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November 19, 2008
Kaikoura
MP Colin King is one of those members of Parliament with
ideas about economic growth for their electorate – and
effective participation in the business of our nation. Local
MPs could play significant roles in connecting Marlborough
to portfolios in the Key
government.
This second term backbench National MP hopes the new government
will help develop local tourism, viticulture and pastoral
industries. He also wants a “more sophisticated, multi-layered
economy” in which companies like Safe Air can grow.
Ms Rahui Katene, the new Maori Party MP representing the Te
Tai Tonga electorate is another Parliamentarian with a wish
list of local significance, informed by party policy and her
experience in treaty negotiations.
The formation of the Key National led minority government
at a time of financial threats to people, their jobs, investments,
businesses and markets, forces economic issues, including
as the new PM says “growth”, high on Parliament’s
and the government’s agenda. Prime Minister Key is central
to local as well as national and international efforts needed
to navigate through the threats and opportunities. The navigation
is made all the more challenging by the diversity of interests
and attitudes involved. The participation of the Act Party
and the Maori Party in the new government established by Mr
Key under the MMP – mixed member proportional - electoral
system can help make the diverse economic policy preferences
more transparent.
The confidence and supply agreements Prime Minister Key has
entered into with Act, Maori and United First parties provides
for collective responsibility but also allow for them to agree
to disagree. This will help achieve transparency in economic
policy debate – but there is no guarantee that one sided
economic policy views will not sneak past into policy decisions.
National and its support parties went to the election with
some policies they want to implement – and evidence
of some of these with a direct bearing on Marlborough are
on view in the confidence and supply agreements and cabinet
minister appointments.
John
Key takes the tourism portfolio, “given its importance
to the New Zealand economy”. He has heard both Destination
Marlborough and Air New Zealand’s call for more resources
for tourism – and the need for coordination through
other ministers who impact tourism. Despite initial impresions
he had not named an associate tourism minister, who might
be needed when Prime Ministerial duties take him elsewhere,
Dr
Jonathan Coleman is the associate. A cabinet committee
with a continuing focus on tourism could supply some of the
coordination needed.
Bill English’s finance and infrastructure, Tim Groser’s
Conservation, Chris Finlayson’s arts, Murray McCully’s
sport and recreation, Phil Heatley’s fisheries, Pita
Sharples’ Maori affairs and Maurice Williamson’s
small business portfolios can make differences to local tourism.
Nick Smith and Gerry Brownlee are ministers with an above
average awareness of Marlborough, its economy and environment.
New National MP Steven Joyce, with his tourism publishing
background, may influence tourism in general, and in particular
through his responsibilities in transport and broadband. Act
leader Rodney Hide, as Minister of Local Government, is a
minister to ask to address funding gaps affecting Marlborough
District Council programmes such as recycling, identified
by Destination
Marlborough.
The wine industry has more than passing interest in what
the new immigration minister, Dr Jonathan Coleman and labour
minister Kate Williamson will do to improve seasonal worker
arrangements for the 2009 season. Pacific Islands Affairs
minister Georgina Te Heuheu could help.
The depth of the economic challenges, the echoes we can expect
from the past, the expectations electors will have, mean that
competing interests – locally and nationally -will be
searching for effective participation. Local MPs Colin King
and Rahui Katene, with supportive local advocates, can help
take cases for Marlborough to the Key government. Local considerations
need to be effectively articulated by local interests.
As
former Governor-general Dame Silvia Cartwright says “Just
as we expect our democracy to work for us, we have to work
for our democracy. This means taking part in the decision-making
process. This means voting, participating in public life and
contributing to the business of our nation.”
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