National lists top 10 priorities

Don Brash

National leader Don Brash today outlined the party's top 10 priorities if it becomes government, with cutting personal taxes top of the list.

Dr Brash launched a new pamphlet today titled "National's Action Plan For New Zealand: The First Ten Things We Will Do" which will be delivered to more than one million homes from this weekend.

"In nine days New Zealanders will have to decide who will really tackle the issues that matter to New Zealand and its future," he said at the launch in Northcote, Auckland.

Since his first speech on race relations at Orewa, Auckland, nearly two years, National had had the "guts" to take on the important issues, Dr Brash said.

Labour's message about the future was limited to keeping National out of government, he said.

"We've had six years of bungling NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement). We've had six years of the 111 (emergency) phone centre crisis. We've had six years of Labour's political correctness.

"We've had six years of them ignoring mainstream New Zealanders. We've had six years of their high tax and waste."

National offered voters a return to hard-working New Zealand values, he said.

"I am about those Kiwi values that have always served this country well -- hard work and opportunity.

"The opportunity that comes from rewarding those who want to contribute something back to New Zealand."

National's priority list:

1. To cut personal tax so 85 per cent of New Zealanders pay 19 per cent tax or less.

2. Make interest on student loans and pre-school childcare tax deductible from April 1, 2006.

3. Introduce an Resource Management amendment bill before the end of 2005 and pass it before July 2006.

4. Introduce nationwide maths and English standards in 2006.

5. Require all Treaty of Waitangi claims to be lodged by the end of 2006 and settled by the end of 2010.

6. Introduce and pass legislation to abolish parole for all violent and repeat offenders by July 1, 2006.

7. Overhaul the NCEA before final exams in 2006.

8. Introduce more thorough medical checks for those on invalid and sickness benefits by April 1, 2006.

9. Increase investment in frontline education, health and police services in the 2006 Budget and cut wasteful programmes.

10. Remove all references to the "Principles of the Treaty" from acts of parliament by April 1, 2008 and abolish Maori seats before the next election.

- NZPA