New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) is working well overall, says Climate Change Issues Minister Tim Groser.

Speaking at the opening of a carbon sink forest in Marlborough owned by NZ Carbon Farming, Mr Groser says that the NZ ETS was creating the desired shift towards renewable energy and investment in forestry. There were also early signs that business was factoring the scheme into its longer-term investment decisions.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has asked the Law Commission to fast-track its recommendations for reducing the harm caused by cyber-bullying.

Ms Collins says the Government is extremely concerned about the growing incidence of this abhorrent bullying and the devastating effects it can have on young people.

“Young people’s lives are increasingly enmeshed in social media and they are particularly at risk from the significant harm that can be caused by cyber-bullying.”

People with social housing needs, including low-income, vulnerable families, are to benefit from funding administered by the Social Housing Unit (SHU).

Housing Minister Phil Heatley has announced the first tranche of funding from the Niche segment of the $37.35 million Social Housing Fund.

“This is tightly targeted funding that is carefully managed by non-government housing providers who are in a position to direct the benefit straight to people in real need,” he said.

New immigration family policies will help New Zealand attract and retain skilled migrants, and ensure that their family members can settle well and are self-sufficient, says Immigration Minister Nathan Guy.

"We are making changes to give priority to migrants who can make a real contribution to New Zealand. Overall we expect these changes will eventually save the taxpayer around $40 million a year.

Education Minister, Hekia Parata, today announced that the Ministry of Education is seeking a network services provider for the Network for Learning, an online network that will enable improved access to education resources for learners.

Suppliers are being asked to present innovative proposals to deliver network services such as internet access, firewalling, filtering and network helpdesk services.

Ms Parata says that the Government wants to ensure the Network for Learning can deliver a cost-effective solution for schools.

The government is expected to save around $60 million over the next five years after signing all-of-government procurement contracts for mobile voice and data services, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

The new contracts are part of a public-sector wide Government Procurement Reform Programme aimed at making government buying as efficient as possible and reducing costs. It includes all public sector agencies, councils and up to 2500 schools.

The Budget this month will provide $287.5 million over the next four years for the first phase of the Government’s welfare reforms to help more New Zealanders into work, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

This includes $81.5 million of additional up-front funding, with the remainder reprioritised funding from within Social Development.

The second phase of reforms will be funded in Budget 2013. The entire welfare package is expected to cost at least $520 million and it will save $1 billion over four years.

Revenue Minister Peter Dunne today launched Inland Revenue’s new mobile web application that will allow people to manage more of their tax and social policy entitlements on the move.

“The app will offer a faster and simpler service for accessing and maintaining contact details and viewing account information,” he said.

The Household Labour Force Survey released today underlines the gradual, steady growth in the number of jobs, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce says.

The HLFS for March 2012 shows an increase in the number of people employed with 9000 new jobs in the quarter, the highest labour force participation rate in three years, but also the unemployment rate lifting from 6.4 per cent to 6.7 per cent.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has welcomed a new report that provides wide-ranging insights into the food and beverage industry.

“The Food and Beverage Information Project’s Industry Snapshot is the definitive outline of the state of the industry in New Zealand,” Mr Joyce says.

Workplace health and safety will get a $37 million boost over the next four years, Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has announced.

In addition, Ms Wilkinson has ordered a full review of New Zealand’s health and safety system by an independent taskforce to ensure it is fit-for-purpose.

“Too many New Zealanders are injured or killed at work. People have a right to know that when they leave for work in the morning, they will be coming home safe and well at the end of the day,” Ms Wilkinson says.