Amy Adams MP

Seeking your views on Canterbury's Water Management

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:52:42 +1200

There are major problems with water management in Canterbury, and the National-led Government has made a number of changes to address these. Your views about these changes are important. Please take the time to download and read our water pamphlet (click here for that), complete the response form, and return it freepost to me. I look forward to hearing from you.

A balanced plan for alcohol reform

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:23:03 +1200

National has announced a fundamental reform of New Zealand’s alcohol laws.

Many New Zealanders told us the pendulum has swung too far towards relaxation of alcohol laws. Our package adopts in full, or in part, 126 of the 153 Law Commission recommendations, as well as making other changes. We’re tackling alcohol-related harm, including crime, disorder, and public health problems.

Alcohol is estimated to contribute to 1000 deaths a year, and is implicated in 30 per cent of all police recorded offences, 34 per cent of recorded family violence, and 50 per cent of all homicides.

We cannot legislate away New Zealand’s binge-drinking culture, but legislation can contribute to a culture change. This package will support a moderate drinking culture through controls on the availability and proliferation of alcohol.

Our package strikes the right balance between not unfairly affecting responsible drinkers, and dealing with the considerable harm alcohol causes.

More information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government+outlines+balanced+plan+alcohol+reform

Saving for New Zealand’s future

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 06:57:06 +1200

National has set up an independent Savings Working Group to consider how New Zealand can improve its national savings.

It’s a critical issue for New Zealand, as we rely heavily on borrowing money overseas. This means high and rising debt to the rest of the world.

We have deliberately set wide terms of reference for the Working Group. The only exclusions are New Zealand Superannuation, which this Government will not change, and broad taxation of capital gains or land, which we have previously said we will not introduce.

Otherwise, we are not ruling anything in or out.

The Savings Working Group will canvass a range of options for improving New Zealand’s overall savings performance, including government savings. It will report back to the Government by January 2011.

Improving our level of savings is the next step in National’s economic plan to boost growth, create jobs, and grow a stronger economy.

More information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/wide+brief+expert+group+savings+options

MP Welcomes Council Decision to Support Lower Speeds Outside Schools

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:07:00 +1200

Selwyn MP Amy Adams has welcomed the news that Selwyn District Council has today voted to support her call to lower speed limits outside Selwyn schools.

“Over the course of the last 18 months I have been working with schools like Weedons, Burnham and Broadfields to call on the Selwyn District Council to lower the speed limits outside our rural primary schools.” Mrs Adams said.

“In June this year I presented Council with my petition, backed by over 4000 Selwyn residents, demanding action from Council on this. It has always been the Council’s decision and it is great to see that today they have taken action.”

The petition launched by Mrs Adams called for a reduced speed limit outside schools during pick up and drop off times.

“My preference has always been using the variable school speed zone rules which permit Council to lower the speeds during the times of greatest activity. Council have instead gone down a different path and have decided to try and apply permanent speed reductions down to 50 km/h in front of each school.”

“Anything that makes our kids safer is welcomed but I would be concerned if for any reason the approach that has been taken did not prove to be possible.”

A period of consultation will now be undertaken by Council before they move to implement the lower speeds.

Rail crossing safety upgrade delays concern Selwyn MP

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:04:00 +1200

Selwyn MP Amy Adams is deeply concerned after learning safety upgrades to the Courtenay Road level crossing in Kirwee have been delayed by at least another year.

“This unprotected crossing is one of the busiest in Selwyn,” says Ms Adams. “On top of that, there is poor visibility due to track curving, it is located very close to a SH73 intersection, and is used frequently by buses and school children,” she says.

“I have personally witnessed a number of near misses, some of which have been such a close call, it has left me shaken.”

The Selwyn Electorate MP says she has raised safety concerns with Kiwirail on several occasions since her election in 2008, and was told the Courtenay Road crossing would have flashing lights and bells by June this year.

“I am now told other works have been done instead because of changes to rail networks in Wellington and Auckland, and the safety upgrade is at best 15 months away.”

“I appreciate priorities for safety upgrades are based largely on collision statistics, but my fear is that the Courtenay Road crossing is an accident waiting to happen,” Amy Adams says. “This work is needed urgently.”

Video Update - August 2010

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:33:00 +1200

Just back from Parliament's recess, Amy talks about her recent tour with the Navy, her work on the MMP referendum and developments in the Selwyn electorate.

