Aussie field trip to look at child poverty efforts

Members of the Maori select committee inquiry into child poverty are taking a field trip to Australia. Labour MP Parekura Horomia will lead the eight-member delegation. They leave on Monday and will visit Sydney, Canberra and Alice Springs.

They hope to look at the efforts of government and non-governmental groups to support indigenous Australian children. The trip is part of the annual joint select committee exchange programme.

Clock ticks on emissions targets, says Green MP

The Government is running out of time to set a new post-Kyoto emissions target, Green MP Kennedy Graham says. The first five-year period ends on December 31 and the National-led Government has yet to set a target beyond that, other than the overall goal of having emissions 10 to 20 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020.

New Zealand's aim for the first five years was to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels on average.

Under-6s to get free after-hours accident care

Under 6-year-olds who get injured will get free access to after-hours medical care, ACC Minister Judith Collins announced yesterday. Free after-hours doctor visits will be extended to visits covered by ACC and should be in place by December 19.

"Parents shouldn't be put off taking their young children to the doctor because of the cost," Ms Collins said. The rate paid to providers will increase by $5 to $59.25 for consultations up to 20 minutes.

Lobbyist bill could have 'chilling effect' on House

Another nail may have been hammered in the coffin of Green MP Holly Walker's Lobbying Disclosure Bill after Clerk of the House of Representatives Mary Harris told a select committee it could have a "chilling effect" on the way Parliament operates.

Ms Harris said one of the strengths of New Zealand's parliamentary system was its openness. The bill sets up a register of lobbyists and a code of conduct but has been criticised for casting its net too widely.

- © Fairfax NZ News