http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ Latest Politics headlines from nzherald.co.nz en-nz Copyright 2010 APN HOLDINGS NZ Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:00:17 +1200 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss APN RSS Generator webnews@nzherald.co.nz webmaster@nzherald.co.nz http://www.nzherald.co.nz/images/nz_little_logo.gif http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/headlines.cfm?c_id=280 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625263&ref=rss Big personal tax cuts for middle and high-income earners are likely to be announced in the May Budget and take effect from October this year.The tax cuts of up to $4 billion will be funded mainly by increasing GST from 12.5 per... newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:00:00 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625260&ref=rss Wait patiently for three months for the real oil in the Budget before passing judgment on the Government's latest and seemingly insipid prescription for shifting New Zealand's sluggish-performing economy into the growth fast-lane.That... newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:00:00 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625256&ref=rss New laws to make sole parents look for work after their youngest children turn 6 will be phased in over several years, says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.Prime Minister John Key confirmed in Parliament yesterday that... newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:00:00 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625253&ref=rss Environmentalists fear the country will take a giant step backwards after Prime Minister John Key signalled some conservation land could lose its protection and be opened up for mining.But the minerals industry is highly encouraged... newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:00:00 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625250&ref=rss "Enjoy!" Prime Minister John Key said as he drifted into his caucus meeting a few hours before delivering his self-described step-change for New Zealand. In Parliament later Labour MPs were indeed enjoying."Ha! Step back, more... newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:00:00 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625206&ref=rss In his statement to the opening of Parliament yesterday, John Key spoke of his intention to achieve a "step-change" in overall economic performance.With his popularity riding high in this, a non-election year, and with the country... newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:00:00 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625202&ref=rss newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:00:00 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625177&ref=rss In my last online column I put forward five criteria by which business would just Key's economic agenda.Here's how I rat newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:00:00 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625143&ref=rss The Government's economic blueprint for the future, revealed by Prime Minister John Key this afternoon, has divided opinion in business and political circles.In his statement to Parliament, Mr Key strongly signalled a rise in... newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:45:34 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625133&ref=rss The Prime Minister has just delivered his statement to Parliament, tipping an increase in GST, cuts in income tax rates and a change to the way property investment is taxed.There has been a swift reaction to his speech. Here a... newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:43:04 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625085&ref=rss John Key has just sent Generations X and Y a clear message: Leave the country now. He may as well have directed those younger taxpayers who are stupid/poor/unlucky enough not to own property to the websites for AirNZ, PacificBlue... newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625083&ref=rss Tax, the prime minister proclaims, is a powerful lever for the Government to boost the economy's performance.It's a pity then that instead of grasping that lever he is proposing to just crook his little finger around it.He... newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625081&ref=rss John Key's promised quick march towards economic nirvana still looks like progressing at little more than a crawl.Those expecting something special in the Government's new economic plan which will prompt the "step change" in the... newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625076&ref=rss TAX REFORM Possible reductions to the top personal tax rate.No proposals for a land tax, comprehensive capital gains tax, or new tax on residential investment properties.There will however, be changes to the way property... newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625075&ref=rss 3.12pm: "I want to finish with the question of the vulnerable," Mr Goff says.Mr Goff says members of his electorate have told him they feel they have been let down by Mr Key.There has been no indication in today's speech... newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625073&ref=rss 2.51pm: Liquor licensing will be reformed as part of the Government's plans for law and order, Mr Key says.Mr Key wraps up his speech by thanking political partners in Parliament.He says 2009 was not an easy year for many... newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625072&ref=rss A rise in GST to 15 per cent has been strongly signalled in the Prime Minister's statement to Parliament but it would be offset by across-the-board cuts in personal tax.Benefits, superannuation and working for families would increase... newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625107&ref=rss Corrections Department employees will protest outside Parliament today over a proposal to privatise two Auckland prisons.A bill allowing the privatisation of prisons was passed under urgency in November despite opposition from... newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:13:50 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625089&ref=rss Prime Minister John Key says he accepts some of the things to be announced today in the Government's policy programme for the year ahead could erode his political popularity, but believes the new direction will benefit the country... newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:00:00 +1200 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10625025&ref=rss Prime Minister John Key's on-camera silver fern flag doodle has won support from two prominent supporters of a redesign.Mr Key - appearing on TVNZ's Breakfast show yesterday - said the silver fern would look magnificent on a flagpole.... newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:00:00 +1200