The Progressive Party was a political party in New Zealand. It was the junior partner in coalition with Helen Clark's administration, being somewhat to the left of its ally the Labour Party. At the end, it had one seat in Parliament, that of leader Jim Anderton. The party was established in 2002, when Anderton and his supporters left the Alliance party, which is no longer represented in parliament. It's best result was 2 MPs in 2002.
Policies[]
The Progressive Party has a particular focus on the creation of jobs, points with pride to its part in creating 330,000 new jobs in eight years, and has said that it is committed to achieving full employment. The party also lists free education and free healthcare as policy objectives. Economically, the party is moderately left-wing, and places particular attention on economic development. Recently, the party has been heralding the success of its proposals for setting up Kiwibank and for four weeks of annual leave from work, continuing its "anti-drugs" policy, and encouraging other parties to support its policy of cutting the corporate tax rate to 30%. It also advocates abolition of the Goods and Services Tax in favour of a broad based financial transactions tax, and monetary policy reform. Its campaign slogan for 2008 was "The Strength to Care".
End of party[]
In 2011 Anderton retired and the party offered no candidates, not even in Anderton's old seat. It was dissolved in 2012.