Election date to be announced

Written By: - Date published: 11:57 am, September 12th, 2008 - 75 comments
Categories: election 2008 - Tags:

So, Helen Clark is expected to announce the election date at 12.30.

$20 says it’s November 8.

UPDATE: The 8th it is. I’ll be collecting my $20 off each of you in due course.

Full text of the speech over the break:

PM’s announcement on the 2008 General Election

I have called this press conference today to announce the date of the 2008 General Election and the timetable of events which will unfold from the dissolution of Parliament.

This election is about trust.

It is about which leader and which major party we New Zealanders trust our families’ and our country’s future with.

This election is a choice between a government which has shown it can make the tough choices and an opposition which flip flops on almost every major issue which emerges.

It is an election between a government which takes principled positions and an opposition which says what it thinks the audience in front of it wants to hear.

It is an election about who can be trusted to take our nation ahead to a prosperous and confident 21st century, where all our families and communities can thrive.

In this campaign we in Labour will be talking about our vision for the future of New Zealand.

Labour is ambitious for New Zealand.  National is ambiguous.

We will promote our plans for innovation, upskilling, infrastructure development including broadband rollout and trade negotiations to drive the economy forward.

In the next few weeks I will be announcing significant new policies in critical areas such as health, education, and housing.

We will be promoting bold initiatives to lift the educational achievements of young New Zealanders.

We will be promoting our major sustainability initiatives, following the passage of the emissions trading legislation.

New Zealand is now a world leader in its action programme on climate change.  Labour will keep it that way.

We are committed to keeping up the fast pace of Treaty settlements, and to building a 21st century New Zealand inclusive of all ethnicities and faiths.

We will continue to prioritise the arts, culture and heritage sectors as they contribute so much to defining New Zealand’s unique identity of which we are so proud.

I lead a government which over nine years has brought about a remarkable transformation for the better in New Zealand’s economy and society and boosted the pride and confidence we New Zealanders have in our nation.

There are still big challenges ahead of our country.  Our government must lead New Zealand through a time of international economic turmoil, the challenges of an ageing population, and the need to keep improving health and education services and our infrastructure.

Labour has continually rolled out big and new policies to take New Zealand families and our country ahead.

In this last term we’ve

·        Rolled out cheaper doctors’ fees across New Zealand so that families no longer have to think twice about taking their children to the doctor.

·        Ensured that Working for Families helps 370,000 families with the costs of bringing up children and lifted more than 130,000 children out of poverty.

·        Introduced Twenty Hours free Early Childhood Education – saving many families more than $70 a week per child.

·        This year we are funding one teacher to every fifteen new entrant children in our classrooms to give small children the best possible start at school.

·        In tertiary education, interest free loans have been critical for our students.

·        For older New Zealanders, the lift in the rate of New Zealand Superannuation along with increased rates rebates and now a range of entitlements through the Gold Card have made life easier.

·        The introduction of KiwiSaver has given New Zealanders the chance to save for their first homes and for greater security in retirement.

·        The shared equity scheme joins Welcome Home Loans as a new initiative to help New Zealanders in to their first homes.

·        More than 2,500 police staff  have been added to the force over nine years, and still more are budgeted for.

·        We’ve massively increased investment in all aspects of our nation’s infrastructure schools, hospitals, road and rail and public transport, and broadband roll out.

·        We’ve been determined to keep our country clean and green and protect  our unique environment  The emissions trading scheme, the biofuels obligation, the renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives, put New Zealand in a leadership role on these issues.  It’s not in our country’s nature to be mere fast followers.

Our record on the economy is strong with New Zealand well positioned to come through the current international downturn.

Unemployment remains at low levels by Western world standards, workforce participation is high, and the Crown’s balance sheet is strong.

Labour has negotiated the biggest trade deal in New Zealand’s history the FTA with China and has worked hard to open markets for New Zealand exporters.

We’ve cemented in New Zealand’s reputation as a principled and constructive international player across the wide range of issues confronting the international community.

Our time in office has seen a renaissance of arts and culture and a surge of interest in our nation’s heritage, in no small part due to the importance we have placed on boosting these sectors.

We’ve worked hard at home to promote reconciliation through the Treaty settlement process, to work in partnership with Maori as Treaty partners, and to support the inclusion of all ethnicities, faiths, and cultures in our society.

