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 22 October
Lest we forget the threat of National
It's important to remember where we've come from to understand where we as heading as a nation. For five years now Jim
Anderton and I have been working hard in government on economic and regional development (That's Progressive!) and
delivered the best employment opportunities in a generation and more. We inherited chaos because of the scorched earth
policies of the Right -- kicked off by Roger Douglas, continued by National, cheered on by Don Brash -- which caused
pain and poverty for hard-working Kiwi families.
This weekend TV One screens seminal documentaries by Alister Barry which will remind those who lived through those days,
and those who were young, what happened. Someone Else's Country screens at noon Sunday on One, followed by In a Land of
Plenty at 10.05pm Monday. Although TVNZ has finally accepted these programmes after years in the wilderness, it has not
advertised them. Thankfully many people are circulating the news to their friends and to email networks. This week's
National threat National: Brash would hurt film-making in NZ:
What goes around comes around
News that half of Fay Richwhite, and others, are being prosecuted for sharemarket wrongdoing reminds me that the Labour
Party has never looked at itself to see why they caved in to one man, Roger Douglas. I know that in Progressive we had
an open appraisal of our 2000/01 civil war and are stronger for it. New Zealand needs a strong functioning political
left. Some see it in the Greens, some in part of the Labour caucus, and growing numbers see it in our party. Progressive
is going to be a key part of a strong left in the next government because of our social justice policies and pro-jobs,
pro-growth, pro-families initiatives. What is it to be Progressive?
What to do with four weeks leave?
From NZ Herald 16/10: Businessman Patrick Fontein says all parents should take their kids on a 2½ week South African
safari. What a good reason for four weeks leave! (The profile of Mr Fontein is not available on the Herald website)
Success has many fathers My Labour colleague Rick Barker at the Service Workers Union conference spoke of the
achievements of the Labour-led government (can't he say the "Progressive" word?), including four weeks leave for all
employees by 2007. Isn't it interesting that success has many fathers. His speech is at: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.cfm?DocumentID=21257
Due process for Tamihere and Zaoui
Evidence, verdict, then sentence if need be, said Michael Cullen this week of the Tamihere inquiry. Exactly so, there
must be due process. The accused has the right to know the allegations so they can defend themselves. That is what John
Tamihere has, and what is being demanded for Ahmed Zaoui. This week, 150 people packed the Beehive foyer for the
Wellington launch of I almost forgot about the moon, the book about the disinformation campaign against Zaoui. The
audience came from all walks of life. Half the Progressive and Green caucuses were there, but not NZ First nor ACT. For
all their talk of protecting individuals from abuses by the State, I thought they would have been interested. The
deliberate practices of the SIS and other agencies against Zaoui threaten the rights of every New Zealander. None of us
is safe. Steve Maharey accepted a copy of the book as he returned from his evening run, and assistant Speaker Ross
Robertson was the lone attendee from Labour. National's Richard Worth looked in and bought the book. Coverage (with photos) of the book launch - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0410/S00252.htm Matt's speech "The Light on the Hill" (quoting Aussie Labor PM Ben Chifley): http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0410/S00362.htm
Ahmed Zaoui prepared a lecture titled "Clash of Civilisations: Myth or Reality" It was delivered for him at Auckland
University and you can judge for yourself whether he is indeed a thoughtful academic. See the full text: http://publicaddress.net/default,speaker.sm
A roof over your head
As I reported in February, Progressive wants to get people into good houses. Young families need the security of their
own home. Progressive will bring out policies to bridge the too-wide deposit gap, and says there must be more action in
the third term of the coalition. The Dominion today reports that 'a battle is looming in Cabinet' on housing and we will
take this debate to the heart of the government. Thursday: http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1292 In February robson-onpolitics reported on housing: http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=709
Tune into 531AM for The Robson Hour 12 - 1 Sun when I talk to author Selwyn Manning about his Zaoui book and to Willie
Sio re-elected to Manukau City Council See http://www.progressive.org.nz for more news on: major regional initiatives http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1291 and getting business to lift R investment: http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1288
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ENDS