Campaign Blog: 24 October - Rt Hon John Key

22 Comments
24 October 2008
Campaign Blog: 24 October

Yesterday started with a Paul Holmes breakfast show broadcast live on radio from Sky City.
[Listen here or here.]

Afterwards, I hopped on a plane to Hawkes Bay for the day.

Following a walkabout in Taradale, where I got a warm reception, it was off to a Greypower meeting in Hastings.

At the meeting I released National's policy on medicines, including our plan to fund 12-month courses of the breast cancer drug Herceptin for women.

This decision to fund the full 12-month course recognises the overwhelming international evidence and consensus of cancer specialists.

We will also boost medicines funding over three years to expand the availability of subsidised medicines. Funding will increase over present levels by $40 million in year one, $60 million in year two, and $80 million in year three.

After the Greypower meeting I spent time at the Hawkes Bay A&P show for a look around. I met dozens of locals, including many children, and even a group of Alpacas. [Video here]

I also got to hand out the prizes in a show-jumping competition.

Fittingly, National released its agriculture policy yesterday, and my Agriculture spokesman David Carter accompanied me at the show, along with local MPs Chris Tremain and Craig Foss.

Today, I am campaigning on the South Island's West Coast. The seat of West Coast-Tasman is one we hope we can win at the election.

John Key

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National Headlines: Keeping you up to date

Labour papers over cracks in building bureaucracy

"I find it laughable that Shane Jones is talking about reducing red tape in the building industry when less than 12 months ago he told Parliament that the consent process was going 'swimmingly well'," says National Party Building & Construction spokesman, Nick Smith.

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Labour ignores own failings in defence

Labour's defence policy released today glosses over and ignores serious problems, says National's Defence spokesman, Wayne Mapp.

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More Cunliffe scaremongering

National Party Health spokesman Tony Ryall says poor old David Cunliffe has been reduced to jumping at shadows as National rolls out its comprehensive strategy to help get the health system delivering better, sooner, more convenient healthcare.

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National: Agriculture policies for the future
National's David Carter is releasing his party's agriculture policy today at the Hawke's Bay A & P show, with a commitment to do better for the sector in research and development, and a plan to start dealing with the dire shortage of rural vets.

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Cullen glosses over KiwiSaver concerns

"Michael Cullen is deliberately ignoring serious concerns about the minimum contribution rates for KiwiSaver in a politically loaded attack on National's plan to make the scheme more accessible," says National's Finance spokesman Bill English.

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National: Boosting access to medicines

National Party Leader John Key says a National-led Government will provide New Zealanders with broader access to medicines.

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#1 - Colin 2008-10-24 15:29 - (Reply)

The Five Headed Monster is a good saying that needs to be kept right in the faces of the public, on all blogs, news releases etc.

#2 - Angela Bennett 2008-10-24 18:46 - (Reply)

I love the idea of a blog from you John but seriously this reads like a Jack and Jill book. Could you please ask your writer to add a little personality and passion - a little zing - people like me would probably read it all then instead of glazing over on the first sentence. I know politics is a hard business and you are probably criticised at every turn but please don't let that rob you of you!... We think you're the best though and you've got our votes, as has your wonderrful representative in Chch, Nicky Wagner.

#3 - Jim Stephens 2008-10-24 19:56 - (Reply)

I believe Dr Jackie Blue was most inflencial in getting the decision sorted for the cancer drug. Why don't you publicly give her some credit, She is after all one of the most knowledgeable Doctors in this country on the subject of womans health. I also think the woman of this country will applaud her input and it will I am sure convince a number to vote National. The woman vote is out there for grabs and this announcement needs a womans touch.

#4 - Barb & Jim Steele 2008-10-24 19:57 - (Reply)

John you are the best leader we have had for donkeys years, last night at a large candidates meeting in Tauranga, Acts man brought up Roger Douglas & it nearly lifted the roof off, people hate him! have you distanced the Cabinet table from him? he is a negative for you & us, we cant afford his taint!! good luck, we are doing our best here, kind regards James & Barbara Steele true blues

#5 - Graeme Barlow 2008-10-24 20:01 - (Reply)

John, Probably too late now, but who is writing these campaign blog? Why are they written to appeal to 8 year olds, instead of using the hard hits that are so needed to save you guys from the five-headed monster?

#5.1 - Peter 2008-10-27 09:53 - (Reply)

I think this blog is written to appeal to 8 year olds because the education system has left a lot of New Zealanders at that level. I cringe at the terrible grammar and spelling I see in many of the comments (on various websites) from the New Zealand public. I am pleased to hear that National will be investing in education.

