Autumn 2010

Welcome to the first newsletter of 2010.  The year is flying by with lots to report both from Parliament and locally in Christchurch.  Our John Key-led Government has certainly had a busy start with twenty two bills passed into legislation or just awaiting royal assent. Many more have been advanced to the latter stages of consideration.  We remain committed to making New Zealand a better place for all Kiwis to live, raise their kids, and retire comfortably.  Locally over the summer, I have been out and about helping people with issues and meeting local businesses. 

What’s been Buzzing in the Beehive?

National Standards

National is committed to lifting the education standards of our children, and National Standards are well underway.  National Standards are helping us to deliver on our election promise of reducing the shocking statistic, that one in five kids leave school with little or no formal qualifications.  In essence, the Standards are a set of clear expectations that show parents, in a plain language, their children’s progress in reading, writing, and maths – just like the old Plunket growth charts.

We’re investing $26 million for teacher training to ensure that they are up to scratch with National Standards, $36 million to target struggling students, and $75 million for specialist teachers to help those identified with learning and behaviour problems. 

As a parent of two young children, I certainly support this initiative. Last month I attended my 7 year old son’s parent/teacher interview and it was good to be able to see clearly how well he was doing in his reading, writing and maths.  Education is the key to success.  It creates opportunity and releases potential.

For more information:

http://www.minedu.govt.nz/theMinistry/Consultation/NationalStandards.aspx
 

Changes to the Tax System

Prime Minister John Key outlined in his speech at the start of Parliament this year that the focus for the Government will be on rebalancing and growing the economy.  The Government has identified six key potential drivers – productive infrastructure, better regulation, supporting business innovation and trade, improving education and lifting skills, lifting productivity and improving services in the public sector, and strengthening the tax system.   

Our goal at the end of the day is to create a world class tax system that boosts the economy, rewards people for their hard work, and reduces tax avoidance.

Despite speculation around a proposal to increase GST, no decision has been made.   We are conscious that any increase would have an impact on lower to middle income Kiwis.  That’s why any change would be compensated with personal tax cuts, increases in benefits, NZ Super, and Working for Families payments.   

How property investment is taxed is also being considered.  Currently, $200 billion is invested in rental properties, yet in 2008 the Government gave back $150 million to property investors in tax credits.  There needs to be a shift away from this type of non-productive investment into other areas that lead to job creation.  Removing tax advantages in property would be one way of achieving this change. 

National believes enhancing New Zealand’s tax policy is an important step towards growing our economy and improving the lives of all New Zealanders.

For more information:

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/budget+may+20+will+deliver+growth+jobs

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/current+tax+system+unfair+many+nz+families
 

Welfare Reform

A comprehensive overhaul of New Zealand’s welfare system was announced in March.  The Future Focus package will target long term beneficiaries and encourage them to get back to work.  The National-led Government believes people who can work should work.  Relying on welfare handouts long term does not benefit the recipient or New Zealand’s economy.  However, we are mindful of genuine cases of hardship and so each case will be assessed individually and exemptions may apply.

The changes are as follows:

• Those on the Domestic Purpose benefit with a youngest child aged over six, and sickness beneficiaries deemed as able to work will be required to work or study for at least 15 hours a week. 

• Those claiming unemployment benefit must reapply after 12 months and show that they have actively sought work during that time.

• Reassessment periods will be shortened for sickness beneficiaries, with compulsory reassessment after 12 months.

• Non-compliance of work obligations will result in 50 percent loss to benefits after the first time and subsequently 100 percent suspension.

• New criteria for hardship grants with repeat applicants needing to show that they are managing their money.

• To encourage people into work, abatement thresholds will be increased. 

The welfare system is meant to be a short term safety net and support for those who are experiencing a difficult period whether through unemployment or illness.   It is not a long term solution and so these changes will help get people back to work sooner so that they can be productive and, in turn, benefit our economy.
 

The Electricity Industry Bill

The Electricity Industry Bill, containing major reforms to New Zealand’s electricity system, has passed its first reading in Parliament.

It changes our electricity system to improve competition and constrain price increases, increase security of supply, and ensure effective and stream-lined governance of the sector.

