Anderton's Enews Covering 16 to 31 May 2004

Dear readers

Welcome to the Budget 2004 edition of my Enews.

I believe this budget is an historic document - the first to truly turn the back the tide from the traumatic drop in living standards suffered by workers and families on low incomes during the 1980s and 1990s.

Budget 2004 makes significant strides in the social and economic direction instigated by a new movement left of Labour fifteen years ago. Those of us who have contributed to that change can be proud of the part we have played in returning some of the equity lost by working families in those wasted years of social division and economic underperformance.

The budget this year is focused on building a better future for all New Zealanders by raising the living standards of families in need, allowing them to contribute more to the domestic economy and investing heavily in economic development, supported by additional research and education funding.

On top of the near $3 billion investment of new funding in social development and family support, there is a spectacular increase of $500 million over four years for economic transformation initiatives designed to lift the performance of our companies and the skills of our people. I am also pleased to have helped to organize a $53.6 million package to fight drug and alcohol problems, as well as a wide-ranging suicide prevention strategy for implementation.

Clearly, Budget 2004 has made significant steps to address some top priorities for the Progressive Party - job creation, poverty reduction, housing, early childhood education, tertiary education and safer communities.

See below for more information on all the budget and recent news, including Progressive's first candidate selection for 2005 - Wigram, where I will be standing in the election.

Warmest regards
Jim Anderton

MP for Wigram and Progressive Leader
Minister for Economic, Industry & Regional Development
Associate Minister of Health

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PROGRESSIVE ON THE ROAD TO 2005

Jim Anderton's 2005 campaign: Prosperity for all
Jim Anderton, 29 May 2004

Progressive leader Jim Anderton was selected for Wigram today - the first party to select a candidate in the electorate for the next election.

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOBS

Investment by NZ Steel is a vote of confidence in NZ's future Jim Anderton, 28 May 2004

New Zealand Steel is one of New Zealand's top companies and it's very pleasing to see it making strong investment decisions, Jim Anderton, Minister for Economic Development, said today.

Budget 2004 Debate: Speech by Progressive leader Jim Anderton Jim Anderton, 27 May 2004

I would like to congratulate Michael Cullen on this budget. The financial management of the two governments which Dr Cullen and I have worked in has resulted in unemployment falling to 4.3 per cent, a 16 year low.

Budget 2004: Promoting New Zealand in the world economy
Jim Anderton, 27 May 2004

New Zealand's ability to promote our skills and talents and raise our position in the global economy is enhanced by Budget 2004's investment, management and market development initiatives, Minister for Economic, Industry & Regional Development, Jim Anderton, said today.

Budget 2004: Comprehensive $500 million package supports economic growth Jim Anderton, 27 May 2004

The $500 million Growth and Innovation Package will strengthen and deepen our ability to compete in the world economy as a creative, diverse and technologically advanced country, Minister for Economic Development, Jim Anderton, said today.

See also: Growth & Innovation Fund Allocation Table

$500m of new economic growth initiatives may be threatened by National Jim Anderton, 26 May 2004

Would National's future finance spokesperson, John Key, really obliterate the positive work this coalition government has done to promote economic growth?
Hip op hooray for South Auckland: Budget delivers for people Matt Robson, 26 May 2004
Budget 2004 injects an extra $3.77 million in 2004/05 for extra hip and knee operations into the Counties Manukau DHB's coffers, expected to rise to $6.83 million by 2008/09.
Budget 2004: Supporting sectors to succeed Jim Anderton, 24 May 2004
Major projects enabling groups of New Zealand based businesses to take advantage of significant market opportunities will be supported in Budget 2004 with $26 million funding over four years, Minister for Economic Development, Jim Anderton said today.

Budget '04: Promoting textile industry transformation into high value export sector
Jim Anderton, 24 May 2004

Initiatives to build skills and assist in the transformation of the textile, clothing, footwear and carpet industry, will receive $2.3 million in Budget 2004, Minister for Economic Development Jim Anderton announced today.

Budget 2004: Managing for success - $2.4m to help raise management capability Jim Anderton, 24 May 2004

"Good management is critical to the success of business. Budget 2004, therefore, has provided $2.4 million in funding so we can work together with businesses to help them maximise their opportunities to build up management capability," Minister for Economic Development, Jim Anderton said today.

Budget 2004: Government-Forest Industry Partnership Jim Anderton, 19 May 2004

The Labour Progressive government has agreed to a package of new forestry sector initiatives that recognise forestry's value in addressing climate change.

