People are more important than systems. That’s why Venstre puts people first. Trine Skei Grande Venstre’s leader Terje Breivik Ola Elvestuen People first deputy leader deputy leader Venstre is Norway’s liberal party. Our policy combines personal For a liberal party, people are freedom with responsibility for more important than systems. the community, the environment Laws, rules and services must be and for each other. For the adapted to people’s actual needs. upcoming election our emphasis Everyone must have the oppor- is on four main areas: Education, tunity to use their abilities for the environment, creating values and benefit of themselves and society. welfare. That’s why Venstre puts people first. Trine Skei Grande leader Today there are 9 000 unqualified teachers in Norwegian primary Focus on knowledge schools. It will take more than 30 years before all teachers receive further education. This is not good Venstre wants : enough. Venstre will focus on te- achers and knowledge. • all teachers to have a right and a duty to get further education. • to introduce five year teacher training and to increase admission requirements. Pupils have to be seen and encoura- • to ensure that teachers spend their time on pupils rather than bureaucracy. ged, and receive education that • to improve the public health and the school nurse services. We want 1,000 more is tailored to their needs. Venstre school nurses over the next four years. will make an effort get more, better • to increase spending on Norwegian research activities to 3 percent of GDP by and more motivated teachers. We 2020. will ensure that all teachers have • to increase funding for universities, colleges and research institutes. the opportunity to have further • to implement 11 month financial support for students and build 2000 new The most important thing for a good school education and ensure that teachers have more time to teach. Research student residences annually. is good teachers. That will give us a school and higher education gives us the • to offer childcare to all one year olds, through two annual admissions that focuses on knowledge and gives equal knowledge that secures the environ- • to prioritise more adults per child in day care. ment, employment and welfare. opportunities to all children. Because of this, an investment in knowledge is a first priority. The train between Oslo and Bergen take more time today than it did in Make green choices 1975. Norway’s emission of CO2 is at a record high. The environment deserves better. Venstre prioritise Venstre wants: good environmental and climate solutions. • to say no to oil drilling in the sea outside Lofoten, Vesterålen and other vulnerable areas The world’s consumption of fossil • to introduce a green tax system and give tax deduction for environmental fuels is changing the climate on initiatives in homes and tax exemption for monthly tickets for public Earth. Norway has a responsibility transportation, paid by employers to cut emissions and to develop • to have a strong commitment to renewable energy new, green energy solutions. We • to maintain biodiversity by safeguarding vulnerable nature need to preserve the environment • to build InterCity with double tracks to Halden, Skien and Lillehammer Venstre will take Norway into a new and and our resources to ensure a clean within 2025 and upgrade the railways between the biggest cities. green direction. We will focus on public future. Green infrastructure is critical to solving climate problems. • to invest a greater part of the Pension Fund in climate-friendly projects transportation and new technologies. Travelling by public transport must • to cut Norway’s emission by 40 percent within 2020 Lofoten, Vesterålen and Senja must be be both financially worthwhile • to build more bike lanes in cities and towns and effective. Venstre wants public protected. transport to be better, cheaper and have more frequent departures. International reports show that Norway scores unnecessarily low on Create values innovation, and entrepreneurship. We are going in the wrong direction. Venstre wants : We must support the businesses and workplaces that have not yet • to change the tax system so that it becomes more profitable to engage in, invest in and own been created. Venstre want to make Norwegian jobs and businesses. it easier to start and run a business. • to invest more in industrial research and knowledge development in companies. We want to establish good conditi- • to introduce a minimum deduction for all self-employed citizens, and ensure better social ons for all businesses, with a special rights. focus on the smaller businesses, • to strengthen programs that increase access to risk capital for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs and self-employed. new businesses. • to cut corporate reporting requirements and bureaucracy by 25 per cent. • to reorganise Innovasjon Norge so we get more innovation, regardless Venstre want a modern