PLENTY TO SAY: National Party leader Judith Collins at Turihaua Angus Stud in Whangara with the party's agriculture spokesman David Bennett and East Coast candidate Tania Tapsell. Mrs Collins also spoke with The Herald on a variety of subjects. Picture by Paul Rickard
THERE will be no more Provincial Growth Fund but a major focus on infrastructure, especially roading, under a National Government, party leader Judith Collins said in Gisborne yesterday.
Mrs Collins was here to launch National's agriculture and horticulture policy and afterwards discussed with The Gisborne Herald what the party would do about regional development, methamphetamine (“P”) addiction, housing and Maori development.
She also talked about the two referendums — end of life choice and cannabis legislation and control — New Zealanders will vote on in the upcoming election.
In regards to regional development, Mrs Collins said “there will be a big focus on infrastructure . . . focusing on the roading that we need here”.
“A particular infrastructure policy for the Gisborne region will be coming very soon. Sorting out the RMA (Resource Management Act) and putting in a better piece of legislation will help.” Mrs Collins said.
National's East Coast electorate candidate Tania Tapsell and infrastructure and transport spokesman Chris Bishop will announce the roading policy in Gisborne.
Speaking about the Heather Simpson report recommending amalgamation of district health boards, Mrs Collins said it was National health spokesman Dr Shane Reti's view that “it doesn't make much sense”.
“If you get a couple of dysfunctional organisations together, you tend to get more dysfunctional amalgamation.
“His view is very clear that there should be encouragement for DHBs to work together on specialities.
“Shuffling the desk chairs won't make a difference. We have seen it with the current Government's policy around amalgamating polytechs.
“I think there are now 26 chief executives in the same organisation, which is bizarre.”
On the topic of methamphetamine addiction, while there were no plans for a residential rehab facility, Mrs Collins said National would put one particular detox bed in every district health board in the country.
“There are only about seven around the whole country, so we want to make sure every DHB has the space to get people detoxed and off it, and then into residential facilities.”
Mrs Collins said the Matrix treatment progamme — modelled on an American programme and trialled in Northland — had had a 60 to 70 percent success rate, which was “enormous”.
Focusing on the supplier was another important part of dealing with “P”, she said.
“There is meth getting into the country through postage and shipping containers through ports. We need more surveillance and more money going into the anti-gang units and police to go after the drivers.”
About housing, Mrs Collins said they wanted to free up the private sector to get them building houses for people to rent and own.
“The RMA reforms are extremely important as it is one of the biggest burdens for anyone trying to develop land into housing.”
“We would also remove the five-year bright-line test which would free up people to sell properties after two years without getting whacked with a big capital gains tax.
“That would encourage people to rent out houses as they will think it's a good investment.”
National would also remove the policy around evicting anti-social tenants that cause “mayhem in streets”.
“It would enable landlords to shift them out on a 90-day notice, rather than needing three evidences from neighbours with written statements about what is going on.”
On the subject of state housing, Mrs Collins, said they would continue with the previous National Government's programme and work with community housing providers, as they were the ones who are out there doing the work, not the Government agency based in Wellington.
Asked about Maori development, she said they did not have a particular Maori development policy yet.
“We need to remember Maori have substantial land holding in Tairawhiti, as well as people to do things,” Mrs Collins said.
“Getting people into jobs is a very important part of what we do and making opportunities available such as apprenticeships and trades academies is very important.”
Asked how she would vote in the referendums, Mrs Collins said: “I'll be voting in support of the End of Life Choice bill and against the recreational use and sale of cannabis use, but I am for it being used for medicinal use.”
Everyone in the National Party had agreed to vote against the cannabis control bill, she said.
■ A National Government will reduce regulatory burden and give farmers confidence for the future.
National leader Judith Collins and Agriculture spokesman David Bennett announced the party's agriculture and horticulture policy in Gisborne yesterday at Turihaua Angus Stud, Whangara.
“Agriculture is responsible for 60 percent of New Zealand's goods exports and is the backbone of our economy,” Mrs Collins said.
“Farmers have enough on their plate with weather, interest rates, and international markets — they shouldn't have to contend with a Government who doesn't understand their sector and restricts their growth.
“New Zealand's reputation as a producer of quality and sustainable agricultural products is well known around the world. When we form the next Government, our pledge is to ensure our agricultural policy focuses on allowing farmers the opportunity to farm their way to better outcomes, rather than being regulated into oblivion.”
National will:
— Repeal the Resource Management Act (RMA) and replace it with an Environmental Standards Act and Planning and Development Act.
— Allow skilled workers and Recognised Seasonal Employer workers to enter New Zealand.
— Create a fast-tracked Primary Sector Visa.
— Repeal or review the nine new water regulations Labour introduced in August.
— Promote water storage options.
— Review the treatment of forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme.
— Remove the exemption that streamlines the process for forestry applications in the Overseas Investment Office test.
— Remove the review process around introducing agriculture into the Emissions Trading Scheme in 2022.
— Pass seven changes to the Zero Carbon Bill, including a review of the methane target.
— Pursue an active free trade agenda to open up new markets for New Zealand's food and fibre products.
—Enforce stronger penalties for biosecurity offences.
—Build the infrastructure to ensure better connectivity for rural communities.
“Labour took farmers for granted,” said Mr Bennett. “Now, as we face an economic crisis, we are seeing just how foolish Labour's treatment of farmers was.
“National's approach to agriculture is simple — allow the sector to thrive by investing in and encouraging innovation, not constraining the sector with excessive regulations.
“There will be a demand for more sustainability in our farming practices. Farmers are up for this challenge and this desire for improvement is clear in farmers' efforts over recent years.
“We'll address the issues around workforce shortages and ensure that primary sector businesses have every opportunity to continue growing and supporting New Zealand's economy.
“National is proud of New Zealand's history as the world's best producer of food and fibre, and we are committed to it being New Zealand's future as well.”