September 2009

Welcome to the September edition of The Gilmore Gazette, my quarterly newsletter.  It’s been an eventful three months since my last newsletter. We had a successful annual National Party conference which was held in the beginning of August in Christchurch.  At Parliament our John Key-led Government has been working hard through some important legislation, and in the Christchurch area I am continuing to meet and help local people with their various dilemmas.  So read on to find out about the above and much, much more.

What’s been Buzzing in the Beehive?

Steering New Zealand through the worst economic recession since World War II remains the top priority for the National-led Government.  We have continued to build on earlier achievements such as the $30 billion investment announced in May’s budget to support jobs, infrastructure such as roads, schools, housing and broadband, as well as delivering quality public services for New Zealanders.  All of which will ensure that when the first signs of economic recovery take root, New Zealand will be in the best position to utilise this.

Already these roots are starting to show with global market confidence increasing and international customers starting to buy New Zealand goods.  However, we remain conscious of the plight of ordinary Kiwis struggling from losing their jobs and battling the rising cost of basics such as food and power.  That is why National is continuing to build on sound economic policies that will help struggling Kiwis survive this slump.

Youth Opportunities Package

The National-led Government has launched a $152 million package to help young New Zealanders aged between 16 and 24 who have been the hardest hit during the recession.  It aims to create up to 16,900 new opportunities through nine initiatives over the next 18 months.  We recognise that this generation group is our future so we need to act now to ensure that they have access to the best work experience, training and education to fully harness their potential.

There will be ample opportunities for local businesses and community groups to get involved with the Job Ops and Community Max initiatives, with the former providing 4000 jobs for a minimum of six months and the latter 3000 jobs through community projects.  If you think your group could help please let me know.

Also, two additional policies costing $84.55 million over four years will ensure that the aspirations of many young Kiwis reaching their full potential are a step closer.

They are A Break-Away package for school holidays which includes funding for eventually up to 30,000 places a year in holiday programmes for youth aged 11-17, specifically targeted at deprived communities and families under stress.  I am keen to have as many youth from our Christchurch communities take part.

And A Fresh Start package for young offenders which sets aside funding for military-style activity camps, but also expands Fresh Start to include a range of other funded initiatives.

If you are a young person or a business keen to take part in any of these initiatives, please go to www.beehive.govt.nz and click on the Youth Opportunities Package feature for further information or give me a call.  I encourage you to get involved.

Building and Construction

Much needed amendments to the contentious Resource Management Act which will cut delays, costs and uncertainties is also an issue that the Government was keen to get through Parliament, as less regulation to get the economy moving will be good for New Zealand.  

The Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Bill has since been passed and will come into effect on 1 October.  For too long businesses have had to grapple with endless red tape and a mountain of paperwork and that’s before the start of a project!  So any attempts to streamline this piece of legislation should be welcomed. 

Also, two significant but related initiatives will benefit both the construction industry and the consumer.  The terms of reference for a review of the Building Act 2004 will cut red tape in the building consenting process, and changes to the Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme will raise skill levels among trades people.  Christchurch East has the largest number of trades people in New Zealand so this is good news for our community.

It was a good start to the Government’s home insulation Warm-Up New Zealand Heat Smart scheme with 8,171 homes, 1,622 of them from Canterbury, fitted out in the first two months of the scheme’s roll-out. The Government’s target of an uptake of 27,500 homes across New Zealand in the first year will certainly be surpassed if these positive early figures are anything to go by. 

In addition, Environment Canterbury, along with several other councils, is offering residents the opportunity to pay off energy efficiency investments through their rates.  So if you would like to get up to $1,800 subsidy towards insulation or clean heating then go to www.energywise.govt.nz for further information.  Not only will your next winter be warmer but you will play a valuable part in creating much needed jobs.

Transport

We are also getting tough on boy racers and illegal street racing.  Both the Land Transport (Enforcement Powers) Amendment Bill and the Vehicle Confiscation and Seizure Bill are currently under select committee consideration.  The first Bill allows councils to make by-laws to stop noisy cars cruising the city and suburbs, and gives police the power to take them off the streets for instant metered tests.