While there have been recent terrible murders, including of serving police officers, the facts are that overall crime rates are at their  lowest levels in a couple of decades, and that serious offenders are serving longer jail sentences under Labour

Overall, Labour takes pride in what it has achieved with and for New Zealanders.

We’ve shown that we will take the hard decisions and that we will stand up for New Zealand’s interests at all times.

I will be asking New Zealanders to cast a positive vote for a future they can trust.

Nothing is more important.  A lot is at stake for New Zealand families.  The policies our families, young and old, have come to rely on are seriously at risk.

National has attacked every major Labour policy aimed at making life better for New Zealanders.

They attacked Working for Families, interest free student loans, 20 Hours Free early childhood education, cheaper doctors fees, KiwiSaver, the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, and our affordable housing initiatives. Any professed conversion on these policies lacks sincerity. National can’t be trusted.

They attacked our government’s buy back of Kiwi Rail and the Air New Zealand shares.

They’ve attacked us on climate change policy.

They attacked us for staying out of the Iraq War.

Their record shows that they stand for a radically different and backward looking New Zealand, and not for a 21st century future for our people.

Worse, their now not so secret agenda includes

·        Selling Kiwibank and other state assets

·        Borrowing recklessly for tax cuts.

·        Privatising ACC

·        Imposing expensive tolls on our roading system

Add to that National’s stated policy of

·        Pouring more investment into private schools rather than public and integrated schools

·        Weakening workers’ rights

·        Undermining cheaper doctors’ fees

·        Scrapping much of Labour’s new tax incentive for business R & D and all of the major investment we are making in the future of our major pastoral and food export sector.

It’s clear that National and its leader cannot be trusted with the future of New Zealand.

New Zealanders have everything to lose from electing a party which won’t tell the truth about its policies and wants to put the clock back.

I look forward to fighting this election campaign.

The future of New Zealand is at stake.

Labour has shown through its record in office that we can be trusted with the future of New Zealand.

National’s evasiveness, flip flops, and secret agendas show that it can’t be trusted.

I have advised the Administrator of the Government today that the date for the dissolution of Parliament will be 3 October.

Writ day will follow on 8th October and nomination day will be on   14th October.

The general election will be held on 8th November.

 

75 comments on “Election date to be announced ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Inventory2 1
    12 September 2008 at 12:02 pm

    For once I’d have to agree Tane – but I’d prefer 18 October because Mrs Inv and I are on holiday for a week shortly after that!

  2. Tane 2
    12 September 2008 at 12:03 pm

    Yeah, I think Nov 8 is the worst kept secret in politics – apart from National’s draft policies, that is 🙂

    Could be wrong though, you never know.

  3. r0b 3
    12 September 2008 at 12:05 pm

    Good. Let’s do it.

  4. vidiot 4
    12 September 2008 at 12:05 pm

    No she’s going to announce Nationals Policy on….

    … am sure she can find something else to crow about. Not like she will be in the roost for much longer.

  5. Vanilla Eis 5
    12 September 2008 at 12:06 pm

    I’m looking forward to it. Election party at my place! (Err, not that any of you know where that is. But I won’t let that stop me – I’m sure you’ve all got your own fun organised!)

  6. gobsmacked 6
    12 September 2008 at 12:06 pm

    OMG SHE”S ANNOUNCINNNGG HER RESIGATION YESSSHHH!!!!!11111oneoneone

    (brought to you by Kiwiblog)

  7. toby 7
    12 September 2008 at 12:08 pm

    It seems what the press conference is about is the worst kept secret, since you’re confirming it’s about the election when Clark has stayed silent on that.

    [lprent: Do some date maths. ]

  8. Tane 8
    12 September 2008 at 12:10 pm

    It says it’s ‘expected’. I’ll update the post, but usually if the media say something’s expected to be announced they have a fair idea.

    I guess we’ll find out in ten minutes.

  9. Tim Ellis 9
    12 September 2008 at 12:15 pm

    I wouldn’t be surprised if it were October 18, your opponent just five weeks to spend their money. I suppose this is the folly of making predictions that can be proven wrong so quickly.

  10. gobsmacked 10
    12 September 2008 at 12:17 pm

    Perhaps she’ll just stagger out into the corridor and mumble … “It doesn’t give my opponents much time either” (hic).

