Christmas 2009  

The year will soon be over, and the run up to Christmas and the New Year will be busy for many of you.  It’s been a tough year for many as the global economic crisis took hold and the fallout filtered down to people across the world.  As I complete my first year as a Member of Parliament for the National-led Government, I can assure you that I will continue to work hard both within our community and at Parliament. I’ll keep focussing on issues and policies that matters to ordinary Kiwis, such as getting New Zealand’s economy back on track.  Read on for some of the things that have happened since my last newsletter.

What’s been Buzzing in the Beehive?

Emissions Trading Scheme

Much has been written about the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).  Over the past few months, as a member of the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee charged with overseeing amendments to the ETS via the Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill, I have read and listened to just under 400 submissions made by the public and businesses alike who have wanted their views heard on this Bill.  This shows we have a working democratic process in New Zealand where people from all walks of life can have their say.

National’s focus was to make the ETS workable and affordable for Kiwis and businesses, while at the same time doing our bit to protect the environment for future generations.

The changes to the ETS passed in Parliament last month, will not only encourage families and businesses to be more energy efficient, but also halve the yearly power and fuel price increases that the previous government had wanted from $360 to $165 per household, at a critical time when many ordinary Kiwi families are facing tough financial hardship.

Also thousands of agriculture and fisheries jobs will be saved as we defer the date for these key industries to, a more realistic, 2015 timetable, thus providing many workers peace of mind and job security.  There will also be regular reviews – the first one in 2011 – which will enable us to check against new developments and technologies to ensure that our ETS is on the right track and make any changes needed.

Finding the right balance between protecting our economy and the environment was never going to be easy.  However, these changes will ensure that National has delivered on its election promises and are continuing to address climate change with sensible and workable policies.

Home Insulation

In addition to changes to the Emissions Trading Scheme, the National-led Government’s commitment to getting environmental policies right is evident with the success of the $323 million Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart initiative.  Since its July launch 8,000 homes in Christchurch have been insulated under the scheme.  Not only will these households reap the health benefits of living in warm, dry homes, but thousands of much-needed jobs have been created as participating insulation firms cope with the increased demand for their services.

Another bill that will benefit ordinary Kiwis is the proposed changes under the Taxation (Consequential Rate Alignment and Remedial Matters) Bill which tidies the tax on interest rates.  From 1 April 2010, new bank account holders will have better information on tax rates available to them which will reduce the likelihood of them being overtaxed on savings that they have worked hard for.  Also, administrative time and costs will be reduced with banks being able to accept electronic communications such as emails as legitimate forms of authority.  This is a win-win Bill for both the customer and bank.

Changes to ACC

ACC Minister Nick Smith has announced that levies will rise next year.  The good news for families, businesses and motorists is that they’re considerable less than those recommended by ACC.  These levy increases are necessary because ACC’s claims costs have increased by 57 per cent in the past four years.   

We’re moderating the increases by pushing out the full funding date to 2019, pulling back on extensions to the scheme made by the Labour Government, and putting in place a wide range of cost-saving measures. 

Setting the levies has been a difficult balance between minimising the cost increases to families and businesses, keeping the pressure on ACC to better manage its costs, and ensuring ACC’s long-term sustainability.  I believe we’ve struck the right balance. 

These changes will help get ACC back on a more sustainable path and protect our 24/7, no-fault accident insurance programme.  They will ensure that ACC can be preserved for future generations of Kiwis.

In the Out of Parliament Office…

Charity Bike Ride

In October I was proud to be part of a group of four National MPs – Amy Adams, Chris Auchinvole and David Bennett – along with about 20 local police officers, who took part in a charity bike ride from Kumara to New Brighton to raise essential funds for two swimming pools at Central New Brighton School. 

After peddling an exhausting 88 km – mainly uphill – I succumbed to leg cramp.   The event was a huge success with $45,000 raised for a very worthy cause.

Results of survey

One of my first jobs as a new MP for the newly-elected National Government early this year was to understand the important issues in our local community.  A survey was sent out covering around 30,000 people asking for views on the economy, education and health.

Overall, 62 percent of respondents believe the National-led Government is doing a good job and is delivering on its promises and is focused on what matters to New Zealanders such as jobs and economic growth.

83 per cent have had good or great experiences with our health system.  This is good news as health reform remains a top priority for National and we continue our goals of reducing hospital waiting lists and providing better frontline patient care, whilst at the same time giving our doctors and nurses more autonomy.

Education at all levels remains a number one concern in the local community.  This has been proven with the huge response to my petition for a new high school in the area as the population in north east Christchurch continues to grow and attract more young families.  National believes education is the key to unlocking a child’s full potential so that’s why $10.8 billion was invested in Education in Budget 2009.

Watch out for the next survey early next year.

Minister of Education’s visit

In October, we had the pleasure of Hon Anne Tolley, Minister of Education, visiting several schools in Christchurch which included local schools Queenspark and Chisnallwood.  The Minister met with students and staff and thoroughly enjoyed the music performance by the students at Chisnallwood.

Cabinet Club

Our ‘Cabinet Club’ events, which allow a small group of people from across Christchurch to meet different senior Government Ministers, have proved to be very popular.  Guest speakers so far have been Ministers Maurice Williamson, Simon Power, Anne Tolley and Nick Smith.  We are planning more in February/March 2010 so contact my office if you would like more information.

Out and About

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.  

Men’s health is one of those issues that blokes don’t like to talk about, so “Movember 2009” was all about Prostate awareness and depression. I joined this admirable charity event by growing a “Mo” for November and raised about $1,000 for my hairy efforts.

I have been honoured (and battered and bruised) to have played for the Parliamentary Rugby Team this year.  In total, we have raised in excess of $30,000 for charity playing against seven teams that have included former All Black Buck Shelford.  We finished the season with a 27-0 win against the Diplomats and I will be hanging up my boots for a well deserved rest until next year. 

Our Seaside Garden Tour last month successfully raised $500 which will go to the North East Secondary Education team and help towards their work in getting a new high school for our local area.

Something to Savour…

Christchurch is a vibrant and relatively rapidly growing city that people choose to live here because of the lifestyle that it offers.

For many people coming to live in our beautiful city the demand for new housing outstrips supply.   In the North East of the city where I live and grew up I have seen it go from unproductive rural land to wonderful communities.

A number of new subdivisions have sold over the past few years in a short space of time as our population increases towards 500,000. Growth in recent years has been significantly faster than that predicted by Statistics New Zealand and the City Council.

Birth rates are at very high levels, the fourth such year in a row and these and immigration from returning New Zealanders and new Kiwis, will see our city continue to grow by 4000 to 5000 people per year. We need to provide quality communities for these people.

Thousands of local people I know support further high quality community developments like the Prestons subdivision.    I want to ensure that we retain our market gardens and improve our roading infrastructure.  

It offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a world-class living environment within our city boundary on a scale unseen in New Zealand.  It will provide hundreds of local jobs in a part of the city that is currently not suitable for other uses.

Prestons can be a sustainable, suburban community where people live, shop, kids go to local schools and grow up on the boundary of world-class green spaces like Bottle Lake Forest, great golf courses and magnificent beaches. If Prestons provides such a community I am all for it.  I am planning some public meetings about this in the New Year.

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.
   
• Regional Meetings are the first Monday of the month.

Until Next Time…

That’s it for 2009.  Enjoy the Christmas festivities and a well deserved summer holiday with your friends and family.  My office will be closed from Tuesday 22 December and will reopen on Monday 18 January 2010.

The next newsletter will be out in April next year.

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

Regards

Aaron Gilmore