|
The House is to go into urgency this week. This means I have had to cancel appointments within the electorate, mainly on Friday.
I find this extremely frustrating, as many engagements have been in my diary for some time, and am particularly disappointed this week as I was booked to speak to a class at Kahutara School about law making and the role of Parliament and attend the official opening of Masterton Primary School.
Also it is bitterly disappointing to have to bow out of speaking and presenting awards at the inaugural Wairarapa Junior Cricket awards.
The awards are aimed at reinforcing the positive role sports play in our young people's lives and I fully support that. Our communities do well when our young people are actively involved in healthy pastimes and sport, be it cricket, rugby, netball or any of the hundreds of less mainstream codes, provides this.
It truly frustrates me when this kind of thing happens but for government MPs leave has been denied and there is not a lot I can do about it.
Environment Minister Marian Hobbs is calling for nominations for the 2004 Green Ribbon environment awards.
Last year was a record in terms of the number and quality of the nominations received and the Minister is keen to encourage more this year.
Last year as recognition of the International Year of Freshwater and the Government's commitment to water in the Sustainable Development Programme of Action, the Minister awarded two special awards in the, Caring for our Lakes, Rivers and Streams category. This category was so popular and so important that she has decided to feature this category again with a focus on freshwater and marine.
The Green Ribbon Award winners show all of us how everyone can make a big difference through their commitment and hard work.
Categories for this year include:
- caring for the urban environment
- caring for the rural environment
- caring for our biodiversity
- raising awareness of environmental issues
- sustainable business
- young people making a difference
- caring for our water - fresh and sea
- excellence in community action for the environment
Nominations close on May 7 and the winners will be announced at the presentation ceremony on June 4. In the past 13 years, 58 individuals, businesses, voluntary organisations, schools and councils from all over New Zealand have been honoured with Green Ribbon Awards.
More information and Green Ribbon nomination forms can be obtained from the Ministry for the Environment's website: www.mfe.govt.nz or by calling 04 917 7400.
A new Bill creating a Charities Commission will increase transparency and accountability in the charities sector.
The Charities Bill, introduced into Parliament last week, establishes a registration, reporting and monitoring system for charities.
This means information on charities will be more accessible to the public, while allowing charities to publicly demonstrate they have been registered as having and maintaining charitable purposes.
We are fortunate that the sector in New Zealand is a reputable one, however, opening it up to greater scrutiny will ensure that the public's confidence and trust in charities is maintained.
Registration with the Commission will be voluntary, but charities wishing to be exempt from tax will need to register.
The Bill is likely to be referred to a Select Committee, which will give the public the opportunity to make submissions.
In recognition of the size of the charitable sector and its interest in this Bill, the Ministry of Economic Development has set up a freephone number and has launched a website.
Interested people can phone 0508 242 748 or 0508 CHARITIES or visit www.charities.govt.nz for more information.
The Association of Non-Governmental Organisations of Aotearoa (ANGOA), in partnership with local community trusts, is also planning a series of briefing meetings on the Bill in 22 locations. Details of these meetings will be posted to the website once known.
The Government intends to have the Bill passed into law late this year. Registrations are likely to be invited from mid-2005. Charitable organisations will then have up to 12 months to register before their tax status is affected.
For more information, visit www.charities.govt.nz
It has been a fairly busy time in Wairarapa over the past few weeks. Last weekend was the Frontier & Western Shooting Sports Association annual world championships Trail's End, which I was pleased to be able to open. It was a great day and very well attended.
Also well attended was the Rock the Park concert in Carterton, where I was able to tie a white ribbon on the tree to commemorate the Rise Above It anti-violence campaign.
Last week was the annual balloon fiesta, which is a real asset to Wairarapa.
Saturday was the launch of Greytown's 150th celebrations and I was proud to represent the Government at the re-enactment of the European settlers arriving in the area. Following that was the tree planting and blessing for the Wairarapa PHO, which a real positive for health care in our area.
Amongst all this I have also been in the Dannevirke end of the electorate and was very pleased to meet people at the RSA when I was there for dinner.
Finally my congratulations to all those who have been working towards the establishment of the whanau centre based at Makoura College. There has been some success with funding for a particular student and I wish him all the best in his continued studies.
|
|
|
