I attended the National Party Conference last week during which our government introduced a new employment law package that aims to improve productivity and employment in New Zealand. Comprised of three initiatives, it upholds our commitment to lifting the long-term performance of the economy and to creating more jobs for New Zealanders.

Posted by admin in Column at 09:29

Commonwealth Parliamentary Whips Network

I recently had the privilege to represent both the New Zealand Parliament and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Pacific Region at the first Commonwealth Parliamentary Whips Workshop, which was held in New South Wales, Australia from 14-16 July.

Posted by admin in Column at 09:25

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.

Posted by admin in Column at 09:01

Emergency Service Provider Meeting

On Friday 2 July I was invited to participate in a meeting of emergency service providers, hosted at the South Canterbury Red Cross headquarters.

This was an excellent opportunity for representatives of Police, Ambulance, Civil Defence/Timaru District Council, Salvation Army and Fire Service (both urban and rural) to have a familiarity update regarding the Red Cross emergency response capability.

It was apparent from the discussions that the Red Cross response capability in South Canterbury is a vital component in meeting the needs of our community across a whole range of circumstances or events.

I found it reassuring to know that a well-trained team of people with many resources at their disposal were available in incidents such as the recent flooding and events like the 2006 snow event.

Carol Ball, Area Manager for Canterbury also filled us in on upcoming changes to the capability in Ashburton. Carol described the changes as: “the capability of Red Cross in Mid Canterbury is soon to be strengthened.  Advertising for an information and recruitment session in Ashburton in July will soon be placed in local papers. Potential volunteers will learn of the welfare role that Red Cross delivers in an emergency and what training they would undertake as a team member.”

Red Cross relies heavily on volunteers to carry out their work, as do many of the other organisations at the meeting. During the meeting long-term volunteer, Ken Weavers (Timaru Response Team Leader), was awarded his 10-year service certificate and badge. Our community is fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers as Ken.

Youth Parliament 2010

Georgia Robertson, an Ashburton College Yr 13 student, represented the Rangitata electorate at the recent Youth Parliament.

She was one of 122 young New Zealanders, aged 16 to 20 years, representing each sitting MP who took over Parliament for two days during the school holidays.  Youth Parliament is held once each Parliamentary term.

I was delighted to be able to host Georgia in Wellington, show her around the debating chamber and Parliamentary precinct and introduce her to a sample of life as a Parliamentarian.

The Youth MPs focussed on a mock bill which, if it were real, would bring into law a single lawful age for driving, voting and drinking.  They were able to debate the merits of different age thresholds and attend ten select committees of inquiry ranging from entrepreneurship education to copyright infringement.

A contingent of 10 Youth Journalists, including Alana Dixon from Aoraki Polytechnic, also reported on the sitting of the Youth Parliament.

The Youth Press Gallery provides an opportunity for aspiring journalism students and interns to experience political reporting, while under the wing of a real press gallery journalist.

Posted by admin in Column at 16:05

Emergency Service Provider Meeting

On Friday 2 July I was invited to participate in a meeting of emergency service providers, hosted at the South Canterbury Red Cross headquarters.

This was an excellent opportunity for representatives of Police, Ambulance, Civil Defence/Timaru District Council, Salvation Army and Fire Service (both urban and rural) to have a familiarity update regarding the Red Cross emergency response capability.

It was apparent from the discussions that the Red Cross response capability in South Canterbury is a vital component in meeting the needs of our community across a whole range of circumstances or events.

I found it reassuring to know that a well-trained team of people with many resources at their disposal were available in incidents such as the recent flooding and events like the 2006 snow event.

Carol Ball, Area Manager for Canterbury also filled us in on upcoming changes to the capability in Ashburton. Carol described the changes as: “the capability of Red Cross in Mid Canterbury is soon to be strengthened.  Advertising for an information and recruitment session in Ashburton in July will soon be placed in local papers. Potential volunteers will learn of the welfare role that Red Cross delivers in an emergency and what training they would undertake as a team member.”

Red Cross relies heavily on volunteers to carry out their work, as do many of the other organisations at the meeting. During the meeting long-term volunteer, Ken Weavers (Timaru Response Team Leader), was awarded his 10-year service certificate and badge. Our community is fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers as Ken.

Youth Parliament 2010

Georgia Robertson, an Ashburton College Yr 13 student, represented the Rangitata electorate at the recent Youth Parliament.

She was one of 122 young New Zealanders, aged 16 to 20 years, representing each sitting MP who took over Parliament for two days during the school holidays.  Youth Parliament is held once each Parliamentary term.

I was delighted to be able to host Georgia in Wellington, show her around the debating chamber and Parliamentary precinct and introduce her to a sample of life as a Parliamentarian.

The Youth MPs focussed on a mock bill which, if it were real, would bring into law a single lawful age for driving, voting and drinking.  They were able to debate the merits of different age thresholds and attend ten select committees of inquiry ranging from entrepreneurship education to copyright infringement.

A contingent of 10 Youth Journalists, including Alana Dixon from Aoraki Polytechnic, also reported on the sitting of the Youth Parliament.

The Youth Press Gallery provides an opportunity for aspiring journalism students and interns to experience political reporting, while under the wing of a real press gallery journalist.

Posted by admin in Column at 13:42