Paul talks about the concentration of the National-led Government on the economy and some of the milestone gains we have made so far in making New Zealand a better place to live. He goes on to talk about gains in the war on 'P' and events happening in the electorate and the importance of a rural voice on the new Auckland City Council.

Colin talks about the Freedom of Association Bill - affecting the payment of fees to student associations - and the Government's new actions to curb alcohol abuse inNew Zealand. He encourages viewers to make submissions on the alcohol legislation as it makes its way through Committee to the Floor. For more information on the proposed alcohol abuse legislation and extensive background papers, follow this link 
 

Louise talks about the Government's newly proposed legislative initiative to combat alcohol abuse in New Zealand. For more information on the proposed alcohol reform legislation and extensive background papers, click here and for the quick quide National Party "one pager" at
http://www.national.org.nz/web/alcohol_onepager.pdf. In the electorate, Louise talks about the Taupo 'rebranding' as Great Lake Taupo and the campaign to pronouce Taupo (toe-paw) correctly. In the northern part of the electorate she talks about the "Cambridge Section" development and the NZTA presentation of what's coming www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/cambridge/

Nicky Wagner welcomes National’s plans to address alcohol-related harm through a comprehensive alcohol law reform package.

"This package responds to the Law Commission’s ground-up review of New Zealand’s alcohol laws and adopts in full, or in part, 126 of the Commission’s 153 recommendations, as well as making other changes," Nicky Wagner says.

"Alcohol is estimated to contribute to 1000 deaths a year, and is a major driver of crime, being implicated in 30 per cent of all police recorded offences, 34 per cent of recorded family violence, and 50 per cent of all homicides.

"The statistics can’t be ignored and clearly show a problem with alcohol that must be addressed."

"What we’ve heard from the public is that the pendulum has swung too far towards the relaxation of alcohol laws.

"The public want the Government to address the imbalance that has crept in. They want more say about alcohol availability in their communities. The Government’s alcohol law reform package responds to the public’s call for action.

"Our package focuses on minimising alcohol related-harm, including crime, disorder, and public health problems, and zeros in on where harm is occurring – particularly around youth.

"This package is a starting point for Parliament’s consideration of our alcohol laws and we will listen carefully to the public through the select committee process. Information about making a submission can be found at www.parliament.nz

"We hope to introduce legislation to Parliament in October and plan to pass legislation into law before the end of this parliamentary term."

Further information can be found on the Ministry of Justice website at www.justice.govt.nz and on the Beehive website at www.beehive.govt.nz

 

Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye says she will table an amendment to the Government’s proposed alcohol reform legislation seeking to keep the alcohol purchase age at 18.

Yesterday, the Government announced its alcohol reform package including measures to reduce alcohol-related harm. These include a split purchase-age proposal, where people must be 18 to drink in bars but 20 to buy from an off-licence. The Minister of Justice announced that the split purchase-age proposal will be dealt with as a conscience vote by National MPs.

Ms Kaye says that she supports the proposed alcohol reforms as a balanced package that will help control alcohol supply, reduce demand, and limit alcohol-related problems, but she feels very strongly that increasing the purchase age is an ineffective tool to combat youth binge drinking.

“On principle, I believe that if someone can be elected to Parliament, get married or join the army, then they should be able to buy a bottle of wine at a bottle store.

“Lifting the purchase age would be ineffective at tackling binge drinking – an issue that affects a much wider cross section of our society than just 18 and 19 year olds.”

Ms Kaye believes that the right approach is one of shared responsibility. She says that if we are serious about changing the culture of binge drinking we must ask the question why people are drinking to excess.

“I am pleased to see Government initiatives restricting supply of alcohol to under 18 year olds and making those who supply alcohol to youth responsible for their actions. These measures will make a difference to youth binge drinking – something the split purchase age will not do.”

Ms Kaye intends tabling an amendment to the proposed alcohol reform legislation after it has been introduced.

 

The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to Kiwibank, agreeing to provide an uncalled capital facility to NZ Post so Kiwibank can continue to grow, Nicky Wagner says.

“This is welcome news and helps ensure a competitive retail banking market in New Zealand,” Nicky Wagner says.

