Posted by Richard as Campaigns at 10:22 PM UTC
May 15th, 2008
Alliance Party will ABOLISH GST on Food
May 14th, 2008
We should ignore threats from smelter executives
Alliance Party co-leader Kay Murray says the government should simply ignore the threat tactics of mining transnational Rio Tinto over the planned emissions trading scheme.
Ms Murray says the smelter came to New Zealand because Manapouri power station was virtually built for them, and they have been given cheap electricity ever since that is subsidized by ordinary people.
“How cheap remains a secret, but some estimates indicate that in the latest deal the rate per unit could be as little as a quarter of what the average domestic household pays.”
Given that its supplier is state owned Meridian Energy, this is a huge tax payer subsidy, says Ms Murray. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Admin as Media releases at 10:28 AM UTC
May 9th, 2008
Alliance gains new image for ‘08 campaign
The Alliance’s new logo has been approved by the Electoral Commission. The new logo was designed for our 2008 campaign by Jack Yan of JY&A Consulting.
Jack has written about the new logo on his blog.
Posted by Admin as Information at 11:15 AM UTC
May 7th, 2008
No to biofuel imports
The Alliance Party says that there should be no importation of biofuels.
Alliance Party transport spokesperson Bob van Ruyssevelt says he supports the call by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright, for the government to scrap the current Biofuels Bill.
“This legislation would mean importing of biofuels from countries where farmers are cutting down scarce rainforests, or converting land from food to fuel production, which is denying cheap food to the world’s poor.” Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Admin as Media releases at 4:08 PM UTC
May 4th, 2008
Electricity prices must be reduced this winter
The Alliance Party says electricity prices must be reduced for ordinary consumers this winter.
Alliance Energy Spokeperson Ian Tinkler says the removal of democracy from the electricity sector in the last 10 years has resulted in huge price increases.
“Why should ordinary New Zealanders freeze while electricity corporates make huge profits?”
Mr Tinkler says that before the destructive changes in the electricity sector in 1998, most people received their electricity from community or local authority owned power boards.
“These boards were connected to domestic user of electricity and were answerable through the ballot box – the governance representatives were accountable to the people.” Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Admin as Media releases at 3:37 PM UTC
Alliance Party calls for phase out of GST starting with food
The Alliance Party has called for GST on food to be scrapped – and the entire tax to be phased out.
Alliance Party co-leader Kay Murray says “GST on food will have to go now if basic food items are to remain affordable for New Zealanders.”
Ms Murray says that figures from the Council of Trade Unions show food prices rose 6% in the past year and are set to continue to rise this year.
“Removing GST would at least allow some breathing space while other long term measures are put in place to keep food affordable. Australia doesn’t have GST on basic food items. If the Australians can manage it surely we can too.” Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Admin as Media releases at 11:47 AM UTC
Alliance backs schools quest for proper funding
Alliance party education spokesperson Richard Wallis says that it comes as no surprise that Northcote College principal Vicki Barrie says her school is in need of increased funding.
“What is surprising is that more principals haven’t been speaking up, calling for increased funding.”
Mr Wallis says the Alliance has been consistent in its call for an increase in funding for the education sector. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Admin as Media releases at 11:35 AM UTC