✨ Speech from the Throne
21 DECEMBER 2011 NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE, No. 199 5699
The Government has set aside $5.5 billion in the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Fund to pay for its share of rebuilding essential local infrastructure in Christchurch and its surrounds.
It will provide certainty to affected homeowners in Canterbury by finishing the red zone classification process. It will continue to release land for residential subdivision and ensure there is an adequate supply of land to rebuild on.
My Government will allow for choice in accident insurance covered through the Work Account, including an expansion of the Accredited Employer Scheme. It will consider the feasibility of introducing choice into accident insurance covered through the Motor Vehicle Account and the Earners’ Account.
Legislation will be introduced to implement a new "starting-out wage", set at 80 per cent of the adult minimum wage, to ensure young people are not priced out of the job market. Legislation will also be introduced to extend flexible working arrangements and to improve collective bargaining.
The Government will progress legislation to overhaul securities law and to criminalise anti-competitive behaviour. It will introduce tougher consumer credit legislation to target loan sharks and protect consumers.
Honourable Members. My Government believes that balanced and sensible management of our resources will protect the environment while promoting stronger economic growth.
The Government will continue to advance the Fresh Start for Fresh Water programme, and will introduce new environmental reporting systems. Legislation will be introduced to set a six-month time limit for the consenting of medium-sized projects, and to improve the Resource Management Act as part of the second phase of reforms.
As agreed with the ACT Party, legislation will be introduced to ensure there is only one resource management plan in each district.
The Government will also introduce legislation to amend the Emissions Trading Scheme. This will include moving to full obligation in three equal steps for the energy, transport and industrial sectors. It will also introduce offsetting for pre-1990 forest land owners to enable greater flexibility of land use.
My Government will encourage oil and gas exploration with a competitive new system for processing permits. It will also progress legislation to better manage the environmental effects of activities in New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone, and will introduce legislation to reflect the updated Liability for Maritime Claims Protocol.
As agreed with the United Future Party, legislation will be introduced to stop helicopter hunting on the conservation estate involving the shooting of game animals from helicopters and the herding and hazing of game animals as part of the hunt. The Game Animal Council Bill will be progressed.
Honourable Members. My Government will continue to maintain an independent and bipartisan foreign policy. It will further focus New Zealand’s aid efforts on the Pacific, and will campaign to win New Zealand a seat on the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term starting in 2015.
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NZ Gazette 2011, No 199
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Speech from the Throne at the State Opening of Parliament
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🏛️ Governance & Central Administration21 December 2011
Speech from the Throne, State Opening of Parliament, Economic Policy, Fiscal Discipline, Welfare Reform, Mixed Ownership Model