Positive Alternative Policy Will See ACT Set The Agenda

Friday 3rd Nov 2000 Richard Prebble Media Release -- Governance & Constitution

ACT Leader, Hon Richard Prebble, said after a three day caucus retreat that ACT had determined to concentrate on ACT brand issues.

“ACT is the only party with a vision of how New Zealand can be a prosperous and secure society within a decade, 10 by 2010. This will be achieved by giving citizens the freedom to utilise New Zealand’s strengths to out-perform our competitors in the global economy.

“ACT intends to promote issues where the ACT party has a different policy from the two main parties. ACT’s strategy is best demonstrated by the three private members bills ACT MPs have before parliament.

“ACT MP, Stephen Franks’ bill will help realise the overwhelming referendum call by New Zealanders for truth in sentencing. Stephen’s Bill aims to tighten up our totally ineffective parole system. Some 80 per cent of early release prisoners commit serious offences while on parole. Under ACTs proposal parole offenders will have to return to jail to complete their sentence.

“ACT will continue to attack red tape. ACT Deputy Leader, Ken Shirley’s bill will see a sensible approach to the registration of foreign doctors in New Zealand. Foreign doctors are spending years at present fighting layers of red tape.

“ACT is also targeting the Resource Management Act. The Resource Management Act is a bureaucratic monster. ACT MP, Owen Jennings’ bill to amend the Resource Management Act will force councils to notify property owners before they unilaterally designate properties as environmentally significant. Such designations cost landowners a huge sum as they effectively curtail any use of the land while still imposing costs such as rates.

“Truth in Sentencing, cutting red tape and reforming the Resource Management Act are issues that ACT owns.

“Discussions at the retreat saw caucus approve a completely new approach to the issue of ACC, which ACC spokesman and ACT Deputy Leader, Ken Shirley, will release later this month. The caucus also determined to put out an alternative economic policy which ACT expects to release in the new year. This is a continuation of ACT’s strategy to consciously set the agenda with positive, alternative policy.

“ACT believes issuing fresh new policy ideas is a vital part of its role as a party in opposition.

“ACT is going to put our issues on the agenda,” said Hon Richard Prebble.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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