DAVID BENNETT MP for Hamilton East

Hamilton Bulletin - March 2012

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:15:35 +1200

Hello and welcome to the first edition of the Hamilton Bulletin for the year with Parliament already pressing ahead with new initiatives.

First of all a big thank you

First of all I would like to take this opportunity to thank Hamiltonians for once again supporting the National Party and voting for a Government that will continue to serve the interests of all New Zealanders. There have been some testing times over the last three years however we have worked hard towards economic reform and to ensure a safer, more prosperous and more ambitious country.

Local Government Reforms

This week the government has announced plans to assist in the reform of Local Government. The high debt levels and continual rate rises have been the drivers for the Governments need to undertake reforms in this area. There will no doubt be high public interest in any reforms.

The Government intends to clarify the rules of operation of local government and their mandate. Part of that will be to refocus the purpose of local government. The refocus will be of purpose to replace references to “social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of communities” with a new purpose for councils of “providing good quality local infrastructure, public services and regulatory functions at the least possible cost to households and businesses.” Essentially local government will be reprioritising back to their core roles.

The reforms also introduce fiscal responsibility requirements, provisions to strengthen council governance and procedures streamlining any council reorganisation.

This poll then only needs majority support over the area of the new council. Previously a majority in every existing district or city was required. This is a very significant change in the proposals.

The balance of the reforms include a local government efficiency taskforce, frameworks around local and central government regulatory roles, and an investigation into the efficient provision of infrastructure and review of Development Contributions.

For more information please visit www.dia.govt.nz/better-local-government.

Give Way Rule Changes

At 5am on Sunday 25 March, two of the give way rules are changing to make New Zealand’s roads safer. Whether we drive, walk cycle or ride, everyone needs to know about the changes to stay safe on the roads.

Motorists turning right will no longer Give Way to vehicles turning from their right.

• Change 1: Left turn v right turn. Remember: if you are turning right give way.

• Change 2: Uncontrolled T-intersections. Remember: Top of the T goes before me.

Some of Hamilton’s busiest junctions will be heavily affected as these intersections are those with the highest traffic volumes.

• Memorial Drive-Bridge Street: Traffic turning left off the bridge into Memorial Drive will no longer give way to oncoming traffic turning right.
• River Road-Te Aroha Street: Traffic turning left from River Road into Te Aroha Street will no longer give way to oncoming traffic turning right.
• Hukanui Road-Glenn Lynne Avenue: Turning traffic left into Glen Lynne Avenue will no longer give way to oncoming traffic turning right.
• Bankwood Road-Clarkin Road: Traffic turning left into either Bankwood Road or Heaphy Terrace will no longer give way to oncoming traffic turning right.

Overall the give way rule changes will simplify judgement needed in complex traffic environments and also make New Zealand’s give way rules consistent with international standards.

For more information visit www.giveway.govt.nz

Local Government Reforms

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:16:51 +1200

The Government intends to clarify the rules of operation of local government and their mandate. Local officials are elected on platforms of what they want to achieve and so they then have to be responsible for their own decision making. Central government also has a role though in assisting local government through the determination of the ambit of local government and setting some of the rules under which local government operates.

Some of the reforms include reinforcing the proper procedures and refocusing the purpose of local government. The refocus will be of purpose to replace references to “social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of communities” with a new purpose for councils of “providing good quality local infrastructure, public services and regulatory functions at the least possible cost to households and businesses.” Essentially local government will be reprioritising back to their core roles.

The reforms also introduce fiscal responsibility requirements, provisions to strengthen council governance and procedures streamlining any council reorganisation.

The reorganisation process deals with issues such as amalgamation that are a hot topic in local government circles. Essentially the rules for reorganisation or amalgamation will hinge on two things .First, whereas previously a petition of 10% of the electors was required to initiate a proposal; this is now enough to trigger a poll on a draft proposal of reform. This poll then only needs majority support over the area of the new council. Previously a majority in every existing district or city was required. This is a very significant change in the proposals.

