Seasons' greetings to all!

Time to remind ourselves of key Progressive achievements in this year. Two Budget gems to start:

A half-billion dollar Growth and Innovation Package that is strengthening Kiwi companies' abilities to compete in the world as part of a creative, forward-looking and technologically advanced country. That means more jobs, jobs, jobs. Now that's Progressive!

An additional $39 million to tackle the illegal methamphetamine trade and organised crime over the next four years. Provision was made to care for the victims of the drug peddlers with nearly $15 million over four years on drug related health initiatives and $5.5 million over four years dedicated to support suicide prevention measures.

Last but not least National's flip flop on four week's leave.

robson-on-politics now takes a well-earned break and returns in February, ready for Election 2005.

This is one of the country's fastest growing sectors. Food and beverage exports have doubled in the past 10 years, making up to 50 percent of total merchandise exports. The new taskforce taskforce will ensure that all government activities impacting on the sector are coordinated to ensure the maximum growth possible is achieved. It's headed by Ministers Anderton and Sutton.

A great end to the year with a great pay rise for nurses. Well-campaigned for and well-deserved.

I am buying copies of the Little Red Hen for Labour colleagues. I've lost count of the number who have whispered to me that they applaud the Supreme Court decision. 'We always believed in Ahmed.' One MP even confided that he had telephoned the 'security risk' at the friary. Courage! But on Tuesday a dinner at Parliament to celebrate human rights was co-hosted by MPs from four parties, and heard a speech delivered for Ahmed in absentia. His topic was Islam and the status of women.

Steve Maharey has given self-appointed left-wing guru Chris Trotter some biff in the Dominion. The Alliance Party, says Steve, was always irrelevant and it was the 'Helen Clark-led Labour Party' that led us back to the right path. I thought the Jim Anderton-led Alliance, and now the Progressive Party, had a lot to do with asset-selling Labour MPs returning to virtue. We've also nudged them along on Kiwibank, paid parental leave, four weeks leave and the regional economic growth strategy.

Oh and maybe there is just the slightest possibility that Ahmed Zaoui might not be linked with violent and extreme activities, and that Labour MPs have forgotten why they once sided with leaders of the oppressed such as Xanana Gusmao and Nelson Mandela.

Our 69 candidates in Election 2005 will be campaigning on our housing
and our key business http://www.progressive.org.nz/company-tax
education http://www.progressive.org.nz/student-loans
and health policies.

Another decision on imprisonment without trial

Good to see British law lords agreeing with our Supreme Court: they have ruled that imprisonment without trial for three years of nine alleged 'security risks' is wrong.

On The Robson Hour on 531PI on the AM band, Sun noon - 1pm: Tongan Anglican priest Elenoa Mancini; Derex Fox; and Progressive leader Jim Anderton

This week on www.progressive.org.nz http://www.progressive.org.nz/ there are more new stories, including 'Government investment to unleash good' in the NBR today the public, and a new head of Corrections has a chance to reduce re-offending.

Subscribe to robson-on-politics by fax to 04 472 7620 or email to mailto:matt.robson@parliament.govt.nz

ENDS

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