Anderton's Enews
Covering 6 to 27 August

Dear friends

Who among us would trash their own country to an Australian audience? And
who amongst us would do it to a country we aim to attract investment from?
National leader Don Brash has really gone off the rails in the last month,
in particular, with his ridiculous statements to the Australian Financial
Review suggesting New Zealand is on a slippery slope to economic misery.
While I support his right to free speech, there is quite a big difference
between free speech and misleading your most important trading partner,
which is what Brash did.

We can be pleased that New Zealand's economy has been growing more than
Australia's over the last five years. According to the OECD, New
Zealand's average rate of economic growth surpassed Australia's over the
past five calendar years. During that period our per capita GDP increased
by a cumulative 14 per cent, compared to 11.3 per cent for Australia. In
the previous 5 years under National-led governments the figures were 9.9
per cent for New Zealand and 16.9 per cent for Australia.

As I have said many times before, New Zealand's regions suffered terribly
under National and without strong reigons, the nation's economy will never
be strong. The National Bank reported that New Zealand's economic growth
was 4.3 per cent, year on year for June 2004, and every region is still in
positive annual growth mode. Twelve of fourteen regions recorded a rise
in economic activity in the June quarter.

In this Enews you'll see that the government has been making progress
across the board. See below information on: a regional development tool
called GROWOtago; construction training in the Manawatu; the APEC business
leaders conference; a new power station in Huntly; Northland skills
development; big reductions in the crime rate; a new resource to fight
drugs; and the latest social development report.

You will also see a few statements on the Progressives. With recent
consideration being made on which of the smaller parties fit into
coalitions we felt it time to ensure people know we are a pro-growth
party.

Please click on the headings of the stories below if you want more
information on this and other issues.

Warmest regards, Jim Anderton

Minister of Economic, Industry and Regional Development
Associate Minister of Health, Minister responsible for Public Trust,
Leader of the Progressive Party: we're positive about people and jobs

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Tamihere Welcomes Business New Zealand/KPMG Compliance Report
John Tamihere, 27 August 2004

Minister for Small Business, John Tamihere, welcomed the 2004 Business New
Zealand/KPMG Compliance Cost Survey as another useful addition to the
compliance cost debate.

GROWOtago - springboard for growth
Jim Anderton, 26 August

This is a good time to be a New Zealander. Last week I had the
opportunity to speak to a group of senior business leaders from around the
Asia Pacific region.

Radio Spectrum for new technologies
David Cunliffe, 25 August 2004

The pressures that low power wireless devices are placing on New Zealand's
radio spectrum is the subject of a discusion paper released today by the
Ministry of Economic Development.

Progressive to campaign as pro-growth insurance in 2005
Jim Anderton, 25 August 2004

The Progressive Party will be campaigning for the party vote in next
year's general election as a pro-growth and pro-jobs insurance policy, Jim
Anderton said today.

Speech notes also available: Progressives insurance

National quit while they're behind on economic growth
Jim Anderton, 25 August 2004

In response to Jim Anderton suggesting Opposition leader, Don Brash should
quit while he's behind after making misleading comments about New
Zealand's economy, National did.

Small Business Advisory Group Sets Challenging Targets
John Tamihere, 25 August 2004

"I'm up for it". Small Business Minister, John Tamihere, today took up the
challenges put to him by the Small Business Advisory Group in their first
annual report.

Govt announces $20 million for University of Auckland projects
Helen Clark, 24 August 2004

The government is investing $20 million in two Auckland University
projects that will support innovation and excellence.

Rail service puts Auckland on the right track
Judith Tizard, 23 August 2004

A partnership between Auckland Regional Council and Connex to deliver
Auckland's passenger rail service was welcomed today by Associate
Transport Minister Judith Tizard.

New construction training course to help flood region
Jim Anderton, 19 August 2004

The Universal College of Learning launched a new certificate in work based
Construction course today. The course was officially opened by Economic,
Regional and Industry Development Minister, Jim Anderton.

Speech notes also available: UCOL Speech

Positive Growth Forecasts for New Zealand Tourism
Mark Burton, 19 August 2004

Tourism growth forecasts are very positive for NZ: 5.8% per annum growth
in international visitor arrivals -- reaching 3.1 million arrivals in
2010

NZ innovation and creativity promoted to APEC business leaders
Jim Anderton, 18 August 2004

APEC business leaders were told to look to New Zealand for high value
investments and partnerships based on kiwi innovation and creativity at
the APEC Business Advisory Council meeting in Auckland today.

Speech notes also available: ABAC Speech

National Party challenged on Australian comments
Michael Cullen, 18 August 2004

Why is the National Party leader trying to persuade Australians that NZ is
"just another Pacific island state"?

