John Key has defended a proposed rise in GST after a Herald video revealed he had ruled it out in 2008.

Italy's Agriculture Minister and the Slow Food movement battle over the McItaly burger - made of Italian beef, Asiago cheese and artichoke spread.

Wait patiently for three months for the real oil in the Budget before passing judgment on the Government.

Kevin Rudd would like to see the drinking age in Australia raised from 18 to 21 years.

A Chinese man has been jailed following his investigation into poorly built schools after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.

Big personal tax cuts for middle and high-income earners are likely to be announced in the May Budget and take effect from October this year.

The Govt's plan to hike GST, cut income tax and change property tax rules draws a mixed response from business leaders and political opponents.

A property investors group is recommending rent hikes and a halt on maintenance as a result of proposed changes to property taxation.

Phil Goff slams the Prime Minister's policy statement, saying it "fails on every count."

John Key has sent Generations X and Y a clear message: Leave the country now.

Live updates from the Prime Minister's first Parliamentary speech of the year.

On a measure of boldness, John Key's new economic plan to Parliament scores about four out of ten.

A rise in GST to 15 per cent has been strongly signalled in the Prime Minister's statement to Parliament but it would be offset by across-the-board cuts in personal tax.

Business is unlikely to be blown away by the boldness of the vision outlined in today's agenda-setting speech.

Some of the main points from Prime Minister John Key's statement to Parliament.

John Key says he accepts some of the things to be announced in the Government's policy programme could erode his political popularity.