Latest from Government

Mutual Finance fails

'Abducted' scientist heads back to Iran

Hundreds of police cars routinely carry arms

Hundreds of police cars carry gun safes, and central Auckland officers draw weapons from their vehicles nearly twice a week.

<i>Brian Fallow:</i> Bank searches for lighter hammer

Bosses given ACC safety incentive

Government plans to apply "experience rating" - essentially a no- or low-claims discount on employers' ACC levies - from April next year.

Gillard musters her forces for early election

<i>Editorial:</i> GST proposal unhealthy for tax base

CTU: ACC changes may encourage cover-ups

Discounts on ACC levies for businesses with good safety records will encourage some employers to cover up workplace accidents, opponents say.

<i>Cartoon</i>: Why do we have to learn French?

Fiji expels Australian diplomat

The interim Government in Fiji has expelled Australia's Acting High Commissioner today.

Karzai's plan to court Taleban

Gillard looks on course for election in late August

An Australian election could take place as early as August 28, with PM Julia Gillard's Cabinet meeting today to lock in the details.

Key seeks to boost trade with Vietnam

<i>Stephen Hoadley:</i> Prisoner swaps pit justice against expedience

Treasury concerns over health cut plans ignored

Prison will bring $1.2b to region, says Collins

A new prison to be built in South Auckland will bring $1.2bn in economic benefits over 30 years, Judith Collins says.

Govt adds $54m to retail deposit guarantee scheme

The Government has added $54 million to its total provisioning for potential payouts under the Crown retail deposit guarantee scheme.

Govt finances better than expected

Tax revenue was bigger than forecast and spending lower in the 11 months to the end of May, says Treasury.