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Minister for Regulatory Reform Rodney Hide today announced the Regulatory Reform (Revocations) Order 2010 which will clean up red tape and get outdated regulations off the books.

“Through regulation, government has the power to affect the lives of every New Zealander.  We need to use that power responsibly and ensure that only necessary and useful regulations are in force,” Mr Hide said.

“I asked all government departments to have a hard look at the regulations in their area, and tell me which ones should go.

The government is continuing to implement its programme of improvements to New Zealand’s electricity sector, with Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee today announcing details of virtual asset swaps between the three state-owned electricity generator-retailers: Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy, and Mighty River Power.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully will travel to the Cook Islands today to meet new Cook Islands Prime Minister, Henry Puna and his recently appointed Cabinet.

“New Zealand and the Cook Islands have a particularly close relationship, underpinned by extensive personal links and our shared citizenship,” Mr McCully said.

"The visit will include discussions with the new government on a range of issues affecting our two countries, and New Zealand’s programme of development assistance in the Cooks.

Minister for Regulatory Reform Rodney Hide introduced into the House a Bill designed to slash red tape and make life easier for businesses.

The Regulatory Reform Bill proposes amendments to 13 Acts, removing duplication, getting rid of unnecessary requirements, and clearing up inconsistencies.

"Last year, I wrote to all Ministers asking them to identify laws in their area that were creating a burden on business and could be changed," Mr Hide said.  

"Ministers responded with proposed changes that will save businesses millions.

New Zealand is ranked among those at the top of the world for gender equality according to a report to the United Nations (UN) released by Women’s Affairs Minister Hekia Parata today.

The seventh report to the UN under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms Of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) recognises New Zealand as a leader in gender equality and this is reflected in the CEDAW report.

The CEDAW report is prepared every four years and is a ‘report card’ to the UN on how well Kiwi women are doing.

In a major policy speech to Massey University’s Centre for Defence Studies in May 2009, I set out three reasons why the Government went into the 2008 general election promising a major review of Defence.

First, we needed to more clearly understand how defence contributed to our security, both within our region and in respect of advancing our interests in the wider international context.

Education Minister Anne Tolley has welcomed the decision by primary school principals and teachers to accept new pay settlements.

“I commend the teachers and principals for recognising that these are fair offers in the current economic climate,” says Mrs Tolley.

“I also want to acknowledge the rational and reasonable approach of their union negotiators, alongside the efforts of the Ministry of Education.

“This gives peace of mind for parents and students, as schools can continue to focus on lifting achievement.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says latest figures show online job vacancies increased by 2.6% over the last three months.

“It's good to see jobs vacancies are still on the rise as winter ends and the holiday season begins,” says Ms Bennett.

Skilled job vacancies also rose by 2.7% during the three months to November.

Hospitality and tourism (up 7.5%), and IT (up 7.3%) were the best industry performers.

The Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Steven Joyce, announced today that terms of reference for a comprehensive review of the long term future of the 111 calling service have been agreed.

Mr Joyce says the review, which was signalled following 111 disruptions earlier in the year, will ensure a framework is put in place which accommodates changing technologies, practices and structures.

Lt General (Rtd) Don McIver has been appointed to the National War Memorial Advisory Council after being elected as President of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association, and the immediate past President, Air Vice Marshal ( Rtd) Robin Klitscher has been re-appointed to the Council, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson announced today.

We’re here today to release a significant survey – one which, for the first time in 21 years, gives us a clear and up-to-date picture of the state of oral health in New Zealand.

Overall, the survey shows that the oral health of New Zealanders has improved over time.

It validates the improvements in oral health shown in the annual monitoring of the school dental service.

The Government spends over $100 million each year on providing free dental care to children and teenagers.

The Minister for Tertiary Education, Steven Joyce, today welcomed the release of educational performance information for Industry Training Organisations.

“The release of information about ITOs provides a good summary of how they are performing, both for their industries, and for the country as a whole. It also provides an incentive for ITOs to improve their performance over time,” says Mr Joyce.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced the reappointment of Michael Glading to the board of NZ On Air.

Mr Glading has served one term on NZ On Air and was reappointed for two years from 1 January 2011.

“Michael has a 30 year career in music and sports management and has worked with a variety of musicians and sportspeople ranging from Yulia to Sir Bob Charles. His wide set of skills and industry experience will continue to add value to the board,” Dr Coleman says.

Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee announced today that the review of the Crown Minerals Act (1991) and the review of associated minerals programmes and regulations will now be considered as a single package.

“It was originally envisaged that the review of the Crown Minerals Act would be complete by November this year, and a bill introduced into the House in December 2010.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Phil Heatley has announced that the Marlborough Sounds recreational blue cod fishery will reopen on 1 April 2011.

Mr Heatley says he is very pleased that following a comprehensive process involving the hard work of the Marlborough Sounds Blue Cod Management Group (BCMG), consultation with the Marlborough and wider community and rigorous scientific research, the Government is now in a position to take this important step with regard to this iconic blue cod fishery.

An Origin/Contact Energy consortium has been granted permission to proceed to fully commissioning the Ahuroa underground gas storage facility near Stratford in Taranaki, Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee said today.

“A permit under the Crown Minerals Act has been granted that will allow the Ahuroa Gas Storage Project to be developed into a fully-functioning underground gas storage facility for the purposes of storing and supplying gas for electricity generation,” said Mr Brownlee.

Leader of the House, Gerry Brownlee, says the government is pleased with its busy and productive legislative year, which ended with Parliament’s adjournment this evening.

“This is an active and reforming government, and the government’s legislative achievements in 2010 clearly reflect this,” Mr Brownlee said.

Justice Minister Simon Power has welcomed the unanimous passing of a bill to honour a pre-election promise to hold a referendum on the voting system.

“I’m particularly pleased with how parliamentary parties have worked constructively together on this important constitutional issue,” Mr Power said.

“I also want to thank the public for helping to shape the referendum during the select committee process.”

At the recent Climate Change meeting in Cancun, Tim Groser, the Minister Responsible for International Climate Change Negotiations, convened an informal meeting of Ministers of small and medium-sized countries which support the reform of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.

Revenue Minister Peter Dunne says initiatives starting next year will cut business compliance costs and make it easier for New Zealanders to manage tax.

“Businesses can see tax as a complicated process involving a lot of paperwork,” said Mr Dunne.

New Zealand has designated a further three international terrorist groups under the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

The groups are: the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the National Liberation Army (ELN) of Colombia and Harakat-ul Jihad al Islami - Bangladesh.

“All three entities have committed various terrorist acts, including the indiscriminate killing of civilians,” says Mr Key.

Parliament today voted overwhelmingly to pass new electoral finance laws to govern next year’s General Election.

The Electoral (Finance Reform and Advance Voting) Amendment Act passed its third reading 116 votes to 5.

Justice Minister Simon Power said the new Act fulfils an election promise to repeal Labour’s 2007 Electoral Finance Act and replace it through a process which involves all parliamentary parties and the public.

“One of the most important aspects of the new regime is the process we used to construct it,” Mr Power said.

Less red tape and a new visa will make it easier for international students to study in New Zealand says Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Under the new Immigration Act, which recently came into effect, interim visas can be granted to students while their applications are being processed. The frequency for which police and medical certificates must be provided is also being extended.

The changes, which commence in February 2011, will help boost the $2 billion a year export education market, says Dr Coleman.

Changes announced today will clarify Inland Revenue has the power to recall a student loan in cases of serious non-compliance.

The changes are contained in a Supplementary Order Paper to the Student Loan Scheme Bill and were released today by Revenue Minister, Peter Dunne.