maxim institute media alert
28 March 2007

MPs to Debate Social Justice at the Maxim Institute Forum 2007

MPs from major Parliamentary parties will discuss and debate how government can respond to the challenge of reinvigorating civil society in New Zealand at the Maxim Institute Forum 2007 – Pursuing Social Justice in New Zealand.

The Forum will take place on Friday 30 March from 1:00pm - 9:30pm at the Auckland Town Hall, THE EDGE® and will feature a top line-up of local and international speakers.

The MP Panel Discussion will follow afternoon tea and will run from 3:30pm - 4:20pm in the Concert Chamber.

Each MP will have 3 minutes to answer the question: How can government respond to the challenge of reinvigorating civil society in New Zealand? This will be followed by 2 minutes of follow up questions from the Chair. The MPs will then debate with each other.

MPs taking part include:

Hon Peter Dunne –United Future Party Leader, Minister of Revenue
Hon Bill English –National Party Deputy Leader
Peter Brown – New Zealand First Party Deputy Leader
Sue Bradford –Green Party

Maxim Institute CEO and Chair of the MP Panel Discussion, Greg Fleming, hopes that the MPs will tackle the issue head on. “Community responsibility has been weakening in recent decades, and while final responsibility for civil society lies with the public putting up their hands and getting involved, government policy can either help or hinder communities that want to take action,” says Greg Fleming.

“Everything from tax policy to social welfare to the education system impacts on social justice in New Zealand; it affects the well-being of individuals, families and organisations and how they relate to one another,” says Greg Fleming.

“The MP Panel Discussion will be a highlight of the Forum and I look forward to hearing the different parties’ approaches to social justice,” concludes Fleming.

ENDS

For details of the Forum speakers and schedule, please visit http://www.maxim.org.nz/index.cfm/Social_Justice/Forum_2007

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