Wagner Nicky: Budget Debate 
Wagner Nicky: Budget Debate 
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NICKY WAGNER (National) 
: 
 I am delighted to speak in support of Budget 2011 because it is a prudent common-sense Budget for difficult times. It is another step in National’s plan to build a better future for New Zealanders. It does exactly what National promised when it was voted into Government in 2008. We promised to provide responsible economic management and we have. We promised to build a stronger economy with a focus on savings and investments and we have. We promised to protect the most vulnerable from the rough edges of the international recession and we have done that too. Budget 2011 continues to build a strong platform for growth. Importantly it cuts borrowing and sets a path to surplus by 2014 or 2015. It helps lift national savings but it also protects our most vulnerable families. It invests heavily in health and education and it supports the rebuild of Canterbury. 
As a one-eyed Cantabrian born and bred in Christchurch the funding for the recovery after our earthquakes is the best news. The $8.8 billion—and that includes the ACC and Earthquake Commission payments—will underpin the rebuilding of the city and the province. It reinforces the Prime Minister’s commitment that the rebuild of Christchurch is one of the most important things this Government will do this year and into the future. Research tells us that after any disaster maintaining the confidence of the people the institutions and the businesses is critical. This financial commitment comes just at the right time for Cantabrians. We can now be confident that our city will have the resources and the full support of the Government and the people of New Zealand. We know that the recovery will be a long haul but we are up for it. We really appreciate the long-term support from everyone. There is $5.5 billion allocated to the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Fund over the next 6 years and that fund will be underpinned by Earthquake Kiwi Bonds. These bonds will allow New Zealand residents to help Christchurch by providing money for the rebuild. The bonds will provide a solid investment with a safe return which will appeal to many New Zealanders looking for secure investments. Actually it is a good new investment opportunity. 
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Fund will be used to rebuild infrastructure including schools and health facilities and provide temporary housing for displaced families and it can be used for training welfare business support and the costs of the central business district demolition. The Budget also provides $25 million for the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority over 2 years to help the authority lead the rebuild. The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority took over from civil defence at the end of April and it is leading the recovery. It has performed very well under the temporary leadership of John Ombler. The permanent chief executive officer Roger Sutton takes up his position next Monday and we are all looking forward to that. The permanent positions in the authority have been advertised. The authority has an enormous challenge ahead of it but I believe it will work well with the people of Christchurch and we will get an excellent outcome particularly now that it has been effectively resourced. There is also funding for the rebuilding of the people of Canterbury. There is $10 million for social support to rebuild lives and communities. There is also funding for 4500 construction-related training positions including 1500 new places to begin immediately worth $42 million. 
The Budget has given the people of Canterbury the confidence to stay in the region and to get on with the recovery and it is full speed ahead. Many people are beginning to see some positives and that there are some silver linings in our situation. A constituent visited my office last week and said that the good thing about the earthquake was that he now had a job. The funding from Budget 2011 ensures that the recession is over for Christchurch and that our city will have a brighter future. We are already beginning to pick up the pieces. Retail spending is back to 95 percent of normal having dropped to 60 percent after the February quake. Many businesses are doing very well and the suburbs are booming. Our regional ports have increased activity and although the job market suffered post-quake it has quickly rebounded. The rebound has been driven by both construction and information technology roles and in April there was an increase in advertisements for all jobs. There is actually a new increase too in the number of new companies that have been registered this year. 
Of course the disaster has caused job losses but the Government earthquake support subsidy was very successful in bridging the employment gap. Since it has finished despite fears that thousands could be out of work only 750 Cantabrians have gone on the unemployment benefit. It is very positive to see that just last week 255 Cantabrians went off the benefit and into work. My constituent was right; there are more jobs around. It has been great to see large corporates making new investments in Christchurch. Both Coca-Cola Amatil and Kathmandu are investing in new facilities that will employ local people and that is very encouraging. The Government has also just announced the roll-out of ultra-fast broadband. That will provide a positive boost to businesses and organisations throughout the region. It will support the many new ways of doing business that we are exploring in Christchurch right now and it will assist us to become a better more prosperous and more sustainable city. 
All in all Budget 2011 is a great Budget. It is a great Budget for all New Zealanders but more important to me it is a great Budget for earthquake-shattered Canterbury and Christchurch. I thank the Prime Minister John Key and the Minister of Finance Bill English. Christchurch and Canterbury will repay their confidence by rebuilding the second-largest city in our country to be safer more beautiful and more sustainable so that once again Canterbury will be an efficient and effective gateway to the South Island and will deliver financially for New Zealand way beyond our population numbers.