Support the Cancer Society with a Daffodil

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:20:30 +1200

Amy Adams, MP for Selwyn, encourages you to donate to the Cancer Society in exchange for a Daffodil on Friday 27 August.

"This year is the 20th Anniversary of Daffidol Day, and reminds us that cancer affects one in three New Zealanders," says Amy Adams.

"Daffodil Day started in 1990 and is a major fundraising event for The Cancer Society. Donations received are crucial to helping reduce the incidence and impact of cancer in the community, and ensuring the best cancer care for New Zealanders.

"I will be wearing my daffodil as a symbol of hope for those who are dealing with cancer."

Donations can be made to any collector on the streets on Friday 27 August.

You can also call 0900 31 111 to make an instant $20 donation, or text ‘daffodil’ to 883 to make a $3 donation.

For more information and other ways to donate see www.daffidolday.co.nz

Amy in Action - August 2010

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:22:53 +1200

New Rolleston Police Station:

I’ve been campaigning for a new Police Station in Rolleston since my election so I’m thrilled that construction of a new purpose built police station is to start next year. This is great news, not only for Rolleston but for the whole Selwyn District. Selwyn District was the fastest growing territorial authority in NZ in 2008-09 and this is the sort of infrastructure development we need.

Our local police are central to the lifestyle we are able to enjoy in Selwyn and it is important that they have not only a strong community presence, but also good facilities to work from. The new building is expected to be open by mid-2012.

Five local schools amongst 239 to start broadband upgrade.

Halswell School, Templeton School, Okains Bay School, Darfield High School and Tai Tapu School are the latest Selwyn schools to receive government-subsidised network upgrades, in preparation for ultra-fast broadband.

Students will directly benefit from ultra-fast access to online content and services at schools.

Ultra-fast broadband will help schools to operate, improve student achievement and provide a much wider range of learning opportunities for both students and their teachers. More schools will be invited to upgrade their networks in 2011.

Faster broadband has been on the wish list for many schools in the Selwyn electorate. A faster connection has the potential to help schools improve assessment practices and operate more efficiently.

As announced in Budget 2010, $48.3 million will be invested to roll out the School Network Upgrade Project, which is part of the government's $1.5 billion six-year Broadband Investment Initiative.

Employment Law Reforms

National is working hard to lift the long-term performance of the economy, create more jobs, raise living standards, and deliver world-class public services for Kiwi families. Our employment law package contains practical solutions to issues facing employers and employees.

It will reduce compliance costs, give businesses more confidence to take on new staff, help resolve workplace disputes faster, and provide more choices for employees and employers. One important part of the employment law package is the extension of the 90-day trial period for new employees where they agree to be taken on under a trial period.

The voluntary trial period will now be available to all employers, not just those with 20 or fewer staff. This will give employers more confidence to take on new staff, and it will give Kiwi workers the chance to prove themselves in a job.

Boost for Air Ambulances

I was thrilled to be able to present a cheque for $78,159 to the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust thanks to extra government funding, part of a $1 million funding boost for air ambulances across New Zealand.

Air ambulance helicopters are there 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Government is working hard to ensure these critical, life-saving services continue to serve the community and save lives. As the local MP for a large rural electorate, many of my communities rely on the services of the Air Rescue Trust so it was great to be able to take the time to say thanks.

Volunteers Morning Tea

I had the pleasure of joining the wonderful volunteers of the Rolleston Day Club, Selwyn Newcomers Network and the Selwyn Community Care group for morning tea as part of Volunteer Week in June. Volunteers put in an enormous amount of time and effort often at their own cost and I was very pleased to be able to join them for morning tea in recognition of the fantastic work they do in Selwyn.

Youth MP 2010

On the 6th and 7th July this year the seats of government were taken over by 122 16 - 18 year olds from around the country for this year’s Youth Parliament. Every MP in Parliament is asked to select a youth MP from their electorate to attend, which has been held every three years since 1994.

Hannah Singh from Darfield was the successful participant from Selwyn this year. Hannah was one of 12 participants on the Justice and Electoral Select Committee where they debated a background paper on the issue of changing New Zealand’s flag and hearing the submissions made by the RSA and Ministry of Justice. The main topic of debate in the assembly of 122 Youth MP’s was the Adult Rights and Responsibilities (Age of Majority) Bill, which proposed to move the default age of adulthood from 20 to 18 years old. Although the Bill was passed by Youth MP’s, Hannah was disappointed.

