Transtasman Political Letter – 23 March Digest

This issue - 23rd March 2006

Labour’s bright star David Parker plummets to earth
... The Govt scrambles to retrieve its reputation as a clever political manager
... And is Cullen turning into Dr Sullen?
... NZ to host Tony Blair and China’s Premier
... Govt looks to debt financing to plug funding gap for roads
... Should Telecom be sweating?
...And what is the significance for NZ of a new security bloc involving Aust, the US and Japan?

Parker Quits, Govt Scrapes More Egg Off Its Face

The Clark Govt survived another Ministerial fiasco this week, but even as it was scraping egg off its face, its stability appeared unshaken.

Govt Looks Untidy As It Scrambles To Retrieve Reputation

PM Helen Clark, in reallocating the Transport and Climate Change portfolios back to Pete Hodgson, and Energy back to Trevor Mallard, has indicated it may be for the short-term.

Debt Financing For Big Roading Projects

The Govt is expected to opt for debt financing to overcome the gap in funding for major roading projects.

Budget Signed Off

The Govt has virtually signed off on this year’s budget, and though the word from the Finance Minister’s office is it will be another “boring” document the health and education votes will contain significant increases in spending.

CAPITAL TALK

Winston Peters may not have made much of a splash on the international stage as Foreign Minister, in fact the NZ Herald in an editorial this week described him as “Our Man On The Sidelines.”

Play of the Week - She’s A Hard Road Finding The Perfect MP, Boy

In, say a year’s time... won’t David Parker be looking good? The decent chap who owned up to a mistake and graciously and honourably, with a minimum of fuss, stood down.

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