Amy in Action - August 2010
New Rolleston Police Station:
I’ve been campaigning for a new Police Station in Rolleston since my election so I’m thrilled that construction of a new purpose built police station is to start next year. This is great news, not only for Rolleston but for the whole Selwyn District. Selwyn District was the fastest growing territorial authority in NZ in 2008-09 and this is the sort of infrastructure development we need.
Our local police are central to the lifestyle we are able to enjoy in Selwyn and it is important that they have not only a strong community presence, but also good facilities to work from. The new building is expected to be open by mid-2012.
Five local schools amongst 239 to start broadband upgrade.
Halswell School, Templeton School, Okains Bay School, Darfield High School and Tai Tapu School are the latest Selwyn schools to receive government-subsidised network upgrades, in preparation for ultra-fast broadband.
Students will directly benefit from ultra-fast access to online content and services at schools.
Ultra-fast broadband will help schools to operate, improve student achievement and provide a much wider range of learning opportunities for both students and their teachers. More schools will be invited to upgrade their networks in 2011.
Faster broadband has been on the wish list for many schools in the Selwyn electorate. A faster connection has the potential to help schools improve assessment practices and operate more efficiently.
As announced in Budget 2010, $48.3 million will be invested to roll out the School Network Upgrade Project, which is part of the government's $1.5 billion six-year Broadband Investment Initiative.
Employment Law Reforms
National is working hard to lift the long-term performance of the economy, create more jobs, raise living standards, and deliver world-class public services for Kiwi families. Our employment law package contains practical solutions to issues facing employers and employees.
It will reduce compliance costs, give businesses more confidence to take on new staff, help resolve workplace disputes faster, and provide more choices for employees and employers. One important part of the employment law package is the extension of the 90-day trial period for new employees where they agree to be taken on under a trial period.
The voluntary trial period will now be available to all employers, not just those with 20 or fewer staff. This will give employers more confidence to take on new staff, and it will give Kiwi workers the chance to prove themselves in a job.
Boost for Air Ambulances
I was thrilled to be able to present a cheque for $78,159 to the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust thanks to extra government funding, part of a $1 million funding boost for air ambulances across New Zealand.
Air ambulance helicopters are there 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Government is working hard to ensure these critical, life-saving services continue to serve the community and save lives. As the local MP for a large rural electorate, many of my communities rely on the services of the Air Rescue Trust so it was great to be able to take the time to say thanks.
Volunteers Morning Tea
I had the pleasure of joining the wonderful volunteers of the Rolleston Day Club, Selwyn Newcomers Network and the Selwyn Community Care group for morning tea as part of Volunteer Week in June. Volunteers put in an enormous amount of time and effort often at their own cost and I was very pleased to be able to join them for morning tea in recognition of the fantastic work they do in Selwyn.
Youth MP 2010
On the 6th and 7th July this year the seats of government were taken over by 122 16 - 18 year olds from around the country for this year’s Youth Parliament. Every MP in Parliament is asked to select a youth MP from their electorate to attend, which has been held every three years since 1994.
Hannah Singh from Darfield was the successful participant from Selwyn this year. Hannah was one of 12 participants on the Justice and Electoral Select Committee where they debated a background paper on the issue of changing New Zealand’s flag and hearing the submissions made by the RSA and Ministry of Justice. The main topic of debate in the assembly of 122 Youth MP’s was the Adult Rights and Responsibilities (Age of Majority) Bill, which proposed to move the default age of adulthood from 20 to 18 years old. Although the Bill was passed by Youth MP’s, Hannah was disappointed.
“Our side didn’t quite win, which is sort of sad,” says Hannah, who believes that older teenagers have enough responsibility already. “That two year year period from 18 – 20 is important for growing and maturing.” Hannah enjoyed her experience in Wellington and is looking forward to the next 6 months as Youth MP for Selwyn. I have to agree with Hannah when she says that being an MP was harder than she thought!
Bluegreen Forum
The Bluegreens are the National Party’s advisory group on environmental issues.
They are committed to exploring environmental policy in areas such as biosecurity, conservation and outdoor recreation, and investigating ways to integrate environmentally-friendly values into mainstream policy-making.
Each year they run a forum where attendees have the opportunity to hear from leading speakers and engage in policy debates. This year the forum is to be held in Akaroa on the 16th and 17th October. Topics include Water, Climate Change, Waste Management and Coastal and Oceans with speakers including Sir Geoffrey Palmer, Hon Bill English and the Hon Nick Smith.
This will be a great event and it is wonderful that it is being held in our own patch making this year’s forum easier than ever to attend. More information can be found on the Bluegreens website at www.bluegreens.org.nz or contact Sharon O’Callaghan on email: liam1@clear.net.nz or P O Box 107, Kirwee 7543.
Great to be part of the team
As well as doing my best to represent the people of Selwyn, I’m part of a team that is working hard with Prime Minister John Key to deliver on our election promises, protect New Zealanders from the sharpest edges of the global recession, and build a safe and prosperous NZ. National relies on the support of its many members to make sure that we are effectively listening to the concerns of every community and developing the policies our country needs. If you want further information on becoming involved, you can find it at www.national.org.nz.
Amy Adams MP
For more information, please visit my website www.amyadams.co.nz
You are welcome to email me at amy.adams@parliament.govt.nz
Electorate Office
829 Main South Road Templeton
ph +64 3 344 0418 | fax +64 3 344 0420 | selwynoffice@parliament.govt.nz
Parliamentary Office
Parliament Buildings, Wellington
ph +64 4 817 8225 | fax 04 473 0469 | amy.adams@parliament.govt.nz
New Rolleston Police Station:
I’ve been campaigning for a new Police Station in Rolleston since my election so I’m thrilled that construction of a new purpose built police station is to start next year. This is great news, not only for Rolleston but for the whole Selwyn District. Selwyn District was the fastest growing territorial authority in NZ in 2008-09 and this is the sort of infrastructure development we need.