The bill follows a ministerial review into the electricity market which found that all consumers were paying prices higher than justified by the cost of new generation, with residential customers particularly hard-hit.

As a member of the Select Committee considering the bill, I have heard over 130 submissions. The overall consensus is of support and that the reforms are a major step forward for the industry and its customers.

As winter is nearly upon us, many New Zealanders would see this Bill as a good thing.  It would go some way to ensure that when the temperature drops, they are reassured that they can afford to keep their families and homes warm and dry.

For more information:

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/electricity+industry+bill+passes+first+reading

In the Out of Parliament Office…

In recent months I have been meeting with lots of local community groups, schools, and businesses as well as working on a number of interesting law changes in Wellington.  

In March I had the opportunity to meet with the Holcim New Zealand Ltd team in the South Island to learn about their business and the challenges that they face globally.  They are a leading cement maker and are facing difficult decisions around investing $500 million into a new plant in the South Island.  It is a little known fact that concrete is the second most used product in the world by weight behind water! 

Visiting Oparure Quarry	At McDonald’s Lime Quarry

National Standards Meeting

Over 100 parents and teachers attended the National Standards public meeting on Tuesday 23 March at the Linwood Rugby Club.  Education Minister Anne Tolley, fellow MP Nicky Wagner and I answered questions from parents on how National Standards will affect their child.  Overall, I have found widespread support for National Standards, but many people remain confused about the details.  Please give me a call if you would like to discuss National Standards further.

Out and About

Weetbix Triathlon at QEII which attracts over 3000 kids!	Helping at the 2010 Burwood School Fair

City2Surf where we sold over 1000 sausages and bacon sandwiches	With the Parliamentary cricket team – successful in coming second against the Diplomats team

Aaron with Kevin Barry MBE with his wife Myra at his investiture for his ONZM honour, which I had nominated him for

 

Something to Savour…

Watch out for my 2010 survey through your letterboxes.  It only takes a few minutes to complete and it’s free to post back to me.  I have received hundreds back already.  Your answers will help me to understand what is important to you, so that I can best represent your views in Parliament and in the community.  Copies of the survey can be found at http://www.aarongilmore.org.nz/news-post/survey-2010/. 

The Parliamentary petition on a new high school was heard at the Education and Science Select Committee on Wednesday 21 April in Wellington.  Details in the next issue.

Submissions for the Preston development in our area closed on 27 April.  This is the most significant development in our history and I am supportive of it proceeding because it will bring jobs and schools for our community, better infrastructure including improved roads without losing any of our market gardens.  It is a development across 200 hectares of scrubland in Marshlands.   Its success will heavily assist our campaign for a new local high school.

Tim Robinson, Youth MP

It is a pleasure to nominate Tim Robinson of Parklands as the first ever Youth MP from North East Christchurch.  Tim will attend the 2010 Youth Parliament in July, where he will represent the views of young people, and get to engage in robust and often lively debates with Ministers and MPs.

Tim has achieved a lot despite being just 16. Most notably as a member of the development squad for the New Zealand Secondary Schools debating team.  The team recently went to the World Championships in Qatar, which New Zealand had won in 2009.  Tim attends St Bedes College, which incidentally counts more former pupils as MPs in the current Parliament than any other school in New Zealand.

I look forward to updating you on how Tim got on at Youth Parliament in a later newsletter.

Watch Out For…

In the meantime, don’t forget to put the following events into your diary:

• Local meetings at 7.30pm on the fourth Monday each month. Contact sue-parkes@xtra.co.nz or my office for details.
   
• Canterbury Regional Meetings are the first Monday of the month.

Until Next Time…

As winter is drawing near, I encourage you to get a flu jab (I have had one!).  It’s free for people over 65 and under 65 with chronic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, asthma, kidney disease or cancer.  Also, pregnant women, severely obese people and kids between six months and five years old who are living in poverty and enrolled in specific practices can be vaccinated free of charge this year.  Please contact your GP for more details.

The next newsletter will be out in June.  For more updates please visit my website at www.aarongilmore.org.nz. 

In the meantime, if you have any comments or views, drop me a line or an email – it would be great to hear from you.

Regards,

Aaron Gilmore