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Mental health in their sights By ADAM BURNS NEWS The <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> <strong>News</strong>, <strong>April</strong> <strong>14</strong>, <strong>2022</strong> 9 National Party leader Christopher Luxon is backing his ‘‘great mate and body double’’, on the front bench, to lift the mental health crisis out of the doldrums. The leader of the opposition visited the Waimakariri district last week as part of awider South Island excursion, as he reached out to various communities and to nail down some more National Party ‘‘repealing Three Waters’’ billboards. But while he continued to speak on several issues, and convey his credentials more than 12 months out from the election, Mr Luxon provided a ringing endorsement for his Waimakariri MP and mental health spokesperson, Matt Doocey. It comes amid the Government’s efforts, and spend, to improve mental health services being put under the microscope. Mr Doocey, who has aspirations to be New Zealand’s first Cabinet mental health minister, recently called out the Government’s $1.9 billion spend after a report by the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission revealed little change to acute and specialist services, which the Government has defended. The Waimakariri MP has trained in mental health and studied counselling and psychology and has previously spoken about his own struggles. Mr Luxon says he could see asea change with adedicated mental health minister, saying the Waimakariri MP is the most qualified person in Parliament to tackle the problem. ‘‘Matt’s got alot of passion and connection with it,’’ he says. ‘‘He’s agreat mate and agood friend. With his expertise and his background up against [Health Minister] Andrew Little, Iwould take Matt Doocey every day of the week.’’ Mr Luxon continues to take aim at the Great mates ... Christopher Luxon catches up with Matt Doocey. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Government over the mental health package, saying it had nothing to show for the investment. ‘‘That’s the frustration...they’ve announced abudget of $2 billion, the reports have come back and there’s absolutely nothing to show for it,’’ he says. Mr Little has previously blamed the demand for specialist care on the previous Government's neglect of mental health services which he described as ‘‘run down’’. Last week, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern defended the Government in the House, acknowledging access to specialist mental health services required improvement but primary care had been the focus. ‘‘The very specific focus that came from those who had experience of the system and those who worked in the system was the complete absence of primary mental health care. That was adding extra pressure to acute needs,’’ she says. ‘‘That is why we have built aprimary mental health system for the first time in New Zealand's history. It is providing tens of thousands of appointments for New Zealanders who previously had no access to early mental health support.’’ Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air. Councillor slams submission By ADAM BURNS ‘‘Weak and wimpy’’. This is how a departing Waimakariri councillor, Kirstyn Barnett, has labelled the council in response to its planned submission to Environment<strong>Canterbury</strong>’s (ECan)annual plan and proposed 24 percent rates increase. They were words whichdid not sit well with MayorDan Gordonwho backed a nuanced approachbefore the Waimakariri District Council passed its draft submission to ECan’s annualplan at lastweek’s council meeting. Several concerns aroundECan’s contentiousproposals, which are set to hit ‘‘under pressure’’ ratepayersfurther in the pocket, have been outlined in the draft submission. Aproposed future levy to fund action in response to climate change is one of the key propositions,amid arecommended average ratesrise of 24.1 percent. The council saysuncertaintyaround what intiatives the levy would be paying for was ‘‘difficulttosupport’’ in its feedback. But there was asuggestion the council was favouring diplomacy and sending a limp messagetoECan. Voting against the submission,CrBarnett blasted ECan’s proposal and says council was not being firm enoughinits feedback. ‘‘I’mreally quite disappointed...I understand we have to workin partnership, but apartner which blatantly goes out and [proposes] a24% increase in ratestoour residents is not beingapartner, they’re actually dictating whereour money is spent. ‘‘We should not be supportingclimate change initiatives with no planand no goal. Ithink we’regoing to end up lookingwimpy like we’re not representingthe view of our publicifwe don’t giveamuch stronger message.’’ The fourterm councillor confirmed at the weekend she was not standing for reelection later thisyear. It was apartingshot which irked Mayor Gordonwho defended thetone council was striking in thedocument. ‘‘I think we have sent aclear message, I don’t think we’re being wimpy at all.Idon’t like that terminology to be perfectly honest.’’ Cr PhilipRedmond agreed with Cr Barnettbut saysasubmissionwas ‘‘better than no submission’’. DeputyMayorNeville Atkinson took adiffering line, sayingnot everyone in the community felt the same. ‘‘There is asegmentofthe community who are saying‘if that’s what needs to be done thenthat’s what we have to pay’.I’m not saying Iagree with that.’’ AlongsideCrBarnett, Cr WendyDoody also voted against the submission. Hearings on ECAN’s annual panwill occur on <strong>April</strong> 2629. PublicInterest Journalismfunded through NZ On Air. The Widest Music Variety Friday 6pm & replayed at 12pm Sunday Tune in nowtolistenon104.9 <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> and103.7 Hanmer Springs andKaikoura