Investment in Hamilton

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:14:44 +1200

As we look around Hamilton we can see the large investment the Government is making in the City.

The hospital skyline is a perfect example of the development that is proceeding. The cranes in operation at the hospital illustrate our future as a future health hub for New Zealand.
On the roading front, the Te Rapa and Ngaruawahia bypasses are starting to take formation. The links are becoming obvious and are key to making Hamilton a freight and logistics hub for the future.

When we look around our streets we see the investment in the ultra-fast broadband network. The temporary orange fences dotted around our streets are marks of how the broadband project is progressing.

The broadband roll out is a significant investment in Hamilton and in the technology of the future. Ultra-fast broadband connections to our households, businesses, schools and organisation will enable Hamiltonians to be connected and fit in with our future growth opportunities. The broadband initiative will mean that by July next year over 410,000 students at 1500 schools around New Zealand will be able to access download speeds at up to 100 megabytes per second. And by the end of 2015 over 97 per cent of schools and 99 per cent of students will be able to access ultra-fast broadband.

The broadband initiative will revolutionise the way our firms do business it will transform the way our GP’s and hospitals deliver care and treatment to patients. It will connect our exporters with their markets, encourage greater innovation and create more jobs with high increases. It is part of the plan to build a more competitive and productive economy, by the end of 2019 three in every four kiwis will be able to get ultra-fast broadband where they live, work and study.

The broadband initiative has Hamilton as its first centre with Hamilton is contracted to provide services to areas like Cambridge and Tauranga. This will create a hub of the provision of these services based in Hamilton.

Overall, the developments on-going in the city are part of a plan to build our inter-regional connectivity and to provide services on an inter-regional basis and to provide the infrastructure for future growth in Hamilton.

Video update

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:53:50 +1200

In his first video update of the year David talks about the key infrastructure projects being completed in the wider Hamilton area. He then goes on to talk about the recently announced Local Government Reforms.

March 2012

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:30:31 +1300

The political New Year has started in earnest with the first few weeks of activity in Parliament. It is a radically different Parliament from the last session with a diminished Labour Party, a much larger Green Party and the re-introduction of the New Zealand First Party.

One of the main issues at this time is the opportunity the government is going to give New Zealanders to invest in some of the power generation companies. This is important for a number of reasons.
First, for the rebuild of Christchurch and secondly because of the need to get on top of the country’s debt levels.

Thirdly as a means of retirement savings for New Zealanders that need long term investments with a degree of security. Our savings funds, such as Kiwisaver, and large government investment funds such as ACC will be major investors. In this way we can keep New Zealanders money in New Zealand assets, rather than the current case where billions of New Zealand dollars are invested overseas through those funds. Other major investors such as iwi will wish to be shareholders.

The best way to think of this opportunity is in terms of a local company in Hamilton being Tainui Group Holdings. Tainui has a long term investment focus and generally invests locally. Tainui uses Waikato money to build Waikato assets. Recent growth in Hamilton City such as new hotels has been a direct result of this investment in the city.

Currently we have government funds being invested overseas when the downstream effects of that investment could be much better utilised if invested here, just like the benefits Tainui group holdings has provided to Hamilton with their investment in the city.

Focus on Health and Education

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:29:08 +1300

The National Government is working hard to protect and grow our public health service and we’re focused on delivering the healthcare Kiwi families need.

We are bringing in free after-hours medical care for under six-year-olds which will be paid for out of existing Health Ministry funding and is expected to cost about $7 million a year.

By extending free after-hours care to under six-year-olds, we’re helping young New Zealanders get the best possible start in life. We don’t want parents to be put off taking their young children to the doctors in the evenings or weekends because of the cost. We’re also helping slow the numbers of young children going to busy hospital emergency departments with illnesses a GP could’ve treated.
District Health Boards will work with local GP networks and after-hours clinics, aiming for a July 2012 roll out.

Education is the stepping stone for young people to have a brighter future. The National Government is investing heavily in education as shown in the recent announcement to spend $1 billion of mixed ownership model proceeds on modernising and transforming New Zealand schools over the next five years without having to borrow.

