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Election Survival Kit 2002
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12 July, 2002
Are you voting this year? What are the most important issues for you?
What will the parties do about health, education, or the economy? It's so
important to understand the system, and to make an informed decision based
on what each party's policies really are.
Below are links to internet sites that can help you out this election,
including info on the electoral system, on parties and their policies,
on enrolling, and on your electorate.
My challenge to you this election is to take a look at what the parties'
policies are on the issues of poverty and injustice on the international
stage, as well the local issues that matter to you. Parties hardly ever
talk about these issues at election time, because they believe New Zealanders
don't care. This election, let's prove them wrong.
Did you know that...
...The NZ Government spends NZ$227 million of your tax money on overseas
aid?
...NZ$227m is less than half of the UN target for OECD countries, which
NZ has committed to? (The target is 0.7% of GNI.)
Four good questions to ask
1. What will this party do to help developing countries reach the millennium
goals for poverty reduction by 2015?
2. Will this party increase, decrease, or maintain current government
spending on overseas aid and development?
3. Will this party increase, decrease or maintain the quota of refugees
NZ accepts, with associated funding for processing and support services?
4. Is this party committed to joining international efforts to fight the
HIV / AIDS pandemic, such as contributing to the Global Fund to Fight
AIDS, Malaria and TB?
5. Will this party actively promote debt cancellation and fair trade for
least developed countries on the international stage?
Parties
Internet sites of parties currently in parliament:
www.labour.org.nz
www.national.org.nz
www.alliance.org.nz
www.greens.org.nz
www.act.org.nz
www.nzfirst.org.nz
www.unitedfuture.org.nz
(Jim Anderton's Progressive Coalition doesn't yet have a site)
Official list of parties and contact details
www.elections.org.nz/elections/esyst/parties.html
Policies
This independent site compares the main party's policies on many issues:
www.policy.net.nz/index.shtml
Have you enrolled?
www.elections.org.nz
Are you under 18?
Tell the new Government what you think anyway at this great election site
from Save the Children fund
www.savethechildren.org.nz
(look for the "Speak up" link on the home page)
What's my electorate and who are the candidates?
www.elections.org.nz/elections/votin/electorate.html
How does the electoral system work?
MMP explained:
xtramsn.co.nz/news/0,,8851-1533172,00.html
www.elections.org.nz/elections/esyst/govt_elect.html
The Maori seats explained:
www.elections.org.nz/elections/esyst/mroll.html
TVNZ election site
yourvote2002.nzoom.com
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