In a major speech in Christchurch this afternoon, ACT New Zealand leader Dr Don Brash said the issue confronting New Zealanders at the November election is not Left vs Right but Down vs Up.

In the first of six speeches outlining ACT's vision for a fairer and more prosperous New Zealand, Dr Brash said the party stands for individual freedom, open and competitive markets, choice, and personal responsibility.

Reiterating ACT's core principles, Dr Brash named several prerequisites for "a Future of Up," including:

· serious inroads into government spending and the government deficit

· lower and flatter company and personal taxes

· greater parental choice and school autonomy in education

· welfare reform, including changing incentives to stop benefits being used as a lifestyle choice

· abolition of the Maori seats and other race-based institutions

· overhaul of the RMA

· restoration of Youth or Training Rates


Dr Brash also announced his party would seek to amend the Bill of Rights to include property rights, saying people should be "free to do as they like on their property provided it doesn't damage the property of others."

He also mounted a spirited defence of another core ACT value, freedom of speech, pointing out that “Our Bill of Rights upholds the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and opinions of any kind in any form.”

Dr Brash dismissed as bizarre claims that ACT’s core principles make ACT a “far right” party. Declaring he wanted New Zealand not merely to catch Australia but surpass it, Dr Brash ended with a ringing affirmation of what ACT policies would enable.

"They would do much more to achieve prosperity and a fairer society than what National is offering, and would offer all groups, including Maori, the chance to get ahead.”

ENDS

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