Listen to The Country online: The latest from Blue Duck Station with Dan Steele
On with the show:
Todd McClay:
Trade and Agriculture Minister on whether the Government should consider taking a case against the US to the World Trade Organisation, when New Zealand will resume trade talks with the US, yesterday's drought relief announcement and his plans for Anzac Day.
Dan Steele:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
10 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Torres Strait Islanders lose bid to hold Canberra responsible for its emissions targets
'What do any of us say to our families now?' Fellow plaintiff Pabai Pabai said: 'My heart is broken for my family and my community'. Federal Court Justice Michael Wigney criticised the Government for setting emissions targets between 2015 and 2021 that failed to consider the 'best available science'. But these targets would have had little impact on global temperature rise, he found. 'Any additional greenhouse gases that might have been released by Australia as a result of low emissions targets would have caused no more than an almost immeasurable increase in global average temperatures,' Wigney said. Australia's previous conservative government sought to cut emissions by around 26% before 2030. The incumbent left-leaning government in 2022 adopted new plans to slash emissions by 40% before the end of the decade and reach net zero by 2050. 'Climate refugees' Fewer than 5000 people live in the Torres Strait, a collection of about 274 mud islands and coral cays wedged between Australia's mainland and Papua New Guinea. Lawyers for traditional landowners from Boigu and Saibai - among the worst-impacted islands - asked the court to order the Government 'to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a level that will prevent Torres Strait Islanders from becoming climate refugees'. Sea levels in some parts of the archipelago are rising almost three times faster than the global average, according to official figures. Rising tides have washed away graves, eaten through huge chunks of exposed coastline, and poisoned once-fertile soils with salt. The lawsuit argued that some islands would soon become uninhabitable if global temperatures rose more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. The World Meteorological Organisation has warned this threshold could be breached before the end of the decade. While Australia's emissions pale in comparison to the likes of China and the United States, the fossil fuel powerhouse is one of the largest coal exporters in the world. -Agence France-Presse
Scoop
11 hours ago
- Scoop
Employment Relations Amendment Bill Passes First Reading
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden welcomes the successful first reading of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, calling it a major milestone in helping businesses employ and contract with confidence. The Employment Relations Amendment Bill will now be considered by the Education and Workforce Select Committee where people can have their say on the proposed changes. 'This Bill reflects the Government's commitment to supporting New Zealand businesses and creating more and better opportunities for workers.' The legislation delivers on key commitments from the ACT–National Coalition Agreement, including: Clarifying the distinction between employment and contracting arrangements, giving greater certainty to both businesses and workers. Simplifying the personal grievance process, including the introduction of an income threshold of $180,000, above which unjustified dismissal claims cannot be pursued. This Bill also proposes removing the 30-day rule, allowing employers and employees to negotiate mutually beneficial terms from the start of employment, reducing compliance burden and increasing flexibility. 'I encourage all interested New Zealanders to have their say on the Bill, and I see the Select Committee process as an important way of strengthening the final Bill and making sure it works for a wide variety of working relationships and situations. 'I am particularly interested in hearing feedback on whether the gateway test criteria are workable and whether the test covers a variety of genuine contracting relationships. I am also interested in hearing feedback on the high-income threshold for personal grievances, both from those who may use it as an employer and those who would be affected as a worker. 'I am looking forward to hearing what New Zealanders have to say about the Bill during the Select Committee process,' says Ms van Velden. Notes:
Scoop
12 hours ago
- Scoop
Consultation To Build On New Zealand's Strong Fuel Security Welcome
Energy Resources Aotearoa welcomes today's announcement of public consultation on the proposed Fuel Security Plan by Associate Minister of Energy Shane Jones. Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie says the proposed plan is a constructive opportunity to build on New Zealand's already high-performing fuel security settings. "New Zealand has a robust, well-functioning fuel supply system. Our current system, based on importing refined fuels, rather than crude, gives us more flexibility and resilience than when we imported crude into Marden Point, a single point of failure." Carnegie says the proposed Fuel Security Plan announced today is about building towards a longer-term strategic direction for New Zealand's fuel security. "The risks we face today are not the same as five years ago. The geopolitical landscape is shifting, and our security planning must change with it. It's critical that the Government balances our high-functioning fuel imports system with any domestic production. We will seek to ensure the final plan does this in a way that minimises costs for consumers." Fuel resilience must continue to be balanced with affordability and practical implementation, Carnegie says. "It's important to be clear-eyed: New Zealand will always rely on imported fuels. Domestic alternatives like biofuels will only ever supplement, not replace, imported fuels. We have to weigh the cost of resilience. Emerging technologies often come at a premium, and we need to think critically about how much we're willing to pay for the insurance for domestic production" Carnegie says the best insurance policy remains New Zealand's diversified network of experienced fuel suppliers. "This consultation is an opportunity to make innovative, cost-effective improvements to an already strong system. We look forward to engaging with the Government to find the lowest-cost, most effective options to build on our current level of resilience, without duplicating effort or adding unnecessary cost."
