3 June 2005

The Progressive Party has selected Bill Smith to campaign for party votes in the Taranaki - King Country electorate in this year's election.

"Progressive candidates are campaigning for people's party vote this year as your pro-economic development and anti-drugs insurance policy," deputy leader Hon. Matt Robson MP said today.

"If you support increased investment in higher education, favour the economic development of our regions and want politicians to take the tough decisions on youth binge drinking and other youth drug problems, then our candidates' message is: Party Vote Progressive".

Taranaki - King Country - Bill (William) Smith (Contact: 021-396 077) Bill, who lives in Kawhia, has had management experience in both the U.K. and New Zealand, teaching (at secondary and tertiary levels) and in local community service (for which he was awarded, for example, membership of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002 for services to refugees).

Bill graduated with a first class honours in history and has long held an interest in national politics, having been a Labour Party candidate in 1981 (Birkenhead) and a foundation member of the NewLabour Party, formed in 1989 in protest at the Fourth Labour Government's asset sales and high unemployment policies.

Bill says he believes the Progressive Party's 2005 Election Policy, for the government pay-off tertiary graduates' Student Loan debt in return for graduates using their skills working in New Zealand, would encourage qualified and skilled young Kiwis to stay in New Zealand to the benefit of regional economies as well as graduates themselves.

He also believes Progressive's proposal, to cut the headline company tax rate to match Australia's rate, would be welcomed by many employers - which would propel further job-creation.

ENDS

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