Editorials on first 100 days
Both The Press and the ODT review the first 100 days. The Press says:
In reality the Government has ticked off most, if not all, of its promises about what it would do in its 100 days of action.
About half a dozen of these pledges have been in the law and order area, including the introduction to Parliament of high-profile feel-good measures to tighten parole for repeat violent offenders and to curb the drug trading by gangs. But the Government has also made good on its vows to pass its tax package, introduce a bill to reform the Resource Management Act, review state sector spending and pass a relief package for those made redundant. In addition, it has honoured health and education promises, including the voluntary bonding system for teachers, doctors, nurses and certain other medical staff.
For good measure it has repealed Labour’s perfidious Electoral Finance Act, which was one of the most undemocratic laws passed in recent New Zealand history.
And we must remain vigilant against future attempts.
The ODT:
The progress to date, however, shows a Government with impressive energy and a single-minded focus that belies Mr Key’s easy-going manner.
I remember all those on the left proclaiming Clark would destroy Key in the campaign, and how even if he won he would be a weak and vacuous Prime Minister. They seem to have gone quiet.
For it is the Opposition that seems frozen in the headlights of the looming economic juggernaut.
In times of imminent crisis, conventional wisdom requires a degree of national unity and in meeting this expectation the Labour Party in particular has appeared unremarkable.
The news of Helen Clark’s application to a top United Nations post and rumours of Michael Cullen’s possible early departure cannot have helped.
But it should also be noted that the country seems genuinely to be enjoying the change from the managerialism of Miss Clark to the affability of Mr Key.
This has put Labour Party leader Phil Goff in a difficult position, reflected in the party’s terrible recent polls: damned if they do rail against policies, many of which do not differ hugely from their own, and damned if they don’t.
Mr Goff also suffers by the closeness of his association with Miss Clark, and a similar personality: a highly competent politician, but lacking the easy charisma of the prime minister.
Goff is highly competent. But different skills are needed as a Minister and as Opposition Leader. He needs to stop lecturing the Government on what he would do if it was him.