    A bit early in the day for that though.

  11. burt 11
    12 September 2008 at 12:21 pm

    My guess – She is promoting Winston ….

  12. Tim Ellis 12
    12 September 2008 at 12:33 pm

    I think it’s interesting she’s talking about trust… that will just set her up for a fall, given the events of the last few weeks.

  13. monkey-boy 13
    12 September 2008 at 12:42 pm

    ‘New Zealand has everything to lose by electing a Party which won’t tell the truth about its policies…’

    Hear hear.

  14. Matthew Pilott 14
    12 September 2008 at 12:43 pm

    Yep. 8th.

  15. barnsleybill 15
    12 September 2008 at 12:45 pm

    Winston wins again. Privileges committee now disbanded and look for his other problems to be magically solved if labour manage to scrape back in.
    And so it continues…
    Nice she has declared it an election about trust, nobody can accuse her of failing in the blind confidence stakes.

  16. gobsmacked 16
    12 September 2008 at 12:48 pm

    Privileges committee now disbanded

    Wrong.

  17. toad 17
    12 September 2008 at 12:49 pm

    No barnsleybill – Parliament, and therefore the Privileges Committee, will not be dissolved until October 3rd.

  18. bill brown 18
    12 September 2008 at 12:50 pm

    Who asked the question about the Standard and what was it? couldn’t hear on natrad

  19. Byron 19
    12 September 2008 at 12:51 pm

    Did Clark say something about ‘The Standard’ after being questioned by a reporter?

    Captcha: count investigation (funny when they’re relevant)

  20. BeShakey 20
    12 September 2008 at 12:51 pm

    I did like her “Labour is ambitious for New Zealand. National is ambiguous.” Kudos to whoever thought that up.

  21. Tane 21
    12 September 2008 at 12:55 pm

    Not sure, I was watching on TV and the bastards cut it out as the questions started.

  22. Brett Dale 22
    12 September 2008 at 12:58 pm

    Sky news Australia had all the questions, they asked about the standard!

  23. Tane 23
    12 September 2008 at 1:02 pm

    Ha! Just talked to a mate of mine. Apparently some plonker in the gallery asked whether The Standard knew about the election date. Classic.

  24. Matthew Pilott 24
    12 September 2008 at 1:03 pm

    That might explain why the site has gotten a little slow just now…

    [lprent: Yep – certainly started spiking the CPU]

  25. Matthew Pilott 25
    12 September 2008 at 1:07 pm

    Tane – does said plonker now owe you $20?

  26. Robinsod 26
    12 September 2008 at 1:07 pm

    I. Am. Helen. Clarke!

  27. Ha 27
    12 September 2008 at 1:09 pm

    An election based on trust?

    Shit thats rich

  28. Julie 28
    12 September 2008 at 1:10 pm

    I was really disappointed in the journo questions actually – the first one was fine (Brent Edwards from Nat Rad maybe? sounded like him) but the second and third were both beltway questions (the possible impact of the US election and did the Standard know respectively). Nice for you guys to get such a mention, but I wonder how much most voters care about those issues? And I hope it doesn’t set the tone for an election campaign where the media is covering the stuff most people don’t care about and ignoring what really matters.

  29. Felix 29
    12 September 2008 at 1:12 pm

    First I saw of the “Ambiguous for NZ” line was from Ari in 08wire’s NACT Slogan Competition

  30. Tara 30
    12 September 2008 at 1:16 pm

    Great speech. Who wrote it ? Churchillian.

  31. leftrightout 31
    12 September 2008 at 1:30 pm

    A speech with conviction and sincerity. Everything you would expect from Helen Clark.

  32. Daveski 32
    12 September 2008 at 1:30 pm

    About time too.

    Mind you the journo’s could have asked SP – he was pretty confident yesterday although it would seem obvious that the 8th was the only real option.

    Like Julie, I hope the real issues can be discussed now and Labour will start releasing some policy of their own for a pleasant change 😉

  33. burt 33
    12 September 2008 at 1:30 pm

    Ladies and gentlemen of the standard, we have a problem.

    The PM has said that Labour are ambitious. This is a problem becuase much of the denigration of John Key has been about his use of the word “ambitious”. He was a fool when he was “ambitious” for NZ….

    What now fellow spin Dr’s and apologists – how do we dig our way out of this denigration hole ?

