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Transport Minister Steven Joyce has asked officials from the Ministry of Transport, the Treasury and the NZ Transport Agency to work with Auckland Transport, Auckland Council and other agencies to review the business case for a CBD rail link ahead of any further discussions between central government and Auckland Council next year.

The business case, released last month, provides a capital cost of $2.3 billion for the rail link in 2010 dollars. 

Mr Joyce says the business case was a first step but it leaves a number of questions unanswered.

Reform of ACC is needed to improve incentives for workplace safety, improve services for claimants and keep levies affordable both now and in the future, ACC Minister Nick Smith announced today.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced the appointment of Te Raumawhitu (Te Rau) Kupenga to the Broadcasting Standards Authority board.

Mr Kupenga has been appointed for three years. He has a legal background and is currently an iwi consultant working with Ngati Porou. He also held senior positions in the Office of the Maori Trustee and recently was a regular panellist on a lifestyle television show.

‘’Te Rau’s legal experience will add a valuable perspective to the Broadcasting Standards Authority”, Dr Coleman says.

The Minister of Internal Affairs Nathan Guy has announced the appointment of Graeme Reeves as Chief Gambling Commissioner and Lisa Hansen as a new Gambling Commissioner.

“Graeme Reeves from Wellington is a former MP with a wide range of business, legal and governance experience. He will be the Chief Gambling Commissioner after six years of experience on the Commission.

“Lisa Hansen from Wellington brings a strong legal background and public policy expertise to her new role as Commissioner.

Cabinet last week approved re-opening the drinking water subsidy scheme for small communities of under 5,000 people.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says "The government was concerned that the scheme had been running on a first-come first-served basis - allowing comparatively better off communities to apply for subsidies, and not targeting the communities most in need of the funding."

The criteria for the Drinking-Water Subsidy Scheme have changed:

$10 million is available for allocation each year until 2015

Peter Alan Hall Hobbs, Barrister and Solicitor of Wellington, has been appointed a District Court Judge, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today.

A webpage launched today will give people accurate information about the common marine and coastal area, Attorney-General Chris Finlayson said today.

“The Government is guaranteeing free public access to the common marine and coastal area and it is important people know that”, Mr Finlayson said. “The webpage provides the facts about the common marine and coastal area and answers many questions people have asked.”

“It will be a valuable resource for anyone who wants to know more about the Bill.”

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne will chair a roundtable meeting of media, mental health professionals and researchers early in the new year to update guidelines on media reporting of suicides.

The roundtable meeting will be a significant step towards updating the health Ministry’s Suicide and the Media resource, and Mr Dunne said it is hoped to also involve the Prime Minister’s chief science adviser, Sir Peter Gluckman, and the Chief Coroner, Judge Neil MacLean.

A Department of Building and Housing document released today will provide guidance on the repair and rebuilding of houses in earthquake affected Canterbury, Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson says.

The Guidance on House Repairs and Reconstruction following the Canterbury Earthquake will help speed up the rebuilding effort while enhancing quality and safety.

Mr Williamson says the document will assist in the recovery effort by providing a clear and consistent approach to the rebuilding work as desired by councils, insurers, designers and builders.

A new initiative to repair and insulate houses in Ratana township will significantly improve the quality of life for residents, and act as a showcase for the benefits of energy efficiency initiatives for other Maori communities.

The project, announced today by Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee, Minister of Maori Affairs Dr Pita Sharples, and Housing Minister Phil Heatley, allocates $2.7 million to provide basic essential repairs, insulation and efficient heating for around 100 homes.

The withdrawal of the application for a water conservation order on the Hurunui River by applicants Fish and Game and Whitewater New Zealand is a positive signal of a more collaborative approach to water management in North Canterbury, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.

Associate Minister of Transport Nathan Guy has welcomed the review of flight training safety to be conducted by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC).

“Aviation is a highly regulated industry and New Zealand has a good safety record in this area. However, given the rapid growth in flight training in recent years the time is right for a broad look at how we safely train pilots.

Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee has today moved to reassure the families of the 29 victims of the Pike River mine that the government continues to explore all options to recover their loved ones.

