Central Districts Times
There has been much going on in Parliament this week, and I have also been busy around the electorate. I would like to talk about a couple of matters that have been very topical recently, they are superannuation and the new initiatives around youth employment. They both emphasise the importance of growing the economy, which this Government is continuing to prioritise.
The first is on the matter of superannuation and the age of entitlement. And I have received a lot of comment to the extent that in this electorate the entitlement to superannuation has, and will be earned and should be retained and this is in line with the policy of the National Party. We will continue to maintain the married rate of superannuation at 66% of the average wage and on our watch the age of eligibility will remain at 65. It is interesting to note that super has gone up by 22%, or $194 a fortnight, for a married couple since 1 April 2008.The other topic, again the subject of electorate discussion is the newly released policy by the Minister of Youth Affairs, Job Streams. It is a simpler more flexible business focussed package of employment programmes. Job Streams invests $62 million into two new work streams. The first, Flexi-wage, provides flexible wage subsidies up to a maximum of $21,060 per year for those at highest risk of staying on the benefit long term. Employers can use some of the funding for training, mentoring or in-work support.
The second new work stream is Skills for industry. This is short job focussed training for specific employment opportunities, with a subsidy of up to $7,000 per person. This will ensure these people are ready for work.
I spent half a day with the Law and Order Committee visiting Rimutaka Prison last week, which was very informative and interesting. I can assure you that this prison is very well run and the rehabilitation programmes put in place looked very good. I’m sure they will help prisoners to reintegrate into their communities at the end of their sentences. I am equally as sure that having been to visit, I have no desire to be housed there. You can take it from me that prison is indeed prison.
One last thing: Volunteer week this week and it’s great to see businesses, like BP, getting behind our volunteers.
The first is on the matter of superannuation and the age of entitlement. And I have received a lot of comment to the extent that in this electorate the entitlement to superannuation has, and will be earned and should be retained and this is in line with the policy of the National Party. We will continue to maintain the married rate of superannuation at 66% of the average wage and on our watch the age of eligibility will remain at 65. It is interesting to note that super has gone up by 22%, or $194 a fortnight, for a married couple since 1 April 2008.The other topic, again the subject of electorate discussion is the newly released policy by the Minister of Youth Affairs, Job Streams. It is a simpler more flexible business focussed package of employment programmes. Job Streams invests $62 million into two new work streams. The first, Flexi-wage, provides flexible wage subsidies up to a maximum of $21,060 per year for those at highest risk of staying on the benefit long term. Employers can use some of the funding for training, mentoring or in-work support.
The second new work stream is Skills for industry. This is short job focussed training for specific employment opportunities, with a subsidy of up to $7,000 per person. This will ensure these people are ready for work.
I spent half a day with the Law and Order Committee visiting Rimutaka Prison last week, which was very informative and interesting. I can assure you that this prison is very well run and the rehabilitation programmes put in place looked very good. I’m sure they will help prisoners to reintegrate into their communities at the end of their sentences. I am equally as sure that having been to visit, I have no desire to be housed there. You can take it from me that prison is indeed prison.
One last thing: Volunteer week this week and it’s great to see businesses, like BP, getting behind our volunteers.
