Thur 28 April

Public input on suicide prevention strategy

Jim Anderton released a draft New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy yesterday and it is very important that anyone interested make submissions, or attend public meetings that are being held around the nation. You can have your say online.

http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1734

Budget: Health leadership on suicide prevention

The shift from a youth to an all-ages suicide prevention strategy will see the Ministry of Health take administrative leadership for the government's suicide prevention initiatives, with additional funding to do its important work thanks to funding that the Progressive Party secured in Budget 2005.

http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1735

Forum on drugs in Christchurch tonight

The nationwide public meetings on alcohol and other drugs sponsored by the NZ Drug Foundation, and chaired by Jim, moves to a Christchurch tonight: 7.30 p.m., Netball Centre, 455 Hagley Ave, Hagley Park.

http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1736

Smith endorses Seafood Centre of Excellence

I just got this leaflet called "Nick4Nelson," listing ten good reasons to vote for National's Nick Smith, the man "Putting People First in Nelson". A key reason to vote4Nick', we are told, is his "continued support" for the Seafood Centre of Excellence established with the help of $1.5 million Major Regional Initiatives funding (the investment that NZ Trade and Enterprise makes, to National/Green howls of protest.) National MPs voted against Progressive initiatives to establish the Ministry of Economic Development, Industry NZ etc. but please note that DOESN'T mean people like Nick Smith oppose Major Regional Initiatives forever. Kiwibank, 4 Weeks Leave, Paid Parental Leave. All Progressive initiatives eventually secure the "continued support" even of Tory MPs.

http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=974

Christchurch launch of the Innovation Festival

Surveys find that a majority of Kiwis want New Zealand to be known throughout the globe for our creativity, talent and uniqueness. We all know that the only sustainable way we can compete in what is now a global market is by thinking smarter, by producing products heavy on ideas and lighter in weight. That is why so much of what the Labour Progressive government is doing is related to lifting the productivity of our economy by lifting the capability and skills of our people and our firms, and building up the quality of our national infrastructure.

http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1738

Nineteen more candidates enter candidate pool

The Progressive Party executive last night approved 19 more excellent people into our election 2005 candidate pool. In 69 electorates, we'll have top quality candidates seeking party votes this election with a target of 1,000 party votes per electorate to double our parliamentary presence in September.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3261993a6160,00.html

Spot the difference?

Here are three quotes from three separate press statements issued today attacking the Progressive-led government's economic development agency, NZTE:

"an inevitable consequence of the government's treach-erous economic policies that Trade and Enterprise ..."

"Far from promoting regional development, Mr Anderton's gang at Trade and Enterprise appears to be advocating ..."

"Jim Anderton's Job Machine should be scrapped in favour of ..."

Three statements from three separate reactionary parties opposed to government-industry partnerships to strengthen our firms, our industry sectors and our regions. Can you guess which party was responsible for which statement?

Find more real Parliamentary news stories are at www.progressive.org.nz .

© Scoop Media