"Initially we saw it as creating a framework to amalgamate RNZ and TVNZ," says Peter Garrick, a spokesperson for the group.

"We had hoped the Bill would strengthen the independence of public broadcasting. Unfortunately, as drafted, the present Bill seems to weaken this independence substantially."

Garrick says the Commission's submission notes several areas where this weakening could occur.

The Bill's apparent lack of protection from Government retaliation if ANZPM reports in a way that displeases the Government of the day; currently, RNZ and TVNZ are legally independent Crown companies, he says. Government ministers can't direct them.

"But ANZPM, as established by this Bill, will be an autonomous Crown entity and, under the Crown Entities Act, it ‘must have regard to Government policy when directed by the responsible minister'."

He says this will undermine ANZPM's independence, which is different from the Bill's stated intentions.

Garrick says that government interference in broadcast news has occurred in the past, and it should not be permitted by this Bill.

"It's important that this Bill doesn't end up sanctioning this," Garrick says.

Concerned about ‘editorial independence, impartiality and balance', Garrick says it is the Commission's view that these are key and ways are needed to measure them.

They support the view of Waikato University's Professor Alistair Gillespie that editorial independence, impartiality and balance should stand alone in the new law to counter ‘any rising fear that governments, either directly or by manipulating budgets and appointments', have undue influence.

In these times of 'fake news', the Commission also warns that the Public Media Bill lacks a clear commitment to the integrity of information apart from existing standards of the news being reliable, accurate, comprehensive, balanced and impartial, they say.

In terms of funding, the Commission says the Government needs to investigate a range of funding methods. These include a special tax to guarantee ring-fenced funding, programme sponsorship or a mixture of methods, including subscriptions.

The submission also focused on the importance of the Asia Pacific region and recommends that here the ANZPM must strengthen and broaden its coverage.

Journalist Philip Cass also spoke on behalf of the Justice and Peace Commission.

Cass says the region's strategic importance will increase and, as the tipping point for climate change draws nearer, the strategic and geo-political scene will become more complicated.

In addition he notes that, as New Zealanders include many of Asian and Pacific descent, there is a large market for news and current affairs about the region.

But he also observed, "in 2018, the Ministerial Advisory Group on the Allocation of Funding for Public Broadcasting stated that Pasifika audiences are not well served".

He welcomes the resumption of RNZ Pacific's shortwave service, but observes there is no absolute guarantee that RNZ's international service will continue under the new model.

Source

• Supplied

The venture has reinforced his commitment to tackling the climate crisis, and using New Shepard (his rocket) as a stepping stone towards colonising space for the benefit of Earth.

"The whole point of doing this is to practice," says Bezos, who announced in February that he was donating $10bn to efforts to "preserve and protect the natural world".

"Every time we fly this tourism mission we're practicing flying the second stage of New Glenn," he added, referring to the planned reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle, which is central to his vision of ultimately moving industry off the planet.

Deepak Xavier from Oxfam International is less than impressed.

"We've now reached stratospheric inequality.

"Billionaires burning into space, away from a world of pandemic, climate change and starvation.

"Eleven people are likely now dying of hunger each minute while Bezos prepares for an 11-minute personal space flight. This is human folly, not human achievement.

'Space race' resources should be directed to help the poor and the planet says Estelle Henrys, Convenor of the Integral Ecology Committee of the Wellington Archdiocesan Ecology, Justice and Peace Commission.

Billionaires could make a huge contribution towards solving inequality throughout the world and advancing climate change research and development, she says.

"We see more hope for our future in the everyday decisions of people working to reduce our carbon footprints and poverty in our neighbourhoods.

In Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis said, "How wonderful would it be, even as we discover faraway planets, to rediscover the needs of the brothers and sisters who orbit around us".

"We need to focus on caring for God's gift of creation here on earth, rather than blasting away from it."

Henrys and Xavier's concerns are borne out by Forbes magazine, which says America's richest paid Federal income taxes of just 3.4 percent of $401 billion.

Forbes says research firm ProPublica found while the median American household earns about $70,000 per year and pays 14 percent in federal taxes each year, the Forbes '25 richest Americans' paid a "true tax rate" of just 3.4 percent on wealth growth of $401 billion between 2014 and 2018.

"Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos paid a true tax rate of 0.98 percent as his wealth grew by a staggering $99 billion between 2014 and 2018; he reported just $4.22 billion in reported income during the same period," Forbes quotes.

ProPublica also found Bezos paid no federal income tax in 2007, but added $3.8 billion to his fortune that year. He offset his $46 million income with losses from investments, deductions on debts and other expenses.

