More jobs, better infrastructure and a healthier economy
We are starting to turn soil and put firm policies in place to ensure that economic development continues during these tough financial times.
The National-led Government has announced and implemented a range of initiatives which are designed to create jobs and boost our economy.
Last week, we announced the new Business Migrant package, which will make it easier for investors and entrepreneurs to come to New Zealand and provide capital to Kiwi businesses and ventures.
By making it easier for investors to do business in New Zealand, we can make our country more attractive to people from a range of countries - including Asia.
Unlike the previous Labour government's $20 million threshold for investor migrants - which since 2007 had only 23 people qualify and only two successful applicants in the $20 million category - The National-led Government is committed to making our country attractive to investors and entrepreneurs.
It makes sense to make it attractive for business people to come to New Zealand and contribute to our economy.
Given the current economic climate, we must ensure that we create jobs and expand businesses to the benefit of all New Zealanders - which is something the Business Migrant policy can do.
Shame on the Labour opposition for the fact they fail to come up with any practical solutions.
Their leader Phil Goff wanted to start with extending welfare to millionaires and people who have investment properties.
And their finance spokesperson David Cunliffe is the person behind Labour's failed $20 million investor migrant policy and has suggested that the age for superannuation entitlements should be raised.
They both have now gone quiet on these unworkable ideas.
Unlike Labour, we will not be raising the age of superannuation - in fact Prime Minister Hon John Key has stood up in Parliament and promised to resign as leader if National ever raised the age of superannuation.
As well as introducing the new Business Migrant policy, we are also committed to creating jobs through our $7 billion infrastructure package.
We have already begun to start turning the soil on projects, which will not only create jobs - but will also improve the infrastructure of New Zealand.
Work is starting on the Kopu Bridge - a $47 million project to improve traffic flow into the Coromandel, which will create jobs for 50 people and provide work for 100 other people involved in supplying materials and providing support services.
We have also made significant roads into freeing up the bottleneck at Victoria Park in Auckland, choosing a contractor, who is due to start construction in November.
It is estimated that 120 people will be working on the project within six months and this will rise to about 300 by the middle of next year and maintained until the project is finished.
Prime Minister Hon John Key has also announced a $9 million "Quick Start" programme to begin work on seven earmarked areas along the New Zealand Cycleway this summer.
If all seven tracks go ahead it is estimated close to 300 jobs will be created from the construction, with that rising to more than 500 per year as supporting businesses are developed.
It is crucial that we use this economic slowdown to work on infrastructure that not only creates jobs, but also benefits New Zealanders and makes our great nation a more enjoyable place to live.
