TV3 is to be congratulated for affirming voters' right to hear the views of the leaders of all of the political parties that might influence the next government's policies, Progressive leader Jim Anderton said today.

As reported, TV3 has invited the leaders of Progressive and United Future to join the other six parliamentary party leaders to participate in its Leaders' Debate at 7.30 tonight.

"On behalf of the junior partner in the minority coalition government, there are a number of important issues I would like to bring to the national debate this evening.

"The most pressing issue is the need to continue delivering policies that will strengthen our economy and create high quality jobs for New Zealanders.

"Progressive is campaigning to cut tertiary graduates' debt burden in return for graduates using their skills to work in New Zealand and to cut the company tax rate to 30 cents in the dollar.

"These are two policies that will help us achieve our goal of becoming the best First World economy in the world able to afford First World education and health services for our people.

"I would also like to highlight our need as a society to do more to reduce the harm caused by drugs, including our Number One drug challenge, alcohol.

"On behalf of Progressive, I would also like to outline my party's case for a bigger effort by central government to assist low income families into their first homes. Progressive is taking a more ambitious housing policy to the electorate in this year's election than any other party and I'd like to hear other party leaders' outline why they don't think more action is needed to house our families.

Note: Jim Anderton will not be commenting any further on today's court decision which is in the past.

Note: Progressive's Sale of Liquor (Youth Alcohol Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill proposes to raise the alcohol purchasing age, strengthen provisions relating to the supply of liquor to minors, provide a restriction on broadcast liquor advertising before 10pm and to extend the jurisdiction of the Broadcasting Standards Authority to include broadcast liquor advertising issues. Submissions on the Bill close tomorrow Friday.

www.progressiveparty.org.nz

ENDS

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