Simon Bridges MP for Tauranga - Articles

Weekend Sun Column

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:56:36 +1200

High tea with your MP?

So that I can stay in touch and let people know what the Government is doing in our area I have started morning teas with all retired residents in the Tauranga electorate. It may take me a while to invite you all but if you are over 65 expect an invitation from me in the future.

It won’t quite be high tea but I hope if you come you will enjoy an informative conversation with me and others in our community over a good hot cuppa. You will also have an opportunity to ask any hard questions you have been saving up for an MP.

So that the young don’t feel left out I’m also scheduled to visit every primary school in the electorate before the end of this year. In the past couple of weeks I’ve got a lot out of seeing teachers and children at Greerton Village, St Mary’s and Matua primary schools. Our teachers do a great job – we are blessed with great schools in Tauranga.

National’s Economic Plan to Create Jobs and Boost Incomes

The economy is recovering. But this recovery will be different from those we’ve had before.

It must be built on exports and investment, not the debt and spending we saw over the past decade. That’s the only way to create the sustainable jobs and higher incomes that hard-working Kiwis deserve.

Because of this, the recovery might appear a bit patchy at times, as the global economy remains uncertain and as households and businesses pay off debt. Although things are looking up, some local families and firms will find the going tough.

On top of that, New Zealand’s recession started earlier than other countries and we have to work harder to shrug it off. Our exporting industries shrank between 2005 and 2010, when New Zealand spent too much and saved too little.

It’s going to take a lot to turn things around. And it won’t be a short-term job. It will need a relentless and long-term focus.

That’s why National has a comprehensive economic plan with six drivers to get faster economic growth, create jobs, and boost incomes. These drivers are:
• Strengthening our tax system,
• Providing better, smarter public services,
• Reforming regulations,
• Improving education and skills,
• Promoting business innovation and trade, and
• Investing in smart infrastructure.

We’ve already made good progress.

On 1 October, every earner will receive a tax cut. This will make the average family $25 a week better off after GST changes. Find out how the tax changes affect you at www.taxguide.govt.nz.

We’re improving the frontline public services that you rely on – such as health, education, and law and order – and the way public assets are funded and managed.

We’re reforming regulations such as the Resource Management Act, the Building Act, and employment law to boost jobs and growth.

We’re lifting achievement in schools with National Standards and more frontline funding.

We’re working with businesses to add value to our exports through the Primary Growth Partnership and other science, research, and development projects.

And we’re unclogging the growth arteries by investing billions in roads, broadband, the electricity network, and rail, as well as upgrading schools, homes, and hospitals.

This is just a start. You’ll see more from the Government in the months ahead as we make ongoing improvements to get faster growth, create jobs, and boost incomes.

Only a strong economy can provide financial security for families, real opportunity for young people, safer communities, and the high-quality education and health services all New Zealanders need.

Weekend Sun - 06 Aug 2010

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:18:30 +1200

Greerton’s Got Talent!

As a new MP I constantly learn to do all sorts of things I never thought I had the aptitude for. Judging talent contests is one of my new found skills!

Last weekend I really enjoyed judging ‘Greerton’s Got Talent’ as part of the Greerton Senior Citizens Club’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. The Crowd at the hall were treated to a variety of music and dance styles including rock, classical and tap and ballet.

The skills on display by young and not so young were impressive. Susan Boyle and Paul Potts eat your hearts out!

While on the subject of talent, I also enjoyed attending this year’s ‘Tauranga Dancing with the Stars’. Going as a member of the crowd rather than a dancing participant (as I was last year) is much less stressful. Congratulations to all dancers – I was particularly impressed by Councillor Bill Grainger’s Cowboy routine.

Coming up I am looking forward to the Tauranga Environment Centre’s AGM at 7pm Monday 23 August at the Historic Village Hall. To support the environment locally and to come along to the AGM all you need to do is become a friend of the centre by visiting www.tgaenvcentre.org.nz. I became the Environment Centre’s first friend not so long ago and I know the AGM will be worthwhile. My colleague Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye is guest speaker. Nikki is an authoritative and passionate advocate on environmental issues.

