20 October 2003
Hon. Matt Robson MP, Progressive Party Deputy Leader

ACT's centre-right strategy belies NZ First protests

ACT Party President, Catherine Judd, has done voters a service by outlining the strategy to put together a grand centre-right coalition after the next election including the National and NZ First parties, Progressive Party deputy leader, Matt Robson, said today.

"ACT Party president Catherine Judd told the Auckland regional conference of her party that ACT, National and NZ First will develop a strategy that she hopes will maximize constituency seats for all the right wing parties," Matt Robson said.

"She also says the right wing parties must continue to cooperate in Parliament in order to show voters clearly that they mean business and intend to work together as a conservative force in New Zealand politics," Matt Robson said.

"Peoples' faith in the electoral system was almost totally shattered in the first MMP election held in 1996 when NZ First campaigned for anti-National votes only to join in a National-led coalition government after people had voted.

"By pointing out clearly before people vote that NZ First is indeed part of the plans of Richard Prebble and Don Brash, the ACT Party is doing the public a service," Matt Robson said.

During the Committee stages reading on the Supreme Court Bill recently, NZ First lawmakers went to extreme efforts to stop Matt Robson from referring to their party as part of the "centre right". See:

http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=512

ENDS

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