  34. Brett Dale 34
    12 September 2008 at 1:36 pm

    A speech with conviction and sincerity????? Are you sure you weren’t watching Obama on the other channel??

    Her speech was the same old hateful, fear mongering that she does to her base, the usual, “Aunty Helen will look after you”

    We don’t need a Prime Minister who is like this, oh well I hope she is enjoying her last seven weeks in office.

  35. higherstandard 35
    12 September 2008 at 1:41 pm

    Why’s AYB’s post with the PMs speech and my comment disappeared ?

    [lprent: beats me – I can’t see it anywhere. Probably a post that was being written and escaped in published state ?]

    [Tane: Double up from my post, which he hadn’t seen. Was easier than having two comments threads.]

  36. randal 36
    12 September 2008 at 1:44 pm

    I see from the responses to this piece of information that the rancid right somehow think their views should be taken into consideration every time the Government makes a decision. well all I can say is watch your blood pressure and inv2 take your holiday on novemeber 9 cause you will need it after national gets their bums spanked!

  37. Matthew Pilott 37
    12 September 2008 at 1:49 pm

    Well Burt, we look at what Key meant when he said he was ambitious. Key preaching to the (right) choir:

    Do we like NZ? NO!!

    Can we trust our doctors and nurses? Hell no!

    Do we have faith in the police? hell no SIR!

    Do we respect our youth? HELL NO!

    Do we want to keep state assets? NO!

    Do we want to be ‘missing in action again’? NO!

    Can we build trains in the Hutt? Hell No!

    Are you ambitious for New Zealand? HELL N.. Ah is that meant to be a yes?

    Brett – you must have a lot of anger to see the speech in that light. I’m not going to argue with you, I’m sure you’ll always hear what you want to hear. Good luck with that. Hope it doesn’t make you even more bitter!

  38. leftrightout 38
    12 September 2008 at 1:49 pm

    Brett I hope you are enjoying your last 7 weeks in New Zealand before you leave for Australia with the rest of the National voters.

  39. Felix 39
    12 September 2008 at 1:51 pm

    burt,

    Let me spell it out slooowwwlllyyyyy just for you:

    John Key gets the piss taken out of him not for being ambitious, but for saying he’s ambitious when any fool can see his “policies” are anything but.

    Was that so hard for your delicate little mind?

  40. Matthew Pilott 40
    12 September 2008 at 1:51 pm

    HS – I think it may have been taken down since it was essentially a duplication of this post (I saw it too, and thought that).

  41. burt 41
    12 September 2008 at 1:58 pm

    Felix

    Drop the “Was that so hard for your delicate little mind?” and your post has some opinion value. As it stands it’s just flapping because dear leader has stolen another National line and tried to make it her own.

  42. Brett Dale 42
    12 September 2008 at 2:05 pm

    Nah, Im not leaving for Australia, who needs to with a national government, the Australian bookmakers though have National as firm favorites to win the election. Labour’s only help is to try and keep the margin of their defeat down.

    Thats the way I saw her speech, reminded me of one of Bush’s speech, where he try’s to paint the democrats as the bad guy. The polices of fear wont work this time.

    We will finally have some dignity back in the head office of our country.

  43. r0b 43
    12 September 2008 at 2:17 pm

    I wouldn’t be surprised if it were October 18 … I suppose this is the folly of making predictions that can be proven wrong so quickly.

    Yup Tim, wrong, but you’re in “good” company, Key was picking Oct 18 too.

    I think it’s interesting she’s talking about trust that will just set her up for a fall, given the events of the last few weeks.

    No Tim you’re wrong about that too (here and in previous threads). I’m very glad to see trust at the centre of this election. National are all over the place on policy, internal discipline, and their secrete agenda. Can’t trust them on anything.

    Now let’s get on with it.

  44. r0b 44
    12 September 2008 at 2:18 pm

    “secrete agenda” was a typo, but the more I think about it, the more appropriate it seems!

  45. Daveski 45
    12 September 2008 at 2:21 pm

    It is an election between a government which takes principled positions and an opposition which says what it thinks the audience in front of it wants to hear.

    Surely the speech must have be written before the Privileges Committee circus – Labour’s “principles” have been exposed as being as self-serving as the other politicians. Given the circumstances, what a dumb statement to make.

