There is less money out there, and our future economic security depends on the willingness of international institutions to lend to New Zealand. These institutions want sensible policy and stability in New Zealand if they are to lend.
Voters at this election will decide whether we have this sensible policy and stability.
This thought was going through our minds when reading Matthew Hooton's article in the Sunday Star Times this morning. We can't find an electronic version yet - it is on page A12. Hooton raises the possibility of the seven headed hydra. A government emerging from this election with seven leaders - Helen Clark, Jim Anderton, Winston Peters, Russel Normal, Jeanette Fitzsimons, Turian Turia and Pita Sharples.
Is that Government going to increase or decrease our chances of enjoying continuing and affordable access to international funding? That is the question voters must decide. And it is the media's role to ensure that the voting public are properly informed.
