robson-on-politics, Tues 17 May
robson-on-politics, a newsletter from Matt Robson MP Deputy Leader of the Progressive Party www.progressiveparty.org.nz
Tues 17 May
A Progressive Budget
There have been daily announcements on parts of the Labour-Progressive government's Budget 2005, with Jim yesterday
announcing a $9.9 million investment over the next four financial years to develop the http://biz.org.nz site into a
world class business portal.
We have to build a first class economy to sustain first world social services. http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1786
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Graduate debt relief is in national interest
Students were protesting the costs of higher education at Parliament today. I believe what they are saying is very
important because it is about promoting what is in our country's national economic interests. Progressive wants skilled
and trained young people to remain in New Zealand, contributing their talents to the development of New Zealand.
In the September election, Progressive is campaigning for the next coalition government to meet graduates' loan debt
repayments after graduation, in return for them using their skills working in New Zealand. We believe our policy is a
business-friendly one, as business leaders daily report that skills shortages are one of the biggest impediments to
faster growth. http://www.progressiveparty.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1334
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Vote NZ First, get National's asset sales The NZ Herald has brought to light behind-the-scenes negotiations aimed at
cobbling together a NZ First-National government after the election. Just like before the 1996 election, neither NZ
First nor National will tell you honestly what their post-election plans are before you actually vote, so these stories
are useful for finding out what is really going on.
In Election Campaign '96, NZ First asked voters to trust it as the only party able to get rid of the asset-selling
National government. NZ First also said that if it became government it would send back to Beijing the cheque earlier
sent by the Chinese government-owned company that had bought-up New Zealand forests. Apparently the cheque written by
Winston Peters is still in the mail. The subsequent NZ First-National coalition was chaotic. It is remembered for the
knock-down price it sold strategic national assets to new foreign owners, like Auckland Airport. And so it is again
ahead of Election 2005: If you vote NZ First, you will get National's unpopular strategic asset sales agenda.
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NZDF observers to join UN mission in Sudan The government announced yesterday that New Zealand will contribute military
observers to the UN peacekeeping mission in the war-ravaged Sudan. That's Progressive. http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1789
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Canterbury, Te Tai Tonga Candidates Last night I was in Christchurch where Progressive members selected first-rate
candidates to campaign for party votes in this year's election in the Christchurch Central, Banks Peninsula,
Waimakariri, Ilam, Rakaia and Te Tai Tonga electorates. I have no doubt whatsoever that these candidates will
significantly raise Progressive's share of party votes in this crucial region for our party in September:
- Te Tai Tonga Russell Caldwell - Christchurch Central Dr. Megan Woods - Banks
Peninsula Phil Clearwater - Waimakariri John Wright - Ilam
Dr. Zemin Zhang - Rakaia Philippa Main http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1788
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Indian Newslink opinion poll Good to see in the latest Indian Newslink/Radio Tarana poll that Labour retains a huge lead
over National, while Progressive is the most popular of the smaller parties.
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Housing and student debt - a DomPost winner On Saturday on the way to speak at the CTU's Young Workers' conference, I read the Dominion Post's
report that it's a "Hard Road to Owning a Home." I was obviously happy to read of an Upper Hutt father intending to vote
Progressive because he is "impressed by Matt Robson and Jim Anderton" and who said Labour has "turned 360 degrees on too
many policies."
Then I read the comments of a couple in Aro Valley who "would consider changing their vote if a party offered assistance
with student debt and getting their own home." I happily mailed them Progressive policies, announced last year, which
deliver on both issues. http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=Sections=viewarticle=103 and http://progressive.org.nz/student-loans
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ENDS