BIG TICKS FOR GROSER AND JOYCE

Tim Groser and Steven Joyce have been star performers for the government and both have been given the recognition they deserve by the Prime Minister. We are pleased that Tim has been given the chance to lead the weighty and complex job of International Climate Change. His wisdom and pragmatism will give New Zealand the chance to optimise any trade gains that can be made from world wide rush to Emissions Trading. We need to ensure that international policy does not impact negatively on the backbone of our economy - dairying.

As for Joyce - it's well known that he has the capacity for a heavy workload and a head for long term strategy - his sector relations are also superb. The education portfolio will benefit from his helicopter roll.

The lack of large changes to Cabinet will dismay Labour who will have been looking for blood. While they will be able to make some mileage out of Anne Tolleys demotion, there is little else wher Labour can gain any traction.

Key has put his two "fix it" men in charge of the areas that are the two biggest risks - that type of decision making just underscores the PM's growing reputation for pragmatism.

BILL GETS THE BLOG BASH

First Cactus gives Bill English a broadside, then Whale oil takes exception to Fran O'Sullivan's column where Bill dribbles on a bit. Bill and John are shaping up to be the ying and yang of National. Is that a bad thing? We think not. It is clear from Fran' s column that Key leads and English then sets about giving his ideas legs. That's got to be good. So unlike Cactus and Whale we are pleased that Key is okay with English's gentle chiding about his creativity. Every ideas man, every visionary needs a solid bugger in the engine room to do his bidding and that's where English shines.For once we see a team that is so solid that they can gently take the piss out of each other in public. That is very cool.

DON'T MESS WITH US - WE'RE NATIONAL

It is now very obvious that National has the mettle to take us through the tough times - first we have the PM John Key slip and break his arm and then go on the shake the hands of a few dozen burly rugby players who are not known for their pussy grips and he doesnt grizzle or whinge.

Then the Herald reports that Paula Bennett, the proud westie, goes into " mum mode " and breaks up a big cat fight among some girls outside a shopping centre - a fight that was so bad shop keepers had to close their doors to protect their customers.

So we have a PM who shows he is a tough bloke and a Minister who shows she ain't a bad bloke for a sheila. Noice....

2009 - A GREAT YEAR

One sunny day in 2009 an old man approached Premier House from where he'd been sitting on a park bench.
He spoke to the security officer guard and said, 'I would like to go in and meet with Prime Minister Helen Clark.'
The security officer looked at the man and said, 'Sir, Ms Clark is no longer Prime Minister and no longer resides here.'
The old man said, 'Okay' and walked away.
The following day, the same man approached Premier House and said to the security officer 'I would like to go in and meet with Prime Minister Helen Clark.'
The security man again told the man, 'Sir, as I said yesterday, Ms Clark is no longer Prime Minister and no longer resides here.'
The man thanked him and, again, just walked away.
The third day, the same man approached Premier House and spoke to the same guard, saying 'I would like to go in and meet with Prime Minister Helen Clark.'
The guard, understandably fed up, looked at the man and said, 'Sir, this is the third day in a row you have come here asking to speak to Ms Clark.
'I've told you already that Ms Clark is no longer the Prime Minister and no longer resides here. Don't you understand?'
The old man looked at the guard and said, 'Oh, I understand ...
'I just love hearing it.'
The security officer snapped to attention, saluted, and said, 'See you tomorrow.'

whos gonna dance with winston ?

http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/greens-would-find-it-incredibly-difficult-work-with-peters-34718

Not I says John Key

Not I says Russ the Muss.

" Not Even" says the Maori Party

So there is just Labour left.


But the Roarprawn believes that todays question time will mean that Winston may be sent from the dance hall altogether... no more baubles.....

Clark wont have any choice.

SFO dispells PM's rumour mongering

http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/sfo-denies-clark-s-leak-accusation-34688

with a blackberry and google alerts I get all the good goss quick and being sick in bed has its advantages.

Mind you I note the blog meister Farrar had it up first .

Good to see the SFO have cojones.