Address to Chapman Tripp's 2011 Policy Series for Party Leaders
Good morning. It is a pleasure to be here to speak to you in the Policy Series for Party Leaders In the lead-up this year’s election, and at the outset may I congratulate Chapman Tripp for hosting this series.
Occasions like this are important events and a key part of the democratic process where the chance is given to explore, learn and – no doubt – critique all players and parties in the political environment.
It is important that you hear – and that New Zealanders generally hear – from a broad cross-section of political parties in the lead-up to what looks like being a pivotal election, not the least because come November 26, voters are going to have to make some very clear choices about how this country steps into the future.
While politicians could be accused of making that claim about every election, this one is different because of the intensely fraught global economic environment.
I am not just referring to the global financial crisis and its consequences, but also the increasingly tense global trade environment and its implications for a small, isolated trading nation like ours... Read the full text of this article.