Improving Employment Law

As we continue out of the recession, we need the right environment to create more jobs. Economic growth happens when a business sees an opportunity and is prepared to invest, expand, take risks, and hire new workers.

Our Government is committed to giving businesses of all sizes the confidence to do these things.

We introduced the 90-day trial period in 2008 to encourage employers with fewer than 20 employees to take on new staff, and to expand job opportunities for people who often struggle to get work.

It’s working extremely well. A Department of Labour report found that the vast majority of people employed on a trial period have remained employed.

It said most employers viewed dismissals during the trial period as an unfavourable outcome, and actively tried to avoid them.

The voluntary 90-day trial is a win-win for employers and employees. That’s why we’re extending the trial period to all employers so that everyone can benefit.

Extending trial periods is just part of the package of employment law improvements we’re making.

National is committed to maintaining a fair system that protects the rights of New Zealand workers.

We’re changing the personal grievance process to resolve employment problems more quickly, discourage poor practices, reduce costs, and improve confidence in the system.

We’re also looking at changing the law around sick days. Employers will be able to require a medical certificate from employees. This will be at the expense of the employer.

Employers aren’t going to waste their time and money asking every employee for a medical certificate when they take a day off sick. This option is about the ability to question those who may be abusing their leave. Common sense tells us it will be used sparingly.

There will also be changes to the Holidays Act. This will include giving employees the ability to trade one of their four weeks’ annual leave for cash. Cashing in the fourth week of leave can’t be raised in salary negotiations and can only be at the employee’s request. Maximum penalties will double for employers who don’t comply with the Holidays Act.

Weekend Sun Column – 23 July 2010

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:25:16 +1200

Air Ambulances boost

Tony Ryall and I really enjoyed handing over a cheque for nearly $60,000 on behalf of the National-led Government to the Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter service in Tauranga a couple of weeks back. Pilot Liam Brettkelly accepted the money at the helicopter hangars at the Tauranga Hospital for this vital service.

Air ambulance helicopters are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, saving lives. All the workers involved deserve our debt of gratitude.

Roof top gardening

While on worthy matters related to Tauranga Hospital, a great project is underway to create a beautiful landscaped garden on the Hospital’s roof for patients and visitors. Thanks to early public support, park benches have been purchased, but you can help out, as I will be, by sponsoring a durable plant for $5 which will be planted in the Spring. Thanks to Grasshopper Construction for their help with this. If you are interested in helping contact Paul Stanbridge as follows – email paul.stanbridge@bopdhb.govt.nz or phone 579 8000 or by post to Paul Stanbridge, BOPDHB, Private Bag 12024, Tauranga 3143. Cheques can be made out to Bay of Plenty District Health Board.

Putting victims first

Crime impacts on us all. It affects our communities and 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. National is putting victims at the heart of the justice system.

A couple of weeks back 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.

Victims of sexual violence will receive further support in courts. This service will give victims access to a trained adviser who understands the dynamics of sexual violence cases and victims’ needs.

Families of homicide victims will receive an enhanced service that will provide practical and emotional support to families.

And all victims of crime will now have access to more information about the justice system by way of a DVD, support material, and a redesigned victims’ website.

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 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.

Weekend Sun Column - 9 July 2010

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 09:28:00 +1200

Celebrating local export success

It was delightful to attend the Bay of Plenty Export Awards a couple of Fridays back at BayPark. The theme for the night was ‘the roaring twenties’ and with most of the few hundred present in gangster and other costumes the feel was amazing. Indeed, with a catwalk for the winners it felt a little bit like the Academy Awards.

It was right that it did because exporters are the real stars in our economy. Without businesses like those on show at the awards we couldn’t pay for the social services we deserve. Fortunately in the Bay there are many exciting things happening. Congratulations to winners Pollen Plus, Trimax, Scott Coulter of Comvita, Graeme Boyd and Allied Industrial Engineering.

Heavy metal

While on the subject of exporting potential and success, it was great to attend the opening of the Applied Powder Metallurgy Centre at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic which was opened last Friday by my senior colleague Hon Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister for Research, Science and Technology. It will combine traditional and high tech engineering specifically with titanium and see people trained into both apprenticeships and PhDs!

