Transtasman Political Letter – June 26 Digest

June 26, 2008
Clark thinks voters will swing back to Labour, but polls say something different...Nats gain upper hand in Auckland...Winston gets his wish - Condoleeza Rice to visit...Historic day in Treaty settlements - is process coming to an end?...Global food shortage gives NZ a break, Cullen and English agree...Govt support troops may be deserting on crucial Bills...And State sector unions ignoring Finance Minister’s wages call.

Auckland Turns Against Labour

Helen Clark is describing Labour’s prospects as a general election looms as “challenging.” It seems an understatement in the wake of the latest series of political polls. Clark believes the polls are “very extreme” and overstate the deficit.

Look Who’s Coming To NZ... Condoleeza Rice

Foreign Minister Winston Peters is reported to be working hard on details for a visit to NZ by US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice in late July.

Treaty Settlement Makes History

The Deed of Settlement between the Crown and the Central North Island Collective signed this week is the biggest step so far in the Treaty of Waitangi Settlements process, and a political triumph for Treaty Negotiations Minister Michael Cullen.
Not All Gloom On The Economy

Michael Cullen and National’s finance spokesman Bill English found themselves singing from the same song book in this week’s Imprest Supply debate in Parliament.

CAPITAL TALK
Long-serving international trade specialist Crawford Falconer, tipped as the next Deputy Secretary in MFAT, languishes in Geneva, grappling with agriculture aspects of what might be the final stages of the Doha global trade round. He’s widely regarded on the international trade and economic circuit......

Play Of The Week: Can Helen Walk On Water?

Helen Clark has been likened in recent weeks to King Canute, who was famous for trying to hold back the tide. It’s not a good analogy though. Canute wasn’t actually trying to hold back the waves but to demonstrate to his Court he was only human, and not divine.

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