JO GOODHEW MP for Rangitata

Budget 2013 – Building Momentum
I believe that Budget 2013 shows that the Government remains intent on responsible financial management to restrict debt for the generations that follow us.
Businesses in Mid and South Canterbury are showing some positive results while families are watching their budgets carefully and making the most of the lowest interest rates in fifty years.

Rangitata Youth MP selected

 I have selected 17 year old Courtney Buckman from Craighead Diocesan School as my representative for Youth Parliament 2013.

ANZAC Day

Anzac Day is a time to reflect and pay tribute to our ANZAC veterans. This Anzac Day I will attend the dawn service in Ashburton then the Citizen's Service in Timaru.

More than 2700 New Zealanders lost their lives serving as part of the Australia New Zealand Army Corps that landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. 

Drought shows need for irrigation projects
The drought affecting much of New Zealand has emphasised the need for irrigation projects to store and distribute water. Here in Mid and South Canterbury we already know this. The fact we already have a number of small and large irrigation projects has sheltered much of the region from the worst effects of this summer's drought.

Timaru MRI Unveiled

I was privileged and delighted recently to participate in the official opening of South Canterbury's new MRI scanner suite.

US & Canada trip

On Saturday 3 March I left for a week-long visit to the USA and Canada. The main purpose of the visit was to attend the UN Commission on the Status of Women in order to present New Zealand’s ‘Country Statement’.

Looking for a Youth MP

I have just begun looking for a young person to step into my shoes for the 2013 Youth Parliament in July.

Youth Parliament 2013 is a significant opportunity for young New Zealanders to share their views and the views of their peers with the country's decision-makers.   Held once every parliamentary term, Youth Parliament gives young people the opportunity to understand and participate in Parliament and the decision-making process. 

Looking for a Youth MP

I have just begun looking for a young person to step into my shoes for the 2013 Youth Parliament in July.

Youth Parliament 2013 is a significant opportunity for young New Zealanders to share their views and the views of their peers with the country's decision-makers.   Held once every parliamentary term, Youth Parliament gives young people the opportunity to understand and participate in Parliament and the decision-making process. 

School bus safety

School buses in the Ashburton district are to trial active signage on buses in a project aimed at improving safety for children crossing the road to get to and from the bus.

I welcome any initiative which makes it safer for our rural children to get on and off their school buses safely. The bright flashing lights being trialled will alert drivers to a 20kn/hr speed limit while passing a bus which has stopped to allow children to get on or off.

The Road Safety Trust has funded Transport Engineering Research New Zealand (TERNZ) $415,864 for pilot school bus speed management initiatives. As part of their project they will install LED 20km/h speed limit signs to a fleet of school buses in the district as part of a school bus speed management programme. 

A very happy New Year to you and a warm welcome to my first newsletter for 2013!

The year is already well underway and Parliament meets for the first time this week.

You will probably know by now that the Prime Minister has asked me to accept a new role as Associate Minister for Primary Industries as an addition to my existing portfolios. I am very excited about this new challenge and involvement in a sector which is of such high importance in the Rangitata electorate.

The End of a Busy Year
2012 is now almost behind us and as we put our minds towards Christmas preparations it is time to reflect on a busy and challenging year.

After settling into work following last year's election, I have enjoyed getting to grips with the increased workload and responsibility my Ministerial portfolios have brought while remaining mindful of representing my Rangitata constituents as MP.

It has certainly been a busy year and while the National-led Government has not taken its foot off the accelerator in keeping its legislative programme on track, there has been much happening in the electorate also.

As I look back through this year's diary several significant events stand out.