DAVID BENNETT MP for Hamilton East

General Debate - 15th May, 2013 - Part 8

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:54:00 +1200

Two new schools for North East Hamilton

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:28:00 +1300

Last week the Minister of Education, Hon. Hekia Parata, announced the intention to build two new schools in the North-East suburbs of Hamilton.

This will come as good news to many residents that have been advocating for new schools, especially in the provision of Years 7-13 educational opportunities. I would like to thank all those involved in the process and who have advocated strongly for these schools. In particular to the North-East Schools Action Group (NESAG) that has been so supportive of these schools.

The Minister’s announced proposals for a new primary school to open in 2015 and aiming for the Years 7-13 school to open in 2016. These are tight deadlines as consultation needs to be undertaken with the community under the relevant legislation and then once the decisions are finalised, construction to commence and be completed.

In coming to the conclusion to build the news schools there are two main factors the government has to take in to account. First, the number of students in the relevant area and secondly the impact on the wider schooling network.

The first issue as to the number of students in the area has been the major issue for the provision of Year’s 7-13 education. The Years 7-13 school would be a large school and so needs a big co-hort to proceed. The growth the North-East of Hamilton has enabled the Ministry to now propose these schools, previously, we have not had sufficient numbers for the Years 7-13 secondary school.

At the primary school level the student number increase has been phenomenal. Currently there are approximately 1900 primary school age students in North-East Hamilton, but that number is projected to grow to around 2500 students by 2016.

The progress towards these announcements has been a step by step process. A critical step was in 2010 when the newly elected National Government purchased the land for the new secondary school. This was the first concrete step in providing for this school. Several reports later we now celebrate the second major step the Minister’s announcement of the opening of the consultation periods. This recent announcement is the crucial step in the process and we are very lucky to have such an announcement in such difficult times.

Some of our political opponents have argued the secondary school has been delayed when that is not the case. The previous Labour government knew of the need around the delivery of Years 7-13 and did nothing when they had the chance to do so. The National Government on the other hand had purchased the land and now recently secured the all-important Ministerial approval to proceed with consultation.

The decisions taken last week depend heavily on the number of students in the area and although primary school provision is easily achieved, the secondary provision has been harder to achieve the required numbers of students. There has to been no such delay and we have worked hard to achieve these decisions made recently and they represent a big achievement for all involved.

The consultation period is an important time for the community to be involved. For the primary school this involves issues such as location of the school and this will take place over the next few months.

The Year’s 7-13 consultation this is more detailed and will take place between August– September this year. Parents should aim to be involved in this consultation and the first issue will be, the type of school, namely, the type of provision for Years 7-13. This could be done in a variety of ways such as: a full Year 7-13 school; an intermediate-secondary school or a middle-senior school scenario.

Secondly, the individual years with which the school commences. There are a number of options including: Year 7; Years 7 and 8; Years 7 to 9; and so forth. Thirdly, the actual zone of the school, this is about which areas are to be considered in or out of zone.

We encourage parents and members of the community to actively involved in this consultation later in the year. The announcements last week are the most important step in building of these new schools, now it’s up to the public to consider how it wishes for these schools to be delivered.

Continuing our City's Growth

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 13:33:00 +1300

Hamilton is experiencing good growth at this time. We have cranes over our central city, expanded housing developments in the North-East and growing commercial construction in the Te Rapa North area. Overall, the growth looks good and will continue in the future.

There are some key contributors to this growth. First, is our location. Hamilton is the largest city that is close to Auckland. Auckland will be a large city in New Zealand terms in a very short period of time. It will dwarf the rest of the country on a population and economic basis. This is good news for Hamilton, however it does raise some challenges, namely the expansion of Auckland will create a dilemma in the population distribution in New Zealand. It also creates social and infrastructural issues for a Government.

The growth of the Pacific Rim countries will also make Auckland a world class city with world class property prices. Hamilton will indirectly benefit from this as well, but we will also face similar challenges.

Secondly, the infrastructural investment in our city has been crucial to its growth. The investment this Government has made in the Waikato Expressway, the internal Ring Route Road, the hospital development and the ultra-fast fibre roll out has all helped and in this way, Hamilton is able to take advantage of its proximity to Auckland and prosper.

The next question will be how do we further enhance our growth prospects and also deliver some solutions for the issues New Zealand faces with the growth of Auckland. There will be continued business and residential growth between Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga. This will relieve some pressure from Auckland. The golden triangle will eventually be connected by a series of businesses and residential centres. These are exciting times for Hamilton and this part of New Zealand. We are in the right place at the right time.

