Dean Jacqui: General Debate 
Dean Jacqui: General Debate 
[Volume:654;Page:3871] 
JACQUI DEAN (National—Waitaki) 
: 
 I will talk about the Budget. This National Government came into power at the end of 2008 with a very very strong vision for the future and that vision was about jobs and growth. I am very excited at the prospect of the Minister of Finance Bill English delivering his first Budget tomorrow. 
But first before I talk about the Budget I will congratulate Minister Judith Collins and Minister Steven Joyce on the excellent initiative they have taken to tackle the issue of boy racers. The Opposition might not think that it is terribly important to tackle that issue but I believe it is. I believe that the long-suffering people of Christchurch and people up and down the country who live in fear of boy racers finally have some direction from these two excellent Ministers. The problem was too hard for the previous Labour Government. It tried but it was just too hard. It did the window dressing but the real work has been left up to this excellent National Government. 
But I need to talk about the Budget because that is the most important thing happening this week. This Budget is about jobs. This Budget continues to implement the National Government’s job and growth plan for New Zealand. That is why we won the election. We won the election because we have the vision the strength and the commitment to carry out our jobs and growth plan for New Zealand. This Budget will continue to support New Zealanders on low incomes by maintaining the entitlements they receive. That is so important and it is news that has been welcomed in all quarters. 
We already know a couple of things about tomorrow’s Budget and there are one or two things I would like to highlight this afternoon. One of those things is State Highway improvements to the tune of $1 billion. That is significant—$1 billion. That investment will translate into jobs for New Zealand. That is significant. The people of New Zealand have not been forgotten. I was terribly excited to hear of the improvements in maternity services worth $103.5 million. We care about young mothers. The National Government cares about young mothers so we are committing money in the Budget to improving maternity services. But I have to say that the announcement on the New Zealand cycleway project will have a real impact on jobs in New Zealand. How do I know that? Because in my own electorate we have the Otago Central Rail Trail. Over the past 10 years the Otago Central Rail Trail has provided real economic benefit not just to Central Otago but to New Zealand as a whole. Why? Because the Otago Central Rail Trail which was developed with community passion and involvement is providing jobs—in the hospitality sector the bike retail sector and the tourism sector. A number of farming families were struggling. Those farming families have now taken the opportunity to provide hospitality and accommodation to travellers. There is a real economic renewal happening in Central Otago and with that comes a confidence in the future of New Zealand. It is that confidence that is so important to New Zealand and that confidence that the Budget that is to be delivered tomorrow will bring to New Zealand. 
A number of other announcements have already been made in advance of tomorrow’s Budget 2009. There will be $20 million allocated for oil and gas exploration. The National Government knows about sustainability. The National Government also knows about economic growth. Here is yet another example of a Government that is prepared to make the hard calls for the good of New Zealand. The police have not been forgotten. There will be Tasers for police throughout the country to the tune of $10 million. That has already been announced as being part of Budget 2009.