Conference 2009
Our annual conference this weekend in Rotorua was a roaring success. About 600 delegates and other guests came together over three days to mark Labour’s many successes over the past decade and to chart a new way forward.
Particularly impressive was the strength of Young Labour.
We said goodbye to fine outgoing servants of the party in Mike Williams and Mike Smith and welcomed new party secretary Chris Flatt. Progressives Leader Jim Anderton gave his first speech at a Labour conference in 21 years.
We also heard from Australian expert on social inclusion Monsignor David Cappo and my old friend, South Australian Premier Mike Rann. Federated Farmers dairy chairman Lachlan McKenzie was a guest presenter, in a first for a Labour conference.
There was lots of passion, vigorous debate and a free flow of new ideas. Labour is united, in good heart and determined to win the 2011 election.
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Power companies
The conference was a watershed moment for Labour. For us to be strongly competitive in 2011 we must first acknowledge we did not get everything right in government.
Without dwelling on the past we should learn from it.
One of the things I think we did not get right was not doing enough to rein in the power companies. While they require a sufficient level of profits to be able to invest in infrastructure and future generating capacity, last week’s example of a power company handing $230 million in extra dividends to the Government is clear evidence they are making too much money out of New Zealanders.
Power prices are too high. One example I know of is a young couple living in Christchurch whose winter power bills were over $400. Even with both of them working, they are struggling to pay it.
With more and more hardworking Kiwi families feeling the pinch, being forced to pay more for power than is necessary is unfair.
Labour can and will stop price gouging. We will not demand excessive dividends coming back into state coffers above what is needed for investment in new generation.
And we will stand against National’s plan to privatise the power companies which would see the profits go into the hands of private and overseas investors.
The way forward – jobs and families
One of the strong themes coming out of the conference is that Labour needs to redouble its efforts to represent and advocate for hardworking New Zealanders on the things that matter to them.
This is the recurring message I have been getting on my Touching Base visits around the country.
People are worried about their jobs and, increasingly, many are struggling to get by.
Under my leadership, Labour’s priority will be to focus on growing the economy so that it can produce good, sustainable, skilled jobs that will help people provide for their families, help them provide for the future and enjoy life now.
We will ensure children get the best possible start in life by supporting good parents.
National is content to sit on the sidelines and watch while 2000 Kiwis have lost their jobs each and every week this year. Labour is not – there is too much at stake. We will fight hard for a fair and decent society where everyone, regardless of background, has the chance to succeed.
Home, family and motorbikes
One of the aspects of being a leader of a political party is that voters want to look beyond what you say and get to know you as a family person.
For my wife Mary, whom I fell in love with when I was 18, and my partner since we were teenagers, the conference was her first time in the media spotlight.
I was very proud to introduce her to New Zealand and the wider Labour Party on Sunday morning.
We’ve got three children – Kris, Sara and Keiran now in their twenties. Kris is an electrician, Sara a policy analyst and Keiran a refrigeration engineer.
A special thanks to Rick Barker MP who lent me his motorbike over the weekend in Rotorua. It’s a 2.3 litre Triumph Rocket, a beautiful machine and 100cc bigger than my car!
Great conference venue
I would like to offer a heartfelt thanks to all those who worked so hard to make the conference the success it was. The theme was Labour’s renewal – and this was reflected in the energy and creativity shown by the Labour Party organisers and supporters who pulled out all the stops to put on a top class conference.
Thanks also to the people of Rotorua. You have a tremendous asset in the Energy Events Centre. Thank you for hosting us.
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