I really am happy that the Government’s ill-conceived plan to mine our most precious conservation land looks as if it has been shelved. Even though I am sure there was never a plan to do anything on Great Barrier, overall it is a great victory. But where to now in terms of the “step-change” for the economy? The big Jobs Summit delivered almost nothing but a cycleway that might sound good, but has delivered a handful of jobs. The mining was the next big idea, but the government appears to have backed right out of that. What we are left with is tax cuts and trickle down economics. This ain’t no step change.

And to answer the question before its asked. This is the time for investment in a clean green, high tech economy that builds on our traditional strengths, and opens up new opportunities.