As global inflation drives up prices around the world, we continue to be focused on bread and butter issues.
I recently hosted a public meeting with Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister, Hon Duncan Webb, to discuss our supermarkets.
It was great to hear him share about how this Government intends to bring prices down through fostering fair competition.
Labour is proposing the introduction of rules which will require supermarkets to display unit pricing, such as price per kilogram/litre of a product.
This helps Kiwis make informed decisions and encourage competition between brands which will ultimately bring down prices. There is also work underway to shake up the supermarket duopoly, to help smaller retailers and new entrants into the market. This, too, will result in better prices at the checkouts.
Bringing down food prices is just one of the ways we are committed to keeping Kiwis healthy.
People in Aotearoa deserve to feel confident they can get the health care they need this winter. Our Government is working hard to make sure this is a reality for everyone, and we now have a comprehensive plan to ease pressure on the health system during the colder months.
The 2023 Winter Plan, led by Te Whatu Ora, will make it easier for New Zealanders and their families to get care early, and in many cases closer to home. This will help to make sure that small issues don’t become big problems requiring hospitalisation, and people can hopefully get better quicker.
One of the new initiatives that I know will make a real difference for many families in Mount Albert, is free access to pharmacy consultations and paracetamol for children and Community Services Card holders.
Other initiatives include ‘hospital in the home’ services, increased access to radiology services in the community, and community rapid response tools to protect those most vulnerable. You will also be able to see your pharmacist for free help with minor ailments, saving you a trip to the GP.
Our Winter Plan utilises the work we’ve done since 2017 to rebuild New Zealand’s health system following years of neglect.
This includes delivering more nurses and doctors, upgrading hospitals and health centres across the country, and boosting Pharmac’s funding so more people can access life-saving medicines.
Also, thanks to our reforms, the health system is now coordinated at a national level. This means that resources can be shared across health facilities within a region, and communities like ours will be better served.
Having a warm home is an essential part of preventing respiratory illnesses through the winter season and lowers the risk of other health issues.
To reduce the chance of people getting unwell, we’re helping over a million New Zealanders, including many here in Mount Albert, with the cost of heating their home through winter.
The Winter Energy Payment started again on 1 May and will run through until 1 October. Those eligible for the payment – seniors, veterans and people on benefits – will receive this boost automatically.
Single people with no dependent children will receive an extra $20.46 per week, while couples and people with children will receive an extra $31.82 per week.
(HELEN WHITE, Labour List MP based in Auckland Central) www.labour.org.nz/helenwhite
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29 May 2023