The Future Investment Fund will buy new productive infrastructure for New Zealanders with a focus on education.

The environment in which teachers teach, and kids learn, is hugely important to the futures of our children. New Zealand children studying in modern classrooms that meet their learning needs and let them use the most up-to-date technology is a crucial component in lifting achievement, which in turn is vital to building a faster growing economy with more exports and more real jobs.

The existing money for school building projects will be needed simply to maintain the existing school network and to help address health and safety issues like earthquake proofing and leaky buildings. The mixed ownership model however will allow us to increase the total amount spent on school building projects each year by more than 50 per cent, without extra borrowing.

Building Hamilton- Article Seven

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:19:32 +1300

Hospital a Nucleus of Healthcare

The 2011 Budget continued the National government’s strong public health focus and over the last three years we have demonstrated our commitment to a modern, well-resourced public health system.

Waikato Hospital has seen the benefits. The current $400 million upgrade seals its future as one of the country’s leading tertiary health care institutions.

The most recent facility in the multi-stager development is the hospitals new $63.5 million acute services building which was opened recently. The new building includes a state of the art emergency department and significantly upgraded wards for patient care and accommodation.

Other hospital developments include the $118 million Meade Clinical Centre which will be opened in three separate stages from March 2012, with completion due in 2013. At 32,000 metres squared and five stories high it is the biggest hospital project the Waikato and Bay of Plenty areas have seen.

In addition to these facilities, an extra 250 nurses and 50 more doctors have been employed in the Waikato.

Waikato Hospital is the hub of tertiary healthcare in the central North Island and these redevelopments are going to ensure efficiency as well as continuing to attract some of the worlds’ top clinicians.

The Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga triangle will be the country’s economic powerhouse and where over half of the population will live in the next decade or so. Hamilton will thrive economically as it’s opened up to the Auckland and Bay of Plenty regions. Our vital link to these two regions as well as the two ports of Auckland and Tauranga will not only open up opportunities for health but also our world class education, transport and manufacturing industries

Authorised by David Bennett MP, 510 Grey Street, Hamilton East

Building Hamilton- Article Six

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:16:39 +1300

Focus on Health and Education

The National Government is working hard to protect and grow our public health service and we’re focused on delivering the healthcare Kiwi families need.

We are bringing in free after-hours medical care for under six-year-olds which will be paid for out of existing Health Ministry funding and is expected to cost about $7 million a year.

By extending free after-hours care to under six-year-olds, we’re helping young New Zealanders get the best possible start in life. We don’t want parents to be put off taking their young children to the doctors in the evenings or weekends because of the cost. We’re also helping slow the numbers of young children going to busy hospital emergency departments with illnesses a GP could’ve treated.

District Health Boards will work with local GP networks and after-hours clinics, aiming for a July 2012 roll out.

Education is the stepping stone for young people to have a brighter future. The National Government is investing heavily in education as shown in the recent announcement to spend $1 billion of mixed ownership model proceeds on modernising and transforming New Zealand schools over the next five years without having to borrow.

The Future Investment Fund will buy new productive infrastructure for New Zealanders with a focus on education.

The environment in which teachers teach, and kids learn, is hugely important to the futures of our children. New Zealand children studying in modern classrooms that meet their learning needs and let them use the most up-to-date technology is a crucial component in lifting achievement, which in turn is vital to building a faster growing economy with more exports and more real jobs.

The existing money for school building projects will be needed simply to maintain the existing school network and to help address health and safety issues like earthquake proofing and leaky buildings. The mixed ownership model however will allow us to increase the total amount spent on school building projects each year by more than 50 per cent, without extra borrowing.

Authorised by David Bennett MP, 510 Grey Street, Hamilton East

Video update

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:38:00 +1300

David provides an update on gains over the last three years for Hamilton - and particularly Hamilton East - as a result of initiatives from the National-led Government.

