Mike's Minute: NZ look like the adults in the room re our fuel response

From our "don’t waste a crisis" file, is it possible this Government's handling thus far of oil events might well see them rewarded with an increased level of support as the election draws closer? 

The initial reaction when the war broke out and oil went up was twofold. 

1) Around the economy, the rebound, the resurgence we had seen may well be, yet again, off. 

2) That the poor Government worked their butts off, trimmed the Budget, changed the laws, got rid of the mess, and at last were seeing the fruits of the labour. 

Then bang – Operation Epic Fury. 

The next question so far unanswered here is, will the Government of the day take the political heat because the cost of living is up, even though it is none of their fault? 

The partial answer comes from Australia in their polling and that answer is 'no'. The war and its associated economic outworkings fall entirely on America. 

Polling in America shows the same thing. This is on Trump. 

As I said last week, New Zealand v Australia in terms of messaging, organisation, reaction, and action is not even a contest. Australia is a hot mess of confusion, claim and counterclaim, and a growing bitch session between state and Canberra. 

Here, it would seem close to faultless. 

For those upset over the lack of free money, you might not agree with it, but you can't blame the messaging or say it hasn’t been explained. 

Yesterday's LNG explanation from the Prime Minister that it either stacks up or it doesn’t is what we desperately need more of. Not ideology, not feels, not obsessions; just stats, numbers and facts. Does it work, or does it not? 

The oil numbers yesterday seem reassuringly well organised. We are clearly hustling and so far, it's clearly working. 

There's messaging about what it isn't, i.e. this isn't Covid, this isn't about sourdough, or animals in windows. This isn't about hugs and kindness and all the other BS. 

It's about adults, and organisation, and getting stuff done as best you can in an environment that is largely beyond your control and in a country that is at the end of a very long supply chain at the bottom of the world. 

Although we wouldn’t wish any of this on our worst enemy, it's so far so good from what looks like a seriously competent Government and one that might get some support simply because when it hit the fan they were up for it and not making it up.

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