In the House with Carl
Parliament is well and truly back for 2025. The coalition Government has made economic growth its priority for 2025 and the Order Paper is full of legislation to be advanced in coming weeks.
Following our Caucus Retreat in January the Prime Minister made a number of changes to the membership of select committees. In addition to my role as deputy chair of the Education and Workforce Committee I have now been appointed to the Justice Committee. This will add significantly to my commitments, as the select committee progresses Government legislation focused on restoring law and order in New Zealand.
On January 28th my Juries (Excusal) Amendment Bill was drawn out of the biscuit tin. The bill, which seeks to increase the age at which people can request an automatic excusal from jury service from 65 to 72 years will be debated on an upcoming Members’ Day.
Lastly, if you are between the ages of 16 and 18 years on Friday 28 February 2025, you have an interest in serving your community and you live in the Whanganui Electorate, you could be my Youth MP. Youth Parliament 2025 will take place in the July school holidays, and I am receiving applications right now. To register your interest, send an email to carl.batesmp@parliament.govt.nz - applications close on Friday 28th February.
Around and about the electorate
It has been a busy summer across the Whanganui Electorate with a wide variety of events taking place. In Whanganui, the town has been full to overflowing with visitors to Whanganui Vintage Weekend, the World Jetsprint Series and the New Zealand Masters Games. It was also a privilege to be part of the National Party delegation to Rātana.
On Waitangi Day the Bates family enjoyed an outing to Paepae in the Park in Pātea where we joined a crowd of around 1500 people for this iconic annual event. The Family Fun Day in Hāwera organised by South Taranaki Neighbourhood Support was another enjoyable gathering and I am looking forward to AmeriCARna’s visit to Hāwera and to the Egmont A&P Show.
These are always good opportunities to connect and engage with constituents about the issues on their mind, and receive encouragement to continue doing what we are doing to Get New Zealand Back on Track. It’s going to be a fantastic boost to tourism in the region with Te Matatini and WOMAD following AmeriCARna in rapid succession. The coalition Government understands what a difference tourism can make to local communities in driving economic growth.
Being invited to be a judge for the Taranaki-Manawatu Regional Final of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest was a highlight of the last month. I joined Taranaki farming identities Leedom Gibbs (Taranaki Federated Farmers Chair) and Donna Cram (2023 Dairywoman of the Year). If the standard of contestants was any indication, the future of farming in the region is in good hands.
Governing for you
The coalition Government has a strong focus on growth for the first quarter of 2025. Applications for fast-track approval of projects which will address our infrastructure deficit, housing crisis and energy (in particular renewable energy) shortages have opened. Changes will also be made to visa eligibility rules to roll out the welcome mat to investor migrants.
Looking forward, an international investment summit will be held in March, highlighting partnership opportunities for overseas investment across our economy that will boost growth. There is also a strong focus on tourism, another driver of growth in our economy.
Inflation remains at 2.2% and within the Reserve Bank’s target range of 1 to 3%, the Official Cash Rate was further reduced to 3.75% yesterday and the Federated Farmers Farmer Confidence Survey was up a massive 68 points in January from July 2024’s result.
Coming Events
- 22 and 23/2/25 - Egmont A&P Show at the Hāwera Showgrounds
- 13 to15/3/25 - Central Districts Fieldays at Manfield Park
- 22/3/25 - Relay for Life at Cook’s Gardens, Whanganui
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