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Plain English - Budget 2012

Plain English - Budget 2012

31 May 2012

Budget 2012: Investing in our future

Last week I delivered our fourth Budget. This year's Budget is about supporting New Zealanders in uncertain times and investing in our future. It keeps the Government's books on track to surplus in 2014/15, invests in better public services, and builds a strong platform for future growth. The Budget delivers on the Government's four main priorities for this term of government.

• Responsibly managing the Government's finances.

• Building a more productive and competitive economy.

• Delivering better public services within tight financial constraints.

• Rebuilding Christchurch.

Once again, the Budget strikes a balance - it sets a path back to surplus, continues to protect vulnerable New Zealanders, and supports a growing economy that generates more jobs and better incomes. For more information: http://www.national.org.nz/budget2012.aspx

On the road

I've been pretty busy since delivering the Budget in Parliament on 24 May, with meetings and briefings around the country.

It's good to be down south again for a Budget briefing breakfast in Gore tomorrow morning. Then I'm heading to Queenstown for a Budget lunch.

I'm also looking forward to celebrating tonight the New Zealand Country Music Awards in Gore - the home of country music.

Around the electorate

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Clutha Southland has enjoyed great autumn weather with pastures looking healthy for this time of year.

I recently had the pleasure of opening an administration block at Northern Southland College in Lumsden and the Junior Block Redevelopment at Rosebank Primary School in Balclutha. It was great to be on hand the day Northern Southland College was connected to ultra-fast broadband, which is another tool to help prepare our young people for life in the modern economy. And the haka was one of the best I have seen.

The Gore District Council held a settling-in function and immigration report launch. It's great to see the diverse cultures we now have working in the area. Ministry of Social Development and the Gore District Council are to be congratulated on holding of this event as many of these people had never met previously. The report will help us to understand the difficulties immigrants face when arriving in New Zealand to work on our farms and in business.

I've also caught up with the CEOs and managers of coal and gold mines in Southland. A site visit to Waikaia Gold and a catch up with the stakeholders was very positive. The communities support these ventures as they bring economic development and jobs into the areas. Takitimu mining operations at Nightcaps, where Bathurst is mining hard coal and shipping it out of Bluff, was well worth the visit and site inspection. I also checked out the L & M gas exploration site at Ohai.

It was great to get down to the electorate for Anzac Day, attending the dawn parade in Gore and a function at the local RSA before travelling to Waikaka for the Anzac parade.

And on May 12 I attended the Century Farm and Station Awards in Lawrence. This year 25 families lined up for an award, four of which were celebrating their sesquicentennial which is over 150 years in the same family.

I always enjoy attending this event where we celebrate the family farm and the tremendous stories these families can share about their history.
ends

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