The uncalled capital is a vital plank in maintaining an AA- credit rating. The rating is needed if Kiwibank is to compete with the four main Australian banks, and expand into new sectors such as business banking. The bank has attracted more than 700,000 customers in eight years.

NZ Post will be able to call on the capital only in certain circumstances, such as Kiwibank experiencing a substantial shock event beyond its own resources and beyond the resources of its parent.

“The Government is confident this will give NZ Post and Kiwibank the financial certainty they need to pursue their growth plans,” Nicky Wagner says.

“This support from the Government is a step in the right direction for economic recovery.”



 

Simon talks about his electorate activities over the recess and what's on the agenda now that Parliament is back in session. He outlines his plan to initiate a series of morning teas with senior citizens in his electorate and talks about his inclinations on the upcoming decision MPs will be asked to make in a conscience vote on alcohol use.

Cam talks about activities in the electorate over the recess, with special emphasis on the government's initiatives to combat alcohol abuse. He goes on to talk about the upcoming opening of his office in Manurewa.

The NZTA Open Day was a great community success believes Taupo MP Louise Upston.

“A large number of Cambridge residents came out to learn more about the Cambridge Section of the Waikato Expressway.” Says Louise, “I’m excited to see the community support this project.”

The Waikato Expressway will provide 102km of continuous divided four-lane highway. The Cambridge Section will reduce travelling times through the area and will provide a key transport corridor, connecting the Waikato with Auckland and the Bay of Plenty.

“The Expressway and specifically the Cambridge Section will greatly benefit the people of Cambridge” says Louise.

The Cambridge Section will link the Tamahere section of the Expressway to the existing SH1 south of Cambridge, improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists as well as reduce traffic noise and congestion through the town.

“NZTA have worked hard to make sure the information is available to all residents – the posters and hand out materials worked really well at the open day” says Louise.

The feedback collected by NZTA at the open day will help the project team to finalise the resource consent applications later this year.

For further information about the Expressway contact the Cambridge electorate office on 07 8275572 or visit www.nzta.govt.nz

I’m delighted for Central Otago apple growers that the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Panel had found firmly in favour of New Zealand. The positive resolution to this on-going saga will mean much to the apple growers of this region. It has been a long time coming – but at last we have a positive resolution.

I am hopeful this decision will signal an end to the debate and we will finally see our kiwi growers being able to get on with the job of exporting their apples across the Tasman. Growers have sought access to Australia since 1986 - a long 24 years but they will now be feeling the fight has been worth it. Access to Australia could be worth millions to apple growers in the Central Otago region and has a potential to turn their industry around.

On another positive note I am also pleased with our Government’s new system for setting rents for high country crown pastoral land least. I have also been reassured by the Minister of Agriculture David Carter the new approach is not only fairer, but simpler to administer and will allow farmers to get on with the job of farming rather than fight bureaucracy.
It also means farmers are not going to be charged extra just because their sheep had a view. The new system will see rents based on the earning capacity of each farm, something which up until now has been ignored, with farmers charged extra for views and amenity values.

Busy times
Hello everybody. And we thought winter was just about over! It’s been a busy two weeks with a number of legislature matters emerging including some of concern to the Waitaki.  There has also been the ongoing but very important Southern neurosurgery issue.  On top of this, last Monday I also managed to visit the northern half of our electorate.  On that trip I was briefly reminded as an MP of the need to double –check everything!

At Geraldine I parked at a school bus-stop in my “truck.”  I was sure I parked in the times permitted but when I emerged from a meeting I saw two school buses on the stop blocking my highly identifiable vehicle. For a brief moment all I could I see ahead was the next day’s newspaper front page pictures highlighting the moment.  Fortunately, my agony ended when a gentlemanly driver emerged to tell me he would ‘move his bus in two sec’s’ and to apologise for blocking my car. Hiding any hint of my concern I thanked him and told him to take his time.... in a voice a couple of notes higher than usual! 
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Fighting to keep our neurosurgery service
As most people will know I am fully behind the retention of neurosurgical services here in the South. In support of this what I have discovered are the recent heavy workloads of the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust.   Last month the rescue trust experienced what was the busiest day in its 11-year history, when its’ helicopter conducted six rescue trips, over 1934km, including four to Wanaka, one to Dunstan Hospital and one to Ranfurly.

