TWITTER

I’m now on Twitter – a free social networking website that lets you keep in touch with what I’m up to.

We’re still in the set-up phase, but I already have over 600 “followers”. I’ll get more involved in future. In the meantime, you can follow my latest news by signing up here: www.twitter.com/johnkeypm

JOB SUMMIT UPDATE – THE 9-DAY FORTNIGHT

Today I announced that the Government is extending the Job Support Scheme to include medium-sized businesses with 50 to 100 workers.

The scheme, which came out of the Job Summit, lets private-sector businesses, workers, and unions negotiate voluntary agreements to reduce working hours to a nine-day fortnight. It was originally designed for firms with more than 100 employees, but we have expanded it after discussions with employers and unions. 

Under the scheme, the Government will pay employers $12.50 an hour per worker, for up to five hours a fortnight.

The scheme is aimed at businesses that may be facing temporary adverse circumstances. A temporary reduction in hours gives employers time to ride out adverse conditions and gives workers job security during that time.

The extended scheme will be available to businesses with 50 to 100 workers from Monday – potentially an extra 2000 firms and around 140,000 workers.

Businesses with fewer than 50 employees are also facing tough times. They are not included in the scheme – mainly because it is too difficult to administer for small workplaces – but we’re working on other measures to help them out.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHINA

On Sunday I got back from a really successful and interesting trip to China. Premier Wen Jiabao said that he thought the relationship between our two countries has never been better, and I agree with him. 

In the year since the signing of the Free Trade Agreement, two-way trade with China grew by around 19% to over $9 billion, while our exports grew by 35%. China is now our second biggest source of imports and our fourth biggest export market.

A lot came out of the trip. Several Kiwi business leaders who travelled with me were able to meet very senior people in the Chinese government. The Chinese made it clear that they have drawn a line under the San Lu situation, and they want to see New Zealand involved in developing their agricultural sector – particularly around food safety. We also signed a new agreement on tourism, where the Chinese want to work with us.

There is almost infinite potential for New Zealand in China with its 1.3 billion people. They want to buy our food. They want to educate their children here. They want to buy resources. They want to come and visit. Somewhere around 53 million tourists a year come out of China but only around 112,000 of them visit New Zealand.

The door is open. It’s a matter of how boldly we step through it.

ON THE ROAD

On Monday afternoon I announced that the Mt Albert by-election will be on 13 June.

Later that day I headed up to Marton to speak at Grey Power’s AGM. In my speech, I pointed out that the National-led Government is absolutely committed to maintaining current eligibility rules for NZ Superannuation and Super payments at a minimum of 66% of the average after-tax wage. I also outlined what we are doing to constrain power prices, improve healthcare, and tackle violent crime. You can read the speech here.

On Wednesday I was in Auckland at a national hui with the claimant groups who are yet to settle Treaty of Waitangi claims. The National-led Government has a goal of 2014 for completing historical Treaty claims, and the hui was a chance to investigate how we can speed up that process.

I hope you will be supporting ANZAC Day services in your community this Saturday. I’ll be in Wellington for the Dawn Service at the Cenotaph and the National Wreathlaying Ceremony at the National War Memorial.

YOUR FEEDBACK

Thanks for your comments on my website and Facebook page in recent weeks.

I know how frustrating slow broadband is, and I sympathise with those of you still battling with dialup. Ultra-fast broadband has huge potential for New Zealand and we’re determined to get as many businesses, health facilities, schools, and homes connected over the next decade as we can.

We’re continuing to discuss proposed changes to Auckland’s local government structure with the region’s leaders, and we’re listening to the views of Aucklanders. Your comments are a great help. For more information about the proposed changes for Auckland visit www.auckland.govt.nz

I'm looking forward to your comments on this newsletter.

Best wishes

John Key

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