WYSIWYG NEWS - 12 November, 2006

[news at wysiwygnews.com]

Subject: 12 November, 2006 
----- WYSIWYG NEWS ------------------------------ 
Copyright, Brian Harmer.  

Home again, and prematurely thrust back into the hustle of 
work, faced with all the tasks that didn't get done during my 
month-long absence (but grateful for those that did), I find 
it's as if I had never been away. Meetings in my calendar sit 
waiting patiently with no regard for fuddled brain. Adding to 
the sense of dislocation, after a month of fine warm weather 
on the other side, is the wild weird weather we have 
experienced this week, with more to come. I hung four sheets 
on the clothesline this morning. We could only find three to 
bring in. And there is snow on the Tararuas. In November! 
Electric blankets ought to be away for the summer by now. I 
was glad of mine this week. And then, there are the 
grandchildren. Here in Lower Hutt, lovely Maggie (who is 
almost two) is suddenly much more active and impish, now that 
she has a month old brother demanding attention. It all seems 
distantly familiar. Little Cooper is cute, but too young to 
have any conversation with people who are not directly 
involved In his food supply. I had to collect Mary from the 
airport yesterday. Notwithstanding that we are just back, she 
had a longstanding commitment to a conference in Hamilton. On 
the way back from the airport, I noticed that while we were in 
Australia, the Wellington City Council has made significant 
progress on what it calls "the greening of Jervois Quay". This 
amounts to a widening of the central barrier between North and 
Southbound traffic, and extensive plantings in the middle. 
Pohutukawa seem to be the main theme, and I imagine that they 
will be spectacular at the end of each year. For the rest of 
the year, they adopt a somewhat military shade of green, so 
the plantings between trees may have to provide more colour. 

Amazingly a whole month has elapsed since David's operation 
and he is doing well.   
---- 

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All news items (except where noted otherwise) are reproduced 
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copyright in the news items reproduced remains the property of 
The Radio Network Limited.  
 
This edition of the news is sponsored by Terry Peters from the 
University of Western Ontario. Many thanks Terry. 

----  
On with the News.  

Monday, 6 November 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DRIVE FOR FLEXIBLE HOURS
------------------------

A massive drive is underway to convince the Government to 
legislate for flexible working hours. Twenty-six business and 
community groups have launched the campaign under the banner 
of the Quality Flexible Working Hours Coalition. They are 
supporting Green MP Sue Kedgley's private member's bill on the 
issue. Ms Kedgley says New Zealand has one of the longest 
working hours cultures in the OECD and it is time to address 
that. She says the 40-hour working week has become a 
straitjacket in New Zealand, clogging our cities with 
congestion as we all race to work at the same time.
 
(Things that seem like a good idea for the individual are not 
always feasible in the business context. My own job offers 
remarkable flexibility, and sometimes asks it in return. I 
dislike the lectures that end at 9:30 pm, for example. 
However, if a business is open from 9 to 5, it is foolish to 
pretend that there is much room for variation. - BH) 

CONCERN GROWS OVER RADIOGRAPHERS' STRIKE
----------------------------------------

There are fears the impact of a threatened ten day strike by 
hospital radiographers will be much more severe than the two 
previous walkouts. The strike is due to begin on Friday. Bay 
of Plenty DHB contingency planner Andrew Keenan says although 
they have an agreement that guarantees all life preserving 
services, the ten day walkout is unprecedented in the risk it 
is going to pose for patients. Mr Keenan says they are looking 
to refer patients to Auckland and Waikato DHBs, and to private 
hospitals. Last ditch mediated talks between the union and the 
DHBs are scheduled for Wednesday.

HOUSING MARKET REBOUNDS
-----------------------

Confidence in the housing market has rebounded, with people 
feeling positive about buying across two quarters, for the 
first time in three years. Despite the prospect of higher 
interest rates, the ASB Housing Confidence Survey has found 
that attitudes improved by five percent in the past three 
months, the first time they have remained positive for two 
consecutive quarters since 2003. There has also been a 13 
percent jump in sellers' price expectations, with 20 percent 
of respondents expecting them to increase. The fresh optimism 
is reflected in figures for October from real estate agent 
Barfoot and Thompson. It says the average house sale price in 
Auckland broke the $500,000 mark for the first time in the 
company's 83 year history. The company also signed up nearly 
1800 new listings, compared with just under 1400 in September.

