Press gallery is buried in press releases – among them, we learn the SIS is warning about security threats in the space industry
Whoa – the buzz has become a deafening roar. Our ministers must be trying to clear their desks before taking off for their Christmas holidays – and hoping that some unpalatable stuff escapes scrutiny if it is dropped on the media in an avalanche of media statements.
When your Point of Order monitors began their daily check of the government’s official website, there were 19 new press statements (including two speeches and one press statement that was posted twice).
But statements were being released faster than we could read the ones already posted on Beehive.govt.nz
The latest ones at time of writing included reassuring news from Space Minister Judith Collins, who promised new legislation “to manage risks posed by ground-based space infrastructure” will be introduced next year.
Great. The government aims to keep us safe.
But what sorts of risks is she talking about?
Fascinating ones.
“Ground-based space infrastructure are the systems on Earth that carry out tracking and control of spacecraft, space surveillance, and the transfer of data to and from spacecraft,” Ms Collins says.
“They present important commercial and defence opportunities for New Zealand and we are therefore working to establish a regulatory regime for this infrastructure to support New Zealand’s interest in the safe, secure and responsible use of space.”
Ground-based means we are not talking about regulations to stop rockets from dropping on us – or some such.
Right?
Yes.
The new regulations are intended to prevent the establishment or use of ground-based space infrastructure in New Zealand “by entities that do not share our values or interests,” Collins says.
“The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service has found some proposals by entities seeking to develop space infrastructure in New Zealand had the ability to assist foreign military activity that could have harmed New Zealand’s interests, despite claiming to be for civilian purposes.
“The new regulatory regime will be targeted to capture only ground-based space infrastructure that pose risks to New Zealand’s national security and broader national interests,” Ms Collins says.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is leading the development of the regulations. They will apply to all ground-based space infrastructure in New Zealand that is in scope, including those already established.
Other statements concern new legislation which affects –
But statements were being released faster than we could read the ones already posted on Beehive.govt.nz
The latest ones at time of writing included reassuring news from Space Minister Judith Collins, who promised new legislation “to manage risks posed by ground-based space infrastructure” will be introduced next year.
Great. The government aims to keep us safe.
But what sorts of risks is she talking about?
Fascinating ones.
“Ground-based space infrastructure are the systems on Earth that carry out tracking and control of spacecraft, space surveillance, and the transfer of data to and from spacecraft,” Ms Collins says.
“They present important commercial and defence opportunities for New Zealand and we are therefore working to establish a regulatory regime for this infrastructure to support New Zealand’s interest in the safe, secure and responsible use of space.”
Ground-based means we are not talking about regulations to stop rockets from dropping on us – or some such.
Right?
Yes.
The new regulations are intended to prevent the establishment or use of ground-based space infrastructure in New Zealand “by entities that do not share our values or interests,” Collins says.
“The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service has found some proposals by entities seeking to develop space infrastructure in New Zealand had the ability to assist foreign military activity that could have harmed New Zealand’s interests, despite claiming to be for civilian purposes.
“The new regulatory regime will be targeted to capture only ground-based space infrastructure that pose risks to New Zealand’s national security and broader national interests,” Ms Collins says.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is leading the development of the regulations. They will apply to all ground-based space infrastructure in New Zealand that is in scope, including those already established.
Other statements concern new legislation which affects –
- Rental housing: The Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill has passed its third reading, delivering on the coalition Government’s commitment to deliver “sensible” changes to tenancy laws, Housing Minister Chris Bishop said. It’s reassuring to know the changes won’t be of the irrational variety (although this might be a matter of opinion).
- JobSeeker support: Legislation that will introduce new non-financial benefit sanctions into the welfare Traffic Light System and require people on Jobseeker Support to reapply every six months has passed its first reading in Parliament.
- Stalking: Legislation that will make stalking illegal with a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison has been introduced and passed through first reading in Parliament.
- Resource management: The second RMA Amendment Bill, introduced to Parliament this week, is a precursor to full replacement of the RMA. It will make important changes in the short-term to make it quicker and simpler to consent renewable energy, boost housing supply, and reduce red tape for the primary sector.
- Holiday legislation: This one involves legislation – reform of the Holidays Act – which we have yet to see. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says she has directed her officials to change the proposed direction of the reform.
- Financial technology: The launch of “a bespoke pilot programme for financial technology companies” will help boost competition for Kiwi consumers and improve choice in the financial and banking sectors, according to Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly.
