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I stated at the beginning of my time in Parliament that I would not use my columns for "tit-for-tat" bickering with other politicians, nor will I engage in a letter writing or media statement war, and I have stuck to that.
This column is a way for me to let the people of Wairarapa know about what is happening in Parliament that might affect them, how I stand on various issues and also from time to time what I have been doing, as space allows.
Unfortunately by not using the space for political sniping opens me up for criticism.
My belief is that the people of Wairarapa will see through this and will realise that responding to the pot-shots is a waste of my time and theirs.
Enough of that.
Last week Parliament was given the opportunity to debate the private members Death with Dignity Bill in the House, after it was selected in the ballot.
The Bill aimed to allow people to choose whether or not they want to end their lives in cases such as terminal illnesses.
This was a conscience vote and I voted to send it through to select committee stage, as I believe it is an issue that needs to be publicly debated.
Had it reached select committee stage, the public of New Zealand would have been able to make submissions and have their say on where they would like this legislation to head.
If it made it through all the necessary stages and before the Bill would be passed into law there would have been be a referendum, which would give a clear indication on where the country stood on this very personal and sensitive issue.
The Bill was defeated 60-57, with one abstention.
Much has been said about the levy on agricultural gas emissions with reference made to forest sinks.
The Kyoto Protocol allocates these to member nations for forests planted since 1990. It does not allocate them to forest owners: that is a policy decision for each nation's government.
As far as I know, no government anywhere has decided to do so. This Government is retaining forest sink credits for a number of reasons, not least of which is that it enables us to exempt agriculture from emissions charges or other onerous measures to reduce emissions.
Along with the credits the Crown retains the associated liabilities for deforestation. To suggest we have "stolen" credits is simply wrong: they were negotiated into the Protocol in the national interest and they belong to New Zealand.
Landowners may be interested to know that the Government is putting in place a mechanism to allow landowners who reserve land for permanent forest to receive the value of any sink credits generated from it.
To qualify, the land had to be unforested as at 31 December 1989 (a rule under the Kyoto Protocol) and landowners will have to agree to take on responsibility for any carbon released from the forest.
The final detail of the mechanism is being developed now.
For further information please contact Bryan Smith at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on bryan.smith@maf.govt.nz
So far I have only heard from one farmer regarding the proposed levy and the Minister of Climate Change, Hon Pete Hodgson, has replied to his concerns.
As far as possible I have always made myself available to any delegations or constituents who want to speak to me about issues and this is no different.
To those who are organising public meetings, please note that it is very difficult for me to get leave from the House on Tuesdays through to Thursdays.
My day does not finish when the House rises at 6pm Thursday, as I often have meetings that take place after this.
Also my diary is extremely full and I need more that three days notice to apply for leave or arrange a representative to attend on my behalf.
Masterton Fire Station has celebrated its 125th Jubilee and I was very disappointed not to be able to attend due to a prior commitment.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our dedicated service personnel, without whom lives and property would be lost.
Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Congratulations to Eketahuna's Alice Sutherland, who has just completed her BA in social anthropology at the age of 73.
I have the utmost respect for anyone who continues their education and would like to take the chance to put in a plug for Adult Learning Week, which starts on September 8.
With this in mind, my thanks to Masterton Mayor Bob Francis, who has been reappointed to his position as representative of the Wairarapa Community on the UCOL Council.
Mr Francis has been Wairarapa's representative since the instutions merged in 2000 and he also helped to facilitate the transition to UCOL delivering the Wairarapa Community Polytechnic courses.
Mr Francis is well regarded in the community and is a strong contributor on the Council.
I welcome any feedback on any matters raised in this column or other issues you might feel strongly about through email g.beyer@xtra.co.nz or post to PO Box 88, Dannevirke.
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