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September 2008

No Families in Families Commission

Submitted by Heather Roy on Tue, 09/09/2008 - 9:40pm

In light of recent discussion about the fate of the Families Commission with a change of Government I dug out this old speech I made at the time the Families Commission began. Nothing's changed - especially not ACTs view on the Commission.

Sunday June 27, 2004
Last Wednesday, Prime Minister Helen Clark announced the appointment of, not one but, six commissioners to United Future Leader Peter Dunne’s Families Commission.

The line up included former race relations conciliator and social worker of 30 years Rajen Prasad as Chief Commissioner, and former Human Rights commissioner Carolyn Bull.

The Families Commission itself is to be formally established on July 1 – we can expect to see the Prime Minister telling Kiwis that families are the cornerstone of society, and that a broad definition of ‘family’ is essential.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

Submitted by Heather Roy on Thu, 11/09/2008 - 9:29pm

Heather Roy MP
Speech to ACT Wellington Regional Conference
6 July 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen
Law and order is a popular choice amongst politicians who want to peck at the carcass of the latest social mayhem. Because of this, the constant challenge is to make our message heard without being grouped with the ‘silver bullet, throw away the key’ populists and vigilante group advocates.

Territorial Soldier - Speech to Rotary

Submitted by Heather Roy on Thu, 11/09/2008 - 9:40pm

Speech on my experiences as a Territorial Soldier

I've given a lot of thought over the years as to what to say when asked what I do by people who don't know me. Sometimes wife and mother seem the best answer and certainly these are my most important roles. Member of Parliament usually gets a stunned and embarrassed response if the person hasn't recognized me. As of last year I've added soldier to the list - mother, soldier, MP probably best sums me up.

After 6 weeks of territorial basic training at Waiouru Military Camp I 'marched out' at Queen's Birthday weekend. The training was hard - challenging both physically and psychologically. But it was also exciting and enjoyable and I graduated alongside my 41 army recruit colleagues from recruit to soldier with a real sense of achievement and, as I had been advised by my military friends, wore my uniform with pride. Those of you who have done the same will know the sense of pride that goes with marching out.

WHEN HEARTS LEAD

Submitted by Heather Roy on Thu, 11/09/2008 - 9:47pm

Speech to the ACT Christchurch Regional Conference
7 September 2008

This election, New Zealand stands at the crossroads of history. So too does the ACT Party.

The outcome of this election will determine whether our nation embraces a fundamental change of direction or continues its current and accelerating slide toward nationalism and ultimately isolationism. The result will hinge on two voter options – the choice between the short-term benefits for some being offered by the major parties - or the road less travelled; to forego those offerings in order to leave a legacy for our children and grandchildren.

This is a far more important result than whether ACT has a presence in Parliament or whether we hold 2, 5 or 8 seats. Because if we do not campaign this year in a way that encourages voters to replace their fear with hope, to choose tomorrow over today, then the economic and social challenges we will face in 2011 and beyond may well be ‘a bridge too far’.

Where Angels Fear To Tread

Submitted by Heather Roy on Thu, 11/09/2008 - 9:49pm

Speech to the Third Reading of the Biofuel Bill; Parliament; Wednesday, September 3 2008

There’s a lot of truth in the old saying that ‘fools rush in where angels fear to tread’ – an adage that is demonstrated in a million ways around the world on a daily basis, and which our own Labour-led Government is proving with its moves to ram through its controversial and detrimental Emissions Trading Scheme.

To make matters worse Labour has just passed – under Urgency – the Biofuel Bill, which will see New Zealand forced to embark upon a campaign of changing our fuel source from fossil fuels to those deemed more environmentally friendly.

Under the Bill, all petrol and diesel suppliers will be required to mix these fuel sources with biofuels with an initial level of 0.53 percent in 2008 – increasing to an upper level of 2.5 percent by 2012. Great news, yes? No.

Security & Justice – Keeping Kiwis Safe

Submitted by Heather Roy on Sun, 21/09/2008 - 2:04pm

Speech to ACT Law & Order Policy Launch; Howick College, Sandspit Road, Howick; Sunday, September 21 2008.

Stop a Kiwi on the street and ask them what's most important to them; many will talk about their families, old and young.

Like us they will have a deep seated desire to make sure their loved ones are safe, well fed, educated and taken care of when they are sick or hurt. Many will talk about crime, and how they hope their children never have to experience the horror of war.

Now go and ask a new Kiwi - an immigrant to this country - the same question. You'll get pretty much the same answers - but with one important difference: with fresh eyes, they will often observe amazement that Kiwis put up with growing insecurity; insecurity they themselves came here to escape.

What do law-abiding Kiwis want? What should we be able to expect?