Collins' Comments

Hello everyone,

It was very moving to be part of the record crowd that attended the ANZAC 100 Commemoration Services in Papakura on ANZAC Day 2015. I would like to commend the RSA and others who organised this event with such care and respect. It was an historical moment and I thought of the millions of people across New Zealand, Australia and in centres around the world attending similar ANZAC services to remember and honour the fallen in two World Wars, and in other significant conflicts since. Lest we forget.

Budget 2015

This month Finance Minister Hon Bill English will deliver the National-led Government’s seventh Budget. It will be a Budget that builds on the strong foundations we’ve laid through our economic programme over the past six years.

Our strong, growing economy, backed by the Government’s clear economic plan, is translating into real benefits for New Zealand households and businesses.

We have one of the fastest-growing economies in the developed world. It’s supporting more jobs – 74,000 new jobs in the past year. Inflation and interest rates are low. Wages, on average, are increasing faster than the cost of living.

But there is much more to be done – a couple of good years are not enough to change our long-term wellbeing. We’ll need many more years where we grow faster than other developed countries so we can continue lifting incomes and creating more jobs.

And we need to remain wary of the risks and challenges in an uncertain and changing world – whether it’s falling global commodity prices, a fragile Europe, and a weaker economic outlook for countries like Australia and China.

We will press on with our consistent programme of sensible reforms – that’s what the Budget on 21 May will focus on.

Helping people back into work sooner

Work is the pathway to a better life and National is working hard to get more Kiwis into work sooner.

More people on sole parent support are moving off this benefit into work, with a drop of 7.2 per cent (5,471) in the last year. The largest decrease is for 18-24 year-olds with over 1700 moving into work, including almost 200 parents in Papakura alone. Sole parents are now receiving the intensive support, training and help with study and childcare they need so that working while raising children is beneficial and achievable.

Nationally, Jobseeker Support numbers are declining too, with 5060 fewer people needing Jobseeker Support compared with March 2014. In Papakura the decrease is 5.7 per cent – that’s 300 locals who have now moved into work.

Increased funding for health

The National-led Government is continuing to invest in areas that matter most to New Zealanders.

Health Minister Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman, along with Prime Minister John Key, has announced an extra $98 million will be invested to provide more New Zealanders with elective surgery, and to improve the prevention and treatment of orthopaedic conditions. This means more hip, knee and other elective operations for those who need them.

National has made access to elective surgery a top priority. We have had six years of record increases, from 118,000 operations in 2007/08 to 162,000 in 2013/14. That’s 44,000 more elective operations – an incredible 37 per cent increase. The extra $98 million includes $48 million over four years to help to continue to increase the number of elective surgeries being performed by an average of 4,000 a year.

In Counties Manukau this translates into 34,776 patients receiving their first assessment for elective surgery - an increase of 15 per cent in six years.

Altogether these results show we are improving the lives of New Zealanders by providing better public services for those who need them, and better returns for taxpayers who pay the bill.

I would like to acknowledge those amazing people who provide the expertise, support and services to improve people’s health and chances of employment every day.

Kind regards,

Hon Judith Collins
MP for Papakura

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