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The Government has made the first steps towards removing the much-hated asset testing of elderly people moving into long-term residential care.
From 1 July, 2005, single people and couples with both partners in care will be able to keep up to $150,000 in assets (including both property and savings) before their assets are used to contribute to the cost of their care, up from $15,000 and $30,000 respectively.
Couples where one partner is in care will retain their current exemptions of a house and car, while their cash asset exemption will rise from $45,000 to $55,000.
The exemption thresholds for all groups will then increase by $10,000 a year, progressively removing asset testing.
The decision is in line with the Government's 1999 election promise and is based on human rights considerations.
It is unfair that people aged 65 and over are required to use up their assets to contribute to the cost of their care, whereas younger people are not. The gradual removal of asset testing will balance these important human rights considerations against the very substantial costs involved.
Around 31,000 people, seven per cent of those aged 65 and over, are currently in long-term residential care. The new policy will apply to all new admissions, and to people already in care who are not currently eligible for a residential care subsidy.
Legislation to remove asset testing will be introduced later this year and public submissions will be called for then.
Environment Minister Marian Hobbs is calling for nominations for the 2003 Green Ribbon environment awards.
In a nation that prides itself on being clean and green, certain people lead the way and inspire others through their actions. It's these heroes the Green Ribbon Awards recognise.
Often I hear about people, organisations and businesses making their contribution to a clean green New Zealand and we are looking for people, community organisations and businesses that are changing the world, making our clean green image a reality.
In this International Year of Freshwater and the Government's commitment to water in the Sustainable Development Programme of Action, the Minister will also be presenting a special award, Caring for our Lakes, Rivers and Streams.
The Green Ribbon Award winners show all of us how individuals and small organisations can make a big difference through their commitment and hard work.
Awards will be made for: caring for the urban environment, caring for the rural environment, caring for our biodiversity, raising awareness of environmental issues, business caring for our environment, kids who care - youth award and state of the environment reporting.
Nominations close on April 30 and the winners will be announced on World Environment Day, June 5.
My congratulations to Mavis Mullins, of Dannevirke, who has been appointed to the Poutama Trust, which is responsible for providing business development services to Mäori.
John Kahukiwa, Matene Love and Mavis Mullins are new to the trust and have each been appointed for four-year terms.
The Poutama Trust was set up in 1988 as a Charitable Trust to focus on the development of micro and small Mäori businesses to foster an enterprise culture among young Mäori.
It is currently involved in a wide range of activities that strive towards these goals through working strategically with businesses, enterprise agencies, government agencies and key organisations.
For those who continue to contact my offices about the General Agreement on Trade in Services, the New Zealand Government has made public its initial offer for the latest round of negotiations so there shouldn't be any room for misunderstandings or scaremongering.
The offer can be found at www.mfat.govt.nz.
As a matter of interest, public health, public education, and water distribution systems are not included, local councils do not lose their right to regulate in the interests of their communities and the interests of Māori, as reflected in the Treaty of Waitangi, continue to be upheld.
Also there will be no changes to the screening mechanisms for foreign investment and the Kiwishare will not be touched.
Locally many people will be following the progress of the schools reviews both in Masterton and Dannevirke.
Without going into too much detail, I want you all to know that I am following this issue closely and will be staying in touch with both the Ministry of Education and Minister Trevor Mallard.
This is a very important process and we want to make sure that at the end of it we have a robust school system that will serve the needs of our young people well into the future.
The House went into urgency last week to make progress on a stack of legislation and unfortunately I was forced into cancelling some appointments within the electorate on Friday.
I was particularly sorry to have been unable to attend the Sister Cities Conference that day, but was able to make it to the Saturday session with my fellow MP Rick Barker.
Following that I very pleased to see so many people turn out for the second annual Carterton Apple Festival.
Finally my congratulations to Andrew and Alison Watters, of Pahiatua, who were named winners of the Wairarapa-Hawkes Bay sharemilking competition. Good luck in the national finals.
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