The National Party has suggested scrapping the fees-free policy and replacing it with a scheme like KiwiSaver to pay for tertiary education; and the spat between Labour and NZ First minsters over Indian arranged marriages may have moved behind closed doors but it is no closer to resolution.
1.New South Wales fire crews are bracing for the impact of wind gusts from a southerly change, a day after 300 new fires sparked across the state. The fires have left at least three people dead and destroyed more than 850,000 hectares in recent days.
2.The National Party has suggested scrapping the fees-free policy and replacing it with a scheme like KiwiSaver to pay for tertiary education.Other proposals being floated in a discussion document out today are to instead offer student loan write-offs or to make the final year of study free, rather than the first.
3.A mysterious foundation that loans money to New Zealand First is under scrutiny, with a university law professor saying although it’s lawful, it fails to provide the transparency voters need in a democracy.Records show New Zealand First has disclosed three loans from the New Zealand First Foundation. In 2017, it received $73,000. Then in 2018, it received a separate loan of $76,622, in what the Electoral Commission says was a loan executed to “replace the first loan”. In 2019, it received another loan for $44,923.
4. The spat between Labour and NZ First minsters over Indian arranged marriages may have moved behind closed doors but it is no closer to resolution.
5. Hong Kong’s rule of law has been pushed to the “brink of total collapse” after more than five months of protests, police have warned.The warning came a day after the territory saw a marked escalation in violence, with police shooting one activist in the torso.
6.The Justice Minster is dismissing the Privacy Commissioners recommendation that the Terrorism Suppression Bill not proceed.
7.Bus drivers from Go Bus’ East Tamaki and Airport bus depots have gone on strike over unpaid, compulsory three-hour breaks in the middle of their shifts.The 112 drivers walked off the job at 4am and will strike for 24 hours.
