Point of Order: Buzz from the Beehive - 30/10/24

Podiatrists to get a firmer toehold on healing patients while builders will check the quality of their own handiwork

The Government’s deregulatory impulse is evident in the latest posts on the government’s official website.

Point of Order: Putin and his cronies are sent a stern message from Down Under

We haven’t finished piling on the pressure with sanctions

We imagine Vladimir Putin will be seriously considering a withdrawal of his troops from Ukraine, once he has been apprised of the speech delivered today by Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta.

The Minister was addressing the Financial Intelligence Unit conference on this country’s response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Bryce Edwards: Bouquets and brickbats for the Government’s move against corruption

The Government has announced that it will legislate to force greater transparency around the ownership and control of private companies in New Zealand. This is a positive move that will help the fight against domestic corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, and the general use of New Zealand as a haven to hide the money of foreign oligarchs.

Commerce Minister David Clark announced yesterday that Cabinet has agreed to introduce legislation to establish a public register of the “beneficial ownership of companies”. This will require the accurate listing of who really owns and controls businesses here. And it will involve some strong compliance measures.

This is a real blow to wealthy vested interests attempting to keep any riches and ill-gotten gains secret from the public. Corporate New Zealand is being made to tidy up its act.