What Are We Looking For

I refer to the types of parties’ policies we, as right-wing conservative voters, would like to see at the forthcoming election. Anything from the left will not sit comfortably so we must look to the three parties on the right. We must start from the base that there is no one party that is going to address everything we may want. Therefore each party has to be looked at individually in each policy area.

The idea of tactical voting, which I believe is an absolute necessity, narrows the choice further, due largely to the unfathomable behaviour of the National Party. This has become necessary simply to ensure a coalition of the right is returned to power. With the possible exception of the Epsom and Tāmaki electorates currently held by ACT, it is imperative we hold our noses and give our electorate vote to the National candidate. The important thing is to rob National of party votes.

There is no question increasing the number of ACT and NZ First MPs is to our advantage, particularly regarding post-election negotiations. We must put these two parties in the strongest possible position to exert influence over the liberally minded Mr Luxon. The coalition must be able to govern based on conservative principles and values. Anything less than that and the election will be a failure. What we cannot have is a repeat of this term’s nonsense.

So we’re really only concerning ourselves with whether our party vote goes to ACT or NZ First as, through tactical voting, we have ruled National out. That is the price they pay for riding roughshod over their supporters with their ‘we know what’s best for you’ attitude. No list MPs will see the removal of Willis and Brownlee, neither of whom will be missed. I think there is a general consensus that Brownlee has been a total failure in the speaker’s role. If Bishop doesn’t win Hutt South, then he’s gone, too.

Lets look at what ACT offers in some of the more important policy areas.

ECONOMY AND COST OF LIVING – Backs the person who invests in themselves to upskill, works overtime to save a deposit for a farm or a home, or takes the risk of quitting a regular paycheque to start their own business. ACT is in favour of reducing taxes and red tape. Government should be a prudent spender.

HEALTH – Timely and high-quality healthcare be available when needed, regardless of background. Government and private health providers should work together. Pharmacies should be able to do more to reduce GP visits. Cut waste and improve accountability.

LAW AND ORDER – ACT believes in being tough and smart on crime. Keep children safe, deport serious offenders, three strikes for burglary, keep public spaces safe, stop coercion by animal abuse and crack down on rural crime.

HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE – ACT believes people should be free to build on their own property unless they cause material harm to someone else or the natural environment. Councils need practical ways to fund growth and people who add to the demand for infrastructure should make a fair contribution.

RURAL NEW ZEALAND – ACT backs rural New Zealand because farmers, growers and rural communities are the backbone of the economy. Scrap net zero and the carbon tax. Scrap the Climate Change Commission. Renegotiate the Paris Accord or be prepared to leave.

EDUCATION – ACT backs clear standards, honest reporting and freedom for schools that can deliver. Real choice for students, affordable school uniforms, equal treatment at universities and if you disrupt the class, then leave.

EQUAL RIGHTS AND  DEMOCRACY – ACT advocates winding up the Waitangi Tribunal, a smaller more affordable government, free speech for regulated professionals and no votes for unelected professionals. ACT will require government to explicitly specify what Treaty interests a bill engages before drafting and stopping vague references to Treaty Principles in law.

NZ First has the following policy headings – Breaking Up the Gentailers, Break Up the Supermarket Duopoly, Return 50 per cent of Mining Royalties to the Regions, Establishing a KiwiSaver Generation (enrolment compulsory at birth with a $1,000 government contribution to kickstart), Backing a New Zealand-Owned Bank, Disestablishing Auckland’s ‘Independent Māori Statutory Board’, a Referendum on Māori Seats (heard that before?), Establishing a Special Economic Zone at Marsden Point, Completing the Christchurch Cathedral, Citizens Only Voting, Future Proofing Our Fuel Security ($1 billion over a parliamentary term to create the framework to develop existing energy, geothermal and CO₂ storage sites and extract the resources), the Kiwi Kids Grant (money invested to give kids a start in life), ‘Use it or Lose It’ dairy policy (incentivising investment in value added dairy manufacturing), the $100bn New Zealand Future Fund (investing solely in a multi-decade infrastructure build), NZ Super for Citizens Only, Immigration Reform Policies, the Plan to “Make New Zealand Healthy” and Lowering Tax Rates For SMEs to 20 per cent.

I suggest there’s a lot to like about the policies of both parties. They certainly provide the reason to split your vote. You may not like all from each party but there is no lack of choice. Overall, they have a more conservative flavour to them than what National has in mind. I think the major point of difference is ACT has more of an individual personal approach whereas NZ First is somewhat more government interventionist. Take your pick.

Whichever one you choose, it is helping those parties increase their size in the next parliament, which must happen if we want to blunt Luxon and National’s more liberal agenda. Their policies are available to be perused in full on their respective websites. The aim is obvious: the choice is yours.