SPCS

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY STANDARDS INC.

High rate of chlamydia in teens

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Staggeringly high” rates of chlamydia have been reported among New Zealand teenage girls.

A report by Environmental Science and Research (ESR) was the first time data was collated from every laboratory in the country on people tested, as well as the number of new sexually transmitted infection (STI) cases found.

It found 5064 cases of chlamydia per 100,000 population in teenage girls aged 15 and over.

This was a “staggeringly high” rate, the report authors said.

Because only six per cent of teenage boys were tested for STIs, compared to 35 per cent of teenage girls, the real number of men with chlamydia was likely higher. [Read more…]

David Ross – convicted fraudster: loses jail term appeal

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David Ross, the man behind the single biggest fraud in New Zealand’s history, has lost his bid to have his “unreasonably crushing” minimum jail term reduced.

In November Ross, 64, was jailed for 10 years and 10 months for operating a fraudulent scheme in which private investors lost about $115 million.

His company, Ross Asset Management, fleeced at least 700 investors through portfolios in which they thought they had more than $380m.

For full story see: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/10199187/David-Ross-loses-jail-term-appeal

Society pleased NZ may soon ratify UN Convention Against Corruption

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The Society for Promotion of Community Standards Inc is delighted that the Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Bill tabled in the House today by the Minister of Justice, Hon. Judith Collins, which will crack down on corruption, organised crime and bribery in New Zealand, would allow New Zealand, once it is passed, to ratify the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

The Society notes that The Integrity Plus 2013 New Zealand National Integrity System Assessment, a landmark report that was released by Transparency International New Zealand (TINZ) on International Anti-Corruption Day, 9 December 2013 “reveals that serious and urgent action is needed to protect and extend integrity in New Zealand. Recent incidents and investigations of corruption, and increasing public concern, provide a compelling case for a more pro-active approach to these issues” (see www.tranparency.org.nz). SPCS is a bronze-level member of TINZ. [Read more…]

Government unveils new anti-corruption law changes

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Justice Minister Judith Collins has unveiled a range of law changes to crack down on corruption, organised crime and bribery in New Zealand.

The minister tabled the Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Legislation Bill in Parliament this afternoon.

It includes requirements for banks to report international transactions, new identity theft offences, and harsher penalties for private sector bribery and corruption offences.

Mrs Collins said the changes would give law enforcement agencies more power to deal with organised crime and corruption, and would help New Zealand fulfil its international obligations.

“New Zealand is consistently regarded as one of the least corrupt countries in the world. However we cannot afford to be complacent — we must remain vigilant,” she said.

If the bill passed into law, banks and financial institutions would have to help Government detect money-laundering by reporting all international wire transfers of more than $1000 and all physical cash transactions of more than $10,000 to the police’s Financial Intelligence Unit. [Read more…]

Shell company crackdown imminent

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A long-awaited crackdown on New Zealand shell companies is finally expected to come into force tonight when Parliament votes to ammend the Companies Act.

The Companies Amendment Bill (No 4) will require all New Zealand-registered companies to have a local director, and all directors to file identifying information to the registrar of companies, including the company’s ultimate owner, and their date and place of birth.

Parallel legislation requiring limited partnerships to have practically identical residency requirements, the Limited Partnerships Amendment Bill (No 2), will also receive its third reading tonight.

The new law’s genesis came from revelations in early 2010 that a New Zealand-registered company, SP Trading, had leased a plane loaded with 35 tonnes of guns and explosives that was later intercepted in Bangkok trying to smuggle the arms from North Korea to Iran.

Since the SP Trading story broke, generating considerable international media attention, media have discovered widespread use of New Zealand shell companies for illegal activities including the laundering of drug-sale proceeds, the looting of Eastern European state coffers, and international financial scams.

[Read more…]