A very interesting article in today’s New Zealand Herald from Judge David Carruthers on the Canadian programme of having those who are released from prison go into halfway houses with 24 hour live-in supervision. According to Carruthers this means Canada is five or six times more successful at reducing re-offending.  Personally I think this is well worth looking at.  We have some limited examples of these sorts of programmes in New Zealand, but not on an across the board level. Earlier in the year I discussed with Stephanie McIntyre from Downtown Community Ministry in Wellington how we could break the cycle for some of those who were in and out of prison, and bedevilled with drug and alcohol problems.  Her answer was  similar to this idea- intensive one on one interventions, including people living in.  While this kind of intensive supervision might be expensive it recognises that we need to support re-integration in a meaningful way if we want to reduce re-offending and all the social and economic costs that go with it.  I hope the Corrections Department takes on board Judge Carruthers report from this recent visit to Canada.
Archive for July, 2008
Not just a women’s issue
July 26th, 2008I spent a very cold evening collecting for Women’s Refuge yesterday (as well as attending their auction on Wednesday night).  If I needed reinforcement as to the value/wisdom of being out there, all I had to do was pick up the paper this morning, and read this.  We have to all come together to stop the violence in our society and our families, and support those who are the targets to find freedom.  If you did not get a chance to donate yesterday you can still do so here
The Hollow Men- the movie (review)
July 21st, 2008The value of Alister Barry’s painstaking catalouging of our recent political history was never more evident than at the world premiere of The Hollow Men in front of a full house at the Paramount Theatre in Wellington yesterday.Â
Barry’s previous efforts have focused on the new-right revolution of the 80s and 90s, and what he has succeded in doing with this version of Nicky Hager’s book is set the Don Brash (and in turn John Key) leadership of the National Party in that context.  The Hollow Men the movie is very much the next chapter in that story. Continue reading ‘The Hollow Men- the movie (review)’
ACC- the strange case of Business NZ
July 17th, 2008It is hard to put the case against National’s privatisation plans for ACC better than the CTU or Maryan Street. In short, Â if it ain’t broke why fix it? The PWC review has assessed the scheme as being in good health, is providing excellent coverage and gets people back to work in a timely way.
What has caught my attention today has been the reaction of Business New Zealand. Phil O’Reilly is praising the policy, but two weeks ago this is what Buisness New Zealand had to say.
Business New Zealand employment expert Paul Mackay said there was no demand for a move back to a competitive ACC market among employers “and we certainly have not argued for it”.
“Our internal thinking is that the issues that flow from doing it probably outweigh the benefits … and the upheaval outweighs the big three for businesses, which are political certainty, financial certainty and economic stability.”
What has changed? Did someone put the hard word on BNZ to support the policy?
It is easy for people of my generation to not understand the fundamental importance of ACC in our lives. We have grown up with a comprehensive, universal, no fault scheme. A scheme, the architect of which Sir Owen Woodhouse said had to be run by the state because the motivations of private insurers- minimising liability and maximising profit- would compromise the model. It is to just that place that National’s proposal would lead us.Â
7x7
July 17th, 2008A plug for the most excellent 7x7 ideas forum that is returning to Wellington over the coming weeks. The format is simple seven interesting people speaking for seven minutes each around themes of interest and importance.
I fear that the demands of campaigning will mean I will miss a number of this year’s series, but past experience indicates that it is well worth getting along to hear them. Information on tickets etc is on the website, and you can sign up to the mailing list to see who is going to be on each panel.
Great that the Wellington City Council is a major sponsor, adding to the Capital’s attractions. See, we do rugby and debating here!
