Prime Minister Helen Clark said the government has listed Jemaah Islamiyah as a terrorist organisation under new counter-terrorism legislation enacted this month. The designation follows a decision by the United Nations Security Council on 25 October, at the request of Australia and a number of co-sponsoring countries including New Zealand and Indonesia, to identify Jemaah Islamiyah as a terrorist group. It takes effect immediately for a period of three years, unless extended. The decision to designate Jemaah Islamiyah was taken under Section 22 of the Terrorism Suppression Act, which came into force on 17 October. Helen Clark said Jemaah Islamiyah has no known presence in New Zealand but designating it as a terrorist entity will serve to deter New Zealanders from becoming inadvertently involved in its activities. It will also make it an offence to participate in the Jemaah Islamiyah group, recruit members, provide or collect funds, make property or financial services available to this group, Helen Clark said. Jemaah Islamiyah is an extremist Islamic organisation with established links to Al-Qaida.

A service of remembrance will be held next week for the victims of the Bali bombings, said Prime Minister Helen Clark. The service will be held at Wellington's Cathedral of St Paul, Hill St on Wednesday (November 6) at 12.15pm. Arrangements are being made for families of the victims who are able to attend. It is expected that the Governor- General, the Prime Minister, Ministers and MPs, the High Commissioners of Australia and Britain, and the Charge d'Affairs of Indonesia will take part in the service, along with children from Wellington schools. Members of the public are invited to attend. Helen Clark said the bombing in Bali was a callous act of terror against innocent people and against humanity. The service will remember the New Zealanders who lost their lives, as well as those of all nations who were killed, and those who were injured or are still missing. It will give New Zealanders an opportunity to show solidarity with grieving families and friends, and all those who have been injured and traumatised by this event, Helen Clark said.

Health Minister Annette King has outlined why she is not intervening in the strike action by Auckland hospital radiographers. Ms King said it would be technically possible under Section 32 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act for the Government to decide to direct District Health Boards to seek arbitration in any industrial dispute. However, she said such a direction could clearly be challenged on the basis that it cut across a DHB's statutory decision-making ability under the Employment Relations Act. The ERA clearly states that all agreements must be voluntary and ratified by the parties to the agreement. Ms King said it would also be incredibly foolhardy for any responsible minister to embark on such a precedent, which signaled DHBs could await a Minister's directive when agreement couldn't be reached on an industrial issue. No Health Minister in recent times has ever become involved in such matters. Ms King said she was continuing to monitor the situation and her primary concern is that safe emergency services are in place. She said the Auckland board and the Ministry of Health assure her that is the case.

A draft government strategy released by ACC Minister Ruth Dyson this week for public consultation aims to prevent injuries and develop a safety culture in New Zealand. Ruth Dyson said it is a disgrace that there are about 1,600 deaths from injuries and 42,000 hospitalisations in New Zealand each year, when most injuries and their consequences are preventable. The combined social and economic costs of injuries are estimated at up to seven billion dollars a year. The focus of the strategy is on preventive measures to reduce new injuries and the severity of injuries that do occur. These measures include safety education, enforcement of safety laws and regulations, and creating environments that reduce the likelihood of injuries occurring. Workshops on the strategy will be held around the country during November and December. Written submissions close in January. Once the strategy is finalised, ACC will develop an implementation plan in cooperation with key government agencies and other organisations.

Secondary teachers will soon have access to laptop computers for around $7 a week under a leasing scheme to improve learning outcomes. Education Minister Trevor Mallard said the Government has committed $6.5 million per year to this scheme, enabling around 9,000 secondary teachers to have the opportunity to benefit. The objective of the scheme is to encourage teachers to develop greater confidence and competence in the use of ICT for teaching and learning, class management and administration. Mr Mallard said the Government is committed to increasing the use of ICT in schools to help improve student achievement and teaching practice.

The Police vehicle fleet is to receive a boost following a Cabinet decision to commit $16.8m to the 2002/03 police vehicle replacement programme. Police Minister George Hawkins said the GST-inclusive figure represents an increase of around $230,000 on the 2001/02 capital expenditure allocation. The funding should allow the purchase of around 484 new vehicles, equivalent to about 19 percent of the current fleet, Mr Hawkins said. This will assist with significant modernisation of the police fleet. At the end of the 2002/03 replacement programme, vehicles with odometers reading more than 100,000km should fall from around 55 percent of the fleet currently to about 37 percent, Mr Hawkins said.

New Zealand will continue its military support to East Timor with up to 26 NZDF personnel providing specialised support after New Zealand's battalion is withdrawn this month. The group will be made up of staff officers, United Nations Military Observers (UNMOs), and trainers to the East Timor Defence Force, F-FDTL. Minister of Defence Mark Burton announced the decision, recently approved by Cabinet. He said he was New Zealand was providing continuing support to the Pacific's newest nation. East Timor faces a myriad of economic and social challenges in recovering from years of conflict, including infrastructure development, matters of law and order, and military training. The contributions made by the remaining NZDF personnel will be of real assistance in addressing some of these issues, said Mark Burton.

Ten New Zealand police officers departed New Zealand this week as part of a three-year programme to help restore law and order in the Solomon Islands, said Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff and Police Minister George Hawkins. The officers are taking part in a project in which New Zealand will work in partnership with the Solomon Islands Government to rebuild policing capacity in that country. This complements police assistance provided by Australia and the United Kingdom. Mr Goff said the assistance is an important component in restoring peace and stability in the country. New Zealand Police officers will provide mentoring and on-the-job training to Royal Solomon Islands Police officers who are working in frontline policing and criminal investigations.

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