Two a penny

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Legislation allowing workers to take meal and breast-feeding breaks may be changed because it would cause the cancellation of nine domestic flights, Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

Previously, there were no statutory requirements for meal and rest breaks, although entitlements were in most collective agreements.An amendment bill was passed last year by the previous Labour government, which set guidelines for break requirements. .Today, Ms Wilkinson said the law was “too prescriptive” and needed “clarifying”.The Airline Pilots Association had been “unwilling to continue the flexible breaks system”.The current legislation meant regional airport control towers were being closed down while workers took breaks, she said.If she did not act it “would result in the cancellation of at least nine regional return flights a week and the risk of further schedule disruptions”, Ms Wilkinson said.”Parliament certainly didn’t intend for this law to create more problems than it solved.Pharmacies, schools, meatworks and sole attendant operations had also raised concerns about the law, she said.The Council of Trade Unions was quick to express their disappointment at the planned amendment.”It would appear that what was once common sense in the past is no longer common sense under this legislation,” Ms Wilkinson said.”To now exclude sole charge workers, for example, would see many people returning to the very unsatisfactory situation of working long hours without any break.Many workers had benefited from the law, president Helen Kelly said.”Last month, Ms Wilkinson called for public submissions on a draft code of practice about breast-feeding at work.”Last month, Ms Wilkinson called for public submissions on a draft code of practice about breast-feeding at work.

.Submissions close on Monday

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The idea of all Aucklanders electing Maori representatives to sit on an Auckland super city council was put up by the Maori Party, Parliament was told today. .

The Maori Party and other groups had made strong representations to Prime Minister John Key over the issue but when he talked to Local Government Minister Rodney Hide, who is responsible for the legislation, the minister threatened to resign.

Under the idea all Aucklanders would be able to select two Maori seats at large.

Labour deputy leader Annette King asked Deputy Prime Minister Bill English about a proposal she said was put forward by Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples, who is also Maori Affairs Minister.

Mr English told Parliament that a range of options were looked at.

“Thus meeting the Minister of Local Government’s requirement of one person, one vote where everyone got the same ballot paper; if so, why did the Government not accept that option, which would have demonstrated its strong relationship with the Maori Party?”

Another proposal that had been knocked down was for the Maori seats issue to be put as a separate amendment to the bill so ACT could vote against it.

“The Government’s relationship with the Maori Party is a strong one and that is demonstrated every day.

Ms King asked why the Government set up a special subcommittee to consider the Maori seats issue which raised Maori hopes.”

He said all ideas were debated in “an atmosphere of respect”. .

“And then.before the report back of the committee and with only a few hours’ notice, slam the door shut in the face of the Maori Party, saying that Maori seats on the council were not National policy?”

Mr English said the National Government’s support arrangements were much more inclusive than Labour’s had been. .

“There is a greater participatory role for support parties through full membership of Cabinet committees.

“There is a greater participatory role for support parties through full membership of Cabinet committees.

“Does the Prime Minister consider the relationship with the Maori Party to be a mature one with mutual trust and respect, with differences, when there are any, aired on a face-to-face basis and not through the media?”

Mr English agreed and said the most important element was respect.”

Maori Party MP Rahui Katene attempted to show her party did not have a problem with its relationship with the Government.

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The country’s land transport network will have $8.7 billion spent on it during the next three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) announced today.

The funding will be managed through the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).

“This is the largest land transport investment in New Zealand’s history, and it represents a 17 per cent increase from the previous three-year period,” NZTA chairman Brian Roche said. Projects which boost economic growth, productivity and employment have been targeted.”

The programme invested in projects in all regions, providing guaranteed funding levels for each region over the next three years.

“This additional investment will deliver significant benefits for New Zealand now and in the future.

Most activities had funding increases, including:

* a 21 per cent increase for public transport ($899 million over the next three years);

* a 19 per cent increase for New Zealand’s state highway network ($4.9b over the next three years).5b over the next three years);

* a 14 per cent increase for local roads ($1.

Improving the efficiency of key routes, public transport, and easing severe congestion in key urban areas, as well as upgrading important freight and tourism routes, improving safety and access to markets, and to employment would contribute to economic growth, he said.

The programme would help to address the important challenges New Zealand faced with land transport, Mr Roche said.

Sixteen regional transport committees and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority were involved in developing the programme. .

“This collaborative process has allowed us to build an overview of land transport requirements across New Zealand and to balance regional and national priorities in deciding on the best investment programme to maximise value for money across the country,” Mr Roche said.

“This collaborative process has allowed us to build an overview of land transport requirements across New Zealand and to balance regional and national priorities in deciding on the best investment programme to maximise value for money across the country,” Mr Roche said.”

