18 November 2004

Grant Gillon, Progressive Party President

Progressives to focus on mechanics of campaigning for Party Vote

The second of the Progressive Party's regional conferences, which kicks off on Saturday in Auckland, will very much focus on the mechanics of campaigning for party votes in next year's election, says party president Grant Gillon.

"The Progressive Party, which had its inaugural conference just one year ago, remains a new party. A significant part of our regional conferences this year are focused on the practical, day-to-day mechanics of how to campaign for peoples' party votes," Grant Gillon said.

"Jim Anderton's and Matt Robson's role in the coalition over the five years has probably best been known for their contribution to the government policy agenda.

"They have ensured action on heartland issues like establishing the low-fee New Zealand-owned Kiwibank, four weeks annual leave for workers, paid parental leave to encourage working families to stay in work and off welfare and driving the government's strong regional and industry development work to deliver new jobs and the strong anti-drugs campaign," Grant Gillon said.

"Where we, as a new party with just 4,000 financial members and supporters have work to do is in learning about the practical details of how to run door-to-door campaigns for the party vote," he said.

Progressive did not campaign door-to-door last election as the party was formed just prior to the election, but it will do so next year.

"Party supporters are getting up to speed ahead of next year's election on practical politics. They raised over $100,000 in six months to fund our November-December publicity campaign, but the real challenge is explaining to voters directly next year that Progressive is the party for getting families into their first homes, for getting the debt monkey off graduates' backs and Progressive is the party that knows that being business-friendly and having a social conscience can, and must, go hand-in-hand," Grant Gillon said.

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"Our Party Vote 2005 campaign is being built on the back of recent policy announcements that move the economic and social agenda along together with policies still to be announced. We look forward to success next year," Grant Gillon said.

Agenda - Saturday 20th November 2004 (All sessions open to Party Members only, except address by Jim Anderton which is open to the Supporters, Public and Media).

Early session: Focus on Party Vote 2005.

Mid morning session: Strategy presentation & branding campaign

Late morning: Candidate selection, canvassing & fundraising

1.00 P.M. Financial report, election of officers

1.30 P.M. – 2.30 P.M. Executive Member Des Ripi introduces Jim Anderton for Leader's Address (open session)

AFTERNOON: Policy presentations from the floor, workshops & discussion

ENDS

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