News

My recent media releases are listed below. You can click here to visit my media page on the National Party website for a complete index of my National Party releases and here to see an archive of previous articles and local releases.

Seeking your views on Canterbury's Water Management

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

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.