It was fabulous to have National’s deputy leader Nicola Willis in Invercargill last week – topping off what has been a busy time in the electorate, hosting visiting MP’s. I also launched my Election 2023 campaign in July, have been out in the community meeting constituents and working hard in Parliament keeping track of the Government’s polytechnic mega-merger Te Pukenga.

The people of Invercargill came out in force to hear National’s deputy leader Nicola Willis at a public meeting last week.

 

National will invest more in the new Dunedin Hospital

I’ve been very concerned about the Government’s cuts to the new Dunedin hospital. Dunedin is our tertiary hospital, so we need it to be fit for purpose and able to meet the needs of the Otago/Southland population. National knows it is important and has pledged another 23 inpatient beds, two more operating theatres and a PET scanner, if we are elected to Government.

 

Roading is a big issue in the South. National has just pledged $100 million over 10 years to progressively upgrade or replace bridges across the Otago/Southland roading network. Meanwhile National’s $500 million Pothole Repair Fund, spent over three years, will also address roading concerns. Labour has neglected our roads for too long – National will fix them.  

 

My campaign launch – “Team Invercargill” is ready to go as we count down to October 14. Thank you for the great support that you provide me.

 

 I was proud to join National’s leader Chris Luxon and Health spokesperson Shane Reti to announce a new medical school at Waikato University recently, along with extra trainee doctor places at Otago and Auckland universities. The health sector is experiencing a workforce crisis - National intends to do something about it.

 

National Party senior whip and Courts spokesperson Chris Penk was in Invercargill recently, where he met local lawyers and visited the courts. Of course, I couldn’t let him leave town without sampling some Southland cheese rolls.

 

Southland farmers talked climate change and agricultural regulations with National’s Agricultural spokesperson Todd McClay MP, when he met with them in the city last week. He also outlined National’s policies and discussed how we plan to get this country “back to farming.”

 

In the news:

Simmonds launches campaign with SIT pledge

 

Violent crime rises in South - Simmonds

 

Polytech mega-merger unravelling at pace

  

As always, I’m here to help. Please contact me at my Invercargill office on Ph- 03 218 5060, or email me at: [email protected] 

 

Thank you for your support