In The Herald: 1988
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday February 11, 2008
* New Zealand abandoned its plans to introduce a flat rate of income tax during the year as pressure mounted in Australia for a broad-based consumption tax. In a joint press conference with the minister for finance, Roger Douglas, the prime minister, David Lange, said New Zealand would continue with a progressive tax structure. The New Zealand dollar surged following the announcement thus dispelling the uncertainty that had dogged the markets. Dealers said the market welcomed the government's outline of the new tax structure.
* The former minister for immigration and ethnic affairs, Mick Young, decided to stay on as president of the ALP amid a renewed opposition attack on his role in the woodchip donations affair. The opposition spokesman on home affairs, Jim Short, claimed Young's resignation had added support to the opposition's belief that there had been a conspiratorial cover-up by the Labor Party.* The premier, Barrie Unsworth, ordered a scaling down of NSW government advertising before the election. This included a health advertisement branded an "official lie" by the opposition. Its health spokesman, Peter Collins, said documents leaked from several hospitals proved that government financial cutbacks were causing problems.* Afghan rebels remained sceptical of Soviet intentions following Moscow's announcement that it would withdraw its troops within 10 months. All seven parties in the rebel alliance said they wanted to see physical evidence before believing the Soviet Union really wanted to quit Afghanistan.
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald
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