Richard Prebble to Resign as Leader

Tuesday 27 Apr 2004

Richard Prebble - Press Releases

"I have today advised the ACT caucus of my intention to resign as leader of the ACT party.

"I have asked the caucus to elect a new leader.

"I have reached my conclusion for a number of reasons.

"ACT as the party of fresh ideas will do better with a fresh face.

"There is a real possibility of a change in government at the next election. I do believe with a new leader, ACT will not only be in Parliament, but be a part of that new government.

"The caucus has decided today to ask the party to hold the first ever primary in order to elect the new leader of the ACT party.

"I will remain leader until the outcome of the primary, and caucus and the board under ACT's rules have had an opportunity to receive the result of the primary and have formally endorsed the election of the new leader.

"As the party of new ideas I strongly endorse the holding of a primary as a step forwards participatory democracy.

"I want to assure the country that I remain strongly in favour of the values of the ACT party: freedom, choice and personal responsibility. I believe we live in a great country and we have an opportunity to make New Zealand the way the world should be.

"I would like to record my thanks to my fellow MPs who are the quality team in parliament. My thanks to the parliamentary staff of the ACT party who are hardworking professional and dedicated. And to our president, Catherine Judd, who has been very supportive.

"I record also my thanks to the ACT party members who have given me huge support and my thanks to the voters who have given me an opportunity to serve them in parliament.

"I have always regarded being a Member of Parliament as one of the greatest honours that a country can give, and the opportunity to be a party leader, which is given to only a few, is an even greater honour.

"When the voters retired me in 1993 it never occurred to me that I would return to parliament. I enjoyed my time out of politics, from serving as a trustee of the Kindergarten Association, to negotiating multimillion-dollar business contracts in China. I am a great believer that when one door closes another opens.

"And I leave to last, because it is the most important, my thanks to my wife Doreen, and my family, who have been my most staunch supporters."

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