An overview of the context for 2013, with government, economic, social and environmental agendas with churches and NGO s activities.

Transcription

1 DRAFT Public Issues Network Situational Scan 2013 An overview of the context for 2013, with government, economic, social and environmental agendas with churches and NGO s activities. G Government policy Interpretation, legislation, actions Church, NGO Justice Activities Political: The Better Public Services programme responsibly managing the Government s finances 2. building a more competitive and productive 3. economydeliver better public services within tight financial constraints 4. rebuilding Christchurch Legislation: State Sector and Public Finance Reform Bill Ten Public Service priorities: Reducing long-term welfare dependence 1. Reduce the number of people on a working age benefit for more than 12 months Supporting vulnerable children 2. Increase participation in early childhood education. 3. Increase infant immunisation rates, reduce rheumatic fever. 4. Reduce the number of assaults on children. Boosting skills and employment 5. Increase the proportion of 18 year olds with NCEA level 2 or equivalent qualification. 6. Increase the proportion of year olds with advanced trade qualifications, diplomas and degrees (at level 4 or above). Reducing crime 7. Reduce the rates of total crime, violent crime and youth crime. 8. Reduce reoffending. Improving interaction with government 9. NZ businesses have a one-stop online shop for all government advice and support to run and grow their business. 10. NZers can transact with Government easily in digital format Details 10 public service results are appended areare

2 Demographics Children, Young people and Families At the time of the last Census in 2006 children were 21.5% of the population. A high percentage are Maori (35.4%) and Pacific children (22%). Maori make up 15% of the population. Pacific peoples make up 7% of the population Cultural diversity of Methodist church Te Hahi Weteriana Sinoti Vahefonua Wasewase Korea Aging population. In 2012 population over 65 (600,000) is 15% of the total population. This will increase to 1.5m in 2036, and be approximately 23% of the population. Young people. In 2012 Children under 14 made up 20% of the population. By 2036 this will change to approximately 18%. Ethnic diversity. New Zealand will have greater ethnic diversity with greater Māori, Pasifika and Asian people and with greater multiple ethnic affiliations. By 2026: For children (0-14): 28% will be Maori, 18% Pacific (with multiple affiliations) and 18% Asian. Working age (15-64): 15.5% Maori; 9.2% Pacific; 18% Asian Older: 7.3% Maori; 3.3% Pacific; 9.4% Asian Refs. Dept of Statistics July rojections/nationalpopulationprojections_hotp2011.aspx Treaty of Waitangi NZ Constitutional Review NZ Maori Council Claims to Fresh Water Treaty interests Written Constitution? Review Panel Discussion Paper Methodist church presentation to Review Panel Peace Movement Booklet /Resource

3 Financial - Economy NZ Context New Zealand debt is driving the fiscally neutral budget. Public debt in 2011 was 35.7% of GDP (ie $68B). In 2009 this was about 22% Public debt is the cumulative total of government borrowings less repayments. (This is different from external debt which reflects public and private debt in foreign currency liabilities). NZ external debt in 2012 was 85.6 billion (up from 60B in 2009). Socio-economy Unemployment In September 2012 the unemployment rate was at 7.3% (this is the unemployed percentage of the labour force) up from 6.5% in Sept Māori unemployment rate in Nov was reported as 15.1% For Pasifika people at 15.6 %. Regional Unemployment Unemployment is highest in Northland at 10%, and lowest in the Tasman/Nelson/Marlborough/ West Coast regions (4.5%). In Canterbury, employment increased by 8,800 and unemployment fell by (by.3%)to 5.2% In Auckland unemployment rate increased by 1.8 percentage points to 8.6%. In Wellington unemployment increased from 6% to 7.1% over the year. In the Waikato unemployment fell from 7.5% to 6.0%in the year to September 2012 NZ public debt is relatively low. It sits at about the half way point out of 145 countries. The goal of returning to surplus by 2014/15 is expedient in a recession, providing for safeguards against financial shocks. The National party tax cuts for the rich and fiscally neutral budget precludes social investment. We can be thankful that we have not had austerity measures. However investment in productive enterprise such as in social housing or rest-homes (a growth industry) would address jobs and expand economic activity. The number of jobs created per $m of investment in roading are low. There are no policies to encourage business investment. External debt which is borrowing from other countries is high. About 50% of public debt Poverty Child Poverty is at 25% of all NZ children. Poverty for children in beneficiary households is 7 times higher than in households where at least one adult is in full time work. 56% Children in sole parent families experience poverty compared to 13% in two parent families. Poverty rates for Maori and Pacific are high: 50% of children in poverty are Maori and Pacific There is consistent disparity in low Incomes households. Approximately 10% Pakeha, 20% Maori, 25% Pacific. consistently lower (Household Incomes in New Zealand. Indicators and trends in inequality and hardship. MSD 2011). TPPA < view1.pdf> add info Stop Asset Sales add info NZ Maori Council Court of Apeal Case on ownership of water Living Wage Education Amendment Breakfast and Lunch in Schools Bill Feb 2013

