Transtasman Political Letter – 24 January Digest

24th January 2008
Cabinet faces its own “Hillary Step” - has it got what it takes to scale a new peak?...
Clark insists the economy is strong, but households are feeling the pinch...
Sharemarket carnage wipes off billions...
Goff talks up China FTA deal...
John Key ready to show he is a PM-in-waiting...
Dairymen in a latter-day gold rush...
And doubts on bio-fuels.

Labour’s Conundrum How To Reverse The Poll Slide

The Clark-led Govt faces its own Everest this year. Can it scale the heights once more?

Leveraging Off The China Deal

Trade Minister Phil Goff confirmed this week the main issues in the negotiations for a China FTA have been settled, and he does not expect “serious obstacles” before the deal is signed and sealed in April.

Global Woes Hit Labour’s Economic Credibility

Global economic woes and carnage in international share markets could shred the economic credibility so painstakingly built up by the Clark-Cullen duo.
Nats Plot Election-Year Strategy

National Party strategists know there are too many variables in the political equation to believe this year’s election will be a home run, even if there are signs the voters have hung up the phone on Labour.

CAPITAL TALK

Retiring Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon has been making farewell calls.

Play Of The Week: It’s Not Just The Economy

The trite “it’s the economy, stupid” slogan is being draped over political columns like yesterday’s sprig of parsley on the leftovers.

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