Election Too Important to Trivialise, Say Sallies

The Salvation Army today releases the first in a series of voter videos entitled “Make Your Vote Count”, aimed at helping people understand more about key social issues before they vote in the General Election.

“Dealing with poverty, abuse and unfairness in New Zealand needs to be of central importance to all political parties and all voters,” says Major Campbell Roberts, Director of The Salvation Army’s Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit.

The first voter video will be launched at an election debate in Papakura tonight focused on housing policy. Participants include sitting MP Judith Collins and other Papakura electorate candidates. The remaining videos will be launched at similar debates during the week; keeping communities safe from social hazards, in Flaxmere; work and income for all, in Christchurch; caring for all children, in Lower Hutt; and reforming crime and punishment, in Henderson.

“The vulnerable and low-income New Zealanders that The Salvation Army works with say these are the issues they want to hear from politicians on,” says Roberts. “We also believe addressing these issues will build a better and more just New Zealand.”

“Our videos don’t tell people which party to vote for,” Roberts emphasises, “but we do want to help voters consider policies that will benefit the most vulnerable Kiwis. We are saying, ‘Don’t just vote based on self-interest; think of your vote as a way of caring for others.’ ”

•Videos can be viewed as they are released on www.salvationarmy.org.nz/election2014, or on The Salvation Army’s You Tube channel (www.youtube.com/salvationarmynzft)

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