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A bill which makes offending against Police and Corrections officers an aggravating factor at sentencing passed its second reading in Parliament today.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Sentencing (Aggravating Factors) Amendment Bill shows the Government is taking assaults against Police and Corrections officers seriously, by requiring the courts to specifically consider this as an aggravating factor in sentencing offenders.

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins will join members of the Chinese community to mark the most important festival on the Chinese calendar this evening.

Ms Collins will welcome Chinese community and business leaders, artists, academics, diplomats and students from around the country to Parliament to celebrate Chinese New Year.

“Tonight’s event will showcase the rich culture and heritage of our Chinese New Zealanders as they share their story with the wider community through arts and entertainment," Ms Collins said.

A new programme that aims to generate innovative solutions to reduce the number and severity of falls in the home has been launched today by ACC Minister Judith Collins.

The programme, called Idea Nation, features a series of brainstorming forums and a competition encouraging all New Zealanders to submit their falls-prevention ideas and help ACC solve this national problem.

“On the face of it, a fall might not sound too serious but every year thousands of New Zealanders from all walks of life are hurt by a fall at home," said Ms Collins.

As New Zealanders look forward to their Christmas holidays, water safety organisations are joining ACC Minister Judith Collins in urging people to stay safe in and around water this summer.

”This year 117 people have drowned already. This is 30 more than the total drowning toll last year of 87,” says Ms Collins.

“New Zealand’s drowning toll has been falling over the last 20 years, but sadly this has not continued this year leaving more than 100 families grieving the loss of a loved one.