October 2009
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Fri, 30/10/2009 - 10:24pm
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When you ask most people if they can name the teacher that made a real difference to them, most can name a teacher without hesitation. For me it was my 6th and 7th form English teacher who gave me a lasting appreciation of literature and provided excellent vocational advice as well.
Today was World Teachers Day and at 12:30pm thousands of students around the country said thank you to their teachers by taking part in a synchronised show of hands, ‘Hands up for Learning’. As Associate Minister of Education I have the pleasure of visiting a range of schools and get to see first hand teachers making a difference.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Thu, 29/10/2009 - 6:02pm
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I see from today's Dominion Post that the publicity machine for US filmaker Michael Moore is cranking up to promote the New Zealand release of his latest movie, 'Capitalism: A love story'.
The film claims to examine "the disastrous impact of corporate dominance on the everyday lives of Americans" and no doubt will cast capitalism as the principal cause of America's current economic woes. While corporations and capitalism might be a convenient whipping boy for Mr Moore, he's not averse to availing himself of the benefits corporations and capitalism have to offer.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Wed, 28/10/2009 - 10:23pm
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There's no doubt about it, politics is a very odd game. Tonight Sue Bradford gave her valedictory speech and it might surprise some to hear from an ACT MP that she will be missed despite Sue herself saying that after 10 years she wouldn't miss parliament.
Sue's speech was part reflection on what she had achieved, part thanks to family, friends and those who had helped her with various projects and part purely political. No matter whether you agree with her or not, the speech is worth a read.
It is often surprising to see which MPs you end up getting to know well and working with. Those on select committees spend a reasonable amount of time together. You also sometimes find yourself on the same side of an issue with unanticipated allies. Sue and I were both on a parliamentary trip to New Caledonia, Tahiti and Easter Island several years ago. There wasn't much down time and we had long stretches of ocean to traverse so we got to know each other better than many MPs do.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Wed, 28/10/2009 - 2:53pm
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In a move announced yesterday, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has embraced social media site 'Twitter' in order to get news and updates about forthcoming exams out to young people around New Zealand.
'Twitter' is a micro-blog, or social networking tool, that enables people to see live updates in short messages from people or organisations they're 'following'. These can be via viewed online or sent via text message to a cellphone.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Wed, 28/10/2009 - 12:37pm
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While watching a TV3 News clip last night of Ministry of Justice and court staff protesting over a pay freeze, I was surprised to see among the protesters court security officers in uniforms that display the insignia of the State.
All but the Police and Defence personnel have the right to protest publicly – no argument with that. But the court security officers were not working and shouldn’t have been protesting in uniform. I doubt they wear uniforms elsewhere out of work time – to the beach for example.
In the past, firemen have participated in industrial action wearing uniforms and I’m surprised that the New Zealand Fire Service has tolerated this. If employment conditions prohibit this conduct, then this should be enforced. If there are no such rules, I believe there should be - otherwise public confidence in the protective services of Government will be eroded.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Tue, 27/10/2009 - 8:13pm
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Anyone looking out over Wellington Harbour early this morning would have seen HMNZS Canterbury easing into port as she returned home from an NZAID-led humanitarian mission to the tsunami-hit areas of Samoa and Tonga.
