Archive for August, 2008

Once too often

Written By: - Date published: 2:03 pm, August 9th, 2008 - 17 comments

Last week Colin James wrote that behind National’s one-page wonder policies there was actually a substantive body of work. The publicly-released work rights policy (“workplace policy”, as the Tories call it) was only half a dozen bullet points long but James assured us there was a 34 page document backing it. OK, he hadn’t been […]

Point of debate

Written By: - Date published: 5:50 am, August 9th, 2008 - 52 comments

If most people knew as much as politics, economics, and how this country is run as they do about sport, the result would be a better country to live in. A better-informed citizenry would lead to, would demand, better government. Your thoughts?

Desperate Nats reduced to bounties and bribery

Written By: - Date published: 3:48 pm, August 8th, 2008 - 123 comments

When there’s a strike on, it’s common practice for bosses to offer individual workers a bonus payment to scab on their comrades and return to work. Most workers spit on such offers, they know the best outcome in the long-term comes when they stand strong; they refuse to scab because it’s in their best interests […]

On botox and pet grooming

Written By: - Date published: 3:38 pm, August 8th, 2008 - 41 comments

Pansy Wong’s supposed outrage over ACC “shelling out $750,000 for staff to indulge in day spas, manicures, and botox” has nothing to do with the organisation’s health and wellness programmes and everything to do with National’s attempts to prepare the scheme for privatisation. First off, her attack is utterly dishonest. ACC, like many large employers […]

When you smile….

Written By: - Date published: 2:30 pm, August 8th, 2008 - 8 comments

Hitting the email circuit is a video on the leaks within the National party over the Hollow Men.

The Standard Week: August 1-8

Written By: - Date published: 11:45 am, August 8th, 2008 - 23 comments

What a week. National has been in meltdown over the secret recordings. Bill English’s incredible initial reaction seemed like the launch of a coup – he repeatedly refused to voice confidence in Key and his basic understanding of working for families. But something obviously happened on Tuesday morning, perhaps the numbers were run and English […]

Key-nesian economics

Written By: - Date published: 10:46 am, August 8th, 2008 - 23 comments

I’m really starting to wonder why it’s the worst academics who seem to get the most media, Maybe it’s because the good ones don’t make extreme statements. Today, we have Keith Rankin from Unitec arguing that, as we are in recession, we should be increasing borrowing to inject cash and growth into the economy, as […]

Quote of the week

Written By: - Date published: 9:29 am, August 8th, 2008 - 14 comments

Maybe we should take submissions in the comments but my vote’s with Michael Cullen’s assertion from the House yesterday that the leaked tapes represent: an unorchestrated litany of truth. Classic.

It’s about principle

Written By: - Date published: 9:09 am, August 8th, 2008 - 54 comments

The clamour for ‘policy’ from National is actually a slight misnomer. What Kiwis want to know is the principles that National stands for as much as specific policies. We know what the Greens stand for, we know what the Maori Party stands for, we know what Labour, NZF, UnitedFuture, and ACT stand for. But we […]

Cui bono?

Written By: - Date published: 6:22 am, August 8th, 2008 - 63 comments

So, who stands to gain from National borrowing $5 billion if it becomes the Government? Ultimately, the people who lend the money are ones who walk away with the profit and in a time of international uncertainty in the financial markets and collapsing finance companies at home, speculators are looking for a safe, profitable harbour […]

Academic, youse are paid too much

Written By: - Date published: 3:30 pm, August 7th, 2008 - 42 comments

Professor John Gibson from Waikato University says public servants should be paid less because they get paid more than their private sector equivalents and they enjoy their work. First, I would be highly suspicious the methodology of any study that claims to compare like with like between the public and private sector. How many police […]

Gordon Campbell on the ethics of taping politicians

Written By: - Date published: 2:07 pm, August 7th, 2008 - 48 comments

You’d be hard pressed to have missed the story on what some National MPs have been caught saying behind closed doors. We’ve seen discussions over the content, questions on the law. Now Gordon Campbell asks: …is it more unethical for a delegate to tape someone speaking candidly or a for a political party to dedicate its campaign efforts to […]

Unemployment to 3.9%

Written By: - Date published: 1:20 pm, August 7th, 2008 - 15 comments

Unemployment rose again last quarter but remains under 4%. It has now been under 4% for 16 of the last 17 quarters. Interestingly, the number of employed people also increased last quarter but more people came into the workforce who were previously not looking for work. So, workforce participation grew faster than employment grew, meaning […]

Break-in

Written By: - Date published: 1:03 pm, August 7th, 2008 - 18 comments

This just in from Radio NZ: Police are investigating a break-in at the electorate office of a senior Labour MP, David Cunliffe, in Auckland. Nothing was taken in the burglary but Mr Cunliffe’s computer was apparently tampered with. Mr Cunliffe’s office has confirmed a complaint has been made to the police about the incident. Meanwhile, […]

English calls for own resignation

Written By: - Date published: 12:05 pm, August 7th, 2008 - 29 comments

A reader has alerted us to this article from the NZ Herald where Bill English explains why he should resign or be sacked over his recorded statements at the National Party conference. Have a read for yourself – the analogy with the events of the last few days is perfect: National Party deputy leader Bill […]

Honeymoon. Over.

