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Key involved in Radio Live show

Mike Smith — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:56:02 +0000

Watch Grant Robertson's question to Key today Robertson to Key on Radio Live Key didn't know his office was deeply involved in the show that breached the Broadcasting Act? Even though he personally chose the guests? It was a matter solely between the Electoral Commission and the broadcaster? Judge for yourself.

Electoral Commission, Radio Live, Key and the BSA

Mike Smith — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:40:01 +0000

Radio Live and the Prime Minister pushed the boat out in the PM's hour programme. Radio Live sought Electoral Commission's advice two days before broadcast, though they had been planning it for months. When Key's office got the Commission's warning to be careful, an internal memo said "the Electoral Commission have been pretty clear about putting the responsibility on the broadcaster, which is useful". The Electoral Commission has now sunk Radio Live's argument that it was ok if it didn't discuss politics.

Open mike 09/02/2012

The Standard — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:00:20 +0000

Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Step right up to the mike…

Epsom government – unstable and unequal

Mike Smith — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:17:30 +0000

I've just watched John Key say on Sky Australia "We don't need the Maori Party - we have the votes for stable government." But without the Maori Party, all we've got is an Epsom government. It hangs by a thread on the teacup meeting between Parnell resident Key and Epsom candidate Banks. Key's dogwhistle to Epsom voters is all that guarantees National's "mandate" for asset sales.

Outage

lprent — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:56:54 +0000

There was some maintenance done on the main NZ server last night. All looked ok when I went to sleep at about 6am, but appears to have started having problems from about 8:30 onwards with intermittently waiting on some network resource. Problem looks external to my server and the server’s support staff are chasing it ...

National breaks law on donations

Mike Smith — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:07:59 +0000

Donations over $30,000 from the same source must be declared to the Electoral Commission within 10 working days. National overstepped the mark in declaring a total donation of $86,005 from Gallagher Industries outside the limit. These days the Electoral Commission doesn't get involved - the penalty is a fine of up to $40,000 on summary conviction.

Is it just me…

IrishBill — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:49:06 +0000

...or is National's "Ethnic Team" so tokinist it's kinda racist in it's own right?

I mean it's not like there's a facebook group for National's Old White Men Team.

Oh wait, there is.

ImperatorFish: Red Alert: The Best Is Yet To David Farrar

The Standard — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:34:52 +0000

Scott at Imperator Fish has kindly given us permission to syndicate posts from his blog – the original of this post is here

Scott's take on Red Alert's cult of David Farrar.

Cheques and Balances

Mike Smith — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:24:03 +0000

Is the title of the independent High Pay Commission's report set up to look at "the reasons for the gap between high and low pay in the UK and why this matters." It is very good and well worth a read. Christchurch City Council CEO's Tony Marryatt, whose pay late last year rocketed up by $68,000 to $585,000 on a 7-5 split vote, should take note. So should Mayor Bob Parker and the other 6 - the protest goes on.

Home advice better for Shearer

Mike Smith — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:58:54 +0000

Here we go - the DomPost offers advice to Shearer on welfare policy, based on a Guardian article by Liam Byrne, British Labour welfare spokesperson. Trevor Mallard, our America's Cup spokesperson, quotes him on Red Alert as "slaying some sacred cows." Beveridge and Savage are used in ways they never envisaged. Savage at least had it right - jobs are the priority, not beneficiary-bashing.

2012, more of the same?

Eddie — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:01:03 +0000

After blissful isolation in the bush, it's a shock to come back and read of more earthquakes, the government bullying the media, port workers having to strike to get an inflation-rate pay raise, more road deaths, and today's balloon tragedy in Carterton. Not to mention government massacre in Kazakhstan and rising violence in Syria. Looks like 2012's going to be another tough one.

Happy New Year!

The Standard — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 11:01:40 +0000

To everyone in the Standard community - Happy New Year!

We hope 2012 finds you all safe and well and ready for another year of arguing about politics ;)

Congratulations Ralph

The Standard — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:21:32 +0000

Ralph Hotere has been made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Given his contribution to art and to the political discourse this is well deserved.

Congratulations Ralph, from all of us here at the Standard.

Self inflicted injury

lprent — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:29:53 +0000

FFS: If you are going to confess your foibles to Facebook, then don't let a low-grade sociopath have access to your dribblings. Not only is it going to be embarrassing to you after you sober up. But you are going to find that every other border line nutter has liked it all over the net. A few simple rules when you are sober will prevent the problem.

Will Collins walk the talk?

The Standard — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:18:52 +0000

Radio New Zealand reports that Peter Ellis has a petition to the Minister of Justice seeking a pardon. The current Minister of Justice, Judith Collins, signed another petition seeking an inquiry into his case in 2005. The question is will Collins now walk the talk?