It's been a busy few weeks in Parliament, we've been in urgency all week passing critical legislation like the RMA reforms.
With the election campaign fully underway, I have been out and about door knocking with some of the incredible National Party volunteers throughout the district. It's been heartening to hear positive feedback about National's plan for financial management and economic growth.
Government and policy announcements
National Policy Direction submissions on Planning Act now open
This week we released the draft National Policy Direction which will influence future decisions on where buildings can be built, how infrastructure projects are enabled, and how farming, other resources, and environmental protections are managed under the new planning system.
And we’re seeking your feedback on national direction and how the new planning system should work.
The five key areas it covers are: housing and development, infrastructure, primary production, resources such as quarrying and mining, and public values including environmental protection, human health and indigenous biodiversity.
I encourage you to have your say in shaping the new planning system. Your feedback will help us to ensure the national direction is practical, clear and can deliver better outcomes for communities, infrastructure, economic growth and the environment. Submissions are open until 16 October, on the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions & Transport website.
U16 Social media ban
We’re putting young people first and creating a safer digital environment by banning under-16s from social media and requiring high risk social media platforms to do more to protect young users.
To achieve that we’ve introduced the Online Safety Bill to protect children and teens from harmful content, addictive technology, and online pressures that are impacting their mental health, sleep, education and wellbeing.
And alongside introducing these protections, we’ll strengthen education and public awareness, so parents, schools and communities have what they need to help children navigate the online world safely.
By putting child safety at the centre of online regulation, we’re helping families handle the digital world with greater confidence and building safer online spaces for future generations.
No new taxes under National
We've committed to no new taxes if re-elected on November 7.
Tax is a defining theme for this election, and the choice for Kiwis is clear. It’s either a National Government promising no new taxes, or a Labour and its prospective coalition proposing at least nine new taxes.
One of the first things National did upon entering Government was to provide tax relief for working New Zealanders for the first time in 14 years.
Our promise of no new taxes this election reflects our disciplined economic management, focused on growing the economy, creating jobs, lifting wages and keeping taxes low.
That is in stark contrast to Labour, with its $18 billion of spending promises and its record of higher taxes and higher debt. Labour’s approach means higher costs, fewer jobs, stagnant wages and a less secure future for New Zealanders.
Media
Endometriosis diagnosis announcement - One News
Coolpak and Investment Boost - Newsroom
Faster access to new crop protection products - CountryWide Interview
We're backing farmers - Facebook video
Here to Help:
As always, my team and I are here and available to help.
You can get in touch with us by emailing Nicola.GriggMP@parliament.govt.nz, phone 03 344 2800, or pop into the office in Rolleston Square between Monday and Fridays, 10:00am - 4:00pm.