“Our side didn’t quite win, which is sort of sad,” says Hannah, who believes that older teenagers have enough responsibility already. “That two year year period from 18 – 20 is important for growing and maturing.” Hannah enjoyed her experience in Wellington and is looking forward to the next 6 months as Youth MP for Selwyn. I have to agree with Hannah when she says that being an MP was harder than she thought!

Bluegreen Forum

The Bluegreens are the National Party’s advisory group on environmental issues.

They are committed to exploring environmental policy in areas such as biosecurity, conservation and outdoor recreation, and investigating ways to integrate environmentally-friendly values into mainstream policy-making.

Each year they run a forum where attendees have the opportunity to hear from leading speakers and engage in policy debates. This year the forum is to be held in Akaroa on the 16th and 17th October. Topics include Water, Climate Change, Waste Management and Coastal and Oceans with speakers including Sir Geoffrey Palmer, Hon Bill English and the Hon Nick Smith.

This will be a great event and it is wonderful that it is being held in our own patch making this year’s forum easier than ever to attend. More information can be found on the Bluegreens website at www.bluegreens.org.nz or contact Sharon O’Callaghan on email: liam1@clear.net.nz or P O Box 107, Kirwee 7543.

Great to be part of the team

As well as doing my best to represent the people of Selwyn, I’m part of a team that is working hard with Prime Minister John Key to deliver on our election promises, protect New Zealanders from the sharpest edges of the global recession, and build a safe and prosperous NZ. National relies on the support of its many members to make sure that we are effectively listening to the concerns of every community and developing the policies our country needs. If you want further information on becoming involved, you can find it at www.national.org.nz.

Amy Adams MP

For more information, please visit my website www.amyadams.co.nz
You are welcome to email me at amy.adams@parliament.govt.nz

Electorate Office
829 Main South Road Templeton
ph +64 3 344 0418 | fax +64 3 344 0420 | selwynoffice@parliament.govt.nz

Parliamentary Office
Parliament Buildings, Wellington
ph +64 4 817 8225 | fax 04 473 0469 | amy.adams@parliament.govt.nz

More competition for mobile phone users

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:19:12 +1200

National has accepted a Commerce Commission recommendation to regulate mobile termination rates. This will promote more competition between different mobile operators, and better prices for mobile phone users.

Mobile termination rates are the wholesale prices charged by mobile network operators like Telecom, Vodafone, and 2 degrees, for providing services to customers from other networks.

The Telecommunications Act requires the Minister to make decisions that best promote competition for the long-term benefit of end-users of telecommunications services.

Better prices will mean more money in your pocket. More competition will help contribute to our plan to grow the economy, and boost long-term growth and incomes for all New Zealanders.

More information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/decision+mobile+termination+rates

Better system for high country rents

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:16:25 +1200

National has announced a new system to calculate rents for high country pastoral leases, which will benefit a significant number of farmers.

There are 231 pastoral leases covering 1.6 million hectares of pastoral land, mainly in Canterbury and Central Otago. The current system for setting rents is complicated, costly, and often produces disputes over both the process and the result.

The new approach will see rents for Crown pastoral land based on the earning capacity of the land, and will consider other factors such as pastoral economic conditions. It will be easier to administer, more transparent, and provide a fair rent.

National has worked closely with stakeholders. We’re giving farmers greater certainty, and letting them get on with their jobs instead of fighting bureaucracy.

More information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt+announces+new+pastoral+lease+rent+policy

A closer look at Government spending

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:13:18 +1200

National is reviewing spending on policy advice across all departments and agencies.

Under Labour, total spending on policy advice jumped from an estimated $510 million to $880 million between 2003 and 2009. Policy advice now accounts for nearly three quarters of the total annual police budget, and almost matches our annual spending on social housing.

The review will examine whether the focus and level of spending line up with Government priorities. We spend $50 billion a year running the public sector, and it is important we get value for taxpayers as well as better frontline services.

Delivering a better, smarter public service is one of National’s six policy drivers to achieve faster growth. This review is the latest step in that process.

More information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/government+review+spending+policy+advice

Protecting our children

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:10:35 +1200

National is serious about addressing New Zealand's high child abuse rates. This week Police and Child Youth and Family signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which will ensure a close working relationship in particularly critical cases.

We know that no single agency or organisation can tackle child abuse alone. It is a problem that requires the expertise, knowledge and resources of a wide range of agencies, organisations, individuals, and the community.

