Hearing your views
Ihave been enjoying getting about and understanding what matters to you during this election campaign. For my last article before you cast your candidate and party votes, I’m noting some of the key issues you’ve raised.
Top of the list: economic recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Labour and I believe the best economic response is a strong health response. Protecting your health and wellbeing, and stamping out the virus, means our economy gets going again faster. Moreover, unlike National’s reckless austerity plan, Labour, as Jacinda Ardern recently stated, “will be as relentless in the pursuit of people’s economic wellbeing as it has been in trying to eliminate the virus”.
Our five-point rebuild better plan is already in motion. The Western Bay is in a great position to capitalise on this.
The next big issue: roading proposals for SH2. We know Labour is already delivering on this for the people on the Ōmokoroa peninsula, investing $14m towards a $28m roading and water infrastructure package in partnership with the
District Council. I’m surprisingly impressed with the road widening and safety upgrades between Waihī and Ōmokoroa, which emphasise saving lives rather than commute times. I see this as a far more effective use of the taxpayer dollar than superhighways and National’s plan to build a 4-lane superhighway between Waihī and Tauranga.
However, I do not understand why funding has not been found for the much-needed Katikati bypass. I realise why local cynicism is considerable given the many promises made, and that National had the opportunity over nine long years in government, but nothing happened other than promises. I promise nothing but trying to break the status quo: organising loud collective voice across the community, allied with neighbouring Labour MPs, to debate strongly the transport funding priorities in government’s standing committees.
My thanks to Lizard editor Matthew for his willingness to engage his resources to support the democratic process by publishing my articles. This community is well served in having an independent media voice attentive to the local community.