Written By: - Date published: 11:38 am, August 7th, 2008 - 48 comments

Here’s Close Up from last and Mike Hosking giving John Key an absolute bollocking. Key tries to run Crosby Textor’s new lines: “dirty tricks campaign” and “entrapment”. Hosking doesn’t give him an inch. Definitely worth a watch – if you’re in a hurry fast forward to about the 2:50 mark… UPDATE: commenters have asked for […]

Nats, have some pride in what you believe

Written By: - Date published: 10:58 am, August 7th, 2008 - 25 comments

So, now we know that three National frontbenchers were recorded talking about a secret agenda at the cocktail do last Friday. Think about what this means: it is inconceivable that all three were somehow ‘tricked’ into talking about a secret agenda, inconceivable that all three used such “loose language” that they accidentally contradicted their party’s […]

The National Party Old Boys’ Club

Written By: - Date published: 10:45 am, August 7th, 2008 - 17 comments

Tane’s made the point before but it’s worth making again: National may have a new frontman but at its core is largely unchanged – and since being ousted nearly a decade ago, members of the National Party Old Boys’ Club have been plotting their return to power. Political reporter Dene Mackenzie notes today in the […]

Rubbish

Written By: - Date published: 10:20 am, August 7th, 2008 - 26 comments

John Key’s claims that Labour has been digging through the rubbish outside his Helensville electorate office have been dismissed by Michael Cullen this morning as paranoia. However, CCTV footage revealed exclusively to The Standard suggests Mr Key might just be onto something. Remember John, it’s not paranoia if they’re really out to get you. [Seriously […]

Hide on Nats’ woes

Written By: - Date published: 4:00 pm, August 6th, 2008 - 45 comments

“the best solution is to say in private what you say in public” * Simple, really.

Collins beats up on the sick, again

Written By: - Date published: 2:59 pm, August 6th, 2008 - 15 comments

The dreadful Judith Collins is once again peddling lies about sickness beneficiaries to try and soften the ground for National to throw our most sick and vulnerable citizens back into work if they ever regain power. In a press release this afternoon, Collins screams: “the latest figures showing that the number of people on the […]

TV3 on the leaks from National’s conference

Written By: - Date published: 2:06 pm, August 6th, 2008 - 4 comments

Here’s the recent coverage from TV3 and political reporter Duncan Garner. On Bill English’s comments regarding the sale of Kiwibank (aired August 4, 2008): On Lockwood Smith’s hints at a secret agenda (aired August 5, 2008): [Apologies for errors in the previous videos, have re-uploaded fresh copies, AYB]

Judy Kirk – “It was a young Nat”

Written By: - Date published: 1:36 pm, August 6th, 2008 - 94 comments

Sources tell us that National’s President was overheard yesterday to remark “We think it was one of our Young Nats” regarding the National Party Conference revelations. Not only that: ‘We think there is more to come.” Sounds like rats in the Nats.

Mallard to speak at Drinking Liberally, Wellington

Written By: - Date published: 1:30 pm, August 6th, 2008 - 2 comments

After a mysterious three week absence, Drinking Liberally Wellington is back tomorrow evening. Here’s the email: We’re only half way through a week overflowing with political news so there should be plenty to discuss over a beer tomorrow at the Southern Cross 😉 Come join us to hear Trevor Mallard speak and stick around for […]

Fallout

Written By: - Date published: 12:30 pm, August 6th, 2008 - 47 comments

National’s attempt to contain the meltdown from Bill English’s secret agenda comments at the National conference and on TV1 collapsed when it emerged Lockwood Smith was also talking about a secret agenda at the conference. Now, the fallout is raining down on them. So, National has moved to stage four of the Crosby/Textor technique for […]

Déjà vu

Written By: - Date published: 10:58 am, August 6th, 2008 - 6 comments

If you didn’t already have enough doubts about whether to trust John Key, Bill English and Lockwood Smith by virtue of the recent revelations here’s another one to ponder. A promise to resign over future policy isn’t new territory for the Nats. Neither is failing to keep it (click image for larger version).

The stolen emails defence

Written By: - Date published: 10:06 am, August 6th, 2008 - 31 comments

So National has finally reverted to the ‘stolen emails’ defence to combat the damaging recordings from the weekend’s party conference. I’m only surprised it’s taken them this long – the misdirection tactic is classic Crosby Textor and it’s served the Nats well in the past. My guess is that National was hoping Bill’s humiliating charade […]

Wolf at the door of National’s ‘house of sticks’

Written By: - Date published: 10:05 am, August 6th, 2008 - 2 comments

08wire on Nats’ Kiwibank secret agenda

Written By: - Date published: 9:48 am, August 6th, 2008 - Comments Off on 08wire on Nats’ Kiwibank secret agenda

08wire.org, your videos make me smile.

Nats’ policy top 10, what’s missing?

Written By: - Date published: 8:50 am, August 6th, 2008 - 24 comments

Here’s the top 10 policy priorities that John Key bullet-pointed at the conference on Sunday. See if you can spot what’s missing: 1. Tax cuts. (for the rich) 2. Disciplined Government spending. (while borrowing huge amounts for unspecified government spending) 3. Stop growth of public service. (except Nats’ promises already require about 1000 more public […]

Did Lockwood mis-speak too?

Written By: - Date published: 8:14 pm, August 5th, 2008 - 94 comments

It has been revealed that Bill English isn’t the only senior Nat who has been discussing a secret agenda behind closed doors. On TV3 tonight, a recording was played of Lockwood Smith saying: “There’s some bloody dead fish you have to swallow… to get into Government to do the kinds of things you want to […]