robson-on-politics Thu 18 September
Conference is here!
Tomorrow I'll be one of the team preparing the Waipuna Conference Centre in Mount Wellington for the Progressives'
inaugural conference. If you haven't already decided when you are coming, check www.progressive.org.nz/conference for
session details or ring my office, 09 273 8150. Media are welcome to all sessions except Saturday 2.30pm - 5.30pm and
Sunday 9.00am - 10.15am. I hope you can join us as there are many keynote speakers. In addition to those featured in
earlier editions, Lesley Max, an expert in early intervention is speaking in the safer communities session on Sunday
afternoon, and Professor Garth Cooper of Auckland University will be illustrating the potential for biotechnology to
create high-value jobs in New Zealand. Phil Twyford, Oxfam International director, and fresh from the WTO meeting, will
speak on making globalisation work for people. _____________________
GIF taskforces aim for jobs, jobs, jobs
The Growth and Innovation Framework taskforces, working in the design, biotech, information technology and film sectors,
are mapping a strategic direction and setting targets for their sectors. Supporting their work, Jim Anderton announced
today five initiatives delivering $32 million over four years. The Progressive vision is to work in partnership with
industries, regions, and communities to deliver jobs, jobs, jobs. See: http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=439 and http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=440
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Kiwibank continues to grow, meet targets
Kiwibank, announcing its 2nd annual result, is continuing to meet targets. It is expected to turn a profit in the year
to June 2005, and financial projections have always been that losses would occur as start-up costs were incurred. The
loss for this year was $8.03 million. Kiwibank had 147,000 customers as at 30 June, and the average value of their
balances continues to climb - now over $3,100 - as customers move maturing term deposits to Kiwibank.
See: http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=438 and http://www.kiwibank.co.nz/news/show-news.asp?story=48 _____________________
Health announcement another milestone
In its first term the coalition started a review of health delivery. Jim Anderton negotiated with Annette King that
priority should be given to lowering the cost of primary health care for the elderly. That has now borne fruit with this
week's announcement that a $47m investment is being brought forward a year. From July 1, everyone aged over 65 and
enrolled in Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) will have lower doctors' fees. We've already announced that as a result
of the Progressives being in Government children from 6 - 17 years will be eligible for low patient fees from 1 October.
See: http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=436 _____________________
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
As the junior partner in the first Anderton-Clark coalition government, we negotiated a temporary moratorium on the
commercial release of GMOs. The purpose was to allow the systems to be put in place so that when the moratorium was
lifted the people of New Zealand - and consumers of our products overseas - would feel as comfortable as it is possible
with any cutting edge development in science - to permit limited, highly controlled release of GMOs into the
environment. The moratorium lifts at the end of next month. Parliament is also considering the New Organisms and Other
Matters Bill which proposes to regulate the conditions under which GMOs might be released. Delegates attending the
conference this weekend will have an opportunity to join a workshop studying all the issues that arise from both the
legislation before Parliament as well as the general question of whether the moratorium has done its job and whether we
are fully satisfied that all the conditions set down by the Royal Commission have been met.
Our party is guided by science on this issue and by considerations of the economic well-being of New Zealand - in
particular, we support steps that increase job creation and the wealth of the nation and that is what will guide us.
Don't post 'missing in action' against the Progressives yet, said the NZ Herald last Saturday.
Then on Tuesday Colin James analysed my efforts on the Gambling Bill and concluded 'don't write the Progressives off
yet' See www.progressive.org.nz for information on these and other issues. Saturday's article: http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=435 and Colin James: http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=437