robson-on-politics 19 November

robson-on-politics, a weekly newsletter from Matt Robson MP Deputy Leader of the Progressive Party www.progressiveparty.org.nz

On housing Progressive is advocating a bold new move to help low income families bridge the deposit gap. Families will be able to capitalise family financial support to provide the deposit for a home. In education, we want students to be able to work in New Zealand without worrying about debt. Thus, our 2005 policy of meeting repayments for up to three years. And of course there is 30% company tax as part of a package to encourage business growth and more jobs. Some muddled critics construe that as anti-worker. Now run that past me again: more and more jobs is not pro-family, pro-worker, but only pro-business? No wonder we are also advocating effective action on alcohol harm.

See: http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1360 and for more detail: http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1361

The response to our newspaper ads (especially on raising the drinking age to 20) has been so positive I want to offer you the chance to pass them on to your friends. Email matt.robson@parliament.govt.nz with 'ads' in the subject line, and I'll send you four separate emails, with the four ads. No copyright - you can forward freely.

Lively policy debate, candidate preparation, and election strategy will be in focus at the Progressive regional conference at Waipuna Hotel on Saturday Nov 20 from 9.30 am. I look forward to meeting people as we gear up to take our key policies to the electorate. This follows last week's conference in Christchurch where delegates experienced a practical and useful day. http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1376

Brian Garguilo for the Vegetable Growers Association says "Labour is scarce. [Growers] mightn't have enough labour to harvest their crop and they need to be planning and looking at ways to achieve their labour." Each year around 35,000 seasonal workers are needed. It is time to introduce a balanced work permit system for willing migrant labour and move from talk to action. This is specialist work. Instead of charging ahead with the Identity Bill which puts in more hurdles and hoops for migrants, we need rational and migrant-friendly policies which assist employers, help to grow the economy, and provide full employment for both the New Zealand work force and for migrants. http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1007

Damien O'Connor wants to do something about alcohol abuse, no doubt about that. But effective action does not mean shutting down discussion on raising the drinking age to 20 and tightening liquor advertising regulations. Education campaigns alone don't work, but can instead be a PR mechanism for the booze industry. Research shows that alcohol-related hospital admission rates for 10 to 14 years old have increased by 87%. We made a mistake in lowering the drinking age and unleashing liquor advertising. We have to act because the well-being of New Zealand's young people is vital. See: http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1368

He decided to follow Te Kooti (exiled for 2½ yrs) to the Chathams this week, a wise decision after saying the Supreme Court wasn't appointed on merit. The Attorney-General quickly rapped his knuckles with a statement. Now what do we call it when judges are subject to interference? It is time for politicians to stop attacking judges and tribunals such as the Refugee Status Appeals Authority. We must maintain an independent judiciary.

robson-on-politics takes a break next week as the Progressive executive meets to plan election year 2005.

This week on www.progressive.org.nz < http://www.progressive.org.nz > there are over fourteen new articles.

Read how we're delivering on policies, fighting P in Morrinsville last night, amd Wanganui's announcement on one-stop-shop economic development, following the Progressive which campaigned on a one-stop-shop for NZ, delivered as NZ Trade and Enterprise. Wellington's economy has the best growth figures for five years, and Jim Anderton's Major Regional Initiative in the region, the Wellington Film Facility, is a catalyst for the screen industry which is driving growth.

And also on the site are our reasons for wanting the next coalition agreement to commit to a vote in Parliament on raising the drinking age. http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1362 With our package of policies, we're saying to New Zealand we need party votes to be back in Parliament and Government for another term.

Guests on The Robson Hour Sunday noon - 1pm on Radio 531PI are Tongan MP Fred Sevele, Cr James Papali'i, and Dr John Huakau from SHORE on the PI (ab)use of alcohol. Subscribe to robson-on-politics by fax to 04 472 7620 or email to matt.robson@parliament.govt.nz

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>>