robson-on-politics Thursday 04 August 2005
robson-on-politics Thursday 04 August
2005
robson-on-politics, a newsletter
from Matt Robson MP
Deputy Leader of the Progressive
Party
www.progressiveparty.org.nz
Last sitting day of Parliament
School is out which means the task
of the progressive Left until Sept. 17 is to fully explain
to all how much is at stake this election. The Left hasn't
won three consecutive elections in 62 years, so the
challenge is before us. The only way a strategic
asset-selling, pro-war National-led government can be
established under MMP is if NZ First emerges in a position
to deliver it.
http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2004
http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1995
So what exactly is NZ First?
It is the type of party that condemns Arabs for the lack of democracy in U.S. puppet regimes like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, etc., but then accuses the one democratic Arabic-language media outlet that criticizes those Puppet Regimes for being "terrorist" for running news that doesn't always tow the U.S. line.
Pluralist Arabic-language TV is unacceptable
because, NZ First says, its news includes "unacceptable"
viewpoints - like those of Palestinians and their
descendents made refugees by U.K. policy back in 1948.
http://english.aljazeera.net/HomePage
It’s a party that doesn't keep its word
But NZ First also
has policies, and a record, on domestic matters. Its '05
non-negotiable policy is to oppose state asset sales,
unchanged from its position since the day it was formed as
National's future ally in '93. The only time the policy has
been tested is when it got into government. Then its leader
announced the National-NZ First government was tired of
having funds tied up in airports and coal mines and they'd
be hocked off to foreigners instead.
http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1996
NZ First is also hot air
But NZ First is
much, much more than just an anti-Asian, anti-Polynesian
and pro-strategic asset sales party! It is also a
party of Hot Air. In 1996, NZ First never corrected news
media stories (including on CanWest-controlled TV3) that the
party's commitment to buy-back the Forestry Corporation from
the Chinese/Fletchers consortium was "non-negotiable in
coalition talks." The leader, announced, alas, that its
non-negotiable position on forests was negotiated away in
the deal that installed him as Deputy PM.
http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2001
And the party is led by a bully boy coward
Oh, there is one other thing about NZ First:
It is led by a bully boy coward too scared or rude to meet
the Auckland men he had so badly defamed under the
protection of Parliamentary privilege.
http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1997
All the best to Ian Ewen-Street
The
progressive Left has lost a good, solid MP in Ian who kept
his head down, worked hard and took the Number One Drug
Problem (alcohol abuse amongst the young) seriously enough
to break ranks with his leaders to support Progressive's
Alcohol Harm Reduction Bill to Select Committee. Thank you
Ian and all the best.
http://www.greens.org.nz/searchdocs/speech9032.html
Participate in democracy - make a submission!
Progressive's Sale of Liquor (Youth Alcohol Harm
Reduction) Amendment Bill proposes to raise the alcohol
purchasing age, strengthen provisions relating to the supply
of liquor to minors, provide a restriction on broadcast
liquor advertising before 10pm and to extend the
jurisdiction of the Broadcasting Standards Authority to
include broadcast liquor advertising issues. Please forward
20 copies of your democratic submission by Friday, 12 August
STAMP FREE to Law and Order Committee Secretariat,
Parliament, Wellington.
http://www.progressive.org.nz/have-your-say
Shame United, Prog won't be on CanWest TV
The advertising
industry always acts to protect itself. The best way to stop
liquor advertising restrictions? Ban the two parties most
likely to vote for it from getting media coverage. (six
United MPs supported the Progressive Bill, whereas the
leaders of ACT and the Greens opposed it). CanWest's NZ
unit, TV3, this week knocked out Progressive and United MPs
from a "leaders' debate" that will include the leaders of
ACT & the Greens.
http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1998
ENDS