National Party Industrial Relations spokeswoman Kate Wilkinson says Labour’s pattern of providing taxpayer-funded incentives for people to join unions appears to breach the spirit of employment law.

“Under the legislation, ‘no person may confer a preference on another because they are or are not a member of a union’, yet the Labour Department has this week been attempting to justify a $500 preference payment to PSA members.

“Labour is systematically bribing workers to belong to particular, favoured unions, while non-union members miss out altogether.

“I don’t blame the unions for taking the money – but I certainly have a problem when the state starts deliberately pushing the boundaries of the law.”

Ms Wilkinson is commenting after claims this week that the payment was ‘not a preference' and that it 'was not paid because they were a member of the union but because they were part of a collective agreement’.
 
“That’s just absurd!  You can’t be part of a collective agreement without being a member of a union.  Ruth Dyson’s department is dancing on the head of a pin.
 
“Workers should not have their pay docked merely because they don’t belong to a union.”

Ms Wilkinson says the defence of preference payments for preferred union membership mirrors the blind eye being turned to the aged care sector, where increased funding is being tied to collective employment agreements.

“Labour is actively recruiting New Zealanders to join the unions that provide it with support.  They’re using taxpayer money to do it and they’re penalising those who choose not to belong to a union in the process.”

Posted by Admin at 19:00

Boundary Objection Unpopular – Rangiora Cust and Oxford belong to Waimakariri.

National MP Kate Wilkinson has received so much feedback from local people regarding some of the objections to the proposed Waimakariri Electorate boundaries that she is launching a petition for Rangiora and Oxford to remain in the Waimakariri Electorate.

Objections to the Proposed Electoral Districts were released last week and cross submitters have until 28th June 2007 in which to lodge a submission or objection. Electorate boundaries must have a certain number of people in them and for South island Electorates this is 57562 (plus or minus 5%). Currently Waimakariri has about 64000 people.

One of the objectors to the proposed boundary change is suggesting that Rangiora and the rural area to the west of Rangiora should not be included in the Waimakariri electorate.  This would mean that Rangiora, Cust and Oxford residents would become part of the new Selwyn electorate across the Waimakariri River.

 There are several reasons why it is sensible that Rangiora Cust and Oxford should remain with Waimakariri – firstly the river is a natural boundary to the south, and secondly the community of interest for residents is with Waimakariri and not over the river to Darfield,   Oxford residents look towards Rangiora for their shopping, their activities, schooling and sports. They share the same District Council.  It is important that communities are united and not divided and to split Oxford and Rangiora from the rest of Waimakariri could be divisive and is certainly not taking into account their community of interest.

“It is interesting to note that back in 1998 when the boundaries were changing Hon Mike Moore (past Prime Minister and past MP for Waimakariri) actually submitted then that “the Oxford/Fernside areas community of interest is with Rangiora in the Waimakariri Electorate and not in the proposed Rakaia electorate”.  The Boundaries Commission listened then – let’s hope they listen now” says Kate Wilkinson

“People in Rangiora and Oxford areas in particular have their community of interest in the Waimakariri District and not over the river in Selwyn,” Ms Wilkinson says.  “I certainly want to continue to represent the people of Rangiora and Oxford in the Waimakariri Electorate in which I am the National list MP.  The (new) Selwyn electorate is a completely different district with different local governance and issues.”

She believes keeping the northern boundary of the Waimakariri Electorate the same as the last election encourages continuity and stability.  “People don’t like changing electorates and while in some areas this is necessary, I believe the boundary committee have made an excellent effort to minimise disruption.  ”

In light of public feedback, Ms Wilkinson has launched a petition asking for Rangiora, Oxford and surrounding areas to be retained in the Waimakariri electorate.  The petition will be presented on 28 June in the counter-objection process which is open to the public – details can be found at www.elections.org.nz or can be collected from places of inspection of electoral details. 

Posted by Admin at 19:00

National MP Kate Wilkinson has received so much feedback from local people regarding some of the objections to the proposed Waimakariri Electorate boundaries that she is launching a petition for Rangiora and Oxford to remain in the Waimakariri Electorate.

Objections to the Proposed Electoral Districts were released last week and cross submitters have until 28th June 2007 in which to lodge a submission or objection. Electorate boundaries must have a certain number of people in them and for South island Electorates this is 57562 (plus or minus 5%). Currently Waimakariri has about 64000 people.