The centre will also provide a facility where companies will be able to develop innovative new products for export using the impressive array of tools and equipment available to them. Some estimate that the potential from titanium here may be up to $1 billion a year. This means a stronger economy and more social services for everyone.

Helping young people succeed

Our future relies on the education, skills, and success of our young people through centres like the Applied Powder Metallurgy Centre and more.

National is working hard to ensure that all get the skills and opportunities they need to succeed. Improving educational outcomes is one of our top priorities.

With this in mind, the National-led Government is pumping more money into education than ever before, despite the tough economic environment. Budget 2010 provides an extra $1.4 billion for better schooling and early childhood education over the next four years.

We’re buying school sites, opening new schools, and fixing leaky classrooms, with hundreds of millions of new operating and capital funding.

We are investing $48.3 million to build ultra-fast broadband support for schools, to bring learning into the 21st century. The focus is on upgrading schools’ networks in preparation for the use of ultra-fast broadband in their teaching and learning programmes.

Our Youth Guarantee scheme helps 16- and 17-year-olds who are ready to move beyond school, but who still want to study and learn practical skills. It provides free study towards school-level qualifications at polytechnics, wänanga, and private training establishments.

We are spending an extra $48 million over four years to increase Youth Guarantee places from 2000 to 2500 a year from 2011. Students are selected from areas of highest need, based on youth unemployment rates and access to suitable training programmes.

National is committed to ensuring that our children receive high-quality early childhood education (ECE). We’re increasing spending on ECE by $107 million to a total of $1.3 billion in 2010/11. ECE spending has almost trebled since 2004/05, while the percentage of children participating rose by less than 1 per cent in the same period.

Too many children are missing out, so we’re putting more than $90 million into projects that increase participation for those who benefit most from ECE, but who are least likely to take part. This includes families from Maori, Pacific, and lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Weekend Sun

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:37:00 +1200

Prime Ministerial Visit

Tony Ryall and I enjoyed hosting Prime Minister John Key in Tauranga last week. We worked the PM hard, as he spoke to The Acorn Foundation, Zespri, local Probus Clubs, Grey Power, Age Concern, a business lunch, and the Bay of Plenty Shanghai World Expo Delegation. In addition, he officially opened the North Island Mussels Processing Plant in Greerton.

This week I have attended several local events including the 2010 TrustPower Community Awards, the KiwiCan Art Auction put on by Tauranga Rotary, and this Friday evening the Bay of Plenty Export NZ Awards. Fingers crossed for the finalists!

Survey in the City 2

Those of you in the Tauranga electorate will have received a survey from me by now. Please do take the time to fill it in and return it to me freepost.

This year’s Tauranga electorate survey covers a lot of ground, ranging over people’s economic circumstances post-Budget 2010 and their attitudes on health, education and mining.

I have also asked a couple of questions about our Council given that it is local body election year and given the controversy that has surrounded library book charges.

While the prospect of library book charges has gone for now, we have been one of the only areas in New Zealand that has proposed something like this, so I hope that by asking the question and then making the results public I will be providing valuable information for ratepayers and councillors for the future.

The survey also provides room for comment on any other issue that the people of Tauranga believe is of particular concern or significance.

I will try and respond personally to everyone who comments. Both the responses to the questions and the comments are going to be very useful and interesting to me. They will allow me to understand to a much greater extent what our community is thinking. I will make sure that any patterns that emerge from both the survey questions and comments are made public so we can all be aware of what is going on.

This survey is about listening, staying connected in the middle of the electoral cycle, and gathering useful and interesting information for both me and also for the people of Tauranga.

I intend to do a survey every year that I am MP for Tauranga.

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 10:56:06 +1200

Weekend Sun Column

The Last Couple of Weeks

In the last wee while I have enjoyed spending time with Tauranga people both here and in Wellington. Locally, I have appreciated meeting Tauranga exporters (something I do regularly) and visiting Mrs Florence Harvey who has just turned 104 and treated me for an hour to her experiences since 1906.

Simon and Florence the day before she turned 104.

In Wellington it was awesome to see Bruce Trask and Marty Hoffart from Tauranga at the Beehive. They were at the prestigious Ministry of Environment Green Ribbon Awards for Environmental Excellence where I had much pleasure at the ceremony presenting them and their locally based Environmental Education for Resource Sustainability Trust with the Award for Community Action.

