November 27, 2009

Beehive - Budget spending jumps 45 per cent in five years

Bill English has quoted Treasury papers Beehive - Budget spending jumps 45 per cent in five years to show that government spending has grown massively during the last few years. Government spending cannot keep growing inexorably - without a corresponding increase in revenues. There re only two ways to deal with this - either raise taxes or cut spending. The optimal answer is probably a combination of both and the sooner the better.

November 24, 2009

Johnsonville Needs Infrastructure Upgrade First

Proposed changes to the Wellington City Council District Plan risk exacerbating current traffic congestion problems in Johnsonville. The City Council is closing off public submissions on Friday 27th November - despite reports that it won't get around to hearing public submissions until May 2010. The question is why the hurry to stifle public debate?

Johnsonville today simply does not have the infrastructure required to support a large increase in infill housing. Our roads are congested at peak times, our on-street parking is already difficult to navigate and other services are also likely to come under pressure in the wake of a surge in population growth.

The Council should defer consideration of this proposal until more local residents have had an opportunity to comment. Many are unaware of the scale of change being proposed and the likely impact on the community. If sitting councillors are confident about the proposed changes then I invite them to test public opinion at the ballot box during next year's local body elections.

Human Rights Day



Human Rights Day marks the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) adopted on December 10, 1948 that set down the basic principles at the very heart of the human rights movement. The UDHR has enabled remarkable progress in human rights, inspiring international human rights standards, laws and institutions that have improved the lives of many around the world.

The day is a high point in the calendar of United Nations and is normally marked by both high-level political conferences and meetings and by cultural events and exhibitions dealing with human rights issues. Many non-profit organizations and human rights activists also schedule special events to commemorate the day. Look out for events in your community!

November 20, 2009

Obama Health Reform Passes First Hurdle


President Obama's landmark healthcare legislation was narrowly passed by the US House of Representatives. The vote marks a significant step towards the Obama administration's goal of extending health coverage to millions of people lacking it.

It's not surprising that the US is slowly moving towards a universal health care system. What is surprising is the unrelenting opposition to the reforms from what appear to be a large number of Americans on the grounds that it is some sort of socialist experiment.

The House voted 220-215 in favour of the bill, which will impose tougher regulations on the health insurance industry and provide cover for around 36 million more Americans.

In a statement, Obama praised the Representatives and said he was "absolutely confident" that the Senate would pass its version of the legislation. "I look forward to signing it into law by the end of the year," the US president said.http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/08/representatives-pass-obama-healthcare-legislation

November 19, 2009

Fibre Broadband As A Human Right?


Labour's Communications Spokesperson is asking whether Broadband should be viewed as a basic right like water or electricity? I am a huge supporter of the power of broadband to transform communities and economies. There is no doubt that good quality broadband can revolutionise education, health and help integrate communities. However, policy-makers will need to consider what the alternative uses are for between $2billion and $9billion of investment. More importantly they will need to consider exactly how the nation's productivity will be raised through such investment.

There is no doubt that the risk of a new digital divide is significant. There is also little doubt in my mind that government leadership will be important. But we also need to make sure that NZ Inc does not squander this opportunity to build a high-productivity hi-tech economy. Our children's generation will not thank us for bequeathing to them a large debt without commensurate returns from wise investments. Rather than debating whether we should make it a human right - perhaps we should just get on and do those basic things that most of us know will be required in any case - for example improved international connectivity, improved open-access fibre backhaul, abolition of the TSO Levy, and a national stocktake of existing ducting to identify gaps which can then aid in rapid fibre deployment?

NZ Immunisation Rates Well Below Par

Our immunisation completion rates are far lower than in many other developed and underdeveloped countries (which have completion rates up to 95%), and there are significant inequities for many of our most vulnerable children. (Māori uptake in Auckland and Counties Manukau is 64%).

The Health Select Committee is inquiring into these matters and is seeking submissions. The terms of reference for this inquiry are as follows:

1. To collate current statistics for New Zealand children on timeliness of delivery and completion of immunisation, and how we compare internationally.
2. To assess how well the New Zealand Immunisation Register is working, and the effectiveness of utilisation.
3. To search relevant world literature for optimal methods of how to achieve timely and high immunisation completion rates.
4. To seek up-to-date information on community concerns, informed consent and conscientious objection issues.
5. To seek an analysis of benefits and disadvantages.
6. To define, and make recommendations as to what methods could be applied at minimal cost to improve immunisation in New Zealand,( bearing in mind the first 60% are easier to get, the next 20-30% require more effort, the next 5% lots of effort and around 5% are declines).

The Health Select Committee committee will be advertising for submissions in the next few days.

ICT-literate Mums - key election influence in UK


ICT-literate Mums are emerging as the new battleground for electoral success in the UK election campaign. Increasingly Mums (and some Dads) are using mobiles and laptops as a means of staying in touch with their communities while combining parental roles at home or while working part time. The Independent today reports as follows.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/meet-cyberwoman-the-battleground-for-the-next-election-1822412.html

November 6, 2009

Vodafone Foundation - A Corporate Philanthropic Leader




In October the Vodafone Foundation hosted over 70 guests - including MPs and senior officials to a celebration of the work of the Foundation. The Vodafone Foundation is a leader in the nation's corporate philanthropy. Each year it donates over $1million to the cause of helping New Zealand's high needs young people. For more details www.vodafonenzfoundation.org.nz

Caritas Justice Leadership Days - an inspiring experience

I've just returned from the 2017 Caritas Justice Leadership Day in Wellington.  This year the Wellington JLD was held in Avalon, Lowe...