robson-on-politics Thursday 04 August 2005
robson-on-politics, a newsletter from Matt Robson MP
Deputy Leader of the Progressive Party
www.progressiveparty.org.nz
Last sitting day of Parliament
School is out which means the task of the progressive Left until Sept. 17 is to fully explain to all how much is at
stake this election. The Left hasn't won three consecutive elections in 62 years, so the challenge is before us. The
only way a strategic asset-selling, pro-war National-led government can be established under MMP is if NZ First emerges
in a position to deliver it.
http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News=article=1995
So what exactly is NZ First?
It is the type of party that condemns Arabs for the lack of democracy in U.S. puppet regimes like Egypt, Saudi Arabia,
UAE, etc., but then accuses the one democratic Arabic-language media outlet that criticizes those Puppet Regimes for
being "terrorist" for running news that doesn't always tow the U.S. line.
Pluralist Arabic-language TV is unacceptable because, NZ First says, its news includes "unacceptable" viewpoints - like
those of Palestinians and their descendents made refugees by U.K. policy back in 1948.
It’s a party that doesn't keep its word
But NZ First also has policies, and a record, on domestic matters. Its '05 non-negotiable policy is to oppose state
asset sales, unchanged from its position since the day it was formed as National's future ally in '93. The only time the
policy has been tested is when it got into government. Then its leader announced the National-NZ First government was
tired of having funds tied up in airports and coal mines and they'd be hocked off to foreigners instead.
NZ First is also hot air
But NZ First is much, much more than just an anti-Asian, anti-Polynesian and pro-strategic asset sales party! It is also
a party of Hot Air. In 1996, NZ First never corrected news media stories (including on CanWest-controlled TV3) that the
party's commitment to buy-back the Forestry Corporation from the Chinese/Fletchers consortium was "non-negotiable in
coalition talks." The leader, announced, alas, that its non-negotiable position on forests was negotiated away in the
deal that installed him as Deputy PM.
And the party is led by a bully boy coward
Oh, there is one other thing about NZ First: It is led by a bully boy coward too scared or rude to meet the Auckland men
he had so badly defamed under the protection of Parliamentary privilege.
All the best to Ian Ewen-Street
The progressive Left has lost a good, solid MP in Ian who kept his head down, worked hard and took the Number One Drug
Problem (alcohol abuse amongst the young) seriously enough to break ranks with his leaders to support Progressive's
Alcohol Harm Reduction Bill to Select Committee. Thank you Ian and all the best.
Participate in democracy - make a submission!
Progressive's Sale of Liquor (Youth Alcohol Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill proposes to raise the alcohol purchasing age,
strengthen provisions relating to the supply of liquor to minors, provide a restriction on broadcast liquor advertising
before 10pm and to extend the jurisdiction of the Broadcasting Standards Authority to include broadcast liquor
advertising issues. Please forward 20 copies of your democratic submission by Friday, 12 August STAMP FREE to Law and
Order Committee Secretariat, Parliament, Wellington.
Shame United, Prog won't be on CanWest TV
The advertising industry always acts to protect itself. The best way to stop liquor advertising restrictions? Ban the
two parties most likely to vote for it from getting media coverage. (six United MPs supported the Progressive Bill,
whereas the leaders of ACT and the Greens opposed it). CanWest's NZ unit, TV3, this week knocked out Progressive and
United MPs from a "leaders' debate" that will include the leaders of ACT & the Greens.
ENDS