Infrastructure stocktake findings released Jim Anderton, 19 May 2004

The findings of New Zealand's first nationwide infrastructure stocktake have been released today by Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton who says the findings are largely reassuring.

NZTE Sponsorship to support designers of the future
Jim Anderton, 19 May 2004

Encouraging design excellence in young people is an important part of the government's strategy to instil design as a key business discipline, Minister of Economic Development Jim Anderton said today.

All systems go for Marlborough Aviation Centre Jim Anderton, 18 May 2004

The Marlborough region is set to receive $2million from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise's Regional Partnership Programme to help establish an Aviation Heritage Centre and Park, Minister of Economic, Industry and Regional Development Jim Anderton announced today.

Hawke's Bay to host Regional Development 2005 Jim Anderton, 14 May 2004

The next Regional Development Conference in March 2005, will be held in the Hawke's Bay, home of one of the first Major Regional Initiatives, Minister for Industry and Regional Development, Jim Anderton said today.

Jobs, training are building blocks for modern economy Matt Robson, 13 May 2004
The Labour Progressive government is investing $56.9 million over the next four financial years to assist young people into further education, training or work because it knows the investment will more than pay for itself over time, Progressive MP Matt Robson said today.
Budget 2004: Big boost for Investment New Zealand Jim Anderton, 10 May 2004

Budget 2004 includes a significant financial boost of $26.5 million over the next four years to Investment New Zealand, Industry & Regional Development Minister Jim Anderton said today.

Budget 2004: Attracting quality investment to New Zealand Jim Anderton, 10 May 2004

The Strategic Investment Fund is to receive additional operating funding of $4.025 million a year starting in the 2004-2005 financial year commencing on July 1, Industry & Regional Development Minister, Jim Anderton, said today.

Budget 2004: Building up our market development capability Jim Anderton, 10 May 2004

Enhancing New Zealand Trade and Enterprise's ability to facilitate more market opportunities for New Zealand companies is an important part of the Government's focus, Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton and Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton said today.

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BRASH'S ATTACKS ON KIWIBANK AND SUPER

240,000 Kiwibank customers have a message for Don Brash Jim Anderton, 16 May 2004

Kiwibank is opening its 300th branch tomorrow which is good news for the people of Manukau City and a timely reminder of the broader benefits to regional economies and all consumers of Kiwibank's existence, says Progressive leader Jim Anderton.

Uncovering evidence National would raise Super to 75 Jim Anderton, 12 May 2004

Progressive leader Jim Anderton today released evidence that he says proves that the last National government considered raising the age of eligibility to National Superannuation to 75 years of age.

Budget 2004: Toward a more productive economy Paul Swain, 27 May 2004
Budget 2004 allocates more than $30 million over the next four years to practical measures to help businesses run more smoothly and productively.
Budget 2004: Maori succeeding as Maori in business Parekura Horomia, 27 May 2004
The Vote: Maori Affairs package in the budget is designed to advance Te Puni Kokiri's 'Maori succeeding as Maori' vision and to assist Maori develop their skills and assets.

Budget 2004: 5th budget best yet - Cullen Michael Cullen, 27 May 2004
"Budget 2004 is a strong financial and policy statement from a government with the guts and the confidence to govern for the long-term," Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today.

Fuelling innovation through research Pete Hodgson, 27 May 2004
The government will invest $212 million of new funding in research, science and technology (RS&T) over the next four years.

Unemployment halved since 1999 Steve Maharey, 26 May 2004
The number of people receiving the statutory Unemployment Benefit has halved since1999, Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey told Parliament this afternoon.

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DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE, and SUICIDE PREVENTION

Budget 2004: Fifth year of Progressive achievements Jim Anderton, 27 May 2004

Budget 2004 builds strongly on the progressive platform established by the minority centre left government first elected in 1999, Progressive leader Jim Anderton said today.

Budget '04: Progressive War on Drugs & protection of victims of drugs
Jim Anderton, 25 May 2004

Budget 2004 builds on the strong measures taken in the War on Drugs by the Labour Progressive government last year, Progressive leader Jim Anderton says.

Budget '04: Investment in suicide prevention package Jim Anderton, 25 May 2004

Jim Anderton announced today that his Progressive Party had secured significant new investment to address suicide prevention in the Budget because suicide remains a significant challenge to society.

Anderton seeks to upgrade 'Speed' classification Jim Anderton, 23 May 2004

Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton said today that he has accepted the recommendations of the Expert Advisory Committee on Drugs to reclassify amphetamine, also known as "speed," as a Class B1 controlled drug, a higher grade than its current Class B2 status.