Carrying 2 Land Force Group (2LFG) personnel and equipment bound for Linton, along with a 3 SQN RNZAF Iroquois helicopter, support equipment and personnel and the RNZN Sea Sprite Helicopter, the Canterbury berthed at Aotea Quay this morning.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Tue, 27/10/2009 - 5:12pm
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“Break the habit and you break the TA”
I like to follow developments in defence around the world and my interest was aroused today by a BBC News article about UK Ministers backing away from previously announced cuts to the budget of the Territorial Army (TA). Funding cuts were first announced on 14 October and the original suggestion was to suspend training for all TA personnel not preparing for deployment to Afghanistan. The decision reportedly came from their Ministry of Defence who said the British Army was under pressure to make savings as the cost of the war in Afghanistan rose to three billion pounds for this year alone. By suspending this training, the Army stood to save 20 million pounds this year.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Tue, 27/10/2009 - 2:29pm
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Legislation this week - October 27-29 2009
Government Bills:
Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Amendment Bill - First Reading
ACT to Support
Electoral Administration Amendment Bill - First Reading
ACT to Support
The House will go into Urgency to debate the Following Bills:
Criminal Investigation (Bodily Samples) Amendment Bill - Committee Stage, Third Reading
ACT to Support
Gangs and Organised Crime Amendment Bill - Committee Stage, Third Reading
ACT to Support
Whakarewarewa and Roto-a-Tamaheke Vesting Bill - Committee Stage, Third Reading
ACT to Support
Dairy Industry Restructuring (Raw Mild Auctions) Amendment Bill - Committee Stage, Third Reading
ACT to Support
Settlement Systems, Futures and Emissions Units Bill - Committee Stage, Third Reading
ACT to Oppose
Biosecurity Amendment Bill - Second Reading
ACT to Support
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Tue, 27/10/2009 - 12:07pm
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With my Consumer Affairs hat on I noted with interest an article in the 'Sunday Star-Times' this weekend related to scams and scamming.
The lengthy prison sentences given to US scammers Joseph Thornburgh and Steven Fishman for money-laundering and investment fraud should act to deter other would-be fraudsters.
Thornburgh and Fishman sold 19th Century US railroad bonds and 100-year-old Republic of China bonds by convincing people they were worth hundreds of millions of dollars when, in fact, they were worth no more than their value as collectors' items. The scam had victims in New Zealand, Australia and the US and netted almost $5 million for masterminds Thornburgh and Fishman - as well as New Zealander Leslie Davidson, who is currently on the run.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Mon, 26/10/2009 - 11:28pm
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Colin James had an interesting piece published in today's (Monday 26 Oct) Dominon Post and the ODT on the MMP referendum. Some of the issues he raised were along the same lines as my 'Diary' from Saturday but he also raised - or rather floated again - the prospect of a four year parliamentary term.
Personally I wholeheartedly favour this. A three year term works along these lines :- the first year is generally spent 'settling in'
the second year is when the work is done and policies are put in place
the third year is spent concentrating on be re-elected (for the government)
Four years would provide more stability and I suspect double the work output of the government. Interestingly Colin thought that voters would be opposed to such a move and I understand surveys show that people just don't trust their politicians. Many I talk to favour a four year term. I'd be interested in hearing comments.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Sun, 25/10/2009 - 9:32pm
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I've spent some time this weekend at the Malayan Veterans Association Reunion. The Association opens its membership to anyone who participated in the Malayan Emergency - a conflict against the communist insurrection - or the follow-on confrontation against Indonesia over Borneo. 38,000 New Zealand troops were involved in the 1950's and 60's.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Sat, 24/10/2009 - 11:05am
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It’s been a fast-paced week with a lot happening – so much that I’ve barely had time to write anything for Royters. Here’s a round-up of the week just gone.
MMP Referendum:
ACT campaigned on this at the last election, as did National. The plan is to have a binding referendum in conjunction with the 2011 election. Kiwis will get to say if they want to retain MMP (in which case the matter will go no further) or have another voting system. If the latter gains majority support there will be another referendum at the 2014 election to decide which system to adopt and the chosen one will be put in place for the 2017 election. ACT is a product of MMP, entering parliament at the first MMP election in 2006. A move away from MMP, especially if it’s back to First Past the Post, might not be in my party’s best interests but democracy means people vote for the government they want and we think voters should also have a say on how governments are elected.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Tue, 20/10/2009 - 9:11pm
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While the current economic climate has forced people to tighten their belts, the prolonged winter climate has seen them paying more as they try to keep as warm as possible.
