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Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman extends his congratulations to the athletes and sports officials who have been awarded Prime Minister’s Sport Scholarships.

“The Prime Minister’s Sport Scholarships are an important boost for outstanding athletes, coaches, officials and support team members as they juggle the demands of sports and study,” says Dr Coleman.

The Government has announced that a series of job fairs will be held in capital cities across Australia to encourage more Kiwis to return home and Australians to settle here to help fill emerging skills gaps and support thriving New Zealand-based businesses.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, together with international employment event organiser Working In, will be hosting the first two expos in Perth on 22-23 November and Sydney on the 29-30 November. Further events will follow in Melbourne and Brisbane in the first quarter of next year.

Minister for ACC Nikki Kaye today welcomed the release of the Accident Compensation Corporation’s Annual Report, which shows its financial performance is improving.

ACC has achieved a surplus of $2.1billion - $300 million ahead of budget.

Levies will be reduced in 2015, and more reductions are expected from 2016, as the three levy accounts are now fully funded.

“I have written to the ACC Board to acknowledge this result. The Annual Report shows ACC is making good progress.

Successful applicants of the Gallipoli 2015 ballot have just four days left to accept their place at next year’s Anzac Day commemorations, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Craig Foss says.

The deadline for accepting passes and completing travel details is Saturday 25 October.

“Nearly 300 people have not yet accepted the offer of two passes to the commemoration services at Gallipoli.  If the offers are not accepted by midnight Saturday, with travel details, the passes will be reallocated to those on the waiting list,” Mr Foss says.

Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says staff and prisoner safety in prisons will be boosted by the wider use of on body cameras in sites around the country.

“Frontline Corrections officers are well trained and resourced to deal with difficult situations in our prisons, but we remain focused on continually improving the safety of our staff and prisoners.  These cameras will be another measure to de-escalate what can often be highly tense situations.” Mr Lotu-Iiga said.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced that Shane Jones will serve as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Nauru, Mauritius and the Seychelles in addition to his role as Pacific Economic Development Ambassador.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has travelled to Jakarta to attend the inauguration ceremony for the Indonesian President-elect Joko Widodo.

“Indonesia is one of the world’s largest democracies, a major player in ASEAN, and one of New Zealand’s most important political and trading partners in the South East Asia region,” Mr McCully says.

“Indonesia is projected to be the world’s seventh largest economy by 2030, and with a population of close to 250 million people, it is an important destination for New Zealand exports.

Local Government Minister Paula Bennett has today launched the Rules Reduction initiative, opening the way for people to submit examples of property regulations and local rules that don’t make sense.

“People can now head to www.govt.nz/rulesreduction, to start telling us what bugs them when it comes to loopy rules and regulations,” says Mrs Bennett. 

Associate Finance Minister Paula Bennett leaves Monday for Beijing where she will attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) annual meeting of Finance Ministers.

The meeting, on 22 October, will consider the current economic situation and outlook in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as discussing co-operation on infrastructure investment and financing, among other issues. The meeting will be preceded by a ministers’ retreat on Tuesday.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has today seen first-hand how Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital is well prepared to treat any suspected Ebola patients.

“While the risk to New Zealand remains low, we cannot guarantee that we won’t get a suspected case here,” says Dr Coleman.

“Middlemore Hospital is one of four major hospitals across New Zealand which are most likely to treat any suspected Ebola patients. Their new infectious diseases Biocontainment Unit is able to assess and manage patients with suspected highly infectious diseases.

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley welcomes the latest release of benefit figures showing the number of people on welfare for the September quarter is the lowest since 2008, with sole parents leading the impressive results.

Today’s release of the September quarter benefit factsheets shows year-on-year benefit numbers continue to track downwards.

“There are over 10,000 fewer people on welfare compared to September 2013, and more than 70 per cent of these are sole parents,” says Mrs Tolley.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says an agreement signed between the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and one of New Zealand’s largest trucking companies is a significant milestone for the Heavy Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Programme.

