We are assured we have been made safer against terrorists – but the Greens found grounds to grumble about the new law

Buzz from the Beehive

The Government has further strengthened and clarified counter-terrorism laws, particularly around high-risk individuals, to make our communities safer, Justice Minister Kiri Allan said in a press statement after the Counter-Terrorism Acts (Designations and Control Orders) Amendment Bill 2023 passed its third reading in Parliament “with strong support across the House”.

But the Greens did not support the bill and Allan’s press statement is somewhat vague in explaining how the laws have been strengthened and clarified.

Among other things, the new law amends an arrangement in the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002 which enables the Prime Minister to designate a terrorist entity (either an individual or a group) if the Prime Minister believes on reasonable grounds that the entity has carried out, or participated in, a terrorist act.

A Prime Minister who has been politically ambushed while overseas by a Minister declaring her intention to stand as a candidate for the Māori Party at the next election might be tempted to check whether those powers can be invoked against the renegade MP and/or the Māori Party.

The answer – of course – will be  “Sorry Chris, but no, the legislation can not be invoked in this case”.

While climate change policies are tossed on to Hipkins’ bonfire, the Greens claim victory with fringe benefit tax changes

Buzz from the Beehive

Exempting bikes, electric bikes and scooters from fringe benefit tax looked like something of a sop for a Green Party that had good grounds to grumble after a bunch of climate change measures was tossed on to the PM’s policy bonfire.

The combustibles included the clean car upgrade scheme, public transport improvement (to be applied in five main centres rather than nationwide), the policy to lease clean cars to low-income families, and work on the proposed container return scheme (deferred rather than dumped).

As things turned out, the Greens seized on the fringe benefit tax announcement as  a political triumph.  Their press statement was headed Greens Secure Win For Clean Transport – and their transport spokesperson, Julie Anne Genter, crowed:

“This is a huge Green win that we have been pushing for many years. It will finally rebalance the tax law to make it easier for people to access e-bikes for commuting to and from work, as well as public transport.”

The Māori Party was not so readily mollified, declaring it was “extremely concerned” with the government’s culling of certain environmental policies, and calling on the climate change minister to stand down because he had failed “dismally”.

This would be Climate Change Minister and Green co-leader James Shaw, who expressed his own disappointment “with some of the choices that were made in terms of the so-called policy bonfire”.

We know what the PM thinks of David Seymour – but how does he stack up alongside Vladimir Putin?

Buzz from the Beehive

Ukraine loomed large in the latest announcements and the one speech posted on the Beehive website in the past 224 hours.

The speech came from the PM, telling us what she said in her address to Ukraine’s President Zelensky on the occasion of his addressing the New Zealand’s Parliament.

Prime Minister’s address to President Zelenskyy

Yours is a country at war and you are at the helm, leading your people through a crisis.

The name of Vladimir Putin, curiously, is missing from the speech.

Can you imagine Winston Churchill railing against the Nazis without telling us what he thinks of Hitler? 

Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta made two announcements that would have been encouraging for the Ukrainian leader: 

Further humanitarian support to Ukraine for winter hardships

Aotearoa New Zealand is providing more humanitarian aid to support the people of Ukraine as the conflict enters the winter months, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today.

Mahuta did mention Putin in this statement:

“Russia’s targeting of energy and other civilian infrastructure is deplorable. As Ukraine faces a harsh winter, Putin’s actions have further disrupted electricity supply, and are harming the health, safety and well-being of already vulnerable communities.”

New sanctions on Iran over role in Ukraine

New sanctions are being imposed on Iran for its supply of weapons technology to Russia causing death and injury to Ukrainian civilians, as part of our continuing response to the war.

In her speech this morning, Ardern told Zelensky that in response to his address, he would hear loudly and clearly that this is not a forgotten war.

And nothing could be more emblematic of that I hope, than so many parties of the New Zealand parliament, on the other side of the world coming together to condemn Russia’s war, and stand firmly and clearly with you.

But in the judgement of Stuff’s Thomas Manch, the PM was outperformed by National’s Chris Luxon- 

Mahuta deals to Russia and Iran while the PM fires a shot across the bows of terrorists (and paves the way for “hate” laws)

Buzz from the Beehive

Government action against terrorism and violence generally, and Russian and Iranian violence in particular, feature in the latest announcements from the Beehive. 

Biosecurity awards which celebrate initiatives for war on another front, to keep New Zealand free of economically damaging invaders in the form of pests and bugs, feature too

And then there’s news that women are being provided from today with a “free” (which means taxpayer-funded) dial-an-abortion service to help them be rid of the blight of unwanted pregnancies.

The Beehive website tells us our hard-working ministers, keenly focused on improving our wellbeing, have been …

• Conditioning us to be muzzled as a protection against terrorism and violent extremism

The PM was conditioning us for the “hate laws” on Justice Minister Kiri Allan’s work agenda, when she addressed a gabfest labelled the second Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism Hui.

