Transtasman Political Letter – 30 August Digest

30th August 2007
Labour’s woes magnified as former leader Mike Moore takes a free pop…
The Govt is taking steps to improve its relations with Asia. A White Paper will reveal the details...
Getting closer to APEC states is Clark’s aim next week in Sydney…
Labour continues to struggle in the polls as National’s lead firms…
So Clark calls off the attack dogs…
And National finally puts paid to a return of fighter jets for the airforce.

Heat On Clark As Moore Strikes Hard

When as senior a figure in Labour’s firmament as Mike Moore blasts Helen Clark for displaying traits of “Muldoonism,” it indicates the depths of concern within the party at its electoral prospects.

Govt To Boost Importance Of Asian Links

The Govt is taking the unusual step of publishing a White Paper on NZ’s relationship with Asia.

Trade And Environment Key Issues At APEC

While ASEAN might not want to talk about the environment, it will be under discussion at a higher level next week when the leaders of 21 nations gather in Sydney for the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit.

Labour Struggles As Nat Poll Lead Firms

Another opinion poll has confirmed National’s strong lead over Labour, indicating attacks designed to dent John Key’s credibility haven’t worked.

CAPITAL TALK

Peter Dunne has proved he’s got his finger on the peoples’ pulse, saying “many voters already think all politicians are a waste of space.”

Play Of The Week: A Cold Dish

Mike Moore, laid about him with a broadsword this week. Got in some digs at John Key – “ just has to keep his head down, and is happy to campaign as ‘Labour with tax cuts,’ sort of like playing a vacuous political air guitar” Rodney Hide “has rejected capitalism for narcissism” and is set for talkback (the latter forecast first made in this column well over a year ago).

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