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Last week the Government confirmed its plan to invest more than $2 billion in transport infrastructure improvements around New Zealand over the next 10 years by raising fuel excise duty by 5 cents a litre from 1 April.
Opposition to this investment has been hypocritical. In the same breath as saying they want economic growth and road transport improved, they suggest we rob Peter to pay Paul and this means slashing spending in education and health. This Government is not going down that road of turning the clock back to run down public services where the cost of cuts to New Zealanders is so high.
Some have suggested that the country should borrow the money for improving the roading infrastructure, obviously thinking these loans don't have to be paid back and somehow loan money is free money.
While road users will be paying more for petrol, the benefits of transport improvements are vast, bringing wide-ranging improvements to the average household's living standards. The long-term economic improvements for business no longer sitting in traffic and families not stuck in gridlock are vast and a real relief for all New Zealanders.
Transport Minister Pete Hodgson says this investment package of an unprecedented size in New Zealand's transport infrastructure is central to maintaining a healthy economy. For the first time in years, it provides the certainty contractors and the wider business community need to make investment decisions.
Still on the subject of transport, efforts to encourage more New Zealanders to walk and cycle have received a double boost with the publication of the first national walking and cycling strategy. Added to this is the announcement of $1.15 million for national walking and cycling initiatives in addition to that provided through the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF).
Walking and cycling offer many advantages as transport choices. Through this strategy our goal is to help local transport planners think about the role walking and cycling can play in a better-integrated transport network.
Walking school bus programmes, improving pedestrian access to bus and train stations, providing secure cycle parking facilities, dedicated cycling lanes or improving street lighting can all make walking and cycling more accessible and safer options for the travelling public. This strategy will help local communities and councils do so.
My congratulations to St Joseph's School in Dannevirke on becoming the first school in the area to set up a "walking bus" on Fridays.
Many parents would love their children to be able to walk to school but feel this can be risky. The walking bus solves the problem and at the same time is an active and healthy alternative to motorised transport.
I understand more parents are needed to help so the "bus" can operate on more days so anyone interested in lending a hand should contact the school.
While I was in Dannevirke last week I visited the IHC's vocational services centre and was given an insight into the work they do there. I was pleased to be able to share a few details on what I do as MP and also give a run down on the IHC ball I hosted in Parliament's banqueting chamber.
The highlight of the evening had to be the couple who announced their engagement - much to the delight of all who attended.
Being an MP is not the easiest job but it is visits like this that make it worthwhile. My thanks to everyone at the centre for making my visit so enjoyable.
Late last year I visited the Eketahuna Health Centre and had a cup of tea with the staff there. I see there was a write up in last week's Bush Telegraph on the centre and I would like to add my support of the great work they do there. Of concern is the possible loss of the school holiday programme run from the centre when the existing organiser Maureen Te Wake finishes.
If there is anyone out there who is willing to take on this very important job please contact the centre urgently.
My thanks also to our police staff for their dedication and commitment over the past year. When the crime statistics come out there are always those who choose to take a negative view of things. I say thanks for the great work our police do - theirs is not an easy task.
Masterton was buzzing last week with the opening of the Shear History Discovery Centre and then the annual Golden Shears.
The centre is a real feather in the caps of everyone involved with the project - congratulations.
The lower part of the electorate was "the place to be" over the weekend, with so many events on offer.
I was pleased to be able to attend the Golden Shears on Saturday night, having spent the earlier part of the day at the Martinborough Fair, and am looking forward to the many other events on offer over the next few weeks.
Finally I was very happy to be able to vote in favour of Margaret Wilson becoming the first woman Speaker of the House last week. It was an historic occasion indeed.
Until next week.
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