Today I am hosting the Prime Minister in Dunedin and taking the opportunity to take him on what I think is his first ever visit to the Otago Peninsula. We will be visiting the world famous Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head, home of the only place where Royal Albatross nest near human communities.
August is usually the time when nesting chicks are fed up prior to leaving the nest in the spring so there should be plenty for him to see. We are also visiting the Natures Wonders facility which is a self funded conservation effort to ensure that the land is preserved for all future generations to enjoy. The focus is to protect penguins, fur seals and other wildlife in their natural environment. It may be too early in the day to view the yellow eyed penguins but there are plenty of other bird and sea life at this fantastic facility. We will also be calling in on the famous Larnach Castle. The three of these facilities are just some of the fantastic tourism opportunities on the Otago Peninsula described by the world famous botanist David Bellamy as “the finest example of eco-tourism in the world.”
The main purpose of the Prime Minister’s visit is to give out the annual Otago Daily Times Class Act awards to the two high performing students in each secondary school in Otago. This event sponsored by the Otago Daily Times celebrates all around excellence in sporting, cultural and academic achievement. Last year was John’s first attendance at this event and he was a huge hit with the students.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Southern communities speak on neurosurgery
Yesterday I was a member of delegations of Southern MPs that received a petition calling on the government to maintain neurosurgical services at Dunedin hospital as part of the South Island regional service. This issue has been bubbling away for most of the year and while South Island DHBs agree there should be a regional service, they can not agree whether all six surgeons should be based in Christchurch or whether the status quo should prevail which is four surgeons in Christchurch and two based in Dunedin Hospital.
Nearly 45,000 Otago and Southland residents signed the petition which is a huge show of support for the retention of the Dunedin based service. All of the MPs want the best level of care that can be provided and on the information I seen so far I am of the view that that should be retaining the surgeons in Dunedin. The Ministry of Health has set up an expert panel to consider the issue and they are due to report back to the Director General in November. After yesterday’s petition they can be under absolutely no illusions about what the people of Otago and Southland think should happen.
Nearly 45,000 Otago and Southland residents signed the petition which is a huge show of support for the retention of the Dunedin based service. All of the MPs want the best level of care that can be provided and on the information I seen so far I am of the view that that should be retaining the surgeons in Dunedin. The Ministry of Health has set up an expert panel to consider the issue and they are due to report back to the Director General in November. After yesterday’s petition they can be under absolutely no illusions about what the people of Otago and Southland think should happen.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Commitment to growing Kiwibank
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to Kiwibank. It has agreed to provide an uncalled capital facility to NZ Post so Kiwibank can continue to grow.
The uncalled capital is a vital plank in maintaining an AA- credit rating. The rating is needed if Kiwibank is to compete with the four main Australian banks, and expand into new sectors such as business banking. The bank has attracted more than 700,000 customers in eight years.
NZ Post will be able to call on the capital only in certain circumstances, such as Kiwibank experiencing a substantial shock event beyond its own resources and beyond the resources of its parent.
We're confident this will give NZ Post and Kiwibank the financial certainty they need to pursue their growth plans.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government+support+nz+post+plans
The uncalled capital is a vital plank in maintaining an AA- credit rating. The rating is needed if Kiwibank is to compete with the four main Australian banks, and expand into new sectors such as business banking. The bank has attracted more than 700,000 customers in eight years.
NZ Post will be able to call on the capital only in certain circumstances, such as Kiwibank experiencing a substantial shock event beyond its own resources and beyond the resources of its parent.
We're confident this will give NZ Post and Kiwibank the financial certainty they need to pursue their growth plans.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government+support+nz+post+plans
Securing our electricity supply
Prime Minister John Key flicked the switch on Transpower's second substation at Otahuhu this week, marking the completion of a $100 million national electricity grid project. The Otahuhu project provides a more secure power supply to Auckland and Northland.
We have increased spending on the national grid with investment of about $4 billion planned in the next five years. We’re giving businesses and consumers confidence in their electricity supply.
