From next month, the average household will be about $25 a week better off, even with GST rising to 15 per cent. Someone on the average wage will be almost $15 a week better off. And a retired couple, living in their own home and receiving NZ Superannuation, will be $11 a week better off.

On 1 October, New Zealand Superannuation, Working for Families, and benefit payments will increase immediately by 2.02 per cent – to compensate for the rise in GST.

Find out how the tax changes will benefit you. Visit the tax calculator at www.taxguide.govt.nz

The tax package will be a welcome boost to household budgets in our community, and will help hard-working families get ahead.

It will also help the economy, by tilting it towards savings and exports, and away from extra debt, excessive government deficits and spending, and borrowing for things like property speculation.

The tax changes are an important part of National’s six-point plan for a stronger economy. Our plan is boosting growth and creating sustainable jobs.

On 1 October, the first part of the tax package kicks in. We’re lowering personal taxes and the tax on savings – such as interest and dividends – along with a rise in GST. This will give people more choices, encourage saving, and help boost our local businesses.

The second part of the package kicks in next year. We’re dropping company tax to 28 per cent, encouraging Kiwi businesses to grow and ensuring they remain competitive. We’re also making changes to property tax to make the tax system fairer and further encourage saving and investment in our businesses.

The Government’s tax package rewards effort and helps attract and retain skilled people in New Zealand. As the economy grows, we expect to create 170,000 new jobs in the next four years.

National is firmly focused on lifting New Zealand’s long-term economic growth to create jobs, boost incomes, and raise the living standards of hard-working Kiwis. We need to do this so we can provide the world-class public services that all New Zealanders deserve.

We are working hard to provide families and our communities with the financial security, opportunities, and higher incomes they need for a brighter future.

There are major problems with water management in Canterbury, and the National-led Government has made a number of changes to address these. Your views about these changes are important. Please take the time to download and read our water pamphlet here, complete the response form, and return it freepost to me. I look forward to hearing from you.

UPDATE: As at 31 August I have received close to 200 responses back so far

National has announced a fundamental reform of New Zealand’s alcohol laws.

Many New Zealanders told us the pendulum has swung too far towards relaxation of alcohol laws. Our package adopts in full, or in part, 126 of the 153 Law Commission recommendations, as well as making other changes.

We’re tackling alcohol-related harm, including crime, disorder, and public health problems. Alcohol is estimated to contribute to 1000 deaths a year, and is implicated in 30 per cent of all police recorded offences, 34 per cent of recorded family violence, and 50 per cent of all homicides.

We cannot legislate away New Zealand’s binge-drinking culture, but legislation can contribute to a culture change. This package will support a moderate drinking culture through controls on the availability and proliferation of alcohol.

Our package strikes the right balance between not unfairly affecting responsible drinkers, and dealing with the considerable harm alcohol causes.

More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government+outlines+balanced+plan+alcohol+reform

The Government has asked for final proposals to roll out broadband to our rural communities. In April, we asked for expressions of interest to roll out faster broadband to rural New Zealand.

It was clear that, while regional bidders were able to make a significant impact on broadband coverage, they would not achieve our targets.

We’re now seeking national coverage proposals, but are encouraging partnerships between regional infrastructure companies and national bidders.

With this approach, we are confident of achieving our target of 80 per cent of rural households and businesses having access to broadband at 5Mbps or better within the six year period.

Rural broadband is part of National’s plan to boost our infrastructure and ensure we’re competitive in the 21st century.

More information:

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/rural+broadband+final+proposals+sought

National has set up an independent Savings Working Group to consider how New Zealand can improve its national savings.

 It’s a critical issue for New Zealand, as we rely heavily on borrowing money overseas. This means high and rising debt to the rest of the world.

We have deliberately set wide terms of reference for the Working Group. The only exclusions are New Zealand Superannuation, which this Government will not change, and broad mtaxation of capital gains or land, which we have previously said we will not introduce.

Otherwise, we are not ruling anything in or out.

The Savings Working Group will canvass a range of options for improving New Zealand’s overall savings performance, including government savings.

It will report back to the Government by January 2011. Improving our level of savings is the next step in National’s economic plan to boost growth, create jobs, and grow a stronger economy.

More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/wide+brief+expert+group+savings+options

Aaron Gilmore, National MP based in Eastern Christchurch has welcomed the volume and breadth of feedback from his recent surveys to the local community.

“More than 1000 families and households have replied to my recent survey, telling me what they think. I’m really pleased with your excellent feedback on what’s concerning you, what the National-led Government is doing right, and what we could do better,” Mr Gilmore says.

“People are overwhelmingly in favour of the crack-down on violent criminals through our 3-strikes legislation, and tougher sentences for animal cruelty and boys racers.

“I was most interested to hear your views on whether the alcohol purchase age should change. An overwhelming 71 per cent of responses want the alcohol purchase age to go back up to 20, while 17 per cent want to see a split purchase age of 20 for off-license purchases and 18 in bars. Only 10 per cent of you want the status quo.

“This will be a conscience vote, and I’m really pleased to have a feel for what our community wants.

“I’m hoping to get more feedback on the planned Preston’s development and transport concerns in Christchurch. In particular, I want to know your thoughts on the Northern Motorway upgrade as part of the Roads of National Significance programme, and the recent changes to bus services to the North East of Christchurch.

“If you still have a survey at home, please take the time to fill it in and send it to me. I’m really keen to hear from as many families as possible,” Mr Gilmore says.

More survey results will be released over the next few weeks.

Friday 27 August is the 20th Anniversary of the Cancer Society’s annual Daffodil Day fundraising event.

Please support this worthy cause by donating to any collector on the streets on Friday 27 August. You can also call 0900 31 111 to make an instant $20 donation, or text ‘daffodil’ to 883 to make a $3 donation.

For more information and other ways to donate see www.daffodilday.org.nz

National is investing $144 million in two research and innovation projects under the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP).

The two partnerships involve a DairyNZ/Fonterra-led programme and a Silver Fern Farms, PGG Wrightson and Landcorp Farming programme. They support research, development and ultimately products, jobs and growth. The Government is funding almost half of the $321 million needed for the projects.

This is the kind of business innovation we have identified as one of the six drivers of economic growth.

All New Zealanders stand to benefit from the partnerships, as the dairy and red meat industries are pivotal to the success of our economy.

National is taking primary sector innovation to a whole new level and delivering directly on our economic growth plan.

More information:http://beehive.govt.nz/release/partnerships+deliver+government%e2%80%99s+growth+plan

National is working hard to get more people into work.

Our Future Focus package, which comes into effect on 27 September, rebalances incentives and obligations in our welfare system, and clearly focuses on work. Research shows that children are always better off when parents are in work. Long-term welfare dependency imprisons families to a life of low income with limited choices and outcomes.

Our extension of the 90-day trial scheme for new employees also encourages job opportunities and removes barriers to work. We know the scheme has been a huge success with employers of fewer than 20 people, with nearly 75 per cent of workers trialled under the scheme being taken on permanently.

National is growing a stronger economy, creating more jobs for New Zealanders, and making it easier for employers to take on staff. Delivering on