Transtasman Political Letter – December 7 Digest

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Fiji Coup blow to NZ’s Pacific objectives
... Clark’s priorities at East Asian Summit
... Political landscape re-shaped as Key shakes off Brash’s legacy
... How much political espionage is there in NZ?
... Weakening US dollar hurts NZ exporters
... Mike Moore may take a tilt at Auckland’s Mayoralty
... Transpower’s pricing “utter shambles.”
... And Auckland local bodies continue their battle for control.

Fiji Coup Threat To Wider Pacific Stability

Fiji’s fourth coup looks to be the most dangerous yet for the Pacific Island state. It is also a threat to NZ’s foreign policy objectives in the region.

Clark’s Priorities At East Asian Summit

Helen Clark says energy issues will be a priority topic for the East Asian Summit she will attend in the Philippines next week, but the key issue underlying the conference will be the substance of the East Asian Summit’s role in the region.

Different Political Landscape Takes Shape

A different political landscape took shape this week, as new National leader John Key shook off the last vestiges of the Brash era.

Were Hackers At Work?

Opposition parties are convinced the leakage of emails from former National leader Don Brash was a piece of political espionage.

CAPITAL TALK

The Govt was pleased to announce eight MPs from Britain’s House Of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee are visiting on a fact finding tour.

Play Of The Week: Politician Of The Year: Nil Points

It is tempting to award Politician of the Year to Brian Connell, if only because, in his idiosyncratic way, he epitomises 2006 in all its self-seeking, squalid, back stabbing folly and lack of purpose.

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