Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne have announced a list of twelve telecommunications providers who have been selected to provide telecommunications and managed security services to Government.

Government agencies will be able to easily select the suppliers and services they want based on their business needs. The All of Government contract will save taxpayers at least $20-$30 million within the first two years

A series of drugs that pose a serious health risk will soon be subject to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975.

Associate Minister of Health, Peter Dunne, says he has accepted an expert recommendation to schedule three of the NBOMe family of substances as Class B1 drugs.

“Earlier this year the World Health Organization considered reviews of these three substances, and found they were an especially serious risk to public health and society, were of no recognised therapeutic use, and were being manufactured clandestinely.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne has announced that the present subsidy for children’s passports will continue with the move to 10-year passports.

From 30 November the price of all standard adult passports issued in New Zealand will be $180 and child passports will be $105 (including GST). That is a 42 per cent subsidy from the adult fee, the same as currently in place for a five-year passport.

The fee for a standard 10-year adult passport will be around $90 cheaper than the fee for two five-year passports.

Associate Minister of Health Peter Dunne is welcoming the launch today of an ‘airline-style’ patient safety card and video. The resources are available to all New Zealand hospitals. Mr Dunne says the airline industry leads the way on safety and the resources echo the industry’s simple way of ensuring people know how to stay safe.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has noted with interest news from Australia today that Health Minister Susan Ley will introduce legislation that will allow for research and development of medicinal cannabis products at a federal level.

"While I have yet to see the detail of the proposal, from what I have read it looks like a positive development for furthering the science in this field. I will certainly be seeking further information on the proposed legislation and looking at how New Zealanders suffering from certain medical conditions may be able to benefit from it.

Law changes contained in Gambling Amendment Bill (No.3) passed by Parliament today will help fulfil the purposes of the Gambling Act 2003 says Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne.

“The main purpose of the Gambling Act is to ensure that money from gambling benefits the community. There are large sums of money at stake here and it’s important that we get a good system and that the proceeds that are raised from gambling go where they are meant to. The passing of the Gambling Amendment Bill (No 3) helps to achieve that purpose.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne today welcomed the passage of the Passports Amendment Bill (No 2), which will enable adult New Zealanders to be issued with a passport that is valid for 10 years instead of the existing five year validity period. The new 10-year passport will be available in approximately six weeks from 30 November 2015.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne has announced a number of decisions affecting the gambling sector.

Mr Dunne told the Hospitality NZ conference in Nelson today while he was increasing some gambling operators’ fees and reviewing the minimum amount that gambling trusts must return to the community from class 4 gaming machines, he was also looking to a wider review of the sector. Mr Dunne said the government is concerned at the decline in gross proceeds from gaming machines over the past 10 years.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne today announced the reappointment of four members of the New Zealand Fire Service Commission until 31 March 2016.

The Rt Hon Wyatt Creech will continue as Chair of the Commission for another six months and David McFarlane as Deputy Chair. Rangi Wills and Angela Hauk-Willis will also continue to serve until 31 March 2016.

Mr Dunne has been leading a public consultation on changes to New Zealand’s fire services and will seek a Cabinet decision later this year on how fire services would be managed, delivered and funded.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has welcomed a joint initiative between the Ministry of Health, ACC and St John on a new electronic Patient Report Form (ePRF) technology. The ePRF will give Ambulance officers access to better patient information, including details of any previous ambulance call-outs, which could make the difference between having to go to hospital or being able to stay at home. 

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne today announced 21 appointments across the Lottery Grants Board and 11 Lottery distribution committees.

There are three new members and 18 reappointments.

Lottery Distribution Committees make grants for community purposes, using money allocated by the Lottery Grants Board from the profits of New Zealand lotteries.  There are nine national committees focused on particular themes or issues and 11 regional committees with a general community focus.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne today announced three new appointments to the Guardians Kaitiaki of the Alexander Turnbull Library.

The Guardians role is to advise the Minister on key matters associated with the operation of the Alexander Turnbull Library.

“I am pleased to announce that I am appointing Dr Aroha Harris, Dr Sydney Shep and Dr Jock Phillips for three-year terms. I am privileged to have the opportunity to bring together such a well-qualified group of skilled people to continue the work of the Guardians Kaitiaki”.

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne today announced three new appointments to the Library and Information Advisory Commission (LIAC).

“I am pleased to announce that I am appointing Brian Morris, Dr Judith Johnston and David Reeves for three-year terms. I believe their wealth of experience will be of great benefit to LIAC”, said Mr Dunne.

“I am also reappointing Carolyn Robertson and Helen Tait for further three-year terms. I am appreciative of the strong contribution these members have already brought to LIAC”.

The 2015-2020 National Drug Policy has been launched at Parliament today by Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne. 

The Policy sets the Government’s approach to minimise harm from alcohol and other drugs for the next five years.

“Alcohol and drug issues are first and foremost health issues, so it is crucial that our response be focused on minimising harm,” said Mr Dunne. 

“We need to be compassionate, innovative and proportionate.” 

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne today announced the reappointments of Graeme Reeves as the Chief Gambling Commissioner, and Wendie Harvey and Russell Bell as Gambling Commissioners to the Gambling Commission.

Mr Dunne said the reappointment of all three Commissioners would retain valuable governance experience and skills during a period of significant projects for the Commission.