MIGRANTS' SPECIAL NEEDS WHEN GIVING BIRTH
-----------------------------------------

New research reveals more resources need to be put towards 
meeting the cultural needs of migrants who give birth in New 
Zealand hospitals. The Families Commission-funded study says 
with Korean women, for example, there are issues about keeping 
warm after birth and eating only warm food. Muslim women have 
concerns about male members of staff entering their room 
unannounced, as they do not have a chance to cover up. Report 
author Ruth DeSouza from the Auckland University of Technology 
says American, South African and British migrants also 
encounter problems because they have often lost their peer 
groups and family network. She says on a more positive side, 
the partners of migrants are more likely to be involved in 
births than they would be in their country of origin.

GROUP WANTS PARTY PILLS MADE ILLEGAL
------------------------------------

A group concerned about the party pill industry has started a 
petition to have the tablets made illegal. About 70 people 
attended a public meeting in the Christchurch suburb of 
Linwood over the weekend to talk about the concerning impacts 
of herbal pills on young people in the area. Organiser Cheryl 
Mitchell says each person who attended the meeting took away a 
petition form to collect signatures. The petition will be 
presented to Parliament. Ms Mitchell believes the main issue 
with the pills is that the marketing targets young people. She 
says some of the shops selling them have toys in the windows 
and offer cash loans. 
 
(In general, this is not an industry that I would support. 
However, the list of substances that people use to get high, 
but which are not presently illegal is quite extensive. You 
can't ban everything. - BH)

Tuesday, 7 November 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CLAIMS DHBS CONSIDER FOREIGN TREATMENT
--------------------------------------

A union claims a number of District Health Boards are 
considering sending cancer patients overseas for radiation 
treatment. It follows Auckland DHB's decision to send 30 
breast cancer patients to Australia last week, because of 
worsening workforce shortages in their region. The Association 
of Professionals and Executive Employees says Wellington's 
Capital and Coast DHB is still considering its options and 
will look to refer patients to Australia on the advice of its 
clinicians. It says radiation therapists are in short supply 
because of favourable employment conditions and better pay in 
Australia.

GOVERNMENT PUSH OVER FUEL EFFICIENCY LABELS
-------------------------------------------

The Government wants to make it compulsory for every car sold 
in New Zealand to have fuel efficiency labelling. Energy 
Minister David Parker says it is an attempt to ensure people 
start buying cars that produce less greenhouse gases. He says 
labelling will mean buyers can compare the fuel consumption of 
cars they are interested in purchasing. Mr Parker says some of 
the other measures being looked at include setting targets for 
average fuel efficiency on new car imports. 
 
(The kinds of car bought by government for ministerial 
transport are an embarrassment in this context. - BH)

RENEWED HOPE FOR EDEN PARK
--------------------------

There is renewed hope Eden Park may still get a multi-million 
dollar makeover to host the rugby world cup. Ports of Auckland 
general manager Geoff Vazey says a stadium on Bledisloe Wharf 
cannot be built by 2011 Eden Park Development Committee 
Chairman Rob Fisher says that is the advice they have been 
given as well. He says it is now up to the Government make a 
decision.

FEDERATED FARMERS LAUNCHES NEW PLAN
-----------------------------------

Federated Farmers has jumped on board the environmental 
sustainability bandwagon with a bold new plan. President 
Charlie Pedersen has launched a "10 in 10" plan aimed at 
helping farmers reduce their farm's environmental impact 
through nutrient loss. He wants every farmer to commit to 
reducing nutrient loss by 10 percent over the next 10 years. 
Mr Pedersen says it is no doubt, a big challenge, but it 
represents the direction farmers are heading and believes 
farmers are confident that they have, they are and will 
continue to do their share to improve the environment. He 
believes Federated Farmers has never paid lip service to the 
environment. The plan was released at Fed Farmers national 
council meeting in Wellington. Prime Minister Helen Clark says 
the new environmental push is great a start and she fully 
welcomes the statements being made by Federated Farmer 
president Charlie Pedersen. She says she is not surprised at 
their stance, believing the farming industry is well aware of 
the environmental barriers that are possible to New Zealand 
trade.

