November 26 2004
Alliance to vote on 2005 Election strategy
Alliance members are expected to endorse running a Party list in the 2005 General Election at the Party's annual
conference in Wellington this weekend.
Conference convenor Jill Ovens says the Conference theme is "Standing strong; standing together" reflecting that members
are keen to get on with the job of refocussing the Alliance as a grassroots-driven party of the Left.
"We have a programme that would make a real difference in the lives of everyday people, including good quality
healthcare, free education, affordable housing and secure jobs."
Ms Ovens says New Zealand is becoming a more unfair and unequal society despite a strengthening economy.
"Children born into poorer families should have the same chances in life as everyone else's kids. No one should be
denied a basic standard of living. That's why we support raising minimum wages and benefits."
She says the task before the Alliance is to build support and credibility among working class people, struggling
beneficiaries, young people and students. Conference sessions will focus on local activism and national campaigns, with
an emphasis on preparing for next year's General Election.
The Alliance will be electing new Party leaders after Matt McCarten and Laila Harre announced they would be stepping
down.
On the agenda are remits that would ban those in leadership positions from actively working for other parties, though
Alliance members will continue to work alongside the Greens, Labour and others at a local level.
2004 Alliance Conference Agenda
27th & 28th November 2003
Wellington Bridge Club, 17 Tinakori Road, Thorndon, WELLINGTON
(Shaded areas closed to media and non-member observers)
Saturday 27th November
8.30am Registration
9.30am Welcome
10.00 am AGM
Election of chairperson
Apologies
Record of delegates
Conference 2003 minutes
Financial report
Membership report
11.00am
Morning Tea
11.30am
Guest speaker: Chris Poor
Guest singer/songwriter: Don Franks
12 noon Constitutional Remits
Delegate discussion/voting:
- Elected positions (Otago/Southland)
Reopen nominations where necessary
1.00 pm Lunch
Sector groups/Secretariat to meet
2.00 pm
2005 Electoral strategy
Delegate discussion and voting:
- Council resolution
- Alternative resolution
- South Auckland and Otaki branch remits
3.00 pm
Choir, Choir Pants on Fire
Afternoon tea
3.30 pm Constitutional Remits contd.
Delegate discussion/voting includes:
- Objectives and Principles
- Other non-policy remits
Policy and Manifesto amendments
Adoption of policy papers
6.00 pm Conference Adjourns for Day
Nominations close
6.30 pm Conference Dinner
Sunday 28th November
9 am Adoption of budget
9.30 am
Election of Officers and Conference-elected reps to Council: short speeches from candidates
Voting
10.30am Morning Tea
11.00am
Issues-based workshops (1)
Jobs and workers' rights
Electricity and transport
Water and environment
12 noon
Issues-based workshops (2)
- Education
- Benefit levels/poverty
- Housing, health
1 pm
Lunch
2.00pm
Campaign Session
- Internal organisation (recruitment, internal communication, fundraising, networking on the Left)
- Developing skills for campaigning (media strategy, campaign strategy, door knocking, visual materials, public
meetings)
3.40 pm
Finale
3.50 pm
Afternoon Tea
ENDS