Category: Political Parties

Source: National Party – Headline: Minister needs to answer questions on Middlemore

Documents provided to the Minister of Health David Clark as released by media today raise serious questions about whether the Minister misled New Zealanders about his knowledge of problems at Middlemore Hospital.

“Given these documents, it is simply not believable for the Minister to claim not to have been briefed by the DHB about wider building issues after he visited Middlemore in early March to inspect the Scott Building,” National Party Health spokesperson Michael Woodhouse says.

“The Minister of Health has been asked questions about his knowledge of the problems at Middlemore for some time now and these documents indicate that he would have known more than he’s admitted.

“These documents clearly indicate that the Minister was briefed as early as October and not only took no action at that time but claimed not to have been informed of the issues.

“This raises serious questions of whether the Minister has misled the media, Parliament and the public, and I think they are owed an urgent explanation.”

Source: National Party – Headline: Government slowing New Zealand down

The latest Infometrics economic forecasts show that after just six months the Ardern-Peters Government is steadily dismantling New Zealand’s strong economy with poor policies, Leader of the Opposition Simon Bridges says.

“Infometrics is saying growth will slow to below 2 per cent next year when Treasury’s pre-election forecasts had growth at 3.7 per cent in 2019,” Mr Bridges says. “That’s almost cutting growth in half.

“And Infometrics is unusually blunt in sheeting home the blame for their lower growth expectations to the policies of this Coalition Government.

“They identify infrastructure, house building and immigration policies as key reasons for the expected decline.

“And worse is to come. This forecast doesn’t take into account the Government’s employment law changes, and this week’s announcements around oil and gas and irrigation funding that will worry investors and slow down regional New Zealand.”

Mr Bridges says New Zealand should be speeding up, not slowing down.

“The world economy is growing faster than it was last year. We should be growing more quickly, adding more jobs, and seeing wages rise.

“If a slowdown happens, the Government will get less tax revenue. Treasury is currently relying on having strong growth next year, not 2 per cent. Lower growth means less money for social services like health and education and an even bigger problem for the Government’s budget.”

Mr Bridges says the Government is on track to be the author of its own misfortune.

“The only thing that has changed New Zealand negatively is the economic policies of this Government. They need to seriously rethink their approach.

“If this slowdown happens it will simply mean lost opportunities for Kiwi workers and their families, and less public services for all.”

Source: National Party – Headline: Bidois selected as National’s Northcote candidate

Dan Bidois has been selected by local party members as National’s candidate to fight the Northcote by-election.

Mr Bidois is currently Strategy Manager for Foodstuffs. He was raised and educated in Auckland, leaving school at 15 to complete a butchery apprenticeship with Woolworth’s New Zealand. Aspirational for his future, he went on to study at the University of Auckland, and attended Harvard University on a Fulbright Scholarship. He has worked as a strategist and economist in New Zealand, the United States, and Malaysia.

“It’s a true honour to be selected as National’s candidate in Northcote,” Mr Bidois says.

“I’m incredibly proud to have the chance to take up the fight for Northcote residents and represent them in Parliament. 

“Northcote residents work hard and pay their fair share of rates and taxes. They expect their fair share of quality services in return – like un-congested roads and better public transport options – and they deserve a Council and Government that can manage their finances to provide these services without constant rates and tax increases.

“The hard-working people of Northcote are not a Piggy Bank for Phil Goff, Jacinda Ardern and Winston Peters to raid to pay for pet projects on the other side of the Bridge that won’t benefit us here.

“I’m asking for your support because you deserve better, and I want to be part of a National team in Wellington that will stand up to those in power to address the issues facing Northcote.

“My message to Northcote voters is simple: I am in this race for you, to fight to get this electorate moving and the services you deserve.

“With a strong MP like me in your corner, we can and will get results.”

 

Source: National Party – Headline: PM must reinforce NZ’s commitment to EU and UK FTAs

National Party Trade Spokesperson Todd McClay welcomes news that the Prime Minister will prioritise discussions about a free trade deal with the European Union and a Post Brexit Trade talks with the UK as part of her visit to Europe and London this week.

Mr McClay says the UK confirmed in February last year that New Zealand would be ‘first cab off the rank for a trade deal’, with negotiations expected to commence early next year.

“It is also my expectation that unless something disastrous happens, the European Council of Ministers will meet at the end of May to give the European Commission permission to formally start negotiations for a free trade agreement with New Zealand,” Mr McClay says.

“This is very good news for New Zealand and comes after more than five years of discussions and hard work under the previous National Government.

“An FTA with the EU will be worth billions of dollars a year and has the potential to create thousands more jobs for New Zealanders.

“It’s encouraging to see that the Prime Minister will be placing the EU-NZ and UK-NZ FTAs high on her European agenda, however some EU countries will still likely have questions about New Zealand’s position on Russia.

“Given her Government’s unusual enthusiasm for a Russian trade deal, the Prime Minister must very clearly explain New Zealand’s position to avoid any doubt about our commitment to formal trade talks with the EU and UK.

“It’s important that the Prime Minister gives them a clear answer and assures them that an EU trade deal and UK FTA is a real priorities for New Zealand.”

Source: National Party – Headline: Kaye to support NZ Commonwealth Games Athletes

National Party spokesperson for Sport and Recreation Nikki Kaye is heading to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games tomorrow to show her support for our Kiwi athletes.