  46. Ben R 46
    12 September 2008 at 2:26 pm

    Matt Pilot,

    “Do we respect our youth? HELL NO!”

    Please explain.

  47. Santi 47
    12 September 2008 at 2:27 pm

    What a joy to be able to contribute with a vote against this pack of unprincipled socialist liars!

  48. Hoolian 48
    12 September 2008 at 2:28 pm

    Let the games begin…

  49. r0b 49
    12 September 2008 at 2:30 pm

    Daveski, it has to be about trust. Labour have earned it over nine productive years in office. National can’t even keep their story straight for 2 days in a row sometimes.

    “This election is about trust” was Helen’s opening statement. That’s no mistake, that’s a head on challenge to Mr Ambiguous.

  50. vidiot 50
    12 September 2008 at 2:39 pm

    Just a quick recap about our great Government, now the Election date has been announced.

    1 – Last Election Labour stole $800,000 from taxpayers for advertising. They then passed a law that made it legal when re-elected.

    2 – They refuse to have a referendum of MMP, even though it was promised.

    3 – They refuse to let the “smacking’ referendum happen during this election. Labour knows best.

    4 – Raised Taxes 9 years ago and refused to give a tax cut until they were behind in the polls.

    5 – Abolished the Privy council. We now have a high court. If it wasn’t for the Privy council, David Bain would still be rotting in jail – he was lucky that he was convicted before the Privy Council was abolished. Hope ya never get charged with a crime under Labour!

    6 – Working for Families. Instead of giving everyone a tax cut, they reduced hard working people to beneficiaries who have to go to income support for a top up.

    7 – Won’t fire the guilty as fuck Winston peters cause they need him to stay in government.

    8 – Just passed the Emissions trading scheme. We are the only country in the world stupid enough to have this. It will cost every family approx 3 grand a year. Food, petrol will be more expensive. Good luck if you have 3 kids. $60 a week!

    9 – The Electoral Finance Act. Freedom of Speech is now illegal. Put a banner up on your lawn that says “don’t vote labour’ and be arrested. This Act was condemned by the Leftist U.N!

    10 – Fireworks! They want to ban fireworks for all of us!!! oh i almost forgot, it will be legal if you’re Chinese or Indian and celebrating new year.

    The sad fact is we could go an all day.

    This is not the Labour Party our grandparents voted for. This is a far left, socialist, lesbian government that doesnt care about people.

    [deleted] IF YOU HATE YOUR COUNTRY!

    [lprent: You may hate your country, but you don’t put explicit campaign advertising on here.
    Read the Policy before I have to ban you as a (v)idiot troll.
    I’ll let others deal with your lack of knowledge evident in the comment. However I’d point out that you are now on my watch list as probable troll. I’d suggest that you lift your Standard fast.]

  51. forgetaboutthelastone 51
    12 September 2008 at 2:39 pm

    Righties – could you please provide us with some reasons why voters should trust JK?

  52. John BT 52
    12 September 2008 at 2:45 pm

    Labour campaigning on “trust” will make a great Tui billboard.

  53. vidiot 53
    12 September 2008 at 2:47 pm

    “Nine productive years”? Surely you jest, sir? Or did you forget about the ‘chewing gum’ tax cuts that Cullen promised and reneged on at the last election?

    [lprent: At least he reads comments. Less like a troll. I’ll pop him into moderation and see if he reads my previous notes. ]

  54. Vanilla Eis 54
    12 September 2008 at 2:47 pm

    good lord. Vidiot is certainly living up to his name.

    But just one sticking point that I absolutely cannot pass up:

    #2. A referendum was never promised. People just think one was. A review was promised, and was duly carried out by the appropriate Select Committee. I bet you didn’t get off your ass to go and submit, so don’t give me any shit about how you never had your say.

    I know why people on the left stay home on voting day – so they can avoid rabid dipshits like yourself with no concept of reality.

  55. r0b 55
    12 September 2008 at 2:48 pm

    This is not the Labour Party our grandparents voted for. This is a far left, socialist, lesbian government that doesnt care about people.

    Vidiot’s other observations are just as intelligent and rational as this one.

  56. Spider_Pig 56
    12 September 2008 at 3:02 pm

    forgetaboutthelastone, some reasons to trust JK?

