Labour leader Phil Goff gets his first chance this afternoon to question new Prime Minister John Key on whether he has confidence in his ministers and why but the Government is also planning an attack on some of Labour's unfunded legacies.
Senior Labour MPs are eagerly awaiting the start of Parliament this afternoon because they are expecting to get their first chance to ask questions of the new Cabinet ministers.
The Otago-Southland service sector business continued to battle tough market conditions in November, according to the latest BNZ-Business NZ Performance of Services Index (PSI).
Social Development and Employment Minister Paula Bennett will get her chance to shine today when the Government announces further details of its transitional relief package for those workers made redundant as a result of the economic downturn.
Dunedin South MP Clare Curran is planning to meet urgently Otago union representatives to canvass any concerns they might have regarding the 90-day trial period for new workers.
Consumer Affairs Minister Heather Roy hopes to revisit a Bill that would make Government drug-buying agency Pharmac subject to the Commerce Act and competition, to help broaden accessibility to suitable medicine at the lowest possible cost.
Tax cuts due to come in on April 1 could help a struggling retail sector recover from what is expected to be a less frenetic than usual Christmas shopping period.
The Government is facing another challenge from one of its partners, with United Future leader and Revenue Minister Peter Dunne saying he will oppose the repeal of the law obliging oil companies to sell biofuel.
Most South Island firms are reviewing their internal structures to cope with anticipated zero or negative growth during the next two years, a survey of South Island business leaders released yesterday reveals.
Legislation allowing trial employment periods for up to 90 days for workplace with fewer than 20 employees was introduced to Parliament today in a rowdy session as Government and Opposition MPs traded insults.
At the risk of seeming completely out of step with some of my fellow political commentators, I do not have a problem with the new Government rushing through Parliament legislation it wants passed before Christmas.
Southern manufacturers faced some critical months ahead as manufacturing activity across New Zealand continued to dive, Otago-Southland Employers Association chief executive Duncan Simpson said yesterday.
Legislation giving employers of fewer than 20 staff the right to introduce 90-day trial periods was light-handed and would not be seen as the magic bullet for businesses, Otago-Southland Employers Association chief executive Duncan Simpson said yesterday.
The first cracks in the relationship between the National and Maori parties appeared last night when the five Maori MPs decided unanimously not to support the Government's Employment Relations Amendment Bill, which was introduced to Parliament under urgency.
Labour made a meal yesterday of the debate in the House on the Taxation (Urgent Measures and Annual Rates) Bill, complaining the urgency motion prevented public input into the tax changes being introduced by the Government.
Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard yesterday called on everyone to play their part in reducing demand and not adding to inflationary pressures in the economy.
Tax, health, education, law and order and infrastructure spending were the main themes of Prime Minister John Key's programme outlined in the speech from the throne as he pledged to provide much-needed fiscal stimulus to the flagging economy.
A stand-off between Prime Minister John Key and the Maori Party could be looming sooner than anyone expected with Maori Party MPs unlikely to support National's plans to reform the Resource Management Act and introduce a 90-day probation period for new workers.
Trade unions are up in arms but employers are welcoming plans by the Government to introduce major changes to employment law which will include a 90-day probation period for new employees in workplaces with fewer than 20 workers.
The National Party has the luxury of controlling the special select committee set up to review the Emissions Trading Scheme and related matters, which will hasten the reform process as promised on Monday by Prime Minister John Key.
