Transtasman Political Letter – 15 June Digest

This issue - 15th June 2006

Auckland blacks out, and they’re playing a new game at Parliament: the blame game
... David Parker seems to be waiting for orders from on high
... Elsewhere the winter chill descends, and it’s economic as well
... Cullen warns of the risks inherent in big wage claims
... Get ready for digital TV.
.. NZ ponders whether there’ll be more Timor aid money on offer
... And the Govt names its new Chief Spook.

Auckland Unplugged: Who’s To Blame?

The Govt was in danger of blowing a political fuse this week when Ministers scurried to cover their backsides over Auckland’s power black-out.

Winter Chill Sets In

Just as a winter chill sets in over NZ, the economic outlook grows bleaker.

Cullen Warns Of Inflation Risks With Big Wage Claims

Big wage and salary increases this year would add to already powerful inflationary pressures, warned Finance Minister Michael Cullen appearing before Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee this week.

Watch On Stability Of Finance Sector

The collapse of two finance companies has ignited concerns about the stability of the sector which has undergone rapid growth, without a corresponding increase in internal controls.

CAPITAL TALK

National MP Murray McCully reckons the Govt can’t like Canada very much since it posted ex Trade Union Secretary and former MP Graham Kelly to the post of High Commissioner.
Play Of The Week: It Was The 1990s Wot Done It!

A couple of weeks ago an internal Labour Party memo on how the party should use language to capture political minds was leaked. What was most revealing about the memo was the sense of siege mentality which permeated the document.

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