Continue reading "Video update"

David on Back Benches - TV7

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:30:20 +1200

David joins the Backbench panel to discuss the Rugby World Cup opening night and what went wrong with the Transport system. Click to watch in a new window.

Hamilton Bulletin - September 2011

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:10:18 +1200

Welcome to the September edition of the Hamilton Bulletin. Not only is the election just around the corner now but this month New Zealand plays host to the world as the Rugby World Cup kicks off.

Post-Budget Survey:

I would like to thank all of you who took the time to complete and return my recent survey. I have had many returns and they have given me a good snapshot of the issues in our area. If you requested to receive the Hamilton Bulletin I would like to welcome you to your first edition.

Welfare Reform:

We have recently announced welfare reform which will further assist in providing the right signals and incentives for young people to up skill. National will change the Government’s approach to young people who are not in education, training or work. Teenage beneficiaries will receive intensive case management and support. Essential costs like rent and power bills will be paid directly on their behalf and they will receive payment cards which can be used only for food and groceries - not alcohol and cigarettes along with a set amount of discretionary spending money.

As a Government we have also ensure that our young people have the skills necessary for a modern society. Recently we had the first graduates from the Waikato Trades Academy at Wintec. This is an important step in providing skills to our young people.

Together with good economic management and the right signals and incentives we can provide the opportunity to our young people to be active and successful in our fast growing part of the world.

In the Community:

There have been some exciting events happening around the community lately, but also with the Rugby World Cup just around the corner Hamilton is preparing for an action packed month.

Also Hamilton hosted the University of Cambridge as they returned to the Waikato River to defend their title against our team from the Waikato University in the Great Race.

Congratulations to the University of Waikato for winning the great race.

The first match for the Rugby World cup is being held this Friday, as Hamilton plays host to Japan when the take on our All Blacks. To celebrate the House bar on Hood will be hosting the Prime Minister for a pre-match drink. Tickets are $25 which includes a drink on arrival. If you wish to purchase a ticket please text me on 021988277, or follow this link for the Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=186911828048457

Building Hamilton- Article Five

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:36:43 +1200

One of the most important issues confronting our communities is the opportunities for young people. We live in a world that has a very delicate economic balance with the change in economic equilibrium occurring. There is definitely a movement towards our region, the Asia-Pacific region, as the future economic hub of the world.

This creates many challenges and opportunities for New Zealanders. First, as a challenge we have to have our economic fundamentals in order to access and succeed in this economic environment. The Government is firmly committed to this in working to get our countries books into surplus within the next three years. Similarly, we have worked hard to keep interest rates as low as possible for New Zealand families so they can get through the economic downturn in the best position possible. We have been vigilant with Government spending and invested in infrastructure to grow the economy. This has been resulted in good growth figures for the first quarter this year.

The opportunities we have are enormous, especially for our young people that are about to engage in this new world order. However, we need to ensure they have the skills necessary to compete. Recently we had the first graduates from the Waikato Trades Academy at Wintec. This is an important step in providing skills to our young people so they can take on the new world order.

Similarly, we have announced recently welfare reform that will further assist in providing the right signals and incentives for young people to up skill. National will change the Government's approach to young people who are not in education, training or work. Teenage beneficiaries will receive intensive case management and support. Essential costs like rent and power bills will be paid directly on their behalf and they will receive payment which can be used only for food and groceries, not alcohol and cigarettes.

Together with good economic management and the right signals and incentives we can provide the opportunity for our young people to be active and successful in our fast growing part of the world.

Authorised by David Bennett MP, 510 Grey Street, Hamilton East

Building Hamilton- Article Four

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:56:56 +1200

Recent turmoil in the American markets has reinforced how important it is to have strong economic management. John Key and the National Government made this a priority and the results have already been evident.

There has been growth of 0.8% for the first quarter of this year, responsible management of the Government's books to get us back surplus by 2014/2015, and an average floating mortgage rate of 5.9 percent - compared to 10.9 percent in 2008 under the previous government. Balancing the books earlier means lower interest rates over the economic cycle.