The memorandum is part of a wider Government programme. Measures include partnering with NGOs through the First Response pilot, extra social workers in hospitals, multi agency discharge meetings, positive parenting classes, respite holiday programmes, and the ‘Never Shake a Baby’ campaign.

Police and CYF are two of the frontline agencies who deal with the terrible results of child abuse every day. This memorandum shows their commitment to tackling child abuse.

More information:
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/police+and+cyf+sign+child+protection+mou

Lifting student achievement

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:07:10 +1200

National is changing the way the Ministry of Education supports teachers and pupils. We have announced targeted funding and support for children identified through National Standards as needing extra help.

At least 50 expert practitioners from the Ministry and the education sector will be appointed to work closely with schools, use student data to assess where support will be most effective, and make sure schools get help sooner.

We’re also investing $36 million in new intervention programmes for students who need extra support in reading, writing and maths outside classroom teaching.

The Ministry of Education will also change its approach to professional development for teachers and principals to focus squarely on lifting student achievement.

More information:http:
//www.beehive.govt.nz/release/major+new+approach+lifting+student+achievement

Selwyn MP Amy Adams invites all to benefit from 2011 Rugby World Cup national festival

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 06:42:55 +1200

The Lottery Grants Board has allocated $9.5 million funding for community events staged as part of the nationwide festival during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

“Rugby World Cup 2011 will be one of the largest events ever held in New Zealand," says Selwyn MP Amy Adams. "It’s a great opportunity for celebrating and showcasing what we have to offer in Selwyn,” she says.

With 23 centres around the country hosting games or teams, the fund is intended for community events and activities, including concerts, fairs, and parades. Funding can go towards management and operating costs, artists’ fees, publicity, and production costs.

The festival will boost regional economic opportunities, community involvement, and the New Zealand experience for 85,000 expected visitors.

“There will be plenty of time between games, so we want to encourage both international visitors and travelling Kiwis to take the long way around from one match to the next, see the country and meet the people,” says Ms Adams.
For more information visit the website dia.govt.nz.

Applications close on 18 September 2010. Successful applicants will be announced in early November.

Appropriation (2010/2011 Estimates) Bill

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:51:00 +1200

As the previous speaker, Craig Foss, just said, it is a pleasure to take a call in this estimates and appropriations debate. It is a useful time, actually, to stop and look back at the 2008 election, when this National-led Government under John Key came to power. When New Zealanders elected us, as they did overwhelmingly in 2008, to lead this country through the recession, they did it on a platform of aspiration and ambition. We did not get mired in the mud-slinging and negative campaigning from members on the other side of the House. We stood up—John Key stood up and our members stood up—and said we thought that New Zealand could do better than it had been doing. We had high hopes for New Zealand, and we offered to New Zealanders a positive vision for a way forward and a package of economic growth that could lead them into the future. That package was the key to our plan, because we knew that in order to be ambitious for New Zealand, and to deliver more for New Zealanders, we had to address the issue of economic growth. That was what had been holding this country back for so long.

Let us take a moment to go over the issue of economic growth, because from listening to some of this debate this afternoon it is very clear to me that members on the opposite side of the House neither know what it looks like and what it means, nor have any clue whatsoever about how to deliver it. So let us have a look at it for a minute. Economic growth is important because it means creating jobs. That is what it means in a real sense. It means more Kiwis being in work. It means having higher incomes; it means lifting the incomes of New Zealand families. That means that they can get ahead under their own steam and are not reliant on handouts from the State, so they are not caught up in the culture of entitlement and of asking what the Government is providing for them. No, we say people should work hard, get ahead, and accept responsibility for their own destiny, and we will back them. That is what economic growth means to us.

Economic growth means getting this country back to having Government surpluses. Why is that important? When we get this economy back to showing Government surpluses, it will mean that we have choices. We will have choices about how to deliver the sorts of public services that New Zealanders deserve. We will have choices about how to deliver the best in education, the best in health—

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I am sorry to interrupt the member. I have mentioned before that barracking across the benches is unacceptable. Interjections are fine, but they should be interjections about what the member is saying at the time. I ask members to please calm it down.

AMY ADAMS: I was talking about the fact that when we get this economy back to showing surpluses, we will have choices about what we can deliver. That means that we can deliver to the people of New Zealand the sorts of public services that they are entitled to expect—the sorts of education, health, law and order, and other things that we want for all of our citizens. In order to do that, we have to get the economy into surplus.

