www.indiannews.co.nz
December February20, 7, 2018 2019
7
Local Australian Royal Commission
findings concerning, but NZ moves to protect consumers already in train
The New Zealand Government will closely analyse the outcomes of the Australian Royal Commission but has already committed to ensure consumer interests are protected in the banking and insurance sector. Minister of Finance Hon Grant Robertson said that a financial sector putting profits ahead of customers was unacceptable, but banks and the wider financial sector were already “on notice” in New Zealand. “The New Zealand Government had already received reports on conduct and culture in our banking and insurance industry from the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and Reserve Bank of New Zealand. “The reviews have identified a number of issues with bank and insurer conduct, and also gaps in how we regulate them. Some of the issues are similar to those highlighted by the Australian Royal Commission, but not as widespread. “We will look closely at the recommendations of the Royal Commission to see whether they should be implemented here.” Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Hon Kris Faafoi said banks had broadly accepted the findings of the New
Zealand conduct and culture review, and he expects that the March report back from banks would show significant measures to ensure customers were back at the heart of decision-making. “We have been clear that we expect to see things change and a balancing of the need for profit with banks delivering on the privilege of operating here. “Further, in light of the FMA RBNZ report on insurer conduct, last week we agreed that we would fast-track customer protection measures across the financial sector. “New Zealand will have a regime where banks and insurers are entirely focused on good outcomes for the consumer.” Kris Faafoi said there was a raft of work already underway: “The Financial Services Legislation Amendment Bill, already at the committee of the whole house stage and close to a final reading, will provide a clear duty for anyone giving advice to ensure a good customer outcome is the priority. “Consumers are at the top of my mind because unless we share New Zealand’s prosperity more fairly, our economy is not going to deliver for New Zealanders.”
End of life choice bill - Opinion piece by Anne Cotton There are two major ‘life’ issues currently facing New Zealand ie euthanasia and abortion. To deal first with abortion: the Law Commission was asked by the Government earlier this year to come up with some changes so that abortion would be taken out of the Crimes Act and considered only as a ‘health issue’. To many people this sounds very reasonable but it would mean that there would be almost no controls at all on women having abortions. Currently the process requires two doctors to approve the abortion, and it is supposed to be only provided on the grounds of serious health dangers to the mother. With the changes recommended by the Law Commission it is likely that abortion would be available almost automatically, right up to the time of birth. Obviously this is abhorrent to all New Zealanders who believe that human life is precious.
At present these are simply suggestions from the Law Commission and it is not clear what steps will be taken by the Government about this. To make these changes there would need to be a bill drafted and introduced into Parliament. Then there would be a time of consultation when we could all write submissions against the new bill. All of this would take many months, possibly a year or longer. Although the proposal to change the abortion law is very worrying, it would not happen quickly. I believe we should keep listening to what is being said by the Government and by others about this but that it is not something we should work on urgently at present. On the other hand, the situation regarding euthanasia is very urgent and very dangerous to our people of all ages. I believe we should take immediate steps to try to stop the bill that is now in front of Parliament.
BLACKCAPS & WHITE FERNS double header vs India – fan activations at Eden Park Fans lucky enough to have tickets to the sold out Twenty20 double header at Eden Park on Friday, 8 February will be treated to a range of activations as they head into the stadium. At 3pm, New Zealand’s Women’s side, the WHITE FERNS, will face India’s Women’s team. At 7pm, New Zealand’s Men’s side, the BLACKCAPS, will challenge India’s Men’s team. Tickets allow cricket fans to attend both matches. From 2pm – 7.30pm, Auckland Tourism, Event and Economic Development (ATEED) will host fan activations at the top of swamp walk off Sandringham Road and outside of gates A, D and H at Eden Park. The activations will include Indian musical and dance performance groups, DJ sets, social media roaming photographers, roaming performers, Beige Brigade entertainers, face painting and photo-boards. Stuart Turner, Head of Major Events
at ATEED, says the activations at Eden Park are a fantastic way to welcome fans of the Indian and New Zealand teams to Auckland.
“It’s no secret that the biggest fans of cricket hail from India, so it felt like a great opportunity for us to amplify the buzz surrounding this tour, especially with so many people of Indian heritage living here in Auckland. We have taken advantage of our connections from Diwali festival – and inspiration from classic Kiwi cricketing culture - to create a pre-game mini-festival to enhance the Auckland experience for visiting fans and locals. “It is also a great opportunity to showcase Auckland to millions of people around the world.” Eden Park has completely sold out of tickets. Star TV India, which is broadcasting the match, reaches millions of cricket fans across 100 different countries. The International Cricket Council (ICC) ranks the Indian men’s side at the 2nd best T20 team in the world, the Black Caps rank 6th.
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
National List MP based in Manukau East Contact A P F E
1/131 Kolmar Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland 09 278 9302 09 278 2143 bakshi.mp@parliament.govt.nz facebook.com/bakshiks @bakshiks
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