REGULATIONS TO CUT GREENHOUSE GAS
---------------------------------

The Government is looking at new regulations targeting 
vehicles and oil companies in a bid to reduce greenhouse gas 
emissions. Among measures up for discussion is the 
introduction of a mandatory vehicle fuel efficiency labelling, 
to be available at the point of sale for every vehicle. This 
will allow buyers to compare fuel consumption of cars they are 
interested in purchasing. Oil companies will be required to 
also sell biofuels to encourage the importation of biofuel-
compatible vehicles.

DO YOUR BIT, BUSINESSES TOLD
----------------------------

Businesses are being encouraged to play their part in 
transforming the economy. Economic Development Minister Trevor 
Mallard has released a 50-point strategy aimed at securing the 
country's future prosperity and forging a unique national 
economic identity. He says the aim of the economic 
transformation agenda is to raise living standards for all New 
Zealanders. Mr Mallard says the end goal is simple: to develop 
an economy which is high wage, high skills, high knowledge and 
producing the sorts of things which kiwis are better at 
producing than other economies in a way which is 
environmentally sustainable.

MUMS OFFERED INCENTIVE TO WASHABLE NAPPIES
------------------------------------------

Christchurch mums and mums to be are being urged to get in 
quick if they want to access a discount to use an alternative 
to disposable nappies. Simon Collin of the Christchurch City 
Council says depending on which scientist you speak to, 
disposables can take between two and 500 years to decompose 
and the human waste in them contributes to greenhouse gasses. 
He says in a bid to reduce the amount going to the rubbish 
dump, they have decided to subsidise washable nappies, as the 
cost of them is thought to be prohibitive to many families. Mr 
Collin says they have put aside ten thousand dollars to 
subsidise 500 starter packs.

NEW STUDY IN FAVOUR OF CIRCUMCISION
-----------------------------------

New Zealand research has found circumcised males are less 
likely to acquire a sexually transmitted infection, than non-
circumcised. Doctors at the Christchurch School of Medicine 
say the procedure may reduce the risk of catching and 
spreading such infections by up to 50 percent. The findings of 
their 25-year study have been published in the November issue 
of Pediatrics. The researchers conclude there could be 
substantial benefits for routine circumcision of male babies.

WELLINGTON BUSES TO BE RE-BRANDED
---------------------------------

Wellington's buses are getting a new name and a new colour. 
More than 200 Stagecoach buses are being re-branded GO 
Wellington, and from next year will be bright yellow with a 
black logo. The changes are being made by the new owners 
Infratil, who bought Stagecoach from its former Scottish owner 
last year. GO Wellington boss Ross Martin says they felt they 
needed more of a Wellington flavour, and new identities for 
their buses in Hutt Valley will be revealed in the next few 
months.

NEW STUDY TO GET PAKEHA VIEW ON LIFE IN NZ
------------------------------------------

The hunt is on for 18 to 29-year-olds of European descent to 
find out what it means to be a Pakeha in New Zealand. Massey 
University sociologist Avril Bell wants to find out their 
views on culture and identity. Dr Bell says many studies have 
been done on migrant communities, but few have focused on the 
majority culture for their views and experiences. She wants to 
focus on what they think about immigration, treaty issues and 
other government policies.

NZ ONE OF LEAST CORRUPT NATIONS IN THE WORLD
--------------------------------------------

New Zealand is one of the least-corrupt nations in a new 
survey. In fact we are in a three-way tie with Finland and 
Iceland at the top of the table, scoring 9.6 out of a possible 
10. Australia is ninth equal with the Netherlands. The annual 
survey by Berlin-based anti-corruption watchdog Transparency 
International rates Haiti as the most corrupt country out of 
the 163 surveyed. 
 
