Some 98 per cent of children are now in early childhood education. PHOTO/FILE
Some 98 per cent of children are now in early childhood education. PHOTO/FILE
A weekis a long time in politics, so I guess readers are thinking 2014 will pass like a millennium as it is election year - which means candidates banging on until the votes are cast.
As always, there'll be those hoping for change and those hoping for more of thesame.
Elections tend to be won and lost on four main issues - economy, education, health and law and order - and then issues that arise from time to time such as earthquake remediation as well as quirky influences such as personalities, alliances, cups of tea and such.
When National came into office in 2008 inflation was running at 5.1 per cent and now it is 1.4 per cent, while mortgage rates were at 10.9 per cent and are now at 5.9 per cent. After tax wages had risen 1 per cent over the previous five years under Labour and have gone up 13 per cent in five years under National. Fifty-three thousand more people are employed than a year ago and New Zealand is now the fifth-ranked country in terms of economic growth in the OECD.
In education we have seen good results across the sector. Ninety-eight per cent of children are in early childhood education and, this year, we have put a further $172.5 million into this area of learning, getting wee ones off to a good start. We're on our way to having 85 per cent of 18-year-olds achieving NCEA level 2 in 2017. Last year, a further $155 million went into building new schools and enhanced learning environments so our kids have the best schools and equipment to learn in. A further $211 million will go into the IT network for schools so all the whizz-bang technology will be put to best use.
In 2007 under Labour only 67 per cent of patients in emergency wards were seen in six hours, and now that is 94 per cent and growing. There are 40,000 more elective surgeries - knees, hips, cataracts - than in 2007-8. Ninety-five per cent of children can go to the doctor free of charge 24 hours per day. And the health budget has gone up $500 million each year since National came into government so, in 2013-14, we will have a total spend in health of $14.7 billion, which is more than ever before. All patients ready for treatment for cancer therapy wait less than four weeks for that radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Nobody has been sent to Australia for routine treatment as happened under Labour.
We have the lowest crime rates in 33 years and it is falling. We have more police on the front line preventing crime, doing 70 per cent more foot patrols - that is constables on the beat - than in 2008. We have raised $12.6 million through an offender levy - $50 for every person appearing before the court - which goes directly to help victims.
Two competing themes run through any political campaign: don't put it all at risk and time for a change.