Anderton seeks to upgrade 'Ecstasy' classification Jim Anderton, 23 May 2004
Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton said today that he will seek his Cabinet colleagues' support to reclassify MDMA, commonly known as "Ecstasy" or 'E,' as a Class B1 controlled drug, up from Class B2 at present.

Precautionary approach best when dealing with youth & alcohol Jim Anderton, 19 May 2004

Alcohol abuse among the young is one of society's biggest challenges and it is best to adopt a cautious approach when looking at ways of addressing the problem, Progressive leader, Jim Anderton, said today.

Pushing P out of Christchurch Jim Anderton, 19 May 2004

This week the Labour-Progressive government's fight against crime receives a $39 million budget boost aimed at gangs and the producers of methamphetamine.

Anderton: Lowering drinking age didn't reverse negative trends Jim Anderton, 17 May 2004

Progressive leader Jim Anderton says that the empirical evidence since the 1999 decision by Parliament to lower the legal drinking age to 18 suggests that the change didn't reverse negative social indicators as many had hoped at the time.

Budget 2004: $39 million to fight meth, gangs Jim Anderton, 17 May 2004

The Labour Progressive government has allocated an additional $39 million in Budget 2004 to tackle the methamphetamine trade and organised crime over the next four years.

Corrections law change has vital role in fighting crime, rehabilitating lives Matt Robson, 26 May 2004
If we can intervene much earlier in a person's life we have a greater chance that that person will never re-enter the corrections system.
Robson address at graduation of Te Rakau Ote Ora programme Matt Robson, 22 May 2004
The Trust provides for the health and social support of low income earners in the Mataatua region including the young and the elderly. They deliver educational, court support and advisory services. Their educational programmes for youth at risk are well known.

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EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Budget 2004: Allowance changes benefit over 36,000 students Steve Maharey, 27 May 2004
Student Support Guide.pdf (508 k)

A significant expansion of the student allowance scheme heads up a $110 million package for students announced today by Associate Education (Tertiary Education) Minister Steve Maharey.

Budget 2004: Building excellence in tertiary education Steve Maharey, 27 May 2004
Budget 2004 allocates $149 million to the government's drive for greater levels of excellence in the tertiary education sector and to connect teaching, training and research with New Zealand's economic and social needs, says Associate Education (Tertiary Education) Minister Steve Maharey.

Budget 2004: Investing in lifting education standards Trevor Mallard, 27 May 2004
The government is delivering on its commitment to lift education standards for all young New Zealanders by injecting extra funding of $2 billion over four years into education, bringing total spending to $9.2 billion by 2007-08, Education Minister Trevor Mallard said today.

Budget 2004: Landmark budget for educating young kiwi kids
Trevor Mallard, 27 May 2004
Education Minister Trevor Mallard today announced a landmark package for New Zealand's youngest children and their families through the provision of free early childhood education and significant new funding to ensure early childhood education of the best possible quality.

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HEALTH

Funding boost for Mental Health Blueprint Annette King, 27 May 2004
The government is putting an extra $250 million in the next four years into implementing the Mental Health Commission's Blueprint, Health Minister Annette King says.

Budget 2004: Vote Health soon to top $10 billion Annette King, 27 May 2004
Budget 2004 continues the three-year health funding path with an allocation of $550 million in 2006-07 which will take total health spending in that year to $10.7 billion.

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HOUSING

Promoting stable tenancies Steve Maharey, 27 May 2004
A $140 million package for housing initiatives will build greater stability in the rental sector, says Housing Minister Steve Maharey.

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SUPPORTING FAMILIES

Poverty dramatically reduced Steve Maharey, 28 May 2004
The Working for Families package takes aim at child poverty and will reduce it dramatically, says Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey.

A new approach to social assistance Steve Maharey, 27 May 2004
The Working for Families package shifts the focus of New Zealand's social assistance system from passive welfare entitlements to active support to move into employment, Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey said today.

Budget 2004: Families package good for growth Michael Cullen, 27 May 2004
"Working for Families is the centrepiece of this year's budget and will support the budget's strong pro-growth orientation," Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today.

Budget 2004: Supporting families Steve Maharey, 27 May 2004
"Parenting support programmes receive a major boost as part of a $75.5 million Supporting Families package in Budget 2004, Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey said today.

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HUMAN RIGHTS

Over a million people at risk in Darfur, Sudan
Matt Robson, 25 May 2004
Progressive MP Matt Robson is urging members of the public to help as best they can a public appeal by Oxfam for funds to assist alleviate a man-made humanitarian disaster in the Darfur region of Western Sudan.

ENDS

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