Labour struggling to get candidates this early

Brian Rudman in the NZ herald has published a report highlighting some of the challenges Labour faces in attracting new candidates to its banner. 

Life inside the Taliban - BBC Report

BBC Reports that in Pakistan an account of life with the Taliban has emerged from a 13-year-old girl called Meena, who says her own family tried to turn her into a suicide bomber.
There is no independent confirmation of her account but police say they believe she is telling the truth, and her information could be valuable.

Obama proposes more regulation of US banks

BBC Report today that President Obama is planning new regulations of the US banking sector.
US President Barack Obama has proposed significant new curbs on the activities of banks to try to prevent future financial crises.  The plans - the most far-reaching yet -include limits to the size of banks and restrictions on riskier trading.

While the greed of certain fringe financiers may have got the world into the financial mess it found itself in last year.  It is by no means clear that ongoing extension of state controls in the solution.  Arguably if those companies that got themselves into difficulty had been allowed to go under the market would be now have cleared out the companies that acted unwisely with depositers funds.

It's not just the Taliban holding back Afghanistan

BBC Report today unveils the huge scale of bribery going on in Afghanistan.  In fact it equals almost a quarter of the nation's GDP!  No country, especially a wartorn one, can hope to build sustainable economic development with that scale of corruption. A commitment to honest dealing is a cornerstone of a successful market economy.  Without it history shows us that fair dealing will be imposed - either through socialist intervention or through fundamentalist authoritarianism. If the western nations hope to see a semblance of market growth and the first shoots of democratic institutions then they will need to look more broadly than just military, or material aid.

UK debt a concern to lenders

BBC Report that investment analysts are increasingly worried that the UK government does not appear to have a plan to reduce the UK's ballooning level of debt. Although the UK indebtedness is still not as bad as that of some other developed economies it has deteriorated more rapidly. 

Ultimately the government will have to put in place a plan to address this issue.  Government spending needs to be reviewed as a  spur to long term sustained growth and a reduction in debt to GDP levels.

Tobacco tax increase urged in the Year of the Lung

A good story in scoop regarding the need to raise taxes on tobacco.  Scoop: Tobacco tax increase urged in the Year of the Lung .  It's not often that you get a policy decision which can be both popular, improve the health of citizens and boost the government's tax revenues.

Churton Park Community Chair To Stand Down

Wellington.scoop.co.nz reported my resignation as President of the local Churton Park Community Association today. 

I have decided not to seek re-election at the CPCA’s AGM in March. My resignation will take effect from the AGM on March 17th.

2010 marks my seventh year on the Community Association since 1997 – including two separate terms as President. I believe now is the right time to stand down.  The CPCA has a strong committee and a good succession plan. I am confident that it will continue to work tirelessly for the interests of the local community.

The CPCA finances are in good shape, we have secured approval for major infrastructure projects. In addition events such as our annual Community Christmas function continue to attract strong local support.

The new Neighbourhood Centre at Lakewood Avenue is scheduled for 2011. The new Westchester Drive extension is also due during 2011 and it will help reduce heavy traffic volumes on local roads as well as provide for future growth.

In addition the Minister of Education, Anne Tolley, has also confirmed the building of a second primary school at Amesbury Drive in Churton Park to be opened in Term 1 2012. This school will at last resolve the ongoing pressure of roll growth by increasing the collective capacity of local schools.

I was recently appointed by the Minister of Education to the Establishment Board of Trustees (EBOT) for the new Amesbury Drive School.  I look forward to seeing Churton Park continue to grow and prosper as part of the wider Wellington region. Building good quality infrastructure – especially in the education sector – will be a critical part of that success.

A new Committee will be elected at the AGM in March.  To the existing Committee I'd like to say thanks for your commitment and support over the last year. It's been a blast.  I wish you well for 2010.