While none of the emergencies related to head injury the call-outs highlight show how essential it is for there to be access to health services to meet the ever-increasing needs of Otago and particularly, the Central Otago communities. When we have an emergency helicopter service making six rescue missions in one day, it sends a pretty clear message ours is a region that needs access to health services as close at hand as possible.

We have people living in these areas which at times can be quite isolated. We need to have health services in place to meet their demands and to do it in a time frame in which lives are saved – not lost.The majority of the rescue trust’s missions relate to accidents – that is the nature of the Central Otago region, with its adventure tourism, ski fields and challenging roads. In my opinion, this reinforces the need for neurosurgery services to remain in a centrally located position at Dunedin. A shift in neurosurgery services to Christchurch will likely jeopardise lives and disadvantage the people of this region.
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High Country leases
Last week I also sought reassurances from Agricultural Minister David Carter over the Government’s new system for setting rents for high country crown pastoral land leases. I did so as I wanted to know the new system would provide a fairer approach to high country pastoral leases. Mr Carter told me the new approach was not only fairer, but simpler to administer and would allow farmers to get on with the job of farming rather than fighting bureaucracy.

It would also mean farmers were not going to be charged extra just because their sheep had a view, which was indeed the cornerstone of the formula implemented by the last Labour Government.
The minister told me the new system will see rents based on the earning capacity of each farm, something that up until now has been ignored.
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Easter Shopping Bill
My Bill to liberalise Easter trading laws in the Waitaki electorate is to simply allow communities the freedom already enjoyed in both Queenstown and Taupo to open at Easter. Earlier this week my bill was drawn from the ballot at Parliament and already, and I must say, not unexpectedly, the retail workers’ union claim staff would be forced to work.  Nothing could be further from the truth. Staff will be given the choice to work.

Rather than being forced to do businesses, as the retail workers’ union suggests, retailers are looking forward to when they can legally allow shoppers to visit their premises and shop over Easter. I have the support of retailers from around the region who tell me that in this current economic environment the freedom to open at Easter is exactly what is needed. My bill is all about choice and meeting the needs of communities in my electorate.
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 Getting involved in your community
It’s local government election time and I urge all Waitaki residents to have their say by voting this October. I also support those standing to represent their communities but be quick as it’s only just over a week until registration closes.  And for those still undecided I say why not give it a go.
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Welcome visitor
Simon Bridges, MP for Tauranga will be in Oamaru on Friday, August 27 as guest speaker at a National Party Breakfast function, Kingsgate Brydone from 7.15 to 8.30am. The cost to attend including the hotel’s famous big ‘brekkie’ is $22 per person. Later at 10.00, Simon will address my Friday Forum in the Ink Box (a room), at the Oamaru Opera House.  If you would like to attend one, or both of these events please RSVP by August 25 to 03434-7325. Simon is deputy chair of the Justice and Electoral Committee, the Maori Affairs select committee and the Auckland Governance select committee. I’d love to see you there.
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Congratulations and Well Done to:

The Lake Tekapo Starlight Reserve team for their bid to get World Heritage recognition for the reserve. UNESCO is to now launch a study into the creation of the area as the world’s first night time starlight reserve.
Peg Borlase on achieving Emeritus status from the Oamaru Altrusa Club and District Fifteen NZ.
The team behind the Maniototo Curling international’s rink - five years old and still growing.

Diary:
Aug 13: Waimate/Timaru clinic
Aug 14: Lake Tekapo Footbridge fundraiser
Aug 17: Parliament
Aug 18: Parliament
Aug 19: Parliament
Aug 20: Southern Regional Conference, Dunedin

The ‘Home for Life’ support package will provide New Zealand children in care with the security and love they deserve, says Johnsonville based National List MP Katrina Shanks.

“There are more than 5,000 children in State care at any given time and the National-led Government is determined to remove any barrier to finding them a permanent, stable home” Mrs Shanks says.

“I believe that all children deserve a secure home, and we’re helping them get there with this package.