industrial policy. We of where in the country it happens. want to cater for an industry that creates new • to follow the limit of public expenditure (handlingsregelen) and lead financial responsible policies that ensure Norwegian values and green growth. businesses have predictably good conditions. Today, more than 70 000 children live in poverty. In Norway it is no Show warmth longer important to give more to every one of us, but to help those who really need it. Venstre wants : If we are going to help children out • to help poor families by increasing child benefit and reduce the of poverty, we need to increase child payment in kindergartens and SFO. benefit and reduce kindergarten and • to increase social assistance rates and strengthen arrangements that SFO prices. We must prevent drug help disadvantaged people into employment. addiction and mental health pro- • to strengthen health services for substance abuse and mental health. blems. There are too many stories • to increase the expertise and resources of municipal child welfare. about people who do not receive • to set maximum limits for waiting times of illness, and give a necessary health care. Therefore, guarantee that they will be followed up. Most people are doing well in Norway. But we must improve the services in psychiatry, substance abuse, elderly • to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy in health care services. a welfare society should be measured by care and child protection. Venstre • to safeguard the important role of local hospitals and ensure how we look after the less fortunate among will have good public health ser- contingency in the country. vices with such good quality that th- • to let the child’s interests be decisive in cases where asylum children us. Venstre will take action to reduce the ere’s no class division in the services have lived in Norway. number of poor children. provided. Blue-green government Our top candidates Norway needs a new government. Per Magnus F. Abid Q. Raja Trine Skei Erik Ringnes Ketil Kjenseth Rebekka Borsch Eddy Robertsen Sandsmark Akershus Grande Hedmark Oppland Buskerud Vestfold Østfold Oslo We must have more knowledge in school, a more proactive climate policy, a more innovative industry and a targeted effort to reduce the number of children living in poverty in Norway. Torgeir Fossli Hans Antonsen Kristin Iselin Nybø Terje Breivik Sveinung Pål Farstad We want a blue-green coalition compromising Venstre (Liberals), Høyre (Conserva- Telemark Agder Øygarden Rogaland Hordaland Rotevatn Møre og tives) and KrF (Christian Democrats). A new majority must give a new government. Agder Sogn og Romsdal Fjordane But there is a big difference between a blue-green government and a dark blue. Your vote can determine which direction a new government will take to school, environ- ment, wealth creation and welfare. If you want both a change of government and a Read more about Venstre’s parliamentary candidates: Jon Gunnes André Skjelstad Arne Ivar Irene Dahl Trine Noodt better environmental policy - you need a larger Venstre. Sør-Trøndelag Nord-Trøndelag Mikalsen Troms Finnmark venstre.no/kandidater2013 Nordland We need you on the team! The party that puts people first • Become a member! Venstre’s membership has increased 10 years in a row. Venstre is Norway’s oldest political party. Continue the trend by becoming a member at www.venstre.no/innmelding/ Throughout our history we have shown that Give us your vote on the • Would you like to make a financial contribution? We need your support. Donate we put people first. We have always fought for 9th of September. online: www.venstre.no/donasjon social cohesion through a strong public school • We need you as a volunteer. Sign up as a volunteer at www.venstre.no/skjema/ and through targeted measures for the most frivillig vulnerable among us. Venstre’s history is also • Are you on Facebook? Share articles from Venstre with your friends. Follow the history of reform, for public schools, equal Venstre on Facebook (www.facebook.com/venstre.no) opportunities, social security, children’s and • Follow @venstre and @trinesg on Twitter workers’ rights, social cohesion, a cleaner en- • Visit www.venstre.no! Get to know Venstre’s position on different issues. vironment and democracy. • Participate at liberal.no! Liberal.no is Venstre’s discussion forum. Participate and meet politicans, members and potential Venstre voters. We are always fighting for a society in which everyone can participate. We hope you will join our team. Venstre has had membership growth for 10 years in a row. JØMERK IL ET M 241 501 Trykksak Venstre prioritize education, environment, values creation and welfare. A new majority with a strong Venstre will give Norway a new government. We want a blue-green coalition with Venstre, Høyre and KrF. Photo p1, 3: Bård Ek.Photo p1, 3: Bård Others: Silje Garshol Your voice is crucial for a change of government, and the issues the new government prioritises.