    1. When he says he’ll give us a tax cut, he will.
    2. If he says something like banning smacking would defy human nature, he wouldn’t then ban smacking.
    3. When he says he’ll increase health and education spending, he will – but unlike Cullen, will actually increase frontline spending rather than loading the system with more bureaucrats.
    4. When he says he doesn’t have a secret agenda, he’ll actually mean it. Hulun on the other hand: anti-smacking, prostitution reform, civil unions, privy council – all issues not campaigned on or backed by electorate.

  57. Paul Robeson 57
    12 September 2008 at 3:08 pm

    Gosh

    what a great prime minister she is

  58. Daveski 58
    12 September 2008 at 3:10 pm

    r0b – An interesting point and certainly even the most avid rightie would acknowledge that HC in particular has run a steady ship, albeit in pretty calm waters.

    The Nats haven’t helped themselves – some of their efforts have been shambolic and amateurish and reek of 9 years in opposition. On the other hand, it may be that they muff their lines through the rehearsals but get it right on opening night.

    Labour hasn’t had to go through that yet. Moreover, I suspect that the Peters circus will cost Labour to at least a small degree in the areas of trust, integrity etc. Ironically, as I’ve posted elesewhere, any collapse in vote for NZF could help Labour.

    At least we can move on to more substantive debates now.

  59. barnsleybill 59
    12 September 2008 at 3:10 pm

    I agree with one thing Clark said today.
    This election should be about trust.
    The Spencer trust. A vote for labour is a vote for Winston peters.

  60. vidiot 60
    12 September 2008 at 3:13 pm

    Ok, so ignoring my previous rhetoric, a serious question. When will Labour release some actual policies ? All we have seen so far is attempted character assassinations, inane smears and churlish acts (the JK Google Bomb).

    If this Election is going to be on ‘Trust’, when will Labour actually put up something to ‘stand behind’.

    There is, ‘as of yet’, no positive message coming from the Labour website, it’s all about dragging everyone else down, not about delivering on promises.

    [lprent: You’re banned for two weeks. I run this site – Labour does not. I can’t do much about the misinformation outside the site, but I can inside the site. Read the About and the Policy. Bugger I’m feeling generous today…]

  61. Vanilla Eis 61
    12 September 2008 at 3:17 pm

    Spider_Pig: got any precedent to back up those statements?

    I’m looking forward to Mr. Key making good on his previous promises – smaller bureaucracy, $50 tax cuts for everyone and lightning-fast porn downloads for frustrated citizens everywhere!

    I’ll believe it when I see it.

  62. Killinginthenameof 62
    12 September 2008 at 3:18 pm

    3 – They refuse to let the “smacking’ referendum happen during this election. Labour knows best.

    That would be the law John Key voted for? They are just following the advice from the departments, they are the expert on it, what happened last time there was a referendum held at the same time as the election?

    7 – Won’t fire the guilty as fuck Winston peters cause they need him to stay in government.

    Your supporting firing him before the investigation is finished, obviously you know best?

    8 – Just passed the Emissions trading scheme. We are the only country in the world stupid enough to have this. It will cost every family approx 3 grand a year. Food, petrol will be more expensive. Good luck if you have 3 kids. $60 a week!

    Yes dear, I’m sure it will, pity you have no credibility.

    9 – The Electoral Finance Act. Freedom of Speech is now illegal. Put a banner up on your lawn that says “don’t vote labour’ and be arrested. This Act was condemned by the Leftist U.N!

    Your a sucker for your own propaganda, get some perspective.

    Spider_pig: I’m pretty sure hes going to cure cancer and create world peace while hes at it too.

  63. Matthew Pilott 63
    12 September 2008 at 3:25 pm

    Ben R, they’re all taggers, all getting into trouble, and need boot camps.

    Well that’s what a National Billboard told me, I didn’t think it was true.

    Spider_Pig

    1 – so when he says he’ll abolish the families commision, he will but he won’t but he’ll merge it, but maybe, then you *know* what’s going to happen? Your blind faith is touching.

    2 – Neither did Helen. Another person lapping up the lines they’re fed.

    3 – With magical money from fairyland, as best I can tell.

    4 – That’s not what his ‘mates’ say about that ‘nice Mr Key’ at cocktail parties. Do some reading – find out what a private member’s bill is, for a start. Follow up with Labour’s Manifesto, which did make some mention of the Privy Council, even if you missed it.

