Transtasman Political Letter – 15 November Digest

15th November 2007
Govt loses some momentum, under fierce (newspaper) attack on electoral funding...While another newspaper publishes police affidavit on so-called terrorist raids...Hunn report re-establishes political neutrality of public service, but does it let some senior public servants off the hook?...Close eye by NZ parties on Aussie election, for different reasons...And Clark heads off on wide-ranging mission abroad.

Government’s Momentum Leaking Away

Some of the momentum the Govt was generating with its switch towards tax cuts, new Cabinet line-up, and climate change initiatives has slowly leaked away this week.

Public Frustration - Evidence On Terrorist Plans Out In Open

The decision of newspapers to publish a police affidavit on material from their protracted surveillance of terror suspects may rate among the most courageous in the history of the NZ newspaper industry.

Question Mark Hangs Over Politicisation Of Public Service

The inquiry into the sacking of Madeleine Setchell from the Ministry of the Environment conducted by former state service boss Don Hunn, identified significant “errors,” a lack of “leadership and guidance,” and “an absence of formal records and poor information flows.”

Worries On Emissions Trading Scheme

Fletcher Building this week warned the Govt’s carbon emissions trading scheme will affect some of its significant operations, including Golden Bay Cement and Pacific Steel which will have to buy carbon credits to offset their CO2 emissions.

CAPITAL TALK

Newstalk ZB’s effervescent Barry Soper was spun out of the media team accompanying Winston Peters to North Korea, the first official visit by a NZ minister to the hermit kingdom. .

Play Of The Week: A Clear Line

Perhaps the Madeleine Setchell affair - which is really a misnomer, since the woman concerned is innocent of any wrongdoing - might have some positive impact after all.

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