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John -- Wow, what a busy month June was! We are now officially halfway through 2020 and there are only 68 more days until the election. We have hit the ground running with the campaign. June was a jam packed month with three weeks of Parliament sitting but I was extremely privileged to get out and about across numerous parts of the electorate in the second week of June. From South Canterbury, to Wanaka across to Cromwell, back to Oamaru and down to Hampden there wasn't much ground I didn't cover! Tourism Infrastructure package I had the pleasure of visiting Queenstown with National Leader Todd Muller at the beginning of June to announce our Tourism Accelerator Package. This package allows for direct grants for tourism projects as an incentive for tourism businesses to invest and create new opportunities in the sector.
Talking to tourism sector partners in Queenstown with National Party leader Todd Muller following our announcement of a Tourism Accelerator Package South Canterbury Agricultural Visit It was great to host National's new Agriculture spokesperson David Bennett and caucus colleague Nicola Willis in South Canterbury with neighbouring MP Andrew Falloon earlier in the month. We had a productive day with a breakfast meeting to hear from local farmers in Geraldine and a visit to see the impressive work of the Hunter Downs irrigation scheme.
Zealandia visit I'm really enjoying the conservation portfolio which I've held for almost six months now and had the delight of visiting Zealandia in Wellington with local National list MP Nicola Willis. We saw many beautiful birds including quite a few Kea and learnt all about their impressive predator free initiatives. I sent a letter to every school in the Waitaki electorate encouraging them to visit Zealandia when they travel to Wellington on school trips.
Writing letters to every school in the Waitaki electorate to promote Zealandia to them as a place to visit when they come to Wellington. Members bill It was a great privilege to have my members bill, the "Local Government (Customer Focus) Amendment Bill" pulled from the ballot this month. This bill aims to amend the Local Government Act of 2002 to require that local authorities promote a customer focus to delivering public services and regulatory functions. This work continues on from the previous National government's loopy rules report to help cut red tape and provide better services from councils through a partnership approach. Holding the infamous biscuit tin that my members bill got pulled from.
Government thumbs its nose at electorate infrastructure projects I was extremely disappointed that the Government voted down amendments I put forward to the COVID-19 Recovery (fast-track consenting) Bill to fast-track construction of six projects from around the electorate. The proposals I put forward were:
Residents in the electorate have every right to feel disappointed, particularly given the local jobs these projects would create.
Lodging 6 SOP's to fast track projects all across the Waitaki electorate. Tahr cull misses mark As National’s spokesperson for Conservation and MP of an electorate with a strong hunting community, I’ve been vocal in opposing Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage’s plan for DOC to spend taxpayers’ money culling prized Himalayan Bull Tahr. Tahr numbers need to be sensibly managed but operations should be done in a targeted way. This industry is valuable to the economy and provides much-needed jobs. We need to strike a balance where conservation values are protected and hunting interests are maintained. I was pleased to hear the High Court judgement on Friday where the Minister has been told she has to go back and consult with key stakeholders which previously failed to do and the hours of the cull have been cut back to 125 instead of the 250 originally granted.
Questioning the Conservation Minister in the house about the Tahr Cull and her failure to consult with key stakeholders. Concession fees waived – it’s about time! I was pleased the Government announced some financial relief for concession holding businesses operating on conservation land – it’s what these businesses deserve and what they waited so long for. Having said that, not all concession fees have been waived and many operators are still getting very large bills. It’s just a pity that this decision wasn’t made over a month ago after I first raised the issue with the Conservation Minister during the lockdown!
Questioning the Conservation Minister in Select Committee about support for concessionaires.
Makarora Fantastic to head over to Makarora and meet with Makarora School students and principal Lynley Ward. What a awesome tight knit community they have. Thanks to Makarora Country cafe too for hosting me for a "coffee catch up" to hear from constituents and support them in anyway I can.
With Makarora School principal Lynley Ward Touring with Todd I had the pleasure of hosting National Leader Todd Muller in the electorate last week. We paid a visit to Whitestone cheese, took part in a business breakfast with the Waitaki Chamber of Commerce and visited the wonderful Riverstone Kitchen. Todd loves this electorate and he will be back this week with to continue his tour with a visit to Wanaka and Cardrona. If you want to meet Todd for a chat, on Thursday (16 July), we will be at: - The Speights Ale House on Ardmore Street from 12.45- 1.45pm - The Cardrona Hotel, 2312 Cardrona Valley Road from 2.45- 3.45pm
Thanks to Simon Berry from Whitestone Cheese for hosting Todd Muller and I for a business breakfast meeting. Great to have Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher join us too.
Hon Jacqui Dean |
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Hosting Nicola Willis and David
Bennett in South Canterbury with Andrew Falloon