    Vidiot

    1 – National and most other parties did the same. Unless you think it’s ok to ‘steal’ small amounts of money, you’ll be voting Dunne.

    2 – No such referendum promised. How is your petition towards that going? You…you haven’t started one? Maybe you don’t care as much about it as you pretend…

    3 – Maybe you should look at what happened to previous elections that included refrenda questions. You want the 3rd term to last until 2009, be my guest.

    4 – Voted in on raising taxes. Lowering taxes as economic growth slows. Read a book on Keynesian Economics.

    5 – That’s what the public voted for.

    6 – Getting your own tax back is a benefit? Hell, National must want us all to be beneficiaries.

    7 – Ironic – you’re complaining about the courts two points prior.

    8 – Have you heard of Europe? Want to be able to sell goods there? Wonder if they care about climate change, even if you don’t?

    9 – What are you doing speaking here then? Starting to transcend into the realms of accidental self-satire.

    10 – Oh? I remember Key saying he ‘thought they were going to be banned’. Is the man a spectator, or the leader of the opposition? What a joke.

  64. burt 64
    12 September 2008 at 3:33 pm

    I hear that Labour and New Zealand First are to merge. The new party will be aptly named;

    Labour First.

  65. Kinoy001 65
    12 September 2008 at 3:36 pm

    Nice press conference Helen… Loved the bagging of the nats…

    Am excited about the election campaign that will see the left lead this country once again.

    Can i ask does anyone know what the polls this weekend are going to show? Espiner on TV1 last nite haf a smirk on his face explaing about there poll on sunday night and the impact the peters saga has had on labour?

    would like to hear your thoughts and insights…

    Thanks

  66. Ben R 66
    12 September 2008 at 3:56 pm

    “Ben R, they’re all taggers, all getting into trouble, and need boot camps.

    Well that’s what a National Billboard told me, I didn’t think it was true.”

    I thought the billboard said getting them into training not into trouble. I don’t think highlighting issues like tagging equates to demonising youth or not respecting them. Do you think anti-violence campaigns demonise men, or suggest they’re all abusers? I don’t think you’re being very fair on this point.

  67. forgetaboutthelastone 67
    12 September 2008 at 3:58 pm

    Spider_Pig:

    Those are all statements of blind faith: Because so-and-so said such-and-such, such-and-such will happen… You need to give reasons why we should believe so-and-so about such-and-such.

    Maybe it will help to define trustworthiness… From wikipedia:

    “A person can prove his trustworthiness by fulfilling an assigned responsibility – and as an extension of that, to not let down our expectations. The responsibility can be either material, such as delivering a mail package on time, or it can be a non-material such as keeping an important secret to himself. A trustworthy person is someone that we can put our worries and secrets into and know they wont come out. In order for one to trust another, their worth and integrity must be constantly proven over time.”

    In what way has JK constantly proven his worth and integrity over time?

  68. r0b 68
    12 September 2008 at 4:02 pm

    would like to hear your thoughts and insights

    Hi Kinoy001. I don’t have any insights on what this particular poll will show. But in general single polls are not very useful, you need to look at trends over time. See a good discussion here: http://08wire.org/category/pollwatch/

  69. Matthew Pilott 69
    12 September 2008 at 4:05 pm

    Ben R – you’re right, it was a bit of a cheap shot. If anything, though, it illustrates Brett Dale’s ‘campaigning on fear’ theme though – that plus the boot camps, just what I would describe as typical right-wing fear mongering. There’s some truth to it of course, best to judge by the respective solutions the parties have though.

  70. Ben R 70
    12 September 2008 at 4:25 pm

    “best to judge by the respective solutions the parties have though.”

    Indeed.

  71. Scribe 71
    12 September 2008 at 6:13 pm

    KITNO,

    They are just following the advice from the departments, they are the expert on it

    Yep, the same department that says the EFA has had a “chilling effect” on public participation in the democratic process.

  72. Swampy 72
    12 September 2008 at 10:07 pm

    And thereby Clark neatly sidesteps the Winston Peters issue, avoiding what many commentators had predicted, the need to cut him loose to avoid further damage to Labour’s reputation.

  73. r0b 73
    12 September 2008 at 10:40 pm

    Hey Swampy, notice how she got the ETS through too? Damn she’s good. I look forward to the fourth term!

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