By VERNON SMALL
deputy political editor
It would never have been like this under Sir William Birch.
Anyone wondering whether the new Government would bring a different style to the Beehive might consider these extracts from Finance Minister Michael Cullen's first press conference.
On the Incis inquiry: "Everyone is reaching for their lawyer like
Winston reaches for a fag."
On IRD Commissioner Graham Holland's resignation: "Mr Holland has had much better and more attractive job offers - and why would you earn less to be savaged by Rodney Hide?"
On Women's Affairs Minister Laila Harre's comments on the economy: "I shall try desperately hard not to comment on women's affairs for which I am peculiarly unsuited."
On the dollar: "It doesn't go as far as it used to."
On delaying the party-hoppers' bill until the New Year: "Let's hope no bunnies have hopped in the meantime."
On Act's recount in Rangitikei possibly delaying Parliament: "I know Act is an anti-Christmas Party and hates the notion of people giving each other presents. But I am determined Act won't bugger up Christmas for everybody in these buildings, including you."
On the Treasury's briefing papers: "I have never asked them this, but one suspects they prepare two versions, red and blue ... with subtle differences."
On the Treasury's briefing again: "The papers were blessedly brief. I didn't have to wade through 180 pages of economic theory before we got to the crunch bits."
On how he should be addressed: "The most trouble I am having is persuading my staff not to call me Minister. It makes me feel like I should be wearing some sort of strange reverse collar rather than being myself."
On the need to re-equip the Army as a priority over the Navy: "So far we haven't found a decent sort of Battle of Jutland to fight."
On market reactions to his comments: "The markets will have to get used to the idea that I do not see it is my job ... to pretend things are rosier than they are. I will describe the economy as I see it, not as perhaps I would like to see it ... from the seventh floor of the Beehive."
