robson-on-politics, a newsletter from Matt Robson MP
Deputy Leader of the Progressive Party
www.progressiveparty.org.nz

Thurs 12 May

Full time employment leaps in March Quarter

Statistics NZ reported today that full-time employment rose a seasonally adjusted 0.8% in the March Quarter, a very strong result, especially as it follows from the strong rise in full-time jobs in the previous quarter.

And the labour force participation rate remains very strong which to me anyway means people are optimistic about finding work and so are actively in the labour market looking for jobs.

Regional, industry and sector development work, promoted by the Labour-Progressive government is paying dividends with well over 260,000 more jobs in our economy today than when we first came into office in late 1999.

http://www2.stats.govt.nz

Pro-cannabis liberalization ACT Party?

Unlike people like me, the "religous" and other conservative parties of the Right don't think our democratically-elected Parliament should introduce new taxes or regulations in order to give a helping hand to those in need to get ahead in life.

So I was surprised to get this note recently which purportedly quotes the leader of the libertarian Rogernomes in Parliament, the leader of the ACT Party.

I can't verify if this is true but the note quotes Mr. Hide saying this: "The alternative would be to legalise and tax (cannabis) hard to keep the price where it is now - same result price wise - but without the gangs and the money raised could be used for something useful rather than for terrror and the gang life-style."

This is surely a hoax note misquoting the ACT leader. I'm not falling for it, this is the line of line of the Greens and hippy fellow-travllers who bang on and on demanding we liberalize, liberalize, liberalize the cannabis market.

http://rodneyhide.com/Diary/wp-trackback.php/1235

Progressive gets good things done

Over recent weeks, Jim Anderton has been releasing exciting Budget 2005 initiatives aimed at bolstering the strength of our industry sectors and our regional economies because we know that in order to build stronger social services we have to first build a diverse, world-class economy not so dependent on commodity price cycles.

We are by far the most practically-minded, pro-business development of the smaller parties represented in Parliament and we've proved it now in six consecutive coalition budgets. Today we released exciting initiatives in the social area. One I'm particularly pleased with is the increased investment in the frontline police on liquor licensing patrol.

http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1778

Helping reduce the demand for drugs

Another series of our Budget 2005 initiatives focus on reducing the demand for drugs via community action programmes, on-line services treatment and early intervention.

http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1779

National Depression Awareness

And at last we've got some more investment in depression awareness to complement the national suicide prevention strategy that we announced Budget 2005 funding for recently.

http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1780

Alcohol advertising, drinking age on agenda

Last night, Parliament debated my Sale of Liquor (Youth Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill which outlines three practical measures we can take as a society as part of a much wider strategy of improving our nation's tragic drinking culture.

http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1777

Humble pie

I want to apologise here and now for getting the wrong end of the stick and would like to apologise to Hon Phil Goff, the Justice Minister. I had wrong information when I said he planned to vote against the Bill proceeding to Select Committee and had advised Labour MPs to do likewise. I'm hoping he is still my mate.

All information about my Bill can be found at:

http://www.progressiveparty.org.nz/drinking-age

A balanced view on immigration

Readers who prefer reasoned argument to rhetoric on immigration policymay want to read Rodney Harrison's article in the NZ Herald today.

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

© Scoop Media