#6 - jane mitchell said:
2008-10-24 20:11 - (Reply)

Herceptin availability. Great move. Thankyou National. Lets make a move on Prostate Cancer next. Brilliant. Looking forward to next debate. oh yes! Winning the next debate, again. Jane

#7 - graeme 2008-10-24 21:11 - (Reply)

The choice is Goverment by people who have left school gone to University and been on The Public purse ever since or a Goverment lead by someone who led Merill Lynch Europe with a staff of 120??.It is very obvious what the choice is. It wont be a 5 headed Monster it will be a 5 headed Serpent.

#8 - Gerrit 2008-10-24 21:52 - (Reply)

The five headed monster is absolutely the right name for it I think National should do more for the small businesses because they keep this country going but will get ripped of by the 5 headed monster. So vote for National and hopefully they will stop the money laundering practices.

#9 - Jules said:
2008-10-25 07:40 - (Reply)

John Key has forgotten about the uproar that went up when Helen Clark dumped 1080 all over the country recently. Furthermore, most people would be unware that Helen has increased the level of fluoride in our water, despite it being an ineffective means of preventing dental decay (needs to be topical, not systemic). WIN SUPPORT - Promise to stop 1080 poison drops and stop water fluoridation.

#10 - Mark 2008-10-25 09:43 - (Reply)

To the marketing gurus at National.... time to get tough with the negative adverts from the Left....Don't leave it too late! It is a rich line that they use about Trust....

#11 - Alison Cowley 2008-10-25 09:43 - (Reply)

When will we see more coverage of Nationals comprehensive Blue/Green policy, a sure attaction after Greens latest announcements which see them putting their political careers over true commitment to independantly influencing policy for the environment. Also Dr Paul Hutchinson's presentations on cradle to the grave integrated health net works and extension of pre-conception health care and education with it's related long term social benefits is a holds huge public appeal. Will we see this in the public arena? Where is free health care for under 6's under Labour? Every time one of my children need a specialist consultation I am asked first whether we have medical insurance. As a single income hard working family we pay through the nose for health care and huge taxes. We have to fight every step of the way for quality public education. Focus of raising quality in ECE and primary teacher training and incentives to attract the right people would be priority for many families. All the best, we are looking forward to a good result.

#12 - Peter Hawley said:
2008-10-25 11:02 - (Reply)

How about some counter ads to Labour's "Trust" messages. How can we trust HC when she signs paintings she didn't do herself. Time to get tough with them.

#13 - Gloria McAlesse 2008-10-25 15:42 - (Reply)

I agree with #10 I think there is a perception that National isn't trustworthy as Labour has continually instilled the message that it isn't trustworthy. National is being protrayed as a rich person's party hence we hear Helen Clarke saying Key shouldn't be in South Auckland as it's not his area and we continually hear her connecting Key with the Act Party. I think Key needs to refute this perception continually.

#14 - simon 2008-10-25 16:54 - (Reply)

after reading more on the great new zealand child murdering habit (the aucklander 23/10/08) the life (if it can be called that) of murderd 3 year old nia glassie (herald 22/10/08) and the fun had by the curtis brothers/assorted family members,i feel nationals get tough on criminals stance doesn`t go far enough,to joyfully take someones life for (pleasure ??) ranks alongside the nazi death camps sick and inhumane regard for life,we must bring back the death penalty for such a crime,life imprisonment is too good for (people ?) like this,adolf hitler at least committed suicide when the russians came knocking what deterrant does nz have,3 square meals,tv,gym,free education,social interaction (with other criminals),heating,lighting etc etc,and all at the taxpayers expense,boo hoo.

#15 - richard 2008-10-26 02:14 - (Reply)

John you must win this election and regain control of our country. I am an NZer who worked outside NZ all my life and returned to live at "home" in 1999. What a disaster it was then and now 9 years down the track 10 times as bad and rotten. Please push the anti-violent -crime message along with the other pertinent situations that have been ignored by the incumbent hopeless mess. I'm sure it will gain you nothing but votes.Now I'm living back outside NZ but would like to come home sometime. Richard.

#16 - Daphne Davis 2008-10-27 14:44 - (Reply)

I am 86 years old and I have some advice. Please, John, stop apologizing for every misdemeanor committed by one of your colleagues. One would think such seasoned parliamentarians would engage brains before using mouth. Never-the-less most of what is said is trivia and when you apologize it makes it into a mountain. Take a leaf out of Helen's book. Any criticism of her party and she attacks full on. She laughs it off as if it is nothing and gets away with it. You make such a big issue out of something usually very small. Change your tactics. We need Helen out!

