15 July 2004
Anderton's Enews - Covering 21 June to 14 July 2004
Dear readers
Welcome to the latest edition of my Enews.
The big announcements for these last few weeks are both in transport. Firstly, Transfund announced their massive $18.6
billion investment over ten years, for integrated transport infrastructure. This is the biggest investment ever made on
our transport infrastructure.
The government will spend $1.4 billion over the next year, which is 50 per cent more than the National government ever
spent on land transport. The funding includes the largest ever spending on public transport, cycling and walking
facilities, state highways, local roads, maintenance and record spending on regional transport infrastructure.
The second big transport announcement was the government's investment in rail. After buying back the track for $1, the
government has committed to investing $200 million over four years on upgrading it and replacing worn out pieces of the
network. Piece by piece we are rebuilding New Zealand's infrastructure after the sell offs and privatisations of the
1980s and 1990s which led to such problems in rail, electricity and our national airline among other strategic assets.
It seems unbelievable that Mr Brash still wants to implement such short sighted policies. I recently visited the West
Coast and reminded them that Brash would get rid of Kiwibank, the newly returned rail track, Air New Zealand and cheap
doctors visits for under 18 and over 65 year old New Zealanders. Let's not go back to the failed policies of the past.
The economy is finally flourishing because business and government are actively working together to boost our economic
growth. You'll find my release and speech notes for my West Coast trip in the articles below.
Also see below for more information on recent news, including the music industry export report launch, plans to upgrade
the Whanganui river road, new funding for business incubators, increases to paid parental leave payments, and the
announcement of lower cost doctors visits for New Zealanders who are over age 65.
Warmest regards,
Jim Anderton Minister of Economic, Industry and Regional Development Associate Minister of Health, Minister responsible
for Public Trust, Leader of the Progressive Party: we're positive about people and jobs
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Brash style policies left the Coast devastated but the Labour Progressive Government gets the job done Jim Anderton, 14
July 2004
While visiting the West Coast this week Jim Anderton has suggested Coasters remind Mr Brash of a few key points on his
visit.
West Coast Grey Power speech Jim Anderton, 13 July 2004
Let's look at the record. The West Coast economy has expanded in every quarter since the beginning of 2000. That's
seventeen consecutive quarters of growth on the Coast.
Successful business leaves Canterbury Incubator to go it alone Jim Anderton, 08 July 2004
When I was first invited to an 'exit function' I had to double check the invitation. I'm used to going to lots of
openings - but one wants to be sure an 'exit' isn't some kind of euphemism. I'm delighted that it's a symbol of growth.
Excellence in exporting awards speech Jim Anderton, 08 July 2004
I'm very supportive of business awards of all descriptions. It's important to celebrate success in business.
Expansion of Montgomery Watson Harza Global Jim Anderton, 08 July 2004
It's easy to feel excited about the level of innovation and technology success in Christchurch right now. I've just come
from a function at the Canterbury Innovation Incubator. Whenuapai Report released Jim Anderton, 07 July 2004
Defence Minister Mark Burton today released a report on the public consultation process over the future use and disposal
process for Whenuapai airbase. It concludes the first stage of the process, and supports the need for a thorough
analysis as the next step in determining any future use of the land.
Turning up the volume on music exports Jim Anderton, 07 July 2004
Moves to help New Zealand musicians achieve more export success, have been welcomed by Economic Development Minister,
Jim Anderton and Associate Arts Culture and Heritage Minister Judith Tizard today, speaking at the launch of the Music
Industry Export Development Group.
Also: speech.
Anderton welcomes Emirates Airlines inaugural flight into Christchurch Jim Anderton, 02 July 2004
I would like to congratulate Mr Al-Gaith of Emirates and George Bellow of Christchurch International Airport for working
together to bring Emirates to Christchurch. Whanganui river road upgrade to promote development Jim Anderton, 01 July
2004
Minister for Regional Development, Jim Anderton, today welcomed Transfund's decision to place the long sought-after
proposal to strengthen and seal the Whanganui River Road onto its road construction priority list. Expats given
assistance to develop our global connections Jim Anderton, 01 July 2004
The Kiwi Expat Association has been awarded $200,000 from the Ministry of Economic Development's Sector Initiatives
Fund, to assist them in building up our global connections, Jim Anderton, Minister of Economic Development, announced
today. Northland roading improvements will support economic development Jim Anderton, 01 July 2004
Minister for Regional Development, Jim Anderton, today welcomed Transfund's decision to further invest in the roading
infrastructure in Northland. Gisborne and Hawkes Bay roading improvements will support economic development Jim
Anderton, 01 July 2004
Minister for Regional Development, Jim Anderton, today welcomed Transfund's decision to further invest in the roading
infrastructure in Gisborne and Hawkes Bay. Transport law changes to improve public safety Pete Hodgson, 01 July 2004 The
Land Transport Amendment Bill, tabled in Parliament today, aims to improve safety and reduce the road toll through the
amendment of existing legislation.
