10 March 2009 - Labour law and order spokesperson Clayton Cosgrove says he agrees with Prime Minister John Key that Corrections head Barry Matthews needs to set high standards, but Mr Key should be demanding similar standards from Corrections Minister Judith Collins.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins has established an award to recognise newly graduated Corrections Officers who have demonstrated outstanding achievement during their training.

Prime Minister John Key has congratulated Don McKinnon on his appointment as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO).

ACC Minister Nick Smith today announced the appointment of former Ernst & Young Chief Executive John Judge as the new chair of the board of ACC replacing Ross Wilson.

The Government's besmirching of ACC board members is unjustified and it should come clean on the real political motives behind its decision to sack them, says Labour ACC spokesman David Parker.

A new programme between New Zealand and China will open the door to exchanges for promising researchers.

"Why is the government planning to have private companies run our prisons when all the evidence shows this will cost taxpayers more and provide a worse service?" asks Public Service Association National Secretary Richard Wagstaff Corrections Minister Judith Collins says steps are being taken to e

"By sacking Ross Wilson as chair of the ACC board the government is opening the way for it to privatise accident compensation," says Public Service Association National Secretary Richard Wagstaff.

The Public Service Association is pleased that the State Services Commissioner has announced that Corrections Chief Executive Barry Matthews will keep his job.

A bill to close a potential legal loophole and prevent fraudulent debts from being written off was introduced to Parliament today by Commerce Minister Simon Power.