NZ should hope John Key shows some common sense - tempered with heart - when he goes about trying to reduce from 328,000 the number of Kiwis on solo parent, sickness and invalid benefits, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

New measures to curb avoidance could raise an extra $300 million a year, party believes.

Society needs to look at a different approach to the drug problem.

The November 26 general election will be a test about economic management and tomorrow's budget will show the Government is up to the challenge, Prime Minister John Key says.