Election is ours for the taking
Hi there,
On November 26 New Zealanders will go to the polls to elect a new government. While the election may still be 10 months away, the battle lines have already been clearly drawn. Labour will stand with ordinary Kiwi families, targeting financial relief to those who need it most and protecting New Zealand's future prosperity by resisting asset sales and public sector cuts. By contrast, National will go into the campaign promising to sell state assets, target their policies to advantage those on the highest incomes, and slash public services.
For the past 4 years, John Key has been trying to hide the real face of the National Party. In recent months we've all now seen that for the charade that it is. National are still the same party they were in the 1990s when they cut benefits, massively increased unemployment, sold state assets with no mandate, and cut public services to the bone. We can all remember Christine Rankin chartering planes to fly around the country as National moved to 'corporatise' the welfare system. We can all remember the mess private investors made of our rail system after National sold it. We don't need a re-run!
Before the last election John Key talked about a 'growing underclass' in New Zealand. Far from reducing the ever widening gap between the wealthiest and poorest Kiwis, this National government have made the divide even wider. Unemployment has continued to climb, while Paula Bennett cuts benefits in an attempt to force the unemployed into jobs that just don't exist.
John Key also promised us that under his leadership New Zealand would catch up to Australia. Since he became PM, several stadium loads of Kiwis have jumped the ditch to Australia chasing higher wages and better jobs. This government has done nothing to keep Kiwis at home. In fact the only measure on which we've caught up with the Aussies is unemployment - we used to have fewer unemployed people than our Aussie mates, now we've got a lot more!
It's time to get New Zealand back on track. Labour has a positive plan for our country that will lift our standard of living, support our families, and help all Kiwis get ahead. We're going to put children at the heart of our manifesto this year. We know that giving every Kiwi kid a great start in life is the key to a brighter future for all of us. We're going to increase the amount of money everyone can earn before they pay income tax, to give a much-needed break to everyone who puts in a hard days work, and we've made it absolutely clear we won't hock off the family silverware to pay for unaffordable tax cuts for those on the highest incomes.
The battle lines are drawn, the contrast is clear, now we need to get out there and win this thing! Thank you so much for all of your support. It's going to be a big year!
Chris Hipkins
MP for Rimutaka
Saying “No!” to ECE cuts
As of 1 February this year, the National Government reduced funding for early childhood education. This short-sighted policy will reduce the quality of education little ones receive and increase fees for their mums and dads.
To mark the day Labour got involved with early childhood centres and I took part in Heretaunga Kindy’s 80% day. This original protest meant that the Kindy only put out 80% of their resources, for example, they had tables but no chairs and paint but no brushes. It was a really worthwhile day to that showed we care about our kids and their futures.
Kiwi kids deserve to have the best start possible and that means restoring the funding to ECE. It’s great to see the strong, united response from ECE teachers and communities around the Hutt.
Out and about in the Hutt
The Labour Party kicked off 2011 with a warm reception at the Ratana celebrations. The annual event, which many Ratana morehu [faithful] and others attend every year, was a great way to affirm Labour’s connection with this part of the Māori community.
On Waitangi Day this year I once again attended the official celebrations at Orongomai Marae. The occasion was one to reflect on and commemorate our history whilst looking forward to the future. It was a really special event.
I also recently attended a Forest and Bird petition launch to save the Mohikinui river from being dammed. Forest and Bird do so much to advocate for the preservation and improvement of our environment, making them a really important part our community.
Are you in to win?
Congratulations to Jan Smith, who has won our Rimutaka Lucky Lotto twice already this year! There have been no other winners so far because we have a few numbers spare. If you'd like to sign-up, here's the deal: You pay just $10 a month for a number, if your number is drawn as the Lotto bonus number, you win $40 that week. It's that simple! $10 a month works out at less than $2.50 a week, so it's great value for money and really helps boost our campaign war chest too! If you'd like to sign-up for a number, email [Email] or call after hours on 5635443.
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