growers are
getting are delays and stalls. He says the group is now
looking at alternative routes.
(The WTO route takes up to three years. We should start now.
The Australian position is dishonest. - BH)
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