Transtasman Political Letter – 20 October Digest

20th October 2005

Clark goes for a safety first Cabinet, and says this administration will go the distance
... National says it is just shifting the deck-chairs on the deck of the Titanic
... The Greens pick up the pieces after being shafted by almost everyone
... Peters prepares his passport as his party fumes
... And is it game on between Maharey and Goff?

New Cabinet Attempts To Reinvigorate Labour

Michael Cullen has taken on the job of sorting out Tertiary Education and Annette King is charged with restoring public confidence in the Police in Helen Clark’s new Cabinet. In a major re-shuffle, which swapped key portfolios between the front bench, Clark is trying to give the Cabinet a fresh look and put problem areas into safe hands.

Gutted Greens Pick Up The Pieces

The Greens were shafted and they know it. They also know who did it. Pre-election the Greens seemed almost assured of a solid partnership deal with Labour and almost certainly two Ministerial posts outside Cabinet.

Stable And Durable? Yes, Says Clark

Helen Clark is fending off opposition politicians and some business leaders voicing doubt her third-term Govt will last the distance.

Clark’s Speech To Parliament Will Set The Agenda

Parliament is expected to be recalled on November 8 and Helen Clark’s opening speech will set an agenda focused on Growth and Productivity. She used an address to the CTU Conference this week to signal an end to social policy initiatives, and sources say “politically correct” items are definitely off the legislative menu.

CAPITAL TALK

You could tell by the width of Winston’s grin and the set on Helen’s mouth they had pulled off the deal of the century. Well it’s only 2005. In truth, political watchers around Wellington’s restaurants this week say neither had anywhere else to go.

PLAY OF THE WEEK - Coalition Of The Middling

The Govt has perhaps taken a slight tilt towards the centre with the advent of NZ First, the appointment of Peter Dunne as Revenue Minister, and the slight strengthening of Labour’s centre-right faction. However, with Winston Peters involved, you never can tell.

Transtasman is a subscriber newsletter published weekly and read widely in New Zealand and abroad. The above is a summary of this week's edition. To subscribe and read the full newsletter see.. http://Transtasman.co.nz

© Scoop Media