(Whereas it's always nice to score well on these international 
surveys, there are still many aspects of public and political 
life that cause disquiet. However, on the whole there were 
many aspects of what I saw in the Australian media that I 
though "that just would not be tolerated in New Zealand". - 
BH)

Wednesday, 8 November 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LEGAL DRINKING AGE TO STAY AT 18
--------------------------------

An impassioned plea to change the law on the purchase of 
alcohol has fallen on deaf ears. In a conscience vote in 
Wellington tonight, MPs have voted 72 to 49 to reject Labour 
MP Martin Gallagher's Private Member's Bill, which had aimed 
to raise the legal purchase age for alcohol to 20. Given the 
result of opinion polls, which showed 65 to 70 percent of 
respondents supported the Bill, its sponsor Martin Gallagher 
had argued MPs had a duty to support it. He said the warnings 
of the dangers of lowering the drinking age in 1999 have come 
to a sad fruition, so action was necessary. 
 
(I respect the sincerity and motives of most who pushed for 
this change. My position remains that there is no right or 
privilege of citizenship that should be denied to anyone who 
is old enough to be asked to vote, or to fight and die for the 
country. Conversely, there ought to be some sense that those 
who have the privileges should have some corresponding 
obligations - not necessarily to fight and die. - BH)

$2M TO BOOST WAIRARAPA FOOD AND WINE
------------------------------------

The government is injecting close to $2 million into a 
regional initiative to strengthen Wairarapa's international 
food and wine reputation. The cuisine and fine wine initiative 
is made up of two complementary projects, an international 
school of cuisine and a heightened focus on the Wairarapa wine 
industry's global competitiveness. Economic development 
minister Trevor Mallard says it is a coup for Wairarapa to 
have attracted world class culinary experts Le Cordon Bleu to 
run the cuisine school with UCOL. He says it is a credit to 
the region's leadership the project has gone ahead in 
Wairarapa.

4.15 MILLION NOW LIVE IN NEW ZEALAND
------------------------------------

The population has hit the 4.15 million mark. Statistics New 
Zealand says the population increased 1.1 percent in the year 
ending September. Last year's increase was 0.9 percent. The 
sharp increase is due to the doubling of permanent arrivals 
exceeding departures and natural increase.

WATERFRONT "COULD EXCEED $1 BILLION"
------------------------------------

A new report commissioned by Eden Park claims the cost of a 
waterfront stadium could exceed a billion dollars. The cost 
that has been bandied around so far has been $700 million. A 
report from quantity surveyors WT Partnership, just released 
by Eden Park, puts the cost at between $923 million and $1.08 
billion. The base construction cost is estimated at $550 
million, based on a study of 7 other 50,000-plus seat 
stadiums. The remaining cost is attributed to special 
foundation conditions and land acquisition. Eden Park compares 
the billion dollar estimate with its $320 million dollar 
revamp proposal.

UNITED FUTURE OPPOSE FIREWORKS BAN
----------------------------------

United Future leader Peter Dunne will not support a total ban 
on fireworks sales to the public. He says an outright ban will 
not work and will simply encourage people to make their own. 
Mr Dunne says that would be far more dangerous to public 
safety and only the naive or killjoys in the community could 
seriously imagine a total ban would work. He says the vast 
majority of Kiwi families enjoy their backyard fireworks fun 
without any danger or risk.

BUY KIWI MADE PROGRAMME KICKS OFF TODAY
---------------------------------------

A showcase of New Zealand-made products at Parliament later 
today, is expected to be tinged with sadness as it coincides 
with the first anniversary of the death of Rod Donald. The 
invitation-only event is the first of six regional showcases 
and kicks off the Government's Buy Kiwi Made programme. It 
marks the achievements of the Greens in promoting the 
campaign, particularly former leader Rod Donald who was the 
champion of Buy Kiwi Made and ensured it became a key 
cooperation agreement with Labour. His work will be 
acknowledged at the event. Mr Donald's wife Nicola Shirlaw 
will this afternoon plant a kowhai tree on a site in 
Parliament's grounds. 
 