Labour’s transport spokesman, Darren Hughes, said local roads could deteriorate.

“This targeted investment will deliver real gains both in the short term – as we move out of recession – and in the longer term by boosting the productivity we need to support prolonged economic growth.

“It’s nonsensical that we allow increased heavy haulage on our roads but don’t back that up with a programme of maintenance.

“Hidden away in the detail of the programme is National’s plan to freeze spending on the maintenance of local roads in the NLTP’s second and third years,” he said.”

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Dan Carter’s class shone as the All Blacks rediscovered their fire and a few of their skills too as they nipped Australia 19-18 to claim the Bledisloe Cup and get the defence of their Tri-Nations title back on course.

Carter kicked his fourth penalty 90 seconds from the end to earn the All Blacks a nail-biting win in front of 80,000 at a ground that has so often been a graveyard for them.

The win applies heat to the pace-setting Springboks as the All Blacks head home with renewed confidence for their two remaining Tri-Nations fixtures in Hamilton and Wellington.

Smarting after two shoddy losses to the Springboks and some harsh words from coach Graham Henry the All Blacks put together a more accomplished performance.

The pressure now goes on Robbie Deans – his side have lost three matches in a row.

But the victory importantly puts the All Blacks 2-nil up against the Wallabies and the sight of the Bledisloe Cup being locked away in the trophy cabinet will give major relief to what was sliding towards a season of discontent. But New Zealand deserved credit for their increased urgency and accuracy.

Given how low the All Blacks’ skills sunk in Durban getting a measure of improvement in Sydney shouldn’t have been too hard.

The boot dominated both in field play and on the scoreboard – Ma’a Nonu got the only try – but both sides were willing to run the ball when it was on.

The lineout was better, the scrum solid – Al Baxter was removed after half an hour – there was better work under the high ball and they hung tough to see out a crucial victory in a see-sawing game. But it wasn’t easy and this match hung in the balance right till the end.

Carter’s guidance certainly allowed the All Blacks to work in the right areas of the field for long periods. .

The Wallabies kept the ball alive after the halftime siren had sounded and while they weren’t rewarded with a try after their most promising attack took them to within sight of the All Blacks’ line they did earn a penalty for Giteau to land his fourth penalty and a 12-3 halftime lead. Two knocks to the head eventually forced Luke McAlister off after 50 minutes and Stephen Donald came off the bench to play at first five with Carter moving out one spot.

Australia’s problems deepened when Berrick Barnes and James O’Connor were forced off with injuries.

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A forward pass ruled out a gift try to Carter as New Zealand’s frustrations continued

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The Government and the ACT Party are denying that a crisis has developed over whether there should be reserved Maori seats on Auckland’s new city council.

It was revealed last night that a senior National MP – believed to be Tau Henare – sent an email to his caucus colleagues telling them ACT had threatened to end its relationship with the Government if it “gave in to Maori” and agreed to having special Maori seats on the council.

“We’ve certainly never threatened to end the relationship,” he said.

But ACT leader and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide said the email was wrong.”

Speaking on Radio New Zealand this morning, Mr Hide said they were waiting to hear back from the results from the select committee but conceded there was discussion around the issue.

“What we have done is state our position very clearly and we are opposed to any reservation of seats for a particular group.”

Mr Hide said he would have to resign as minister if the Maori seats were enshrined.

“We’ll get the report, we’ll see what the select committee recommends and then we’ll see what Parliament decides.

“I can’t in good conscience as leader of the Act Party accept legislation that to me is so fundamentally against the culture of New Zealand and the principle of the Act Party as the separate Maori seats are.

He said he had told Mr Key about his stance on seperate Maori seats when talks about a confidence and supply agreement began.

NOT CONFIDENCE AND SUPPLY CLAUSE

Mr Hide said National MP Tau Henare had the wrong impression around his intention and said ACT would continue to support National in a confidence and supply agreement.”

He said it was a matter of principle – one person one vote and seats should be contestable by all comers.

A spokesperson for Prime Minister John Key said ACT’s views were well known.

He said it had never occurred to him that a National government would be even contemplating having separate Maori seats, “so I didn’t write it in our confidence and supply agreement,” he told Radio New Zealand. We have all sorts of discussions with support parties, we’re not about to start conducting those in the media,” the spokesperson said.

“We are working through arrangements for the super city.”

The Royal Commission which reported on Auckland’s local government structure recommended reserved Maori seats but the Government scrapped that when it set out its plans for the city. .

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The Maori Party has been lobbying to overturn the Government’s decision and both sides have been looking for a compromise