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.

Posted by admin in News at 12:14

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.

Posted by admin in News at 13:51

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.”

Posted by admin in News at 07:33

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."

Posted by admin in News at 12:32

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.

Posted by admin in News at 13:27