#17 - Helen 2008-10-27 16:16 - (Reply)

Good on you for being concerned about cancer in NZ. Please also be open to integrated medicine to help people prevent and overcome cancer and other degenerative disease. Hippocrates said 'Let food be thy medicine' - it is way past time for people to get back to basics and eat the wonderful fresh fruit and vegetables that are available in this country as well as supplement with high quality nutritionals. Ideally having a healthier population who don't rely on pharmaceutical drugs to make them 'better' will also reduce the crime rate because they will feel happier and more hopeful.

#18 - Ronda 2008-10-27 19:08 - (Reply)

National needs to get vocal and tough in the next 2 weeks or the dreaded monster will be a reality. John you need to remind a very forgetful public about the dictatorship that has been our government for the last nine years, all the laws they have past that were very unpopular and the weird bunch of misfits that make up the Labour MP's. Go hard and save N.Z!

#18.1 - Jane 2008-10-28 09:31 - (Reply)

Ronda's comments about 'forgetful public' is true. All of us need to be reminded of the mindless regulations forced upon us over the years. The empty promises made over the years. The promises being made now will be recinded. Human nature suggests we just keep on going as what choice do we have??? "Now is when we can exercise our choice." Can you recall all those times we talked with like-minded friends about our distate for the Governments latest petty decisions, their outrageous lies, non-caring attitude, total ignore of the middle-aged unless they can contribute to Labour.We all knew we would change this if we could, well, we can, now. Not in two and a half weeks, now! Labour bought off the students last election and are attempting a similar trick this time. Surely they can see they are puppets in the game Labour and it's line-up of misfits are producing. National voters need to talk to the young about the long-term effects of Labours promises. Family discussions about how a change of Government would improve things for them. Labour is stale, and can only get staler. Unless WE get out there chatting to the undecided about why we see the National team as being the right one for NZ at this time, we could lose. How does that sound then? If Labour squeak through we will be turned into mindless puppets ourselves, handing over money hand over fist to support HC who will be riding high with renewed confidence and only because of "total apathy" on the National voters part. Make this change for NZ sake, for our sake, for the sake of the young (think about the current problems of new parents - I have seen this first hand) and the old (being cared for by under-paid and untrained bullies in some cases. Recall a woman who was tied up and had tape over their mouth). Underpaid home caregivers, overpaid CEOs, Parliamentarians, Local government officials...and it all comes back to us to pay it. If you are middle aged and your children have trained and left home or if they are lucky they have left this country under it's present governance. There is nothing for us ... no sweet little tax cuts, no medical or dental cuts...Only the cost of petrol going up, airport taxes rising more as they will. We are told what type of lights to use, told what volume of water to use, told how to live basically. Take your lives back NZ. We are worth more to this lot than being called "ordinary NZs" or "Mum and Dad investors" or, in Turias words last week "Joe Blow paying for the dole for dole bludgers"... It is time for a change and if we miss this bus, the Red one will chuff on through soon enough. Costs a fortune to ride it though!!!! Jane

#19 - Jane 2008-10-27 21:30 - (Reply)

The debate. I personally got nothing other than frustration from the debate tonight. Absolutely nothing. The guards were up and firmly in place and the answers were all historic views or already in place. Turia refused to be drawn on anything that was controversial, Peters must have had a mirror close, clearly the Greens did not!. Hyde sat firmly on fenceother than the 3 strikes and you are out , Dunne at least showed his honesty....Anderton lives in the past...come on National, get out there and do the job... please please get out there, street corners, show the country what we can be, again. You are not visible enough. We have no letter box info...no hoardings, only Red and Green. Labour will be the end of any thinking person...! National, NZ needs you....at least all the pre-election promises will not be recindered...words are cheap, especially when the party using these words want to rule our lives, remove our rights and supposedly led us out of one 'recession' during their first term but have now led us into another. Words are cheap...actions make the man, or woman. They buy the votes with clever words absorbed by unthinking sponges, then, bang they have gone again. Where is the honesty here? Surely the students can see this. The Health system is a mess, the education system is a mess, so that is two huge areas...they are jumping on the cancer bandwagon as a vote catcher only as they have had plenty of time to support this incidious disease. They said they can not afforde the childrens fees for Dr visits.....this crowd have not even begun their damaging work. NATIONAL... Urgent...message out to all electorates please... GET OUT ONTO THE STREETS, HOLD MEETINGS, TELL US WHAT WE WANT TO KNOW...IN TWO WEEKS IT WILL BE TOO LATE!!!!You work for your votes, don't take them for granted. Jane. (Banks Peninsula, not Port Hills as advertised until Election night....in case anyone else can not find our candidate).

#20 - Ange 2008-10-28 08:28 - (Reply)

Dear National please make 'friends' with the Green Party or I can see you another loss on the horizon MMP will be our undoing

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