New $12 million biotech collaboration fund Hon Pete Hodgson, 01 July 2004 New Zealand biotechnology companies looking to
build their business through increased collaboration with their Australian counterparts can now apply for funding out of
a new, $12 million Australia-New Zealand Biotechnology Partnership Fund. Rail upgrade can now begin Hon Dr Michael
Cullen, 01 July 2004
"The rail network is now back in public ownership, bringing to an end one of the most disastrous privatisations in New
Zealand history," Finance Minister Michael Cullen announced today. Largest ever transport programme announced Hon Pete
Hodgson, 30 June 2004 Transport Minister Pete Hodgson today welcomed transport funding agency, Transfund's, announcement
of its $18.7 billion, ten year forecast for integrated transport. This includes $2.8 billion in regional spending.
Canterbury business incubator receives boost Jim Anderton, 30 June 2004
The Canterbury Innovation business incubator has received a $350,000 boost from the government this week to support
small businesses with high growth potential. This is part of a $2.7 million boost nationwide for incubators, Wigram MP
Jim Anderton said today. West Coast steaming under Labour Progressive Government Jim Anderton, 30 June 2004
The West Coast has been steaming ahead under the Labour Progressive Government. Nick Smith has obviously not been paying
attention to the West Coast if he thinks it has been treated with contempt by this Labour Progressive government, Jim
Anderton, Minister of Economic Development and Progressive Leader said today. Celebrating our enterprising students Jim
Anderton, 29 June 2004
The appealing feature of the Community Enterprise Project is the link it makes between two very important features of
our society - enterprise, and community. NZ innovation in food and beverages win international awards Jim Anderton, 25
June 2004
World class innovations in food and beverages produced in New Zealand have just been awarded SIAL d'Or gold awards in
Paris. "Congratulations are in order," says Jim Anderton, Minister of Economic Development. State of rail link another
failure of privatisation Jim Anderton, 24 June 2004
The fragile state of the West Coast rail link exposed by the Kellogg Brown and Root's report on the South Island rail
coal route demonstrates yet another failure of the privatisation of essential infrastucture, Progressive leader Jim
Anderton said today. $2.7 million boost for business incubators Helen Clark, 22 June 2004 Eleven business incubators
have been given a combined $2.7 million funding boost, an increase of 50 per cent over last year, Prime Minister Helen
Clark and Associate Minister for Industry and Regional Development Pete Hodgson announced today.
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funding supports teens battling alcohol and drugs Jim Anderton, 08 July 2004
Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton said today that it is great news that WellTrust, the youth drug agency that
provides support to teenagers and their families who are faced with alcohol and drug abuse problems in the Wellington
region, has had its services recognized with new funding by the Ministry of Health. Text messaging to combat truancy
Trevor Mallard, 2 July 2004 Education Minister Trevor Mallard today announced that the Ministry of Education is calling
for tenders for a pilot project involving the texting and e-mailing of messages to parents to get truant students back
at school.
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SUPPORTING SOCIAL WELLBEING Rowley Resource Centre opens new premises Jim Anderton, 06 July 2004
The opening of new premises for the Rowley Resource Centre in Spreydon is a good time to celebrate the success of their
work in the community, Jim Anderton, MP for Wigram said today. King welcomes reduced costs for older New Zealanders
Annette King, 1 July 2004 More than 305,000 older New Zealanders, who belong to a Primary Health Organisation, will now
pay less when they visit their family doctor, says Health Minister Annette King. Paid Parental Leave payments to
increase Hon Ruth Dyson, 1 July 2004 Maximum paid parental leave payments will increase from $334.75 per week to $346.63
per week from today, 1 July 2004, Associate Labour Minister Ruth Dyson has announced.
New measures deliver fairness and security Helen Clark, 30 June 2004 Prime Minister Helen Clark said today that 1 July
would see the introduction of a range of government policies and programmes that would have profound and beneficial
effects for New Zealanders of all ages. New Department of Building and Housing Hon Steve Maharey, 30 June 2004 State
Services Minister Trevor Mallard and Acting Housing Minister Rick Barker today announced several changes to government
agencies aimed at improving and streamlining building and housing services for the public. Youth unemployment plummets
Rick Barker, 27 June 2004 The number of young people receiving the unemployment benefit has fallen by more than sixty
percent since 1999, figures released by Associate Social Development and Employment Minister Rick Barker show.
Families Commissioners appointed Steve Maharey, 23 June 2004 Prime Minister Helen Clark and Acting Minister for Social
Development and Employment Ruth Dyson today announced the appointments to the new Families Commission.
ENDS