Boosting infrastructure is part of National’s plan to lift growth and create jobs. The new substation involved more than 300 people and over 300,000 work hours at a live substation. The Otahuhu work is the first of about $1.7 billion of transmission projects to reinforce Auckland’s network.
We are also spending $11 billion over 10 years on State Highways. We will soon rollout fibre to the home as part of our $1.5 billion ultra-fast broadband plan. And we are investing in rail, schools, housing and hospitals.
We have increased spending on the national grid with investment of about $4 billion planned in the next five years. We’re giving businesses and consumers confidence in their electricity supply.
Boosting infrastructure is part of National’s plan to lift growth and create jobs. The new substation involved more than 300 people and over 300,000 work hours at a live substation. The Otahuhu work is the first of about $1.7 billion of transmission projects to reinforce Auckland’s network.
We are also spending $11 billion over 10 years on State Highways. We will soon rollout fibre to the home as part of our $1.5 billion ultra-fast broadband plan. And we are investing in rail, schools, housing and hospitals.
Delivering on our plan for research and innovation
National is investing $144 million in two research and innovation projects under the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP).
The two partnerships involve a DairyNZ/Fonterra-led programme and a Silver Fern Farms, PGG Wrightson and Landcorp Farming programme. They support research, development and ultimately products, jobs and growth. The Government is funding almost half of the $321 million needed for the projects.
This is the kind of business innovation we have identified as one of the six drivers of economic growth.
All New Zealanders stand to benefit from the partnerships, as the dairy and red meat industries are pivotal to the success of our economy.
National is taking primary sector innovation to a whole new level and delivering directly on our economic growth plan.
More information:http://beehive.govt.nz/release/partnerships+deliver+government%e2%80%99s+growth+plan
The two partnerships involve a DairyNZ/Fonterra-led programme and a Silver Fern Farms, PGG Wrightson and Landcorp Farming programme. They support research, development and ultimately products, jobs and growth. The Government is funding almost half of the $321 million needed for the projects.
This is the kind of business innovation we have identified as one of the six drivers of economic growth.
All New Zealanders stand to benefit from the partnerships, as the dairy and red meat industries are pivotal to the success of our economy.
National is taking primary sector innovation to a whole new level and delivering directly on our economic growth plan.
More information:http://beehive.govt.nz/release/partnerships+deliver+government%e2%80%99s+growth+plan
A clear focus on work
National is working hard to get more people into work.
Our Future Focus package, which comes into effect on 27 September, rebalances incentives and obligations in our welfare system, and clearly focuses on work. Research shows that children are always better off when parents are in work. Long-term welfare dependency imprisons families to a life of low income with limited choices and outcomes.
Our extension of the 90-day trial scheme for new employees also encourages job opportunities and removes barriers to work. We know the scheme has been a huge success with employers of fewer than 20 people, with nearly 75 per cent of workers trialled under the scheme being taken on permanently.
National is growing a stronger economy, creating more jobs for New Zealanders, and making it easier for employers to take on staff.
Our Future Focus package, which comes into effect on 27 September, rebalances incentives and obligations in our welfare system, and clearly focuses on work. Research shows that children are always better off when parents are in work. Long-term welfare dependency imprisons families to a life of low income with limited choices and outcomes.
Our extension of the 90-day trial scheme for new employees also encourages job opportunities and removes barriers to work. We know the scheme has been a huge success with employers of fewer than 20 people, with nearly 75 per cent of workers trialled under the scheme being taken on permanently.
National is growing a stronger economy, creating more jobs for New Zealanders, and making it easier for employers to take on staff.
Helping young New Zealanders reach their potential
We’re opening nine Trades Academies around the country next year, providing trades and technology programmes for more than 800 secondary school students.
Trades Academies are an innovative way of keeping 16- and 17-year-olds engaged in education. Students can develop vocational skills and talents through trades and technology programmes.