“Foster carers, or ordinary New Zealanders with a big heart, will have more financial and practical support to help them take a child on permanently.

Home for Life includes:

• Financial support for clothing and other costs ($2,500 upfront payment)
• Baby care pack – cot, pushchair, bottles and baby-wear
• Reasonable assistance with legal costs
• Expert CYF support for as long as necessary
• Parenting seminars
• Respite breaks for carers to get some time out

“We want to support families, and walk alongside them as they take steps to take on a child who simply needs a home and a family. All children should have a chance at a decent life, enjoy being children, and learn what it means to be part of a loving family.

“I’m proud to be part of a Government which is serious about caring for children and giving them the secure home they deserve,” Mrs Shanks says.

Drink drivers kill and main innocent people, wreck lives, and destroy families. They leave carnage on our highways and scars on our communities.

Current policies are not working. Last year 36,000 New Zealanders were convicted of drink driving. On any given day, around 100 drivers are caught over the legal limit.

It’s clear we have a big drink driving problem in New Zealand. If we can get it under control, we’ll see a lower road toll.

That’s why the National-led Government announced a package aimed at making our roads safer by cracking down on drink-driving.

We’ll put legislation in place by early next year to set a zero drink-drive limit for repeat drink drivers and for drivers under 20, and to introduce alcohol interlocks for repeat drink-drivers.

We’ll put legislation in place by early next year to set a zero drink-drive limit for repeat drink drivers and for drivers under 20, and to introduce alcohol interlocks for repeat drink-drivers.

We’re also strengthening the penalties for offences including:

• Drink or drug driving causing death
• Dangerous or reckless driving causing death
• Illegal street racing causing death
• Failure to stop after a crash when someone is killed.

Tougher sanctions will bring these penalties in line with other serious offences, reflect the serious nature of these crimes, and help make our roads safer. By targeting those most likely to break the law we’re confident we’ll have a significant impact.

We’re also considering lowering the blood alcohol limit from 0.08 to 0.05. We’ll make a final call after conducting New Zealand research on the risks posed by drivers with a blood-alcohol limit between 0.05 and 0.08.

Part of the research will tell us the actual number of serious and fatal crashes caused by drivers with a blood alcohol level between 0.05 and 0.08. This research will be done over two years.

We need to ensure New Zealanders understand the difference between 0.05 and 0.08, and what impact a change is likely to have on the road toll.

Road safety measures only work if they have the broad support of road-users. We want to be sure New Zealanders understand the benefits of a change and fully support it before proceeding. We need to take the people of New Zealand with us on this issue.

National is committed to addressing New Zealand’s drink driving problem. A zero drink drive limit for young drivers and repeat offenders, tougher penalties for reckless and dangerous driving, and new research into lowering the blood alcohol limit will help clamp down on drink drivers, reduce the carnage on our highways, and make our roads safer for all New Zealanders.

New Rolleston Police Station:

I’ve been campaigning for a new Police Station in Rolleston since my election so I’m thrilled that construction of a new purpose built police station is to start next year. This is great news, not only for Rolleston but for the whole Selwyn District. Selwyn District was the fastest growing territorial authority in NZ in 2008-09 and this is the sort of infrastructure development we need.

Our local police are central to the lifestyle we are able to enjoy in Selwyn and it is important that they have not only a strong community presence, but also good facilities to work from. The new building is expected to be open by mid-2012.

Five local schools amongst 239 to start broadband upgrade.

Halswell School, Templeton School, Okains Bay School, Darfield High School and Tai Tapu School are the latest Selwyn schools to receive government-subsidised network upgrades, in preparation for ultra-fast broadband.

Students will directly benefit from ultra-fast access to online content and services at schools.

Ultra-fast broadband will help schools to operate, improve student achievement and provide a much wider range of learning opportunities for both students and their teachers. More schools will be invited to upgrade their networks in 2011.

Faster broadband has been on the wish list for many schools in the Selwyn electorate. A faster connection has the potential to help schools improve assessment practices and operate more efficiently.

As announced in Budget 2010, $48.3 million will be invested to roll out the School Network Upgrade Project, which is part of the government's $1.5 billion six-year Broadband Investment Initiative.

