robson-on-politics, Tues 17 May

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

Tues 17 May

A Progressive Budget

There have been daily announcements on parts of the Labour-Progressive government's Budget 2005, with Jim yesterday announcing a $9.9 million investment over the next four financial years to develop the http://biz.org.nz site into a world class business portal.

We have to build a first class economy to sustain first world social services. http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1786

Graduate debt relief is in national interest

Students were protesting the costs of higher education at Parliament today. I believe what they are saying is very important because it is about promoting what is in our country's national economic interests. Progressive wants skilled and trained young people to remain in New Zealand, contributing their talents to the development of New Zealand.

In the September election, Progressive is campaigning for the next coalition government to meet graduates' loan debt repayments after graduation, in return for them using their skills working in New Zealand. We believe our policy is a business-friendly one, as business leaders daily report that skills shortages are one of the biggest impediments to faster growth. http://www.progressiveparty.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1334

Vote NZ First, get National's asset sales The NZ Herald has brought to light behind-the-scenes negotiations aimed at cobbling together a NZ First-National government after the election. Just like before the 1996 election, neither NZ First nor National will tell you honestly what their post-election plans are before you actually vote, so these stories are useful for finding out what is really going on.

In Election Campaign '96, NZ First asked voters to trust it as the only party able to get rid of the asset-selling National government. NZ First also said that if it became government it would send back to Beijing the cheque earlier sent by the Chinese government-owned company that had bought-up New Zealand forests. Apparently the cheque written by Winston Peters is still in the mail. The subsequent NZ First-National coalition was chaotic. It is remembered for the knock-down price it sold strategic national assets to new foreign owners, like Auckland Airport. And so it is again ahead of Election 2005: If you vote NZ First, you will get National's unpopular strategic asset sales agenda.

http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1785

NZDF observers to join UN mission in Sudan The government announced yesterday that New Zealand will contribute military observers to the UN peacekeeping mission in the war-ravaged Sudan. That's Progressive. http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1789

Canterbury, Te Tai Tonga Candidates Last night I was in Christchurch where Progressive members selected first-rate candidates to campaign for party votes in this year's election in the Christchurch Central, Banks Peninsula, Waimakariri, Ilam, Rakaia and Te Tai Tonga electorates. I have no doubt whatsoever that these candidates will significantly raise Progressive's share of party votes in this crucial region for our party in September: - Te Tai Tonga Russell Caldwell - Christchurch Central Dr. Megan Woods - Banks Peninsula Phil Clearwater - Waimakariri John Wright - Ilam Dr. Zemin Zhang - Rakaia Philippa Main http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1788

Indian Newslink opinion poll Good to see in the latest Indian Newslink/Radio Tarana poll that Labour retains a huge lead over National, while Progressive is the most popular of the smaller parties.

http://www.indiannewslink.co.nz/editorial_1.htm

Housing and student debt - a DomPost winner On Saturday on the way to speak at the CTU's Young Workers' conference, I read the Dominion Post's report that it's a "Hard Road to Owning a Home." I was obviously happy to read of an Upper Hutt father intending to vote Progressive because he is "impressed by Matt Robson and Jim Anderton" and who said Labour has "turned 360 degrees on too many policies."

Then I read the comments of a couple in Aro Valley who "would consider changing their vote if a party offered assistance with student debt and getting their own home." I happily mailed them Progressive policies, announced last year, which deliver on both issues. http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=103 and http://progressive.org.nz/student-loans

ENDS

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