14 Mar 2009

Policy debate with ACT a sign of strength - Key

12:06 pm on 14 March 2009

Prime Minister John Key has told the ACT party conference that while National and ACT have much in common, they disagree at times and have different approaches to many issues.

About 200 ACT supporters have gathered in the Auckland suburb of Epsom on Saturday for the party's first annual conference as part of Government.

They are expected to hear a restatement of some of the party's major priorities, such as fewer regulations and the 'three strikes' anti-crime policy.

National has supported the 'three strikes' policy, but only to the select committee stage.

Mr Key said the debate between the parties on policies and approaches is a sign of the strength of their political relationship.

Call for spending cuts

On Friday afternoon, party co-founder and MP Sir Roger Douglas told the conference the Government was not moving fast enough to cut spending.

Sir Roger said whole government bodies need to be wound up, including the Families and Charities Commission, the Ministry of Youth Development and most of the Ministry for Economic Development.

ACT members have chosen vice-president Michael Crozier to fill the position of president, left vacant by the departure of Garry Mallett.

Mr Crozier says the party wants to build on its successes at the last election, and boost its membership and representation around the country.