$90m to help wean Fonterra from coal, an easing of our liquor laws – and a crackdown on those bloody ram-raiders
A question about corporate welfare is answered in the latest batch of statements posted on the government’s official website.
The question is: which corporate giants are being given a funding pick-me-up?
The answer: our biggest company, Fonterra, will be helped (to the tune of $90 million) to cut coal use at its dairy factories.
But perhaps we should not regard this as a handout. The government refers to partnering with the dairy cooperative in a scheme aimed at delivering “massive emissions reductions, and future-proofing New Zealand trade and exports”.
This one is such big deal that the PM, the Minister of Energy and Resources, and the Minister of Climate Change all contributed to the statement.
Point of Order found the $90m size of the funding transfusion in the 12th paragraph.
The Government will co-fund up to $90 million from the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry (GIDI) Fund, which is paid for through the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Fonterra has approximately $790m in investment planned in total, to meet the revised decarbonisation target.
We have reported on this initiative in an earlier post (HERE).
But perhaps we should not regard this as a handout. The government refers to partnering with the dairy cooperative in a scheme aimed at delivering “massive emissions reductions, and future-proofing New Zealand trade and exports”.
This one is such big deal that the PM, the Minister of Energy and Resources, and the Minister of Climate Change all contributed to the statement.
Point of Order found the $90m size of the funding transfusion in the 12th paragraph.
The Government will co-fund up to $90 million from the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry (GIDI) Fund, which is paid for through the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Fonterra has approximately $790m in investment planned in total, to meet the revised decarbonisation target.
We have reported on this initiative in an earlier post (HERE).
- How much tougher can the government get on law and order?
We thought ram-raiding already was an offence, but the PM (and his Minister of Justice) are now banging on about the creation of a new criminal offence specifically addressing ram-raid offending, with a maximum sentence of 10 years.
That’s a bit stiffer than picking up rubbish and wiping out graffiti.
Among the highlights of the announcement:
- Changes to enable 12 and 13 year olds alleged to have committed the new offence to be charged in the Youth Court
- A new “intensive programme” to break the cycle for up to 60 recidivist young offenders
- Further expansion of successful ‘Circuit Breaker’ fast-track intervention programme for young offenders
- What state-funded jobs are up for grabs?
The Sits Vac columns will soon calling for applications for the job of Inspector-General of Defence.
Defence Minister Andrew Little and Attorney-General David Parker posted the news about this opportunity. An office for an Independent Inspector-General of Defence will be established in New Zealand, following the passing of the Inspector-General of Defence Bill in Parliament.
But the No Right Turn blog gives cause for wondering how “independent” the appointee will be.
A post on that site says the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee’s report back on the Inspector-General of Defence Bill made numerous changes which significantly improved the transparency and credibility of the Inspector-General.
When I posted about this, I said that NZDF was likely to be unhappy with this, and that the danger now is that the Minister will listen to them and abuse Labour’s majority to undo the committee’s recommendations and restore the coverup regime.
Unfortunately, this seems to be exactly what has happened. Defence Minister Andrew Little has introduced a supplementary order paper which unpicks key amendments made by the committee. The SOP will:
Defence Minister Andrew Little and Attorney-General David Parker posted the news about this opportunity. An office for an Independent Inspector-General of Defence will be established in New Zealand, following the passing of the Inspector-General of Defence Bill in Parliament.
But the No Right Turn blog gives cause for wondering how “independent” the appointee will be.
A post on that site says the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee’s report back on the Inspector-General of Defence Bill made numerous changes which significantly improved the transparency and credibility of the Inspector-General.
When I posted about this, I said that NZDF was likely to be unhappy with this, and that the danger now is that the Minister will listen to them and abuse Labour’s majority to undo the committee’s recommendations and restore the coverup regime.
Unfortunately, this seems to be exactly what has happened. Defence Minister Andrew Little has introduced a supplementary order paper which unpicks key amendments made by the committee. The SOP will:
- Allow the Minister to censor the Inspector-General’s reports;
- Reverse the presumption of transparency and make investigations private by default;
- Remove the IGD’s investigations from the coverage of the OIA.
If this passes, I’d hope that a pro-transparency party will put an “Inspector-General of Defence (Transparency and Credibility) Amendment Bill” in the ballot. Meanwhile, the sooner we get back to “normal” MMP politics and coalition government, so governments
- What is Kiri Allan up to, now she is back at work?
As Justice Minister, Kiri Allan’s name is to be found on the aforementioned statement on ram raids.
But that’s not all. The headline on a press statement from her office advises she is backing the All Blacks and enabling “businesses” to open longer for the Rugby World Cup.
But let’s fine it down to find out what sorts of businesses we are talking about. The press statement says the government is supporting communities and “hospitality businesses” to get behind the men’s Rugby World Cup later this year.
We are talking about the country’s liquor laws.
The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Rugby World Cup 2023 Extended Trading Hours) Amendment Bill passed its third reading yesterday with strong support across the House, Allan said.
Hospitality businesses will be able to remain open outside of normal trading hours when televising live Rugby World Cup matches, which will take place in France. This means businesses won’t have to go through the usual special licence process.
“By passing this Bill now, businesses will have time to plan before kick-off on 9 September, when the All Blacks open the tournament against the hosts, France.
“These changes will makes it easier for family, friends, and communities to come together and enjoy the tournament safely and responsibly.”
Licence holders will be required to give timely notice to Police and local councils if they wish to open for the matches. The Bill will also captures any lessons that are learnt to inform future work in this area and help Police allocate resources.
- Which ministers are chuffed about the passage of other new laws?
The new law will improve natural hazard information provided in land information memoranda, known as LIMs, McAnulty said.
It requires LIMs to contain natural hazard information that is clear, concise, nationally more consistent, and easier for people to understand.
The Bill also requires regional councils to share the natural hazard information they have with territorial authorities so it can be included on LIMs. This will enable buyers to get regional and district level information through a single document.
Small Business Minister Ginny Andersen says the Government’s Business Payment Practices Bill, which will reduce the stress and costs to small businesses of long payment wait times, passed its third reading today.
Latest from the Beehive
The Government is partnering with Fonterra to cut coal use at its dairy factories, delivering massive emissions reductions, and future-proofing New Zealand trade and exports.
An office for an Independent Inspector-General of Defence will be established in Aotearoa New Zealand, following the passing of the Inspector-General of Defence Bill in Parliament.
Speech
At no point in the history of the human species have we been confronted with a crisis that has an impact on the lives of every single member of that species.
The Local Government Official Information and Meetings Amendment Bill has passed its third reading today.
The Government’s Business Payment Practices Bill, which will reduce the stress and costs to small businesses of long payment wait times, passed its third reading today.
The Government is supporting communities and hospitality businesses to get behind the men’s Rugby World Cup later this year, Justice Minister Kiri Allan says.
Paki kau atu rā ki Hikurangi, ki Puketapu me ngā wai o te Tairāwhiti, anā, ko te whitinga mai o te rā! Uia mai koia te wahine tū teitei mai rā, te manu taunga o Ngāti Porou, o Rongowhakaata.
The biggest sporting event New Zealand has ever hosted is getting underway, with the Football Ferns facing Norway at the opening match at Eden Park tomorrow night.
Support for tourism in Aotearoa New Zealand has increased according to new research, Tourism Minister Peeni Henare said today.
Young offenders will face more accountability for their crimes as the Government continues to ramp up its approach to law and order, while also adding further intensive support to break the cycle of crime, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has announced.
Point of Order is a blog focused on politics and the economy run by veteran newspaper reporters Bob Edlin and Ian Templeton
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