Families Young And Old 

Labour Restates Student Allowances Policy

18.07.2008

Tertiary Education Minister Pete Hodgson said today he wanted to restate that Labour's position on student allowances was to move progressively over a period of time towards a universal student allowance but not go directly to one.

He said earlier this year he asked officials to cost a universal student allowance as he knew students would ask for this in the lead up to the Budget.

"This is the situation, that Labour's oft stated policy remains one of moving progressively towards a universal student allowance rather t... more +

Photocopier assembly employment for prisoners

17.07.2008

Corrections Minister Phil Goff today launched a new prisoner employment partnership between the Department of Corrections and Canon New Zealand.

The initiative will employ around 15 prisoners at Rimutaka Prison and Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility, with the number expected to grow in the near future.

"This new partnership is a first for Canon anywhere in the world. It will give inmates real jobs and valuable work skills... more +

Key gets his facts wrong on ACC

17.07.2008

John Key has got so many of his facts wrong on ACC that it beggars belief injured New Zealanders could actually trust National to protect their interests, says ACC Minister Maryan Street.

"In the last 24 hours Mr Key has told the public privatisation of ACC will result in safer workplaces for workers.  Yet the facts show New Zealand workplace injury rates are significantly lower than those in Australia - and as everybody now knows, it is the Aussie insurers who would be runni... more +

Snap debate in Parliament on the Ashton case

22.07.2008

"Police and Corrections have both apologised unreservedly to the Ashton family for the human errors that occurred, and endorsed the recommendations of the Inquiry."

Madam Speaker, I want to acknowledge the courage, determination and grief of the Ashton family, and their commitment to trying to ensure that there cannot be a repeat of the tragic circumstances that led to Debbie Ashton's death.

 I travelled to Nelson twice to see the A... more +