Media Release
24 March 2000

The annual Young Nationals Policy Conference - which is being held in Wellington over the next three days - has had a successful opening day yesterday, says Nationals Youth Vice President Daniel Gordon.

'We have seen a very good turnout this year. I am especially pleased with the high quality line up of guest speakers. We have some vigorous policy discussion planned, which will enable Young Nationals to establish our policy framework for the year.' said Daniel Gordon.

'Yesterday saw an excellent presentation from new MPs Simon Power and Phil Heatley, both of whom spoke frankly about the various opportunities and challenges faced by younger MPs on the campaign trail and as new National Party parliamentarians. This was certainly one of the highlights of conference.'

'Hon Doug Kidd also spoke about superannuation, which is a key theme of Policy Conference 2000. This issue affects young people more than Labour cares to admit. It is inevitable that we will wind up paying for Michael Cullens expensive and complicated super policy.'

'Party leader Rt Hon Jenny Shipley will address conference today. Mrs Shipley has always been extremely supportive of young people in the party, and her willingness to participate in the conference this year demonstrates that she understands that the future of our party is reliant on the continued involvement of young activists. I look forward to a positive message from the leader in her address,' said Daniel Gordon.

'Her Excellency Carol Moseley Braun, United States Ambassador to New Zealand, will also address conference today. With a hugely successful political career behind her, and somebody we can look to as a role model in politics, we are very much looking forward to hearing from the Ambassador. We are incredibly privileged to have secured such an excellent guest speaker, and her address to our conference has attracted much interest.'

'We will also hear from the Executive Director of the New Zealand Business Roundtable, Roger Kerr, as well as several other guest speakers, in the next two days.'

Young Nationals will issue frequent updates on the key themes of this conference over weekend. Further conference information on Policy Conference is available at the Young Nationals website, http://www.youngnats.org.nz.

For further information contact Young Nationals Chair Daniel Gordon on 021 229 6812 or National Secretary Scott Higham on 021 288 3736.

Ends.

-- Scott Higham National Secretary NZ Young Nationals http://www.youngnats.org.nz

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