This refers to “fintechs”, which compete with traditional banks by providing customers with choice about how to manage money, make investments, transfer payments and do business. But they reckon cumbersome regulations are a barrier.
The Financial Markets Authority and FinTech NZ therefore have developed a testing ground where fintechs can experiment in a controlled environment before doing a full commercial launch. These environments, known as ‘regulatory sandboxes’, help businesses to tweak products so they are compliant with regulations before launch.
Further details can be found on the FMA website : FMA launches “regulatory sandbox” pilot for 2025 | Financial Markets Authority.
- Hairdressers and barbers: One of the statements – so important that it was posted twice – brings Regulation Minister David Seymour into our monitoring report. He has announced a sector review, led by the Ministry for Regulation, that will cut red tape for the hairdresser and barber industry.
Whether salons are allowed to give customers coffee with haircuts, or whether dogs are allowed in salons, will be embraced by the review. Terms of reference are available here: https://www.regulation.govt.nz/assets/Ministry-for-Regulation-files/Terms-of-reference-hairdressing-barbering-regulatory-review.pdf
It turns out many hairdressers and barbers didn’t know they weren’t permitted to offer their customers a beer or cup of coffee.
But while the government is easing the regulatory burden for hairdressers and barbers, it also is dispensing corporate welfare by investing “in a suite of new surveys and research which will help fill critical gaps in tourism and hospitality sector data”. That means taxpayers are funding work to benefit tourism and hospitality operators.
At this juncture, our PC bleeped to advise us that a new email from the Beehive had arrived.
This one was embargoed until 2pm, when – presumably – it will join the 20 or so others on the government’s official website.
Let’s post those before then…
Latest from the Beehive (at 12.20pm today)
13 December 2024
New legislation to manage risks posed by ground-based space infrastructure will be introduced next year, Space Minister Judith Collins says.
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says the Government’s five mental health and addiction targets provide a foundation to build on in the first quarter of reporting, but the data highlights there is still plenty of wo
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that TIPENE is the final charter school to open in term one 2025.
The Government is taking steps to invigorate New Zealand’s capital markets to encourage investment in infrastructure and productive businesses, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.
New Zealand is turning the corner on youth vaping and the Government’s law changes will reinforce that trend, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today.
Catch limits for rock lobster and Pacific bluefin tuna are being reviewed, with consultation opening today, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says.
New data shows the public service is on track to save more than double the Government’s initial target on contractors and consultants.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says she has directed her officials to change the proposed direction of Holidays Act reform.
Speech
Good morning everyone, and thank you for the kind introduction, Alan.
12 December 2024
Legislation that will make stalking illegal with a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison has been introduced and passed through first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
Legislation that will introduce new non-financial benefit sanctions into the welfare Traffic Light System and require people on Jobseeker Support to reapply every six months has passed its first reading in Parliament.
The Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill has passed its third reading, delivering on the coalition Government’s commitment to deliver sensible changes to tenancy laws, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says.
The coalition Government’s second RMA Amendment Bill, introduced to Parliament this week, will help drive economic growth and increased productivity by making it easier to get things done in New Zealand.
Cecilia Tarrant has announced she has resigned as Chair of New Zealand Green Investment Finance, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.
Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the third sector review, led by the Ministry for Regulation, will cut red tape for the hairdresser and barber industry.
The Government has approved the Watercare Charter to keep Auckland’s water services affordable, saving households about $899 million over four years while ensuring improved service quality and record infrastructure investment.
The launch of a bespoke pilot programme for financial technology companies will help boost competition for Kiwi consumers and improve choice in the financial and banking sectors.
Fashion designer Karen Walker CNZM and former All Black Keven Mealamu MNZM have been appointed to the Creative New Zealand Board, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
New data shows that the Government’s focus on health targets is putting the brakes on the steep decline in delivery seen over the past five years.
Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the third sector review, led by the Ministry for Regulation, will cut red tape for the hairdresser and barber industry.
ACC Minister Matt Doocey has today announced an independent review of ACC because of concerns about declining rehabilitation rates and increasing costs.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey today announced investment in a suite of new surveys and research which will help fill critical gaps in tourism and hospitality sector data.
Speech
It is a pleasure to be here this afternoon and thank you to John McKinnon and the New Zealand-China Council for the invitation.
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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