Key Notes – Opening Ohakune’s Cycle Trail

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OPENING OHAKUNE'S CYCLE TRAIL

Today I've been in Ohakune to open stage one of the Ruapehu-Whanganui cycle trail. It's just one part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail project I announced last year.

The 200-kilometre Ruapehu-Whanganui trail will pass through some of New Zealand's most spectacular scenery. It's a great example of New Zealand making the most of our natural assets and showcasing the very best we have to offer.

CONGRATULATING THE ALL WHITES

I'm really proud of the All Whites. They came home from the Football World Cup unbeaten. The team has inspired a whole new generation of footballers in New Zealand.

It was a privilege to be in South Africa for their game against Italy, and I enjoyed catching up with Ricki Herbert, Ryan Nelsen, and the team afterwards.

LIFTING ACHIEVEMENT IN OUR SCHOOLS

It's been great to see primary and intermediate schools continuing to roll out National Standards in Term Two. Parents deserve clear information about their child's progress in reading, writing, and maths, and that's what National Standards is delivering.

Education Minister Anne Tolley is getting positive feedback from many parents throughout New Zealand about the standards.

Find out more about National Standards here.

PUTTING VICTIMS FIRST

National is improving the criminal justice system for victims. We want to help them move on with their lives sooner. New services for victims and their families came into force yesterday.

First, every convicted offender will pay a $50 levy from now on, which will go directly towards supporting victims.

Second, on-the-spot safety orders for victims of domestic violence are in place, which means a potentially violent person can be removed from a home by Police for up to five days.

TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE

National believes New Zealand must do our fair share on climate change. Our moderate Emissions Trading Scheme balances our environmental responsibilities with our economic opportunities.

The majority of New Zealanders will be better off over the next few years. After the tax cuts and GST rise on October 1, the average family will be about $25 a week better off. That's considerably more than the cost of the Emissions Trading Scheme to the average household, which is estimated to be $3.17 a week - half what Labour's scheme would have cost.

There are ways families can save on increased costs. They could take advantage of the Government's home insulation scheme or make sure the tyres are set correctly on their car.

Come 1 October, New Zealanders will have had three rounds of tax cuts in two years, meaning the average family will be just under $100 a week better off compared to August 2008.

BOOSTING DOCTORS, NURSES, AND MIDWIVES

National's voluntary bonding scheme for graduate doctors, nurses, and midwives has been hugely popular. This week Health Minister Tony Ryall announced that about 1400 graduates have been accepted into the scheme in the first two years.

Under the scheme, graduates who work in hard-to-staff communities or medical specialties for three to five years are eligible for student loan write offs or cash incentives.

WELCOMING NEW AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER

I phoned new Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard last week. It was good to congratulate her and let her know that I look forward to continuing the strong relationship between our countries. I also spoke to Kevin Rudd to wish him all the best.

STRENGTHENING TIES WITH ASIA

On Saturday I'm heading to Asia for 10 days. I'll be visiting the Republic of Korea, China, and Viet Nam. New Zealand has a strong relationship with the Asia region, and this trip will be a chance to build on that.

I've got a busy schedule, including talking to Korea's President Lee Myung-bak about a possible free trade agreement between our two countries, and visiting New Zealand's pavilion at the Shanghai Expo in China.

FROM MY DIARY

Yesterday I was in Christchurch to mark the 50,000th home insulated under National's Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart Scheme.

Check out my videos from my visits to Fieldays and Tauranga last week.

ENDS

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