Transtasman Political Letter – 10 August Digest

10th August 2006

Political temperature still boiling, as Nats keep up the heat on Taito Phillip Field
... Govt detects “sea-change” in business boardroom attitudes
... New directives aim to sort out “bugger’s muddle”in electricity industry regulation
... Parker’s Mana rises again
... But has Electricity Commissioner got the message?
... Govt finds a new (sympathetic?) Chief legal adviser
... Nats recruit a former Green MP - what does this mean?

Political Heat In Winter Chill

After rambunctious sessions last week, the Parliamentary corridors were quiet this week, but the political temperature is still fierce from the blow-torch applied in the Taito Phillip Field affair.

Ministers, And John Key, Swap Punches On Business Tax

The Govt and National’s John Key this week exchanged fusillades on business tax.

Govt Finds “Sea-Change” In Business

The Govt, which has had an uncomfortable week or two, seized on a survey of boardroom opinion carried out by the NZ Herald to find a positive mood on Govt policies among business leaders.

Commission Talks Tough On Vector Pricing Policy

Heavy pressure from state-owned grid operator Transpower and from lines companies, plus the impact of the June blackout in Auckland, has seen Cabinet accept the need to revise the pricing rules applied by the Commerce Commission so as to encourage new investment in upgrading power lines.

CAPITAL TALK

Helen Clark’s spin doctors noted the very poor attendance at her photo-op with Afghanistan’s visiting Human Rights Commissioner Sima Samar on Monday, compared with an impressive turn-out when Foreign Minister Winston Peters met with the same woman on Tuesday, his first appearance after being struck down by a mystery illness.

Play Of The Week: Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

Recess, and things go a bit quiet. There is though growing chatter about election spending issues.

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