FW: June Newsletter from Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi National ListM.P.

Welcome to our June newsletter.

We are almost at the peak of Winter. Last week temperatures dropped to below 00c
in some parts of the country. However, as promised in my last newsletter the weather
won't stop us from getting on with doing what's best for New Zealand!

On Thursday, May 24 Finance Minister Hon Bill English delivered our Government's
fourth budget. Budget 2012 focuses on the four main priorities outlined by Prime
Minister John Key in his opening address to Parliament this year.

The Budget certainly invests in the future of New Zealand. We are positive that
it will stimulate new jobs and deliver better public services while ensuring that
the New Zealand economy gets back in to surplus by our target year of 2014/15. Returning
back to fiscal surplus will strengthen our economy.

In spite of difficult financial conditions the Finance Minister has ensured that
the Budget continues to allocate money towards better frontline health services.
Our Government has committed almost $1.5 billion towards extra public health services
over the next four years. Our target is to help deliver more operations and shorter
wait times for New Zealanders.

We have also increased annual spending on science and technology by $385 million
over for years. We have committed $511.9 million towards early childhood and schooling
initiatives. In addition this National led Government will invest $59.8 million
towards lifting the quality of teachers through professional development of teachers
and principals.

We are also investing $34 million towards preparing our schools for ultra-fast broadband
and $88.1 million towards building new hospitals as part of our commitment towards
building a brighter future for all New Zealanders.

Towards creating and maintaining safer communities we have made significant investments.
Last term the National-led Government put 600 extra police on the beat - 300 are
in the Counties Manukau region. We have established a new police headquarters recently
in Botany at an investment of $10.2 million along with opening up a new police station
in Otahuhu at a further investment of $8.2 million. The Budget has now set it target
at reducing the reoffending rate by 25 per cent by 2017, and it strongly focuses
on the rehabilitation of current offenders. Our efforts are targeted towards the
reintegration of offenders back in to the society as positive citizens.

Apart from the Budget there are a number of important pieces of legislation being
debated at the moment in Parliament. Of particular interest to many is the Alcohol
Reform Bill. Recently I received a copy of the petition from New Zealand Association
of Dairies, Groceries, and Small Businesses. The petition asks the Government to
maintain a fair and open economy where rules of the business are same for everyone.
Specifically the petition wants the Government to ensure that the same age restrictions
apply to both on and off licensed premises. I have looked carefully at the comments
in the petition and am confident that these will be raised in Parliament as it moves
through the various stages of the House.

My fellow MP Todd McClay and I also met with nurses and nursing student from India.
We discussed the announcement of an NZQA review and international qualification
changes from the Nursing Council of New Zealand. Todd and I assured protestors that
we have raised the issue with the Minister of Health and Minister for Tertiary Education
as we want to ensure fairness for all those studying in New Zealand.

I also met Lt Gen (retired) Bambang Darmono and his team from Indonesia as part
of our engagement with the Indonesian Government. This was arranged by the New Zealand
and Indonesia Friendship group.

Finally, I want to remind you all that I hold regular consultation clinics at my
office on Kolmar Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland. If you would like to provide feedback
or discuss any issues with me please call 09 278 9302 to make an appointment.
Yours sincerely,

1/131, Kolmar Road, Papatoetoe

DDI: +64 9 278 9302

Fax: +64 9 278 2143

www.bakshi.co.nz>