20 April 2005

Hon Matt Robson MP, Progressive Deputy Leader

Progressive candidates on a mission to protect New Zealand's gains

New Zealand has the lowest unemployment rate and one of the very highest rates of economic growth in the developed world, but the progress we've made over the past five years is at risk in this year's general election.

That is a key message Progressive Party deputy leader, Matt Robson, is taking to the Progressive Party's Bay of Plenty campaign meeting in Tauranga this evening.

"There is a great amount of goodwill toward Progressive leader Jim Anderton in the Bay of Plenty for his vital roles inside the coalition government, promoting policies to propel regional and economic development, and to turn the tide against the harm being caused to young people by drug and alcohol abuse.

"The Progressive Party is the practical achiever in the coalition.

"From creating Kiwibank to the Ministry of Economic Development, Four Weeks Annual Leave and Paid Parental Leave which help working families stay in the workforce and outside of welfare - we just get on with the job of getting good things done for people," Matt Robson said.

“Our economic development policies have seen the number of people in work soar past the two million mark, and the number receiving the unemployment benefit is below 55,000 for the first time in a generation.

"Our candidates' job in this election is to seek Party Votes for Progressive.
Bay of Plenty people who choose to give their Party Vote to Progressive are really taking out insurance for better growth, more jobs and strong public health policies against drug abuse.

"The reality is that Helen Clark is going to lead the next government, but it will be a coalition government. New Zealand can't afford the risk to our prosperity posed by the anti-economic development and pro-cannabis liberalization platforms of other parties that Helen Clark would turn to in the event that the Progressives aren't back in the next Parliament in sufficient numbers," Matt Robson said.

ENDS

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