robson-on-politics, a weekly newsletter from Matt Robson MP
Deputy Leader of the Progressive Party
www.progressive.org.nz
Progressive: positive about people and jobs
Fri 6 August
From Nelson's creative sector to northern tourism
A progressive week in our campaign to promote high quality job opportunities and education. Jim Anderton announced that
the creative sector in Nelson will be supported by the government to promote and develop export opportunities. He also
announced that high speed Internet for isolated areas is a step closer and today he was launching the Northland Skills
Action Plan. The regional initiative aims to add 600+ jobs, many in tourism, adding $86 million to Northland's GDP by
2008. Supporting growth in Nelson's creative sector
http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1100 High speed Internet for very remote communities
http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1103 Northland working on skill shortages
http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1116
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It is Hiroshima Day
Today we remember the thousands of human beings who perished in Hiroshima, and Nagasaki, 59 years ago. The overwhelming
majority of New Zealanders utterly reject the very thought that people can in any way be made secure via "nuclear
defence". I felt my age on hearing that classes from two Wellington high schools had to check library books to verify
the facts about Hiroshima. But then they were inspired to write and perform a 'Threnody for Hiroshima.' Hope lives on.
Parliamentary Network for Nuclear Disarmament http://www.gsinstitute.org/pnnd/
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WTO means international law offers job prospects
Multilateral efforts to drain the swamps of global poverty, caused by the unfair trade walls built by the rich nations,
are all about promoting our common, shared interests and responsibilities. It has been a week of hope as Monday's
newspapers were dominated by the news that the Doha Development Round was kept alive after the richest nations offered
some concessions to agricultural producers in the direction of slightly fairer international trading rules. Progressive
hope for jobs by upholding international law
http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1099
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Pulling down separation barriers
And just as the trade barriers confine millions in Third World communities to poverty and under-development, so too do
we need to pull down the Apartheid Wall the Israeli government of Ariel Sharon is building right through Palestinian
farms and villages in the Palestine West Bank. This week Professor Jeff Halper of the Israel Committee Against House
Demolitions and a professor of anthropology at Ben Gurion University, spoke throughout New Zealand. On Tuesday 10th he
is meeting MPs from, I hope, five or six political parties. Jeff Halper's article "The Matrix of Control"
http://www.btinternet.com/~musicweaver/Halper_matrixarticle.htm
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MMP is working fine - the proof is in the record The MMP electoral system attracted 43% support in the latest NBR
PhillipsFox poll, more than the 40% support for first-past-the-post. Progressive president Grant Gillon has tallied up
voting on Labour Progressive legislation and found clear evidence that MMP is delivering. 80% of legislation has been
passed with broad support, with two or more opposition parties supporting. Grant Gillon's analysis - legislation passed
with broad support
http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1096
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Free speech and robust debate is the answer
Public servants are citizens with rights as well as employees. Haami Piripi was quite in order to make a submission on
the Foreshore and Seabed bill. I may not agree with him, but that is free speech. The CEO of the Maori Language
Commission is not involved in making and carrying out government policy.
While I'm at it, I think we're going a bit over the top with Amokura Panoho. It doesn't look to me as though she misused
her position. And an inquiry into 'hate speech,' with promises of law changes is not the answer, but is the path to
censorship. The way to deal with hateful and ignorant bigots is to rebut and refute. Free, robust, speech is the answer.
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. . . but anti-Semitics acts are not free speech
The anti-Semitic attack on Jewish graves and a chapel in Wellington must be condemned by all New Zealanders.
Anti-Semiticism is a racist disease and the thug/s who did this must be caught and prosecuted.
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You're invited to a special screening of Fahrenheit 9/11 at Rialto Newmarket, Sunday 8 August. Michael Moore
investigates the Bush administration. For tickets, phone 09 525 5544, or email matt.robson@progressive.org.nz
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Tune in Sunday 12 - 1 for the Matt Robson Hour on 531 AM. This week: the October local body elections and Dr Malakai
Kolomatangi about the Pacific Forum.
More on this week's news at www.progressive.org.nz including my member's bill on the sale of alcohol to young people, and a Tongan journalist on a free press. Progressive
MP seeks to raise drinking age, toughen law
http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1104