One of the objectors to the proposed boundary change is suggesting that Rangiora and the rural area to the west of Rangiora should not be included in the Waimakariri electorate.  This would mean that Rangiora, Cust and Oxford residents would become part of the new Selwyn electorate across the Waimakariri River.

 There are several reasons why it is sensible that Rangiora Cust and Oxford should remain with Waimakariri – firstly the river is a natural boundary to the south, and secondly the community of interest for residents is with Waimakariri and not over the river to Darfield,   Oxford residents look towards Rangiora for their shopping, their activities, schooling and sports. They share the same District Council.  It is important that communities are united and not divided and to split Oxford and Rangiora from the rest of Waimakariri could be divisive and is certainly not taking into account their community of interest.

“It is interesting to note that back in 1998 when the boundaries were changing Hon Mike Moore (past Prime Minister and past MP for Waimakariri) actually submitted then that “the Oxford/Fernside areas community of interest is with Rangiora in the Waimakariri Electorate and not in the proposed Rakaia electorate”.  The Boundaries Commission listened then – let’s hope they listen now” says Kate Wilkinson

“People in Rangiora and Oxford areas in particular have their community of interest in the Waimakariri District and not over the river in Selwyn,” Ms Wilkinson says.  “I certainly want to continue to represent the people of Rangiora and Oxford in the Waimakariri Electorate in which I am the National list MP.  The (new) Selwyn electorate is a completely different district with different local governance and issues.”

She believes keeping the northern boundary of the Waimakariri Electorate the same as the last election encourages continuity and stability.  “People don’t like changing electorates and while in some areas this is necessary, I believe the boundary committee have made an excellent effort to minimise disruption.  ”

In light of public feedback, Ms Wilkinson has launched a petition asking for Rangiora, Oxford and surrounding areas to be retained in the Waimakariri electorate.  The petition will be presented on 28 June in the counter-objection process which is open to the public – details can be found at www.elections.org.nz or can be collected from places of inspection of electoral details.  Copies of the petition will be available at Oxford shops and from Kate Wilkinson’s office in Rangiora or here on this website

Posted by Admin at 19:00

"We request that Oxford and Rangiora and their surrounding areas remain in the Waimakariri Electorate."

*Please print the page and return signed Petition to: Kate Wilkinson MP FREEPOST, P.O.Box 18 888. Parliament Buildings Wellington. by 27th June 2007.

For a printable version of this petition in Word format, click here. 

Posted by Admin at 14:25

Dozens of dogs of all shapes and sizes, from town and country, united to protest on Saturday 10 June at Cranmer Square in Christchurch against the proposed compulsory microchipping of dogs.

The “Dogs Say NO” rally was organised by Kate Wilkinson MP, North Canterbury Federated Farmers and was strongly supported by the NZ Kennel Club.  Dogs and their owners marched from Hagley Park to  Cranmer Square in Christchurch where speakers included David Carter MP, Kate Wilkinson MP, Nicky Wagner MP, Lesley Chalmers from NZ Kennel Club and Chris Sundstrum from Federated Farmers.

The rally was attended by over 100 dogs and their owners and children many carrying placards opposing the ridiculous law which suggests that microchipping a dog will prevent a dog attack.

The only dogfight on the day was against the current government and the rally passed without incident.  This confirmed  that responsibility for dog attacks lies with the owners and all New Zealanders should not be penalised for the actions of an irresponsible minority.

“A microchip will not turn an irresponsible owner into a responsible owner and nor will it turn a dangerous dog into a harmless one” 

“We only need one more vote in Parliament to change this law” says Kate Wilkinson.  “Whether that vote comes from the Minister of Agriculture or United Future or New Zealand First we do not mind as long as at least one of them sees some common sense”.

At the moment all three are voting against changing the law.

“Microchipping even a dangerous dog will not stop that dog attacking a person”.

Wilkinson is urging all opponents of this dumb law to lobby the Minister and the other two minor parties.  They have the ability to change the law.  Whether they do or not depends on how much they value common sense over “poodle politics”.

“It is not as though this is an issue of  “confidence and supply” or dependent on any coalition agreement requirements.  It is plain and simple common sense.  The current law is, embarrassingly, lawmaking at its worst.  The sooner those minor parties realise this the better” says Wilkinson.

Posted by Admin at 19:00