John Key MP
National Party Leader

12 February 2007

Clark’s stoush with media shows Govt is shaky

Helen Clark’s stoush with the media today over reporting of Michael Cullen’s mortgage levy idea shows the Labour Government is becoming increasingly shaky, says National Party Leader John Key.

“Helen Clark reportedly threatened the Press Gallery today that she would bar Ministers from giving them wide-ranging interviews - which begs questions about the competence of her lineup.

“Such fights with the media are classic examples of a desperate and dying government.

“Her threat brings into question the competence of her Ministers – including Dr Cullen – to give interviews.

“It is also further evidence of how big the rift is now between Helen Clark and Dr Cullen.

“They can’t agree on tax cuts, and they can’t agree on tax increases either, with Dr Cullen saying on Friday he wanted to study the mortgage levy idea and Helen Clark squashing it today.

“It’s not the media’s job to filter their stories so Helen Clark and Michael Cullen look like they are agreeing with each other.

“It won’t be lost on the public with long memories that the last time we saw such disagreement between a Prime Minister and a Finance Minister was during the dying days of the Fourth Labour Government.

“Her Government looks increasingly shaky after today’s events.”

ENDS

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