For ten years now Bruce and Marty have been working to increase recycling rates and environmental awareness in schools. This recent recognition is not before time.Tax cuts for Tauranga!

Marty Hoffart & Bruce Trask with Simon

I have written a bit recently about Budget 2010, but given its significance for our country in the years ahead let me tell you more about a key aspect of it: the most thorough and beneficial overhaul of tax rates in nearly 25 years.

Our Budget 2010 tax package helps tilt the economy in favour of productive investment, savings, and exports, and away from consumption, borrowing, and unsustainable Government spending.

That is essential to create jobs, higher incomes, and opportunities for Kiwi families to do well in New Zealand.

Furthermore, the tax package rewards effort, helps attract and retain skilled people in New Zealand, and makes the tax system fairer.

Across-the-board personal income tax cuts more than offset the rise in GST. This is fair and leaves the vast majority of New Zealanders better off.

A typical person on the average wage of about $50,000 a year will get a tax cut of about $29 and pay about $14 more a week in GST. They will be about $15 a week, or $800 a year, better off.

A typical family on the average household income of $76,000 a year will get a tax cut of about $46 a week and pay about $21 more in GST. They will be about $25 a week, or $1300 a year, better off.

The Government believes those changes will help individuals and families save more, pay off debt, and get ahead.

You can calculate your tax cut, the extra GST you will pay, and any compensation you will receive through increased Working for Families, NZ Super or benefits at www.taxguide.govt.nz.

Some say that forecast inflation means families won’t be as well off after the tax changes. But that’s not the case. Forecast inflation will be more than offset by forecast wage rises.

The vast majority of New Zealanders will be better off as a result of the tax changes.

But the tax package isn't just about what people get in their pocket.

It's about improving the incentives for people to get ahead, to save, to invest in productive businesses, and to do so in New Zealand.

Only through lifting the long-term performance of our economy can we create jobs, boost incomes, raise living standards, and provide world-class public services for you and your family.

Weekend Sun Column – 14 May2010

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:47:28 +1200

Parliamentary duties

In the last few weeks my commitments at Parliament have been quite considerable. I have been and continue to be involved in a select committee inquiry into tobacco and in another select committee’s work on reform of Auckland’s local government structure. I am also heavily involved in work on various laws on the Justice select committee.

Having said that, I think sometimes there is a misconception amongst people that politicians spend most of our time at the Beehive. In fact, I spend much more time in Tauranga and even when Parliament is sitting I am nearly always here from Thursday evening right through until Tuesday morning. As a Tauranga constituent you can seek assistance from me and my office at 184 Devonport Road if you have issues you think my team and I might be able to help with.

Later this month Parliament has its most significant day of the year, Budget Day on 20 May. I am looking forward to it. Here is a run down of some main points.

A Budget for the economy and Kiwi families

New Zealand has come out of the global recession in better shape than most countries. The economy is growing but the road to recovery will be bumpy.

Last year, we faced the worst economic downturn in decades. National took steps to support jobs and families, and to create an environment that gives businesses the confidence to keep staff on and create new jobs.

We also worked hard to get spending under control and put the government’s books in order. We turned around a 10-year forecast of ballooning public debt that threatened our international credit ratings. Even so, the government is borrowing $240 million every week for the next four years.

This year, our focus has shifted to lifting New Zealand’s economic performance.

Budget 2010 on 20 May will have four main goals:

• Lifting the long-term performance of the economy to deliver jobs, higher incomes, and better living standards for Kiwi families.

• Reforming the tax system to make it fairer, more sustainable, and more supportive of economic growth.

• Better delivery of public services to meet New Zealanders' expectations of modern public services, while recognising the ongoing pressures on taxpayers.

• Maintaining firm control of the government's finances so we can return to Budget surpluses and pull back our rising debt.

In last year’s Budget we identified $2 billion of lower-priority public spending to move to frontline services over the following four years.

This year we have found another $1.8 billion of lower-priority spending. Over the next four years we will move this to higher-priority services. That's a lot of money we are putting into important areas such as better healthcare, better education, and making our neighbourhoods safer.

