This edition of NewsRoom_Digest contains 6 media release snippets and 3 links of the day from Monday 25th May.
Top stories in the news cycle today include a run of High Court cases that are attracting public attention that aren’t criminal cases, including the case of Lecretia Seales, a 42-year-old lawyer with brain cancer who is asking for a ruling to ensure a doctor would not be charged if she helps her to die, and legal action being taken over the decision to drop all charges against former Pike River mine boss Peter Whittall.
SNIPPETS OF THE DAY
Passport To Be Valid For 10 Years: Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne says the Government has listened to New Zealanders and adult passports will again be valid for 10 years, once required law changes are made. “The 10-year validity period gives greater convenience to most adult passport holders, as they will need to renew their passport less frequently. This will also result in a reduction in the annual price of an adult passport for New Zealanders. The 10-year adult passport price will cost $180 (including GST), an average saving of more than $90 over the 10-year validity period.
Border Control Bill Passes Third Reading: Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Customs Minister Nicky Wagner today welcomed law changes to help protect New Zealand at the border. The Border Processing (Arrivals and Departures) Levy Bill, which creates a new border clearance levy to protect New Zealand from imported pests, diseases, illegal drugs and contraband, passed third reading today. The levy will fund the costs of border processing incurred by the Ministry for Primary Industries and the New Zealand Customs Service and ensure that border services are sustainable.
Govt Investment To Boost Primary Sector Export Growth: The Government will invest $7.5 million over two years in developing key skills and systems to help boost exports across the primary sector, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says. This investment focuses on key initiatives that will help deliver greater economic growth
NZ Transport Minister Leaves To strengthen Global Connections : New Zealand’s global connections will be strengthened by its Presidency of the International Transport Forum (ITF) in Germany this week Transport Minister Simon Bridges says. Mr Bridges leaves today for the annual summit in Leipzig, Germany. In his role as Presidency Minister, Mr Bridges will speak at the opening event, chair ministerial sessions and meet with transport ministers from across the ITF’s 54 member countries. “The summit brings together key international players in transport and transport-related sectors, and provides a unique platform for exchanges on policy issues,” Mr Bridges says.
Labour Party: Speculator tax political stunt gone wrong: Bill English’s admission he doesn’t know whether National’s new speculator tax will have any effect shows last weekend’s announcement by the Prime Minister was a desperate political stunt, says Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford. “This Government is so desperate to look like they are doing something about the Auckland housing crisis they announced Budget tax policy as a political stunt.
NZ First: No Support For Forced Marriages : Forced marriages have no place in New Zealand, nor do any of the people who adhere to such traditions, says New Zealand First Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters. “Anyone who immigrates here, or takes refuge in New Zealand, must comply by our laws, traditions and culture and abuse of women is against the law. “But National’s fast and furious, no questions asked open-door immigration is importing a landslide of problems to New Zealand, which we have warned would happen, including coercive, illegal behaviour around forced marriages.
LINKS OF THE DAY
LOWDOWN HELP ONLINE: The revamped Lowdown website launched today will provide young people with more accessible and responsive online mental health support, says Health Minister Jonathan Coleman. “It is estimated that one in six young people suffer from depression or anxiety. It is important young people have the right support at the earliest opportunity,” says Dr Coleman. The Lowdown can be found at www.thelowdown.co.nz.
UNICEF REPORT ON NEPAL: One month after the first of two major earthquakes hit Nepal, an estimated 70,000 children under five need urgent nutrition support so as to prevent a deterioration of children’s nutrition status – according to UNICEF. Around 15,000 children in 14 of the worst-hit districts will require therapeutic foods – like nutrient-rich ready-to-use peanut paste – for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition. Additionally, some 55,000 children with moderate acute malnutrition will require supplementary feeding and care to bring them back to healthy growth and development. A new animation on the crisis for children in Nepal is available here:http://uni.cf/nepal1mth http://uni.cf/1HH6SbO
‘QUICK FLICK’ TAX WILL HIT AUCKLAND MORE: The Government’s new bright line test to tax any capital gain realised from residential property sold within two years of purchase (excluding people’s main home) will make a greater difference in Auckland where speculation is more pronounced latest figures prove, says Geoff Barnett, National Manager of Century 21 New Zealand. Mr Barnett was commenting on analysis just released by respected property information company CoreLogic NZ Ltd. Their report here: http://www.corelogic.co.nz/news-research/item/look-at-how-long-the-average-new-zealander-holds-onto-a-property/
And that’s our sampling of the day that was on Monday 25th May 2015.
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