July 1 2017 Digital Edition

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JULY 1, 2017 Electionlink 05 National upbeat about election prospects Bala (Venu) Beeram The 81st Annual Conference of the National Party held in Wellington last weekend (June 23-24, 2017) was one of the most important events in my life and career. Although I have attended many conferences over the past 10 years as a member and worker, the just-concluded conference brought me close to ministers, the National Caucus and Board of Directors. Among the highlights of the two-day conference was the opportunity that I had of meeting former Prime Minister Jim Bolger, who gave me invaluable advice on how to conduct my campaign in Kelston. Bill English The main address by National Party Leader and Prime Minister Bill English gave us confidence and renewed hope. He spoke about ‘National’s New Zealand,’ and how the government is working hard to improve the lot of New Zealanders. “We will work for a New Zealand where innovation and hard work is recognised and rewarded, a New Zealand that looks after the National Party Leader Bill English presenting two Certificates to Bala (Venu) Beeram at the Party’s Conference held in Wellington on June 23-24, 2017 most vulnerable, and helps them change their lives. Labour, the Greens and New Zealand First, on the other hand, would shut down growth because they are not up for tackling the challenges success brings,” he said. Steven Joyce Finance Minister Steven Joyce briefed me on the steps being taken to maintain and improve economic growth. He explained the salient features of the first Budget that he presented in Parliament on May 25, 2017 and said that it would have positive impact on small and medium businesses, such as those operating in my electorate. Simon Bridges I also had an opportunity to speak to Transport Minister Simon Bridges who apprised me of the efforts of our Government to find solutions to the growing traffic congestion in Auckland and the residents of the Kelston area. He said that the Waterview Tunnel, set to open shortly, is of the most significant and the largest infrastructure project of its kind ever undertaken in recent years. He said that the extension to the Northwestern Cycleway will provide safety and convenience to cyclists. Nikki Kaye Education Minister Nikki Kaye told me of the work being done by her Ministry to the children in Kelston. She said that some of the schools in the electorate will derive benefits from Budget 2017 including the Pacific Education Plan, Digital Learning and new buildings. It was a proud moment for me when Prime Minister Bill English honoured with two certificates, one each for securing ‘Most Memberships’ and for ‘Improved Memberships’ at the Conference. Like my fellow members at National, I returned home on Sunday with a resolve to intensify my efforts in Kelston and campaign harder and reach out to all my people. If you’re an Entrust beneficiary, check your letterbox this week for some important information about this year’s dividend payment. Make sure we’ve got your details correct so nothing gets in the way of your payment. Not sure if you qualify or want to find out more? Watch our video at www.facebook.com/entrustnz www.entrustnz.co.nz
06 Electionlink Government’s neglect of our children pathetic Jacinda Arden All Kiwi children deserve so much more than the impoverished picture painted by the shameful rankings provided by the UNICEF Innocenti Report Card. After nine years of National, New Zealand ranks near the bottom for child well-being and that’s just not good enough. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) rankings confirm the hardship and suffering with nearly 20 per cent of all Kiwi children living in relative income poverty. Measuring poverty Labour is committed to a framework of measuring poverty in New Zealand. My Child Poverty Reduction and Eradication Members Bill would measure child poverty and set a reduction target. It is shameful that New Zealand joins the Republic of Korea, Turkey and Chile as the only countries that do not measure child poverty. What’s even worse is that New Zealand has the highest adolescent suicide rate of all 41 European and OECD countries in the report. Labour has been asking how the Government is working towards reducing the number of children living in poverty. There’s no meaningful work programme that Minister Tolley is currently doing to reduce the number of children living in poverty. Low OECD rating It is a poor track record for the National Government that sees New Zealand ranked 34th out of 41 European Union/ OECD countries in the League Table. The SDG to end hunger ranks New Zealand 18th with 10.9% of children below the age of 15 living with an adult who is food insecure. Failing to put food on the table is more common than the Government cares to admit. The report shows that national income alone is no guarantee of a good record in sustaining child well-being. We can do better, and under Labour JULY 1, 2017 we will. We will start by putting child poverty measures into law, and report on them every budget. We’ll focus on lifting incomes, making housing affordable, and putting nurses in schools. After nine years, it is time for a fresh approach and one that puts child well-being at the heart of what we do, and puts New Zealand at the top of the tables. Jacinda Ardern is elected Member of Parliament from Mt Albert, Deputy Leader of Labour and the Party’s Spokesperson for children. Let us welcome more refugees with open arms James Shaw Recently, we announced that when we are in Government, the Green Party will increase the refugee quota to 5000 (it is currently 1000). Of those, 4000 will be directly resettled by the government (as under the current system) and another 1000 will be community sponsored placements – replicating a very successful programme that has been run in Canada for over 30 years. I am personally very proud of this policy. To me, it demonstrates that the Green Party is committed to promoting openness and extending a warm hand of welcome to refugees and migrants. Increasing dangers The world around us has become an increasingly dangerous place for many people around the world. We are living through the greatest humanitarian crisis since World War II. Sixty-five million people are displaced around the world, 21 million of whom are UN recognised refugees. Families – people just like you and me – have had to flee from their homes through no fault of their own, leaving behind brothers, sisters, sons, fathers, mothers, daughters and other family members. Leaving behind friends, communities and jobs. I know many of you reading this column have had to do it. I respect the resilience you’ve shown. Refugees have also had to leave their lives behind – but under the fear of death and destruction. Too often – they cannot come back because there is no home for them to return. Moral Obligation We have a moral obligation as people who can help – to help those in need. And New Zealand is not doing enough. Australia takes more than 20,000 a year under their refugee quota – that is about four times as many as New Zealand does, per head of population. Canada takes in around 50,000. Lebanon has more than 1.1 million Syrian refugees. New Zealand’s paltry target of 1000 is not enough. And I acknowledge the concerns that people have had. Too many people here are struggling to get by. Too many are waiting for hours in line for crucial treatment. Too many people are living under bridges or in cars – without a home. But a compassionate and competent government can do both. We can and should step up and help people in need overseas and at home. Raising the refugee quota is the right thing to do. James Shaw is Member of Parliament on Green List and the Party’s Co-Leader. labour.org.nz/vision Fresh Policies to: . Put more community police onthe streets . Build affordable houses for families . Get young people into jobs, education and training ContactLabour’sEthnic CommunitiesOutreachTeam Email Michael.Wood@parliament.govt.nz Email Ethnic.Communities@labour.org.nz Phone 09 373 3332 Address 85 Grafton Rd Auckland NZ 1010 Andrew Little MP Labour Leader Michael Wood MP Spokesperson for Ethnic Communities
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