We will keep weeding out lower-quality spending. We will also live within the $1.1 billion new spending allowance we set ourselves. From 2011, we will restrict increases in this allowance to 2 per cent a year.

This year’s Budget is about doing things better and smarter, after a decade where taxpayers’ dollars were spent too freely.

National is determined to lift New Zealand’s economic performance. That’s the only way we will be able to create real jobs, boost incomes, improve living standards, and provide the world-class public services that Kiwi families need.

Weekend Sun - 30 April 2010

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:54:11 +1200

Miss Saigon and ANZAC Day

An ever-present theme of this column is the large amount of amazing things happening all the time in our city. Can I single out a couple of events from last weekend that my wife Natalie and I were privileged to attend.

The first was the Gala Opening Night for Tauranga Musical Theatre’s Miss Saigon. Put simply, this has set the benchmark for future Tauranga shows very high – the exceptional quality of the sets, props, and cast make it a must see! Get in quick as the season only runs until 8 May.

The second special event was the dawn ceremony followed by the civic ceremony for ANZAC day at the Mount. Last year we were at Tauranga and so this year was spent over the surf side. It was wonderful to see thousands of people remembering our servicemen and women who have sacrificed and continue to do so for our country in wars and conflict zones all over the world. It is because of them that we are able to live with considerable freedom and prosperity.

Elective Surgery increase is largest in New Zealand’s history

A lot of people tell me how hard it is to get the elective surgery they need. Whether that’s getting a joint replaced, their cataracts removed, ear, nose and throat surgery, or other necessary operations.

Your health and the health of your family is important for National.

When people can’t get the surgery they need, life can be a lot harder, more painful, and uncomfortable. It can be difficult to do the simple things that we all take for granted. This is why we campaigned at the last election to provide more elective surgery.

We have kept our promise to you.

National has made better access to elective surgery one of our six priorities for District Health Boards. This is already making a big difference.

Last year, a total of 135,444 patients had elective surgery. This is 12,500 more patients than in 2008 – the largest annual increase in elective surgery in New Zealand’s history.

As part of our plan to improve access to elective surgery we have given the go-ahead to four new operating theatres in Auckland that are dedicated to elective operations.

The separation of emergency surgery from planned surgery will give people greater certainty that they will not be bumped from hospital waiting lists. Work on these theatres has begun and they are expected to be running in mid 2011.

We are also promoting clinical leadership to further improve health services. We are working to make better use of the private sector to help public hospitals provide elective surgery and reduce waiting times. And we have introduced a graduate bonding scheme to keep more New Zealand trained medical staff in our hospitals.

Last year we expected 350 doctors, nurses, and midwives to apply for places in the scheme. We ended up welcoming 890. This year we expanded the scheme to include surgical nursing as a specialty.

Our aim is to treble elective surgery to an average increase of 4000 elective operations each year. We have easily exceeded this during our first year.

National’s focus to boost elective surgery will help improve the quality of life for people waiting for necessary operations. It’s an important part of our plan to deliver better, sooner, more convenient healthcare for all New Zealanders.

The Bridges Brief - April 2010

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:51:26 +1200

I get a lot of pleasure preparing the Bridges Brief for you. Often I use the platform as a bit of a soap box, and I always enjoy sifting through photographs taken throughout the month to find the choicest (or sometimes strangest) ones for your viewing.

In this Bridges Brief I want to simply let you know about some of the things I have been up to this month in both Tauranga and in Wellington.

Parliament

My days in Parliament tend to start early and never finish before 10pm. This month I have continued to sit on three select committees that I am a permanent member on. The first is the Auckland Governance Select Committee which is dealing with the reform of Auckland’s local body laws and structure. Second is the Justice and Electoral Select Committee on which I am the deputy chair. This committee has been working on a wide range of laws including those to do with such things as the sale and supply of liquor and with search and surveillance powers held by Government agencies.

Finally, I am on the Maori Affairs Select Committee which at the moment is conducting an inquiry into tobacco. I have also sat on a number of other select committees when the permanent members have been away.

