Transtasman Political Letter – 10 May Digest

10th May 2007

Govt believes it will be back on a roll with the budget... Cullen unbending on pressure for personal tax cuts... Heat goes on over gang shooting in Wanganui... The Govt is looking to regain momentum after a bad month or so... Govt opts for cap-and-trade regime to contain greenhouse gas emissions... And Anderton plans a summit for primary industries to drive productivity.

Heat On Govt To Deal To Gangs

After successfully cauterising the anti-smacking debate, the Govt was suddenly confronted with a different law-and-order issue this week, and came under fire in Parliament on its dismal record in dealing with organised crime. More ...

Coalition Partners Raise Tension Over Tax Cuts

The Howard Govt’s latest budget, with tax cuts worth $A31bn over 4 years, renews pressure for income tax cuts in NZ.

Tough Decisions Still To Come On Cap-And-Trade

A cap-and-trade regime for greenhouse gas emissions, chosen ahead of the Govt’s first option of a carbon tax, which was killed off through lack of coalition support, is to be phased in next year as the Clark Govt’s major programme to meet its Kyoto Treaty obligations.

Govt Seeks To Regain Momentum

The Govt believes it has regained the momentum it lost during the anti-smacking debate and sees the budget as the platform from which it can recapture the poll ratings it enjoyed at the beginning of the year.

CAPITAL TALK

Clark-Muldoon comparisons are creeping into informal and professional business gatherings when veterans of both Prime Ministerial eras assemble.

Play Of The Week: Onward Christian Voters

Is John Key’s long-term strategy to encourage disgruntled Christian Nats to get together with other Christian groups and start their own party?

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