This edition of NewsRoom_Digest features 11 resourceful links of the day and the politics pulse from Tuesday 8th December. It is best viewed on a desktop screen.
NEWSROOM_MONITOR
Noteworthy stories in the current news cycle includes concerns that a form given to New Zealand detainees to sign when they choose to return home waives their right to an appeal, and the Chief Ombudsman putting government agencies on notice for their compliance with the Official Information Act (OIA).
POLITICS PULSE
Media releases issued from Parliament by political parties today included:
Government: NZ leads diplomatic protest over Japanese whaling; New Zealand formally joins Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank; New Zealand joins Global Geothermal Alliance; $4m boost for colonoscopy services; Minister welcomes transparency for future of census; Customer focus supports China tourism growth; New rifles for Defence Force; Microsoft deal opens up new world of learning in our schools; Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Cross-appointment to the NZ Commerce Commission; NCEA credits for driver licences; $8.4 million for wool research partnership; 2015 PM’s Scholarships for Asia announced; Amendments to Cartels Bill; Bill to Replace Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Act Introduced; Horizontal repairs come in under budget; $450m in ACC levy reductions confirmed for 2016/17
Greens: Groser’s departure a chance to hit ‘refresh’ on climate agenda; State care compensation cases need prompt resolution; Recycling could be improved for just 10 cents a pop; John Key cannot ask deportees to rely on ‘assurances’
Labour: Cash for cans and bottles scheme a great initiative; Land wars a vital part of who we are; Govt underfunds Pharmac by $115m
Māori Party: NZ Wars petition adds weight to the call for a national day of remembrance
New Zealand First: Funding Review Needed For Ambulance Services; Government Rejects Keytruda Funding Despite Opportunity
LINKS OF THE DAY
Links of the day have been a feature of NewsRoom_Digest since we first started production in August 2014.
CHINA TOURISM GROWTH: The China Visitor Insight report released today presents key findings into the needs of Chinese travellers to New Zealand and will to help local businesses develop a deeper insight into the expectations of independent Chinese travellers. More information is available here: http://www.nzcntourism.co.nz/home2.html
DRIVERS OF URBAN RESEARCH: A new report about the drivers of urban change in New Zealand by the MBIE-funded Resilient Urban Futures Programme has been launched today. For more information and a copy of the report, go to http://sustainablecities.org.nz/resilient-urban-futures/drivers-of-urban-change/
GOVT FINANCIALS: The Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the four months ended 31 October 2015 were released by the Treasury today. Click here for the Financial statements:http://www.treasury.govt.nz/government/financialstatements/monthend
KEEP IT CLEAN: Youth climate change organisation Generation Zero will tomorrow deliver its Keep It Clean petition calling on Greater Wellington Regional Council to find a better option than replacing our clean electric trolley buses with diesel buses.The petition can be found here – http://www.generationzero.org/keepitclean
MANUFACTURING SALES: Food and beverage related industries drove a large increase in manufacturing sales in the September 2015 quarter, according to Statistics New Zealand. Read more: http://bit.ly/1IQKwTb
MICROSOFT AND EDUCATION: A new agreement between the Ministry of Education and Microsoft NZ will reduce IT complexity for schools and enhance access to the online world for students, enabling them to learn anywhere, any time and on any device. View Microsoft School Software Agreement at:http://www.education.govt.nz/assets/Documents/School/Running-a-school/Technology-in-schools/Microsoft-School-Software-Agreement-Fact-Sheet.pdf
OIA COMPLIANCE: The Office of the Ombudsman has carried out a comprehensive review of the operation of the OIA by investigating the practices of 12 selected government agencies under it. The report is available at:http://bit.ly/1QsqwN9
RECYCLE REPORT: The new Incentive to Recycle Report from Envision NZ recommends a return to offering cash for empty drink containers. Read more: http://www.envision-nz.com/news/2015/11/16/incentive-to-recycle-the-case-for-a-container-deposit-system-in-nz
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ASIA: The 2015 Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia have been awarded to 152 students from across New Zealand. More information, including a full list of current recipients of the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia can be found here: http://www.enz.govt.nz/how-we-work/scholarships/pmsa
WELLINGTON AIRPORT SUSTAINABILITY: A review by Tailrisk Economics of the Wellington airport extension cost benefit analysis shows that the net economic benefits of $2090 million have been substantially overstated. The full document can be accessed at http://www.tailrisk.co.nz/documentlist
WOOL RESEARCH: The Wool Industry Research Ltd (WIRL) partnership “New Uses for Wool” is co-funded by the Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand and Government and worth $21 million overall. More information can be found on the MBIE website: http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/science-innovation/research-partnerships
And that’s our sampling of “news you can use” for Tuesday 8th December.
Brought to EveningReport by Newsroom Digest.
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