Hon Dr Nick Smith

Member of Parliament for Nelson

Smith to survey Nelson on pokies, National Standards, tax changes & split drinking age

Nelson MP Nick Smith’s 2010 newsletter is to be distributed to homes in Nelson, Stoke, Richmond and Brightwater this week and seeks public views on pokies, National Standards, tax changes and the split drinking age.

“My annual survey and newsletter helps me keep in touch with issues of concern to Nelsonians,” Dr Smith said. “Surveys are never a perfect measure of public opinion but they do give me a good steer as to where the Government has it right and where we need to refine and review our approach.

“There has been a lot of controversy over pokie machines particularly in Victory. While most of the debate has been focused on the Council’s role, I am interested in whether Nelsonians want Parliament to give councils more power in deciding where and where not to have pokies.

“The two big reforms undertaken this year by the Government have been the implementation of National Standards in primary schools to lift achievement in literacy and numeracy and the big tax changes to rebalance the economy away from consumption and housing to work and saving. Feedback on these reforms will help inform policy moving forward.

“Alcohol has developed into a big issue for Nelson with the problems over violence in the central city and with the biggest revamp of the laws in a generation before Parliament. My vote on these issues will be heavily influenced by the response of Nelsonians.

“Survey forms need to be returned by 15 December. The public can also do the survey online on the Nick4Nelson website.”

ENDS

Media Contact: Simon Beattie 021 243 8271