We've had an unstable government in NZ ever since MMP, despite the 5% threshold, it's simply not represented that way by the media. Labour's been a minority government for nine years now.

We haven't had an unstable government. In between elections, we've had one change in the makeup of government…

1996: ALCP 2, Christian 5.

Otherwise, spot on, until further notice. 8]

Everything gets passed by negotiation and hard work with the votes of recalcitrant MPs, some of whom have…

Sometime in the past two weeks I read a thinkpiece on a reputable site (but can't for the life of me find it now) putting forward the case that the really high price of oil really is due to speculators.

Which is why Nobel Economics winner James Tobin proposed…

A 0.625% margin (3/4 seat, to be mostly sainte-league compatible without overly favoring the tiny groups, and mostly matching how many voters you need to get an electorate seat) would be a great change to our current system.

Italy had (I think still does, but it did change somewhat a…

We'd get some Christian splitters, Outdoor Recreation, Alliance (which would probably weaken…

The islanders are standing on the deserted airstrip, waiting for the cargo.

my first genuine LOL in ages...

Craig, I respect the fact that you are one of the few people here who're prepared to argue for National

Except when I think they're wrong. To slightly misqute G.K. Chesterton, saying "My party, right or wrong" is something no reasonable person would say except in a desperate case. It's…

I kinda liked the EPMU having its own voice.

Think about Roger Douglas and Marilyn Waring (and many others) – people who got into parliament with one set of ideas and eventually found themselves…

"In light of the current uncertain economic environment, and the fact that we believe Treasury's economic and tax forecasts are on the optimistic side, this is a very…

I'm sorry, could you point me to where Key's said that he doesn't intend to release any policy ever?

Craig, I respect the fact that you are one of the few people here who're prepared to argue for National, they're lucky to have your support frankly. However, the fact that…

Because we live in a democracy, and that implies parties laying out their policy platform so voters can choose between the alternatives

I'm sorry, could you point me to where Key's said that he doesn't intend to release any policy ever?

Britian isn't a democracy?

When the governing party gets 55% of the seats on 35% of the vote, I'd say "no".

Australia is at least a step better in having PV (and is good in having STV for the senate). But it's still not good enough.

And to be quite cynical, why should Key set himself up for any more 'baby-fucking rich prick' headlines than he really has to?

Because we live in a democracy, and that implies parties laying out their policy platform so voters can choose between the alternatives (or, in the case of…

Higher than the forecasted peak of $115 before it levels off to $100-ish. Whoops, already hit $132 last night.

Unfortunately, some of the assumptions upon which the treasury have forecast are already woefully out of…

Angus: It's a self-serving referendum. National would be the primary beneficiary of any resulting change. We have democracy now and they don't like it.

Steve: I don't support this referendum (a bloody waste of money on a symbolic and meaningless fig-leaf that could be better applied elsewhere, at the very…

The NZ election is different from the Australian but it's interesting that when the Coalition announced their tax package at the start of the '07 election, it took Labor only two days to release there's.

On the other hand, if you want a political landscape that is not exactly hospitable…

I don't think Phil Goff is the only person out there who thinks all you get from candour is a pair of clown shoes in the balls.

Craig, I can't see that approach working on tax. While he's no longer expected to have views on most policy, the one issue…

Heh – I think "rule" is probably a word they'll try & avoid.

But "Govern with an iron fist" doesn't have the same ring to it.

Your guilty consciences may make you vote Democratic, but secretly you all yearn for a Republican president to lower taxes, brutalize criminals, and rule you…

Nice comment and pretty spot on. Agree mostly except the visceral and deep part.

The Nats proposing a public referendum seems a small threat to democracy. Especially compared to the restrictions on free speech Labour has already foisted upon NZ without any real consultation.

Most Kiwi voters don't know – and don't really want to know – how the world actually works. To some extent, the media are enablers by infotaining people instead of informing them.

See I was with you until there.

Most Kiwi voters do know how the world works. They get…

Fair comment Craig, but why is Key's script full of evasion and vague twaddle?

Well, let's see — if anything changes it's a 'flip flop' concealing a 'secret agenda'. You put costings on something, and find that the numbers have changed you either brazen it out, and pray another windfall…

Its all over for National, I predict a Labour landslide with Helen being able to rule alone.

Heh – I think "rule" is probably a word they'll try & avoid.

I used to think the press gallery were all looking for change of government so they could upsize their salaries as spinmeisters for…

it was free – so i guess vaguely relevant to this thread. more free downloads please Dr Cullen!

I certainly had problems with National's 90s drive to make us all buy private health insurance from impoverished multi-nationals by allowing the deterioration of public health by stealth. It was the dishonesty of it......doing it while claiming not to.…

Well, possibly Kyle, but I heard Helen Clark and John Key earlier on Nine to Noon. Helen Clark, transparent, crisp and detailed as usual...

Or on-script and not exactly subjected to any kind of probing questions, if you want to put it another way.

Its all over for National, I predict a Labour landslide with Helen being able to rule alone.

Nice try, buddy but you should have been here three years ago

Except, they were. WFF, interest free loans, corporate tax etc.

If it's any indication, my taxi driver last night was a very happy man. He expected a very positive change in his circumstances. He also praised Cullen for…

I imagine he can't be overly happy that the last chapter in his book was a final attempt to undercut national's election chances, which probably isn't going to make much difference anyway.

Well, possibly Kyle, but I heard Helen Clark and John Key earlier on Nine to Noon. Helen Clark,…

So it is for Dr Cullen. He has delivered the Budget of all mothers.

Presumably this is Cullen's last budget.

I wonder what he thinks about it privately. It's a rather unusual Labour pre-election budget. No big 'bribes' of spending to 'buy votes'. It's a rather right-wing budget in terms…

Fantastic. I giggled uncontrollably.

Paul, that isn't really true – as the farmers and Fonterra are fond of noting, the globalised economy means we take the world price on these goods. Reducing domestic demand will do no more than make our stuffed potatoes a little less…

but apparently we're not all going going to buy potatoes – we're going to buy cheese – will no one think of…