In the Debating Chamber I have spoken quite a few times this month both in general debate and also on specific bills. One of the more interesting issues I have spoken on was Green MP Keith Locke’s Head of State Bill which would have seen us have a referendum on whether to become a republic. I spoke against this because I believe we have many more pressing issues to deal with as a nation at the moment. A large and in fact quite complex debate on republicanism would in my view be a needless and divisive distraction.

Another interesting bill I spoke on was National List MP Paul Quinn’s bill extending the disqualification on voting for serving prisoners to all who are in prison. I am in favour of this because I believe when a person commits an offence sufficiently serious to be incarcerated they forgo their rights for a time given their actions. You can watch my speech below.

Simon Speaking on the Electoral (Disqualification of Convicted Prisoners) Amendment Bill - First Reading

Parliament isn’t just select committee meetings and speeches in the House however. This month, as I usually do, I have met with many people at the Beehive including a fair few constituents from Tauranga. One such group was a great class of senior History students from Bethlehem College who I met with and talked to about Parliament and the role of an MP.

Tauranga

In the electorate I have held plenty of constituent clinics where people can share their problems with me. Issues the office has helped with have included matters involving ACC, pensions, CYFS, health and even civil aviation rules.

To give you an insight into some other duties, I was saddened to attend a Memorial Service locally for senior Polish government officials who died on a plane in Russia. However, I really enjoyed opening a couple of great exhibitions at the Tauranga Art Gallery.

In addition, I conducted my first citizenship ceremony as a Member of Parliament and delivered key note speeches at a couple of wonderful events. First was at the University of Waikato’s Tauranga campus graduation ceremony – this was their biggest ceremony ever. Second, was the 2010 Fuji Xerox New Zealand conference. To read copies of my speeches click here.

This weekend will also involve a significant speech for me as, given my promotion of tougher penalties for animal cruelty offending, I am officially opening the SPCA’s National Conference in Rotorua.

Some of the things I have done as a MP can only be called good old fashioned fun. For example, going to a boxing match to raise funds for underprivileged youth with my friend Todd McClay MP for Rotorua, and playing bowls with Sir Colin Meads at the Matua Bowling Club for the Waipuna Hospice.

As always, this month has been a busy one. It continues to be a great privilege being the MP for Tauranga.

Wellington Office
Parliament Buildings,Wellington
E: simon.bridges@parliament.govt.nz

Electorate Office
184 Devonport Road 3110
PO Box 581, Tauranga 3140
P: 07 579 9016
F: 07 579 9669
E: taurangamp@xtra.co.nz

Weekend Sun Column

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:49:59 +1200

Busy City

I am constantly amazed by the high number of top quality events that occur in our city. As we grow in population I am sure the number and quality of fun things to do is strongly increasing. It certainly keeps an MP busy.

Last weekend for example I enjoyed attending events such as the Otumoetai College International Food Festival, the Merivale Festival, the Tauranga Races’ Japan/New Zealand Day and the Weetbix Children’s Triathlon. I am aware of many other top quality events that occurred for families as well so there are no excuses for boredom.

Each and every week there is a lot happening in Tauranga.

An Unrelenting Focus on Work

Welfare is a safety net for New Zealand families. It should support people when they are most in need, encourage them to get back to work, and act when they don’t take responsibility for themselves and the people who depend on them.

But long-term welfare dependency imprisons beneficiaries in a life of limited income and limited choices.

That’s why National campaigned on improving our benefit system. We believe that every New Zealander who can work should be working. We want a welfare system that is fair, that improves outcomes for beneficiaries, and supports economic growth.

With this in mind, the National-led Government has announced our Future Focus package for benefits, aimed at rebalancing obligations and support, and bringing an unrelenting focus on work.

Under Future Focus, we are introducing a number of new obligations.

There will be new part-time work obligations for people on the Domestic Purposes Benefit (DPB) with a youngest child aged over six, and for people on a Sickness Benefit who have been medically assessed as being able to work part-time. We are also introducing more graduated sanctions for people who don’t comply with their work obligations.

We are changing the Unemployment Benefit so that after 12 months, a recipient must reapply. And we’re introducing more rigorous reassessments for Sickness Beneficiaries to get people back to work as soon as they are able.

Future Focus also provides more support for those who need it.

We are boosting childcare options for sole parents by expanding out-of-school support for children aged 5-13, and providing more training support for sole parents on the DPB.

