I emailed my cousin the other day and hes finally got back to me
"Hi Alan
Nice to hear from you. Log on to
http://www.national.org.nz as it canvasses some of the topics you mentioned. However:
On welfare our big focus is of resourcing people into work not staying on the dole.Welfare steps : budget 2011
· $55 milion Youth Employment Package over 4 years, giving opportunities to 13,000 young people.
· $15 million - boost for employment assistance programmes to help more Kiwis into work.
· $10million to support Cantabrians rebuilding their lives and communities on top of $10m already allocated.
On tax cuts from 1 October, across-the-board personal tax cuts have put more money in back pockets of hard-working Kiwis.
· Since November 2010, the average household was about $25 a week better off, even with GST rising to 15 per cent.
· Someone on the average wage is almost $15 a week better off.
· And a retired couple, living in their own home and receiving NZ Superannuation, is $11 a week better off.
· Since 1 October, New Zealand Superannuation, Working for Families, and benefit payments will increase immediately by 2.02 per cent – to compensate for the rise in GST.
· 73 per cent of earners will face a top statutory income tax rate of 17.5 per cent or less.
· To find out how the tax changes will benefit you visit the tax calculator at:
http://www.taxguide.govt.nzKiwiSaver Changes to KiwiSaver will encourage a higher level of private savings, make the scheme more financially sustainable and build a large pool of local capital.
While KiwiSaver has been very effective in attracting new members, it has done so at a high cost to taxpayers, with the scheme costing the Government over $1 billion a year in subsidies and tax breaks. The changes will see KiwiSaver funds continue to grow rapidly, but with a larger share of contributions coming from members and employers, and a lower share from the Government. This is expected to raise national savings, as it will reduce the amount the Government is borrowing, largely from foreigners, in order to fund private savings.
Reducing Government borrowing and increasing private contributions to KiwiSaver will also lift national savings. Just over 43 per cent of all KiwSaver contributions to date have been funded by the Government – mainly through Member Tax Credit and Kick-Start payments. This does not include the Employer Superannuation Contribution Tax exemption which, if counted, would bring the Government’s share closer to 50 per cent.
Kiwirail Budget 2011 has committed more than $338 million to improving commuter rail services and supporting KiwiRail to become more commercially viable.
A funding package of $88.4 million over eight years will go towards upgrading and renewing the remainder of the signalling and electric power equipment on the Wellington network. The Crown commitment, coupled with co-investment from the Greater Wellington Regional Council and previous investment from both parties, will transform the service into a modern reliable commuter option for Wellington. KiwiRail receives the second $250 million tranche of the Government’s $750 million commitment to its Turnaround Plan over three years. The lion’s share of the $4.6 billion Turnaround Plan will be funded by KiwiRail itself from customer revenue during the 10 year plan. The money will be used to continue a range of projects, including new locomotives and wagons, and improvements to the network - particularly on the main trunk route and in the ‘golden triangle’ of Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga. The Turnaround Plan is about helping KiwiRail to become a more viable nationwide freight participant. “The $4.6 billion turnaround plan combined with investment in the Auckland and Wellington commuter networks means the government is now overseeing a $7 billion investment in rail. This is a huge commitment and National is determined to improve the rail freight network, provide KiwiRail with the opportunity to become commercially viable and support the provision of modern, reliable commuter rail services in Wellington and Auckland.
Car laws (Boy racer laws) A bill allowing boy racers cars to be crushed was passed by Parliament on 21 October 2009. The Vehicle Confiscation and Seizure Bill gives courts the power to send cars owned by repeat offenders to the crusher. The bill would also toughen provisions for the seizure of motor vehicles for unpaid fines and strengthen the courts' powers to confiscate motor vehicles. "This bill will hit boy racers where it hurts - by targeting their vehicles." Fines did not work and infringement notices became "badges of honour." Low value cars that were used to commit offences and incur fines would also be seized so they could not be used to commit more offences
Bet you don’t like the last one! Hi to your Granddad, I hear he's doing OK.
Cheers
Phil
Hon. Phil Heatley
MP for Whangarei
Minister of Housing
Minister of Fisheries & Aquaculture
Sent: Thursday, 14 July 2011 1:21 pm
To:
phil.heatley@national.org.nzSubject: 2011 election
Hi Phil
Its coming up on election time again and as this is my 2nd year voting however im alittle lost on who I want to vote for.
My current concerns are the following and Im wondering where the national party stand on them
The Nz benefit (alittle concerned about how many able bodied people are on it using my tax dollar)
Tax cuts
Kiwi saver
NZ assets ie kiwi rail etc
Any car laws (“boyracer” laws)
Poll