Key Notes: Visiting the UK and France
new-zealand-national-party
Thu Apr 21 2011 12:00:00 GMT+1200 (New Zealand Standard Time)
Key Notes: Visiting the UK and France
Thursday, 21 April 2011, 3:40 pm
Column: New Zealand National Party
21 April 2011
VISITING THE UK AND FRANCE
I hope you have a happy and safe Easter and Anzac weekend with your family.
This week I left for my visit to the United Kingdom and France so I'll be in London on Anzac Day for commemorations at Hyde Park.
Anzac Day is a day to pay tribute to all our servicemen and women, both living and gone. I'm always impressed by the number of Kiwis who attend dawn services and other Anzac commemorations throughout New Zealand and the world. It's a great chance for us to come together as New Zealanders and remember our Anzac heroes.
A few of my other activities overseas include meeting Her Majesty the Queen for lunch, and meeting British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
My wife Bronagh and I will also attend the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince William and Catherine Middleton next week. We're looking forward to it.
This week I announced New Zealand's wedding gift to the couple. We're donating $10,000 to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, which is one of their nominated charities.
REMEMBERING WEST COAST MINERS
The Government is contributing $3.5 million to The West Coast Miners Memorial Events Centre in Greymouth.
Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
This centre will be a memorial for all those who have lost their lives in West Coast mining disasters, including the 29 men who died in the Pike River tragedy last year.
The project was proposed by the West Coast community, and the Government is pleased to contribute to this enduring memorial to West Coast miners.
STANDING ALONGSIDE CANTABRIANS
I'd like to thank everyone who is working hard to help Canterbury get back on its feet. In my visits to the region, I've been encouraged by how well people down there are coping despite the continuing aftershocks.
This week I announced extra funding for Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism because the tourism sector has been severely affected by the earthquake.
The Ministry of Economic Development, Christchurch City Council, and Christchurch International Airport will together support Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism with an extra $1.6 million.
Christchurch is the gateway for South Island tourism. This boost to funding will help rebuild existing tourism and travel activity.
I'm looking forward to visiting Christchurch again shortly after I return from overseas. The Government is 100 per cent committed to supporting Cantabrians in the weeks, months, and years ahead. For further information on the Government's response, see www.cera.govt.nz.
Thank you to everyone who has made a donation to the official Government earthquake appeal at www.quakeappeal.com.
PUTTING VICTIMS FIRST
Yesterday Justice Minister Simon Power announced further measures to enhance the rights and services provided to victims of crime. The measures include: allowing victims to say more in their victim impact statements, improving the victim notification system, developing a Victims Code, and setting up a Victims Centre within the Ministry of Justice.
I want to eliminate the horror stories where victims are forced to relive a traumatic event simply because the system has been deficient or has let them down, and where it seems offenders are getting a better deal than victims. Where there is a balancing of rights to be done between criminals and victims, I will take a side. I will take the side of the victims.
This package of proposals builds on eight initiatives we put in place for victims last year, which are funded through the $50 Offender Levy, and the introduction of on-the-spot police safety orders.
DELIVERING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Last week Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announced that 10,000 young people have taken part in the Job Ops programme so far, including more than 3500 young Maori and Pacific people.
National's Jobs Ops programme provides employers with a $5000 subsidy to create a position for an unskilled 16- to 24-year-old. I first announced the programme in 2009 and we expanded it last year, so that more young people could take part and get work experience.
Of the more than 4500 young people who have completed their Job Ops programme, more than 70 per cent got a job, and 90 per cent aren't on a benefit.
Best wishes,
John Key
Prime Minister
ENDS
Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
a.supporter:hover {background:#EC4438!important;} @media screen and (max-width: 480px) { #byline-block div.byline-block {padding-right:16px;}}
Using Scoop for work?
Scoop is free for personal use, but you’ll need a licence for work use. This is part of our Ethical Paywall and how we fund Scoop. Join today with plans starting from less than $3 per week, plus gain access to exclusive Pro features.
Join Pro Individual Find out more
Find more from New Zealand National Party on InfoPages.