To have a growing economy with a clear government focus on getting best value for government spending will be crucial in the years ahead. As the world economic power bases move to Asia, New Zealand and Hamilton are uniquely placed to take advantage of opportunities. Investing for the future is very much a key theme for the National Government. With greater and more effective infrastructure we have the ability to grow our city and provide more leadership opportunities. A central part of this has been developing our relationship with Auckland and Tauranga. As you will have seen we are investing heavily in the Waikato Expressway to link us with Auckland.

With these links we can further develop the service hubs in our city around health, education, industry, broadband and transport distribution. The developments at the University and at the Hospital are good examples of this investment along with recent announcements of the provision of broadband infrastructure in Hamilton.

With the National Government investing in infrastructure and product management we can weather the international economic storms as much as possible. We have a strong future and we need to continue building it in a progressive manner.

Authorised by David Bennett MP, 510 Grey Street, Hamilton East

Building Hamilton- Article Three

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:35:15 +1200

Hamilton highways of strategic significance

Recently there has been good news about identifying future transport routes of significance in New Zealand and Hamilton has featured prominently. The new system for classifying state highways highlights the significance of Hamilton as a regional hub.

The classifications put all state highways into one of our four categories. The connecting routes between Auckland, Hamilton, Taupo and Tauranga have all been designated as high-colume National Strategic highways. These include SH1 between Wellsford, Auckland, Hamilton, Cambridge and Taupo; and SH29 from Cambridge to Tauranga.

The new classification reflects the large volume of traffic carried on these routes, and their important function within the roading network.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Transport has released an Engagement Document on Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding. This notes four high-value highways that could possibly become future Roads of National Significance.

These include the links from Hamilton to Tauranga and from Cambridge to Taupo. Naming these as Roads of National Significance would give them special priority, and Hamilton is well poised to take advantage of this. By building greater links south and east, we can strengthen our position as a transport and manufacturing hub.

These announcements add to the work of the Waikato Regional Council and Environment Bay of Plenty, which recognises the importance of building on the strategic proximity of Hamilton and Tauranga.

Transport links are vital to our city because of our strategic importance at the centre of the golden triangle between Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga. The new classifications will be an important tool for future planning. Waikato highways clearly have a huge strategic value.

I will continue to campaign for better transport links in our region. We need to build on our strategic proximity to other major cities. Better roads will cut transport times, help drive economic growth, and create more jobs and a brighter future for Hamilton.

Authorised by David Bennett MP, 510 Grey Street, Hamilton East

Hamilton Bulletin - June 2011

nospam@example.com (David Bennett MP) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:30:51 +1200

Welcome to the June edition of the Hamilton Bulletin. The countdown the the election is on and things are getting busy both in Parliament and in Hamilton, with the Budget being the centre of attention.

Budget 2011

We are building a strong platform for growth, and setting out the next steps of the Government’s programme to increase national savings, whilst providing a boost by investing further in the health and education sectors.

In the recent budget we:

Extended the mixed-ownership model to our four state owned energy companies - Mighty River Power, Meridian, Genesis and Solid Energy. Also we have reduced the Government's majority stake in Air New Zealand, with kiwi investors at the front of the queue for shares.
Changes to KiwiSaver that will encourage a higher level of private savings and make the scheme more financially sustainable. The changes will free up $2.6 billion over four years.
An extra $2.2 billion to public health services over the next four years, including an additional $585 million in initiatives in 2011/12.
Schools and early childhood education receive an extra $1.4 billion in operating and capital funding out to 2014/15, with total education spending rising to a record $12.2 billion and 2011/12.
Unemployment statistics are continuing to decrease with the rate dropping to 6.6 per cent. Budget 2011 will include $55.2 million over four years to support young people into jobs and $15 million more for other employment assistance programs.

For more information on the budget visit:

http://national.org.nz/budget2011.Budget2011-ataglance.pdf

Election 2011

With the election coming up we are looking for people to help with activities such as pamphlet delivery. Please don't hesitate to contact us at david.bennett@parliament.govt.nz if you are available to assist with this.

Thank you for your support.