THREE KEY FACTS: The Government has confirmed up to 26 new cancer treatments will be funded alongside 28 other medicines as part of a $604 million budget to honour a National pre-election promise. An independent advisory group has recommended new, smaller Cook Strait ferries be purchased after the Government scrapped the previous $3 billion deal. Labour’s Three Waters plan for water management has also been dismantled by the new Government.
Steve Maharey is an independent director and a former Pharmac board chairman. He was a Cabinet minister in the 1999-2008 Labour Government. OPINION There are three Ps that make for a successful Government: prepare, prepare and prepare.
It is often said that being in opposition is a waste of time. As someone who spent nine years in Opposition during the 1990s, I can vouch that sometimes it feels that way. But the Opposition has a job to do.
It must hold the Government of the day to account and get ready to offer a compelling, workable alternative to voters come the next election. Holding the Government to account is the easiest of the two tasks – it is more difficult to say what you will do. To say what you will do, hard work on policy is required.
In fact, it is essential, because once in government, ministers will be asked by their officials: “What do you want us to do?” A clear direction-setting answer is required if everyone is to get off to a good start. As soon as the ministerial warrants are issued, the clock starts ticking. .