(These kinds of jingoistic programmes are understandable at 
one level, but are not logically sustainable in a country 
whose economic lifeblood is exporting products to other 
countries. How would we react to our products being shunned as 
a result of similar programmes in those countries. 
Protectionism like this will bite us in the posterior sooner 
or later. - BH)

MORE CANCER PATIENTS HEAD TO AUSTRALIA
--------------------------------------

It is being claimed that more cancer patients may be forced 
across the Tasman for care as problems continue with the local 
workforce. Radiation Therapists Union spokeswoman Deborah 
Powell says a number of District Health Boards are considering 
sending cancer patients to Australia to get their radiation 
treatment. She says Auckland DHB has already announced 30 of 
its breast cancer patients are headed across the ditch. Dr 
Powell says Wellington's Capital and Coast DHB is considering 
similar action. She says the DHBs are exacerbating the 
shortage problem by refusing workers a salary increase above 
the rate of inflation. Capital and Coast has confirmed that it 
is preparing to send at least one patient to Australia for 
radiation treatment, as waiting times at Wellington Hospital's 
cancer centre look set to rise. Chief Operating Officer Meng 
Cheong says the time some patients have to wait to start 
treatment had improved from close to 12 weeks in August to 
just over nine weeks last month. However, he says on-going 
industrial action by radiotherapists is likely to see it 
increase back up to 11 weeks by the end of this month.

TELECOM ACCUSED OF TARGETING VOIP
---------------------------------

Telecom is being accused again of trying to stifle competition 
with the introduction of "traffic management" on its Xtra 
broadband Go Large plan. A University of Otago computer 
scientist says this time the offensive is against Internet-
based competitors in the calling market. Simon McCallum says 
Telecom is limiting bandwidth available to Voice Over Internet 
Provider programmes such as Skype, preventing users from 
taking advantage of free international calling. He says it is 
the first step down a path which leads to a fairly nasty 
control network. Simon McCallum says Telecom is crossing the 
line by discriminating against certain types of internet 
usage.

SURVEY INTO MENTAL ILLNESS
--------------------------

A new study has found New Zealanders are sympathetic if their 
next door neighbour, workmate or friend has experience of a 
mental illness. It reveals a different story when it is closer 
to home, however. Massey University's marketing department has 
found people are less willing to have personal relationships 
with people who have experienced mental illness. Some of those 
surveyed even believe people with schizophrenia or depression 
should not be able to hold public office or have children. 
Department head Professor Phil Gendall says the Government's 
Like Minds Like Mine campaign is helping. He says it is 
important to change attitudes as stigma affects the ability of 
sufferers to recover.

STATS SHOW FEWER TEENAGERS DRINKING
-----------------------------------

One group campaigning for the drinking age to remain at 18 has 
provided statistics which suggest fewer teenagers are 
drinking. Parliament is set to vote on the matter for the 
second time today. The 'Keep it 18' campaigners deny teenage 
drinking is out of control, and have data from the Alcohol 
Liquor Advisory Council to show 34 percent of 14 to 17-year-
olds did not drink in 2003, compared with 16 percent in 2000. 
Spokesman Christopher Bishop says there has also been a 
decline in heavy drinkers in the same age group, which he says 
is due to successful advertising. He thinks a rise in the 
drinking age would be a knee-jerk reaction to society's 
drinking problems. However, Alcohol Healthwatch Director 
Rebecca Williams says the figures quoted are nothing to be 
proud of, as they still mean 66 percent of 14-17 year olds are 
drinking. She says this is only one survey, and does not 
represent the bigger picture. Ms Williams denies education 
will work with the current drinking age, asking how people can 
be educated when they are using what is effectively a drug. 
She says education may work - once the age is raised. 

MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FOR HEALTH RESEARCHERS
-------------------------------------------

Researchers in this country have been a given a grant by the 
United States' National Institutes of Health. Lincoln 
University has been awarded more than a million dollars to 
continue 25 years of research into Batten disease. The disease 
is an inherited disorder of the nervous system which causes 
severe brain atrophy through childhood, blindness and 
seizures, leading to death. Researcher Dr David Palmer from 
Lincoln has been studying the disease for the past 25 years by 
looking at sheep diagnosed with the disease. He says a handful 
of New Zealand families will be affected by Batten disease at 
any one time. The funding will allow therapeutic advances such 
as anti-inflammatory drug trials and will pay for research for 
another three years. Dr Palmer says the funding will allow 
more precision in determining the development of Batten 
disease.

