Transtasman Political Letter – 7th July Digest

7th July 2005

Political parties bowled bouncers at the Black Caps, but the tour to Zimbabwe will probably go on

… Ambassador Charles Swindells threw a curved ball at the Govt, (though nothing as crude as no nukes spells no free trade deal) and PM Helen doesn't see a "big problem" in relations between the US and NZ

…The OECD gives us the best report card ever, and heigh-ho, we are heading back to the top half of the OECD, if only we fix a few things: like the electricity sector, like education, like the labour market, like welfare-to-work, like road congestion et al

….So are tax cuts affordable? Well, yes and no… Winston Peters promises he won't keep the nation waiting for 9 weeks, and, anyway it was all the media's fault

…And the capital may get a new highway north, if only all the regional mayors can agree.

Blunt Message From A Suave Diplomat

Departing US Ambassador Charles Swindells had a blunt message for NZers this week: NZ could lose its relevance for the US if the relationship between the two countries is "starved of trust."

Pitching For The "Family" Vote

While Labour has been seeking to corner the "family" vote, with its Working for Families package, and the focus this week on early childhood education, National has been dog-whistling the "mainstream" theme. This will be reinforced when it announces its full tax package, which it says will "ease the pressure" on middle-income families.

Defence Poll Shows Divisions In Public View

Results of a recent DigiPoll announced by ACT Parliamentarian Ken Shirley highlighted why Australians, especially, find NZ attitudes toward the US on defence and security matters difficult to understand.

Govt Switched On To The Fight-Back

The Govt, shaken by yet another poll showing it's trailing National by 4 points, is now fully switched on to the fight-back. This week it dumped a bucket of money into the lap of Wellington ostensibly to fix its transport woes.

CAPITAL TALK

Under estimate at your risk the political power inherent in Kiwi appreciation of sausage sizzles. The prospect street side sizzles could be banned in the interest of food hygiene requirements has gone down like a lead balloon among voters.

PLAY OF THE WEEK

It's Official ­ They All Want To Lose

A few weeks back we jokingly suggested Labour was trying to "throw" the election, and 2005 is 1996 revisited ­ a good election to lose. It also seemed the only way to explain Labour's behaviour since the "chewing gum Budget."

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