Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

New Leadership for The Opportunities Party

NEW LEADERSHIP FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES PARTY

The Opportunities Party has a new leader, Wellington Economist Geoff Simmons.

Geoff has been intimately involved in developing TOP’s policies over the past ten years as part of the Morgan Foundation and was Deputy Leader in the 2017 campaign.

His aim as the leader of TOP is to take the party into Parliament at the next election where it can advocate and implement progressive reform in areas including fair taxation, cannabis legalisation, affordable housing, and environmental protection.

“Since Gareth called for proposals to take TOP forward, we have been deluged with pleas to keep it going,” says Geoff Simmons. “There is a strong feeling amongst membership that TOP hasn’t fulfilled its potential yet, so a few candidates have come together to keep the momentum going.”

“We will be operating from the same core values we always have - using an evidence-based approach to give hope to the next generation of New Zealanders, by building a thriving, fair economy which doesn’t stuff up our environment.

The new TOP board will comprise Geoff Simmons, as well as two other 2017 TOP candidates: Olly Wilson and Paddy Plunket.

While Gareth Morgan is stepping outside of the political arena he will retain a link with the party as Chair of the Policy Committee. “Policy has always been my main interest,” says Dr Morgan. “TOP will continue to be unique – presenting to Parliament coherent, evidence-informed policy developed by experts. That is a major differentiation between TOP and the Establishment parties. The place for the horse-trading and compromise which too often renders policy inadequate, is Parliament in full view of the voting public, not in the back rooms of political parties.”

TOP’s first task is to raise money to contest the 2020 election.

“We have a large and passionate membership already.” says Simmons, “The big challenge now is to raise funds to grow the movement further. Anyone interested in genuine change for good in New Zealand is welcome to contact us and see how they could help.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.