2012 is upon us. After a refreshing break with family and friends I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and continuing to build the brighter future our community and all New Zealanders deserve. It will be another busy year as we focus on the issues that matter for our community, and for all Kiwis - a stronger economy and more jobs, better frontline health and education services, a safer New Zealand, and rebuilding Canterbury.

It’s a privilege to be voted in by New Zealanders for a second term of Government and it is a sign of confidence in our National-led Government and our focus on less debt, more jobs, and strong, stable economic management.

The global financial environment remains stormy but National is getting our books in order. We’ll halve the Budget deficit next year and return to surplus in 2014/15 as promised during the election campaign.

Work is underway on extending the successful mixed-ownership model. The Government will offer a minority stake to investors in four state-owned energy companies, and reduce its stake in Air New Zealand, while retaining majority control. Mums and dads will be able to buy shares in these companies. This will free up $5 billion to $7 billion to invest in new assets, such as building schools designed for the 21st century, while reducing debt.

As promised, National is continuing our work on welfare reform. In 2012 we’ll keep building a system that focuses on what people can do. We’ll provide support, training, and opportunities to get Kiwis back into work and away from long-term benefit dependence.

The Canterbury earthquake last February claimed many lives, and left so many grieving. It created widespread devastation and Cantabrians need and deserve all our support. National remains committed to rebuilding Canterbury and we’ll focus the resources needed to make this happen.

National is delivering high-quality, modern public services in health, education, and law and order for families. We’ll maintain a cap on staff in core government administration, continue to modernise the way public services are delivered, and find savings to put into the front line. That means more elective operations and less waiting in our hospitals, more opportunities for children in our schools, and better policing on our streets.

I hope you and your family have a happy and successful 2012.
 

Cam talks about the opening the 50th Parliament today and what it means to him before wishing viewers a wonderful holiday season.

Cam talks about his electorate activities over the recess, including having attended the opening of a new mother-baby prison unit.

Cam talks about the country's "festival of rugby" as RWC2011 gets underway, the Parliamentary Rugby World Cup, the upcoming election and what he's been doing to prepare for it in the electorate.

National MP Dr Cam Calder welcomes today’s announcement by Environment Minister Nick Smith that Manurewa business, Eco Stock Supplies, is the recipient of a Government grant aimed at reducing waste and enhancing the Auckland environment.

“I’m delighted that Eco Stock Supplies received a grant up to $180,000 to buy more machinery to process waste food into stock food,” Dr Calder said.

This grant is being funded from the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund that was established from the introduction of the waste disposal levy in July 2009 with the objective of reducing waste going to landfill.

The Government is working with schools, businesses and community groups to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and to better protect the environment.

“I recently visited Eco Stock Supplies. They were the supreme winner at the 2011 Green Ribbon Awards. They are an exciting new business which processes up to 900 tonnes of food waste into stock food a week. Their operation is locally based and provides 35 jobs in our Manurewa community.”

“This small company is making a world of difference with their work and enhancing New Zealand’s reputation as an environmentally sound producer of quality food products”.

“I’m very excited that Eco Stock Supplies now has the great opportunity to further expand their business. They are a credit to our Manurewa community,” Dr Calder said.

Cam talks about his activities over the Parliamentary recess - including school visits and preparing for the General Election, as well as participating in the Parliamentary Rugby World Cup.

A busy few days. On Friday I signed up a few more hoarding sites in MANUREWA. It was good driving around the electorate and seeing the many blue signs, at regular intervals, advertising our forthcoming public  meeting, on Alcohol Law Reform on Aug 25. Friday evening I was privileged to attend the Westpac Auckland South Business Awards at Telstra Clear Stadium – a celebration of business diversity and  excellence in the South. Congratulations to all finalists, category winners and the Supreme Winner - East Tamaki Health Care. The National Government is concentrating on growing the economy and the number of new jobs; a strong and innovative  business community is crucial to achieving these goals. The National Party Conference in Wellington,  celebrated its 75th Anniversary as well as a very challenging  and productive two and a half years in Government. The Prime Minister outlined a strong plan to move New Zealand forward – to make the most of emerging opportunities, protect our gains, lift the amount of money in Kiwis’ pockets, give kids a good education, boost frontline health services , stay tough on criminals and reduce long-term welfare dependency. As the first stage in our reform of welfare,  a suite of extra supports and services to young people will be balanced with fresh expectations for them  to be in education, training or work. During the weekend I also had the opportunity to speak at a large celebration in the Indian community in Manurewa. I wish Vipul and Shivani all the best in the years ahead.

On Monday I had the pleasure of speaking to a well-attended meeting in the Hamilton West electorate, ably served by local MP Tim Macindoe. I chose to speak on National’s Law and Order initiatives. The success these have had is reflected in a 6.6% drop in crime per head of population nationally. In the Manurewa/Manukau area where I am privileged to be based, the news is even better. The crime rate in our community has dropped by over 10%!

I speak to Police often and the message I receive constantly is that Police feel well supported by this Government. This tangible support and the National Governments initiatives aimed at preventing crime such as rostering to demand, police safety orders, and the rolling out of neighbourhood policing teams concept are all contributing to families across New Zealand feeling safer in their homes and communities.

National is also addressing the drivers of crime with a range of cross-agency initiatives. These address behavioural issues in young children, reducing harm caused by alcohol as well as alternative approaches to managing low-level offenders and offering pathways out of offending.