Transtasman Political Letter – 15 Dec. 2005 Digest

15th December 2005

All To Play For In 2006

Despite opinion polls which show National opening up a lead on Labour, Helen Clark believes the Govt, after initial glitches, is settling into the job.

Peters Falls Into National Trap

NZ First leader Winston Peters is beginning to shrug off the political negativity which surrounded the bizarre circumstances of his appointment as Foreign Minister.

Upside For National In 2006

While the media is already picking John Key as National’s next leader, current leader Dr Don Brash, after taking National to within an inch of victory, sees nothing but upside for National in 2006.

Air NZ Qantas Deal Mark 2?

Air NZ and Qantas’ ill-starred grand alliance may be dead in its original form but don’t rule out the prospects next year of an offshore deal, away from the reach of the competition regulators.

CAPITAL TALK

Press secretary Pete Coleman appears as if he survived “disciplinary action” for leaking, on instruction by his minister David Benson-Pope, favourable, but doctored, excerpts from the police report into the tennis-ball incident.

Play of the Week: Looking Ahead - Likely Plays Of 2006

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