The academies involve schools, tertiary institutions, industry training organisations, and employers. Students can earn both NCEA credits and a tertiary qualification, while gaining practical skills in the workplace.
Students will have more career choices, and will help grow our economy and productivity. National is delivering on our economic plan to lift education and skills, and investing in the education frontline.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/nine+trades+academies+confirmed+2011
Trades Academies are an innovative way of keeping 16- and 17-year-olds engaged in education. Students can develop vocational skills and talents through trades and technology programmes.
The academies involve schools, tertiary institutions, industry training organisations, and employers. Students can earn both NCEA credits and a tertiary qualification, while gaining practical skills in the workplace.
Students will have more career choices, and will help grow our economy and productivity. National is delivering on our economic plan to lift education and skills, and investing in the education frontline.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/nine+trades+academies+confirmed+2011
Improving access to Early Childhood Education
Waitakere and Northland are the first regions to benefit from the Budget 2010 funding boost of $91.8 million to increase participation in early childhood education.
The extra funding provides ECE access to an extra 3500 children in areas of high need. In some parts of Waitakere, 25 per cent of Pasifika and one in five Maori children miss out on ECE. In parts of Northland a quarter of Maori children start school without early childhood education.
We want local people to drive solutions. We will work with community groups on the reasons for low participation, and the best approach to reach families. The new programmes in Waitakere and Northland involve building new services, funding supported playgroups, and street side playgroups in local communities.
National is committed to early childhood education, and our approach is flexible enough to benefit all our young children.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/waitakere+and+northland+first+benefit+918+million+ece+boost
The extra funding provides ECE access to an extra 3500 children in areas of high need. In some parts of Waitakere, 25 per cent of Pasifika and one in five Maori children miss out on ECE. In parts of Northland a quarter of Maori children start school without early childhood education.
We want local people to drive solutions. We will work with community groups on the reasons for low participation, and the best approach to reach families. The new programmes in Waitakere and Northland involve building new services, funding supported playgroups, and street side playgroups in local communities.
National is committed to early childhood education, and our approach is flexible enough to benefit all our young children.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/waitakere+and+northland+first+benefit+918+million+ece+boost
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Neurosurgery debate heats up
There’s nothing like the threat of the loss of health services to galvanise a community, and that certainly is the case in Otago and Southland with a review of neurosurgical services in the South Island.
All South Island DHBs agree that the neurosurgical service should be a regional one. What they can't agree on is whether all six South Island neurosurgeons should be domiciled in Christchurch or whether the status quo should continue – four surgeons in Christchurch and two at Dunedin Hospital.
The CEOs asked the Director-General of Health to convene an expert panel to consider all of the issues and make a recommendation to him.
I'm very keen for this process to be followed. I also want the views of the community to be heard and I've been overwhelmed by the level of correspondence coming to me, my southern colleagues and the Minister expressing support for neurosurgery at Dunedin Hospital.
On the information I have I'm not convinced that patient care will be improved, nor will the financial viability of any of the DHBs be helped by locating all surgeons at Christchurch Hospital. This is a view shared by my southern colleagues and we have articulated this to the Minister of Health.
It was therefore pleasing that the response to an oral question in the House today “Does he think that neurosurgery services should be retained at Dunedin Hospital?” was responded to thus: “I would take a lot of convincing that there shouldn’t be neurosurgical services in Dunedin.”
Promising stuff but its important to let the process the Ministry has put in place be completed. In the meantime I expect lots more correspondence coming through my office.
All South Island DHBs agree that the neurosurgical service should be a regional one. What they can't agree on is whether all six South Island neurosurgeons should be domiciled in Christchurch or whether the status quo should continue – four surgeons in Christchurch and two at Dunedin Hospital.
The CEOs asked the Director-General of Health to convene an expert panel to consider all of the issues and make a recommendation to him.
I'm very keen for this process to be followed. I also want the views of the community to be heard and I've been overwhelmed by the level of correspondence coming to me, my southern colleagues and the Minister expressing support for neurosurgery at Dunedin Hospital.
