Jackie talks about the Women and Children's Summit and her domestic violence presentation to the group.

Jackie talks about the Pacific Islands Forum, women in the workforce at the board level, the effect on GDP of increasing the numbers of women in the work force (particularly in non-traditional trades) and strategies for making that happen.

Jackie talks about community safety, a patrol on which she accompanied Mt Rosskill police, and some things on her agenda concerning community issues like safety. She goes on to discuss legislation targeting the misuse of drugs - particularly substances like Kronic.

Dr Blue talks about her weekend in Mt Roskill and a special garden project with an aspect of "mucking in".

Dr Blue sets the scene with an explanation of "Pink Shirt Day" (an anti-bullying campaign) and talks about drink driving legislation.

Jackie talks about some of the fundraisers she is involved with - both in Mt Roskill and Wellington - for the Christchurch earthquake recovery effort with one of them being the Parliament press gallery's auction at The Backbencher pub and cafe.

Jackie talks about Febfast, a fundraiser that has been initiated by the New Zealand Drug Foundation whereby people stop drinking alcohol for the month of February. The fundraiser has been set up to help fund youth drug and alcohol programmes With Jackie being one of the ambassadors of febfast. If you would like to help support this cause please visit:

http://www.febfastfundraising.co.nz/The_National_Party

National MP Dr Jackie Blue welcomes news that her bill to address inconsistencies in the Consumer Guarantees Act will be introduced to Parliament.

The Consumer Guarantees Amendment Bill would improve the operation of the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 in two areas - the supply of goods and services by suppliers through a competitive online bidding, and extended warranties.

“If you win a competitive online auction from a ‘professional trader/seller’ or supplier you are not covered by the Consumers Guarantees Act. However, if you hit the ‘buy now button’ you are.

“This inconsistency needs to be clarified for consumers, particularly as competitive online sales have become increasingly popular.

“This bill will ensure that consumers purchasing goods from a supplier through online bidding will be covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act.”

“Extended warranties are typically sold to consumers when they buy electrical goods. Generally, these warranties offer no further protection beyond the rights and remedies consumers already have under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993,” Dr Blue says.

“This bill would mean that consumers would have to be told whether an extended warranty provides any benefit that is greater than that provided under the Act. The bill also provides for a cooling off period once an extended warranty has been purchased.”

Dr Blue’s Consumer Guarantees Amendment Bill was drawn from a ballot of MP bills at Parliament today.

Tragic Death of Mt Roskill Resident

I was shocked when I heard Mt Roskill taxi driver Hiren Mohini had been killed senselessly in late January.

I visited the family with MP Kanwal Bakshi to offer support to the family.Mr Mohini leaves a wife, a mother and two young daughters, aged five and two.

If you would like to help donations can be sent to:

The Hiren Mohini Appeal Fund, Auckland Cooperative Taxi Society Ltd, PO Box 8626, Symonds St, Auckland 1150 or donate directly to the appeal fund bank account 03 0175 0228509 00.

Taxi Safety

Following the tragic death of Mr Mohini, MP Kanwal Bakshi and I had the opportunity to talk to Co-op taxi Directors who are very concerned about the safety of their drivers.

We were both very pleased to hear following a recent meeting with representatives of the taxi industry, Transport Minister Steven Joyce has asked officials to report back to him in about options to keep taxi drivers safe and look at what options should be made mandatory.

On the table for discussion are security cameras, security screens, duress alarms or a combination of the three.

It’s pleasing that the government is working to enhance the safety of professional taxi drivers and their passengers.

National Standards Launched in Primary and Intermediate Schools

I have been visiting local schools to discuss this policy and shortly we will be having a public meeting for parents in Mt Roskill with Education Minister Anne Tolley. Date to be advised.

National standards are all about lifting achievement in our schools.

Almost one in five children leaves school without the basic skills in reading, writing, and maths they need to succeed. We want all children to develop those skills.

National Standards are benchmarks showing what children should be able to achieve in reading, writing, and maths, and by when. Twice a year, schools will report to parents in plain language, illustrating children’s progress against the standards.

A recent survey in the New Zealand Herald showed that 73 per cent of parents support National Standards. We are confident that even more parents will support the standards once they receive their first reports from their child’s school.

Evidence shows that one of the best ways to lift achievement is having clear, challenging, and achievable goals, followed up with quality teaching.

National wants to see every single child get the opportunity to succeed. National Standards is an important tool to help make that happen.

