Transtasman Political Letter – 1 Dec. Digest

1st December 2005

There won’t be much harmony in Parliament next week when the Opposition targets the Clark-Peters combination
...We wonder whether Michael Cullen is enjoying life as the economy turns sour
... The Nats get back on the tax-cut trail
... And what kind of honour will the Govt wheel out for World Cup hosting winner Jock Hobbs and Grand Slam achiever Tana Umaga in the New Year list?

Fireworks Likely When Peters Returns To Parliament

Expect some fireworks in Parliament next week. It will be the first time Opposition parties can have a crack at Winston Peters in his role as Foreign Minister. Both Peters and PM Helen Clark have faced constant questioning over the curious arrangement where Peters is Foreign Minister but not a member of Cabinet during their overseas missions.

Dilemma On Monetary Policy

By raising interest rates another notch next week, will the Reserve Bank tighten the currency noose again on exporters?

Pressures Build On Economy And Cullen

Michael Cullen is still the “Mr Fixit” of the Clark Govt, the formidable debater who sees off the Opposition in the House, the man who shapes and manages the Govt’s economic policy. But is he enjoying it all? The body language suggests it is catching up on him

Defence Spending Heads Upwards

New Defence Minister Phil Goff says defence is now the Govt’s biggest recipient of capital investment.

CAPITAL TALK

A former National Party Parliamentary staffer must be wishing he hadn’t described Katherine Rich as “yummy mummy” and Judith Collins as “Darth Vader in pearls” on his blog – he’s been fired.

Play of the week: Play of the Week Annual Awards

Political issue of the year: Tax cuts. The ground shifted here – most parties now think they’re a good idea. But if the economy tanks next year (and the omens aren’t good) there will be much less room for reductions in 2008.

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