Our local police are central to the lifestyle we are able to enjoy in Selwyn and it is important that they have not only a strong community presence, but also good facilities to work from. The new building is expected to be open by mid-2012.
Five local schools amongst 239 to start broadband upgrade.
Halswell School, Templeton School, Okains Bay School, Darfield High School and Tai Tapu School are the latest Selwyn schools to receive government-subsidised network upgrades, in preparation for ultra-fast broadband.
Students will directly benefit from ultra-fast access to online content and services at schools.
Ultra-fast broadband will help schools to operate, improve student achievement and provide a much wider range of learning opportunities for both students and their teachers. More schools will be invited to upgrade their networks in 2011.
Faster broadband has been on the wish list for many schools in the Selwyn electorate. A faster connection has the potential to help schools improve assessment practices and operate more efficiently.
As announced in Budget 2010, $48.3 million will be invested to roll out the School Network Upgrade Project, which is part of the government's $1.5 billion six-year Broadband Investment Initiative.
Employment Law Reforms
National is working hard to lift the long-term performance of the economy, create more jobs, raise living standards, and deliver world-class public services for Kiwi families. Our employment law package contains practical solutions to issues facing employers and employees.
It will reduce compliance costs, give businesses more confidence to take on new staff, help resolve workplace disputes faster, and provide more choices for employees and employers. One important part of the employment law package is the extension of the 90-day trial period for new employees where they agree to be taken on under a trial period.
The voluntary trial period will now be available to all employers, not just those with 20 or fewer staff. This will give employers more confidence to take on new staff, and it will give Kiwi workers the chance to prove themselves in a job.
Boost for Air Ambulances
I was thrilled to be able to present a cheque for $78,159 to the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust thanks to extra government funding, part of a $1 million funding boost for air ambulances across New Zealand.
Air ambulance helicopters are there 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Government is working hard to ensure these critical, life-saving services continue to serve the community and save lives. As the local MP for a large rural electorate, many of my communities rely on the services of the Air Rescue Trust so it was great to be able to take the time to say thanks.
Volunteers Morning Tea
I had the pleasure of joining the wonderful volunteers of the Rolleston Day Club, Selwyn Newcomers Network and the Selwyn Community Care group for morning tea as part of Volunteer Week in June. Volunteers put in an enormous amount of time and effort often at their own cost and I was very pleased to be able to join them for morning tea in recognition of the fantastic work they do in Selwyn.
Youth MP 2010
On the 6th and 7th July this year the seats of government were taken over by 122 16 - 18 year olds from around the country for this year’s Youth Parliament. Every MP in Parliament is asked to select a youth MP from their electorate to attend, which has been held every three years since 1994.
Hannah Singh from Darfield was the successful participant from Selwyn this year. Hannah was one of 12 participants on the Justice and Electoral Select Committee where they debated a background paper on the issue of changing New Zealand’s flag and hearing the submissions made by the RSA and Ministry of Justice. The main topic of debate in the assembly of 122 Youth MP’s was the Adult Rights and Responsibilities (Age of Majority) Bill, which proposed to move the default age of adulthood from 20 to 18 years old. Although the Bill was passed by Youth MP’s, Hannah was disappointed.
“Our side didn’t quite win, which is sort of sad,” says Hannah, who believes that older teenagers have enough responsibility already. “That two year year period from 18 – 20 is important for growing and maturing.” Hannah enjoyed her experience in Wellington and is looking forward to the next 6 months as Youth MP for Selwyn. I have to agree with Hannah when she says that being an MP was harder than she thought!
Bluegreen Forum
The Bluegreens are the National Party’s advisory group on environmental issues.
They are committed to exploring environmental policy in areas such as biosecurity, conservation and outdoor recreation, and investigating ways to integrate environmentally-friendly values into mainstream policy-making.
Each year they run a forum where attendees have the opportunity to hear from leading speakers and engage in policy debates. This year the forum is to be held in Akaroa on the 16th and 17th October. Topics include Water, Climate Change, Waste Management and Coastal and Oceans with speakers including Sir Geoffrey Palmer, Hon Bill English and the Hon Nick Smith.
This will be a great event and it is wonderful that it is being held in our own patch making this year’s forum easier than ever to attend. More information can be found on the Bluegreens website at www.bluegreens.org.nz or contact Sharon O’Callaghan on email: liam1@clear.net.nz or P O Box 107, Kirwee 7543.
Great to be part of the team
As well as doing my best to represent the people of Selwyn, I’m part of a team that is working hard with Prime Minister John Key to deliver on our election promises, protect New Zealanders from the sharpest edges of the global recession, and build a safe and prosperous NZ. National relies on the support of its many members to make sure that we are effectively listening to the concerns of every community and developing the policies our country needs. If you want further information on becoming involved, you can find it at www.national.org.nz.
Amy Adams MP
For more information, please visit my website www.amyadams.co.nz
You are welcome to email me at amy.adams@parliament.govt.nz
829 Main South Road Templeton
ph +64 3 344 0418 | fax +64 3 344 0420 | selwynoffice@parliament.govt.nz
Parliamentary Office
Parliament Buildings, Wellington
ph +64 4 817 8225 | fax 04 473 0469 | amy.adams@parliament.govt.nz