Employment Law Reforms

National is working hard to lift the long-term performance of the economy, create more jobs, raise living standards, and deliver world-class public services for Kiwi families. Our employment law package contains practical solutions to issues facing employers and employees.

It will reduce compliance costs, give businesses more confidence to take on new staff, help resolve workplace disputes faster, and provide more choices for employees and employers. One important part of the employment law package is the extension of the 90-day trial period for new employees where they agree to be taken on under a trial period.

The voluntary trial period will now be available to all employers, not just those with 20 or fewer staff. This will give employers more confidence to take on new staff, and it will give Kiwi workers the chance to prove themselves in a job.

Boost for Air Ambulances

I was thrilled to be able to present a cheque for $78,159 to the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust thanks to extra government funding, part of a $1 million funding boost for air ambulances across New Zealand.

Air ambulance helicopters are there 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Government is working hard to ensure these critical, life-saving services continue to serve the community and save lives. As the local MP for a large rural electorate, many of my communities rely on the services of the Air Rescue Trust so it was great to be able to take the time to say thanks.

Volunteers Morning Tea

I had the pleasure of joining the wonderful volunteers of the Rolleston Day Club, Selwyn Newcomers Network and the Selwyn Community Care group for morning tea as part of Volunteer Week in June. Volunteers put in an enormous amount of time and effort often at their own cost and I was very pleased to be able to join them for morning tea in recognition of the fantastic work they do in Selwyn.

Youth MP 2010

On the 6th and 7th July this year the seats of government were taken over by 122 16 - 18 year olds from around the country for this year’s Youth Parliament. Every MP in Parliament is asked to select a youth MP from their electorate to attend, which has been held every three years since 1994.

Hannah Singh from Darfield was the successful participant from Selwyn this year. Hannah was one of 12 participants on the Justice and Electoral Select Committee where they debated a background paper on the issue of changing New Zealand’s flag and hearing the submissions made by the RSA and Ministry of Justice. The main topic of debate in the assembly of 122 Youth MP’s was the Adult Rights and Responsibilities (Age of Majority) Bill, which proposed to move  the default age of adulthood from 20 to 18 years old. Although the Bill was passed by Youth MP’s, Hannah was disappointed.

“Our side didn’t quite win, which is sort of sad,” says Hannah, who believes that older teenagers have enough responsibility already. “That two year year period from 18 – 20 is important for growing and maturing.” Hannah enjoyed her experience in Wellington and is looking forward to the next 6 months as Youth MP for Selwyn.  I have to agree with Hannah when she says that being an MP was harder than she thought!

Bluegreen Forum

The Bluegreens are the National Party’s advisory group on environmental issues.

They are committed to exploring environmental policy in areas such as biosecurity, conservation and outdoor recreation, and investigating ways to integrate environmentally-friendly values into mainstream policy-making.

Each year they run a forum where attendees have the opportunity to hear from leading speakers and engage in policy debates. This year the forum is to be held in Akaroa on the 16th and 17th October. Topics include Water, Climate Change, Waste Management and Coastal and Oceans with speakers including Sir Geoffrey Palmer, Hon Bill English and the Hon Nick Smith.  

This will be a great event and it is wonderful that it is being held in our own patch making this year’s forum easier than ever to attend.  More information can be found on the Bluegreens website at www.bluegreens.org.nz or contact Sharon O’Callaghan on email: liam1@clear.net.nz or P O Box 107, Kirwee 7543.

Great to be part of the team

As well as doing my best to represent the people of Selwyn, I’m part of a team that is working hard with Prime Minister John Key to deliver on our election promises, protect New Zealanders from the sharpest edges of the global recession, and build a safe and prosperous NZ. National relies on the support of its many members to make sure that we are effectively listening to the concerns of every community and developing the policies our country needs. If you want further information on becoming involved, you can find it at www.national.org.nz.

Amy Adams MP

For more information, please visit my website www.amyadams.co.nz
You are welcome to email me at amy.adams@parliament.govt.nz

829 Main South Road Templeton 

ph +64 3 344 0418 | fax +64 3 344 0420 |

Parliament Buildings, Wellington

ph +64 4 817 8225 | fax 04 473 0469 |