Earlier this month the Consumer Price Index – which measures the change in prices of goods and services bought by households - reported that electricity prices rose 4.5 percent for the September quarter. There has been various media commentary around energy prices and today the 'New Zealand Herald' reported that nearly 40,000 Mercury Energy customers will begin paying 10 percent extra for gas as of next month.
The problem is that gas and electricity are two of the things that people simply cannot do without – especially in winter – so we're all being hit that much harder as power and gas prices increase. But there are choices in power provider and by shopping around we can at least try to get the best deal on power and gas costs. That's where website Powerswitch comes in.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Tue, 20/10/2009 - 2:34pm
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Legislation this week - October 20-22 2009
Government Bills:
Subordinate Legislation (Confirmation and Validation) Bill - First Reading
ACT to Support
The House will hear the following Bills under Urgency:
Land Transport (Enforcement Powers) Amendment Bill - Committee Stage and Third Reading
ACT to Support
Vehicle Seizure and Confiscation Bill - Committee Stage and Third Reading
ACT to Support
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Mon, 19/10/2009 - 9:39pm
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Advancing school choice is a key ACT Party policy and becoming part of Government at the end of last year provided us with a platform to explore this area further. The Inter-Party Working Group for School Choice has been established through National and ACT’s Confidence and Supply Agreement and has been charged with investigating ways to enhance school choice and autonomy. The group is made up of members from the ACT, National and Maori Parties, following each party's pre-election statements about advancing choice and raising student achievement.
As part of the group’s work programme we have been visiting schools and meeting with stakeholders who have implemented innovative and effective education programmes. This has taken us on some very interesting visits from Auckland to Christchurch.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Mon, 19/10/2009 - 8:53am
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Last week students attending a meeting of the Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association struck a blow for freedom when they voted 45-35 in favour of supporting ACT's Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill. Vistoria University student Jenna Raeburn was there on the day and has provided an account of the meeting.
Wednesday, 14 October 2009: a bunch of liberty lovers and I decide to exercise our rights as (unwilling) members of VUWSA and attend their Student Representative Council. As background, these meetings don't usually make their quorum of 50, thereby making a joke of VUWSA's claim to be representative of or receptive to student views. We decide we've had enough, and descend upon the meeting to make our views known. Chaos ensues! Live updates below.
1:40 On the bus up to uni. Several known freedom lovers hop on. Discuss motions to be passed. My personal favourite is "That VUWSA should adopt the motto, ‘E mare libertas!'"
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Sat, 17/10/2009 - 9:26am
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I've been describing this as a year of 'firsts'. Another occurs today - my first year of not convening the Karori Normal School Gala which I've done for the last 8 years. I'm heading off to the gala soon (it's on from 11am to 2pm) and it will be my first just going along to enjoy the stalls and atmosphere.
It's a great gala, a very good cause and the food stalls are always escellent. Each year we worried about the weather, but this morning's Karori mist and drizzle are making way for sunshine. Don't miss it if you live in Wellington - it's a highlight of the capital!
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Thu, 15/10/2009 - 9:03pm
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On Tuesday evening I attended the Annual Engineers Dinner at Linton Army Camp. The memories of a pleasant meal amongst friends and colleagues from my Army days are still fresh despite today’s frenetic pace of meetings, Inter-Party working Groups, strategy sessions, and attending to Question Time in the House Debating Chamber.
The dinner was primarily a Regimental celebration of Sappers Day which is celebrated on 15 October. Sappers day originated 107 years ago on 15 Oct 1902 when the Royal New Zealand Engineers was formed by Royal Warrant.
At the dinner the Commanding Officer of the Unit took the opportunity to award certificates to soldiers who had loyally served the Regiment for 20 years, and to ensure a fitting farewell to a number of people upon their retirement from the Army.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Wed, 14/10/2009 - 3:05pm
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In all the furore over Maori TV and TVNZ's competing bids to screen the Rugby World Cup, only ACT seems to be asking the question that sits at the heart of this matter: why does the Government own broadcasting companies in the first place?