Under the Budget that Bill English has delivered in 2010, we will now be returning to surpluses; they are predicted for 2016. That is 3 years ahead of the predictions that we had just last year, and considerably better than the decade of deficits that the previous Labour Government left us as its legacy. This Government understands that we have to earn money before we spend it. It is a pretty simple lesson. Most Kiwi families get it and most businesses get it, but Labour never understood that money has to be earned before it is spent. That Government just kept on spending it. As a country, New Zealand had been living beyond its means for far, far too long. We cannot continue to just assume that money will come from a magic ATM in the sky.

We understand that Governments have no money. There is no such thing as Government money. The money that we spend is taxpayers’ money: the hard-earned money of New Zealanders who contribute to this country and its prosperity. We understand that if we do not back those people, those workers, and those businesses—every man, woman, and child who is working hard to get this country ahead—then we will never prosper as a country. That is a fundamental truth that Labour does not get. Spending was the only thing that the previous Labour Government was ever any good at.

National has always been seen as the party that people turn to when they want to have sensible economic management, and that is exactly what New Zealanders wanted in 2008. That was exactly what they were asking for, and that is why they delivered to this John Key - led National Government the strong, overwhelming mandate that they did. We understood that recovery and economic growth were going to come from addressing the imbalances that had been hamstringing our economy for so long—the imbalances that meant that under Labour’s watch, no net new jobs had been created in agriculture or manufacturing since 2002. For the Labour members now to cry crocodile tears, when they had presided over an economy where no net new jobs were created in agriculture and manufacturing—the backbone of our economy—for the last 6 years of their Government, is an absolute tragedy. It is an absolute shame and a farce.

We knew that in order to get growth, we would have to rein in expenditure. A country cannot keep spending more than it earns; we had to get a handle on expenditure. We had to better manage our balance sheets, which showed $217 billion of Government assets. If we do not manage our assets far more prudently, this country will never recover. We had to ensure that there was better value for money. It is not good enough to simply throw money into a health system that saw expenditure double under Labour, yet the amount of elective surgery per capita fell. That is what that previous Government did: it put twice the amount of money into the health system, but outputs fell. Labour thought that if it just kept throwing money into the pit, without any sort of value-for-money assessment, then that had to be good. Well, that might have been fine if we had had money to throw around, but that Government was spending more than it had. That simply was not sustainable. If we are to get growth in this economy, we have to encourage our export sector. We have to get behind our farmers, we have to get behind our manufacturers, and we have to get behind our innovative New Zealanders who are out there working hard. That is what this Government is focused on; that is what Budget 2010 is all about.

We understand that growth is a partnership between the Government and the private sector, because Governments do not create jobs, actually. Governments do not create jobs; businesses create jobs. The Government does not pay taxes; New Zealanders pay taxes. Governments have to support businesses. We have to support Kiwis: we have to help them to invest and to grow, and we have to not make their lives harder and harder. Faced with the situation that was in front of us, we knew that no single solution would magic away our problems. But we know, from the debate in this House, that Labour has spent the last 20 months waiting for a bill to come on to the Order Paper entitled “The Solution to All Our Problems Bill”, because that must have the answers. Those members have not seen it, so they have figured it out that there is no plan. But do members know what that tells me? It tells me that they simply do not understand what economic growth is, and what delivers that growth. They have no idea of how to roll out a strong economy for this country. Every time they say in this House that there is no plan, all that tells me is that they do not get it. They do not have a clue; they would not recognise a growth agenda if it jumped up and bit them. That tells us that if they were in charge of this country right now, we would be continuing the downward spiral that they put us on in their 9 years in office.

There are many elements to our economic plan. In 20 months the sheer volume of what this Government has delivered in order to turn this economy round is staggering. If we just focus on the six main points, we can see that we have the biggest tax reform in 25 years, which is designed to encourage hard work, discourage consumption, and back New Zealanders who want to get ahead. We have one of the biggest infrastructure packages that New Zealand has seen, and we have been starving for infrastructure growth in this country. Ten billion dollars will be spent on roads alone, and $1.5 billion on broadband, with another $300 million on rural broadband. We see better, smarter public services being consistently rolled out by this Government, and there is better value for money in our spending, as well. We see a focus on lifting education standards. We actually say it is not good enough that 20 percent of our kids cannot read and write.