3 September 2010
Faster rural broadband one step closer
The Government has asked for final proposals to roll out broadband to our rural communities. In April, we asked for expressions of interest to roll out faster broadband to rural New Zealand. It was clear that, while regional bidders were able to make a significant impact on broadband coverage, they would not achieve our targets. [read more]
1 September 2010
Putting more paramedics on the road
The National-led Government has put 100 extra paramedics in New Zealand ambulances. St John New Zealand has allocated the new paramedics in more than 40 centres throughout New Zealand, including many of our smaller towns. [read more]
31 August 2010
A balanced plan for alcohol reform
National has announced a fundamental reform of New Zealand’s alcohol laws. Many New Zealanders told us the pendulum has swung too far towards relaxation of alcohol laws. Our package adopts in full, or in part, 126 of the 153 Law Commission recommendations, as well as making other changes. [read more]
27 August 2010
Saving for New Zealand’s future
National has set up an independent Savings Working Group to consider how
5 August 2010
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. [read more]
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. [read more]
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. [read more]
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. [read more]
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. [read more]
3 August 2010
250,000 NZers benefit from Govt drug budget
A $60 million funding boost to medicines funding under the National-led Government, means a quarter of a million Kiwis are receiving government subsidised medicines they couldn't have got two years ago. Health Minister Tony Ryall says, "The community pharmaceutical budget is $710 million this year, and there's another $4 million for cancer treatments and other initiatives." [read more]
21 July 2010
Improving Employment Law will Help Grow the Economy
As we continue to grow out of the recession, we need to have the right environment to create more jobs. Economic growth happens when a business sees an opportunity and is prepared to invest, expand, take risks, and hire new workers. [read more]
16 July 2010
We’re halfway through the year already, and children across Canterbury are back at school after a two-week break. Many of you who are parents will have received a National Standards report for the first time. As a parent, you deserve clear information about your child’s progress in reading, writing, and maths, and that’s what National Standards deliver. [read more]
Ultra-fast broadband capability for more schools
The National-led Government is providing funding to a further 239 schools for network upgrades, getting them ready for ultra-fast broadband. The latest $37.5 million investment is part of the National-led Government's $1.5 billion Broadband Investment Initiative. [read more]
Victims of crime have been neglected for too long. National is committed to placing victims at the heart of the justice system. We are enhancing services to victims of violent crimes with a range of initiatives that address the financial and emotional costs that fall on them. [read more]
Supporting services in our communities
National’s Community Response Fund is injecting a further $5.7 million into critical social services in its third round of funding. The fund provides support to a further 131 community organisations who were awarded funding based on financial pressures and increased demand. [read more]
4 June 2010
Boosting support for youth offenders
The Government is boosting funding by $550,000 for innovative programmes for serious youth offenders and those at risk of offending. The initial funding round of $350,000 received 115 applications. Providers have a range of innovative ideas to connect with young offenders, and address their behaviour to help turn their lives around. [read more]
1 June 2010
I am aware that there is debate in the community about the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and why we need to have one. It should also be pointed out that there are also those who criticize us on the grounds that our ETS doesn’t go far enough. I thought it would be useful to set out our position on this and why we have taken the stance we have. [read more]
20 May 2010
Budget 2010: Building The Recovery
Budget 2010 will build the recovery of our economy, help Kiwi families get ahead, and deliver the brighter future National campaigned on in 2008. It's great that we've come out of the recession in stronger shape than many countries. Our economy is expected to grow by 3.2 per cent in the coming year. But we're not out of the woods yet, so this is a sensible Budget that keeps a tight rein on government spending, and returns our books to surplus by 2016. [read more]
6 May 2010
Funding of $24 million is to be put towards a bowel cancer screening pilot, in an effort to combat what is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in New Zealand. [read more]
Three strikes law a step closer
Keeping the public safe is one of the most fundamental obligations of any government. This week we took another step to ensure the worst repeat serious violent offenders stay in prison for longer. [read more]
Government looks to recover student loan administration costs
The Government is looking to recover more of the $40 million it costs to administer the interest-free student loan scheme every year. We’re considering extending the annual administration fee to all those with a student loan. [read more]
3 May 2010
Selwyn MP Amy Adams launches school speed zone petition to Selwyn District Council
Amy Adams, MP for Selwyn, launched a petition to the Selwyn District Council for a reduction of speed outside schools in the Selwyn electorate. Broadfields School, Windwhistle, Greendale, Greenpark and Weedons School all have a speed limit of 100kmh outside their school gates, with other schools above 50kmh. [read more]
