Macindoe Tim: General Debate 
Macindoe Tim: General Debate 
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TIM MACINDOE (National—Hamilton West) 
: 
 I am very happy to tell Mr Shearer who has just resumed his seat that I spent last Saturday afternoon knocking on the doors of Melville and Frankton in the wonderful Hamilton West electorate. Even though it was a beautiful sunny day in the winterless Waikato it was not just that radiant sunshine that left me with a warm and happy feeling. Both Melville and Frankton are traditionally Labour-leaning areas but judging by the response I was getting last Saturday I have to say that members opposite should be worried—they should be very worried indeed. 
Darien Fenton 
: Don’t be arrogant. 
TIM MACINDOE 
: There is nothing arrogant about this I say to Ms Fenton; it is simply realistic. I was getting the response that I have been getting consistently in recent months and that is a very realistic one. Everybody knows that times are tough and everybody knows there are real issues out there that people are grappling with. But the thing I am detecting everywhere I go is a very realistic mood and a strong sense of appreciation that the Government is on the right path focusing on the things that matter and delivering policies that will make a difference and see us back into growth out of debt and providing a much brighter future for New Zealand. 
People in my electorate tell me how grateful they are for the way our Government has stood by the people of Canterbury. I get that comment a lot. People tell me they are delighted that we are committed to reining in Government spending to prevent our debt from spiralling out of control. They are delighted that we are intervening in very positive ways in the lives of youth at risk and those who are in danger of being long-term welfare beneficiaries. These are the things that matter out in my electorate. 
Carol Beaumont 
: I can’t believe you’re happy about 58000 young people being unemployed. 
TIM MACINDOE 
: I say to Ms Beaumont that I had a very similar experience a couple of weeks ago when I spoke to a Grey Power audience in my electorate. Again Grey Power is not a traditional National Party audience but what a wonderful delightful group it was. That audience and so many others told me that despite the huge challenges that we have faced as a Government—and they know what they are—they are thrilled that we have rolled up our sleeves and tackled the things that matter and that they can see we are delivering in a host of important areas. The public recognise and appreciate these facts and most importantly—and this is what they were telling me on the doorsteps in my electorate—they have no desire whatsoever to go back to Labour’s failed policies of borrow and hope and tax and spend. They know that Labour’s prescription will discourage private saving and investment increase bureaucracy and red tape and propel our doctors and other skilled graduates off to London and Sydney. 
So I am very pleased that our Minister of Education kicked off today’s debate by speaking about the success of and the huge increase in the number of trades academies. Last week I was privileged to speak at the graduation of the very first intake of the Waikato Institute of Technology or Wintec of its trades academy. I was particularly pleased when I spoke to the students who told me that as a result of doing those courses they were much more motivated at school. Their tutors told me that attendance was almost at 100 percent and the few absences were absolutely genuine and not only that but the attitude and application of the students has been first rate. They have appreciated the opportunity they have got stuck in and they now have a real sense of purpose and hope. They are responding to a great initiative. Is it not fantastic that this Government has increased—by doubling—the number of new trades academies for next year? I say well done to Anne Tolley and well done to this Government; that is a great thing for our country. 
There are other significant developments in my city that I want to tell members about. We in Hamilton are leading the way in the roll-out of ultra-fast broadband and I am thrilled about that. We have committed as a Government $1.2 billion to our ultra-fast broadband initiative which will see fibre rolled out to 50000 premises around New Zealand in the next 12 months including schools hospitals and businesses. I am delighted that Hamilton is leading the way in this initiative. Just last week I was pounding the streets in Forest Lake. I have done a lot of walking. Members can see that it has taken pounds off me and I am absolutely delighted; I am no longer the size that I was. But there I was out in Forest Lake and I met the technicians who were literally on the footpath delivering the high fibre to the gate and it was fantastic. I was able to have a chat with them and to say thank you for what they were doing and that it would make a huge difference. Together over the 8½-year roll-out the Crown’s partnerships around the country will deliver about 25000 kilometres of fibre— 
Dr Cam Calder 
: How much? 
TIM MACINDOE 
: —25000 kilometres of cable—enabling connections to about 1.1 million homes over 100000 businesses in excess of 1300 schools and 6000 medical facilities. 
I would love to talk about the health initiatives that are happening. There is also a great development of our university campus and new buildings and classroom refurbishments in schools. A whole lot is happening. I am absolutely delighted.