On the information I have I'm not convinced that patient care will be improved, nor will the financial viability of any of the DHBs be helped by locating all surgeons at Christchurch Hospital. This is a view shared by my southern colleagues and we have articulated this to the Minister of Health.
It was therefore pleasing that the response to an oral question in the House today “Does he think that neurosurgery services should be retained at Dunedin Hospital?” was responded to thus: “I would take a lot of convincing that there shouldn’t be neurosurgical services in Dunedin.”
Promising stuff but its important to let the process the Ministry has put in place be completed. In the meantime I expect lots more correspondence coming through my office.
Go Otago!
In about 48 hours time the Otago rugby team will meet Southland in what will be an epic Ranfurly Shield challenge in front of a sell-out crowd in Invercargill. Otago hasn’t won the Log o’ Wood for more than 50 years and on the strength of their performance against Counties Manukau last Saturday, they are obviously underdogs in this challenge.
However, Shield challenges throw up some upsets. There’s no doubt that Otago couldn’t play any worse than last week and will be well steeled for the challenge on Saturday. Not only is the Shield up for grabs but probably Highlanders positions in the 2011 squad so it’s likely to be a case of no love lost between the two sides.
My good friend in Invercargill MP Eric Roy has for the last 10 months displayed a replica Ranfurly Shield on his lapel. That little badge also goes on the line this weekend and I look forward to being the proud recipient of that badge when the House resumes on Tuesday week.
Good luck to the guys and do us proud!
However, Shield challenges throw up some upsets. There’s no doubt that Otago couldn’t play any worse than last week and will be well steeled for the challenge on Saturday. Not only is the Shield up for grabs but probably Highlanders positions in the 2011 squad so it’s likely to be a case of no love lost between the two sides.
My good friend in Invercargill MP Eric Roy has for the last 10 months displayed a replica Ranfurly Shield on his lapel. That little badge also goes on the line this weekend and I look forward to being the proud recipient of that badge when the House resumes on Tuesday week.
Good luck to the guys and do us proud!
Lifting student achievement
National is changing the way the Ministry of Education supports teachers and pupils. We have announced targeted funding and support for children identified through National Standards as needing extra help.
At least 50 expert practitioners from the Ministry and the education sector will be appointed to work closely with schools, use student data to assess where support will be most effective, and make sure schools get help sooner.
We’re also investing $36 million in new intervention programmes for students who need extra support in reading, writing and maths outside classroom teaching.
The Ministry of Education will also change its approach to professional development for teachers and principals to focus squarely on lifting student achievement.
More information:http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/major+new+approach+lifting+student+achievement
At least 50 expert practitioners from the Ministry and the education sector will be appointed to work closely with schools, use student data to assess where support will be most effective, and make sure schools get help sooner.
We’re also investing $36 million in new intervention programmes for students who need extra support in reading, writing and maths outside classroom teaching.
The Ministry of Education will also change its approach to professional development for teachers and principals to focus squarely on lifting student achievement.
More information:http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/major+new+approach+lifting+student+achievement
Protecting our children
National is serious about addressing New Zealand's high child abuse rates. This week Police and Child Youth and Family signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which will ensure a close working relationship in particularly critical cases.
We know that no single agency or organisation can tackle child abuse alone. It is a problem that requires the expertise, knowledge and resources of a wide range of agencies, organisations, individuals, and the community.
The memorandum is part of a wider Government programme. Measures include partnering with NGOs through the First Response pilot, extra social workers in hospitals, multi agency discharge meetings, positive parenting classes, respite holiday programmes, and the ‘Never Shake a Baby’ campaign.
Police and CYF are two of the frontline agencies who deal with the terrible results of child abuse every day. This memorandum shows their commitment to tackling child abuse.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/police+and+cyf+sign+child+protection+mou
We know that no single agency or organisation can tackle child abuse alone. It is a problem that requires the expertise, knowledge and resources of a wide range of agencies, organisations, individuals, and the community.
