Layoffs Yet Another Embarrassment On Defence Project
February 25th, 2010
Air NZ forced the Govt into an embarrassing admission this week over the $234m project to update the RNZAF’s fleet of 45-year-old Hercules transport …
Archive for February, 2010
NZ Government: Steven Joyce’s Influence Keeps Getting Bigger
February 25th, 2010
Steven Joyce might rank at 14th in the Cabinet room, but he’s rapidly assuming a critical role in trouble-shooting in the Beehive, rather in …
NZ Politics: Buoyant John Key, And His Govt, Regain Political Momentum
February 24th, 2010
The Key Govt believes it has regained the momentum its critics claim it was losing. The PM himself is remarkably buoyant, despite having to …
NZ Politics: Defining The Difference Between National And Labour
February 18th, 2010
Opposition Leader Phil Goff saw the Key speech as a “step-back” and promised a stern fight against any increase in GST. Hyped up as …
NZ Budget: Approach To Finding New Revenue Sources Limited
February 18th, 2010
The PM’s statement to Parliament said only the Govt would “carefully consider” raising GST. It was a signal it has to get its coalition …
NZ Tax System: Tax Cuts Traded For GST Rise – Will It Stimulate Growth
February 17th, 2010
A new tax structure, with tax cuts worth $4bn, an increase of GST to 15%, and compensatory adjustments to benefits, unlocking NZ’s mineral wealth, …
NZ Foreign Policy: Ministers Shrug Off Afghan Exit Strategy Idea
February 11th, 2010
Defence Minister Wayne Mapp flew off to Istanbul this week for an ISAF Defence Ministers’ conference. This follows Foreign Minister Murray McCully going to …
NZ Education System: Standards – Essential Education Tool, Or “Tolley’s Folly”?
February 11th, 2010
In the first political scrap of the year, Labour’s Phil Goff called on the PM to sack Education Minister Anne Tolley over what he …
NZ Economy: Big Challenges In Fixing A Damaged Economy
February 10th, 2010
At Tuesday’s all-day session on working on this year’s political programme, National’s Caucus enthusiastically backed the overhaul of the tax structure the PM will …
Economic Debate – Psychology Or Market Forces?
February 4th, 2010
Better economic advice to the Govt will be one measure of the shake-up of Treasury’s leadership team. This wasn’t an exercise in staff-shedding. It …
NZ Tax Reform: Dynamic Transformation Depends ON Tax Reform
February 3rd, 2010
How macho will the Govt be is the question intriguing political circles in Wellington, as John Key’s administration lays the foundation for structural changes …
Duncan Cotterill