Jacqui Dean MP - News

Seeking your views on Canterbury's Water Management

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:14:59 +1200

There are major problems with water management in Canterbury, and the National-led Government has made a number of changes to address these. Your views about these changes are important. Please take the time to download and read our water pamphlet (click here for that), complete the response form, and return it freepost to me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Petition presented at Parliament

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:51:02 +1200

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean says the petition signed by over 40,000 lower South Island people seeking to retain neurosurgery services in Dunedin and Christchurch would send a powerful message.

The petition, signed by 43,227 people, was yesterday (Wed 25) presented to lower South Island MP's including Mrs Dean at Parliament.

Making the presentation were Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin, Invercargill deputy mayor Neil Boniface, Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Cairns and Clutha Mayor Juno Hayes.

Also in attendance were the editors of the Otago Daily Times and the Invercargill based Southland Times.

Mrs Dean said she was very pleased to have received the petition.

"The petition reflects the struggle and the depth of feeling southerners have with this matter. The fact their local body representatives had taken the time to come to Wellington to present it was also indicative of the feelings associated with the issue," she said.

Mrs Dean said she stood right behind all who had signed the petition.

The issue over whether to run the South Island's neurosurgical unit from Christchurch or to retain Dunedin's present service remains the lower South Island's most pressing health issue.

An expert panel, set up to resolve the issue, is expected to report their findings to the Director General of Health sometime in October.

Dean - Newborn Hearing Screening Programme Positive for Region

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:33:09 +1200

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said she was delighted that 3500 newborn babies in Otago and Southland would benefit from a new hearing screening programme being undertaken in the region.

“The Government’s invested more $6.5 million each year into this programme and I’m delighted that families in the south will benefit from the service.

“All parents of newborns feel vulnerable and anything that can be done to reassure families, or indeed identify issues early on, is hugely beneficial.

“Hearing screeners are now on the job in Dunedin and Invercargill and I am hopeful someone will be found to conduct this work in Central Otago in the near future.

“We know that the earlier hearing loss is diagnosed and work with the child begins, the better the long-term outcomes for children and their families.

“In the past, many children were not diagnosed with hearing loss until around four years of age.”

Dean - Encourages Robust Debate Around Easter Trading Bill

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:32:04 +1200

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said she encouraged robust debate round her proposed changes to Easter trading.

Mrs Dean’s Shop Trading Hours Act Repeal (Waitaki Easter Trading) Amendment Bill 2010 was drawn from the ballot at Parliament earlier this month.

"I welcome and encourage people to thoughtfully debate the Easter trading issue,” she said.

"I acknowledge that Easter trading is a sensitive issue which can polarise viewpoints, but I believe only positive benefits can flow from a liberalisation of the present laws.

"In my experience, particularly in relation to the tourist towns in my electorate, people see the benefit in allowing retailers the option of opening at Easter.

"Easter trading proceeds very well in Queenstown and has done so for many years without negative implications. I am seeking nothing more than to allow other tourist towns, like Wanaka, to enjoy the same privileges."

She said she was aware that a petition opposing her bill had been launched by the retailer workers union.

“Workers are already protected by existing labour laws, with my Easter Trading Bill having no impact on the regulations which already exist, but rather allowing more options for those people who want to open and work at Easter."

Jacqui Dean’s August column

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:27:50 +1200

I’m delighted for Central Otago apple growers that the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Panel had found firmly in favour of New Zealand. The positive resolution to this on-going saga will mean much to the apple growers of this region. It has been a long time coming – but at last we have a positive resolution.

I am hopeful this decision will signal an end to the debate and we will finally see our kiwi growers being able to get on with the job of exporting their apples across the Tasman. Growers have sought access to Australia since 1986 - a long 24 years but they will now be feeling the fight has been worth it. Access to Australia could be worth millions to apple growers in the Central Otago region and has a potential to turn their industry around.

On another positive note I am also pleased with our Government’s new system for setting rents for high country crown pastoral land least. I have also been reassured by the Minister of Agriculture David Carter the new approach is not only fairer, but simpler to administer and will allow farmers to get on with the job of farming rather than fight bureaucracy.
It also means farmers are not going to be charged extra just because their sheep had a view. The new system will see rents based on the earning capacity of each farm, something which up until now has been ignored, with farmers charged extra for views and amenity values.

Dean - Apple Decision Good for CO Growers

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 08:18:22 +1200

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said she was delighted for Central Otago apple growers that the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Panel had found firmly in favour of New Zealand.

“A positive resolution to this on-going saga will mean so much to the apple growers of this region. It has been a long time coming – but at last we have a positive resolution.

“I am hopeful that this decision will signal an end to the debate and that we will finally see our kiwi growers being able to get on with the job of exporting their apples across the Tasman.

“New Zealand apple growers have been seeking access to Australia since 1986 - it’s been a long 24 years but I’m sure growers will now be feeling that the fight has been worth it.

“Access to Australia could be worth millions to apple growers in the Central Otago region and has the potential to turn the industry around,” Mrs Dean said.

