Speaker of the House, Dr Hon Lockwood Smith today visited Hawke’s Bay. Part of his diary was to enjoy fine dining at Vidal’s Restaurant with former a Speakers wife, Lady Margaret Harrison. Lady Harrison’s husband was Sir Richard Harrison. He was elected to the Hawke’s Bay Electorate in 1963. After the 1969 elections he became Junior Whip. In 1978 he was elected Speaker and this ended at the 1984 elections. In 1990 Sir Richard was knighted.

The job of the Speaker of the Houses has remained fairly consistent with the role previous speakers had. Lady Harrison and Dr Lockwood Smith shared many a story.

Lockwood Smith is one of New Zealand’s most experienced parliamentarians having, since 1984, represented Kaipara and now the Rodney electorate. “The greatest thing a government can do for its people is to protect their freedom to pursue their dreams and aspirations, to achieve their goals in life.”

Dr Hon Lockwood Smith day ends by being guest speaker at Havelock North Rotary this evening.

Just back from the House, Chris talks about yesterday's Budget, the assumptions that underpin it, and what it means for New Zealand.

It was great to see the ‘Labour Force’ figures released last week reporting that the rate of unemployment was down to 6.6%. The number of people employed and in work rose by 30,000 over the last quarter to 2,214,000.

This is still not good enough, but is back from the height of unemployment at 7.2% and well back from initial recession forecasts of 12%.

There’s no doubt it’s been a long haul getting through the recession, but it’s my opinion that many New Zealanders are now feeling more optimistic about the future. We’re seeing a number of our primary industries picking up with strong commodity prices in lamb, beef, wool, timber, and light manufacturing into Australia. Employment levels tend to lag behind changes in the economy. We saw employment rates drop after we had entered the recession, now we’re seeing them rise but following a return to growth, not ahead of it. As a result improved growth forecasts are gradually delivering more jobs and more people in work.

Amongst this youth unemployment has been a real concern. So it was great to see an early budget announcement last week that $55.2 million will be invested over the next four years to get young people into jobs.

The new package will deliver subsidies for employers who agree to train a young person and give them a permanent job.

The Youth Employment package, has three components: Skills for Growth, Job Ops with Training, and the Limited Service Volunteer programme.

Employers will get a $5000 subsidy for both the Skills for Growth and Job Ops with Training package. The original version of Job Ops has helped more than 10,000 young people get work.

An extra $25m over four years will allow 1500 people a year to have a Limited Service Volunteers (LSV) experience. The six-week residential LSV confidence building programme for 18-24 year-olds is targeted at those on a benefit for longer than six months.

The Government is backing young people to gain skills and the confidence that gets them real jobs in our economy.
Chris Tremain
 

The news out late last week of the investment by the Hawkes Bay DHB into an integrated family health centre is absolutely fantastic for Wairoa.

Three of four general practices in Wairoa will be amalgamated to form two general practices within the new health centre. Those practices are Wairoa Medical Centre, Queen Street Practice and Dr Underwoods Surgery. The fourth practice, Health Care Centre, will be sold to the two new amalgamated practices due to an upcoming retirement. Can I acknowledge the work of Wairoa doctor, Ron Janes, in helping to spearhead these changes.  As well as general practices, the new health centre will provide community health services including midwifery, physiotherapy, St John Ambulance and mental health services.

This is excellent news for Wairoa ensuring the sustainability of health services for many years to come. Importantly it will provide a state of the art health care centre which caters for most of Wairoas primary care needs. Attracting new doctors to Wairoa has been difficult due to the sole practitioner model and the huge demands placed on services patients 24/7. The new centre will help to attract new doctors by allowing cross cover in weekends and after hours.

Wairoa has worked for years to establish a combination of services. As a result I’ve written a number of times in this paper supporting the concept of an integrated family health centre. I’ve also worked with the DHB to help bring this matter to a head. A big thanks to Chairman, Kevin Atkinson, the wider Board and CEO, Kevin Snee, for seeing real merit in this project and for working through the various difficulties. Well done to your Wairoa representative, Denise Eaglesome, who has worked behind the scenes towards a positive outcome. When Wairoa did not have a representative elected to the DHB, I worked hard to ensure that representation was delivered for Wairoa by way of one of the Ministers appointments. So it’s great to see Denise making such a large contribution. While regional governance, such as the DHB, can bring real benefits it is critical that communities have strong representation to ensure their issues and concerns are regularly brought to the Board table.

In closing can I suggest that this initiative also provides a wonderful opportunity for local Maori health providers to work closely with the integrated centre to bring further health benefits to the wider community.

All in all a great result for Wairoa – well done to all concerned!
 