“EECA has been working with industry groups since 2012 to increase awareness of the potential for fuel efficiency and I am delighted the HW Richardson Group is now on board, with 800 trucks in 30 fleets nationwide consuming 19 million litres of fuel per year.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges wants boat users to make safety the top priority, as New Zealand’s first Safer Boating Week begins today.

“Safer Boating Week is an excellent initiative that raises the awareness of boat safety, and what risks are out there on the water.  We have seen in the last few days the tragic consequences when something goes wrong,” Mr Bridges says.

Prime Minister John Key has welcomed New Zealand securing a place on the United Nations Security Council for the 2015-16 term.

“New Zealand’s success in gaining a place on the Security Council is a victory for the small states that make up over half the United Nations membership,” Mr Key says.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says a new campaign to help New Zealanders recognise the signs of a stroke is being launched in Waikato today.

“Every day around 24 New Zealanders have a stroke, and a quarter occur in people under 65. High blood pressure and smoking put people at higher risk, but early detection and effective control of risk factors can greatly reduce the chance of a stroke,” says Dr Coleman.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says new technology being used at Auckland City Hospital will enable more precise and faster radiotherapy treatment for people with cancer.

“Improvements in technology means less time in hospital for patients, and allows clinicians to focus radiotherapy precisely on the cancerous tissue,” says Dr Coleman.

The commitment and sacrifice of thousands of New Zealanders in the war to end all wars is brought to life in a compelling new exhibition at the National Library, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Peter Dunne announced today.

“World War One – A Contemporary Conversation marks the centenary of World War One and explores the relevance of war and conflict in today’s world,” says Mr Dunne.

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has congratulated Precision Seafood Harvesting (PSH) for winning the Innovation in Sustainability & Clean Tech award and the Supreme Innovator award at the New Zealand Innovators Awards in Auckland tonight.

“This is a Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) programme, jointly funded by industry and government, with the potential to change the way the world catches fish.

The Resource Management Act needs to explicitly recognise the importance of New Zealanders’ access to more affordable housing if the downward trend in home ownership over the past 20 years is to be reversed, Building and Housing, and Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith said today at the Property Council New Zealand’s Residential Development Summit in Auckland.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman welcomes Northland’s decision to fund free doctors’ visits and prescriptions for under 13s.

“The Government is investing $90 million over three years from 1 July 2015 so all children aged under 13 years can receive free doctors’ visits and prescriptions,” says Dr Coleman.

“Northland’s two Primary Health Organisations (PHO), Manaia Health and Te Tai Tokerau, and Northland DHB have joined together to fund the early roll out of this initiative, which is expected to cost around $450,000.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has today extended his deepest sympathies to the family of Mark Ford. 

“Mark was an exceptional New Zealander who was only too willing to use his considerable talents, both organisationally and personally, in contributing to projects of national significance.

“Following his very successful work leading the amalgamation of the Auckland councils he was a logical choice to chair the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT).

Cabinet today approved the Terms of Reference for a review of settings in relation to foreign terrorist fighters, says Prime Minister John Key.

“Foreign fighters taking part in, or returning from any sort of conflict zone are a concern for many countries,” says Mr Key.

“Our intelligence agencies are aware of the risk and are focused on addressing it.

Minister for Pacific Peoples, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is encouraging New Zealanders to celebrate and participate in this week’s Niuean Language Week.

The theme this year is Fakaako, Fakaaoga, Fakamau ki a Mauokafua e Vagahau Niue: Learn, Use, Retain, Maintain our Language Vagahau Niue.

“This week is about finding opportunities to maintain and grow the recognition, learning and use of the Niuean language in our homes, work places and communities,” Mr Lotu-liga says.

Money Week offers a great opportunity for Kiwis to improve their financial knowledge, says Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Goldsmith.

“Improving financial knowledge is a key focus this week. It is important that we all think about our personal finances so we can make good decisions in the short and long term,” Mr Goldsmith says.

Money Week is a nationwide week of events which runs between13 to 19 October and is organised by the Commission for Financial Literacy and Retirement Income.