robson-on-politics,

a weekly newsletter from Matt Robson MP Deputy Leader of the Progressive Party

Progressive: positive about people and jobs

Fri 21 May

'Tis been an extraordinarily progressive week Our Budget 2004 announcements this past week are giving people an insight into why the May 27 Budget is going to be the most progressive yet since the Clark-Anderton coalition first came to office in 1999. Check out our Budget 2004 statements in full online at www.progressive.org.nz/budget2004 including action on scientific research, forestry addressing climate change, funding aimed at young offenders and $39 million to fight the scourge of methamphetamine and gangs. See: http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=910 http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=907 http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=904 http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=903

Good governments invest in transport and energy

The Rogernomes who sold-out New Zealand's strategic assets and the oligopolist buyers both failed to invest in transport (Tranz Rail, Air NZ), telecommunications (Telecom) and energy (Contact, United Networks) systems, leaving a huge infrastructure deficit. One of Jim Anderton's victories inside the coalition government has been to get an independent audit of the infrastructural deficit of those 15 years of neglect. The audit out this week is needed so that government can know exactly how much investment funding we need to make in coming years. New Zealand must invest in our roads, rail, electricity, water and sewerage systems. http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=911

Banking: "Big five bleed to Kiwibank" Tuesday's headline says it all. Research shows the big five banks, all Australian owned, lose 180,000 customers a year and the big winner is Kiwibank. So just why is Don Brash promising to sell a popular and successful asset? http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=901

Corrections Bill a big step forward

Look for the third reading of the Corrections Bill next week to pass into law steps to make the justice system work better. Not only does it end the private profit-making prison business, but it cements in place victim-centered restorative justice in all prisons. People who go through the tough RJ process have lower re-offending rates and that's good. And by making provision for all religions and cultures we increase the odds that prisoners when released will be reintegrated into their community and rebuild their lives within the law. http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=902

Radio 531PI, Sunday 12 - 1, is the Robson Hour.

This week Matt talks to Phil Goff, Dr Trisha Briscoe about New Zealand's alcohol culture. http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=913

A fair go for battlers is the Aussie way I don't understand why the Australian government is using bullying tactics against East Timor over the oilfield under the sea in the Timor Gap between the countries. Things have changed since New Zealand shamefully ignored the country, and East Timor should receive its due share of Timor Gap oil to boost its nascent economy. http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=918

New party a shocker

The new party of Tariana Turia is turning into a real shocker. First we had the serious misrepresentation of what the government is trying to achieve to promote our shared rights and responsibilities as New Zealanders. Next, dubious stuff about privatising the justice system. And now, caving into the Legalise Cannabis Party. If they are going to have a credible future as a party wanting to help Maori they will have to change course on all of these issues. Methinks the muddled programme of this new party must be challenged. http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=909 and 'What's A Pro-Treaty, Pro-New Zealander, Pro-Maori Kiwi Like Me To Think?' http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=915

Budget 2004 announcements next week

Look out for significant Progressive Budget 2004 announcements on Monday on economic transformation creating high quality jobs, and on Tuesday to help the victims of the drug pushers.

War crimes in Palestine New Zealand's links with the Holy Land go back to WWI. In 1947, our nation at the UN backed the establishment of two states, Jewish Israel and Christian-Muslim-Arab Palestine, both within the historic territory of Palestine. Successive Israeli governments have overseen war crimes that have seen millions stampeded out of their country to refugee camps in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and in the Israeli-occupied Palestine West Bank and Gaza. This week, the current Israeli government stepped up its war crimes trying to force a stampede of refugees from Rafah. But by threatening Palestinians' right to establish their own State, the Sharon government is undermining the 1947 basis in law of Israel's own existence. http://www.un.org/unrwa/ and http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maacf4naa6Wsqbb0hPub/

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>