Wellington, Dec 10 NZPA - Parliament is close to passing the Government's tax cuts legislation, with the Labour Party fighting the bill to the last minute.

Wellington, Dec 10 NZPA - Labour said tonight it had forced the Government to admit low income workers would be worse off under its tax cuts than they would have been if the previous government's long-range package had been left alone.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, Dec 9 NZPA - The 49th Parliament opened for business this morning amidst pomp and ceremony, but only moments into its first session the gloves were off as MPs reverted to attack mode. The contrast between ceremony and reality was stark.

Wellington, Dec 7 NZPA - Outgoing Labour Party President Mike Williams has also quit his appointments to government boards as the fallout from the November election continues.

Wellington, Dec 5 NZPA - Finance Minister Bill English has confirmed there is likely to be a "significant" rise in the amount workers pay to ACC from April 1 next year.

By Ian Llewellyn of NZPA Wellington, Dec 4 NZPA - Treasury's calls for a capital gains tax, an increase in GST and cuts to superannuation have been rejected by Finance Minister Bill English. Mr English today released Treasury's incoming briefing to the new Government.

Wellington, Dec 3 NZPA - Former cabinet ministers are insisting they were under no obligation to reveal a $1 billion hole in the ACC budget before the election and deny government accusations of a cover-up.

Wellington, Dec 3 NZPA - Labour has rejected a government accusation that it covered up a $1 billion hole in the ACC budget and says it had no obligation to disclose it before the election.

Wellington, Dec 2 NZPA - The outgoing Labour government left behind a $1 billion hole in the ACC budget which will have to be filled, Prime Minister John Key said today.

Ramping up spending on large infrastructure projects will take time, but it may be possible to fast-track a host of small projects to stimulate the economy, Finance Minister Bill English says.