The National Infrastructure Plan shows the major investment this Government is making in New Zealand's critical infrastructure such as roads, broadband, and schools, Dr Blue says.

“This is directly supporting jobs in our region. It also gives our councils, contractors, and businesses certainty for the future,” MP Jackie Blue says.

“Unclogging the country’s economic arteries is vital in building a stronger economy which will mean better wages and higher living standards for New Zealand families.”

The first National Infrastructure Plan, issued this week, provides a snapshot of public and private infrastructure, planned investment, and the Government's priorities. It shows this Government is spending more than $6 billion a year on expanding and maintaining its physical assets and holds about $110 billion of such assets.

“The Government is investing $10.7 billion in State Highways over the next 10 years, $3.3 billion in our electricity grid over the next five years, and $1.5 billion in urban broadband over the next decade. Then there is the $2.7 billion for new schools and buildings over the next five years.” Jackie Blue says.

“The plan also identifies bottlenecks and gaps in the future so we can address them in a timely manner.

" It is pleasing to see that Auckland is acknowledged as a critical factor in building a stronger economy".

"Statistics New Zealand projections suggest that by 2031 New Zealand’s population will have increased by approximately 22%, to over five million people. Sixty-two per cent of that growth will have occurred in the Auckland region, which will have a population of almost two million". Dr Blue says.

“This is just the first version of our National Infrastructure Plan and an important step towards better infrastructure management and planning. We can reap gains worth billions - making our infrastructure dollars go further and ensuring a better return for taxpayers."

The full report is available at: http://www.infrastructure.govt.nz/plan/mar2010

Mt Roskill-based National List MP Jackie Blue has welcomed the Education Minister’s plans to help schools crack down on truancy.

“The results of the Ministry of Education’s 2009 truancy survey show that just over 30,000 students are truant from state and state-integrated schools on any given day,” Dr Blue says.

“Approximately 10,500 of these are from Auckland.

“This is not good enough. Evidence shows that regular attendance in school is the biggest factor in student achievement. Chronic truancy can lead to negative outcomes later in life such as violence, substance abuse or unemployment.

“National is determined to get tough on truancy. That’s why we have doubled the amount of funding to tackle the problem.

“An additional $4 million per year will help schools throughout New Zealand introduce stronger and more proactive measures to reduce the number of students wagging school,” Dr Blue says.

Initially the funding will go towards extending the use of electronic attendance registers, the Early Notification text message System, and one-off funding of $1.5 million to reduce the time it takes to get students absent for 20 consecutive days back into school.

A small amount has also been set aside to help schools prosecute parents of children who are persistently absent from school without justification.

“The National-led Government is working on a long-term approach, aimed at keeping more children engaged at school, rather than having to get truants back into the system once they have become disengaged,” Dr Blue says.

The 2009 truancy survey can be found at: http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/series/2503/71220

National MPs Dr Jackie Blue and Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi are welcoming the news that discussions between the National-led Government and the taxi industry on mandatory safety requirements for taxis are progressing well.

Following a meeting with representatives of the taxi industry this week, Transport Minister Steven Joyce has asked officials to report back to him in four weeks about options to keep taxi drivers safe and look at what options should be made mandatory.

On the table for discussion are security cameras, security screens, duress alarms or a combination of the three.

The meeting was called following the senseless and tragic killing of Mt Roskill taxi driver Hiren Mohini.

Auckland list MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi says he is in touch with the family and Indian taxi drivers.

Mt Roskill-based MP Dr Blue says she is pleased the government is working to enhance the safety of professional taxi drivers and their passengers.

Jackie Blue's Roskill Report, sent Monday 25th January 2010. To subscribe enter your name and email address in the space provided on the right hand sidebar.

Turning on the Christmas Lights

We had a great turn out on December 1st when Deputy PM Bill English turned on our office Christmas lights.

The lights look amazing at night and are a real focal point for the busy Dominion/Mt Albert Road intersection.

Happy New Year!

On behalf of my staff Gabrielle, Rita, Valerie and Joanne I would like to wish you a happy and safe New Year.

2010 is going to be another busy year. National will continue to focus on the issues that matter to you - the economy, law and order, health, and education. We will continue to secure a brighter future for you and your family.

The office has re-opened as of Friday the 15th of January, and you are welcome to stop by if you have any concerns you would like addressed.

Best wishes to you and your families for 2010.