Thursday, 9 November 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GOVT SPENDING ON HEALTH UNDER FIRE
----------------------------------

Government spending on health is again under fire. An Auditor 
General's report released this week is critical of an extra $3 
billion that was pumped into the health system as there are no 
clear lines to see how it has been spent. National Health 
spokesman Tony Ryall is using the finding to savage the 
Government saying how can the Government know if the health 
system is working if it does not know where money is being 
spent. Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor admits he has 
not read the report and says it would not be the first time 
the Government has disagreed with findings made by the Auditor 
General. 
 
(For my part, I think the half billion dollars that Trevor 
Mallard wants to spend on a so-called "national" stadium in 
Auckland would take a lot of pressure off the health system. - 
BH)

RESERVE BANK ISSUES WARNING OVER HOMES
--------------------------------------

The Kiwi love affair with owning property has the Reserve Bank 
issuing another stern warning. Speaking at a tax conference in 
Auckland Reserve Bank Governor Allan Bollard says New 
Zealanders' preoccupation with housing assets has been at the 
expense of others, such as equities investment. He warns our 
holdings are low by OECD standards and it leaves the economy 
vulnerable to shocks, as well as constraining growth 
prospects. Dr Bollard says with the average household 
committing 13 percent of its disposable income to servicing 
debt, they are more vulnerable to adverse events such as 
rising unemployment and rising interest rates.

UNEMPLOYMENT UP
---------------

Latest labour market figures show unemployment is on the rise. 
The Department of Statistics has released data for the 
September quarter which shows the unemployment rate rose 0.2 
percent to 3.8 percent. The rise is blamed on an increase in 
male unemployment. However the Department still regards the 
labour market as tight with the number of people in 
employment, at over 2.1 million, the second highest ever 
recorded.

MORE TAX ON BOOZE?
------------------

Higher tax on alcohol is being cited as a way to reduce out-
of-control youth drinking, now the drinking age will remain at 
18. MPs last night rejected a Private Members Bill to raise 
the age, voting 72-49 against it. Alcohol Healthwatch Director 
Rebecca Williams is very disappointed and says there is one 
more solution - taxation. She says hiking the tax on alcohol 
is the sharpest tool in the shed. She says there is a major 
youth drinking problem in the community and something drastic 
needs to be done.

U CN TXT BUT MST NO WOT U MEAN
------------------------------

Teenagers will not be penalised if they slip into text 
language in some exams - as long as they can show they 
understand the question. The New Zealand Qualifications 
Authority has decided that students will be able to use text 
abbreviations such as "2moro" (for tomorrow) in this year's 
exams but it is warning that will not apply to any subject 
that requires the proper use of the English language. NZQA's 
Bali Haque says it has always been the case in New Zealand 
that students get full credits for explaining something 
correctly, even if there are grammar and punctuation errors - 
as long as it can be understood. The exception is if correct 
English usage is part of the examination schedule. He says the 
NZQA "strongly discourages" students from using anything other 
than correct English. 
 
(This is appalling brainless stupidity.- BH)

FLU PLAN TESTED
---------------

New Zealand's freshly completed Influenza Pandemic Action Plan 
is being tested today. Ministry staff together with the 
country's 21 DHBs and ESR will today stage the first of two 
exercises to test whether the plan is up to scratch. National 
Coordinator of Pandemic Planning, Steve Brazier, says today's 
test, dubbed "Exercise Makgill" will simulate an outbreak 
which officials have to ring fence and prevent spreading. 
Steve Brazier says were that to happen in real life, several 
measures would have to be taken, such as bringing in anti-
viral drugs, isolating those affected and perhaps closing 
schools. He says another larger exercise will be undertaken in 
May.