The role of Government is to provide for its citizens those things that they can not be reasonably expected to provide for themselves - police, defence forces, etc - not to be in business. This is especially true of broadcasting businesses - which are owned and operated successfully by private enterprise the world over.
It is the Government's ownership of TVNZ and Maori TV (MTS) that has put us in the position we are in today, with everyone up in arms over the broadcasters' competing bids - no one would bat an eyelash if these were two private companies bidding their own money, but these are Government agencies trying to one-up each other using taxpayers' dollars.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Wed, 14/10/2009 - 10:20am
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It is disappointing to see that Prime Minister John Key has categorically ruled out Treasury's idea of introducing a flat tax in order to close the income gap between New Zealand and Australia.
Thousands of our best and brightest are leaving our shores for the greener economic pastures overseas where taxes are lower – taking with them the skills and innovation we need to revive our flagging economy. A low flat tax rate would provide the right incentives - for people to work, to take on an extra jobs (without the burden of secondary tax) if they choose, to seek promotions and to upskill. New Zealanders respond to incentives that encourage hard work and trying new things - but current tax levels mean that there are none.
In order for our economy to recover, we need to boost productivity and exports – and to do this we should be considering all options.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Tue, 13/10/2009 - 1:15pm
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Legislation this week - October 13-15 2009
Government Bills:
Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Bill Committee Stage
ACT to Support
Land Transport (Enforcement Powers) Amendment Bill - Second Reading
ACT to Support
Vehicle Seizure and Confiscation Bill - Second Reading
ACT to Support
Immigration Bill - Committee Stage
ACT to Support
Sentencing (Offender Levy) Amendment Bill - Second Reading
ACT to Support
Criminal Investigation (Bodily Samples) Amendment Bill - Second Reading
ACT to Support
Insolvency Bill - Third Reading
ACT to Support
A more detailed rundown of Parliament this week can be viewed by clicking on 'In The House' or at http://www.roy.org.nz/inthehouse
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Mon, 12/10/2009 - 2:58pm
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The proliferation of online scammers - who are growing increasingly cunning and sophisticated - has led to the creation of a Police 'Cyber-Crime' unit which, media reported at the weekend, has already begun working to protect New Zealanders from internet fraudsters.
Dubbed NC3, or National Cyber Crime Centre, the new unit is three weeks old and aims to be fully operational by the end of the year. Part of the national e-crime groups, NC3 aims to: patrol the internet for cyber crime; set up a single reporting point for cyber crime where people can report internet scams; track the frequency, variety and dollar amount people were being scammed for to get a fuller picture of cyber crime; provide technical investigative skills to police around the country and liaise with international counterparts.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Mon, 12/10/2009 - 1:55pm
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This afternoon will see the launch of Crimestoppers NZ - the New Zealand incarnation of the UK organisation that helps police fight crime by fielding anonymous tips from the public.
In the 20 years since its inception in the UK, Crimestoppers has received over one million actionable calls and contributed to more than 90,000 arrests and charges. According to its promoters 20 percent of London murders are solved through information provided to, and passed on by, Crimestoppers.
Crimestoppers was originally set up by British billionaire Lord Michael Ashcroft, who made headlines in New Zealand for offering the $200,000 reward that helped lead to the return of war medals stolen from the National Army Museum in Waiouru. Lord Ashcroft is confident that a Crimestoppers in New Zealand will work - a view shared by Police Commissioner Howard Broad.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Sun, 11/10/2009 - 12:35pm
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Many thanks to my 'Guest Bloggers'. They all declined to have their names attached to their postings but I thought they provided thought provoking and informative pieces with interesting commentaries. Thank you. Comments on the guest pieces are very welcome.
