The Government is going to need all of its political management skills over the next week as it looks likely to have to defend two very unpopular decisions: the pokies deal with SkyCity and the Crafar Farms sale.
John Armstrong thinks that Cabinet ministers, except for Key, English and Joyce, aren't doing the hard yards promoting the Government's lines to lobby groups and the public. He argues that National's relatively easy ride in its first term has led them to think they can just 'tough it out' but that, in fact, they have 'lost control of issues such as the Crafar farms, part-sale of state assets and extending paid parental leave, to name a few' - see: Mismanagement makes easy work for Opposition.
With Key out of the country it certainly seems National is struggling to sell the SkyCity deal, as further evidence of the casino's cosy relationship with the Government comes to light. David Fisher and Isaac Davison report that the SkyCity chairman Rob McGeoch apparently boasted to shareholders about company's close ties to 'high ranking' Cabinet ministers in the days leading up to Key's invitation for the casino to put in a bid - see: SkyCity chairman reveals close links days before Key invitation. SkyCity's interactions with the National - and all political parties - are under increased scrutiny - see: Adam Bennett and Isaac Davison's PM grilled on SkyCity connections. Duncan Garner highlights the particularly close relationship between Key's Chief of Staff Wayne Eagleson and casino lobbyist Mark Unsworth, who took a joint holiday in 2010 to - of all places - Las Vegas. Watch Garner's report on Frontline here, and see the original Matt Nipert report on the Vegas trip here: PM's adviser living it up in Sin City.
While Labour has ramped up its attack on the Government with a dedicated webpage (Show us your cards, John), criticism of the deal is still coming from non-politicians, with gambling experts rubbishing the casino's claim that Lotto is more harmful than pokies - see: Isaac Davison's Experts trash 'Lotto danger' claim. Former Gambling Commissioner Peter Chin says it's time to look at the role of pokies in the community: 'It is not only problem gamblers who are addicted to gambling - it is government and local communities' - see: David Fisher's Former gambling boss has concerns.
The deal is finally getting some support, though, with Heart of the City Chief Executive Alex Swney, the Tourism Industry Association and BusinessNZ Chief Exectuive Phil O'Reilly all arguing that New Zealand is missing out on large conventions and that the economic benefits far outweigh the downside - see: PM backed over Sky City pokies deal and Business backs Sky City convention centre deal. But University of Canterbury economist Eric Crampton is not so enamoured with the deal.