The Latest Political headlines from Radio New Zealand News http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/news Radio New Zealand 60 Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee is standing by his statement that the Government has spent nearly $2.5 billion on recovery efforts in Canterbury. Sat, 26 May 2012 07:53:18 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/canterbury-earthquake/106765/brownlee-stands-by-earthquake-spending-statement 736ea49b402e689945f12e46eeab6cbe59e4544c Parliament has unanimously supported the first reading of legislation that will steadily increase the price of cigarettes and tobacco products. Fri, 25 May 2012 18:26:17 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/106746/tobacco-excise-tax-increase-passes-first-reading 2f5631c97388ae793d17ca39a64daed45cc7c98f Official papers show the Government has been pressuring KiwiRail to lift its performance. Fri, 25 May 2012 22:43:37 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/106723/govt-pressuring-kiwirail-to-lift-performance 57948937e23fd295646f7ddac855eba6c13ad67d A letter written on behalf of a Chinese businessman whose citizenship application was supported by Labour MP Shane Jones outlines the risk he faced if he returned to China. Fri, 25 May 2012 09:48:46 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/106678/letter-to-jones-outlines-businessman's-fear efb7874a171dc55baa410b0b6dee49d1f02a6100 Labour MP Shane Jones has launched a strong attack on the Department of Internal Affairs for claiming he approved citizenship for Yan Yong Ming within just 24 hours. Thu, 24 May 2012 21:48:23 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/106574/jones-accuses-immigration-service-of-'untruths' 00e33e961f60fad9e1b502716bcc376bfbfbd4d7 The Treasury wrote its report on the select committee hearings into the Government's partial asset sales legislation before they were finished. Opposition parties say this is reprehensible. Thu, 24 May 2012 19:40:14 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/106607/criticism-of-treasury-timing dfaa70a90d538c93a7ac69879afebf898ce415ef Labour MP Shane Jones says he has no option but to stand down while an investigation has been called for into actions he took as a minister so he can clear his name. Wed, 23 May 2012 23:22:05 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/106553/labour's-jones-stood-down,-leader-orders-inquiry ca36ed64906df44eda34db0e15472e4feeb4fcfa Labour Party members, including leader David Shearer, accepted Rugby World Cup tickets from SkyCity, despite strongly criticising a proposed deal between the Government and the casino operator. Wed, 23 May 2012 21:01:08 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/106555/15-mps-accepted-rwc-tickets-from-skycity 595a1db319238f42bbdc79eb363cb9aaf114a533 Pharmacists have told Parliament they support moves that would offer them the chance to prescribe medicines. Wed, 23 May 2012 21:10:37 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/106547/pharmacists-in-favour-of-prescribing-medicines 72715a704b3466131dc62611bc72247da1efbf02 Solid Energy, one of the energy companies the Government intends to partially sell, warns it faces significant business challenges. Wed, 23 May 2012 23:28:30 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/106499/significant-challenges-facing-state-coal-company 4c82ce3233087ab01d5610560eed17c508efbc66 Former Labour leader Phil Goff is calling on the Government to support a united effort within the United Nations for sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad of Syria. Wed, 23 May 2012 23:28:30 +1200 http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/106484/govt-urged-to-support-sanctions-against-assad 7149a44167da04154a08db8c7c7e3a31147147e0