Parliament resumes again on Tuesday this week so we'll be back in to the usual swing of things, as of tomorrow.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Sun, 11/10/2009 - 12:28pm
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Tomorrow - Monday, October 12th - a documentary marking the most disastrous day in New Zealand's military history is due to be released. Titled, 'Our Bloodiest Day' the documentary explores the New Zealand sacrifice during the Battle of Passchendaele where in just two hours more than 2800 men were killed, wounded or listed as missing in action and which remains, 92 years later, a significant date in New Zealand's history, where more people died in a single day than any other day in our history
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Sat, 10/10/2009 - 9:00pm
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During the week the 'Dominion Post' was speculating on whether Wellington is next in line to become a superciyt in the wake of Auckland's experience. The newspaper was probably correct in its assertion that the suggestion of a 'Wellington Super-city' has local MPs divided – although it's a little hard to tell given that the article only featured the views of Grant Robertson (Wellington Central) and Hon Peter Dunne (Ohariu). Nathan Guy (Otaki)was in England and unavailable for comment. The other Wellington electorate MPs (Annette King, Winnie Laban, Trevor Mallard and Chris Hipkins) and Wellington based MPs who represent local constituents (Katrina Shanks, Chris Finlayson, Hekia Parate, Paul Quinn, Darryn Hughes and myself) were all noticeably absent from the story - to my knowledge none of us were asked.
It's an interesting issue given the developments in Auckland and one that the newspaper could be pursing to guage public support.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Thu, 08/10/2009 - 12:02pm
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Yesterday marked the 57th anniversary of the barcode, a feature present on most consumer items and more often than not taken for granted. As many of you may have noticed, Google celebrated the occasion by using a barcode in place of the word 'Google' on its homepage.
The barcode has an interesting history. Beginning back in 1948, a young graduate student named Bernard Silver was working at the Drexel Institute of Technology in Philadelphia when he overheard a local food chain boss asking if a system for reading product data could be designed. Thinking this was a very innovative idea, he shared it with his friend Joseph Woodland who set about working on the project. Woodland, a teacher at Drexel, resigned from his position to pursue the idea.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Wed, 07/10/2009 - 7:09pm
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A new study has shown that one in five domestic holidaymakers list Wellington as their favourite destination. We Wellingtonians may be a little bit biased but it's not really surprising.
The first ever “Mood of the New Zealand Traveller” survey, a quarterly travel measure from Fly Buys and Colmar Brunton, found that out of a pool of 1,000 Kiwis, Wellington was the most popular choice, gaining 21 per cent. Auckland was second most popular, Christchurch third, Queenstown fourth, and Nelson rounded out the top five.
In the past year Wellington has played host to many international exhibitions, from classical artists in the Monet exhibition, to the race cars of Formula 1, the World of Wearable Arts, and a personal favourite of 2009, Mirrored Years by Yayoi Kusama.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Wed, 07/10/2009 - 1:13pm
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Yesterday Transport Minister Steven Joyce announced that he is going to include benzodiazepines among banned substances for drivers. This is short-sighted and will place hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders on the wrong side of the law for no good reason.
Under this addition to the 'Boy Racer' Bill currently before parliament people who are legally taking this prescription medication will be placed in the same category as those who use Class A narcotics - they will have to prove through a blood test and presumably in court that they were taking what they were prescribed. ACT does not support the inclusion of benzodiazepines in the banned list.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Wed, 07/10/2009 - 12:17am
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Following on from New Zealand's declaration last week that the recession was over, on the Australian TV news on Tuesday (yesterday)night it was announced that Australia had became the first advanced economy to raise interest rates since the global financial crisis. There were promises of more rises to come.
The Austalian central bank announced a rise of a quarter of a percent to 3.25 percent. There was a dramatic drop from 7.25 percent last September to 3.0 percent in April '09, the lowest rate since 1960.