It was a huge privilege to represent Napier and Hawke’s Bay at the Christchurch Memorial service last Friday. I can’t think of another occasion where I have been so proud to be your MP and to be a New Zealander.

From Prince William to Julia Gillard, from Prime Minister John Key to Opposition Leader Phil Goff, from Christian Prayers to Bhuddist Chants there was a balance to the service which hit exactly the right note. Some in the Sunday papers have argued that Prince William’s appearance was a PR stunt. Rubbish! Some writers need to get their heads out of the sand and accept that the Royals are human too and that this was definitely the right thing to do.

Dave Dobbin’s anthem “Loyal” hit the mark. It was so in tune with feelings in the crowd about staying loyal to Christchurch. Hanging in for the long haul. The highlight for me, however, was Hayley Westernra’s performance of “Amazing Grace”. My god that girl can sing! There wasn’t a dry eye in the Park.

For me the service exemplified how we have grown up as a country. We are a lot different than 20 years ago. Far more accepting of diversity: different religions and beliefs, different cultures, different ideas. It felt right.

The final Reflection given by Victoria Matthews, Anglican Bishop of Christchurch, hit the mark, reminding us that long after the earthquake it should be the strength of community that we cherish, not the awards for new architecturally designed buildings.

And I have never sung our National Anthem so strongly and proudly.

Chris Tremain
 

Chris talks about the week that he spent down in Christchurch after the earthquake.

Craig Foss MP for Tukituki and Chris Tremain MP for Napier welcome back the Prime Minister, Minister for Tourism, the Hon John Key, to take part in the Art Deco weekend.

“The PM had such an awesome time last year that he is back to be part of the Friday night festivities,” said Chris Tremain.

“Having the Prime Minister here again to be part of this great Hawke’s Bay event is indeed an honour,” said Craig Foss.

We look forward to another successful evening shared with our PM.”
 

I’m sure I speak for most in Wairoa when I say how disappointed I was to read about the recent gang attack. Wairoa is such a great community and it does not deserve to be in the national headlines reinforcing a false “Gangland” stereotype about this great little town, perpetuated by just a small few.

I wanted you to know that I only ever tell the good stories about Wairoa. I love talking about the Lake to Lighthouse race, the Wairoa Races, the “Longest Day” in the Cactus Program, the High School Stage Challenge Team, the Wairoa Ross Shield Team, the Anzac Service at Kaiuku, the A&P Show, the hundreds if not thousands of great things that go on day in day out in Wairoa which are not portrayed in the national news.

I recall campaigning in Wairoa at the last election. I’ll never forget the friendly way I was greeted at each place that someone was home. Even if people didn’t care for National Party politics, they gave me the time of day, said “Gidday” and smiled. Many front doors were open as I walked up proof that people felt safe in their community. It reminded me of growing up in Taradale when we all used to leave our windows and front doors open.

While we can talk about the great side of the community we have to deal with crime because it impacts on us all.  It does affect our community.  It does affect our economy.  But the biggest impact is on the victims of crime and their families.  They have to deal with the emotional, physical, and financial effects of crime long after it’s been committed.

Victims have been neglected for too long.  So I am pleased that our Government is putting victims at the heart of the justice system.

Two weeks ago, (1 July) on-the-spot safety orders came into effect.  These ensure that victims of domestic violence get immediate protection from dangerous situations.

Police will now be able to remove an alleged violent person from the home for a period of up to five days.  This will provide a period of safety in which victims can consider their options.

National is also improving services for victims of violent crime.  These include a range of initiatives that will help address the financial and emotional costs that victims face.

From 1 July, all convicted offenders will pay a $50 offender levy.  This levy will be imposed automatically on offenders at sentencing – regardless of the crime they commit.  The levy will collect an estimated $13.6 million over the first four years.  It will support additional entitlements and services for victims of serious crime.

These include:

• Increased grants for families of homicide victims.
• Assistance with expenses resulting from sexual violence.
• A High Court attendance grant of $124 per person per day for up to five adult members of a homicide victim’s family.
• Increases in travel, accommodation, and childcare assistance for victims attending court proceedings.
• Funeral grants for families of homicide victims.

National is committed to addressing the impact of crime on victims.  We can’t take away the pain of victims’ loss or injury, but we can help to smooth the way.

Our new on-the-spot safety orders, the new offender levy, and extra victim support will help ensure offenders contribute to addressing the harm their behaviour causes, and put victims at the heart of the justice system.

This aside – let’s all focus on the many positive things that occur day in and day out in Wairoa. We know it’s a magic town. Rest assured I’ll be doing my bit to tell the world.

 Chris Tremain – MP Napier/Wairoa