✨ Government Policy Initiatives
22 DECEMBER NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE 4681
full time and other low income students while they study. My government will also be conducting a full review of overall student financing sytems.
It is my government’s intention to fund tertiary education providers at a level sufficient to enable fees to be reduced over time. A new long term funding system will be introduced to give the providers greater financial certainty.
For those who have left school without basic skills, increased support will be made available to acquire those skills, especially that of literacy.
HONOURABLE MEMBERS. Tertiary education, especially university education, is closely linked to the future of research. Research funding will be increased. Business investment in research, particularly by small and medium-sized firms, will be encouraged through the establishment of a small business research fund.
The most important need is to boost research in science and technology. A high level Science and Innovation Advisory Council will be established to report to the Prime Minister to ensure that this occurs.
The economic potential of research is only fully realised if development follows. New Zealand’s record in this respect is not good. My government will change the taxation regime to ensure that it is more favourable in its treatment of research and development costs. This will be accompanied by a review of the depreciation regime to encourage investment in new plant and equipment.
My government will also work with business to extend the Government Research in Industry Fund. Centres will be established to enable graduate students and staff, whose work has commercial relevance, to prepare their work for transfer to the marketplace.
It is recognised that one area of research and development has led to significant public concerns. That is the area of genetic modification. A Royal Commission into Genetic Modification will be established. Until it has reported, a moratorium will be imposed on the commercial planting of genetically modified crops. Very strict conditions will apply to the consideration of any application for field trials until such time as the Commission reports on the wider issues.
My government will require a simple and comprehensive system of labelling of genetically modified food, whether “substantially equivalent” or not, and of any food derived from genetically modified organisms.
HONOURABLE MEMBERS. The concerns about genetically modified foods and organisms reflect wider public interest in environmental and conservation issues. My government shares that interest.
The proposed amendments to the Resource Management Act at present before the House will be revisited. Those amendments which weaken the Act will be dropped. Those that do not will proceed.
Issues of cost, delay, and unevenness in implementation of the Act will be addressed. Additional national policy statements will be prepared and co-
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VUW Te Waharoa —
NZ Gazette 1999, No 198
NZLII —
NZ Gazette 1999, No 198
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Government Policy Initiatives
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🏛️ Governance & Central AdministrationTertiary education, Student financing, Research funding, Science and technology, Genetic modification, Environmental issues, Resource Management Act