Wellington, Jan 21 NZPA - The Government is being accused of forcing the canning of a major health conference for political reasons, but Health Minister Tony Ryall says the decision was about the best use of money.

Wellington, Jan 21 NZPA - The Health Ministry has canned a major conference of more than 300 health care professionals after Health Minister Tony Ryall called for a review. The $123,000 primary health care delivery conference was to be held in Wellington from February 24 to 26.

Wellington, Jan 20 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key and almost half his 58 MPs will attend Ratana celebrations this year in a show of "commitment" towards Maori.

Wellington, Jan 13 NZPA - As the Government prepares legislation giving police stronger powers to deal with gangs, Labour Party leader Phil Goff is in Australia discussing the latest moves to deal with the problem across the Tasman.

National and Labour fought their way through pitfalls and panics in 2008 with the prize of election victory never out of their sights. NZPA Political Editor PETER WILSON reports on the year that changed the face of Parliament.

Wellington, Dec 16 NZPA - The Labour Party says a government plan to help people who lose their jobs because of the economic crisis should be linked to measures that will stimulate employment.

Wellington, Dec 15 NZPA - A package to assist those made redundant in the current economic turmoil will cost $50 million over two years if 70,000 people lose their jobs.

Putting Parliament into urgency and passing two controversial bills last week was the best thing the Government could have done for the Labour Party.

Wellington, Dec 13 NZPA - The Government is promising extensive law changes to deal with child abuse and it has the support of opposition parties in Parliament.

Wellington, Nov 23 NZPA - New ministers and their opposition shadows are getting ready to face each other in the debating chamber, and Parliament looks like being a lively place.