11,500 say "yes" to Hamilton-Auckland Train
I was proud to be the local MP who received and tabled the petition with 11,500 signatures on it, requesting the Government establish a passenger train service between Hamilton and Auckland.
Now that the Government owns the tracks and the trains, this is a service that makes sense for a modern city like Hamilton that is just 120kms away from our largest city.
I went to bat for a Hamilton-Auckland commuter train service prior to the last election and got support from Labour to pursue it. Unfortunately, the local National MPs don't see it as a priority and they are not advocating its establishment within their own party. I have called on both Tim MacIndoe and David Bennett to support their city by joining me in advocating for this service to be established.
The cost is minimal and it would be a great investment in a safe, productive, environmentally-friendly way to reduce congestion on Auckland's Southern Motorway and improve transport options for Hamiltonians.
Our Backyard Under Threat
Labour is vigorously opposing the Government's plans to allow mining on protected conservation land on the Coromandel.
I know many Hamiltonians are horrified at the short-sightedness of this National Government proposal.
As the MP who secured $10m funding to clean up the toxic Tui Mine on Mt Te Aroha, I know the cost of long-term degradation of our land and waterways from overseas mining companies.
The pristine conservation land of the Coromandel is a significant part of our region's tourism strategy and it is offensive that the Government is down-playing its significance by calling it a "postcard on Eden Park."
Six weeks ago I launched a petition for Hamiltonians to sign requesting that the Government stop its plans to mine our national parks and conservation lands protected by Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act. You can access this petition here
Labour has promised that we will reinstate protection to any land that is removed from Schedule 4 by the National Party, when we are elected to Government.
Keep in touch with Sue and Labour online
|
Lydia Replaces Sue for Youth Parliament
Congratulations to Sacred Heart College student, Lydia McKinnon, who has been chosen as my Youth MP for the Youth Parliament in July. I invited all Hamilton secondary schools to nominate students to enter a speech competition, speaking on why a youth perspective is important to decision-making in New Zealand. I joined former Speaker of the House, Margaret Wilson, and Waikato Times Editor, Bryce Johns, on the judging panel.
We heard some excellent and thought-provoking speeches and we agreed that all of the contestants were very capable of attending the Youth Parliament. On the night, it was Lydia who shone through and I look forward to supporting her to make a positive contribution to the Youth Parliament. Ths event is only held every three years, so it’s a great opportunity for Lydia. She clearly has well-formed opinions and is able to articulate them extremely well. She has the "X-factor."
Back to top
|