Brent Edwards
Focus on Politics for 31 August 2012
The National-led Government is on the defensive over whether it's doing enough to deal with poverty. Audio
Banks not worried spending cap has been dropped.
The Government has dropped the spending cap proposal from its Public Finance Amendment Bill. Audio
Living wage campaign starts
A new campaign backed by churches, unions and other community organisations is urging employers to start paying their workers a living wage. Audio
Labour condemns laying off coal miners.
The Labour Party has condemned State-owned Solid Energy's decision to slash hundreds of jobs, saying it will force more people on to the dole or across the Tasman. Audio
Government ministers have challenged Opposition MPs
Government ministers have challenged Opposition MPs to support National's economic and welfare policy if they are really committed to reducing child poverty. Audio
Opposition parties accuse MP of flippancy over poverty
Opposition parties are urging the Government to act after a report released yesterday found the rate of child poverty has doubled in the past thirty years. Audio
Australian change to carbon tax scheme could suit NZ
Australia has just announced a radical change to its carbon tax scheme. Audio
PM appears determined to proceed with sale
The Prime Minister appears determined to proceed with the sale of shares in Mighty River Power before the end of the year, despite the Waitangi Tribunal recommending it be delayed. Audio
PM expects announcement on sale next Monday.
The Prime Minister expects to announce next Monday whether the Government will proceed with the partial float of Mighty River Power before the end of the year. Audio
State Asset Sales: Maori Party meeting Govt this morning
The Maori Party is meeting the Government this morning to urge it to take account of last Friday's Waitangi Tribunal report into water and delay the sale of shares in Mighty River Power. Audio
KiwiRail needs to cut 200 million dollars in spending
State-owned KiwiRail has now released its business plan, revealing it needs to cut 200 million dollars from its spending over the next three years. Audio
More on KiwiRail from Radio New Zealand's political editor
Listening to that is our Political Editor Brent Edwards. Audio
Political editor on Kiwirail efforts to keep report under wraps
Kiwirail efforts to keep report under wraps - RNZ Political editor comments. Audio
Labour fails National on its economic record.
The Labour Party has delivered a report card on National's economic record in government which gives it a fail mark for just about every one of its targets. Audio
Wilkinson adamant law will help even though paper disagrees
The Labour Minister is adamant proposed law changes, which include removing the right of new workers to be hired under the terms of a collective contract, will help boost workers' wages even though… Audio
SSC widens investigation into MFAT leaks
The State Services Commission has widened its investigation into who leaked information about the restructuring at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade but the Labour Party says the witch-hunt… Audio
Bennett gets good telling off
Parliament's Speaker Lockwood Smith has given the Social Development Minister a severe telling off as she tried to answer questions on poverty this afternoon. Audio
Opposition: exports could be at risk if environment undermined
The Government says it will be a struggle to meet its goal of boosting exports and has again signalled it intends speeding up the approval process for mining applications and other business ventures. Audio
English forced to defend borrowing for roads
The Finance Minister has been forced to defend the Government's intention to let the Transport Agency borrow large sums of money to pay for new roads. Audio
Labour MPs told to fall in to line behind Shearer
Labour Party MPs start work today with a clear message from their leader David Shearer to keep their mouths shut about rumours of disunity. Audio
