For immediate release - 13 May 2004

NATIONAL PARTY BOARD APPROVES CLASSICIAL LIBERAL POLICY ADVISORY GROUP

The National Party Board has approved an application to form a Classical Liberal Policy Advisory Group. National party members and supporters can apply to form such groups.

The group, known as the Classical Libs, aims to generate debate within and outside the Party, advocate policies from an intellectually consistent philosophical basis, and influence the policy platform for the next National Government.

The Classical Libs has been established by members and supporters of the National Party who champion the rights of individuals, property rights and a limited role for government, along with a belief in a tolerant and diverse society.

Classical Liberalism advocates policies where the Government and Parliament is both economically and socially liberal, in that just as the Government should not interfere unnecessarily in business, neither should it interfere unnecessarily in how people and families run their own lives.

A range of policy seminars are planned to be held, on a diverse range of topics including:

* How should Government deal with monopolies?
* The Government and the Arts - is there a role?
* A classical liberal approach to the Treaty of Waitangi
* 21st century welfare
* Civil Unions Bill
* Thinking outside the square on road safety

All policy advisory groups are co-chaired by a Member of Parliament, and Katherine Rich has agreed to take on this role.

"I am delighted to be part of the Classical Libs. The National Party is a broad based party having inherited two political traditions of conservatism, and (classical) liberalism, and this group is about appealing to people who are market and social liberals" said Katherine Rich.

Co-chair David Farrar commented "We are really looking forward to generating and helping lead some policy debates on both current issues, and on potential future directions for the next National Government. With the Labour Government tearing itself apart with its weekly u-turns, we wish to help illustrate that National is a party of principle, not poll driven panic".

National members and supporters can join the Classical Libs online at www.national.org.nz or by e-mail to classical.libs@national.org.nz

ENDS

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