The Year Ahead

Here's today's speech.

ACT's got a great opportunity this year.

1. We have worked hard in Epsom and the people of Epsom appreciate it. The voters of Epsom can guarantee every party vote for ACT counts.

2. ACT's small size and MMP allows us to be the only party to have a consistent and principled political philosophy, best summarised with the phrase, "Free to Choose".

3. John Key to win power is understandably adopting Labour Party policy to minimise policy difference sbetween National and Labour. Their promise is not to change Labour Party policy, only to tweak and tinker with it.

4. ACT has the opportunity to change the country's direction.

5. ACT's goal is to get into a position where our vote is needed to form a government.

6. Our opportunity is to get the MPs elected we need to drive decent policy -- and to announce and campaign on policy that will make a difference to how the country is run.

7. Key areas are the Economy, Health and Education.

8. We can do much better in Education by allowing greater diversity and opportunity. We will be announcing good policy in Education.

9. In Health the key is greater transparency and accountability. Labour has increased Health spending from $6b to $11.5b without much to show for it.

10. For the Economy we need to cut rd tape and cut taxes.  The key to cutting taxes is holding government spending. That's why ACT's Taxpayer Rights Bill discussed today in my speech is so important.

11. ACT's Regulatory Responsibility Bill now before the COmmerce COmmittee is the key to cutting Red Tape.

12. It's going to be a great year!