fifth), as the 2nd-ranked person on the Progressive list, to return to Parliament. However, the Progressives' strength was considerably weaker compared to that of the Alliance in 1999, so Robson lost his cabinet posts. 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. Along with the Green Party's Keith Locke, Robson campaigned on behalf of detained asylum-seeker Ahmed Zaoui. In 2002, 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. Robson's legislation, however, ultimately forced Labour to either vote in favour of the bill or risk alienating its trade union supporters, who vociferously advocated it. The legislation was passed into law with Labour's support and took effect in 2007. Robson also introduced legislation to raise the minimum alcohol purchasing age to 20, and in Parliament espoused policies to combat drug and alcohol abuse. In the , the Progressive vote collapsed further, and this time was not enough for Robson to remain in Parliament. He returned to practising law. In the he was again a candidate in , but did poorly, finishing fifth, with 2.22% of the vote. The Progressives received just under one percent of the party vote, not enough for Robson to be returned to Parliament. Despite having achieved high political office in New Zealand, Robson did not become a naturalised citizen until 2000. Under the terms of New Zealand's Electoral Act 1993, anyone permanently resident before August 1975 has the right to vote and stand for election. On 14 July 2022, 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. References 1950 births Living people Jim Anderton's Progressive Party MPs Alliance (New Zealand political party) MPs Members of the Cabinet of New Zealand Australian emigrants to New Zealand Naturalised citizens of New Zealand 20th-century New Zealand lawyers NewLabour Party (New Zealand) politicians New Zealand Labour Party politicians Unsuccessful candidates in the 1990 New Zealand general election Unsuccessful candidates in the 1993 New Zealand general election Unsuccessful candidates in the 2005 New Zealand general election Unsuccessful candidates in the 2008 New Zealand general election Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives People from Brisbane New Zealand list