Lindsay Tisch, MP
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10 Feb 2000 Address in Reply 417 common-sense solution. It is a partnership between people, communities, business, and Government for the well-being and prosperity of all. We do indeed face our biggest challenge yet. I have faith that we have the wisdom and the strength to meet it, but the issue is not yet decided. Take warning, for it is said that man disappears but the mana of the land remains. LINDSAY TISCH (NZ Nationai-Karapiro): It is first appropriate, Mr Speaker, to repeat the congratulations and warm appreciation expressed by other members on your election. I rise this afternoon to address the House as the newly elected representative for Karapiro, and to express my appreciation of the confidence the electorate has shown in me. While the boundaries have changed significantly over the years, this electorate has been held by National since 1938. The distinguished Hon. Sir Stanley Goosman was a strong advocate of free enterprise, articulating that New Zealand's prosperity was dependent on exports. How true that is today, with the current export-led economic recovery. Mr Geoff Sim of Cambridge, now aged 88 years, is the only survivor of the 1943-46 wartime Government. He retired from politics in 1966, having served 23 years. He was a man of the land, a people's politician. In a recent interview, he commented on his late wife's contribution to politics with the quick remark: "Well, Gertrude, she wore out two teapots entertaining constituents.'' I wish Geoff the very best. In 1966, Jack Luxton entered Parliament and retired in 1987. Jack was very much in tune with the needs of the electorate. He and his wife, Margaret, were a formidable team. He had a strong market orientation, and from his maiden speech I quote: "A nation which tries to pursue . total import . protection will destroy the very efficiency that ... competition can produce." I now know where his son John developed his economic focus. I pass to Jack and Margaret Luxton my very best wishes. I wish to acknowledge my predecessor, John Luxton, for his tremendous contribution to the electorate, to the National Party, and to New Zealand. John is well known for his free-market philosophies, and, as a list member, will continue to play an important role in the National Party's future. My sincere thanks go to John and his wife, Mary Scholtens, for their support. With my candidature, I developed a very strong and close rapport with a team of dedicated, disciplined people, whose energy and commitment achieved success for National and for me. I am indebted to them, and I take the liberty to acknowledge them this afternoon: Steve Osborne, my campaign manager; Maxine Viggers; Tim Maclndoe; Peter Rumble; and Bob McGrail. My family played a crucial role in my political progress. I acknowledge today my wife, Leonie, my greatest asset, and I acknowledge my children, Andrea and Karl, for their support and forbearance. I know my contribution in the future will be influenced very much by their advice, their enthusiasm, and their imagination. Winston Churchill, when commenting on the bruising political life, said: "Soldiers get killed only once, but politicians are shot down every month." With this in mind, it is appropriate this afternoon to renew a pledge that I made during the election campaign: to maintain the closest possible contact and communication with the people I represent. The Karapiro electorate includes the towns of Te Aroha, Morrinsville, Matamata, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, and smaller settlements. This is heartland New Zealand. It is enriched with a very productive rural economy, a growing tourism industry, an exciting bloodstock industry, and a developing manufacturing sector. I propose to reflect on what I regard as important in representing the Karapiro electorate. The diversity of views and opinions make this electorate exciting. The needs and aspirations of the electorate encompass economic development, environmental issues, and social equity. Agriculture occupies a predominant place in our economy, and the producer board reforms are the means of transition, enabling farmers to control their industries, increase their returns, and compete internationally. It is encouraging to note that the leaders of the dairy industry are making progress towards a sustainable, growing future for that industry. I believe the reforms to be so important that, should the industry not have an agreed position by 1 September, when the enabling legislation expires, I would support further legislation to allow discussions to continue. 418 Address in Reply 10 Feb 2000 There are exciting examples of niche marketing within the dairy industry, and the Tatua dairy company outside Morrinsville is providing substantial returns for its farmer shareholders. I am reminded of the story of how dairy farming operates under different ideological regimes. Under communism, if a farmer has two cows the State takes both, and gives the farmer the milk to drink. Under socialism, if a farmer has two cows he keeps one, and gives the other to his neighbour. Under bureaucracy, if a farmer has two cows he fills in 17 forms, and has no time to milk the cows. Under free enterprise, the common-sense approach-National's philosophy- if a farmer has two cows he sells one, buys a bull, and gets on with the long-term business of producing for the benefit of every New Zealander. Our dairy industry is very efficient. I support the industry leaders and farmers with the reform process. The racing and thoroughbred industry makes an important contribution to Karapiro. In Matamata, my home town, it is a very large employer through training and racing establishments, breeding, and exporting. The value to New Zealand of exports this year will be in excess of $100 million. Racing is no longer just a sport; it is big business. I would support a review of the legislation and taxation relating to the racing industry. As National's spokesman on internal affairs, I will also look closely at the operations of Lotto and casinos. I represent an electorate that has a very high percentage of self-employed people, in small to medium sized businesses. These are the wealth creators who provide employment opportunities. They put their capital at risk. It is the businesses that provide and create jobs, not Governments. The role of the Government is to provide the infrastructure so that social objectives can be achieved. There are two matters that will adversely affect all businesses in Karapiro. First, the nationalisation of accident insurance is a retrograde step. It is anti-business and will cost jobs. The hundreds of submissions received are indicative of the concerns of businesses, community groups, and social agencies. The second matter is the repeal of the Employment Contracts Act. This, to my mind, has been the most important piece of legislation since 1991, allowing flexibility in the workplace. With my background and experience as a management consultant- specialising in restructuring, financing, and marketing, and helping those wishing to move to self-employment- ! have experienced the benefits of the private insurance scheme and of the Employment Contracts Act. The proposed changes will increase compliance costs, will lead to a lack of confidence in business and investment, and, ultimately, will cost jobs. I will be batting unashamedly for the hundreds of business enterprises in Karapiro, and will be the advocate for community organisations. I wish to identify a potentially major environmental problem from an abandoned mine site, the Tui mine, which is located on the western slopes of Mount Te Aroha and above the Te Aroha township. This mine was operated from 1966 until 1973, producing a range of metals including copper, lead, and zinc. It was abandoned by the operator in 1973. The issues we face here include, first, stability, with the tailings impoundment deteriorating, and, secondly, the water quality. There are various discharges from both the old mine workings and the tailings impoundment, and the quality of the water is very poor, with a low pH and a range of contaminants. The potential risks are the mass movement of the tailings, should the tailings dam fail, and major risks to water quality with acid drainage. The impact goes beyond the immediate area of Te Aroha and out on to the plains. The Tui mine has been a matter of concern to the local community. The Matamata-Piako District Council and Environment Waikato for many years have been working to find a resolution. I am also aware that there are other abandoned sites in New Zealand and I am sure this problem is manifest elsewhere. Throughout New Zealand there are 12 former Trust Bank community trusts that, as at 31 March 1999, collectively held investments exceeding $2 billion. Appointments to the trusts are made pursuant to the Community Trusts Act. The current policy means that trustees who have served two terms of 4 years each, or who have been involved in central or local government, are effectively debarred from appointment to the trusts. As a result of this policy, the Waikato Community Trust- now called Trust Waikato- had five new 10 Feb 2000 Address in Reply 419 trustees in 1998 and two new ones in 1999, and has four trustees due to retire this year. In effect, 11 of the 13 trustees will have changed in a 2-year period. The boom-bust cycle is counterproductive to the long-term good stewardship of investments and operations. Trust Waikato currently has investments totalling $224 million and an annual income of $16 million, and gives donations of $9 million per year. Last year, in the Karapiro electorate, there were 209 community groups sharing in excess of $1 million in donations.