4 Unemployment rates, Inequalities New Zealand has a high disparity in income 4 th highest in OECD Up to 30% of families experience poverty, ill health, poor housing, low educational achievement and unemployment NZ Institute s/income_inequality/#new-zealands-performance The Human Rights Commission identifies concern about inequalities in New Zealand. The incomes of Pacific peoples, Asian and Māori are on average 64%, 74% and 75% respectively of the average European weekly income ($752). The most recent report of the Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights commented on the persistent inequalities between Māori and non- Māori in educational participation as well as the gap in employment conditions between men and women, particularly in the area of pay equity (Human Rights in New Zealand 2010-Summary (p.16) Welfare Reforms An investment approach through additional child care support, counselling, training Focus on work New benefit categories Social obligations require beneficiary parents to as far as possible to - enrol children over 3 in ECE - children over 5 attend school - enrol with primary health care provider - Up to date well child/ tamariki ora checks

5 Youth disengagement NEET (not in education, employment or training) MSD Contracts to focus on target populations to meet Better Public Services goals, work expectations and social obligations. Māori rate for NEET in Sept 2012 was 22.7% Pacifica rate was 17.7% Pāhehā rate 11.7% Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Quarterly Labour Market Report, November NZCCSS Vulnerability Report Jan 2013 Investing in Services for Outcomes More effective and efficient MSD funding through joined up providers funded under fewer agreements, delivering measurable results. Across MSD approachwith CYF, ministry of Youth Development, work and Income, Family and Community Services joinging for contracts, expectations and monitoring Simpler more streamlined contracting. Agencies with multiple contracts to have single contract for all MSD funded programmes Investing in Services for Outcomes: Govt will decide on what services and on who to contract and where to purchase to contribute to BPS MSD funded services will be assessed on delivery of govt targets Capability Investment Resource fund ($31.65M over 4 yrs) to improve quality of services, achieve results and join up providers across communities Where orgs do not deliver results funding will be shifted to where it can make a difference Youth Service New contracting eg - Youth Services Services have tight differential payments based on client. Contract payments on achievement of milestones. Families Commission EAG recommendations for Solutions to Poverty Parishes letter writing campaign Child Poverty Action appeal to High Court re discrimination of Working for Families. Coalition to reduce inequality NZCCSS etc

6 Vulnerability Child Vulnerability CYF 21,000 cases abuse/neglect 2009/10 Over 30,000 students are truant from schools on any day 7,342 school leavers left with no qualification in ,315 hospital admissions in 2008/09 were for children under five that could have been avoided. 1,286 children admitted to hospital were a result of assault, neglect or maltreatment 47,374 children (aged 0 16) were present, or living with the victim of family violence (reported to Police) 2010 (Green Paper on vulnerable children, MSD 2012) White paper and child vulnerability implement: Childrens Teams for professional assessments Child Protect Line to assess and refer vulnerable children A Vulnerable Kids Information System for information sharing between professionals about vulnerable children National Infrastructure Plans & Opportunities Transport Ensuring a stable regulatory environment. Supporting growth in Auckland. Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the network. Telecommunications Public and private sector take up UFB infrastructure. Greater efficiency in telecommunications networks. Energy Further develop and improve the electricity regulatory regime. Improve the information base available to support further investments in petroleum and minerals sectors. Water Better demand management practices and performance criteria for water infrastructure. Murray Edridge on better contracting: Vulnerability Legislation to be introduced: 1. Vulnerable Children s Bill for a child centred approach to services for children and families 2013, and implemented at the end of Requirement for all agencies working with children to have policies for recognizing and reporting child abuse. Introduce 2013; implement Shared accountability arrangements and support for Children Teams 2013; implement Legislation for paid parental leave for caregivers providing Home for Life. Intr 2013; impl Law to restrict adults that pose a risk to children from living or associating with children. Introduce 2013; implement Legislation for safe and permanent care for children who have been removed from their parents. Introduce 2013; implement Roads Broadband Sale of Assets Land and Water Forum Mind the Gap Follow up to November2012 meeting NZCCSS Vulnerability Report quarterly (add detail) NZ Maori Council Claim on Water to High Court Petition to stop the sale of assets. 330,000 signatures. Referendum?