On his return from Space, Bezos thanked Amazon's workers and customers for paying for his Blue Origin space flight, however some Amazon workers said they want better pay and working conditions, not a thank you.

"He should just go to Jupiter and live his best life there," one worker told Insider.

Amazon's $1.5 billion Lord of the Rings television series to be shoot in New Zealand could mean Bezos, the world's richest man gets a fat New Zealand tax-payer subsidy.

In order to attract foreign screen productions, the New Zealand government offers a 25 per cent rebate on all money spent in New Zealand - in this case, that'll be more than $150 million.

Source

• The Guardian
• Oxfam
• Forbes
• NewsHub
• Insider
• Supplied by Integral Ecology Committee of the Archdiocese of Wellington
• Image: The New York Times

They have asked the government to purchase the disputed land.

Deacon Chris Sullivan, the Ihumatao Response Team leader says the Government needs to take the land back first.

"Because it was the Government back in 1963 that confiscated the land illegally from Maori there and caused the issue in the first place."

Sullivan says the Government has very few options.

"We see the Government has a responsibility to take action, and probably that involves putting up money."

The Commission has written a letter to the prime minister Jacinda Ardern and cabinet ministers, urging the government "to take steps in rectifying the grave injustice it committed in 1863 when it confiscated the land at Ihumatao."

They support the government's decision to invite all parties to come together to reach a long term solution for the use of the land.

The commission believes that participants in such a meeting must include the leaders of the land occupation, Save Our Unique Landscape (SOUL).

They have also suggested that police be withdrawn as requested by the Maori Council: "to promote peace and goodwill."

They think Maori wardens would be much the more appropriate keepers it there is a need.

The peace and justice group has also written a letter to the mayor of Auckland, Phil Goff and councillors of the Auckland City Council encouraging them to play a positive role in achieving a just solution at Ihumatao.

Members of the commission are appointed by the bishop of Auckland.

They are selected from convenors of committees, the diocesan pastoral council representative, the council of priests representative and Maori representatives

Source

• aucklandcatholic.org.nz
• newshub.co.nz
• aucklandcatholic.org.nz
• aucklandcatholic.org.nz
• Image: newshub.co.nz

The Commission says:

• The Budget fails to adequately address the legitimate redistribution of economic benefits by the state as discussed by Pope Francis last week in an appeal to leaders of the UN who met in Rome.
• While some attempt has been made to assist in the care of children the Budget does not creatively engage the community to raise the standards of the poorest New Zealanders.
• Initiatives to provide financial assistance for first home buyers are largely absent. For many families the desire to own their own home continues to be unattainable
• Despite New Zealand's increasing environmental footprint, the Budget does not address climate change and New Zealand's increasing rate of carbon emissions.

"It's great to see an extra $20 million going to combat New Zealand's high rate of rheumatic fever, a disease clearly associated with poverty," says Chairperson Shane Coleman. "That sort of measure and other programmes such as the increased funding for community budgeting services are to be applauded and are definitely a step in the right direction".

"Catholic agencies at the grass roots such as the Society of St Vincent de Paul and our low decile Catholic schools see the effects of poverty on a daily basis and report to us unprecedented demand for social services," Mr Coleman says.

"The Central Auckland Office of St Vincent de Paul has reported a 31% increase in demand for food parcels from the same period last year. This illustrates there is still great financial pressure on families and the basic needs of life are not being met."

"We call on the Government to continue to address the structural causes of poverty, including implementation of the recommendations of the Expert Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty."

"While the Government has taken some action in recent months, the shortage of affordable housing, both privately owned and rental housing, remains a major problem, especially in Auckland."

The Budget provides only a small increase in social housing against an ever-increasing demand. "There is an urgent need for Government to take a bolder approach and provide a significant increase in funding for social housing providers" says David Zussman, Executive of Monte Cecilia Trust.

The Commission says in this election year it challenges the Government to:

• Improve environmental sustainability,
• Work for those who live on the margins
• Put into place practical programmes to lift the standard of living for the most vulnerable in our communities and neighbourhoods.

Read full press release

Image: Stuff.co.nz

"The Catholic Church had to come out the next day with a statement saying that was wrong and they were misrepresented," Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei said.

It also was not disclosed that Mr Donegan is the electorate chairman for a National MP who is on that select committee, Pesta Sam Lotu-Iiga, National MP for Maungakiekie.

Mr Lotu-Iiga told ONE News he did not disclose this to other members of the committee.

Ms Turei said Mr Lotu-Iiga "should have told the committee that this man was his electorate secretary, and particularly given he misrepresented the submission".

Mr Lotu-Iiga said Mr Donegan probably should have disclosed his electorate role. Continue reading