We will pass legislation to ensure benefits rise in line with inflation.

And recipients of the DPB and Invalids Benefit will be able to earn $100 a week instead of $80 before their benefits are affected. This will provide incentives to work part-time and gain work skills.

We are also setting up a Welfare Working Group. This will be made up of social policy experts and community representatives, and will advise the Government on ways to reduce long-term welfare dependency.

Our Future Focus package can make a big difference. If we can help into work just 5 per cent of sole parents with a youngest child aged over six this would save almost $200 million over a decade.

National is committed to our welfare system. Future Focus will help ensure that welfare is a safety net for families, assists people to get back to work, and provides a brighter future for beneficiaries – and all New Zealanders.

Bridges Beat

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:26:40 +1300

Click here to view the PDF

Weekend Sun Column

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:39:39 +1300

Getting more bang for your buck in tertiary education

Education is critically important. Improving the skills and qualifications of young New Zealanders is one of the keys to lifting our economic performance, boosting wages, and providing the high-quality public services that Kiwi families need.

That’s why National wants to make sure that tertiary education in New Zealand is world class. And that’s why we want to address the urgent problems in the sector.

Our tertiary institutions offer more than 6000 different qualifications. In many courses, more than half of students drop out or fail. Meanwhile, too many students rack up interest-free loans for courses they can’t or won’t pass.

With this in mind, Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce has laid out the Government’s three priorities for the sector.

Firstly, we want to make sure that the qualifications framework is robust and of a high quality. New Zealand offers 6000 different qualifications. It’s likely that many of these duplicate other courses. In tourism alone, there are 123 certificate and diploma qualifications.

National will improve the quality and relevance of qualifications. This will help students get the skills they need and enhance the reputation of our qualifications abroad.

Secondly, we will tackle course completion rates. A large number of courses, particularly at certificate and diploma level have pass rates as low as 30 per cent.

In two years time, the government will move from a system that funds tertiary education purely on enrolments, to one that also takes results into account. This will provide incentives for institutions to continually lift student performance.

Our third priority is student support, and making sure that taxpayers get value for their investment in the student loan scheme.

At the moment, about 48 cents in every dollar borrowed under the scheme is eventually written off on bad debts, interest write-offs, and administration costs.

National is committed to interest free student loans, but we don’t think they should be a blank cheque. We want to see the ongoing provision of student loans linked to academic progress in the same way that student allowances are.

Nobody benefits when students continually fail their studies while borrowing more and more. Students burden themselves with debt and the taxpayer picks up much of the bill.

National wants to provide quality tertiary education – and better outcomes – for students and taxpayers. By improving the relevance of qualifications, tackling course completion rates, and linking student loans with academic progress, we can secure more opportunities for students, better skills for our economy, and a brighter future for all New Zealanders.

Weekend Sun Column

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:36:01 +1300

Acting decisively on animal cruelty

In January I wrote about my member’s bill to increase penalties for serious cruelty to animals. As the saying goes, a week can be a long time in politics, and since that time our Prime Minister has led a decision to make my bill a Government one so that it can become law swiftly and be assured of success.

The Minister in charge of animal welfare David Carter has also ensured that the Government bill was broadened and improved so that it now increases the maximum sentences for offending against animals across the board, creates a new offence of reckless cruelty to animals, generally simplifies and rationalises offences, as well as doing more to protect the welfare of animals.

Last week the bill passed through its first reading in Parliament with unanimous support from MPs. That 122 MPs voted for it sends a powerful message and shows a united Parliament at its very best. The bill now goes to select committee where you can have your say.

To watch my speech in Parliament on the first reading or to read it, go to www.simonbridges.co.nz and click on video or on news then speeches. You might also like to vote in a new feature I have added – a poll on important topical issues. This week’s is what should happen to offenders who attack police?

Super payments will rise under tax changes

In a speech to Grey Power in the last few days the Prime Minister made an important point that is worth repeating. New Zealand Superannuation payments will immediately rise in two ways if the Government decides to increase GST in the upcoming budget.

As most will have heard, the Government is considering across the board tax cuts and changes to property taxation as part of a tax package that might also include a rise in GST from 12.5 percent to 15 percent.

