This afternoon I issued a Press Release (which can be found on my website http://www.michaelwoodhouse.co.nz/) welcoming news that full time police staff in the Southern district had increased by 28 between June 2008 and June 2009. This is a clear sign that the Governments commitment to increase numbers of police by 600 by the end of 2011 is on track to be met.
While the majority of committed police will be appointed in South Auckland I'm delighted that Dunedin is also included in this Government's committment to keep us safer by increasing police numbers. We live in a fantastic city but it is important that we not be complacent about rising crime. Dunedin can be confident that I will work hard to ensure that this is not the case.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Funding boost for children’s health camps
It was great to hear that the Government is giving New Zealand's seven health camps a $1.5 million boost in funding to ensure they keep operating. During the canpaign and before becoming an MP I had strong representations made by the good people who run the Roxburgh Health Camp about the desparate plight they were in in the absence of the necessary support from the previous Labout Government.
The wellbeing of children is a high priority for National and the funding boost is a win-win for
all involved. We see a lot of potential for children’s health camps to develop their relationship
with the Government further.
For more information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/funding+injection+children%e2%80%99s+health+camps
The wellbeing of children is a high priority for National and the funding boost is a win-win for
all involved. We see a lot of potential for children’s health camps to develop their relationship
with the Government further.
For more information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/funding+injection+children%e2%80%99s+health+camps
Folic Acid
The issue of whether mandatory fortification of folic acid in bread has been a hot topic lately.
The Government believes New Zealanders should have a choice about whether the
bread they eat contains folic acid or not.
This week a discussion document proposing that the mandatory fortification of folic acid in
bread be deferred until May 2012 was released.
We are confident that this deferral will address the concerns the public have, while ensuring
our relationship with Australia under the joint food regulatory system remains strong. It will
give us more time to evaluate the risks and benefits of the standard and to take into account
the wishes of New Zealanders.
Submissions close on August 12. A copy of the discussion document is available at:
www.nzfsa.govt.nz.
The Government believes New Zealanders should have a choice about whether the
bread they eat contains folic acid or not.
This week a discussion document proposing that the mandatory fortification of folic acid in
bread be deferred until May 2012 was released.
We are confident that this deferral will address the concerns the public have, while ensuring
our relationship with Australia under the joint food regulatory system remains strong. It will
give us more time to evaluate the risks and benefits of the standard and to take into account
the wishes of New Zealanders.
Submissions close on August 12. A copy of the discussion document is available at:
www.nzfsa.govt.nz.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Submissions on the "Boy Racer" Bills
Last Friday a Sub-committee of the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee was in Christchurch to hear submissions on the Land Transport (Enforcement Powers) Amendment Bill and the Vehicle Confiscation and Seizure Bill. Three main groups gave evidence - local Councils, residents groups and boy racers themselves.
The feeling about the need to take action to reduce the impact of illegal behaviour was very strong. Residents and business owners talked of intimidation, fear, damage, but above all, NOISE. The consistent theme was 'reduce the noise impact, reduce the problem'. There is no direct amendment regarding noise limits in the legislation, nor is there reference to alcohol controls (another issue raised by submitters) so the Committee will need to reflect carefully on these submissions. I also wonder if the noise problem is the cause or a symptom of deeper problems.
Some car owners submitted that their legitimate behaviour will be negatively affected by this legislation if passed. Perhaps, but maybe they would be better directing their energies towards helping the authorities stamp out the attrocious behaviour carried out by the perpetrators of illegal acts. A system of texting details of trouble spots to Police was suggested and might have merit. That would be ironic given that this appears to be the technology used to assist boy racers avoid the authorities!
Cross-party support for efforts to stamp out this problem is strong. The activities described are more than anti-social rebellion. It is intimidation and illiegal behaviour on an unacceptable scale and the Government will pick up any gauntlet thrown down by the crimimal cohort of the boy racer community.
The feeling about the need to take action to reduce the impact of illegal behaviour was very strong. Residents and business owners talked of intimidation, fear, damage, but above all, NOISE. The consistent theme was 'reduce the noise impact, reduce the problem'. There is no direct amendment regarding noise limits in the legislation, nor is there reference to alcohol controls (another issue raised by submitters) so the Committee will need to reflect carefully on these submissions. I also wonder if the noise problem is the cause or a symptom of deeper problems.
Some car owners submitted that their legitimate behaviour will be negatively affected by this legislation if passed. Perhaps, but maybe they would be better directing their energies towards helping the authorities stamp out the attrocious behaviour carried out by the perpetrators of illegal acts. A system of texting details of trouble spots to Police was suggested and might have merit. That would be ironic given that this appears to be the technology used to assist boy racers avoid the authorities!
Cross-party support for efforts to stamp out this problem is strong. The activities described are more than anti-social rebellion. It is intimidation and illiegal behaviour on an unacceptable scale and the Government will pick up any gauntlet thrown down by the crimimal cohort of the boy racer community.
Welcome on Board!
Welcome to my Blogspot. This is the place where you can receive regular updates on activities in the House, Select Committee activities and constituency work. I will also be adding a personal view on issues as they arise.
This is your opportunity to provide comment and feedback to enable me to have the broadest range of views to inform the policy discourse. Please get involved in our democracy by letting me know what you think.
Mike
This is your opportunity to provide comment and feedback to enable me to have the broadest range of views to inform the policy discourse. Please get involved in our democracy by letting me know what you think.
Mike
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