Welcome back to 2013

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:25:00 +1300

A happy New year to everybody and hope you had a good summer vacation. To all those that worked through the summer hopefully you can get some time out at some stage.

Last year was a difficult year in many ways. The world economy was still delicately placed with Europe in trouble, America struggling and some of the gloss coming off Australia and Asia. For the Government this meant a time of careful management of Crown finances while trying to maintain the social services we have become accustomed to providing in New Zealand. It is also a time to invest in our people and infrastructure for future generations.

This year will be equally challenging. This world recession has been different from others in the past in two ways. First, there have been stubbornly higher unemployment rates around the world especially in places like Spain. Secondly, the normal growth patterns that follow a recession have been replaced with situations of fluctuating growth and recession. This makes the economic planning and management difficult for any Government.

Despite these challenges we have continued to grow the New Zealand economy and rebuild Christchurch. We have increased social spending in areas like health and education while at the same time trying to drive efficiencies throughout Government.

2013 will pose similar challenges and we will be seeking to achieve further efficiencies in Government to meet these challenges. In saying this we are also mindful of the need to further develop the skills and resources of New Zealanders. Education will be crucial to these endeavours and also building a healthier and more active population is important. This is crucial as we seek to get more people into employment and so enhance their personal and career prospects. These changes are not always easy and we appreciate the communities’ patience as we move through these reforms.

The Government also needs to continue its strong infrastructural investment. The re-build of Christchurch will be a huge part of this but also the many other building projects such as the Hospital Campus in Hamilton. The construction of the Ultra-Fast Fibre Network through Hamilton is also welcomed. As to is the completion of the Ngaruawahia section of the Waikato Expressway due for the middle of this year and the commencement of the Cambridge-Tamahere section of this project later in the year.

Overall, we face another challenging year and that is the way of the world at this stage. But New Zealanders have risen to that challenge in 2012 and we are sure to do so again in 2013. Thank you and best wishes for the New Year.

Waikato Expressway

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 13:30:00 +1300

On Saturday the Te Rapa section of the Waikato Expressway will be opened. This is the first section of the Waikato Expressway to be completed under the National Government. The Te Rapa section of the Waikato Expressway is an important link opening further potential for Hamilton and the wider Waikato region for economic development.

The Waikato Expressway is the crucial link in the future economic growth of Hamilton and our region. With a fast growing Auckland City on our doorstep it means that we can take full advantage of this growth, this way we can build a stronger Hamilton

The Te Rapa section of the Waikato expressway extends from the north-west corner of Hamilton all the way to Horotiu where it connects to the future Ngaruawahia section of the Expressway. Forty per cent of the current traffic that travels on State Highway 1 is expected to use this section of the expressway. The Te Rapa section of the expressway was completed six months ahead of schedule and was below the estimated budget of $194 million.

The Te Rapa section will be open on Saturday the 1st of December for the public to celebrate. The timetable is planned for a Sports Waikato fun run/walk from 8.00am till 10.00am with formal opening celebrations taking place from 11.00am till 12 noon. The Prime Minister and the Honourable Gerry Brownlee the Minister of Transport will be there to cut the ribbon.

The opening of this section will provide a better network for transport between Hamilton and Auckland. The completion of the Waikato Expressway will provide 102KM of a four lane highway from the Bombay hills to just south of Cambridge which is being built in eleven sections. Next to open will be the Ngaruawahia section which is due to be completed in the New Year.

Following this the major sections left to be completed will be the Hamilton, Huntly and Cambridge bypass. The Cambridge bypass is due to start next year, the Hamilton and Huntly bypasses are due to be contracted in 2015.

This infrastructural investment by the National Government is a tremendous economic boost to our region but its real affect will be felt for many years in the future as it will be the key to building a prosperous and growing Hamilton City going forward.

Better public services

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 15:01:53 +1300

Delivering better public services is one of the Governments priorities for this term. The Prime Minister has set 10 challenging results for the public sector to achieve. Each result has some specific and measurable targets to be achieved over the next five years.

The first of the five themes is reducing long term welfare dependence, this means reducing the number of people who have been on a working age benefit for more than 12 months. Currently 12 per cent of the working age population in New Zealand is on a benefit and this challenge focusses on helping Kiwis break the cycle of long term benefit dependence through welfare reform.

