Transtasman Political Letter – 6 October Digest

6th October 2005

Has anyone noticed we haven’t had a Govt for the best part of two months?
... Helen Clark got the wheels back on this week
... The small parties are all sweetness and light but for how long?
... Winston Peters signalled he’s not going to cut up rough over the Speaker
... A radical shake-up of the Cabinet is on the way
... The Greens, desperate for Cabinet seats, may have to be patient a bit longer
... Don Brash is safe as Leader of the Opposition, so long as the Nats think the new Govt won’t go full term.

Clark Shapes Her Agenda

The Labour Party was confirmed by the count of special votes as the Party which could begin negotiations to form a Govt. It has proved itself the most successful social democratic Party among Western democracies, and in retaining its core support and even enlarging it compared with 1999, it achieved a phenomenal result.

No Coincidence About “Spending More Time In Electorates”

The flurry of press statements from Ministers on Tuesday had a certain similarity. Paul Swain, Marian Hobbs and George Hawkins, each announced retirement from Cabinet. To which one might address the rhetorical question: why did they stand for Parliament again in the recent election?

Maori Party Could Hold A Veto

Labour’s task to navigate the next 3 years is formidable, because Labour did not receive the clear and unequivocal mandate to govern it had sought. Now, while it can count on the Greens and Jim Anderton, it will have to turn to either NZ First or the Maori Party to ensure its legislation is advanced.

Energy & Transport Will Be Demanding

Both the Energy and Transport portfolios have been the subject of speculation they could go to the co-leaders of the Green Party, but Helen Clark is aware she would step into a political minefield in allowing those crucial sectors in the economy to be dominated by the ideology of the Greens.

CAPITAL TALK

Many NZers offshore watched the election results through the Elections NZ website, but none so keenly as our High Commissioner to London, Rt Hon Jonathon Hunt, and our man in Ottawa, the Hon Graham Kelly. Both were keenly aware a change of Govt would see them home “before lunch time.”

PLAY OF THE WEEK
Who’s Going, Who’s Staying; Who’s In And Who’s Out

Some odd comings and goings. Judy Bailey announced she is going from TVNZ News, something which wasn’t unexpected. Ahmed Zoui announced he isn’t going, despite the new amnesty in Algeria, which 97% of the population voted for. Again, not really surprising. He seems to like it here.

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