robson-on-politics 3 December
robson-on-politics, a weekly newsletter from Matt Robson MP Deputy Leader of the Progressive Party
www.progressiveparty.org.nz
More for early childhood education
More than 1,000 early childhood education centres will benefit from the first stage of a new http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1393
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Thinkers Not Drinkers
Progressive Party billboards paid for by our members are going up in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch today. They
feature our new initiatives for 2005, including returning the drinking age to 20. This is one billboard:
Our campaign for a law change to raise the age, regulate ads, and enforce the age limit is gathering momentum. Public
health experts agree that one of the most effective ways to reduce alcohol abuse and to protect young people is to put
the age of purchase at 20. Our Member's Bill does that and is backed by a recent Ministry of Health report to the
Ministerial Committee on Drugs and Alcohol.
Click here for Latest news and for the Campaign home http://www.progressive.org.nz/drinking-age page If you like the ad, forward it to your friends and tell them the URL is http://www.progressive.org.nz/drinking-age
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Maori student debt is the country's debt
Research by the Maori Tertiary Students' Association reveals that Maori are taking longer than other students to pay off
their debt. They take an average of 9.2 years while non-Maori take an average of 8.7 years.
At the Maori Student Debt Summit in Wellington on Monday, I'll make it very clear that a key Progressive Party policy in
the next Cabinet will be for government to meet student loan repayments for three years after graduation for people
working in New Zealand. Educational success is essential for Maori development and for the development of New Zealand.
Our jobs policies are working too - there are more opportunities here at home for new graduates.
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The Bill of Rights, national security, and Mr Zaoui
In an important decision for the rule of law and democracy the Supreme Court refused to allow the mantra of 'national
security' to sweep away basic rights.
Ahmed Zaoui, the Queen of England, Uncle Tom Cobley and all are entitled to procedural fairness and the full protection
of the law. The full bench declared:
"This is a case where national security issues arise. It is also a case about the liberty of someone who has refugee
status in New Zealand and who is entitled to the benefit of the Refugee Convention requirement that only such
restrictions upon his liberty as are necessary should be imposed upon him. The applications fall to be considered
against the background of concern for liberty recognised by the Bill of Rights Act and the common law"
In a historic step, the Supreme Court will hear the bail application next
Thursday, Dec 9. Freedom or a fair trial!
See Amnesty http://amnesty.org.nz/ and statement
on the decision
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Progressives always support human rights
Young Progressive representative Karin Reinholt did us proud on TV1 news advocating for the Civil Union Bill. She http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1403 said "Young Progressives believe that strengthening of meaningful relationships deserves support. The proposed Civil
Union legislation represents a step by Parliament to reject persecution, oppression and discrimination. It also meets
our obligations under international law to remove discriminatory legislation."
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Just one Cuba Libre, thanks
Janet Mackey, President of the NZ-Cuba Parliamentary Friendship group is hosting MPs next Wednesday, meeting Cuban
literacy tutors working with Te Wanaga o Aotearoa. The Greenlight programme, 36 video-based modules based on the
world-famous Cuban literacy model, is being taken up by companies including Carter Holt Harvey. Yours truly will be
offering one Cuba Libre (responsible drinking) to each MP to mark the evening.
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On The Robson Hour on 531AM, Sun noon - 1pm: UK policeman Sir Charles Pollard, Haikiu Baiabe on Pacific health, and
Karlo Mila, advisor to the inquiry on Tonga.
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This week on www.progressive.org.nz http://www.progressive.org.nz/ there are over 14 new stories, including Progressive http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1408 getting funding for Murupara's anti-drug action, fair http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1407 trade with Thailand, and why it's curtains http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1401 for the Nats - they can't deliver on company tax but Progressive can.
Subscribe to robson-on-politics by fax to 04 472 7620 or email to matt.robson@parliament.govt.nz
ENDS