The second will give power to the courts to send cars owned by repeat offenders to the crusher yard.

These bills will help prevent the needless 10 deaths per year reported from illegal street racing. And it will lessen the impact on local communities from the excessive noise and thuggish behaviour of these boy, and increasingly, girl racers who think they are above the law.  Christchurch is often portrayed as the boy racing capital.  These bills will help to dispel that myth.

Continuing on the theme of saving lives and preventing accidents on our roads, two important bills were passed.  The Land Transport Amendment Bill gives Police greater powers to crack down on people driving under the influence of drugs such as requiring a suspected driver to carry out a Compulsory Impairment Test. 

Plus, from 1 November there will be a ban on texting or talking on a handheld mobile phone while driving.  Those caught will receive an infringement notice consisting of an $80 fine and 20 demerit points under changes made in the Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Bill.  We recognise that a lot of people rely on their mobiles for business so you will still be able to use your phone with a hands-free device.  There would also be an exemption for 111 calls made for genuine emergencies and two-way radios. 

The National-led Government is committed to finding strategies that would make New Zealand’s roads safer and, ultimately, reduce the appalling death toll on our roads.

More transport news, as part of the National land Transport Programme 2009-2012 announced at the end of August, I am delighted that $636.2 million will be pumped into transport projects in the Canterbury region over the next three years.  Included are the Christchurch southern motorway extension earmarked to start in March 2010, upgrades to walking and cycling routes and facilities, and improving public transport services and infrastructure.  These projects will filter through to boost local tourism and create new jobs, as well as lifting existing industry and businesses.

In the Out-of-Parliament Office…

It was a pleasure to be one of the guest speakers at a lunch and auction to help raise $40,000 so that my old school, Shirley Boys High, could send their dragon boat racing team to Prague to take part in the World Secondary School Dragon Boat championships in August.  The other speakers were fellow old boys Mike Pero and cricketer Craig McMillan.

Shirley Boys High Dragon Boat lunch and auction.  Signing autographs for the Shirley Boys High dragon boat racing team.

The team in action in Prague

Congratulations to the Shirley Boys High Dragon Boat racing team for their heroic efforts in the World Championships.  Although they did not win a medal they certainly did their country proud and have surely gained valuable experience to enable them to improve on their performances next time around. 

Cabinet Club

Invites are going out this month to join my ‘Cabinet Club’ which will enable a small group of people from across Christchurch to meet with different senior Government Ministers at six events.  My Cabinet Club kicks off with the first event on Friday 2 October.  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.  

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

Planting Day at Rothesay Road, Parklands.

Ballet dancer Kase Craig, the first New Zealander to win a place at the prestigious Ballet de l’Opera National de Bordeaux of France

With Ron Jarvis and his innovative Ecogo electric pedal bike

Parliamentary Rugby Team in Rotorua.  $14,000 was raised for charity.  Unfortunately we lost but the opposition did have Buck Shelford!

‘Search for a Star’ winner Eddie Kiesanowski – an aspiring singer and songwriter to watch out for in the future

Watch Out For…

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

• Local 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.
• Garden Tour: We are still on the lookout for more gardens.  Contact my office on 03 382 5701 if you are interested (November)
• Charity Bike Ride from the West Coast (Kumara) to the East Coast (New Brighton) on 11-14 October to raise funds for the Central New Brighton school pools.  Contact my office on 03 382 5701 if you would like further information.

Until Next Time…

The annual National Party conference has come and gone for another year.  It was especially proud for me to participate as a Member of Parliament at the inaugural conference following last year’s election win and be a part of such a great Caucus team.  It was even better that it was held in my hometown of Christchurch.  The mood was very upbeat and we are all confident that the sensible policies that we have put in place since November 2008 will help pull New Zealand through this economic downturn. 

Aside from the usual politics, there was a farewell to our outgoing president Judy Kirk, and Peter Goodfellow was elected as her successor.  Good luck to Judy for her future endeavours and I am sure Peter will be successful in building on Judy’s achievements.

Watch out for the Christmas edition of The Gilmore Gazette.

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

Aaron Gilmore