Dean - Looking Forward to Good Porgress with Easter Bill

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 10:21:29 +1200

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said she was looking forward to good progress on her Easter trading bill, in the wake of tremendous support for the proposal.

“I’ve been quite overwhelmed at the level of support and encouragement that has been shown to me since my bill was drawn from the ballot last week.

“This is a good indication to me that people are ready for change and that the time is right to see Easter trading proceed, across my electorate, for those who want to take up the option.

“What’s exciting about my bill is that it’s all about choice – choice for retailers, choice for their staff and choice for the tourists who enjoy visiting the towns within the Waitaki electorate.

“Easter trading works perfectly well in Queenstown, with only those who want to work taking up the option.

“My bill has been criticised by the retailer workers union – but I’d suggest their views are out of date.

Dean - Reassured About New High Country Rent System

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 07:57:40 +1200

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean yesterday sought reassurances in the house from Agricultural Minister David Carter about the Government’s new system for setting rents for high country crown pastoral land leases.

Mrs Dean said she wanted to know that the new system would provide a fairer approach to high country pastoral leases.

“Mr Carter told me the new approach was not only fairer, but simpler to administer and would allow farmers to get on with the job of farming rather than fighting bureaucracy.

“It would also mean that farmers were not going to be charged extra just because their sheep had a view,” she said, “which was indeed the cornerstone of the formula implemented by the last Labour Government.

“The minister told me the new system would see rents based on the earning capacity of each farm, something which up until now was ignored, with farmers being charged extra for views and amenity values.”

Dean - Union Scaremongering Over Easter Bill

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 09:25:20 +1200

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said moves to liberalise Easter trading laws in the Waitaki electorate would simply allow communities the freedom already enjoyed in both Queenstown and Taupo to open at Easter.

Mrs Dean’s bill was drawn from the ballot at Parliament today and she said contrary to claims made by the retail workers’ union that staff would be forced to work, nothing could be further from the truth.

“Retailers tell me that they will have no trouble finding staff willing to work at Easter.

“These staff would be given the choice to work, any suggestion by the National Distribution Union that workers would be forced to turn up is nothing more than scaremongering.

“As for opening at Easter, retailers in tourist hotspots like Wanaka have long been frustrated that have been unable to open their doors to tourists and visitors over the holiday period.

“Rather than being forced to do businesses, as the retail workers’ union suggests, these retailers tell me they are looking forward to the day when they can legally allow shoppers to visit their premises and shop over Easter.

“While the union claims that Easter trading in unnecessary, I have the support of retailers from around the region who tell me that in this current economic environment the freedom to open at Easter is exactly what is needed.

“As I have said all along, my bill is about choice and meeting the needs of communities in my electorate, the sooner the National Distribution Workers’ union accepts that and moves on, the better.”

Dean - Need For Dunedin Neurosurgery Highlighted

nospam@example.com (admin) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 09:22:30 +1200

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said the recent heavy workloads of the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust highlighted the need for the people of this region to have access to neurosurgery services in Dunedin.

Last month the rescue trust experienced what was the busiest day in its 11-year history, when its’ helicopter conducted six rescue trips, over 1934km, including four to Wanaka, one to Dunstan Hospital and one to Ranfurly.

While none of the emergencies related to head injury, Mrs Dean said the call-outs highlighted how essential it was for there to be access to health services which could meet the ever-increasing needs of the Otago and, particularly, the Central Otago communities.

“When we have an emergency helicopter service that can make six rescue missions in one day, it sends a pretty clear message to me that ours is a region that needs access to health services as close at hand as possible.

“We have people living in these areas which at times can be quite isolated. We need to have health services in place to meet their demands and to do it in a time frame in which lives are saved – not lost.

“The majority of the rescue trust’s missions relate to accidents – that is the nature of the Central Otago region, with its adventure tourism, skifields and challenging roads.

“This, in my opinion, reinforces the need for neurosurgery services to remain in a centrally located position at Dunedin.

“A shift in neurosurgery services to Christchurch is only likely to jeapardise lives and negatively disadvantage the people of this region.”

DEAN - EASTER TRADING BILL DRAWN FROM BALLOT TODAY

nospam@example.com (admin) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:11:16 +1200

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said she was confident progress would now be made on the Easter trading laws after her bill was drawn from the Member’s Ballot in Parliament today.

The Shop Trading Hours Act Repeal (Waitaki Easter Trading) Amendment Bill 2010 seeks to allow all retailers within districts covered by the Waitaki Electorate to trade on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It aims to address the anomaly that occurs within parts of the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago areas, where Queenstown has an exemption to trade over Easter, but other towns do not.

Mrs Dean said she believed her bill had the potential to create a new era for tourism retailers in her electorate.

“I made a commitment to the people that I represent that I would keep working on Easter trading until the law was changed. Today is the first step in that process and I am pleased and proud that we have reached this milestone.

“I am taking a regional approach with my bill this time as the entire Waitaki Electorate relies heavily on tourism, and is a busy place over the Easter period.

