Damien O'Connor 

Funding for improved West Coast sewerage systems

07.08.2008

Two West Coast communities will receive government funding to improve their sewerage systems, Associate Health Minister and West Coast-Tasman MP Damien O'Connor announced today.

The funding is part of over $23 million going to10 small communities nationwide as part of the government's Sanitary Works Subsidy Scheme, announced by Mr O'Connor today.

"These subsidies will further assist these two small communities on the West Coast, assisting them to have access to sa... more +

National behind the eight ball on rural health

30.07.2008

The National Party's response to a rural health discussion document released a week ago shows just how behind they are on rural health issues, says Rural Affairs and Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor.

The Minister was referring to a press statement put out by National Party MP Jo Goodhew today on a New Zealand Institute of Rural Health discussion document which was released publicly last Wednesday.

"The Labour-led government has an excellent track record on rural health compared with th... more +

Huge progress at Mapua but not perfect

29.07.2008

West Coast Tasman MP Damien O'Connor today welcomed the first report on the clean up at Mapua's contaminated site and said he will be ensuring the specific recommendations relating to the site cleanup are followed through.

Mr O'Connor was referring to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment's report "Investigation into the remediation of the contaminated site at Mapua", which looked into the decontamination of the former Fruitgrowers Chemical Company plant at the Mapua Estuary near Nelson.

Speech at Rural GP Network

29.03.2008

Associate Health Minister speaks at the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network's Annual Conference

Thank you for the invitation to speak here again at the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network Annual Conference.

I would like to thank your organisers, Dr Andy Minett and Kirsty Murrell-McMillan, your chairman Dr Tim Malloy, and all the rural health delegates for attending.

It ... more +