LAND GRAB Over 12,000 owners will have some of their property confiscated by the government's foreshore policy. Buried in the package is the announcement that Labour will use the mean spring high water mark for measurement. Labour has used the Maori claim to the beaches to make its own grab for our property. From now on, every foreshore adjourning property owner who makes any application under the Resource Management Act, will have to create a 20-metre esplanade reserve for public access. If Labour had taken the mean high water mark, it has been estimated that only four farmers would be significantly affected. The high tide mark in spring sees water lapping over many properties. 20 metres from the spring high water mark will see many Auckland coastal properties having the esplanade reach their living room. It's a huge land grab. Most of the property owners affected live in Auckland and have

OECD GIVES 'D' GRADE The latest OECD report reflects the growing gap between advanced government views and our government. PM Clark says the country "marked time in the 1990s". The OECD says "New Zealand has been one of the fastest growing economies within the OECD during the past decade". The OECD says, "underpinning this improved performance has been the programme for reforms that began almost 20 years ago". The PM calls them "failed policies". The OECD praises Labour for having kept most of the so-called "failed policies" in place. The OECD criticises the government for its more "hands-on " intervention - picking winners, re-nationalising enterprises, re-regulating the labour market, and instead advocates less government spending, lower taxes and tariffs, better infrastructure policies (including RMA reform) less regulation of business, more respect of property rights, and welfare reform to get be

TERRORIST SOFT SPOT Dr Cullen has also not mentioned that the OECD recently reviewed our banking regulations and concluded that terrorists wishing to launder "hot money" could easily use this country's banks.

2003'S UNASKED QUESTION Why did this peace-loving, Koran-reading democrat fly over the whole Muslim world to come to New Zealand?

SERIOUS FRAUD OFFICE? We do not know of any company that would not fire immediately any executive caught (no, not double-dipping but) triple claiming expenses. Why, we ask, has Labour not called in the Serious Fraud Office to prosecute Dr Ross Armstrong, or is he, as he claims, Helen Clark's close friend?

POLITICIAN OF THE YEAR The left wing media are busy awarding useless MPs like the ex-commie Keith Locke and Matt Robson their awards. Their actions achieved nothing. Murray McCully's year long high court battle with the Human Rights Commission meant, if he had lost, he would have been at risk for legal costs up to $60,000. Establishing the rule of law applying to the political thought police of the Human Rights Commission is worthy of some award. The most effective opposition MP has been Rodney Hide. He not only exposed the corruption in Maori radio but also in Civil Aviation.

The book of the year is Deborah Coddington's "Let Parents Choose". (She is our rookie MP of the year.)

Our backbencher is Gerry Eckhoff. It was his 60,000 strong petition that defeated Labour's fart tax proposals.

But our politicians of the year are Roger Douglas and Ruth Richardson. As the OECD report notes, it is their policies that are giving New Zealand a booming economy.

CHRISTMAS ECONOMY The latest statistics show the economy in the June quarter grew 1.5%. This is higher growth than the Reserve Bank's figures when it held interest rates. Anecdotal evidence is that Christmas retail sales will be a record and that wages, especially for skill, are rising. The Reserve Bank may toughen rates as early as January. Cullen's plans for a tax cut for beneficiaries will all go on consumption and be very inflationary. So spend now, we are all going to pay later.

CHRISTMAS GOSS Maurice Williamson was told that he was not invited to National's Christmas drinks (as he was still suspended). Every one else was, and Winston turned up at around midnight (early for him). The NZ First leader was offered beer or wine which he declined saying he only drinks good whiskey. What to do! Don, a Presbyterian, has no liquor cabinet. Maurice's office staff (not banned) said Williamson's got some. Maurice arrived to work the next day to find a bottle of Black Label on his desk with a note from Winnie saying thank you. There was still a third left. Perhaps Peters is slowing up.

CHRISTMAS SURFING Our IT department has put together some Internet sites worth visiting over the Christmas break - on those days when it rains. See www.act.org.nz/summersites In addition, on ACT's website there is an excellent Links page - enough to cover a very wet summer.

CHRISTMAS CHEERS The Letter wishes readers a happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year. The Letter is going on holiday and we'll be back in the New Year with new features. This message has been brought to you from the ACT New Zealand Parliamentary Office

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