June 2009

Welcome to the June edition of The Gilmore Gazette, my quarterly newsletter. Firstly, thank you to those who have commented positively about the first edition in April. It is always great to hear from constituents, particularly feedback on how I can perform better as an MP and keeping me informed about important local issues in eastern Christchurch. There are lots of exciting things to report, including my office opening, Budget 2009 highlights, an update on the school proposal and much, much more.

What’s been Buzzing in the Beehive?

Budget 2009

The National-led Government is continuing to honour its commitment in helping New Zealand through the worst global economic downturn since World War II. Many hardworking Kiwis have been affected in some way, whether by redundancy or simply by rising food and power bills. We want to ensure that New Zealanders end up relatively unscathed although what happens on the global stage is out of our control. However, we can ensure that policies are in place that will prepare New Zealand for future economic growth.

Our long-term goal is to create jobs, lift New Zealand’s productivity, improve competitiveness, sharpen our economic performance, and ultimately raise our incomes and improve our standard of living.

Budget 2009 took steps to boost investment in critical frontline public services.

In health, there will be an additional $3 billion investment over four years, including $750 million in 2009/2010. This includes more funding for maternity and hospice care, of which our own Burwood Hospital is an important local provider of, and 800 more health professionals to increase elective surgery capacity.

In education, $1.68 billion will be invested over the next six years to improve schools and help lift educational achievement. Of this money, $523 million will be used to build new schools and upgrade existing ones.

National believes in the value of education and that is why we have introduced measures to ensure that our school system helps every child climb the ladder of opportunity.

The draft National Standards in literacy and numeracy for all students Years 1 to 8 are now ready for your feedback. They describe all the things children should be able to do by a particular age or year at primary or intermediate school – a bit like how the Plunket book does for your kids’ health.

Teachers will use a range of existing assessment tools, as well as their professional judgment, to measure students against the National Standards. We want parents to let us know what they think about the plain language reports and how schools can help improve their child’s learning. Parents can view information online at www.minedu.govt.nz or ask for a booklet to be sent to them.

The following Christchurch schools will be hosting meetings and I encourage you to go along to have your say:

23 June – Aranui School, 1pm-3pm

23 June – Rolleston School, 6.30pm-8.30pm

The National-led Government is also committed to ensuring that young people have the best available educational options to help them succeed. Some people do well academically and some are good at learning hands-on skills. That’s why we are setting up trade academies across the country where high school students will have the opportunity to learn essential skilled trades such as plumbing or hairdressing.

In housing, Canterbury will benefit from Housing New Zealand spending $9 million upgrading 875 homes in the region in 2009/2010. A lot of this work, which includes modernising kitchens and bathrooms, has been carried out. The corporation also plans to buy about 70 homes in the area in 2009/2010.

And by pumping $323.3 million into the home insulation and clean heating campaign, $50 million for a national cycleway network, plus a multi-billion dollar infrastructure boost which includes faster home broadband and the building of Christchurch motorway projects, New Zealanders will benefit from thousands of newly-created jobs.

Investment in the home insulation and clean heating campaign will be of particular benefit to Cantabrians as it will complement Environment Canterbury’s Clean Heat Project which offers financial help to homeowners and landlords to change to cleaner forms of heating.

New Zealanders can be assured that the Government is steadfast in its efforts to cushion them and our economy from the global economic turmoil.

Break Fees Disclosure Bill

In May, I introduced The Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance (Break Fees Disclosure) Amendment Bill which will ensure that lenders tell borrowers how much they will have to pay if they break their mortgage agreements, and ensure that lenders cannot change this during the life of the mortgage.

We would all like to see hardworking Kiwis take full advantage of falling interest rates so that they have more cash to spend on essential everyday items such as food and power. However, many Kiwis are stunned at the dollar amount payable if they wanted to break their contracts.

At present, mortgage lenders do not have to disclose at the time of entering the contract what break fee that may or may not be charged. The formula used to calculate the fee may only be included as part of the terms and conditions and it can differ from lender to lender and can be too complicated for many people to understand.

This bill will not resolve the issue of break fee levels or how they are worked out, but hardworking Kiwis will at least know what they’re in for when they sign their mortgage contracts as there is a wide range of different offers out there.

The Bill has already gained support from the ACT party, with the Bank of New Zealand and other major New Zealand banks also giving their support. This is good news for Kiwis.

In the Electorate Office…

On 30 April, Prime Minister John Key officially opened my electorate office at 18L Bower Avenue, North New Brighton, in front of a large crowd of 350 people. I am particularly proud as it is the first visit by a National prime minister to Christchurch East since Jack Marshall opened the QEII Park in 1972. A big thank you to my staff and supporters who helped to make this a memorable and successful event.

The Prime Minister giving his opening speech and mingling with the young locals. (Photo: Jason Boa)

Travis Wetland Trust

Congratulations to the Travis Wetland Trust which has won the Urban Sustainability Category, in the prestigious Green Ribbon Awards for outstanding contributions to environmental sustainability. I nominated the trust for the award and was at the awards ceremony on 4 June to see trust president Colin Meurk receive the award on behalf of the group from Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith. As an active supporter of the trust for the past five years, I am proud that the group’s hard work and dedication has been recognised with such an accolade. Keep up the good work.

Aaron, Olivia Burge (Trust Member) and Colin Meurk (President) at the Green Ribbon Awards

Something to Savour…

One of the single biggest issues in the northern half of the electorate is access to high schools. In recent months I have been working closely with the North East Secondary Education Committee to finalise a proposal to the Education Minister around the provision for a new school in our community.

North East Christchurch continues to grow rapidly and more than 3600 people supported my petition calling on the Education Ministry to do something about high school provision in the area. After months of hard work, this proposal has been completed and will be submitted to Parliament this month.

The proposal seeks to fix some of the imbalances that exist with high schools in the wider area, in particular between Aranui, Mairehau and Shirley Boys. It is intended to start planning for more resources to cater for the 4500 additional homes expected in the area during the next 20 years, as well as the current baby boom the area is facing.

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. Below are just some of the things that I have been up to.

Peseta Sam Lotu-liga MP with Aaron and Pacific Island students at Aranui High School 

Watch Out For…

Thank you to the 1500 or so people who have returned my survey on the local issues which are important to you. The answers are being compiled and I will update you in the next newsletter. Thank you for taking the time to do so.

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

• Electorate Meetings at 7.30pm on fourth Monday each month. Contact sue-parkes@xtra.co.nz for details.
• Regional Meetings are the first Monday of the month.
• Mid Winter Xmas Electorate Dinner and Quiz Night (winter – Friday 17 July at the New Brighton Workingmen’s Club. Contact Julie Carter or Rachel Brocket-Smith on 03 382 5701 for tickets).
• Garden Tour: We are still on the lookout for more gardens. Contact my office on 03 382 5701 if you are interested (September)
• Business Breakfast Functions (quarterly)

Until Next Time…

We have just had the South Island National Party conference in Timaru which was a huge success. And despite the tough economic times, we are continuing to work hard in Wellington for you. The feeling in National is that New Zealand is on the road to recovery and the policies that we have introduced will help steer us along that path.

Drop me a line, it would be great to hear from you.

Aaron Gilmore