Election 2008 Dunedin North and Dunedin South candidates respond to your questions.
AS part of The Star 's Election '08 coverage we offered all candidates standing in the Dunedin South and Dunedin North electorates the opportunity to answer some written questions compiled by The Star readers and The Star and Otago Chamber of Commerce staff. Candidates' answers were limited to 100 words per question in this week's The Star and were edited where necessary. Their extended answers are shown here.
THE QUESTIONS
1. Rail What are the chances of restoring a commuter rail service between Mosgiel and Dunedin during the next electoral term, and what is your medium/long-term vision for commuter/passenger rail services through Dunedin and the South? (Brighton resident Lorraine Johnston)
2. Taxation Will your party repeal taxation on unearned capital gain on foreign income that is in Taxation (Business Taxation and Remedial Matters) Act 2007, section 11, Foreign Investment Fund Income. (John Horrocks, Mornington)
3. Crime How would you address the escalation in violent crime, including domestic violence, in this country? (Business and Professional Women's group Dunedin/The Star/Chamber of Commerce)
4. Power What energy policies would you champion and what would you do to help Dunedin in terms of its old, cold homes? (The Star/Chamber of Commerce)
5. Health What is your opinion of population-based funding and what changes, if any, would you make to the current health system? (The Star/Chamber of Commerce)
6. Stadium Do you support the proposed Awatea St stadium? (The Star/Chamber of Commerce)
THE ANSWERS
1. Rail
See answer from Labour's Dunedin South candidate Clare Curran.
2. Taxation
No.
3. Crime
Although overall police crime statistics have been reducing for some years, the figures for violent crime are rising. Within the category of violent crime, police advice is that 90% of the increase has come from domestic violence. This is particularly the case since the "It's not OK'' campaign started. In other words, tolerance towards domestic violence appears to be dropping, and reports of domestic violence are therefore rising.
4. Power
Labour's energy strategy is for New Zealand to be 90% renewable in electricity for 2025, and to halve our transport emissions by 2040. Retrofitting of Dunedin's housing stock has at last started, and will quicken rapidly in the next three years, thanks to already announced Labour Policy (with acknowledgements to the Green Party).
5. Health
The issues around population-based funding are now largely resolved. Otago DHB has maintained its (comparatively) high elective surgery rates, a tribute to those who work there. As for changes, the main ones are greater emphasis on primary health, which has already started, and a strong commitment to providing sufficient resources. Labour makes that strong commitment and has already budgeted for it, publicly. It is why we oppose National's overly generous tax cuts for those on high incomes.
6. Stadium
We will all know the answer on February 3, 2009. On that day, the Trust will have met the rather stringent conditions placed on them by the DCC and the ORC. Or they will not have. Personally, I hope they can clear the hurdles.