Out and About in the Electorate

This last fortnight has been a busy one with Budget 2015 being delivered on May 21 by the Minister of Finance and followed by two days of the Parliament being in urgency. Last week the House continued the Budget debate and I was able to take my turn speaking on Thursday afternoon.

I was fortunate to secure leave from the House on the Saturday during urgency so I could speak at the opening of the Ashburton Art Gallery. I was delighted to be able to attend and see the gallery in all its splendour with some great opening exhibitions.

Along with the Parliament sitting three days of last week I was able to have a day undertaking constituency work in Timaru on Monday and on Fridayattended a World Smokefree Day event at Columbus Café in Ashburton. The café has chosen to become totally smokefree, a move which highlights and helps our goal of becoming Smokefree by 2025.

On Friday I also hosted one of my regular seniors’ meetings in Ashburton. A good number of older folk turned out on a cold day to discuss with me a myriad of issues of concern to them. The meetings are a wonderful opportunity to interact with constituents over a cuppa and a biscuit.

On Saturday I was a guest at the spectacular Harness Jewels Racing event in Ashburton. This great event is well attended by people from all over the country and is a real celebration of harness racing along with filling Ashburton’s accommodation and making the town a very busy one over the long weekend.

10-year passports to return

You may have already heard that adult passports will again be valid for 10 years, once required law changes are made. Many constituents have mentioned to me their desire for the 10 year passports to be reinstated.

The 10-year validity period gives greater convenience to most adult passport holders, as they will need to renew their passport less frequently. This will also result in a reduction in the annual price of an adult passport for New Zealanders. The 10-year adult passport price will cost $180 (including GST), an average saving of more than $90 over the 10-year validity period.

Because a child’s appearance can change significantly over time, the child passport will remain valid for five years as is international convention.

The change to a 10-year passport from the existing five-year passport will require a law change to the Passports Act 1992. The change should be in place by the end of the year. People will be able to apply for an adult passport once the new law comes into effect.

There has not been a rise in passport price for a decade (other than a small GST rise in 2010). Passport holders have also enjoyed below cost passport fees for the last three years as a result of a surplus in the passport account. This surplus has now been used up.

Funding boost for Irrigation Acceleration Fund

Budget 2015 results in irrigation projects receiving a kick-start of $25 million in operating funding for five years from 2016/17 through the Irrigation Acceleration Fund (IAF).

This funding helps to complete the investigation and development of new regional scale irrigation proposals.

The need for more water storage projects is obvious given that nearly every part of the country has suffered through drought at some stage over the past three years.

Providing a reliable water supply for farmers and growers has massive potential to boost growth, creating jobs and exports in provincial regions.

Around 100,000 hectares of new irrigated areas are expected from IAF-funded projects to date, with around 36,000 hectares of that commissioned or currently being constructed.

The IAF helps support the development of irrigation infrastructure proposals to the stage where they are investment ready, which means they must be commercially robust and demonstrate a high level of community support.

The Government also supports these projects through the Crown Irrigation Investments Ltd (CIIL), which acts as a bridging investor for regional water infrastructure development. $120 million has been allocated to CIIL over the last two years with the potential to provide a further 125,000 hectares of new irrigation.

Hospice Chaplaincy

Prior to last year’s election when I was Associate Minister of Health, I had the opportunity to make some remarks about the hospital chaplaincy service in New Zealand for a short film which described the chaplaincy service, its history and its value to the community.

The movie was debuted at a gala screening in Hastings earlier this year which I attended and spoke at.

Click here if you would like to watch the movie (about 15 minutes long).

FIFA U-20 World Cup underway

The FIFA U-20 World Cup got underway last weekend and is a great opportunity for Kiwis to see the next generation of global football superstars.

A global TV audience of 170 million is expected. The FIFA U-20 World Cup places New Zealand at the centre stage of world football over the next three weeks.

52 matches will be played in Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

The Government has contributed $5.5 million to the tournament. Over 7,000 visitors are expected, including 800 players and support staff and 100 media, benefiting our economy and regional host cities.

Kiwi fans can get behind the Junior All Whites by going along to the games and wearing white to show their support. Fan sites in each host city will feature musical and cultural performances, as well as football demonstrations.

For further information head to: www.fifa.com/nz2015.

Congratulations

I am delighted to offer congratulations to two of my constituents who have recently attended investiture ceremonies at Government House in Wellington.

Neil Sinclair from Ashburton received a Queen’s Service Medal from the Governor General for his services to philanthropy and the community.

Bill Begg from Timaru became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, bestowed by the Governor General, for his services to speed skating.

Both men have been very active in their communities and are very worthy recipients of their respective awards.

Upcoming Events

June 5 – hosting Seniors’ Forum, Timaru
June 5 – opening of Radius Elloughton Retirement Village, Timaru
June 8 – Trustpower Community Awards, Ashburton
June 9 – host Hon Amy Adams, UFB rollout event, Timaru
June 10 & 11 – attend Mystery Creek Fieldays, Hamilton
June 14 – host Minister FIFA U-20 World Cup - Quarter Final, Christchurch
June 15 – attend 800th anniversary celebrations of Magna Carta, Wellington
June 16 – 18 – Parliament sitting

Regards,

Jo Goodhew

ENDS

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