BILLION DOLLAR BILL RINGS ALARM BELLS
-------------------------------------

A report suggesting Auckland's proposed waterfront stadium 
could cost up to a $1 billion, has alarm bells ringing within 
an anti-rates group. The report was commissioned by the 
project's arch rival, the Eden Park Trust Board, and estimates 
the cost of a waterfront option would be far more than the 
$700 million currently being suggested. The report puts the 
cost at between $920 million and just over $1 billion. 
Organiser of NoMoreRates.com David Thornton says the Eden Park 
option - which would involve a $320 million upgrade, is bad 
enough for ratepayers. He finds it very difficult to think a 
$1 billion stadium could be built without the help of 
ratepayers. David Thornton thinks developing North Harbour 
Stadium is the best option, as it only requires a $200 million 
upgrade which could be covered by the government. North 
Harbour Stadium continues to press its case and while CEO 
Brendon O'Connor says he knows the Government favours the 
waterfront option, he says they will not be giving up in case 
it falls through. He says North Harbour Stadium still has the 
same revenue opportunities as the others, but will cost less 
and has the appropriate zoning already. Meanwhile the silence 
continues from Sports Minister Trevor Mallard on the latest 
developments in the Auckland Sport Stadium debate. Mr Mallard 
is not commenting on the Eden Park Trust Board report, its 
findings, and the apparent price disparities. However 
Government sources indicate the $700 million figure is 
accurate and say the Eden Park Trust Board is acting out of a 
vested interest Labour's behaviour on the 2011 Rugby World Cup 
stadium plans, however, is not sitting well with one of its 
confidence and supply supporters. United Future Leader Peter 
Dunne says if the Government has not made up its mind it is 
very close to doing so, and there is a suspicion there is a 
secret agenda and the chance that a favoured option will be 
rushed through. He says that is not the way to get the support 
of either the people of Auckland, or New Zealanders in 
general. There are fears a waterfront stadium in Auckland 
could have an impact on some of the region's infrastructures. 
Auckland Regional Holdings, the Port's owner, gives a certain 
amount of the Port's profits to the Auckland Regional Council. 
ARH chair Judith Bassett says that money is predominately 
spent on public transport and stormwater systems. She says any 
risk to ARH's earnings means the region will get less for such 
vital public projects. Judith Bassett says the biggest issue 
they have is the Government has not provided any information 
on the details of the proposed stadium, meaning they cannot 
even analyse the risks. Ms Bassett says the Port is the 
biggest in New Zealand, and worries a development of this 
scale will seriously impact its business operations. She says 
it is vital to Auckland and many parts of the upper North 
Island.

Friday, 10 November 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PROCEEDINGS AGAINST VISA, MASTERCARD
------------------------------------

The Commerce Commission has issued civil proceedings against 
Visa, MasterCard and 11 financial institutions for alleged 
price-fixing. The allegations relate to interchange fees, 
which are charged by credit card companies and paid by 
retailers as part of their fees to banks. The fee is up to 1.8 
percent of each credit card transaction. The Commission says 
fixing the interchange fees is anti-competitive. It says there 
is no collusion between Visa and Mastercard - but between the 
companies and other financial institutions. They are Cards NZ, 
ASB, BNZ, Westpac, ANZ, TSB, Kiwibank, HSBC, NZ Post, The 
Warehouse Financial Services and GE Finance and Insurance. 
Both Visa and Mastercard say they will contest the claims - 
and are disappointed with the move.

(Apparently, the 1.8% fee is almost double the equivalent fees 
in Australia. - BH)

WATERFRONT STADIUM IS PREFERENCE
--------------------------------

The Government has finally declared a preference for a 
waterfront stadium in Auckland to host the 2011 Rugby World 
Cup. At a presentation in downtown Auckland this afternoon, 
Sports Minister Trevor Mallard confirmed a waterfront stadium 
and a revamped Eden Park are in the running. However, he says 
a waterfront option offers much more. Mr Mallard has asked the 
Auckland City and Regional Councils to report back to him in 
two weeks on what they want. 
 