Genesis e3p risk sharing questions and answers
Pete Hodgson, 13 August 2004

Additional information on the provision of the e3p risk sharing
agreement

New funding for industry design training
Steve Maharey, 13 August 2004

A $406,000 programme to boost product design skills in industry has been
launched.

Canterbury tourism shows healthy growth
Jim Anderton, 13 August 2004

Tourism's role as the number one export dollar earner makes sense for
Canterbury.

385 MW Power Station to go ahead
Pete Hodgson, 12 August 2004

Genesis Energy's announcement of go ahead for 385 MW plant welcomed

Huntly gas plant
Michael Cullen, 12 August 2004

Genesis Energy's announcement that it will build a 385 MW combined cycle
gas turbine plant, e3p, at Huntly was welcomed today by Finance Minister
Michael Cullen and Energy Minister Pete Hodgson.

Minister finds Northland in good form
Jim Anderton, 11 August 2004

On his regional visit to Northland last week, Minister of Economic
Development Jim Anderton found the region in good form.

National's policy to axe 4 Weeks Leave is bad for people & jobs
Matt Robson, 11 August 2004

Today's ANZ Bank Job Ads report highlights how social gains like four
weeks annual leave for workers also benefit the economy as a whole, says
Progressive MP Matt Robson.

Northland working on skill shortages
Jim Anderton, 06 August 2004

Some of the most important lessons I've learned about regional development
I learned here in Northland. I came here in early 2000 right after I
first became a Minister, and visited Moerewa.

EDUCATION

Help for staffing in schools announced
Trevor Mallard, 12 August 2004

Schools are to get more help with staffing at the start of the school year
as a result of a change to teacher staffing entitlements, Education
Minister Trevor Mallard announced today.

The Numeracy Projects 2004
Trevor Mallard, 11 August 2004

This government is spending $11 million in 2004 on numeracy initiatives.
Since 2000 $26 million has been invested in numeracy and mathematics
initiatives

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

Communities keen to have a say in health
Annette King, 25 August 2004

Health Minister Annette King says the diversity of candidates in this
year's District Health Board elections shows strong support for community
involvement in health.

Strategy maps the future of safe and healthy work
Ruth Dyson, 24 August 2004

Proposals for achieving safe and healthy workplaces in 2015 and beyond.

New research confirms government housing policy
Steve Maharey, 24 August 2004

New research on housing issues for older people confirms the direction of
government policy.

Brash ignorance offends Pacific community as well
Taito Phillip Field, 20 August 2004

New Zealand's Pacific community feels demeaned by recent comments in
Australia by National's leader.

SAFER COMMUNITIES

Lowest crime rate since 1983
George Hawkins, 26 August

The latest crime figures show what a Government prepared to properly
resource police can achieve.

Greens cause legislative logjam, delay action on youth drinking
Matt Robson, 25 August 2004

Progressive MP Matt Robson says he is disappointed that the Greens'
political tactics are delaying the day that Parliament will be able to
take decisive action to tackle problems associated with youth drinking.

Racial Harmony gathering shows the real New Zealand
Chris Carter, 24 August 2004

Participants in the "Way forward for Racial Harmony" welcomed to
Parliament by Hon Chris Carter

Launch of PHIGHT resource kit in community campaign against P
Jim Anderton, 24 August 2004

Thanks to the members of the Consultancy Advocacy and Research Trust for
bringing us together to mark the production of the Phight CD-ROM resource
kit as the second phase of a community education campaign designed to
raise awareness about the harm caused by methamphetamine use.

Civil Union Bills about removing discrimination
David Benson-Pope, 23 August 2004

New Zealanders don't want members of their communities discriminated
against because of their relationships

Reducing violence and bullying in schools
Steve Maharey, 18 August 2004

New research looks at ways to change school cultures to reduce violence
and bullying.

Opening of CAYAD facility in Helensville
Jim Anderton, 18 August 2004

Many thanks for inviting me to be here for the opening of this base for
Helenville's CAYAD. May I first offer my congratulations and best wishes
to Richard Nahi, the new co-ordinator for the CAYAD here in Helensville.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPERANNUATION SECURITY

Greypower Waitakere: speech notes
Jim Anderton, 26 August 2004

If there is one message I have for you today, it's that we should be
positive about New Zealand. We have so much going for us.

Superannuation under threat again: Act backs Brash
Steve Maharey, 24 August 2004

Act leader Rodney Hide has come out in support of the National party's
plans to cut the pension.

Social development matches economic development - Report
Steve Maharey, 22 August 2004

Economic gains are being mirrored by social gains, new research shows.

UNSUNG HEROES

Colonel Malone gets parliamentary recognition at last
Jim Anderton, 10 August 2004

A commemorative plaque for one of New Zealand's greatest war heroes will
be installed prominently during the refurbishment of the Beehive
Progressive Leader Jim Anderton announced today.

ENDS

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