Interestingly Australia is the only large Western country not to have experienced a recession in the global economic crisis. Growth of 0.6 percent in the three months to June was the best in the developed world.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Tue, 06/10/2009 - 10:08pm
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Revelations that Vanessa George, the British nursery worker who sexually abused babies in her care, used Facebook to swap sickening images of her acts with two other paedophiles are a salient reminder that predators and criminals can be anywhere on the internet – even on those websites that most people view as safe and benign.
In just over a decade the internet has become almost an integral part of life – we use it to shop, manage our finances, keep up with current events and the weather, organise travel, work, study, meet new people, and keep in touch with people we already know. And, as is usually the case with any new technology, it is our children – many of whom have never known a time when the world wide web did not exist – who are the most internet-savvy and prolific users.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Tue, 06/10/2009 - 10:05pm
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Here in the ACT office a number of the staff have Uni exams coming up at the end of the month and are starting to get anxious about them already!
So why are they are back at university? - some already have a degree, and for whatever reason, they have decided to retrain. Considering the tough economic times we are going through - the financial strain of not working (or only working part time) and incurring debt on top of that, well, it would seem the easier path to just hunker down in the job that you have!
I guess the idea of our parents generation that you worked in one job until you retired is now a myth. So perhaps preparing yourself for that 'next step' - whatever it may be (university, an apprenticeship), even in these tough times - is essential.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Mon, 05/10/2009 - 11:34pm
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On Sunday, the World Press Photo Exhibition 2009 came to an end after being showcased at Wellington’s Shed 11 for the past month. By all accounts it has been a popular attraction within our capital city with large crowds gathering to view the images taken by talented photojournalists from around the world.
The exhibition was made up of two hundred winning images from the world’s most prominent international press photography competition, World Press Photo. Entries to the competition are judged for their representation of a situation or issue of significance and the level of perception and originality present within the image.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Mon, 05/10/2009 - 11:29pm
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I'm no boxing follower but I guess there are similarities with politics! Here is the first of the Guest Royters postings. - Heather Roy
While I wouldn't usually describe myself as a fan of boxing – preferring to see sparring in the Debating Chamber – like the rest of the country, I found myself caught up in the hype around the 'Fight of the Century' between heavyweights David Tua and Shane Cameron.
Saturday night saw my family gathered in the living room to view the much-anticipated bout, with the conversation dominated by speculation over who would be victorious and discussion over the fighters' various strengths and weaknesses.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Mon, 05/10/2009 - 11:17pm
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I'm taking a break with my family this week. So as not to disappoint Royters readers some of my team are taking turns at writing blog posts in my absence. The change in style will, I'm sure, be refreshing. So as to encourage them please make sure to make plenty of comments.
Meanwhile I'm in Australia. The red dust has long gone and the Australian television news tonight could have been relayed from New Zealand. Daylight Saving problems were one of the top items. Queensland's long-standing refusal to participate puts it out of synchrony with the rest of the East Coast and is causing the consternation of businesses, schools and parents. Perhaps they need a Peter Dunne to convince them of the benefits.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Thu, 01/10/2009 - 3:06pm
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I'm still encountering plenty of 'first experiences' since becoming a Minister. Yesterday afternoon, as the Associate Minister of Defence, I had the honour of opening the new gymnasium at Burnham Army Camp in an environment where fitness is part and parcel of everyday life. I have made several visits to Burnham Camp this year and have watched with interest as the building came together. It was a great pleasure to cut the ribbon and declare the gym officially open.
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Submitted by Heather Roy on Thu, 01/10/2009 - 9:02am
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News yesterday and today is dominated by, what can only be described as, the tragedy and subsequent urgent crisis in the Pacific.
While reports of the death toll are conflicting, it appears that more than 100 people were killed in the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit the area - last night Deputy Prime Minister Bill English said that 62 people were confirmed dead in Samoa and 142 injured. At least 30 were dead in American Samoa with up to 10 deaths in Tonga. It is believed that three New Zealanders have also been killed, and there are fears this number could rise as the tsunami hit resorts popular during school holidays.
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