30 April 2010
This week the Government increased the excise tax on cigarettes and tobacco. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in New Zealand. [read more]
Rebuilding trust in our financial markets
National is working to restore the confidence of mum and dad investors, while developing capital markets to help businesses grow. On too many occasions in finance company collapses we heard of investors' money falling to the floor through the cracks between regulators. [read more]
Reviewing the impact of alcohol in our lives
The Law Commission’s report on alcohol, Alcohol in Our Lives: Curbing the Harm was released this week. It is the first ground-up review of our alcohol laws in 24 years and received almost 3000 submissions. [read more]
1 April 2010
Boosting our economic potential
Economic growth matters. Only through lifting our economic growth can we create new jobs, boost wages, raise living standards, and provide the high-quality public services that Kiwi families need. New Zealand is an energy-rich country. We have extraordinary renewable energy resources, such as wind, hydro, and geothermal power. [read more]
23 March 2010
Welfare is a safety net for New Zealand families. It should support people when they are most in need, encourage them to get back to work, and act when they don’t take responsibility for themselves and the people who depend on them. [read more]
16 March 2010
The National-led Government will not be cutting SuperGold transport services. We are committed to the SuperGold card, including the transport concessions as they stand. We want to ensure that taxpayers – and superannuitants – get value for the money spent on the scheme. [read more]
10 January 2010
A step change in economic performance
This week (9 Feb) the Prime Minister opened Parliament by outlining the Government’s programme for the coming year. In 2010, we’re focusing on growing our economy, creating new jobs, and improving public services to better equip New Zealanders – and particularly young people – for the economic challenges they face. [read more]
10 December 2009
Record seizures in fight against P
P is a dangerous and seriously addictive drug ruining lives, tearing families apart, and costing our society. Methamphetamine, or P, comes hand in hand with violence. It allows gangs and organised crime to flourish. It entices young people into crime. [read more]
30 November 2009
Opinion Piece by Hon Anne Tolley, Minister of Education
I think parents have had enough of all the scaremongering. It’s time to sort out the facts from the fiction around National Standards. In the last election campaign, the National Party promised to address the shocking statistic that almost 1 in 5 young New Zealanders leave school without the reading, writing and maths skills they need to have a chance of success in life. [read more]
16 November 2009
On November 25 we mark White Ribbon Day. This is when we send the message that violence against women and children must stop. Violence damages the lives of tens of thousands of New Zealanders. National is determined to change this. We want to secure a brighter future for all New Zealanders and their families. [read more]
4 November 2009
ACC has become financially unsustainable and reform is needed to secure its future for New Zealanders. ACC lost $4.8 billion this year on top of $2.4 billion last year. Its unfunded liabilities have ballooned from $4 billion to $13 billion and its claim costs by 57 per cent in just four years. [read more]
3 November 2009
Keeping rates rises under control
The National-led Government is proposing changes that will give ratepayers more say in how local councils spend their money. Ratepayers want and need greater confidence in their councils, and to have access to better, more easily understood information about the spending and performance of their councils. [read more]
2 November 2009
A team of hardened fraud investigators will be formed to hunt down and seize the millions of dollars in profits made by organised crime. The new 22-strong Assets Recovery Unit will be at the sharp end of our fight against organised crime and methamphetamine. [read more]
30 October 2009
More help for victims of serious crime
National knows that victims of crime, and in particular victims of serious crimes, face significant financial and emotional costs as a result of the crimes committed against them. We have made a commitment to increase the amount of support available to victims from November 2009. [read more]
29 October 2009
MMP Referendum at 2011 Election
National is delivering on its pre-election promise to hold a referendum on MMP no later than 2011. We want the public to have their say on this important issue. At the 2011 general election voters will be asked two questions – if they want to change the system, and what alternative voting system they would prefer. [read more]
27 October 2009
Improving Health Services for Patients
National is committed to putting patients first. We want to free up resources for more and better frontline services for patients. That’s why we’re having a major shake up of the public health service’s back office and administrative functions. [read more]
22 October 2009
For far too long residents of many of our towns and cities have had to put up with excessive noise, danger, and intimidation from boy racers. High-powered cars and younger drivers have created a lethal combination on our roads. A culture of dangerous driving has evolved, putting lives at risk. [read more]
19 October 2009
Better broadband for New Zealand
Many people in Selwyn and on Banks Peninsula are struggling by with dial-up speed internet. It’s tedious and slow for them to do simple things like send emails, read online news, or do a Google search. They wouldn’t dream of being able to have a video conference, download information for a school project, or book concert tickets online. [read more]
