Transtasman Political Letter – 14 Sept. Digest

This issue - 14th September 2006

Don Brash seeks to save his marriage (and what does this mean for his leadership)
... Electricity industry in an uproar after its regulator was dumped by the Govt
... All parties aim for a world-class city in Auckland, but will the Mayors agree?
... Former Labour Ministers point out the “moral hazards” on the road to good Govt
... NZ talks defence with the Canadians
... And bottom trawling gets an outing.

Rakaia MP Snake In The Grass Over Brash Affair

Rakaia MP Brian Connell gained revenge for his dumping to the bottom of National’s Parliamentary ranks in spectacular fashion this week, raising allegations in National’s Caucus over Don Brash’s relationship with Business Roundtable Vice Chairman Diane Foreman, and telling him he isn’t fit to be Prime Minister

Electricity Regulator Hits Govt With Parting Salvo

The electricity industry is in an uproar after the Govt in effect dumped the independent Chairman of the Electricity Commission Roy Hemmingway.

Making Auckland A World-Class Performer?

The Govt’s goal of achieving world-class performance in Auckland, our only city of international scale, took some shape with the drive to create a single-city, electrify the rail network and build a $350m downtown stadium in time for the Rugby World Cup.

Rail Plan Helps To Realise The City’s Potential

Almost certainly, ARTA’s $3.6bn rail development plan is the feature which could do more than the others for Auckland to realise its potential.

CAPITAL TALK

It wasn’t only Trevor Mallard the PM felt like zapping with a Taser this week. Pete Hodgson was a likely alternative after saying Labour isn’t going to pay back the pledge card money regardless of what the Auditor General says in his final report.

Play Of The Week: Frag II

We wondered at the time the Don Brash emails leaked last year, who had ‘fragged’ Brash. Fragging, for those who can’t remember, is what US soldiers in Vietnam termed shooting their own officers in the back.

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