Implementing the growth and innovation strategy
$35 million plus in 2002-03 on industry and regional
development initiatives.
[The money was allocated in
Budget 2000 and comes on stream in this budget.]
Key
features include:
- A major push to attract investment.
- Around $8 million to support the biotechnology,
creative industries and ICT taskforces.
- An internet
broadband initiative. [Also features in the education
package.]
- Increased support for cluster development
among businesses.
Research, Science and
Technology.
- $33.5 million over four years to the
Marsden Fund and the New Economy Research Fund.
- $15.6
million over four years to accelerate the uptake of new
technology by New Zealand firms.
- $6.3 million a year
for four years to support research partnerships.
- $5
million over three years for Science, Mathematics and
Technology Teacher Fellowships.
- Major new research
project co-funded with the Wellcome Trust on the health of
Pacific peoples.
$146 million over four years to the
Inland Revenue Department.
- $124.8 million to improve
enforcement.
- $17 million to fund work into reducing tax
compliance costs for small and medium enterprises.
- $4.2
million into new debt and hardship rules.
Improving the
business regulatory environment.
- $7.73 million over
four years for the Securities Commission
- $1.61 million
over two years toward reducing business compliance
costs
- $1.1 million over four years to the Accounting
Standards Review Board.
Pre-releases.
$44.3 million for
programmes to assist Maori development. [Voted in previous
budgets, released in this budget.]
$320,000 to help fund
Business in the Community and Company Rebuilders – two
voluntary mentoring organisations.
Tourism package:
$1.31 million to assist Tourism New Zealand to establish and
operate a new office in India; $632,000 to further develop
New Zealand's Visitor Information Network; and $220,000 for
new research into the development of cultural tourism.
[Money allocated last year, comes on stream this
year.]
$11.6 million over four years to develop better
data on skills needs in the economy.