The Star: September 21, 2017

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16 Thursday September 21 2017 Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi The Star ELECTION COUNTDOWN Christchurch political heavyweights Garry Moore, Tracey McLellan, Sam MacDonald, Roger Bridge, Nicky Wagner and Megan Woods give their opinions on the election and the way forward for New Zealand (pages 16,17,19,20, 24). On page 23 Mayor Lianne Dalziel chimes in with her view Let us start dreaming again Garry Moore is a former Christchurch mayor and Labour Party life member IT’S TIME for a change. Remember our individual struggles getting EQC to treat us seriously? At one stage, I reckoned that if EQC came back to our place often enough we would end up owing them money. The faults they found in our place labelled “pre-existing” was unbelievable. We stood there defenceless, feeling like a criminal trying to rip them off. We succeeded against EQC when we hired an expensive professional adviser who proved what we had been saying all along was true. We all have tales of friends, or neighbours, who have suffered dreadfully at the hands of EQC, and insurance companies. Some died before they were reimbursed. That’s not fair. That’s not a decent society. That’s why I want a Royal Commission into EQC. I don’t want to see my friends and relatives in Wellington repeating our experience when it’s their turn for a quake. We have the most convoluted planning structures here. They were imposed on us. Now we need to say how we want to run things ourselves, with our own structures, accountable to Christchurch, not to Wellington. Of implementing the ideas of all ages and all cultures; of having fun as we plan again. Remember ‘Share an Idea’? Let’s do that again with all the big challenges. Let’s get all of our suburbs fully restored and future-proofed. Like using the red zone to plan for our gradual retreat from the coast over the next 80 years, assisting our successors when they face the inevitable results of global warming. Imagine Christchurch as an international beacon for the world in 21 st -century planning. Let us start dreaming again. Remember when we were called the People’s Republic of Christchurch and we loved it? We saw ourselves as different. We had pride in our city and we accepted we did things our way. Let’s do it again. Let’s dream of cleaning up our rivers. Of constructing small, affordable, homes throughout our city. Of enhancing our parks and expanding our libraries. Of planning, jointly with Ngai Tahu, carefully all the major issues in front of us. Together. Not in secret. Of growing the number of small businesses and having our own immigration policy and encouraging thousands of young families from around the globe to move here to use our seaport, our airport and our dataport, all of which we own as a community, to trade with the world. To be a city rich in diversity. Imagine a city where our kids thrive because they are well-housed, well-fed and welleducated. Attracting families to Christchurch because it isn’t just hi-tech; but because of its fundamental commitment to people. That’s why I’m voting Labour this election. Labour’s key election Here’s a snapshot of Labour’s key policies: Water The introduction of a royalty on freshwater of about 2c per 1000-litres for commercial users. The revenue would be spent on cleaning up waterways. It will set stricter national standards on freshwater quality, and within five years would exclude all intensively farmed livestock from waterways. Immigration Cut net immigration numbers by abut 20-30,000 annually, including partly reducing the number of international students studying low-level courses. A stricter labour market test would also be introduced so Kiwis are hired before those from overseas. Affordable Housing Aims to build 100,000 homes costing between $300,000- $600,000 in 10 years – half in Auckland. Foreigners living abroad would be banned from buying existing homes. Health It will cut GP fees by $10 a visit, as well as $8 GP visits for community services card holders. Increase resources for frontline health workers making it easier for those with mental health issues to get help. In the first 100 days, Labour says it will initiate a review of mental health and addiction services. Education Offer three years of free post-school education in either tertiary education, training or apprenticeships, available from 2025. Schools that stopped asking for “voluntary” donations would be paid $150 per pupil. The charter or partnership school model and National Standards would be abolished and NCEA would be reviewed, while school operations funding would be increased. ONLY 2 WEEKS TO GET YOUR TICKETS! 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The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Thursday September 21 2017 17 ELECTION COUNTDOWN policies Crime Over three years, increase the number of police officers by 1000. Tax Reverse National’s proposed tax cuts, eliminate secondary tax, and tax the sale of properties other than the family home. Clamp down on tax loopholes letting property speculators offset losses from their rentals against other income to avoid paying tax, to help first home buyers. It will set up a tax working group to look at a capital gains tax, which if recommended, would not be implemented until after 2020. Key promises for Christchurch: Transport Labour says it will commit an extra $100 million from the National Land Transport Fund to greater Christchurch multimodal public transport, including commuter rail from Rolleston to the central city. Health Eighty health professionals would provide mental health services in primary and intermediate schools in Christchurch and earthquakeaffected parts of Canterbury for an initial three years. It would also run a two-year pilot programme in eight areas, including in Christchurch, so more people can access help. Rebuild Labour says it would put $300 million into Christchurch, where it wants the money to be invested. In partnership with the city council, the fund would be spent on future projects, subject to compelling business cases showing returns to the city. It is also promising to restore full democracy to Environment Canterbury, hold a Royal Commission of Inquiry into EQC, establish an arbitration tribunal to fast track insurance issues resolutions, and speed up the schools rebuild programme. Mood for a change Tracey McLellan is a Christchurchbased Labour Party council member WHY DO we need a Labour-led Government? New Zealand is a fantastic country and we need a Labourled Government to make the most of it: New ideas, positive leadership, and a genuine commitment to addressing the growing problems we face. National have had nine years in Government and they are clearly out of steam. I’m scared of dogs. I only mention this because you come across plenty of them when door-knocking. Most people reassure you it’s okay because their dog is friendly, which isn’t always obvious. Nevertheless, I door knock because it’s the best way to find out what’s important to people and gauge the mood – and there is a mood for change. This weekend I spoke with a woman who was genuinely excited she voted Labour. She had before but not recently. She said housing was the reason and she was hopeful and excited that Jacinda was going to be the next Prime Minister. Mental health is the most frequently raised concern, and people have been extremely generous sharing their stories. Mental health will be a priority of the next Labour Government. We’ll review mental health services and plan to better look after those who need help, and to support our amazing health workers to do their valuable work. People really love to talk about water. It’s absolutely imperative that we restore our rivers and lakes to a truly swimmable state within a generation and Labour’s water royalty gives regional councils the resources to clean up waterways. Here in Christchurch, we know only too well what a lack of action feels and looks like. Labour is committed to speeding up the rebuild and healing the hurt across mental health, education and insurance worries. We’ll fund extra mental health professionals across primary and intermediate schools; accelerate the schools rebuild programme, and establish an arbitration tribunal to finally fast track insurance resolutions. We have to reach a workable settlement with city council to provide more certainty around the anchor projects. The $300 million on the table for projects that benefit the city’s future is a great idea and means we get to decide locally what that looks like. Importantly, Labour is committed to restoring full democracy to Environment Canterbury. Growing up, I remember Mr Wright, our principal who had a fondness for telling stories about New Zealand. I felt proud and very lucky. It was not wasted on me that the heroic changes and best ideas were credited to Labour governments. It seemed then, and I know it’s true now, that Labour is about getting things done. I’m convinced that we can’t afford to stick with the status quo – and now feels like the right time for change – so let’s do this. IMPROVE ANIMAL WELLBEING Imagine being able to use your knowledge and skills to work with animals, managing and improving their health and wellbeing. With a qualification in animal science from Ara, this can be your future. And we’ll help make it happen - with expert tutors, excellent animal care facilities, flexible study options and strong industry connections for work placements and employment opportunities. Apply now for Animal Science, start February. ara.ac.nz CHRISTCHURCH | ASHBURTON | TIMARU | OAMARU | ONLINE
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The Star: September 21, 2017

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