Hamilton Bulletin - February 2009
Welcome
Happy New Year and welcome to our first email newsletter of the year and our first newsletter as the Government. The year is already flying through and 2009 has started off with strong decision making and leadership by the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister John Key said in his opening address:
“Our task now is to build on the success of last year and tackle the challenges of 2009. We face some pretty difficult economic conditions as well as the concerns we identified in the election campaign. But I am confident that with a lot of hard work and your help, we can look through the global recession, deliver on our election promises, and build a brighter future for all New Zealanders.”
Some News from Parliament includes:
ReStart
The Restart package launched is a financial and job search assistance for people who have been made redundant, or are no longer self-employed due to the economic downturn. The three components of the package are:
• ReCover – a payment if you have a dependent child or children and you were eligible for the in-work tax cut before being made redundant, and/or
• RePlace – up to an extra $100 in addition to Accommodation Supplement depending on your circumstances
• ReConnect – help to get you back into a job
ReStart assistance will be paid for a maximum of 16 weeks or until you return to a full time job, which ever happens first.
Helping Small Business
We have announced a relief package to help small businesses. This aims to lighten the load on small and medium enterprises, help them get through these tough times, and prepare for the recovery that will follow. The initiatives in the package include a suite of 11 tax changes which will see the GST registration threshold increase to $60,000 in annual revenue from $40,000, GST payment thresholds increase to $2 million in annual revenue from $1.3 million, the Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) annual filing threshold will be raised to $500,000 in employer PAYE deductions from $100,000 and the FBT prescribed interest rate for low-interest employment related loans will fall from 10.90% to 8.05%. The Government will also be expanding the Export Credit Scheme, extending jurisdiction for the Disputes Tribunal, expanding business advice services, and requiring prompt payment by all government departments and Crown agencies. At a time when many small businesses are struggling to survive, we can’t sit back and wait to see what happens, this package will help keep the lifeblood of our economy flowing.
Upcoming Events
Relay for Life
The annual fundraiser for the Cancer Society is coming up on the weekend of 7-8 March 2009. As we have done in previous year’s we will enter a team and help fundraise for this worthy cause. Come along and support us or give the office a call if you’d like to join us. Call 07 834 3407 and speak to Victoria if you are keen.
Contact us
Our electorate office is here to help you with any concerns or queries that you may have. The office can be contacted on 07 834 3407 or davidbennett@xtra.co.nz
Please also feel free to check out my facebook profile here: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1294225975
I welcome your feedback and suggestions.
Welcome
Happy New Year and welcome to our first email newsletter of the year and our first newsletter as the Government. The year is already flying through and 2009 has started off with strong decision making and leadership by the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister John Key said in his opening address:
“Our task now is to build on the success of last year and tackle the challenges of 2009. We face some pretty difficult economic conditions as well as the concerns we identified in the election campaign. But I am confident that with a lot of hard work and your help, we can look through the global recession, deliver on our election promises, and build a brighter future for all New Zealanders.”
Some News from Parliament includes:
ReStart
The Restart package launched is a financial and job search assistance for people who have been made redundant, or are no longer self-employed due to the economic downturn. The three components of the package are:
• ReCover – a payment if you have a dependent child or children and you were eligible for the in-work tax cut before being made redundant, and/or
• RePlace – up to an extra $100 in addition to Accommodation Supplement depending on your circumstances
• ReConnect – help to get you back into a job
ReStart assistance will be paid for a maximum of 16 weeks or until you return to a full time job, which ever happens first.
Helping Small Business
We have announced a relief package to help small businesses. This aims to lighten the load on small and medium enterprises, help them get through these tough times, and prepare for the recovery that will follow. The initiatives in the package include a suite of 11 tax changes which will see the GST registration threshold increase to $60,000 in annual revenue from $40,000, GST payment thresholds increase to $2 million in annual revenue from $1.3 million, the Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) annual filing threshold will be raised to $500,000 in employer PAYE deductions from $100,000 and the FBT prescribed interest rate for low-interest employment related loans will fall from 10.90% to 8.05%. The Government will also be expanding the Export Credit Scheme, extending jurisdiction for the Disputes Tribunal, expanding business advice services, and requiring prompt payment by all government departments and Crown agencies. At a time when many small businesses are struggling to survive, we can’t sit back and wait to see what happens, this package will help keep the lifeblood of our economy flowing.
Upcoming Events
Relay for Life
The annual fundraiser for the Cancer Society is coming up on the weekend of 7-8 March 2009. As we have done in previous year’s we will enter a team and help fundraise for this worthy cause. Come along and support us or give the office a call if you’d like to join us. Call 07 834 3407 and speak to Victoria if you are keen.
Contact us
Our electorate office is here to help you with any concerns or queries that you may have. The office can be contacted on 07 834 3407 or davidbennett@xtra.co.nz
Please also feel free to check out my facebook profile here: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1294225975
I welcome your feedback and suggestions.