“All of our athletes have worked extremely hard to represent our country in their chosen sport at this year’s Commonwealth Games and we are very proud of them,” Ms Kaye says.

“New Zealand has over 250 athletes competing in the Games including 13 para athletes competing in 3 para sports and I am excited for the opportunity to see the games and support our athletes.

“We may be a small nation but the New Zealand team has had huge success, gaining 10 gold medals, 12 silver and 9 bronze, with a couple of days still to go. These are results to be proud of and I am sure there is more to come.

“Australia must also be congratulated for their hugely successful event and they can be proud of the organisation and facilities they have delivered.

“As National’s new spokesperson for Sport and Recreation, it is great to support our athletes as they compete on the world stage and also to learn from other countries about policies that may be beneficial to New Zealand athletes.

“As part of my trip, I look forward to attending several sporting events and am pleased to be attending a breakfast organised by Mike Stanley, the President of the New Zealand Olympic Committee. This breakfast will give me the opportunity to congratulate many of the New Zealand athletes participating in the Games.

“I will also have a range of meetings whilst at the Games, including with the Australian Minister of Sport, Senator Hon Bridget McKenzie.”

Source: National Party – Headline: Opposition to teacher title bill growing

National’s Education Spokesperson Nikki Kaye says a bill supported by the Labour Government will undermine educators throughout the country by restricting the use of the term ‘teacher’.

“The Education (Protecting Teacher Title) Amendment Bill removes the ability of those who do not have certain recognised teaching qualifications from calling themselves ‘teachers’. Anyone who breaches this is liable to pay a $2000 fine,” Ms Kaye says.

“This bill jeopardises many of our current teachers and early childhood teachers whose current qualifications and experiences fall outside of the criteria.

“It has the potential to undermine and devalue our many educators who contribute to the wellbeing of our country. There are already provisions in the law to penalise people who may be misleading people about their qualifications. 

“The impact of the bill is not even isolated to the education sector. Are we going to fine every music teacher, dance teacher, and swimming teacher? 

“National believes there are far greater priorities for education. This bill has far reaching consequences for many people. 

“As per questions raised by National MPs in public hearings, we don’t even have basic information on the number of educators or education businesses affected by this change. But we know it will at least be thousands of people. 

“Even the Attorney-General has come out against the bill as it breaches the Bill of Rights, yet the Government continues to support it.

“This bill is a solution looking for one problem and creating another.”

Submissions for the Education (Protecting Teacher Title) Amendment Bill close today at midnight and can be made here.

Source: National Party – Headline: Davis confirms more serious offenders to be let off

Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis has today confirmed that the Government is looking at relaxing bail and sentencing laws for serious and violent criminals, and interfering with police prosecutions to reduce the prison population, National’s Corrections Spokesperson David Bennett says.

“After months of the Government avoiding questions about how it intends to meet its prison population reduction target, Mr Davis has clarified that it is considering making it easier for serious and violent offenders to get bail and harder for them to go to prison in the first place.

“When asked a very straight question about whether the Ardern-Peters Government is considering making changes to bail and sentencing laws for serious and violent criminals, Mr Davis confirmed it was looking into it.

“What’s more, Mr Davis also confirmed he was willing to speak to the Police Minister about interfering in operational matters to stop Police prosecuting criminals to try and reduce the prison population.

“The reason we let the Police decide who they should prosecute is that they are best placed to know who poses a real risk to society and safety.

“The fact Mr Davis is willing to direct who police prosecutors should and should not prosecute suggests he is more concerned with Labour’s ideological crusade than protecting the public from people who pose real harm.

“This is all in the name of trying to avoid the decision of whether or not to build new beds at Waikeria Prison. Given there are less than 200 prison beds left throughout New Zealand, the Ardern-Peters Government is yet again putting ideology ahead of the protection of the community.

“Public safety and reducing crime is one of National’s top priorities. It is very worrying that the Ardern-Peters Government has decided it is willing to gamble the public’s safety for its own ideologies.”

Source: National Party – Headline: Labour’s ideology threatens Pasifika potential

National’s spokesperson for Pacific Peoples, Alfred Ngaro, says the very real progress being made by Pacific students is being put at risk by the Government backing away from using a targeted approach to their education. 

“We’ve been making great strides in Pacific education,” Mr Ngaro.

“For the first time since NCEA was introduced, the results for Pacific students and Pakeha students are just about on par.

“I’d like to offer my sincere congratulations to these students and their families for the hard work they’ve put in to lift their achievement levels.

“These results have been supported by the targeted approach National asked the education sector to take to help lift student achievement. 

“In 2008, Pacific students were achieving just 50 per cent at NCEA level 2, and since we introduced National standards and Better Public Service targets, that figure rose to 81 per cent.

“I’m now incredibly concerned at the approach Labour Minister of Education Chris Hipkins is taking to the sector.

“Mr Hipkins has scrapped National standards and the partnership school model.

“We believe replacing the decile system with one that invests where there is student disadvantage should be a priority.

“I’m also concerned about the fact the Government won’t confirm whether it will support key initiatives to help young Pasifika students.

“Mr Hipkins is looking to get rid of targets, get rid of standards and, in doing so, diminish the potential of success for Pacific People in New Zealand.

“Education policy should be driven by evidence, not ideology. The results achieved by students in the last few years demonstrate that National’s pragmatism was the right way forward in achieving better outcomes.

“Pacific people deserve better, New Zealand deserves better,” Mr Ngaro says.