MEDIA RELEASE
19 November

For immediate release

THE LEFT LEADERS FRONT UP ON THE FINAL WHITTAKER'S GOOD HONEST ELECTION CAMPAIGN REPORT SUNDAY 21 NOVEMBER 9.30PM

For the last show in the successful Whittaker's Good Honest Election Campaign Report, Bomber will run Labour leader Helen Clark and Alliance leader Jim Anderton through their paces.

The show will serve as the grand finale to what has been a hugely popular forum for youth during the election campaign.

"Every week my web site www.bomber.com has been crammed with youth discussing issues in the chat rooms. The fax machine has also been bought to a standstill by youth wanting their questions put to the key MPs we have had on. Prebble almost killed the fax machine!" said Bomber.

Issues of concern to young people, which were reflected in the huge number of faxes and emails received last week, included NZ's high youth suicide rate, education policies - in particular student loans - the environment and unemployment.

"Before the Whittaker's Good Honest Election Campaign Report started, it would be fair to say youth were fairly apathetic about the campaign. However, being able to bring key MPs to youth and providing them with an opportunity to put their questions to MPs directly has probably contributed to raising the level of interest among the youth voting population. It is great that so many youth have enrolled. Youth are now the highest enrolled group in the country and their rate of enrolment in such a short space of time was phenomenal."

"It has been great that a good honest Kiwi brand has been able to do this for the country's youth……. And let me enjoy a lot of their product J. Whittaker's is an awesome product and a kiwi icon, it was a pleasure to be associated with such a great brand for a good cause."

"Helen Clark and Jim Anderton can expect a 'free and frank' discussion - my job is to be honest and impartial and put the genuine questions of youth to all the party leaders. Politicians should not underestimate the degree of distrust and cynicism with which young people view them. It seems you can't do a thing which affects the elderly without a huge outcry, but young people are essentially a forgotten audience - until their votes suddenly make them worth talking to."

The Whittaker's Good Honest Campaign Report was developed as a means of getting young people interested in the general election and politics generally. Richard Prebble, Tony Ryall, and Nandor Tanczos have appeared on the show. "Jenny Shipley was supposed to appear on the show but pulled out at the last moment. People can draw their own conclusions as to why she chose not to appear. My own view is that it probably is a good indication of how importantly she regards youth generally."

Young people with questions they'd like answered by Helen Clark or Jim Anderton can email Bomber at: honest@peanut.slab.nzl.com or Bomber@talk.co.nz

Ends

For further information contact:
Kirk MacGibbon 025 82 77 27 or
04 498 2409 (wk)

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