Govt will withdraw NZDF deployment (yes, both of them) from coalition against ISIS while stepping up war on monkeypox

Buzz from the Beehive

The Government brought news today of developments in two wars – against monkeypox and against ISIS.

We are stepping up the war on monkeypox and winding down the war against ISIS by withdrawing our troops.

Big deal?

ISIS might not notice.  The deployment of NZDF personnel to the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (D-ISIS)  – which will be maintained until 30 June 2023 – involves just two troops.

In recent weeks, fair to say, much more media attention has been devoted to the health threat from monkeypox than the terrorism threat from ISIS.

Thus, an announcement from Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall – that the Government has secured monkeypox (MPX) medicine tecovirimat – would be widely welcomed.  Never mind we will have to wait a few weeks, because the medicine is not expected to be available in New Zealand until late September.

Furthermore, Health New Zealand is working with Pharmac to secure a supply of a smallpox vaccine known as Imvanex or Jynneos, which is effective against monkeypox.

Govt should count the deportees sent back from Oz, then phone Canberra for tips on how to be rid of trouble-makers

In a lame explanation for the state’s failure to prevent the stabbings inside Coundown LynnMall on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson says the government has acted as quickly as it could to bring in changes to terrorism laws that will cover the planning of a terrorist act.

The Crown tried – and failed – to charge Ahamed Aathill Mohamed Samsudeen under the Terrorism Suppression Act because planning to commit a terrorist attack is not an offence under current law.

Robertson said legislation to cover planning a terrorist attack, introduced this year, is well progressed and the select committee is close to completing its deliberations.

Slowly but surely – we are told – is the way to do things.

“In these areas it is important to get this right,” he told Morning Report.

“The consequences of getting it wrong are large, and from the government’s perspective we think the policy work has been done, the bill is in and the public have now had their say we now get on with passing that law.”

Oh, and let’s not forget the Immigration Act.

Robertson said work was under way with this legislation, too.

But could he and his government try picking up the pace?

At Point of Order, we say yes, it could – and if it wants to find out how, then a quick phone call to Scott Morrison across the ditch should provide some ideas.

Cleaning up Christchurch earthquake insurance mess “proactively” could cost the govt (or taxpayers) $313 million

Earthquakes, climate change and terrorism were embraced in press statements that flowed from the Beehive yesterday.

We learned that cleaning up an insurance mess related to the Christchurch earthquakes – it’s being done through a “proactive package” for some Southern Response policyholders – could cost $313 million if all eligible claimants apply.

Another announcement tells us about an initiative to meet the government’s climate change targets:  state agencies which are required to apply Government Procurement Rules must follow the advice in a new Procurement Guide when deciding about new buildings with an estimated value of $9 million or over.

The new Procurement Guide reflects the government’s goal to transition to a carbon neutral public service.

The private sector is being encouraged to follow the guidance for new projects, too.

And then there’s the speech by the PM to a conference on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism, which is being held in Christchurch over two days this week.

He Whenua Taurikura (the name given to it) will become an annual conference

“ .. promoting public conversation, understanding and research on radicalisation. It will look at ways to challenge hate-motivated extremist ideologies and to discuss priorities to address issues of terrorism and violent extremism”.

But let’s dip into that “proactive package”.  What’s it all about?

The Minister Responsible for the Earthquake Commission, David Clark, harked back to December when he announced what he calls  “a proactive package” for Southern Response Earthquake claimants who settled their claims before October 2014.

This was a response to a court  judgment in relation to Karl and Alison Dodds and offers a top-up payment to other customers in a similar situation.

Southern Response – of course – is the state-owned earthquake insurance settlement company and was responsible for settling claims by AMI policyholders after the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes.

The court found Southern Response had engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct that misrepresented the Dodds’ insurance entitlements.

The insurer had produced two differing detailed repair/rebuild assessments, which outlined the costs of rebuilding or repairing their home, and only showed them one that did not include some costs.

The package announced by the government will affect some policyholders who are potentially part of the Ross Class Action.

Based on actuarial advice, Southern Response is including a cost of $242.5 million in its accounts, reflecting an estimate of around 75 percent take-up of the package.

Earthquake insurance

Cost of Government Southern Response proactive package released

The Government has announced the proactive package for some Southern Response policyholders could cost $313 million if all those eligible apply.

 The package will affect some policyholders who are potentially part of the Ross Class Action, Southern Response has applied to the court for confirmation that it can communicate with those policyholders about the package. This application is still making its way through the court.

Southern Response has been working with its actuaries to estimate payments likely to be made under the approved package.

“We are now in a position to release the cost estimate of the full package,” David Clark said.

Based on actuarial advice, Southern Response is including a cost of $242.5 million in its accounts, reflecting an estimate of around 75 percent take-up of the package.

State building projects

New support to reduce emissions from public building and construction projects

Government agencies are getting guidance on how to reduce carbon emissions generated by construction of new buildings.

