OUT AND ABOUT WITH BLAIR

Nelson Hospital

I am out meeting people in Nelson and Tasman every day, and in the last couple of weeks so many people have approached me to express their disappointment that the Nelson Hospital rebuild has been delayed. I too am extremely disappointed—especially when just eight months ago the Minister of Health promised construction would begin before October this year. But unfortunately, our local hospital has become yet another example of Labour’s failure to deliver.

Two weeks ago, I wrote to the Minister of Health demanding that the Labour government come clean on why they have failed to deliver on their promise and asked for an updated timeline on the rebuild. I am yet to receive a response. We urgently need to get the hospital rebuild back on track because we need safe and modern healthcare facilities that meet the needs of our growing community. National will get New Zealand back on track by fixing the economy so we can invest in our health infrastructure and deliver the healthcare Nelsonians deserve. I will always stand up for our community, especially on issues as urgent as the hospital rebuild. Another issue that has been top of mind for many people this week has been crime and the growing gang presence in our region. In fact, new data shows gang membership has increased by around 200 per cent in Tasman since Labour came into government in 2017. This month I am hosting a public meeting with National’s Police Spokesperson Mark Mitchell to listen to your stories and discuss National’s plan to crack down on gangs and restore law and order.