The time has come to deal firmly with Fiji's thugocracy following Colonel Frank Bainimarama's Good Friday auto coup. The moves to abolish the constitution and abrogate civil liberties are the most alarming developments in Fiji's short, but turmultuous, coup-driven history.

The announcement that the National Party and the Greens are to work together on formulating a new energy strategy and home insulation scheme has probably been in the pipeline for some time.

Anybody living in Auckland might soon be proclaiming those words after the National Government's announcement that Auckland is to become a super city following next year's local government elections.

This week the National Government's favourite Bovver Boy, Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee launched a ministerial inquiry into this country's now dysfunctional market-driven electricity sector.

Amongst all the hoopla about Helen Clark being appointed as the new Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) this week, there has been minimal commentary about the race for the Mount Albert electorate that will inevitably follow.

Prime Minister John Key's call for those fortunate enough to receive tax cuts after April 1st to consider donating them to charity is just another sign that the National Government is steering this country back to the 19th Century.

Anybody who is a fan of British comedy might possibly recognise the name Harry Enfield. Enfield, in one of his BBC comedy sketch series, parodies an old British Liberal Party advertisement 'L is for Liberal' by substituting it with 'L is for Labour'.

In the last week, it has been revealed that the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) non-earners account is in deficit to the tune of $1.4 billion. This figure is projected out over a four year period and comes in the midst of the worst recession in recent memory.

The new National Government is in honeymoon mood as recent opinion polls attest - but for how long?