Wednesday 22 May 2002

ACT New Zealand President Catherine Judd said today the party was in full campaign mode and ready for an election in late July.

"We have launched our billboard campaign and have direct mail letters going out throughout the country. The party is confident that we will be increasing our representation in Parliament," Ms Judd said.

"An important aspect of any party's election campaign is being able to have your party leader campaign throughout the country. Richard Prebble will be focusing his efforts on the main cities. I fully support Richard's decision not to run for the seat of Wellington Central and believe the party will benefit by having him campaigning `at large'. We need Richard to head up our campaign nationwide.

"ACT will have candidates in all seats in New Zealand and over the coming weeks we will be announcing our candidates. It will be their job to solicit party votes for us.

"ACT has yet to consider its position on running for the Epsom seat where Rodney Hide is standing.

"Our message of personal responsibility in relation to crime, welfare and education is a principled approach New Zealanders appreciate and understand. As I have been travelling around the country, people are taking an interest in ACT and the fresh, new solutions we are proposing.

"ACT is getting strongly behind the Zero Tolerance for Crime policy which will bring some acountability into our justice system. The policy fits into ACT's core message of the need for more personal responsibility.

"ACT is a party of influence and we will once again be offering a top quality list that will see us continue this role in the next Parliament," Ms Judd said.

ENDS

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