Brent Edwards

The State Services Commission has conceded it did a poor job monitoring the Ministry of Education's implementation of the teachers' pay system Novopay. Audio

An independent report into the Treasury's monitoring of Solid Energy has questioned whether it responded forcefully enough to problems at the state-owned coal company. Audio

The Finance Minister has confirmed the country's national debt is expected to rise by 60 billion dollars over the next five years. Audio

The Prime Minister has defended his government's record of helping low income families in the face of Opposition criticism. Audio

The drop in the price of Mighty River Power shares has not put the Government off its partial privatisation programme, but Opposition parties say it is a sign of failure. Audio

Opinion polls might show that the Government's partial privatisation programme is unpopular but it is still not damaging the National Party's support. Audio

Bidding for new petroleum exploration permits began today as the Government opens up a vast expanse of off shore areas to deep sea mining. Audio

Fresh documents and emails made public by Treasury reveal the Government is taking a tougher line on monitoring its State-owned Enterprises. Audio

Another batch of documents released by the Treasury confirm just how tense relations between the Government and Solid Energy became last year. Audio

The Labour Party continues to question whether the Government has the right to regulate shipping in waters above the continental shelf even though it is adamant it does. Audio

The Labour Party has accused the Government of passing legislation which breaches international law in an attempt to attract foreign oil and gas companies to this country. Audio

In the days leading up to this week's Budget there was plenty of talk it would include policies to rein in rising house prices and to help alleviate poverty. Audio

Listening to that are our political editor Brent Edwards. Audio

And with us is Radio New Zealand's Political Editor, Brent Edwards. Audio

With Geoff Robinson, our political editor Brent Edwards and our team of specialist correspondents. Audio

The Finance Minister, Bill English, delivers his fifth Budget today confident the books will be back in surplus in 2014-15. Audio

The Finance Minister says escalating house prices are threatening the economy and he's promising to announce a significant package in tomorrow's budget, aimed at putting the brakes on the market… Audio

The number of State houses looks likely to fall even as the Government moves to provide more bedrooms in the houses it has left. Audio

While a number of State-owned Enterprises are struggling KiwiRail has told the Government that its turn-around plan is going well. Audio

Three days before the Finance Minister, Bill English, delivers his fifth Budget the Green Party has accused him of failing in his bid to rebalance the economy. Audio