Merry Christmas
Wow! What a year 2007 has been, with travelling to and from Parliament, getting more involved in Parliament’s debating chamber and in the National Party caucus through my Junior Whip’s role and meeting constituents in my busy offices in Levin and Paraparaumu. I’m really enjoying being a Member of Parliament and especially in helping local people with their issues.
I have just enjoyed a Christmas at home with family and hope you have also had an enjoyable Christmas with family and friends.
Just before Christmas, National Party leader John Key visited the Otaki electorate and said it’s going to be one of the most hotly contested seats in next year’s general election. I’m ready for the challenge and the opportunity to represent the people of Kapiti and Horowhenua. Our electorate had been a Labour stronghold for about a decade, but it is now the most marginal in the country.
John Key reinforced the National Party’s intention to support me in my challenge to win this electorate by choosing to visit Horowhenua and promoting his DVD, handed out to passers-by on the street.
The "Ambitious for New Zealand - Meet John Key" 12-minute DVD is intended to give you an insight into John’s life and what he stands for. He talks about his life before politics, what motivates him, and his ideas for confronting some of our country’s challenges.
It is well worth a look and you can view it on www.national.org.nz or by giving my office a call on phone 06 367 9110 and requesting a copy.
When we were handing out the DVDs to people in Kapiti and Horowhenua it blew me away just how many people wanted to stop and talk to John Key. Ordinary Kiwis were telling us they are sick and tired of being told what to do by this Labour Government – whether it’s over taxation, food police in schools or now gagging our rights to free speech in election year.
It surprised me how many people had heard of the Electoral Finance Bill (kicking in on 1 January 2008). Labour’s desperation to hold onto power in 2008 has got people up in arms. This draconian Bill drastically stacks electoral law in favour of the sitting Government and has been condemned by organisations as diverse as the Human Rights Commission and the Law Society. Yet despite all the opposition, including thousands of Kiwis marching in the streets against it, Labour has forced this into law with the help of the Greens and NZ First.
The Bill moves the election spending period from 3 months out from an election to cover the whole election year and allows the Government to spend endless taxpayers’ money through Government department advertising. When people like Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt are prepared to go to prison to publicly oppose Government policy that negatively impacts on his community, you know something is up!
John Key received a standing ovation in the House during the Bill’s final reading when he said National would repeal this law. It was a strong way for National to finish the year in Parliament.
As I look forward to 2008, a resolution of mine will be to ensure I continue to work hard for you and make myself accessible. I wish you all the best for 2008 and good luck keeping any New Years resolutions you may choose to make.