Clare Curran for Dunedin South

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Authorised by
Clare Curran,
132 Hillside Road,
South Dunedin

Campaigns

Kiwi Jobs Bill

Last year I released my first Private Members Bill to maximise opportunities for local businesses when tendering for large government projects. This is in the Members Ballot, but is yet to be put before the House.

The Bill is called the Kiwi Jobs Bill and aims to boost Kiwi industry participation and growth.
It is my belief that New Zealand can only control its own future with strong, sustainable local industries. The government has an important role to play here.

We need procurement policies that recognise that value for money is about a broader economic benefit and not just about lowest price. Most other countries have clauses giving preference to local companies in tendering for government contracts, including many of New Zealand's trading partners.

This Bill establishes a Commission of Inquiry to compare government procurement policies in Australia and other comparable jurisdictions, to determine whether the NZ Government can have a policy that gives preference to local procurement without breaching our international trade obligations.

The Commission of Inquiry would have a deadline of six months to report to Parliament and the Minister for Economic Development would be required to decide within 30 days how its recommendations could be implemented.

I believe New Zealand industries should be given the best possible chance of taking up new work within our shores by getting full, fair and reasonable opportunities to compete for tenders and major projects.

The Bill is a first step and Labour will be developing a strong policy on government procurement

#OpenLabourNZ The guiding principles

Last week Labour announced a new way of developing policy. Out in the open, and involving you.
We are developing a policy on open and transparent government. And we set out the process that we’d use.We are inviting your views, your comments, your ideas and suggestions.
Today’s post sets out the guiding principles:
• That open engagement at all levels of government is integral to promoting an informed, connected and democratic community, to public sector reform, innovation and best use of the national investment in broadband.
• That using technology to increase collaboration in making policy and providing services will help achieve a more consultative, participatory and transparent government;
• That public sector data and information is a national resource, and releasing as much of it on as permissive terms as possible will maximise its economic and social value and reinforce a healthy democracy;
• That online engagement by public servants should be enabled and encouraged. Robust professional discussion benefits their agencies, their professional development, and the New Zealand public
• That Labour’s open government policy will be able to translate from opposition into government. That we can live up to what we say we will do.
Labour will carefully consider the implementation and political implications of input received before it is adopted as policy. We will inform participants of the real world constraints (political, logistical, financial) as part of the engagement process.
Now it’s up to you to contribute to this important discussion.

Read more: http://blog.labour.org.nz/

#OpenLabourNZ A new way of doing things

Labour is about to try something new. A new way of developing policy. Out in the open, and involving you.

Labour wants to start by developing a policy on open and transparent government. We want to do that in an open and transparent way.

Over the next couple of weeks there will be a series of posts on Red Alert on this

• The first post will outline the process and how you can participate.
• The second will present some initial principles and ideas to generate discussion.
This is exciting and new and because it’s our first time, we might make some mistakes. We hope you’ll show goodwill and tolerance and above all, that you’ll have things to say.
Open and transparent government is about how politicians, the governing party and the public sector constructively interacts with citizens to be more democratic and effective.
Will you be writing Labour policy?
We want to be upfront with you from the beginning
Your input will contribute to Labour’s policy. The #openlabournz document will be taken as a key input for Labour to consider in developing its policy, noting the other drivers and that there will be changes possibly made between it and the final policy. However, please be assured that the final output will be of high quality, and that high quality suggestions are always taken very seriously in Labour Party policy development.
Labour is of course a political party and politics will dictate what the final policy looks like and how it is arrived at. Once the #openlabournz document is completed, we will keep you posted about where the policy is at, and where it ends up. Labour’s policy finalisation process is for Labour members and you’re welcome to participate in that next step through the usual route of joining the party.
Why are we doing this?
Red Alert was established as a tool using new technology to build a voice for Labour and to demonstrate that we are doing things differently and prepared to truly “engage” with the public in ways we haven’t before.
The debates on Red Alert are good. There is a definite need however for another mechanism which takes the discussion further on particular issues. A way of providing an open forum for discussion that can provide input into Labour policy. That’s authentic. That shows we are who we say we are.
#OpenLabourNZ is a way to do that. If the process works, we’ll do it again on other issues. You might have suggestions.
To participate visit http://blog.labour.org.nz/

Read more: www.publicacta.org.nz

Save Radio New Zealand

The Government is threatening to freeze Radio New Zealand's funding. Labour want to support our last bastion of state broadcasting not send it down the road of commercialisation.

Labour MP and broadcasting spokesperson Brendon Burns has launched the online petition 'Hands Off our Dial' to continue the campaign for quality, unlimited access to our state broadcaster.

To sign the petition or find out more click on the link below.

AXE THE TAX

Labour's Axe the Tax Tour is coming to Dunedin this Thursday night. Come along to a 'mix and mingle' with MPs. The Kensington Tavern, 4 King Edward Street and hear about Labour's nation-wide campaign fighting National's planned 15% GST rise.

Labour says axe the GST tax rise.

More GST means higher prices.

No one voted for an increase in GST.

Cost of living is already a big issue and raising GST to 15% just makes things worse for you and your family.

A rise in GST means 20% more tax on bread. 20% more tax on milk. 20% more tax on electricity, rates and even ACC.

See the Bus

Monday 8 March
Picton, Nelson, Westport

Tuesday 9 March
Westport, Reefton, Hanmer Springs, Rangiora

Wednesday 10 March
Christchurch Central, Christchurch East, Waimakariri, Port Hills, Ilam and Wigram

Thursday 11 March
Christchurch, Ashburton, Temuka, Timaru, Waimate, Oamaru

Friday 12 March
Dunedin North and Dunedin South

Hands up for learning

Trial National Standards, not our kids.

Acc Works

Don't pay more for National's ACC rip-off

New Zealand has the world's best accident compensation scheme. We in Labour want to keep it that way, because you need ACC if you have an accident.

The government claims ACC is insolvent. But it's scaremongering. ACC has over $11 billion of reserves and last year collected $1 billion more in levies than it spent on claims.

At a time when family budgets are stretched, National is increasing levies for people like car owners and motorcyclists, and making you pay more for your care, so it can privatise parts of ACC. You've heard about ACCs rising costs - but Labour has a better way to keep your levies down.

ACC costs you less than the alternatives. It's cheaper than paying high lawyers' bills, and cheaper than insurance from foreign-owned corporate. ACC is cheaper and better than the privatized alternatives in Australia.