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PHO rollout agreement a victory for families
Health Minister Pete Hodgson has welcomed news from General Practitioners and District Health Boards that agreement has been reached on the 1 July rollout of the Primary Health Care Strategy.
"Affordable doctors visits and low-cost prescription drugs are the hallmarks of a health system that works for all families," Pete Hodgson said.
"This week's announcement from GPs and District Health Boards is a welcome sign that the Government's Primary Health Care Strategy is here to stay. I am pleased that an agreement has been reached that meets the needs of GPs and ensures the value of the government's $2.2 billion primary health investment is protected."
This week's announcement means that all 81 Primary Health Organisations have agreed to a contract enabling the rollout of low cost doctors visits and affordable prescription drugs for 45-64 year olds from 1 July. These subsidies become universal from next year with the rollout of the strategy to the 25-44 year old age group.
New initiative links Kiwi firms to global expertise
A $2.3 million government initiative to link Kiwi firms with global expertise was launched this week in Christchurch by Research, Science and Technology Minister, Steve Maharey. The Technology Partnerships New Zealand programme will improve the ability of Kiwi firms to exploit new technologies by linking them with a global network of over 20,000 experts.
"This government recognises that to accelerate the growth of Kiwi firms, we need to ensure they can make the best possible use of knowledge available anywhere in the world. Businesses will be provided with a brokerage service to help them access partners who can offer knowledge and expertise to solve specific problems. It will run on a fee-for-service basis, with government providing funding of $2.285 million over the next three years to establish the programme." Said Mr Maharey.
Steve Maharey says the initiative also provides an opportunity to promote Kiwi expertise to a global market.
Current account deficit underlines fiscal prudence
The government's fiscal strategy has again been underscored by the latest current account figures, Finance Minister Michael Cullen said this week. The March year current account deficit widened to $14.5 billion or 9.3 per cent of GDP, slightly worse than market expectations.
"Strong economic growth and higher oil prices have aggravated the goods balance, but there are some hopeful signs with the trend on goods flattening out. This should improve over the next year as the lower exchange rate boosts export returns," said Dr Cullen.
"This result reinforces the government's prudent fiscal strategy of reducing debt, investing in infrastructure and building up assets in the New Zealand Superannuation Fund. Standard & Poor's recently said we have the balance right, being one of the "best placed" nations in the world to cope with future challenges. However, we need to encourage a stronger savings culture if we are to be less reliant on foreign capital and the government is endeavouring to do that through initiatives such as KiwiSaver."
Funding extended for Centres of Research Excellence
The success of the Centres of Research Excellence has encouraged the government to confirm support for centres beyond 2008, Minister for Tertiary Education, Michael Cullen, announced this week.
The existing seven centres, hosted by Massey, Auckland, Victoria and Lincoln universities, have been awarded funding until 2008. A contestable selection round for funding beyond 2008 will be held later this year.
A mid-term review, carried out by the Ministry of Education and the Tertiary Education Commission last year, found that all CoREs were performing well and recommended that they should continue to receive funding.
"It is extremely heartening to see that overall, the centres are achieving what they set out to do, which is why we decided on another funding round. Each of the seven centres is conducting ground-breaking research and making a significant contribution to New Zealand's national goals. They also help and support our developing industries, which, in return, has a positive impact on the economy," Dr Cullen concluded.
MPs to promote Books in Homes
Government MPs will visit schools next week to deliver new books as part of the Books in Homes Government Book Week, Education Minister Steve Maharey announced this week.
Books in Homes, a literacy programme that benefits around 80,000 young Kiwi kids, receives around $1.2 million support from the government each year, in addition to support from over 300 private sponsors.
"As part of this year's Budget we agreed to provide Books in Homes with an additional $750,000 over the next four years. This will make a difference for 25,000 more children in low socio-economic areas, putting an extra 125,000 books in their homes. It is essential that all children get a good start with reading and learn how much fun it can be." Said Mr Maharey.
This government currently invests around $32 million a year in programmes to lift literacy standards in all schools, including $3.8 million a year for the Literacy Professional Development Programme.
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