"Superannuitants would get an income tax cut, which would apply both to Superannuation payments and to any other income they receive; for example from interest, dividends or part time work," said our Prime Minister.

It was further explained that in addition to their tax cut, Superannuation payments would be increased up front, by just over 2 percent, to reflect the general rise in prices. The increase in Super payments would be immediate from the day GST went up, without waiting for the usual annual inflation adjustment.

This double-whammy increase means that under an income tax/GST switch, superannuitants would have their incomes lifted quite significantly, and by an amount that exceeds the increase in prices.

In addition to the two immediate increases, across-the-board tax cuts would lift the after-tax average wage – raising the floor for Superannuation payments, which are linked to the average wage.

The Prime Minister said, "Super payments for a married couple cannot drop below 66 percent of the after-tax average wage, so any tax cut that affects the average wage will also affect this floor for Super. So when people talk about GST they should bear in mind these different means of compensation, which together are quite substantial.”

Our Prime Minister also reiterated the Government's commitment to maintaining Super payments linked to 66 per cent of the after-tax average wage from age 65. I am sure you will agree this is excellent news.

Weekend Sun Column

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:03:15 +1300

Acting decisively on animal cruelty

Super payments will rise under tax changes

This double-whammy increase means that under an income tax/GST switch, superannuitants would have their incomes lifted quite significantly, and by an amount that exceeds the increase in prices.

In addition to the two immediate increases, across-the-board tax cuts would lift the after-tax average wage – raising the floor for Superannuation payments, which are linked to the average wage.

Weekend Sun Column - 16 Feb 2010

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:23:52 +1300

Knock, knock, who’s there

Its been great to start my half day a week of door knocking in Tauranga South. I’m generally doing this on Monday afternoons and so far have had some great conversations about such subjects as the economy and jobs, law and order, and ACC. There have of course also been discussions about less serious matters including gardening, cars, and the particular tie I have chosen!

Tauranga cycle trail

One of the best bits of news Tauranga has had so far this year has been the announcement that we are one of thirteen projects to go through to the next funding round for The New Zealand Cycle Trail Project. We have been a big winner when you consider that we were selected as one of the very best of 54 applications lodged.

Now a feasibility study will be undertaken to ensure that was promised in our concept can be delivered on. If all goes well our trail should be under construction by the end of the year with central Government pitching in about $3,550,000.

The trail will go from Waihi Beach into the Tauranga waterfront, and will showcase our region’s spectacular natural beauty to the world. The benefits will be social, environmental and economic. Natalie and I can’t wait to ride it.

National Standards to benefit children and parents

The National-led Government is working hard to make sure all New Zealand children get the quality education they deserve.

Currently too many of our children are slipping through the cracks and missing out on the brighter future they deserve. One in five of our children are leaving school without the literacy and numeracy skills they need to succeed.

Before the election, National promised to address this shocking statistic. This year, we’re delivering on our promise with the introduction of National Standards to primary and intermediate schools.

National Standards are simply signposts which describe what Year 1 to 8 children should be able to achieve and by when.

Teachers will assess, monitor and report on each child’s progress against the Standards.

Schools will report to parents and families twice a year in plain English. Each Plunket-style report card will show a child’s goals, progress, and achievement in relation to the Standards. Parents will get the accurate information about their child that they deserve.

We’re investing $26 million to train and support teachers as they implement National Standards, and $36 million to help students identified as needing extra help.

A report from the Education Review Office at the end of 2009 showed that almost two-thirds of schools do not monitor children’s performance well, and that three-quarters of principals don’t set expectations of high achievement levels. This shows the urgent need for action.

Teachers will use a range of existing assessment tools, as well as their professional judgment, to measure students against National Standards. Many schools already use assessment information to raise student achievement, but we need to get the basics right. We need to find out which children need help, and how much help they need.

National Standards are about lifting the performance of every child, and making sure that parents and families can understand the progress of their child.

The future of our children is at stake. If you can’t read and write, you can’t participate in the modern economy.

This is an exciting year for education. National Standards is a groundbreaking policy, and a critical part of this Government’s plan to secure a brighter future for all New Zealanders.

If you have questions about National Standards, please don't hesitate to call me.