Paul wishes constituents a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year before reflecting on the events of the year now ending, including the strong electorate victory in Hunua. He outlines his priorities for the coming year - the 50th Parliament.

The Prime Minister is visiting Hunua on the 20th and Paul discusses the agenda for the day, including a scheduled open public meeting. He goes on to talk about a controversial local bylaw involving cattle crossings and the rollout of ultra fast broadband to a local, rural school.

Paul talks about some of the important events he participated in during the Parliamentary recess, progress on initiatives to combat prostate cancer, and the the bill to ban Kronic.

Crime affects our neighbourhoods, our society, and our economy. But most of all, crime affects the victim. Victims and their families have to deal with the emotional, physical, and financial costs long after a crime has been committed.   National is focused on putting victims at the heart of the criminal justice system, said Dr Paul Hutchison, MP for Hunua.

In opposition, National had to stand back and watch as – time and time again – victims were left high and dry by a system that seemed to put the offender first, leaving victims to deal with the effects of crime without enough support.   That’s why National introduced a $50 Offender Levy on all convicted offenders. The levy was expected to collect $13.6 million for victims in its first four years. That’s been increased to $15.9 million after $3 million was collected in its first 10 months, almost $1 million more than expected.

That has allowed us to introduce – on 1 July – 5 new grants and entitlements for victims and their families. The new services include:
• Expanding the financial assistance available to victims for court hearings to other justice-related meetings.
• Financial help for families whose loved one is killed through dangerous driving or careless firearm use.
• A court attendance allowance for sexual violence victims.
• An emergency grant for economically disadvantaged victims who need assistance but have no income to pay for it.

The new entitlements take the total number of services funded by the Offender Levy to 13. Dr Hutchison said a new Victims Centre began operating on 1 July. This one-stop shop will oversee government-funded services and support for victims. The Centre will develop and implement a new Victims Code to help victims understand their rights, the services available to them, and the complaints process.

We will also introduce a Victims of Crime Reform Bill later this year. This will allow victims to say more in their Victim Impact Statements and be kept better informed through the Victim Notification System.

We know we can’t take away the pain of victims’ loss or injury, but we can help smooth the way. Our court system should make sure victims aren’t caused more pain. National was elected was to improve the justice system and address the impact of crime on victims. The successful offender levy, 13 new services for victims, the Victims Centre, and the Victims of Crime Reform Bill will go a long way to putting victims at the heart of the justice system, said Dr Hutchison.

Paul talks about events in the Hunua electorate and the future development of Auckland, particulary concerning the extreme views of Dr Brash about what Auckland should become.

Paul talks about ANZAC Day services around the world, those he attended and some of the veterans he met. He goes on to talk about the Government's new Budget policy providing $54 million for mothers and babies ( http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleID=35875 )

Paul sends his deepest sympathies to those affected by the earthquake in Christchurch as well as thanks the many countries around the world who have offered their help during our time of need.

Paul welcomes you back to another exciting year at parliament and what he has been up to over the past few weeks.