Connecting with Carl - August 2024

16 Aug 2024

Carl Bates

CONNECTING WITH CARL

ISSUE 9 – AUGUST 2024

In the House with Carl

During a busy three-week sitting block, legislation was introduced to restrict the power of gangs and change sentencing provisions. As well as a Bill allowing roadside drug testing of drivers passing its first reading, before being referred to the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee.

During the month I also attended the National Party Annual Conference for the first time as an MP, along with the rest of National’s Class of ’23. An amazing group of people with a diverse range of skills and backgrounds. It’s great to be part of a unified and motivated team.

Around and about the electorate

Caucus colleague Tom Rutherford (MP for Bay of Plenty) spent a day in the electorate recently and we kept him busy, starting with a 6.30am gym session to visit a new business, ASAP Training. We also met the Steelform Whanganui rugby team heading off to a Ranfurly Shield challenge and visited local businesses including Downers and Waters and Farr. Businesses like these will have a vital role to play as we ramp up the building of infrastructure around New Zealand.

A special privilege of the last month was being invited to speak at Whanganui Fire Brigade’s Awards Night. Firefighters Shane, Tom and Paul were presented with Gold Stars to mark 25 years of service before Bryan and Henry were each honoured for 50 years of service. Let me acknowledge the outstanding service of all first responders in the Whanganui Electorate - thank you.

As an electorate MP it’s important to keep engaged with local issues and what is happening in our community. Last week the Whanganui Food Security Cooperative met with me to share their work on developing food resilience in our city. And at the beginning of July it was fantastic to present the medals to members of the Border rugby team after they won Whanganui’s Premier Grand Final at Cook’s Gardens (thanks to Kiwi TV for the photo).

Governing for you

The highlight of the last month was the tax relief package we delivered for New Zealanders on 31st July. The first tax relief for kiwis in 14 years. National promised it during the election campaign last year, and it’s a promise on which we have delivered. On average, households will benefit by $60 a fortnight, and households with children by $78 a fortnight.

We also announced changes to improve outcomes in mathematics, where only 22% of Y8 students are learning to the correct curriculum level. The coalition Government’s Make It Count maths action plan will bring forward the new structured maths curriculum to 2025, fund training for our teaching workforce in the new curriculum and ensure twice-yearly assessments are carried out.

Some Coming Events:

Friday 16 August – Remix Runway Youth Fashion event with the Cancer Society
Monday 19 August – Guest speaker at the Whanganui Rotary Club
Friday 23 August – Hon Mark Mitchell (Police/Corrections) visits Whanganui. Email [email protected] for an invitation to the breakfast briefing
Sunday 1 September – Whanganui Road Rodders Gas Guzzlers Breakfast

Links to recent news items: