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Policy Watch Newsletter - 25 Jan 2013

Friday, 25 January 2013, 10:10 am
Press Release: NZ Council of Christian Social Services

NZ Council of Christian Social Services

Policy Watch Newsletter

Kia ora,

Welcome to the first Policy Watch for 2013.

Policy Watch is a current awareness "e-letter" compiled fortnightly. It provides a tool for keeping track of emerging issues, policy developments and other relevant news snippets and links. To view Policy Watch click here.

Items of interest this issue include:
• The Mysterious Missing Welfare People
• How did we ever make it to the top housing unaffordability category?
• Cabinet reshuffle to address housing worries?
• Feed the Kids campaign
• Invalid’s, Sickness Welfare reform – our big opportunity
• Reduced welfare + Reduced Housing = Reduced Rheumatic Fever?
• Will police vetting cost?
• Keep an eye on the changing scene in Canterbury
• Dedicated stroke unit at Tauranga Hospital
If you have comments or feedback on our newsletters or any suggestions for additional items or sources of information to include in Policy Watch, please let us know. All feedback is gratefully received - please send any comments to admin@nzccss.org.nz

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa
Best wishes to all of you.

From all of us in the team at NZCCSS.

Supporting social services that put
social justice and social compassion into action

ENDS

Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

NEW ZEALAND POLITICS > >

Full Scoop Coverage: NZ Budget 2013

Scoop Business: Bathurst Gets Nod For DoC Access To Denniston Mine

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has approved access over conservation estate land for Bathurst Resources to develop an open cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau, above Westport, to the dismay of environmental opponents.

The timing for Smith’s move avoids Bathurst having to resubmit applications for access agreements under the revised Crown Minerals Act, which comes into force tomorrow and would have required public consultation.

The announcement lands in the middle of delicate negotiations between the company, environmental groups and other interested parties that could pave the way to a broader agreement on the Escarpment proposal, whose resource consents are still subject to court appeals. More>>

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne wants to push the Psychoactive Substances Bill through Parliament faster than planned when it returns from the select committee in mid-June, with the aim of having the legislation in place in July. More>>

ALSO:

Labour - Dunne’s ‘rush’ a long time coming
NZ Govt - Meth Plan Continues to Show Results
The Vote - Kiwis Say Yes Let’s Decriminalise Soft Drugs - Legal Highs Industry: Synthetic Cannabis More Dangerous
Out-Link - Modelling Behaviour • Hard News • Public Address

Colin Craig: New Twitter Security Welcomed

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig is welcoming the announcement from Twitter today that new security measures are being introduced. This announcement coincidentally follows yesterday’s hijacking of his twitter account. More>>

ALSO:

Twitter - Twitter announces two-factor authentication
2012 Image Out-Link - Colin Craig explains work prayers - extended interview - Story - Politics - 3 News

"Unlawful, Unjustified And Unreasonable": Report Into Urewera Raids Finds Police Acted Unlawfully

IPCA Chair Judge Sir David Carruthers said today that the decision to undertake the operation in Ruatoki Valley and elsewhere on 15 October 2007 was reasonable and justified. “However, the road blocks established by Police at Ruatoki and Taneatua were unlawful, unjustified and unreasonable... ” The detention of the occupants at five properties examined by the Authority was unlawful and unreasonable. More>>

ALSO:

IPCA Operation 8 Report (PDF)
NZ Govt - Minister welcomes release of IPCA report
NZ Police - Police accept Operation 8 IPCA report - E whakaae ana ngā Pirihimana ki te pūrongo Operation 8
Labour - IPCA recommendations must be fully implemented
Greens - Damning report shows need for police culture change
Maori Party - Lack of Remorse from Police Won't Restore Tūhoe Relationship - Police ‘Get Away’ With Actions That Were Contrary To Law
Mana Party - Who are the Real Terrorists?
Tame Iti - Tame Iti on IPCA report
Emily Bailey - Emily Bailey comment re. today's IPCA report
NZ Police Association - Operation Eight IPCA report
Some Previous Coverage - 3/2012: Urewera 4 Not to be Retried - 3/2012: Urewera Trial: No Verdict on 'Criminal Group' Charge - 9/2011: Video Surveillance Bill - 9/2011 - Crown Solicitor On Supreme Court Ruling, Dropping Charges - 10/2007: Terrorist Camps On East Cape - Police Activist Raids
Out-Link - The Civilian: Urewera report unable to reconcile idea that police can break law
2009 image by Bell Murphy, via - Explosive Expression: Remember State Terror Raids

Better Insulate Than Never: Reaching For The Rug This Winter? You’re Not Alone

The nationwide Canstar Blue survey - of 2060 people examining consumer satisfaction with electricity providers - found that more than one third (36%) of respondents can’t afford to heat their home adequately in the winter, with Gen Ys and women finding it the toughest. More>>

ALSO:

Labour - More Kiwis Having Power Supply Cut Off
Greens - Cold Kiwis Show Need For Lower Power Prices, Home Insulation
Out-Link - Twitter / johnkeypm: Retweet this if you like our progress in making homes healthier for Kiwi families.
Image: Atelier Bow-Wow, via Auckland Triennial - NZ's biggest contemporary visual arts festival opens

One More Stays Open: Interim Decisions For Five Aranui Schools

“The proposal for a new campus originally included all five schools in the Aranui area. In reviewing the submissions and undertaking further analysis – with a focus on ensuring an exciting brand new education concept for Aranui children – we can achieve this and maintain a strong intermediate option in Chisnallwood. More>>

ALSO:

Greens - Interim Decision Means Supersized Schools
NZ First - Pen Pushers Win with School Mergers
NZ Govt - Speech to the Plenary session Community Resilience - Nikki Kaye: Speech to Disaster Risk Reduction Forum - Minister attends global disaster forum in Geneva - New Customer Service Centre for Christchurch
Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority - Canterbury’s strength in recovery highlighted at UN
Christchurch Earthquake Appeal - Appeal Trust thanks SKY Television for generous pledge
Sky TV - PHOTO: SKY TV's million dollar pledge to Christchurch

Arguably Reassuring: Inspector-General Finds GCSB "Arguably" Legal

The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security has completed an inquiry into potential breaches of the Government Communications Security Bureau Act (2003). More>>

ALSO:

Labour - Only a full inquiry will restore confidence in GCSB
Out-Link - Grant Robertson: “Arguably” Bulls**t « Red Alert
Greens - Report shows GCSB inquiry needed before law change
NZ First - GCSB Case Bungled by Prime Minister
9 April NZ Govt - John Key: "the results of the review will be made public after its completion."
OASIS - Panel Discussion: The GCSB And The Lives of Others
Out-Link - US Govt Word Games When Talking About NSA Domestic Spying | EFF

Roy Morgan State Of The Nation: All About Attitudes

As the latest Roy Morgan State of the Nation New Zealand reveals, the different attitudes of Kiwis around the country offer a fascinating glimpse into its varied population. More>>

ALSO:

Roy Morgan Research - Wellington wild for smartphones : RMR State Of The Nation NZ - Buses, trains and traffic jams: Wellington vs Auckland vs NZ - State of the Nation New Zealand: home is where the money is
Image Out-Link - Auckland vs Wellington vs The Rest of NZ - Roy Morgan Research State Of The Nation - YouTube

Various Deadlines: Make Sure You Can Vote In The Ikaroa-Rāwhiti By-Election

“You can only vote in the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti by-election if you are eligible and correctly enrolled,” says Sue Braybrook, Registrar of Electors for the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti electorate. More>>