The second theme that the Government is targeting is supporting vulnerable children. One example is the Government would like to increase participation in early childhood education, we will ensure that 98 per cent of children starting school have participated in Early Childhood Education in 2016. The second point that will be focused on is increasing infant immunisation rates and the incidence of rheumatic fever, the target is to have 95% of eight month olds fully immunised with three scheduled vaccinations by 2017.

Boosting skills and employment is another result that the Government wants to achieve during this term. The goal is to increase the proportion of 18- year olds with NCEA level 2 qualifications or equivalent qualifications.

Another challenging result that the Prime Minister has set for the public sector to achieve is reducing the rates of total crime, violent crime and youth crime and also reduce reoffending. We are committed to cracking down on crime in our streets and communities. If this target is met it will mean 45,000 fewer victims of crime every year from 2017.

The final challenge that has been set is improving interaction with the Government. New Zealand business’s will have a one stop online shop for all Government advice and support they need to run and grow their business. This will mean that New Zealanders can complete their transactions with the Government easily in a digital environment.

Update

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 15:01:23 +1300

What a great couple of weeks in sport, not only for our region but for the country as well. I would like to take the time to congratulate in particular Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic for winning the ANZ Championship and also the Chiefs for bringing home the Super 15 Final against the Sharks on Saturday night - A job well done!! Also congratulations to the Cambridge based rowers at the London Olympics. As we grow in sporting success we need to consider the elements of the future economic success for Hamilton.

First, we need the infrastructure that enables us to grow as a city. One piece of infrastructure is the Hamilton Ring Road project. Construction on the Wairere Drive-River Road roundabout of the Ring Road has begun as the roundabout is set to become an intersection controlled by traffic lights. The latest section of the city circuit from Crosby Road to Firth Avenue is due to open in about two months’ time, then the Ruakura section by December.

The Hamilton ring route road is a local road, but the Central Government has been giving a subsidy equivalent to half the cost of the project. Recent newspaper articles have shown that Hamilton City Council is considering whether to complete extension of the road through to Cobham Drive. This part of the project would also receive the subsidy that is equivalent to half the cost of the project we are encouraging the Hamilton City Council to take full advantage of the opportunity. This is an important piece of infrastructure for the city going forward and such funding opportunities come along rarely.

Secondly, we need to build a community that provides an environment for our people to grow and prosper. Recently, a $171,000 grant from the Environment Ministry will see more than 40,000 new seedlings planted at Hamilton’s Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park. This is a 60 hectare park on Hamilton’s Western outskirts and is a major ecological restoration project for Hamilton involving many of Hamilton’s organisations. The funding for the Waiwhakareke Park will cover the winter plantings over the next three years. This funding helps develop Hamilton’s environment and its biodiversity future and this is part of the Government’s investment in our community and environment.

Conscience Votes

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 14:58:49 +1300

Conscience Votes are rare votes in the political calendar. There are generally only three or four such votes each year in Parliament and they are opportunities for Parliamentarians to vote as individuals rather than the traditional party lines under the MMP electorate system. This week we had two such votes in Parliament.

The first was in relation to the Equality of Marriage Bill sponsored by MP Louise Wall. This Bill effectively gives the same - sex couples the same status as heterosexual couples in marriage. This is a complex issue with good arguments on both sides and we have received considerable correspondence on both sides of the issue. In many ways this is a decision that should not be left up to 120 Parliamentarians to decide and could easily be done through referendum. This is the approach of the NZ First party and I think that it is the right approach in this case.

In the end I voted against the proposal and did so on the basis of the changes the Bill would make to an out of date Adoption Act. The Adoption Act needs reforming but not on an ad-hoc basis via other pieces of legislation. This is not to say that I am against same sex adoption in certain circumstances e.g. family situations, but the unfair nature of the current adoption process would be further accentuated by the promotion of same sex married couples over single people for example.

On the drinking age amendments, to the alcohol reforms, I voted to keep the status quo at 18 years of age. Similarly, many arguments can be made for both sides but in the end we have issues on drinking culture not the age of our drinking necessarily. Many of the stories of alcohol abuse involve under 18 years if age and I do not see how necessarily changing the age will change the culture.

On a local front we had very positive news in two areas of key infrastructure provision as the Waikato Expressway was given prominence in the recently announced three year transport funding plans of $1.3 billion for the Waikato, of which the Waikato Expressway has been allocated approximately $590 million. Another $100-$150 million will also be invested in to NZTA projects such as the Hamilton Ring road and Waikato’s public transport.

