National Party Industrial Relations spokeswoman Kate Wilkinson says she is disappointed by the hysterical response from a couple of Labour’s biggest cheerleaders over National’s balanced industrial relations policy.

“It’s election year, and we’d expect Helen Kelly and Andrew Little to be campaigning for Labour, but it’s a real shame they’re letting their own political bias cloud their better judgment.

“Ms Kelly and Mr Little, both deeply involved in Labour Party politics, have attacked National’s industrial relations policy with a series of half truths and innuendos.

“I fully accept that these union reps are working alongside Labour on Helen Clark’s re-election strategy, but the failure to engage in an adult debate will disappoint many of their members.”

Ms Wilkinson says the pair have trotted out a string of tired and unsubstantiated Labour Party slogans.

“There is no threat to worker rights, collective bargaining will continue, there is no attack on entitlements, there is no plan to cut holidays, and there is no plan to privatise ACC.  It’s the same tired old hysterical rubbish we’ve heard from Labour all week.”

Ms Wilkinson says the 90-day trial policy in small businesses will offer more opportunity for workers trying to get a foot on the employment ladder.

“This’ll be particularly beneficial to those who might not otherwise get the chance to find employment.  People who might include new immigrants, former prison inmates, and long-term beneficiaries.”

Ms Wilkinson says after talking to workers throughout the country it’s also clear that in these tight economic times many would appreciate the ability to trade a week’s holiday for cash.

“That would be only at the employee’s request and could not be raised in employment negotiations.  National understands that many people are doing it hard, and they would opt for cash in hand rather than a week off work.

“But that won’t be the case for everyone, that’s why it will be entirely in the hands of the worker.”

Posted by staff in News at 12:06

In the House

Getting Kids Back into Sport

Sport is an important part of growing up in New Zealand, aside from the obvious health benefits; it also teaches our children important lessons about teamwork, a fair-play attitude and healthy competition. Unfortunately participation of kids in sport is declining. One in three children are now overweight or obese and more than a third are inactive. We want to reverse those alarming statistics.

Earlier in the month, John Key announced National’s policy approach to boost the participation of Kiwi kids in sport and he sent a clear message. Under a National-led government our priorities will be focused on more sports coaches and equipment and fewer advisors and reports.

We are concerned that little of the millions budgeted by government in sports spending each year actually reaches the schools and community organisations it is intended for. Nearly a third of Sport and Recreation New Zealand’s (SPARC) money never makes it outside of the Wellington head office. Between 2006 and 2010 SPARC has budgeted $11.5 million for its website. In fact, this year alone it will spend $5.5 on the site!

It’s hard to fathom that $11.5 million is budgeted for a website, when that same amount would give almost $6,000 worth of sports equipment to every primary school in New Zealand.

National will take a far more practical approach to funding sports by focusing government sporting dollars where they will make a difference – at the front line in schools and sports clubs.

In the Electorate

Council Agrees to Review School Speed Zones

I am thrilled to report that after a successful meeting with the Waimakariri District Council last week and representatives from Swannanoa, Loburn and Clarkville schools, the Council has promised within the next month to undertake a special report into the speed zones around these three schools and the safety of school children.

There has been overwhelming community support for a reduction in the speed limit outside these schools, which ranges between 80kmh – 100kmh. With increasing traffic flows in these areas, it is time for the speed limit outside these schools to be reduced in order to stop cars and trucks hurtling by and to make sure our motorists are aware of the danger to our school children and the vulnerability and unpredictability of our school children.

On Thursday 3rd July I attended a local school speech competition at the Cust Community Centre, where one of the senior students from Swannanoa School presented her speech on the school speed limit issue and outlined her case for a 40khm speed limit outside all New Zealand schools. That speech, and all of the speeches presented on the night were wonderful and of a high standard. It is excellent to see our children taking a real interest in such important issues - they are of course the leaders of the future. I’d like to congratulate everyone who took part.

Volunteer Awareness Week – Coastguard Trip

Volunteer Awareness Week took place from the 15 -21st June and as part of that campaign, I was invited to go out on a Coastguard Rescue Vessel with the Sumner Unit of Coastguard New Zealand. This was a really worthwhile opportunity for me to see firsthand, the work Coastguard New Zealand does saving lives.

It is the volunteers that really keep Coastguard NZ afloat. In the last 12 months, the unpaid professionals of Coastguard have given over 270,000 hours of their time to keep the boating public of New Zealand safe on the water and without the time and support of people like this, more lives would be lost at sea.

But it’s not just Coastguard New Zealand that is staffed largely by volunteers. More than one million New Zealanders are involved in some form of voluntary work in their communities and they make a huge contribution to our society.  A survey by Statistics New Zealand released in late 2007 found that over one million Kiwi volunteers gave 270 million hours of unpaid labour!  If this labour was valued at market wages the overall contribution of non-profit organisations would be $6.95 billion or 4.9 per cent of GDP.

The 15 years I spent actively involved with the Junior Chamber Internationals (Jaycees) were both fun and rewarding and since then I have been made a lifetime member. Jaycees is a community self development organisation that is recognised nationally and internationally, and helps young people recognise their abilities and helps develop business planning, management and leadership skills.

I would encourage anyone who is thinking about volunteering to give it a go. For more information go to www.volunteernow.org.nz

Clinics:

My next open clinics will be held:

21 July 2008 = Oxford Jaycees Hall, Main Road, Oxford, 10 – 11am

Until next time,

Posted by staff in Newsletter at 15:53

National Party MPs Chester Borrows and Kate Wilkinson advise that an amendment to the Policing Bill, to allow police officers to also be local authority councillors, has been tabled in the House today by the National Party.

Following questions by Ms Wilkinson in the Law & Order Select Committee today, Police Minister Annette King confirmed that she and her party also supported the ‘status quo’ - which allows police to put themselves up for election at local body elections - despite Labour members on the committee having a contrary view.

Mr Borrows says: “This issue has been raised with me by many police officers and by the Police Association, and I am pleased Labour will now follow the National Party's position, which is to allow police to serve their communities on local authorities and community boards.

“Although the Minister’s own Cabinet paper showed a preference to do away with this right, she announced to the Law & Order Select Committee today that she supported the status quo.”

There are about six police officers throughout the country who are also local authority councillors.

Ms Wilkinson says: “At the end of the day, it is up to the individual police officer/councillor to deal appropriately with any perceived or arguable conflicts of interest situations, and it is up to the public, when voting, to elect who they think is the best person for the job.”

Posted by staff in News at 15:55