“Despite setbacks in the past, I am now confident that we can successfully achieve Easter trading law changes which will mean that retailers in busy tourist towns, like Wanaka, can open their doors if and when they chose to do so.

“I am not about forcing people to open on Easter Sunday, but rather I want everyone to have the choice.

“I acknowledge that some people may not support my bill on religious grounds, but I believe the time has come to recognize that many people work over Easter in essential services like hospitals, police and the fire service, and they do so without adversely impacting on family life.

“In fact many young people in tourist towns like Wanaka see extra work over Easter as an opportunity to earn extra cash.

“I am hoping that Parliament will send the Waitaki Bill to select committee so that we can have a fresh look and an informed debate around the realities of commerce over Easter, and addressing the anomalies that exist in the present laws.

“I believe people are now ready for change and I am confident that I will get the support that I need to make these progressive changes happen.”

DEAN - LATE RESOURCE CONSENT DISCOUNTS SHOULD HELP FARMERS

nospam@example.com (admin) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:32:26 +1200

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean was hopeful that new regulations requiring councils to provide a discount for late processing of resource consents would benefit the rural sector and ease farmers concerns about the Resource Management Act.

Coming into effect this week (2 Aug), the new discount on administrative charges will reduce delays and the frustrations which many farmers have had regarding the act, she said.

The Resource Management (Discount on Administrative Charges) Regulations 2010 take effect on 2 August and requires a minimum of a 1% discount for each day a consent is processed beyond the 20-working day statutory requirement up to a maximum of 50%.

“According the Environment Ministry almost one third of resource consent applications across the country were not processed on time in 2007/2008, with some councils consistently exceeding the statutory timeframe.

“The councils who are not performing in this area know who they are - their tardiness has effectively left farmers and developers out of patience and in some cases out of pocket.

“I am hopeful that these new financial penalties on councils for late consents will help focus officials on the wider importance of meeting these deadlines.

“These new regulations are not about penalising anyone – they are about ensuring that councils, and the people who deal with them, can work on a level playing field.

“Councils in effect have stifled the very development which their regions need to experience to grow and advance. From tomorrow we will all be clear about the new expectations and the timeline in which people can reasonably expect their projects to happen.”

DEAN - HIGH COUNTRY RENT SYSTEM HERALDS FRESH START FOR CENTRAL OTAGO FARMERS

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:09:34 +1200

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said today’s announcement of a new system for setting rents for Central Otago crown pastoral land leases heralded the end of a long bureaucratic battle for farmers and the beginning of a new era in management of the high country. Cabinet has approved the system which will see the rental charged based on the earning capacity of a property, including the productive capacity of the lease and pastoral economic conditions. “This is a great day for Central Otago pastoral lease holders. It will allow them to move ahead and get on with the business of running their farms in a more transparent and certain environment. “The Government has worked closely with the High Country Accord group and I am delighted that their voices have been heard. “This new focus strikes a balance between economic use, and environmental and cultural values, and reflects a vision which high country farmers have held for a very long time. “This announcement will come as a great relief to many farmers and will allow them and their families to continue to do what they know best – managing our Central Otago high country.” Officials will begin drafting legislation to implement the policy, and the Government hopes to introduce a Bill into the House later this year.

Dean - ACC Changes Could Benefit Farmers

nospam@example.com (admin) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 09:23:43 +1200

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said farmers should benefit from Government plans to introduce cheaper ACC levies for businesses who have less accidents.

“The changes are being made to provide stronger incentives to improve workplace safety and to make levies fairer. There will be consultation with employer and employee groups on the details of the proposals over the next few months.

“I feel positive about these changes because the emphasis will change - rewarding excellence in workplace safety and achieving a stronger focus on reducing injuries.

“The no-claims bonus system will be easy to manage and will benefit smaller businesses such as farmers, many who may consistently pay their ACC levies and never make a claim.

“The proposal is that if no claim for weekly income compensation has been lodged in the preceding three years, the employer will receive a 10percent no-claim bonus on their levies.

“Any move to reduce compliance costs for farmers and reward a good workplace safety record should be welcomed by the rural sector.”

DEAN: 90-DAY TRIAL EXTENSION COULD BENEFIT RURAL SECTOR

nospam@example.com (admin) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:31:37 +1200

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said an extension of the 90-day trial period could have benefits for the rural sector by freeing up more jobs and addressing the current labour shortage.

“As we head into the busiest period of the year for dairy and sheep farmers news that the 90-day trial has been extended will be welcomed by the rural sector.

“Farmers have told me that they have taken on extra staff where they might not otherwise have done so, thanks to the 90-trial period and extending it to all employers makes good sense.”

The extension is among planned changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000 that Prime Minister John Key announced over the weekend in a speech to the National Party Conference.

“There are a lot of people keen to transition into employment in the rural sector and in industries related to it – agriculture is one of the growth areas in this country.

“I’m confident that this extension will give those people more opportunities to find work, at the same time boosting employer confidence to give these people a go.

"Extending the trial period will enable meat processing plants, dairy factories and other large employers in the rural sector to expand their businesses and consider taking on staff who might otherwise have missed out.”