I recently invited a cross-section of our over 65’s in the community to a morning tea to chat about how the government is going and provide them with an opportunity to share with me their perspectives. We had about 50-60 people attend, so there wasn’t much room left in the Centre, and the conversation was real and direct, just the way I like it.
I find these meetings really valuable because it keeps me connected with your perspective on local and national issues. I opened by referencing how important a strong economy is to our future success as a community.
Challenges of an aging demographic
We spend $77 billion a year of your taxes, and a growing economy (now at 3.6%) helps immeasurably by giving us choices on spending and investing priorities. We covered healthcare funding, education standards and funding, crime, immigration, cost of healthcare insurance.
I spoke to the now record $16.2 billion we are spending in healthcare and the challenges around delivering more operations for dollar spent, whilst acknowledging the challenges of an aging demographic.
My youngest daughter is 8, the average life expectancy of an 8-year-old girl in NZ is north of 90! Can you imagine the cost of healthcare in 50 years time? Where it takes me and I think the audience; is to agreeing the importance of a growing economy, of innovation that will reduce the cost of surgeries, of a population that can sustain 2 million + people over the age of 65 when she is that age.
No appointment necessary
As always, if you have an issue you need help with or a perspective that I need to listen to, please contact my office or pop into my special Maungatapu Welcome Bay clinics every third Monday from 1-4 at the Welcome Bay Community Centre – no appointment necessary.
By Todd Muller, MP for Bay of Plenty
I write for this magazine because it’s a great way to invite feedback from the community.
