Colin Craig from the Conservative Party joined us online from midday for a live chat.
Here is what he had to say:
11:45 Colin Craig:
Hi everyone
11:46 Comment From jon
Hi Colin, Do you believe you can win the Rodney seat?
11:46 Colin Craig:
Ok already lots of Q's
which is great
11:46 Colin Craig:
Hi jon, yes I do
11:46 Comment From Edward
Hi Craig, Do you support Aucklands City Rail Link?
11:47 Colin Craig:
The feeling on the ground up there is pretty positive, I have a great team and lots of local contacts
11:48 Colin Craig:
Hi Edward. Would like to see further research especially on alternatives. A different loop proposed that I have seen would save close to $1bn and at the moment funding is the big issues.
11:48 Comment From Shaun
Hi Colin - why should someone vote for the Conservatives when last night, your number 2/Deputy Leader Kathy Sheldrake, said at a Meet the Candidates Meeting that "a lot of Conservative policy has not yet been made because we're only 4 weeks old"?
11:48 Colin Craig:
Hi to Nick
Not planning corporal punishment back into schools.
11:49 Colin Craig:
Hi Shaun. We are releasing policy on our website and will have major ones all out by election.
11:49 Comment From Paul
Should 18 year olds have the right to purchase alcohol?
11:50 Colin Craig:
Hi Paul, We would take the age back to 21.
11:50 Comment From Fay
What makes you the better choice over the other Rodney candidates?
11:51 Colin Craig:
Hi Fay. Well I would be biased I think :). I think being local and having so many connectiosn in the district is important. The National candidate has been out of the country for a number of years.
11:51 Comment From Polar
What is the Conservative Party's stance on Civil Unions?
11:52 Colin Craig:
Hi Polar. No party policy. I would not vote to change it.
11:52 Comment From Jeremy
Hi Colin, Do you think TVNZ should have included you in the upcoming minor leaders debate? I ask this because your Conservative party is now the only political party registering in the polls which will not be present at that debate.
11:53 Colin Craig:
Hi Jeremy. Yes I think we should. Media often struggle to think outside the existing box.
11:53 Comment From Harry
Hi Colin, what are your thoughts on Labour's proposed Capital Gains Tax? How would the Conservative party structure the tax system?
11:53 Colin Craig:
Can I add to that the we are climbing in all the polls as well which is great.
11:55 Colin Craig:
Hi Harry
Wouldn't support a capitals gains tax. Would reintroduce top tax rate and have tax free income threshold. I think the reduction in the top tax rate was premature given financial crisis.
11:55 Comment From Nicholas
Hi Colin. Do you support the Goverments stance on welfare reform and on law and order?
11:56 Colin Craig:
Hi Nick. Yes welfare reform is needed. Would be tougher on Law and order. Make prisoners work.
11:56 Comment From Robert
Hi Craig, you've said you're open to working with both major parties. What would encourage you to side with Labour?
11:57 Colin Craig:
We will talk to the highest polling party first and that is going to be national as it looks right now. A strong vote for labour instead of national would open possibilities.
11:57 Comment From george
do you base your policies on good Christian principles?
11:59 Colin Craig:
Hi George. Not a chistian party. Common sense is my main thing and the basis of our policies. Practical results more imporatnat than ideology.
11:59 Comment From eleanor
as an undecided Rodney voter, why should I vote you as my electorate MP?
12:00 Colin Craig:
Hi Eleanor. Have a brochure in your letterbox in the next few days. Have a read. I think my track record is the thing to look at. Happily married 20 yrs, a dad, successful, love Rodney and willing to be a true representative.