Ashburton Courier: October 31, 2019

Local news at www.starnews.co.nz Ashburton’s The Courier, Thursday 31 October 2019, Page 27
Labour list MP
Jo Luxton comments
One of the long­term
challenges Jacinda
Ardern’s government is
facing is the global economy,
which as you’ve
seen is faltering abit. But
the latest set of government
accounts shows
New Zealand is in good
shape and performing
better than many similar
countries. Together
we’re running a great
race, even though there’s
aheadwind about.
Every few months the
Treasury gives an update
on how the country is
performing, which builds
on all the other figures
Statistics New Zealand
puts out. The figures
show that we have a
10­year record low
unemployment rate and
wages rising at the fastest
rate in adecade. On top
of that, the government’s
also posted a solid surplus
thanks to New
Zealand’s economy
performing better than
predicted, and we’re paying
down the country’s
debt.
We’re posting agood
surplus and keeping the
economy growing well.
We’re also investing seriously
in areas neglected
for too long before we
came to office. Across
New Zealand, we’re
building classrooms and
schools, fixing up hospitals,
building new roads
and rail facilities, and
investing in the Super
Fund. And what does
that mean for us here?
Right here in Ashburton
we’ve been able to
invest in new classrooms
and rebuilds for Ashburton
College, Ashburton
Intermediate and Allenton
School. We’ve been
able to start the roll out
of mental health workers
with investments at
Three Rivers Health.
New Zealand’s debt is
19.2% of GDP, down substantially
from the 21.8%
we inherited. Lower debt
means we have more
options if acrisis or natural
disaster hits our shores.
Our progress isn’t coming
at the expense of business,
either, with corporate
profits in New Zealand
running ahead of
forecasts. That’s good
news for shareholders,
workers, and the government
alike.
Our economy is strong.
We’re growing significantly
faster than the
OECD average, at 2.4%.
We’re growing faster than
Australia, Canada, Great
Britain, and the European
Union. Now is no time for
New Zealand to talk itself
into joining the offshore
funk.
I’m really proud that our
government, under
Jacinda Ardern’s leadership,
is getting the balance
right. We’re investing
where we need to invest, in
mental health, cancer care,
schools, housing, and
transport. And we’re doing
it while making sure New
Zealand’s economy can
run strongly, with New
Zealand firms generating
more jobs, higher wages,
and higher profits across
the country.
Residents urged
to boil water
The Ashburton council is
urging residents in the
north east area of Ashburton
who have private
bore connections to boil
their drinking water, due
to high microbial contamination
being found
in their water supply.
Residents in the affected
area (which is
categorised as properties
and lifestyle blocks on
the outskirts of Ashburton
towards the Ashburton
Airport) are advised
to boil their drinking
water and water used for
hygiene purposes for at
least one minute before
consuming.
This advisory only
applies to residents with
aprivate bore water connection.
The notice does
not apply to any councilsupplied
water schemes.
There is also aconcern
about high levels of
nitrates in the private
bore water. Residents
with bottle­fed infants
under the age of six
months are advised to use
an alternative water source
or use bottled water to
make up their baby formula.
Residents who have
consumed unboiled water
and are showing symptoms
of diarrhoea, vomiting or a
fever are advised to contact
their general practitioner
at any time of the
day or night.
Babies, young children,
elderly and people who
have compromised
immune systems are more
at risk of illness.
Residents in the affected
area are encouraged to
have their water bores
sampled and tested. Companies
that supply this
service are Eurofins (03
343 5227), Hills Chemistry
(03 377 7176) and Citilabs
(03 455 7938).
Further testing is being
done in the affected area
to determine the level and
extent of contamination.
The advisory is in place
until further notice.
Rangitata MP Andrew Falloon comments
Politics never featured
highly for measacareer
goal. If you’d asked me
15 or 20 years ago about
my ambitions they
extended about as far as
Company Road, now
the site ofthe Industrial
Estate, but previously
the pig farm I worked
on.
It was hardbut honest
work, and I’d happily
still be there today.
What changed was a
realisation that on the
really big stuff, for our
district and for our
country rather than just
afew people Imightone
day employ, that change
has to happen at Government
level.
Like many of you Igot
increasingly fed up with
the near­constant focus
on Auckland. Where
problems with housing
becomes aNew Zealand
problem. Where lack of
investment by successive
Auckland councils in
wastewater means we’re
now talking about ataxpayer
funded bailout.
And where the major
media outlets go into
meltdown if our largest
city should lose power
or gas for afew hours.
Auckland is important,
but ultimately it’s
districts like Ashburton
that drive our economic
growth, and it’s critical
that Government supports
that growth.
The rollout of ultrafast
broadband by the
previous National Government
was a gamechanger,
but in too
many areas coverage is
still poor.
The rise of Netflix
and other streaming
technologies (yep, that
includes Spark Sport)
means we need tocontinue
to invest or we’ll
be left behind.
The present Government’s
decision to cut
more than $5 billion
from the state highway
network will make our
roads less safe.
The fact itwas diverted
into rail and cycle
projects in Auckland
just rubs salt in the
wound. Ashburton to
Christchurch, already
thesecond most dangerousstretch
of highway in
the country for fatalities
and serious accidents is
in serious need of an
upgrade, and delays on
our roads are becoming
a serious handbrake to
growth.
All ofthat requires a
local MP prepared to
stand up and be astrong
voice for ourregion, makingthe
case in Wellington
as to why districts like
ours matter, and unafraid
of confronting the powerful
Auckland lobby.
Recently I confirmed
I’ll again beacandidate
at the General Election
next year, seeking your
support to continue tobe
that strong local voice.
Over the next couple of
days I’ll be at the A&P
Show. This year the
theme is Seeds of Mid
Canterbury, so at my tent
we’ll be giving out aseed
blend designed for our
friend the honeybee.
Drop by for apack, some
balloons for the kids, ora
chat about anything from
politics topig farming.
• Johnson’s Panel & Paint • Simply Eco • 128 Victoria • Robbie’s Undercar Specialist
• Carpet Court & Curtain Studio • Crafty Cow • Netherby Four Square • First National
• Annies Country Quilt Store • Samantha Rose Flowers • Plains Power • The Bald Barber
• Robilliards Showcase Jeweller • Lushingtons • Stepping Out • Liquorland Tinwald •Ton’s Thai •F45
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• Hurst Automotive • Unquie Boutique •Pool &Pump World•RoscoAutoDismantlers •AutoSparks
•MyBoutique •Wilson Windscreens •AshfordCraft Shop •The Tool Shed •Stihl Shop
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