Simon Bridges National MP simonbridges.co.nz

Sun, surf and sausages

In the last few days before Christmas, let me wish you a very happy time with friends and loved ones, hopefully enjoying sun, surf and barbequed sausages.

Christmas is, of course, a good time to look back on the year that has been and to also think about the year ahead.

2012 has been an extremely busy year. The Government has set a target to get the public books back to surplus in 2014/15 and start paying off debt.
Despite difficult conditions and an uncertain world economy, we're putting the right conditions in place to give businesses confidence to invest, expand, and create jobs. Our economy grew 2.6 per cent over the year to June – the fastest since 2007. There are 65,000 more people in work than three years ago. After-tax wages are up 20 per cent since 2008, which means more money in people's pockets.
We're delivering better public services. Each year, our hospitals are doing a further 7000 elective surgeries. For the first time, national standards reporting in schools is showing parents that 70 per cent of children are achieving the standard in reading, writing, and maths.
We're providing 12,000 more tertiary places compared with 2008, and now half of all Kiwis have a tertiary qualification. Our streets and communities are safer, with the lowest crime rate in 30 years.
And we're doing what it takes to rebuild Christchurch. We're investing $5.5 billion into the rebuild, with almost half spent on critical infrastructure repairs.

Personally, I'm optimistic for New Zealand in 2013. I acknowledge that not all New Zealanders are doing well and the on-going impact of big events such as the Canterbury earthquakes and Psa are certainly still with us all. But New Zealand is a great country selling great products and services to the world to pay our way and ensure good public services and lifestyles at home. I look forward to more progress next year.

Portfolio responsibilities

After a break over Christmas, I look forward to working hard in Tauranga next year and doing more in my portfolio responsibilities as a minister of the crown. In transport, I will be working on a number of safety initiatives to bring the road toll down further and in the climate change issues portfolio I will continue to work with minister Tim Groser to ensure continuity and progress.

As Minister of Consumer Affairs, I look forward to passing the largest consumer law reform bill in over quarter of a century. It updates laws such as the Fair Trading Act and the Consumer Guarantees Act, making them fit for purpose in the 21st century. Before the year is ended I will also try to pass consumer credit legislation that will toughen the laws applying to loan sharks and introduce a concept of responsible lending.

Let me finish this column as I started it. Have a happy and safe Christmas. See you in 2013.