"I welcome the Prime Minister's announcement of the election date today.

"November 8 2008 represents a big opportunity for this country. It is the chance for voters to choose a brighter future for New Zealand in this 21st century world.

"This election is about New Zealanders having the opportunity to choose a government that is focused on what matters to them.

"It is about being able to turn a fresh page and put all the political distractions and intrigue of the past three years behind us.

"This election is the opportunity for voters to choose a government that will focus on strongly growing our economy, on steadily reducing taxes to provide incentives for people to build their lives here in New Zealand, and on investing in breakthrough technology like ultra-fast broadband to get us up to speed with the rest of the world.

"This election is the opportunity to choose a government that will concentrate on improving our education system; a government that will run a crusade on literacy and numeracy; and a government that will focus on high standards and achievement so that every Kiwi child gets the opportunity to succeed in life.

"National is determined to get better results out of all of our public services. We will cap the core bureaucracy and ensure more of our precious tax dollars are spent on frontline services.

"In health in particular we are determined to get maximum value out of every dollar. National will manage the public health service to deliver better, sooner, more convenient healthcare for all New Zealanders. We will deliver shorter waiting times, less bureaucracy, and a trusted and motivated health workforce.

"Finally, and very importantly, National is determined to improve safety in our communities. We will crack down on criminal gangs, and we will strengthen the bail laws, parole laws, and sentencing laws, to keep dangerous criminals off our streets.

"The Labour Party has had nine years to address these fundamental concerns of New Zealanders, and they have failed.

"They have run out of ideas and over the past three years in particular they have been seriously distracted by political issues like the pledge card, the Electoral Finance Act, and the Winston Peters/Owen Glenn affair.

"On November 8, New Zealanders have a chance to rule a line under the past three years and choose a fresh start with fresh optimism and fresh hope.

"It is their opportunity to choose a brighter future with a government that is determined to focus on the real issues that matter in their lives.

"This election is not about the past. It's not about the old political battles of the past 20 or 30 years. It's about the future. It's about New Zealand's future, it's about the future of New Zealand families. It's about seizing the opportunities of a new century in a positive optimistic way.

"In welcoming the election date today, I can tell you that National intends running a positive, forward-looking campaign that focuses on the real issues facing New Zealanders and their families. I challenge the Prime Minister to do the same.

"I look forward to the election."

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The media conference and the QA that followed: