Accountability then and now…
Written By:
- Date published:
3:13 pm, June 14th, 2010 - 22 comments
Categories: corruption, labour, national -
Tags: hypocrisy
Reposted from the archives – may soon need an update — r0b:
Then: Labour Minister David Parker accused of financial wrongdoing (filing incorrect returns). He resigns Ministerial portfolios and as Attorney General while the Companies Office investigates. Cleared of all wrongdoing (the returns were correct) and later reinstated as a Minister.
Now: National Minister Richard Worth accused of financial wrongdoing (using Ministerial position to seek personal gain). Given a warning, then a final warning, then a series of final warnings as more details emerge. No real sanction of any form.
Then: Labour Minister Lianne Dalziel illegally leaks private information to the press and is accused of lying to the media to cover her involvement. Resigned as Minister. (Reinstated two years later after the next election).
Now: National Minister Paula Bennett illegally leaks private information to the press and appears to have lied to the media to try and justify her involvement. No sanction of any form, as PM John Key is “comfortable” with this behaviour.
Then: Labour Minister Marian Hobbs and Phillida Bunkle (Alliance) accused of rorting MPs allowances for Wellington accommodation. Both immediately stood down from Ministerial duties during investigation. The Auditor General declared their payments legal, but Bunkle never regained her ministerial position, and Hobbs voluntarily paid the money back.
Now: National Minister Bill English accused of rorting MPs allowances for Wellington accommodation. PM John Key is comfortable with this behaviour and scolds critics for “persecuting” Bill.
Then: Opposition leader John Key spent his time ranting at the imagined evils of the Labour government (“I’ve had nine years of being told what lightbulb I can screw into the house, what shower I can take, what food I can eat, what things I can do, what thoughts I am allowed to have”!!!). Key promises new standards of accountability and a tough “one strike and you’re out” standard for his government.
Now: What a joke.
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- Sanctions regime to create more hardship for families
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- Govt gifts renters housing anxiety for Christmas
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- Release: National Party urged to support modern slavery legislation
Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour has lost confidence in the Speaker
The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament made an unprecedented decision on the government amendment to the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night. ...1 week ago
- One year on, still no progress on new ferries
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- Release: Nicola Willis’ smaller ferries will cost more
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- Bill to sanction unlawful occupation of Palestine
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- Release: Labour fully supports greyhound racing ban
The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
- Greyhound racing industry ban marks new era for animal welfare
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- Rangatahi voices must be centred in Government’s Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt introduces archaic anti-worker legislation
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- Winston Peters – Kinleith Mill Speech
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Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...2 weeks ago
- He Ara Anamata: Greens launch Emissions Reduction Plan
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- PM appoints business leader to APEC Business Advisory Council
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...2 days ago - New intelligence oversight appointments
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- New housing developments able to progress more quickly
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...2 days ago
- Actions to speed up air travel delivering results
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...2 days ago
- Ending contracted emergency housing in Rotorua
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...2 days ago
- Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions
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- Reducing the environmental impact of synthetic refrigerants
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...2 days ago
- Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...2 days ago
- Appointments to the ENZ board
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- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...2 days ago
- More gangs added to Gangs Act list
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- Judicial appointment announced
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- GDP data highlights importance of growth
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- Strengthening Free Speech in Universities
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- Launch of Emergency Cellular Priority Service
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- Minister reopens Mangamuka Gorge
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- Funding confirmed for second Ashburton Bridge
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- Inspector-General of Defence appointed
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- Fire and Emergency New Zealand final levy rates confirmed
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- More AML relief on the way for Kiwi businesses
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- Hawke’s Bay Expressway moving at pace
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- Government seeks partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned-land
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- Wide ranging legislation to make justice system more efficient
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- Diverse skills in community trust appointments
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- Torture redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Unit
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- A busy year in the House
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- Consultation opens on working with engineered stone
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- Greater reporting on Treaty settlement commitments
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- New appointments to the Charities Registration Board
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- Building consent processing times improve
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- Faster access to support through Innovation Fund
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- New Zealand to assist Vanuatu on earthquake response
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- Government takes steps to reduce card fees for Kiwis
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- Review recommends ECE regulation shakeup
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- Offshore Renewable Energy Bill passes first reading
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- Local Government (Water Services) Bill passes first reading
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- Gene Technology Bill passes first reading
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And now 3 demotions from the opposition and no action taken on the ministers.
And nor will there be – John Key is not the one with his leadership under threat, so why would he demote or sack anyone?
So because John Key’s leadership is not under threat he can have low standards? By the way, who is threatening Phil Goff’s leadership?
Nice rewrite of history rob. Richard Worth was sacked as a minister and told he wasn’t going to return, and that he didn’t have a future in parliament[for completely different crimes]. Bigger sanction than Lianne Dalziel who was found to have lied to the media and was back in Cabinet after a short exit. Bigger sanction than ruth dyson who was convicted of drink driving and returned to Cabinet after a short delay.
Hobbs accused of rorting living allowances, stood down and then returned to cabinet [why wasn’t Bill English stood down?].
Taito philip field accused of dubious immigration practices. Clark refuses inquiry, then holds one with limited terms of reference. QC conducting inquiry says terms of reference too limited. After inquiry comes out Deputy PM says Field guilty of nothing more than trying to help people [citation please]. Clark doesn’t rule out Field’s return to the ministry. Field only expelled from Labour after he muses aloud about whether he will stand as an independent. Field later convicted of immigration offences. Current Labour leader still refuses to say that what Field did was wrong. [Say – why was Worth sacked? – Oh that’s right – we the public aren’t allowed to know]
Labour doesn’t have standards. They rorted ministerial credit cards and took the piss with taxpayer’s money, and still you guys haven’t got a clue.
[Some corrections added – just who is rewriting history? — r0b]
Heatley was back in 6 weeks- and Key said it was a shame that he was gone for that long
the main stream media has completely forgotten what National has done with the publics money, conveniently
Parker’s standing down impressed me. He was accused of not doing something that he could not recall doing so resigned but it then transpired that he had actually done everything properly.
Talk about high standards. The man must be a catholic …
The examples presented are compelling evidence to suggest that the left does have higher standards.
Dont forget Key had said WAGS werent allowed to go on Ministerial trips, the documents show the civil servants reminded Hide, he took no notice. Paid it back under protest after outcry when media reported details, but no action taken. Cost $12000
Interesting you should use Phillida Bunkle as an example. Lets not forget that she was convicted of stealing a bottle of wine from a Paraparaumu supermarket in 2007…
Such a paragon of virtue she is!
Phillida Bunkle wasn’t even an MP in 2007, she was long gone from Parliament, as was her entire party. Derailment much?
Worth was effectivly forced to resign as a minister, and told that he had no future in the national party which lead him to resign from parliament.
http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/pressure-mounts-worth-quit-mp-2768307
Yeah for a completely different set of crimes that we the public still are not allowed to know about! Now that’s accountability!
FIFY
With respect r0b, I think you’re missing the point here.
I think it was Felix who rightly (or around here should that be leftly) pointed out I went through a phase of posting based around the “but they did it too” theme. Neither party can or should try and claim the high moral ground.
More so, I think it’s a partisan issue that will get those closest to the parties motivated. Conversely, the masses will simply believe (IMO, rightly so) that each lot is as bad as each other. Again with respect, you’re going to struggle to make any political capital out of this, apart from the converted.
Also with respect Daveski – the main point of this post is that the ball is in Key’s court. Will he act?
I’m gone until late tonight…
“.the ball is in Key’s court. Will he act?”
Nope, he won’t.
The main reason he won’t is that the Tory media won’t pressure him to. If the prurient little bastards in the media hadn’t latched on to Shane’ viewing habits the wy they did – NOTHING would have happened because no-one would have cared or noticed. The same little bastards will not ask key what he’s doing about his MP’s credit card spending so Key will do nothing.
Perhaps the media think a few drinks are not quite the same as money spent on porn ,massages , kitchenware , limos, flowers for the boys, golf clubs , bikes , helicopters etc
As Im sure most New Zealanders do.
Key reckoned his disciples, I mean ministers, don’t need to resign because they didn’t actually break the rules….
anyone notice the footage TV1 News used for each or the 3 labour MP’s – 2 MP got footage of them in the halls of parliament, for Chris Carter they use footage of him with partner going for a walk. Why would that be then? Can anyone advise me if I could take a broadcasting complaint – and on what basis that would stand up. This is just ridiculous, clearly some attempt to pander to gay prejudice or to embarrass.
Are you saying that showing Chris Carter with his husband is preudiced? Are you wearing a red nose, curly red hair wig and go by the name of Crunchy the Clown? After all, some of the rorted money was spent on Carter’s husband anyway, so one could argue the clip had relavance.
Key seems not to have heard of the old adage ‘it’s the final straw that broke the camels back.’
One day he will hear of it come to know it’s meaning.
@ ron
You can’t be serious – this is not the media’s fault, it is Mr Jones’. Porn aside (I couldn’t care less myself) – have you seen the extent to which Mr Jones used his card for all manner of blatantly personal expenses. He was in a world of his own. I suggest you have a look at the link on stuff. The man had literally a telephone book sized list, and it is patently absurd to make excuses for him considering most months his office was sent “please furnish correct receipts” and advice on spending criteria from the accounts payable dept.