The ability for teachers to voice legitimate concerns and thoughts about their profession would be restored under Labour’s private member’s bill that was drawn from the ballot today, says Labour MP Ruth Dyson.

“Under my bill, the Education (Teachers’ Code of Ethics) Amendment Bill, teachers would be given a voice that has been stifled under the National Government.

The announcement today by the Minister of Education, Hon Hekia Parata, that Redcliffs School will be returning to Redcliffs, will be greeted with delight by the community, says Ruth Dyson Member of Parliament for Port Hills.

People living retirement villages could be entitled to a rates rebate after a Labour Member’s Bill was today pulled from the ballot, Labour’s Senior Citizens spokesperson Ruth Dyson says.

“Most residents in retirement villages cannot currently claim a rebate because they pay them indirectly to the retirement village owner and therefore don’t get billed separately.

It is disgraceful that National MPs rejected a plea by Grey Power for fair compensation for red zoned former residents of retirement villages, Labour's Senior Citizens spokesperson, Ruth Dyson said today.

The plea in a petition to Parliament from residents of three retirement villages who were forced from their homes following the February 2011 earthquake was today considered by the Finance and Expenditure committee.

The death of Linda Grennell, a former President of the Māori Women’s Welfare League, marks the end of a lifetime of leadership and service to New Zealand, and Labour sends sympathy to her family at this very sad time, Labour Women’s Issues spokesperson, Ruth Dyson says.

 “Linda, of Te Runanga o Koukourarata, served as President of the Māori Women’s Welfare League from 2005 – 2008 and was appointed a  member of the Whanau Ora Taskforce.

The Government’s failure to address the housing crisis and its refusal to steps to raise wages have led to vulnerable women being exploited, Labour’s spokesperson for Women Ruth Dyson says.

“Reports today that women are being offered free rent in exchange for sex are shocking.

The Government's decision to cap the funding to regional councils for free bus trips for over 65 year olds is a nasty Christmas present from John Key, Labour’s Senior Citizens spokesperson Ruth Dyson says.

“It will mean that the current free off-peak time bus travel for Super Gold card holders will be cut.

The Government’s decision to slash spending on repairing Canterbury’s infrastructure has saddled Cantabrians with an extra $75 million in costs, says Labour’s acting Canterbury spokesperson Ruth Dyson.

“This is just another example of the chaos that has come to characterise the government’s approach to the rebuild.

Today is the last chance for Cantabrians to express their concern about the Government’s plan for a new agency to run the Canterbury recovery, says Labour’s acting Canterbury spokesperson Ruth Dyson.

“The Government is proposing vast and unchecked powers that will continue for another five years. It’s absolutely vital that local people have their say and make their voices heard.

An Auditor General’s report that says EQC has made little progress improving the way it deals with complainants after all these years is an indictment on the Government, says Labour’s acting Canterbury spokesperson Ruth Dyson.

“It’s been five years since the earthquakes and over two years since the Auditor General identified major shortcomings in how EQC dealt with people making complaints. Today’s report shows that there has been very little improvement in that time.