robson-on-politics 17 September

A Progressive-tinged week Progressive's input into the coalition government showed itself across a wide spectrum of policies this week: improving the working of the Resource Management Act; encouraging major events to New Zealand; and a big push in our campaign for safer drug-free communities.
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Athens, Beijing, New York . . . and Whakatane

On Wednesday, the coalition government announced its Major Events Strategy. Big sporting or cultural celebrations and the like can bring significant economic benefits to a hosting region. That creates jobs and opportunities that wouldn't exist otherwise. Unlike the right-wing opposition that believes politicians should be paid to do nothing, our government rolls up its sleeves and gets in behind our industries and people to make the most of opportunities as they arise. Criteria, funding, and the inter-agency group http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1200 _________________________

Comprehensive law to get tough on drug suppliers

The government took a major step to strengthen the arm of Police and Customs and put the screw on suppliers of dangerous drugs when Jim Anderton's Misuse Of Drugs Amendment (No 3) Bill progressed to select committee. We've also signalled that age and other restrictions on the sale of legal highs, and possibly some solvents, may be on the way if that is what medical experts advise. Progress to select committee http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1203 Legal highs and solvents http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1202 _________________________

Promoting growth, while valuing the environment

Progressive is always closely involved in coalition government steps to promote the social and economic development of our regions, to get people into higher-paying jobs and to get them better educated. A lot of nonsense this week from some "green" types about changes to the Resource Management Act. In truth, this government is moving to make the RMA effective. That is the best chance of saving both jobs and the environment from a (far-)future reckless right wing government which would throw both baby and bathwater The 16 page package PDF file http://www.beehive.govt.nz/Documents/Files/Improving%20the%20RMA.pdf _________________________

Fighting poverty in old age Fighting poverty in old age means encouraging everyone to save a little as best they can during their working lives. The government wants feedback from the public on a proposal to take an important step in this direction. The proposal for a future for work-based savings http://www.beehive.govt.nz/Documents/Files/WorkplaceSavings.pdf

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A good job the best antidote to a life of crime ANZ Bank's August job ads survey points to further job gains for the economy. The surge - over 200,000 more jobs - in the past five years goes a long way to explaining the dramatic fall in the crime rate. It is a good reminder that a good job is the best antidote to a life of crime. And early intervention is the financially cheapest, and best way, of reducing crime further. ANZ survey consolidates in August on 3.5% gain in July http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1199
http://www.anz.com/nz/tools/library/ja/ja20040915.pdf

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Rage is natural, but then we must think An excellent article in last Sunday's Star-Times talking to a former Corrections Minister on dealing with offending and some personal experiences. Recommended reading. The full article "Even a family tragedy" http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3031724a1861,00.html

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Free pre-school and tertiary ed: That's Progressive Progressive, meanwhile, wants to win more seats at the next Cabinet table. We want to have more influence on education and skills/training policy. Free education from pre-school to tertiary is our eventual target, but we support all measures that move in the direction of lowering barriers to skills and education. Ultimately we favour removing all financial barriers http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1196 _________________________

Tairawhiti chooses major regional development We also announced that the Tairawhiti region will receive $2 million from NZ Trade and Enterprise' for a Major Regional Initiative (MRI). Currently underutilized land in the region will be developed in partnership with food producers and processing businesses to grow exports. Food exports have projected benefits of $320M http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1195

. . . and a better future for Wairoa

Wairoa's future was the issue under discussion for Jim Anderton and Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia when they met with a delegation in Wairoa. Nearly 200 jobs created through export expansion http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1197 _________________________

ACT out of touch, thinks Cold War still on

Sadly, Rodney Hide screaming about 'lefty pinko pacifists' thinks the Cold War isn't long over. I'll have to tell him that in 1990 Reagan and Gorbachev announced the end. But still some show their bias. The National Business Review's monthly poll today heralds the re-election of the government and the demise of National and Rodney's ACT parties. The NBR had to bury that news on page 10. The NBR website tries desperately http://www.nbr.co.nz/home/column_article.asp?id=10195&cid=15&cname=Politics But you'll learn far more reading the Stuff website (Dominion Post, Waikato Times, Press) http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3037043a10,00.html _________________________

The Robson Hour Sunday 12 - 1 Radio 531PI: this week Len Brown and Sir Barry Curtis vying for the Manukau mayoralty, and Robert Woonton on the Cooks Is election. Subscribe to robson-on-politics by fax to 04 472 7620 or email to matt.robson@parliament.govt.nz Similarly to unsubscribe.

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>>