INDEPENDENT NEWS

Sharrock campaigns for Progressives in Rodeny

Published: Fri 15 Jul 2005 03:10 PM
Sharrock campaigns for Progressive party votes in Rodney
The Progressive party has selected businessman Tony Sharrock as its candidate in the Rodney electorate north of Auckland where he will be campaigning for party votes in the general election, says deputy leader Hon. Matt Robson MP.
"When I talk with people from Wellsford, Warkworth and other areas around this neck of the woods, people are very impressed with the regional economic development and anti-drugs policies that Jim Anderton's Progressive party has brought to the heart of Helen Clark's government," Tony Sharrock said today.
"Since 1999, progressive policy achievements include facilitating the creation of tens of thousands of new jobs through industry and regional economic development promotion and everyone knows Jim Anderton is driving the government's policy in this area.
"And I find that I don't have to look very far to find people who enthusastically support Kiwibank, the New Zealand-owned bank that offers lower fees and where bank profits stay in our country instead of going overseas.
"Everyone knows Kiwibank was Jim Anderton's brainchild," Mr Sharrock said.
"In this year's election, Progressive is campaigning on a platform to cut the debt burden of student graduates in return for them committing to use their skills working in New Zealand which will benefit regional economies like our own.
"I'm finding strong support for our policy to reduce youth binge drinking by raising the alcohol purchasing age back to twenty years," Tony Sharrock said.
"In fact, some people are outraged when I tell them that the leaders of the National, United Future and ACT parties all voted against our party's Bill on the drinking age even proceeding to the Select Committee where the public can have their say.
"I believe local MP Lockwood Smith was very wrong to vote against the Bill.
My message to those that disagree with the local MP on this issue is that if you really do want strong action against youth binge drinking and drug problems in society, then your best bet is to give your party vote to Jim Anderton's Progressive party," he said.
See also: www.progressiveparty.org.nz/candidates
ENDS
Father of two young adult sons Jonathan and David, Tony Sharrock is an immigration consultant and company director of Powerdrive Group Ltd., which markets energy-efficient heat exchangers.
He has had extensive experience in teaching over more than 20 years, mainly in South Auckland, has had experience teaching at an IHC infant middle school and has numerous tertiary qualifications including a Masters in Business Studies, a Bachelor of Arts, an Advanced Diploma of Business Management, a Diploma of Education and a teachers' certificate. Tony also has an Advanced Diploma of English as a Second Language.
Tony is involved in community affairs, being an executive member of various community trusts and associations including the Northcote Residents' Association, Northcote Central Development Trust, Wai 756 Claims Committee and Te O Runanga Te Taou.
He is also a member of the Northcote Rugby Football Club and of Saint Mathews in the City.
The Progressive Party is a partner in the coalition government first elected in 1999.
Its leader, Jim Anderton, is the third-ranked Cabinet Minister with responsibility for Economic, Industry and Regional Development and for driving the coalition government's campaign against drug abuse.
ENDS

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