Newsline Extra: Nethui, TSO Review, Callaghan, GST and more

Newsline Extra: Nethui, TSO Review, Callaghan, GST and more

Welcome to the all-new Newsline Extra, a brief weekly roundup of some of the tech news from around New Zealand and what we've been up to. As well as the regular jam-packed Newsline on Tuesday afternoons, Newsline Extra will humbly grace your inbox on Fridays to keep you up to speed on what's happening around the traps.

So what happened this week? Read on!

What we've been up to

Another big week for IITP, with significant progress underway on the IT Qualifications Review being co-led with NZQA. Consultation on the proposed landscape closes today - so if you want to have your say on the future of IT Qualifications you need to get in quick. Details here.

The Institute also met with IRD again to discuss the $1.5B transformational project (we've been meeting regularly since last year to ensure the IT Profession's voice is heard), engaged with the Ministry of Education on the new Vocational Pathways project and the implications on ICT, amongst other Government engagement in a busy week. Lots happening!

We've also been reshaping how we approach our many projects and activities and are on the lookout for a new Administrative Assistant to join our busy Wellington team. We'll also be looking to appoint part-time regional coordinators to assist our branch committees in some of our regions shortly as a reflection of the Institute's increased activities in recent times.

And don't forget, the Call for Papers is on for the IITP National Conference in Tauranga, October 23-25 this year. if you're interested in heading along and presenting, we would very much welcome your ideas. Just pop a response in - there's no obligation.

NetHui

The week kicked off with the third annual InternetNZ NetHui, this time in Wellington, amidst widespread concern about the power given (or taken) by spy agencies. 400-500 attended and it was an excellent event.

On Wednesday, as the Law and Order select committee was hearing submissions on the Telecommunications (Interception Capability and Security) Bill, Laurence Millar led a session entitled State Surveillance of Online Communications. On the panel was former director of the Government Communications Security Bureau, Sir Bruce Ferguson, Cloud consultant Ian Apperley, solicitor Michael Wigley, and security, comparative and international politics expert Dr Paul Buchanan.

You can find full video of the session at Scoop.

International Keynote Quinn Norton was outstanding. The video doesn't appear to be online yet, but you can see a brief writeup from Bill Bennett here.

And more on Stuff: Koru Club where secrets are spilled

Coverage of other NetHui sessions here. A big ups to InternetNZ for making Nethui another success.

TSO review

Will dial-up, the white pages telephone directory, 'free' local calling and fax machines finally be relegated to history? This week ICT Minister Amy Adams released a discussion paper on the future of the Telecommunications Service Obligation, which was last updated in 2001.

Somewhat predictably, Telecom is welcoming the review.

Parliament: TSO discussion document released
Stuff: Telco review signals end of dial-up days
NBR: 'Old Tyme' telecoms regulations review

Callaghan Innovation

"Bigger by Big" and "Go for Growth" are catchphrases the High Value Manufacturing and Services sector need to adopt, according to Callaghan Innovation.

The government agency released its statement of intent to June 30 2016 this week. Callaghan is a merger of Industrial Research Ltd and the business grants division of the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment and has an annual budget of around $240 million and 400 employees.

Callaghan: Callaghan provides roadmap for lifting innovation
NBR: New innovation agency stakes out its ground
StickNZ: Callaghan Innovation taxis to the startup of the commercialisation runway

GST on online purchases?

The issue of GST on online purchases from overseas reared it's head again this week. This is not a new issue and the logic says that if bricks-and-mortar companies based in NZ have to collect GST on everything bought instore, and those selling into New Zealand from overseas don't, then there's an unfair advantage (whether we like being able to purchase stuff online for an immediate 15% "discount" or not!).

The logic is sound, but the answer isn't so easy. We understand the cost of collecting GST on an item is reported to be around $34, so collecting $2.33 on your new backup phone charger from Deal Extreme doesn't make a lot of economic sense.

Stuff reports on the thought of having credit card companies act as tax collectors - running on the (false) assumption that everything bought overseas fits within the GST definitions and legislation. Another option is moving to a US-style system where all purchases need to be personally declared. The big issue, of course, is the fact that it's too much hassle. The cost outweighs the benefit, however at what point does having a fairer tax system for NZ companies weigh in.

What is clear is that the compliance cost of doing something in this space is massive. The only real answer to a level playing field is quite possibly a comprehensive review of the tax system and consideration of removing GST altogether, but the downstream implications are too significant for this to be a realistic option.

Call us cynical, but don't expect to see a solution anytime soon.

In other news…

Computerworld, PC World and Reseller News returned online in new clothing - good stuff!

The Technical Communicators Association of NZ is also seeking interested participants for a series of workshops with Dr Neil James, the Executive Director of the Plain English Foundation in Australia. Contact them directly (at the link above) if you're interested.

So what do you think?

This was the first Newsline Extra - so what do you think? Should we keep sending these out to keep you up to speed on what's happening, or is it just another email you're not going to read? Let us know! We really want to hear from you.

Have a great weekend from all of us at IITP!

ENDS

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