The new Procurement Guide will help government agencies, private sector suppliers, designers, and construction and industry representatives to make the right decisions.

Agencies that are required to apply Government Procurement Rules must now apply the Procurement Guide to decisions about new buildings with an estimated value of $9 million or over.

Government agencies must now clearly record decisions about the way they choose design options. If they choose a design that is not the lowest possible carbon option to meet their project brief they must identify the reason for this, and have the decision signed off by their Chief Executive.

The new Procurement Guide reflects the government’s goal to transition to a carbon neutral public service.

The procurement practices of public service agencies have the power to influence decisions by private and community sectors when it comes to carbon-neutral and low-emission technologies, the press statement says .

And the new guide is in line with the recommendations of the Climate Change Commission’s final report issued last week.

The Guide to Reducing Carbon Emissions in Building and Construction is available online here:

Terrorism

He Whenua Taurikura: New Zealand’s first Hui on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism

The Prime Minister has opened New Zealand’s first hui on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism, which is being held in Christchurch over two days.

The conference is a response to one of the recommendations from the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain on 15 March 2019.

“He Whenua Taurikura, ‘a country at peace’, will look at how we can all contribute to making our country more inclusive and safe,” Jacinda Ardern said.

The Lead Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response to The Royal Commission’s Report into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques, Andrew Little, said the conference will help develop options for the National Centre of Excellence, which will focus on generating research and public discussion to prevent and counter violent extremism, understand diversity and promote social cohesion.

“Our goal is for New Zealand to be a safe country where everyone feels they belong, where all cultures and human rights are valued and celebrated, and where everyone can participate and contribute.”

Speech to inaugural Countering Terrorism Hui

This is the  PM’s speech to the survivors and family of the Shuhadah, along with representatives from our communities, academia, members of civil society, and those from the private sector, NGOs and public sector.

Govt allocates $13.1m to buy 400 cars – but they will be climate-friendly and help drive the public service to carbon neutrality

Good news for car dealers – if they are in the business of selling electric cars, at least.  Some of them are about to strike it lucky:  the Government is going on a $13.1 million shopping expedition to keep civil servants mobile while helping the public service become carbon-neutral.

Good news for teachers in the early-learning lark, too.  Some of them will get a pay rise in an initiative aimed at achieving pay parity, announced in the same week that the government is sorting out who will and who won’t get pay rises under the policy (clumsily announced by Finance Minister Grant Robertson) of curbing state wage increases. 

And good news for people looking for housing in Christchurch (but only if they are Maori, apparently).  The government has converted an old hostel into apartments in another initiative to deal with the housing crisis.   

Finally, the government is arranging annual gatherings to discuss ways of keeping us safe from terrorists (although the shocking experience of shoppers at a supermarket in Dunedin this week showed it’s not only terrorists who threaten our wellbeing).

Here’s what we have learned from the latest Beehive announcements.

A helping hand from the State for a range of causes, from the tourist industry (some operators, anyway) to Pasifika festivals

A bundle of statements and speeches has emerged from the Beehive in the past 24 hours.

We can’t closely examine all of them but suggest public servants whose pay is being frozen or subject to a stiff test before it is increased might take a look at some of the Government’s spending decisions.

Spending on cultural festivals, for example.

Here’s our attempt at giving readers a record of what has been done with their money or to improve their wellbeing …

Prisoners with a flair for kapa haka are among the beneficiaries of the govt’s latest efforts to promote our wellbeing

Our Beehive bulletin

Enhancing the wellbeing of people banged up in our prisons was the subject of one Beehive announcement yesterday.  Enhancing the wellbeing of farm animals was the subject of another.  And enhancing the wellbeing of all of us by protecting us from terrorists was the subject of a statement from the PM.

Disarmament and Arms Control Minister Phil Twyford – more grandly – had the welfare of the whole world in his considerations when he addressed a workshop on lethal autonomous weapons systems.

From our monitoring of The Beehive website we learned –

• Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis announced the joyous news that – for the first time – all 18 prisons in New Zealand will be invited to participate in an inter-prison kapa haka competition.
• Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor brought less joyous news to some farmers when he announced the export of livestock by sea will cease following a transition period of up to two years. He acknowledged the economic benefit some farmers get from the trade, but I also noted that “support of it is not universal within the sector.”
• The PM issued a stocktake undertaken by France and New Zealand which shows “significant global progress” under the Christchurch Call towards its goal to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. 
• Disarmament and Arms Control Minister Phil Twyford addressed a workshop on lethal autonomous weapons systems, explaining that New Zealand has strongly supported the development of 11 Guiding Principles by the Group of Governmental experts on this issue. He provided a snapshot of what New Zealand has done on this issue and where we stand now.
• Racing Minister Grant Robertson announced he is appointing Liz Dawson as Chair of the interim TAB NZ Board.  The interim board is responsible for the governance of TAB New Zealand until the substantive board of directors is appointed.