- 4th Annual Ralph Hanan Dinner
- Seminar: "Can National be Liberal?"
- The Role of Government
- National Identity
- Property Rights
- Text: Christopher Finlayson, Bluelibs inaugural speech
4th Annual Ralph Hanan Dinner
Christopher Finlayson MP
invites you to the
4th Annual Ralph Hanan Dinner
with guest speaker Hon Jim McLay
on Friday 1 August 2008, 7pm for a 7:30pm start
at
Caffé Italiano
231 Cuba Street
Wellington
TICKETS - $50
RSVP to:
ralphhanandinner@gmail.com (preferred)
or 021 141 7011
or 04 476 9400
Please send cheques to:
Ralph Hanan Dinner, PO Box 211, Wellington
Cheques payable to: New Zealand National Party Rongotai Electorate
Spaces are limited
Entry by Ticket Only
Seminar: "Can National Be Liberal?" - 3 MAY 2007
It's assumed that National is a conservative party. It is not. It has a rich vein of liberalism that in the past has provided a strong root of principle. This seminar considered those roots and questioned how liberal values can or should be represented in the National Party of today and tomorrow.
For video of the 29 minute speech by Christopher Finlayson MP, click here.
Presentation t exts (open as PDF documents in new pages):
- Christopher Finlayson MP
- Anna Nuzum, Young Nationals
- Clair Drake, MD Limited Editions
- Hon Hugh Templeton, former National Cabinet Minister (coming soon)
"Are there natural limits on the role of government?"
HELD ON 12 July 2007
Government plays an increasing part of our lives. Nationally and regionally it is becoming larger and the cost of government is one of the main contributors to inflation and high interest rates. For some, the government represents a source of intrusion and erosion of personal and community responsibility. For others, it is a necessary tool of social justice and effective economic management. Is it one or the other and are there limits on what government can or should do?
Speakers:
- Tim Groser, MP: Is Bigger Better? (Click here for Tim Groser's speech)
- Simon Power, MP: State Sector Performance A Case Study
- Ross Tanner, Independent commentator on public administration - The Future of Public Service: Issues and Challenges
- Doug Bailey - Public lawyer and commentator: The Limits on the Role of Government
National Identity
The Labour government talks a lot about it and for the most part it’s just the stuff of spin. When you run out of ideas it’s a convenient drum to beat. Like patriotism, it is the last refuge of the scoundrel.
But for all that is true, there are still important questions to be asked about who we are as New Zealanders and how we should interact with the rest of the world.
Some of those questions go to our constitution. For example, what should be the future of our relationship with the United Kingdom: Is the Westminster system of government what is best for us? If it is, how can we enhance the status and legal force of the Westminster conventions?
Other questions go to our international relations and our traditional alliances.
The Kiwi identity will be the subject of a symposium to be run in June 2007.
Property rights
The Labour government has asserted a right to roam over private property. But, whilst Helen Clark is prepared to grant public access over high country land or foreshore over which there is a property right, we doubt that she be as keen to let us ramble through her backyard. Is that different? Is there a case for government to confiscate land and should it be required to compensate owners for the privilege?
Labour has shown the same cavalier attitude when it comes to the foreshore and seabed. Playing the race card, it has taken away legitimately existing rights on the one hand, while creating rights where none existed before. What should National, when in government, do?
This will be the subject of our third symposium to be held in October 2007.
Christoper Finlayson, MP
Speech launching Blue Libs
Thursday, 27 July 2006
Leader Don Brash, President Judy Kirk, my Parliamentary colleagues, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you, Judy, for re-launching this policy advisory group and explaining the history of policy development in the National Party.
As you say, those of us who have attended annual conferences over the years know that the remit process has pretty well run its course.
I can recall the pleasure that came from moving a remit in the Khandallah branch of the National Party in Karori, then debating it at the Karori electorate AGM, thence to a regional conference and on to Dominion Conference. I think the remit concerned ACC reform, a hardy annual at National Party conferences. Actually I think something was finally achieved from that remit but as the President said, that kind of policy making now belongs to a different era.
That is why, among other things, the Party has developed the notion of policy advisory groups.
So why Blue Libs? And why the name?
The word "liberal" is one of the most challenging words in politics. It can mean a variety of things.
