The Progressive party has selected Joshua Forman as its candidate in the Rimutaka electorate in this year's general election where he will be campaigning for party votes.

"Joshua, who lives in Upper Hutt where he is working towards an apprenticeship as a fitter and welder, is going to be really noticed this election because of his enthusiasm for our party's pro-jobs and anti-drugs record in government over the past five-and-a-half years," says deputy leader, Matt Robson MP.

"My message in Rimutaka is that giving a party vote to Progressive doesn't subtract from Labour, but on the contrary adds to Labour's strength and also strengthens the overall chances of getting the type of Labour-led government that won't sell-out," Joshua Forman said.

"Jim Anderton's Progressive party is campaigning this year on an ambitious platform that includes doubling the number of apprenticeships and ensuring that everyone aged under 20 years is in either a job or alternatively in training by 2007. Also, our student debt-relief policy proposes to cut the debt burden of graduates in return for them commiting to use their skills working in New Zealand after graduation," Joshua Forman said.

"Jim Anderton and Matt Robson are politicians that we need more of. They put their heads down and get on with it. Since 1999, they are responsible for creating New Zealand-owned Kiwibank, they ensured the law change that will give workers an extra week's paid holiday every year and no one can accuse them of being shy about advocating for strong action to combat problems like youth binge-drinking and drug abuse.

"I am proud to stand with them and to campaign alongside them for Progressive party votes to elect more Progressive MPs to ensure the next Helen Clark-led government is the kind of government our country needs," he said.

See also: http://www.progressiveparty.org.nz/candidates

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