Wagner Nicky: General Debate 
Wagner Nicky: General Debate 
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NICKY WAGNER (National) 
: 
 In the face of the worst recession since the 1930s the National Government is not only managing the economy sensibly and intelligently it is actually tackling the hard issues that underpin our nation’s success in the future. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Eric Roy) 
: I just ask the House to calm down a little bit. We have members on both sides involved in interjections across the House. Members well know that interjections should be rare and reasonable. 
NICKY WAGNER 
: National is actually tackling the hard issues— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. The member has now done it but during the entire time of your ruling when you were on your feet that member did not sit. You were lecturing the House about manners and members behaving themselves and she stood right through your ruling. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Eric Roy) 
: That is a timely reminder. Members must sit. 
NICKY WAGNER 
: Thank you Mr Assistant Speaker. Thank you Mr Mallard. National is— 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. This should not be primer 1 for a member who has been here for some time. It is inappropriate it is wrong and it has often been ruled out for members to comment on rulings and points of order that have been ruled on. 
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Eric Roy) 
: I did caution a member on the Government side for making points of order that break up a speech. Although the member may be correct and I am not disputing that he is correct I do not think there was any malice in what the member did. In essence that is why that ruling is there; it was just an acknowledgment. Let us all take a deep breath and continue. 
NICKY WAGNER 
: National is actually tackling the hard issues that will underpin the nation’s success in the future unlike Labour members and their flogging of petty issues bickering amongst themselves and making personal attacks against hard-working Government officials. Although we are in the sixth quarter of recession we are better off than many OECD countries. Our unemployment rate is lower and our business confidence is holding up. Much of that is to do with the fact that we have agriculture and tourism underpinning our economy rather than manufacturing. As we tighten our belts the world can wait for another year for us to upgrade our car or TV but we all have to eat and drink. It is reassuring to see our trade surplus inch up and our exports rise albeit slowly. 
As an MP in Christchurch my work is absolutely focused on improving the quality of life for the people in my home town and I see lots to be positive about. I believe that Christchurch people will have a better lifestyle better opportunities and a better future under National. The initiatives that we have introduced in the last 9 months say it all in stark contrast to the last 9 years where the safe Labour seats in Christchurch had been badly neglected. Christchurch Central people tell me that they want a safer healthier and more prosperous lifestyle. I support their aspirations and National is totally focused on delivering them. 
In terms of having a safer city the commissioning of more police and more probation officers is a great contribution from central government but equally important are the actions of our local police our council and our local businesses. By working together in the last few months we have been able to reduce violence in our central city area by 36 percent on the weekends. We are not satisfied with that; we have initiatives to do more. National’s Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart home-insulation programme is just made for Christchurch. Low temperatures and a city built on a swamp mean many of our homes are too cold and too damp to be healthy. I am keenly encouraging my constituents to use the scheme to upgrade their homes to make them healthier and to keep our city working. I thank all those insulation and heating companies that are working flat out to meet the demand and creating new jobs in Christchurch every day. 
Another positive health initiative for our city is the voluntary bonding system for young doctors nurses and midwives. It will help ensure that there are enough health professionals working in our city and it will also help retain our young graduates to keep our city alive vital and growing. 
 This week the Prime Minister announced the seven projects for New Zealand’s great cycle rides. In my area we already have the Little River Rail Trail and several more rides will be added to the South Island cycle network. Christchurch will be the tourist gateway for these great rides. Of course Christchurch people will be able to enjoy the recreational and health benefits from these cycleways themselves but they will also bring great economic benefits to New Zealand firstly from the construction jobs then from attracting hundreds maybe even thousands of tourists—tourists who have to eat drink sleep and shop in our city every day along the way.