(Not my preference, and I don't believe that the government 
has any business having a preference. - BH)

TAX CUTS CALL ONCE AGAIN
------------------------

The clamour for tax cuts is being heard once again on the back 
of the Government's latest financial figures. Treasury has 
released the Government's financial statements for the 
September quarter and they show the Government's operating 
balance is $400 million ahead of predictions. With tax 
revenues also $400 million ahead of forecast National Party 
Finance spokesman John Key says the Finance Minister's 
credibility is shot. He says Michael Cullen has been utterly 
humiliated with his tired argument that tax cuts are 
unaffordable and that the figures show they are.

CONTINGENCY WORKING WELL AS STRIKE BEGINS
-----------------------------------------

Contingency plans are running smoothly in the south as the 
first of the striking radiographers walk out. Last ditch 
efforts to call off the strike failed last night with 
radiographers rejecting a new pay offer. At this stage, only 
workers at Canterbury DHB have started their industrial action 
which will run for nine days. Strike Coordinator for 
Canterbury, Jock Muir, says it is so far so good, but he says 
pressure is expected to build as time goes on. Southland, 
Otago, Hutt Valley, Lakes and Bay of Plenty DHBs will start 
their 10 day strike this afternoon. Tairawhiti workers will 
strike for five days.

CHRISTCHURCH GETS FASTER BROADBAND
----------------------------------

Some leading Christchurch businesses are about to get a jump 
on the rest of the country in terms of broadband speeds. Later 
this afternoon mayor Garry Moore will announce the city has a 
new broadband network with speeds up to a thousand times 
faster than is currently available. Canterbury Development 
Corporation science and technology manager Larry Podmore says 
they have been working on developing the world-class 
infrastructure for a year and a half. He says it is a great 
outcome for Christchurch, which he says is leading the country 
in terms of broadband speeds. Mr Podmore says it will bring 
great benefit to the city's broadband enabled industries - for 
example it will enable Christchurch Hospital to do 3-D colour 
x-rays in the future.

THOUSANDS AFFECTED BY STRIKE
----------------------------

A major radiographers strike will affect hospital operations 
across seven District Health Boards for more than a week as of 
today. Their unions and DHBs have failed to find a common 
ground over pay parity. The strike will last five days in 
Tairawhiti, nine days in Canterbury and 10 days in Bay of 
Plenty, Lakes, Hutt Valley, Otago and Southland. DHB spokesman 
and Chief Executive of Hutt Valley DHB Chai Chuah says it is 
disappointing they were unable to meet halfway. He says 
services will be reduced, with elective surgery cancelled at 
many hospitals, which will be activating contingency plans. 
The Canterbury DHB thinks about 750 elective surgeries will be 
impacted by strike action starting today. This is bad news for 
the DHB which is already almost 200 surgeries behind budget 
this year. Strike coordinator Jock Muir says thousands of 
patients will be affected by the strike with electives taking 
a big hit. He says it is the length of the strike that is the 
biggest cause for concern. The radiographers went out on 
strike for four days in September impacting on the care of up 
to 3000 patients in Canterbury including about 500 whose 
elective surgeries were cancelled. Meanwhile there are moves 
within the Canterbury District Health Board to make such 
action by health professionals illegal. Board member Alister 
James has given notice of a motion on the subject at this 
morning's meeting. He wants the board to approach the Minister 
Health Pete Hodgson and Labour Minister Ruth Dyson to change 
existing laws making strikes and lockouts by health workers 
illegal. At a media conference yesterday, DHB general manager 
Jock Muir would not be drawn on whether he would support the 
move.

SOME WORK NEEDED ON PANDEMIC PLAN
---------------------------------

Some valuable lessons have been learned from a nationwide 
pandemic exercise. As many as 400 participants from the 
Ministry of Health, the country's 21 DHBs and ESR took part in 
the exercise which simulated an influenza outbreak. National 
Coordinator of Pandemic Planning, Steve Brazier, says the aim 
was to ring-fence the outbreak and prevent it spreading, which 
he says was achieved. However he says the exercise uncovered 
process issues in Wellington and communication issues with 
DHBs which will now be dealt with. Mr Brazier says planners 
now know a lot more about containing an outbreak than they did 
before the exercise. Mr Brazier says given the exercise was 
the first of its kind, he is pleased with the way things were 
handled.

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