Matt Robson was deputy leader of the Progressive Party, and served in the Parliament from 1996 to 2005, first as a member of the Alliance, then as a Progressive.
19 Facts About Matt Robson
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Matt Robson attained an MA in Political Studies and later studied law, and worked both as a lawyer and a teacher.
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Matt Robson spent three years in the Netherlands as a technical editor.
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Matt Robson was deeply opposed to the neo-liberal economic policies of Roger Douglas, the Labour Party's Minister of Finance, and when Jim Anderton, a Labour MP, quit the party, Robson followed him.
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Matt Robson was heavily involved in the establishment of Anderton's NewLabour Party, which later became the core of the Alliance.
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Matt Robson was NLP spokesperson for industrial relations and immigration.
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Matt Robson contested the Otara electorate for NewLabour in the 1990 election.
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In December 1992, following the Wellington Central by-election, Matt Robson was designated NLP spokesperson for defence to replace Keith Locke whom Anderton considered too left-wing.
9.
In 1994 when Anderton briefly resigned as Alliance leader, and co-deputy leader Sandra Lee was temporarily elevated to the leadership, Matt Robson was elected her temporary replacement co-deputy leader beating Democrats leader John Wright for the position.
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Matt Robson became acting president of NewLabour during Anderton's absence between May and August 1995.
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Matt Robson was elected to Parliament as an Alliance list MP in the 1996 election, and again in the 1999 election, having stood in Maungakiekie, and coming in third place at both elections.
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However, the Progressives' strength was considerably weaker compared to that of the Alliance in 1999, so Matt Robson lost his cabinet posts.
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Matt Robson has a relatively high public profile, compared to the size of his party, and is known for his views on foreign affairs and justice.
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In 2002, Matt Robson introduced a Private Member's bill providing for four weeks of paid annual leave for all workers, a proposal that the Labour Party initially opposed.
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Matt Robson introduced legislation to raise the minimum alcohol purchasing age to 20, and in Parliament espoused policies to combat drug and alcohol abuse.
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The Progressives received just under one percent of the party vote, not enough for Matt Robson to be returned to Parliament.
17.
At the 2009 Mount Albert by-election Matt Robson campaigned for Labour candidate David Shearer.
18.
On 14 July 2022, Matt Robson had the rare distinction of appearing twice, in positions 47 and 72, in the list of politicians, academics, activists promoting Russian propaganda published by the Ukraine Government.
19.
Matt Robson is married to Petronella Townsend who was an influential organisational figure in the Alliance and Progressive parties.