“A recovery operation depends entirely on the mine being stabilised and made safe enough for people to enter,” Mr Brownlee said.

“Pike River Coal has undertaken, via its receiver Pricewaterhouse Coopers, to submit a proposed recovery plan in the next few days.

There is no review of Police spending planned, Police Minister Judith Collins said in response to today’s Sunday Star-Times article “Police facing cutbacks.”

“There is no review of Police spending, and I do not anticipate a review of Police spending, by Rod Deane or anyone else,” Ms Collins said.

“The focus of the Government is on the Policing Excellence project, and ensuring Police have the tools and the support they need to keep the public safe.

Housing Minister Phil Heatley has today announced the Government’s intention to create an Interim Tamaki Transformation Board (ITTB).

The ITTB will move the Tamaki Transformation Programme, a 15 to 20 year project aimed at redeveloping the Tamaki area, to its next phase.  Its brief will be to explore urban regeneration entities to provide Ministers and the new Auckland Council with advice on options and a recommended structure, scope, mandate and legal form for a new regeneration entity.

Housing Minister Phil Heatley has today (Friday 17 December) announced two new Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC) Board appointments.

 Dr Alan Jackson has been appointed Board Chair and will take over the role from Pat Snedden on 17 December 2010.

 Susan Paterson will fill a vacant seat. Both Alan and Susan have been appointed for a term of three years.

Minister of Trade Tim Groser and Food Safety Minister Kate Wilkinson have welcomed news from Malaysia on the signing of an arrangement that takes an important first step towards improving access to Malaysia for New Zealand halal meat.

The arrangement, signed this week, sets out how New Zealand will meet Malaysia’s halal requirements.

Delivered by Louise Cole, DIA Regional Manager; on behalf of the Minister

Tena koutou nga mana whenua, nga iwi kainga, Ngati Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine, Rakaipaaka, Tuhoe Potiki ki Waikaremoana, Ngati Pahauwera; tena koutou katoa. Na koutou te whakaruruhau mo tenei hui.

Your honour the Mayor, Les Probert.

My parliamentary colleague, Chris Tremain.

E nga rangatira whakahaere i te hui, tena koutou.

Kerikeri’s new $4 million Police Station will bring 60 police staff together under one roof and enable them to better serve the community, Police Minister Judith Collins said today.

“Our New Zealand Police deserve plenty of support and good working conditions if they are perform at their best,” Ms Collins said.

“It’s long been recognised that the existing complex, part of which dates back to 1957, did not meet the demands of a modern Police service.

Associate Health Minister Jonathan Coleman today welcomed the appointment of Dr Lynne Lane as the new chair of the Mental Health Commission.

Dr Lane has been appointed for three years from 1 January 2011 and replaces Dr Peter McGeorge who resigned earlier this year.

‘’Lynne brings strong management expertise and significant health sector experience to the role,’’ Dr Coleman says.

Revenue Minister Peter Dunne today welcomed recommendations by the Cultural Philanthropy Taskforce endorsing recent changes to the tax rules to encourage New Zealanders to give more generously to philanthropic causes.

“New Zealanders are generous in giving money and time to support the work of charitable and philanthropic causes in our communities.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson today welcomed a new report of the Cultural Philanthropy Taskforce, which makes six key recommendations to increase charitable giving to the cultural sector.

"The taskforce, chaired by Peter Biggs, spent fifteen months investigating best practice in philanthropy around the world, consulted within New Zealand with organisations and individuals, and drew on the extensive experience and expertise of the taskforce members to produce this excellent report," Mr Finlayson said.

The government has decided to sell the diesel-fired electricity generation plant at Whirinaki on the New Zealand market by tender instead of transferring it to Meridian Energy, Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee announced today.

“Meridian has advised the government that it does not want the plant, and the government considers that the electricity market will be best served by selling the plant by open tender,” Mr Brownlee said.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has launched a new resource to help support teen fathers.

The booklet Supporting Teen Fathers: A resource for service providers will be used by organisations working directly with teen fathers.