Anderton's Enews
Covering 21 March to 8 April 2005
Dear readers
Budget Day 2005 is fast approaching and soon I'll be in a position to outline the Progressive Party's budget initiatives
to promote safer, drug-free communities as well as our latest programmes to further strengthen the productive capacity
of our economy.
On March 29, I released the first of my Budget 2005 initiatives for funding to promote excellence in wood design. It was
warmly received within the forestry and wider wood-related industry, which is our third largest merchandise export
earning sector.
Last week, I had a very productive meeting with a very impressive line-up of leaders in the forest industry and we got
down to work on how to work together to accelerate the strategic development of this absolutely vital export industry.
I believe that this process, called the Forest Industry Development Agenda, is a very significant breakthrough for the
industry. The Labour-Progressive government has expressed its confidence in the future through my April 5 budget
announcement that we're investing $18 million to propel the agenda, matched not with words, but with further millions
from industry itself.
As a progressive socialist, these two budget announcements in forestry are the types of programmes and policies that are
really exciting because they are about adding value to our economy.
It is about getting us up the value-chain so that we can become a richer economy able to afford the sort of First World
social policies other richer countries take for granted, and to which all New Zealanders aspire.
We want first class social services for everyone and we need a first class economy so that we can deliver them.
Warmest regards
Jim Anderton
MP for Wigram and Progressive Leader
Minister for Economic, Industry & Regional Development
Minister of Forestry
Associate Minister of Health
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
New Zealand medical research receives boost
08 April 2005
Industry and Regional Development Minister Jim Anderton today announced that Wellington firm, P3 Research Ltd, will
receive a grant to assist it in its efforts to win international contracts in the field of medical research.
Jim Anderton address at 2005 Champions of Cheese Awards
07 April 2005
One of the most urgent jobs to lock-in a stronger economy is to build partnerships in the industries, with the highest
potential for growth, at the top of the list.
Anderton opens Sister Cities New Zealand Convention 2005
07 April 2005
Today I urge you to visit Moerewa, just down the road from this resort. A community with fierce dignity and a passion
for its future, their reconstruction of their township is an inspiration to the whole of New Zealand.
BUDGET '05: $18 M investment in Forest Industry Development Agenda
05 April 2005
The Forest Industry Development Agenda had its inaugural meeting today, with Jim Anderton announcing the
Labour-Progressive government will invest $18.1 million (GST excl) to develop the industry, matched with a further $3.8
million (GST excl) contribution expected from industry.
Aquaculture Forum: We need to export far more high-value products
05 April 2005
If we want to offer young New Zealanders a future here, and I certainly do, we need urgent improvement in our national
incomes and overall wealth. We are only going to lift our incomes substantially over the long term by selling far more
high value products to the world.
Extra early childhood education funding kicks in today
April 1 2005
Early childhood education services will receive significant funding boosts, effective from today, as part of the $307
million four-year package aimed at getting more children into affordable and top quality early childhood education.
Tax discount for new small businesses
31 March 2005
Starting a small business will become less taxing from April this year when a 6.7 per cent tax discount becomes
available.
NZ and Malaysia launch fair trade talks
31 March 2005
Malaysia and New Zealand have agreed to begin negotiations on a free trade agreement as soon as possible.
Greens' hostility to fair trade with China makes no sense
30 March 2005
The Green Party's hostility to a fair trade deal between New Zealand and China doesn't make intellectual or moral sense,
Progressive MP Matt Robson said the General Debate in Parliament this evening.
BUDGET 2005: $2.26 million to promote wood design
29 March 2005
Forestry Minister Jim Anderton today announced an investment of $2.26 million (GST excl. $2.009 million) over the next
five financial years to help promote excellence in wood design in the construction sector.
Jim Anderton address to open Better By Design conference
29 March 2005
The Labour-Progressive government’s efforts to increase the value of our productive sectors continue to attract critics
like pollen attracts bees. When they call events like this Design Conference "corporate welfare," and accuse us of
picking winners, they are really saying we don’t need to worry about incorporating better design in our industrial
development.
260,000 Kiwi families better off from Friday
29 March 2005
Thousands of families with children will be entitled to extra assistance when the next phase of Working for Families
kicks in on 1 April, Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey said today.
Getting better access to overseas' markets vital to NZ's future
26 March 2005
If we want our own workers to enjoy the standard of living to which they quite rightly aspire, and which they have
enjoyed in the past, then we have no option but to grow our trade as the basis of a sustainable economy through exports
of high value added product to as many markets as we can.
Promoting public health and safer communities
Anderton comments on falling suicide rate
06 April 2005
Data for 2002 released today are a reminder that New Zealand as a society continues to face a very serious challenge
from suicide, says Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton.
Review of suicide and the media
06 April 2005
The government and media organizations need to work more closely together on the issue of youth suicide, an independent
review has found.
Work-Life balance resource launched
5 April 2005
State Services Minister Trevor Mallard today launched a new Work-Life Balance resource that will enable the government,
as a large employer, to lead by example in the wider workplace.
Christchurch's $3 million Kyoto initiative
1 April 2005
A Christchurch City Council plan to collect methane gas from the Burwood landfill site to fire the boilers at the QE2
swimming pool has been awarded 200,000 emissions units under the government's Projects to reduce Emissions programme.
UK Labour's woolly-headed approach to cannabis to be reviewed
21 March 2005
Progressive MP Matt Robson said today that he isn't at all surprised that the British Labour government is now starting
to back-track on its ill-advised decision to soften its anti-cannabis laws one year ago.
Democracy and human rights
New Zealand, Cambodia cooperate to promote labour standards
8 April 2005
New Zealand and Cambodia's growing trade relationship is about to complemented with closer cooperation to promote
improving labour standards, Progressive MP Matt Robson said today.
Goff welcomes UN decision on Sudan
April 6 2005
Foreign Minister Phil Goff has welcomed the UN Security Council's decision to establish a peacekeeping mission in Sudan,
impose sanctions, and refer the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Notice of Motion on the death of Pope John Paul II
5 April 2005
As a Roman Catholic, the values of the universal church have guided me in my life from a young Catholic youth worker in
the 1960s to being a Cabinet Minister today, Jim Anderton said in Parliament today.
MMP comes of age - first coalition government to run full term
30 March 2005
The record 965 days in office marked by the Labour-Progressive government today, and confirmation the coalition will be
the first since the advent of MMP to run its full term, means our proportional representation voting system has "come of
age," says Progressive MP Matt Robson.
Robson outlines to Canadians why MMP is so much more democratic
29 March 2005
Matt Robson outlines the tremendous benefits to law-making and democratic process the MMP system has delivered for all
New Zealanders.