Similarly, the Meade Medical Centre has an important milestone this week, the opening of part of the level one section of the Meade Medical Centre. This is part of the $400 million plan developed of the Waikato District Health Board to create a centre of health excellence for the Waikato. The Meade Clinical Centre is the most significant part of the Waikato Hospital’s building programme, the building will be open in three stages for completion by the end of 2014.

Focus on growth

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 12:05:49 +1300

New Zealand has been through a challenging few years – a recession, the Christchurch earthquake, and the Global Financial Crisis, but the economy is now growing and we’re making good progress.

The Government has worked hard to take the sharpest edges off the recession for families and businesses. We’re now working hard to set up the country for a prosperous future, competitive and productive economy.

The latest GDP results show economic growth of 0.6 per cent for the June 2012 quarter. This is the same as Australia and ahead of many other developed countries.

This makes our annual growth to 2.6 per cent – the highest rate since 2007, before the domestic recession and the Global Financial Crisis.

We’ve helped Kiwis by growing average after-tax wages 20 per cent since September 2008 – more than twice the rate of inflation. And we’ve kept interest rates low.

The number of people on benefits has declined by more than a thousand over the past month. Over the past year the number of people on the unemployment benefit has gone down by 5600.

Almost 60,000 more New Zealanders have a job now than two years ago. Economic growth is forecast to average 2 to 3 per cent a year over the next four years, with another 150,000 jobs created.

The government has helped businesses create jobs to employ more people and invest for growth. The 90-day trial period for new employees has created more than 13,000 jobs. Company tax at 28 per cent is now lower than in Australia. ACC levies have been reduced for businesses, saving them $600 million this year. We've cut red tape. More than 170 unnecessary and excessive regulations have been removed, saving an estimated $200 million in compliance costs for businesses each year.

Our Business Growth Agenda is focusing on making it easier for businesses to access the six key areas they need to grow – capital markets, infrastructure, innovation, skilled and safe workplaces, resources, and export markets.

Through our wide-ranging economic programme, the Governement is building a more competitive and productive economy that supports more jobs and higher incomes. Jobs provide income to support families, taxes to pay for public services, and opportunities for New Zealanders to get ahead.

Changing needs of local government in the Waikato region

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:14:39 +1200

* Franklin District Council has now been absorbed by Auckland Council and Waikato District Council

Flyover

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 13:31:47 +1200

Video Update

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:08:08 +1200

Hamilton Update

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:20:01 +1200

Better Public Service Targets

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:18:04 +1200

Reforming the Welfare System

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:16:36 +1200

The Budget this month will provide $287.5 million over the next four years for the first phase at the Government’s welfare reform’s to help more New Zealanders in to work.

In these difficult times it is important that we help those seeking employment. The best thing we can do in Government is to provide a strong and vibrant economy. That is why the Government is intending to get back into budget surplus as soon as possible.

The increased budget funding for Social welfare includes $81.5 million of new funding. The increased funding is made on the basis that the Government is seeking to ensure less people need welfare over the long term. This new funding will focus on supporting people to get out of the welfare trap.

The budget will include: $80 million over four years for early childhood education and guaranteed childcare assistance payment; $55.1 million over four years for 155 dedicated Work and Income staff to support jobseekers and solo parents in work; and $148.8 million over four years for youth services including wrap around support.

A central part of their reforms is the support for young people. The youth services funding will be targeted at budgeting and parenting courses. This includes $77.6 million to support roughly 14,000 disengaged 16 and 17 year olds to move them into education or training.

One of the more public reforms in this package is the issue of contraception. Although it’s a small part of the package at $1 million it has raised the most public debate. New Zealand has seen the highest rate of teen births in developed countries (after the USA) and under the proposal Work and Income would cover the cost of the medical appointment and the long acting reversible contraception itself where it is not fully funded by Pharmac. These costs currently present a barrier to some people on a benefit and this welfare reform is about removing that barrier.

In the wider welfare reform package we are looking at the new benefit categories at a new work focused benefit called “Jobseeker Support”; a new solo parent benefit to replace the DPB; and a new Supported Living Payment – to replace the Invalids Benefit and certain DBP categories. These wider welfare changes are helping to redesign the system to be simple and more effective. It will enhance our focus on removing the barriers, setting the expectations and providing the incentives for the transfer from welfare to work.

This budget is crucial as we work towards putting our economy in a strong position to withstand the pressures of a volatile world economy. It also sets the frame work for assisting more New Zealanders into work rather than welfare.