The memorandum is part of a wider Government programme. Measures include partnering with NGOs through the First Response pilot, extra social workers in hospitals, multi agency discharge meetings, positive parenting classes, respite holiday programmes, and the ‘Never Shake a Baby’ campaign.
Police and CYF are two of the frontline agencies who deal with the terrible results of child abuse every day. This memorandum shows their commitment to tackling child abuse.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/police+and+cyf+sign+child+protection+mou
Better system for high country rents
National has announced a new system to calculate rents for high country pastoral leases, which will benefit a significant number of farmers.
There are 231 pastoral leases covering 1.6 million hectares of pastoral land, mainly in Canterbury and Central Otago. The current system for setting rents is complicated, costly, and often produces disputes over both the process and the result.
The new approach will see rents for Crown pastoral land based on the earning capacity of the land, and will consider other factors such as pastoral economic conditions. It will be easier to administer, more transparent, and provide a fair rent.
National has worked closely with stakeholders. We’re giving farmers greater certainty, and letting them get on with their jobs instead of fighting bureaucracy.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt+announces+new+pastoral+lease+rent+policy
There are 231 pastoral leases covering 1.6 million hectares of pastoral land, mainly in Canterbury and Central Otago. The current system for setting rents is complicated, costly, and often produces disputes over both the process and the result.
The new approach will see rents for Crown pastoral land based on the earning capacity of the land, and will consider other factors such as pastoral economic conditions. It will be easier to administer, more transparent, and provide a fair rent.
National has worked closely with stakeholders. We’re giving farmers greater certainty, and letting them get on with their jobs instead of fighting bureaucracy.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt+announces+new+pastoral+lease+rent+policy
A closer look at Government spending
National is reviewing spending on policy advice across all departments and agencies.
Under Labour, total spending on policy advice jumped from an estimated $510 million to $880 million between 2003 and 2009. Policy advice now accounts for nearly three quarters of the total annual police budget, and almost matches our annual spending on social housing.
The review will examine whether the focus and level of spending line up with Government priorities. We spend $50 billion a year running the public sector, and it is important we get value for taxpayers as well as better frontline services.
Delivering a better, smarter public service is one of National’s six policy drivers to achieve faster growth. This review is the latest step in that process.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government+review+spending+policy+advice
Under Labour, total spending on policy advice jumped from an estimated $510 million to $880 million between 2003 and 2009. Policy advice now accounts for nearly three quarters of the total annual police budget, and almost matches our annual spending on social housing.
The review will examine whether the focus and level of spending line up with Government priorities. We spend $50 billion a year running the public sector, and it is important we get value for taxpayers as well as better frontline services.
Delivering a better, smarter public service is one of National’s six policy drivers to achieve faster growth. This review is the latest step in that process.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government+review+spending+policy+advice
More competition for mobile phone users
National has accepted a Commerce Commission recommendation to regulate mobile termination rates. This will promote more competition between different mobile operators, and better prices for mobile phone users.
Mobile termination rates are the wholesale prices charged by mobile network operators like Telecom, Vodafone, and 2 degrees, for providing services to customers from other networks.
The Telecommunications Act requires the Minister to make decisions that best promote competition for the long-term benefit of end-users of telecommunications services.
Better prices will mean more money in your pocket. More competition will help contribute to our plan to grow the economy, and boost long-term growth and incomes for all New Zealanders.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/decision+mobile+termination+rates
Mobile termination rates are the wholesale prices charged by mobile network operators like Telecom, Vodafone, and 2 degrees, for providing services to customers from other networks.
The Telecommunications Act requires the Minister to make decisions that best promote competition for the long-term benefit of end-users of telecommunications services.
Better prices will mean more money in your pocket. More competition will help contribute to our plan to grow the economy, and boost long-term growth and incomes for all New Zealanders.
More information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/decision+mobile+termination+rates
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