a weekly newsletter from Matt Robson MP Deputy Leader of the Progressive Party www.progressive.org.nz

An unplanned break for robson-on-politics last week as I ran out of time while in Sydney watching the Aussie election campaign. Thanks to the people contacted me, as they were missing their regular Friday reading. The last edition looked back over two years of robson-on-politics. But now it is less than one year to the 2005 election - the latest date in law is 24 September 2005. Some commentators think 17 September is the last practicable date due to the school holidays. Progressive will be campaigning on our record and promoting ourselves as Labour's best partner. We'll be continuing to raise our profile - more on that to come.

"Desperado, why don't you come to your senses? Come down from your fences, open the gate. It may be raining, but there's a rainbow above you. You better let somebody love you, before it's too late." MPs from all eight political parties, and 400 invited guests, were delighted to listen to the beautiful words and music of Joe Walsh of The Eagles Wednesday. Joe Walsh is an icon for people all over the world, not just for his incredible talent as an artist but also for his personal commitment to helping people get off drugs and alcohol abuse and onto a path of recovery and hope. Joe Walsh's tour to Parliament, Otatara Pa, Napier, and to Auckland, is being arranged by Mokai Whanau Ora, one of the 15 Community Action on Youth & Drugs or (CAYADs) that Progressive secured Budget funding for. See more here including the TV One New item:

http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1243

http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1247

Progressive believes that it is the hallmark of a civilised society that its elderly are able to spend their final years in reasonable financial security. We strive to get consensus between Parliamentary parties on changes to policy settings because we believe certainty is actually the most important ingredient or precondition for a better savings performance in New Zealand and for as much fairness and justice for our retired and elderly. It is disconcerting to see Opposition parties like National, ACT and the Greens unsettling New Zealanders and causing uncertainty about the long-term viability of National Super. http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1249 http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1163

During the week, a new programme to assist young people at risk of alcohol or drug-related problems was launched today by the government-supported Alcohol Advisory Council. Smashed n Stoned? is a early intervention programme to assist at risk young people to focus on their alcohol and drug use and draw on their own strengths to see they can make choices to improve their health and well being. Full details from ALAC:
http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1245

It was reported during the week that some Treasury officials oppose the Labour Progressive government's commitment to invest in 20 hours education a week for children aged three and four. This government is committed to progressively opening doors to education for all of our people - from pre-school to tertiary we want to steadily reduce barriers to learning and skills. The strategy is critical to New Zealand's chances of making it in the increasingly borderless global economy. This coalition government, the most progressive since the 1940s, is overseeing a move to a full-employment, high-income future for all our people. Reaction to the Treasury report: http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1239

Encouraging physical activity for school pupils

Encouraging Kiwi kids to be more physically active is the aim of a new initiative for primary schools announced by the coalition this week. The initiative is important and correct, although Progressive would favour a still more ambitious programme to get kids more physically active - this is Early Intervention par excellence. http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1246

A Court of Appeal judgement affirming that he is a human being with rights. On Tuesday a large crowd launched Selwyn Manning's book uncovering the disinformation campaign. On the Robson Hour Sunday 12 - 1 on Radio 531PI this week I talk to Owen Pau'u, a young law graduate, and Tumua Time of St Vincent de Paul working with youth.

See www.progressive.org.nz for more news 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>>