Newsworthy 5 May 2005

Organised crime and drugs

A stark illustration of the difference between Labour and National was highlighted by the sentence imposed on veteran Black Power gang leader Abraham Wharewaka on 29 April 2005. Wharewaka faced a range of charges involving methamphetamine including possession of equipment for manufacturing methamphetamine.

His activities had netted more than $17 million over the period of the charges.

He was sentenced to eight years jail with a minimum of 3 years and 4 months. Under Labour's sentencing legislation he is eligible for parole when he has served the minimum period. Under National's policy he would serve the 8 year period.

There is something seriously wrong with the sentencing regime when the Judge determines that the appropriate sentence is eight years but there is in fact a clear possibility of serving a significantly shorter period.

Not only would Wharewaka serve the total sentence under National, but he would also face confiscation of the assets he had built up from his criminal activity. That asset stripping legislation is to be based on the West Australian Proceeds of Crime model.

The election looms

The election looms but no one knows when. Meanwhile a series of events engulfs the Government ranging from a significant decline in business confidence, the NCEA debacle, 111 failures, Te Wananga troubles, Tamihere tantrums and now possible defamation proceedings against the Prime Minister.

These events are moving towards a "tipping point". That phrase comes from the book by Malcolm Gladwell. His proposition is that a series of incidents suddenly coalesce into a single clinching argument for change.

National policy

National is campaigning on five policy issues - law and order, welfare dependency, the resolution of Treaty issues, choice and excellence in education and narrowing the gap between our living standards and those in Australia. All of the policies have been carefully costed.

Narrowing the gap between our living standards and those in Australia
The promises by National are that the gap will be narrowed by:
· Reducing personal income tax rates
· Reducing the company tax rate to the Australian rate of 30%
· Allowing competition back into the accident compensation market
· Completely over-hauling the Resource Management Act
· Building a safe and efficient road network by moving all the petrol tax onto the roads
· Sharply increasing the resources going into trade training
· Clearing the time-consuming obstacles to the generation and transmission of electricity
· Fixing the Holidays Act and abolishing the Employment Relations Amendment Act
· Abolishing Labour's carbon tax
· Stream-lining local government to reduce the burden on ratepayers
· Introducing a Regulatory Responsibility Act to reduce compliance costs
· Protecting private property rights, including the right for farmers to decide who may enter their farms

Kiwibank

Kiwibank may be a popular people's bank but it sure costs the taxpayer dearly. Kiwibank was set up with $83 million of taxpayers' money in 2002. It received another $40 million from NZ Post in the year to 30 June 2004 and received another $15 million in the first quarter of this year. All up, the bank has cost the taxpayer $138 million.

Political Quote of the Week

"A government that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away."- Barry Goldwater US Senator

6 May 2005
No. 27

Upcoming Events

6 May
First of Super Blues Meeting - Ct: Roy Towers 524661 or Elizabeth 623 2598
UK General Elections
7 May
Richard visiting Parnell residents
8 May
60th Anniversary of V-E Day commemorative service at Auckland War Memorial Museum

Dilworth School ANZAC Day Service
9 May
Prime Minister of Viet Nam visiting NZ
Richard visiting Gisborne with Anne Tolley - East Coast candidate
2005 Heart of Art Festival Opening at Auckland Museum
9-14 May
EuroFest 2005 in Wellington
9-15 May
Youth Week 2005
11 May
Europe Day reception in Wellington
12-13 May
21st Korean NZ Business Council Joint conference in Christchurch
14 May - 4.00pm
Leaky homes meeting with Hon Dr Nick Smith - venue to be advised

20 May
Don Brash Post Budget lunch for at Alexandra Park

21 May
Richard participating in panel forum on "Examination of issues to be addressed in considering constitutional future of NZ" at Waitangi Law Conference
23 May
Don Brash speaking at Auckland Rotary Club luncheon
24 May
Richard speaking at Lexis Nexis Legal Executives Masterclass on Lawyers & Conveyancers Bill
25 May
Richard visiting Whangarei with Phil Heatley MP

Richard Worth

Visit my website for more information at: www.richardworth.co.nz

ENDS

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