7 Promote partnerships and activities within the sector. Management of water assets to contribute to improved social, economic, environmental, cultural wellbeing of communities. Social Alternative approaches to the funding delivery and management of assets and associated services. Improve spatial social infrastructure for growing communities. Greater use of shared services by local government. Infrastructure priorities 2010» Roads of National Significance» Ultra Fast Broadband investment and Rural Broadband» Ongoing regulatory reform» KiwiRail Turnaround Plan» Rugby World Cup» Commuter rail upgrades in Auckland & Wgtn» Electricity transmission Welfare Reform New MSD Contracting Government priorities Working in Canterbury to rebuild infrastructure to get the economy working again and consider how to build resilience. 2. Providing a comprehensive approach to investment in Auckland which is fair to all NZers; help implement government responsibilities through Auckland Spatial Plan. 3. Achieving significant improvement in management of government owned social infrastructure assets. Deliver better services to public. Explore alternative procurement methods. 4. Focusing land transport investment on supporting exporters (e.g. completing RoNS and improved rail services to ports). 5. Improve performance monitoring cross infrastructure sectors Environment Commission for the Conservation of Antarctica Marine Living Resources (CCAMLAR) Conservation (Natural Heritage Protection) Bill Met in Tasmania Nov NZ and the US joint proposal for a Marine Reserve and Marine Protected Areas in the Ross Sea (providing a no-take zone but not with adequate protection). NZ has fishing interests in the Ross Sea. Negotiations stalled. (ECO Dec 2012) (submissions not called, 14 May 2013) CCMLAR negotiations to reconvene July 2013 in Germany EcoLink <

8 Proposed changes to fisheries regulations to effect decisions relating to the Foreign Charter Vessel review Extraction Economy Mining Govt. plans to extend oil and gas exploration. The Crown Minerals Bill (Permitting and Crown Land) bill Minister of Crown Minerals to be a joint decision-maker with Minister of Conservation on whether to allow mining consents on Conservation land. The bill allows Cabinet to reclassify mineral prospecting areas so they no longer have conservation designations. The bill changes the purpose of the act from regulating minerals activities to promote minerals activity. Add policy Sustainability Resource Management Reform Bill Resource Management Amendment Bill Restricted duration of certain discharge and coastal permits Submissions due Friday 22 March Crown Minerals Bill (Permitting and Crown Land) bill. Also involves changes to Conservation Act, The Reserves act, the Wildlife Act, the Continental Shelf Act, the Forests Act. Local Governmetn Reform Bill removes sustainability and the 4 community wellbeings Add detail Jolyon Whyte Anglican Chch Social Justice Commission Dompost Wed 16 th Jan. A US company (Apache) withdraws from East Coast. Coal Action Network < om/> (Summer Festival Jan 2013). Coal Action Network Lignite Backgrounder CAN_Backgrounder_Summer_2010_11 Anglican Social Justice resource Lignite 1/11/Just-Facts-Lignite.pdf Submissions due 28 Feb. Sustainable Council Aotearoa Catholic Justice and Peace Resource (quote) Climate Emissions Trading Scheme Consultation on proposed regulations restricting use of certain international units in the NZ ETS Doha Climate Negotiations Nov Oceans Fishing EEZ Bill 2012 etc Amendment to Emissions Trading Scheme At Doha a second commitment period of 8 years was agreed to, starting NZ is not signing up to the second commitment period under the Kyoto protocol. This means that NZ will not be subject to any internationally binding agreement to reduce emissions. What are we doing as Stewards of creation? Methodist Public Questions Achieving a binding global agreement is essential to achieving 2degrees warming. Lack of action from 2015 will restrict NZ from accessing global carbon markets. ECO Sustainable Fish Eating guide (www?) ECO re Maui s Dolphons

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