Ardern has words for Trump and Turnbull

67 comments on “Ardern has words for Trump and Turnbull ”

• Comments are now closed

1. ScottGN 1

   13 November 2017 at 8:34 am

   After a decade of National’s utterly spineless foreign policy settings it’s going to take some getting used to to have a PM that’s prepared to put an opinion out there.
   • One Anonymous Bloke 1.1

     13 November 2017 at 8:51 am

     It’s making the authoritarian followers nervous.

     “She’s showing strong leadership! But she’s a Socialist! Help! I’m becoming a Socialist!”
2. Zorb6 2

   13 November 2017 at 8:39 am

   Not a good idea to be grandstanding ,especially on Manus Island.Let the Australians deal with it,and get on with addressing domestic priorities.
   • One Anonymous Bloke 2.1

     13 November 2017 at 8:46 am

     Good thing this is one of our domestic priorities then eh: “being able to live with ourselves”.
   • Brendan 2.2

     13 November 2017 at 10:35 am

     “Let the Australians deal with it.”

     But they’re not dealing with it. They are washing their hands, and hoping it will disappear. But they forget they are actually dealing with people’s lives. The lack of moral compass the Australian government has on this issue is frightening.
3. BM 3

   13 November 2017 at 8:46 am

   The golden child needs to pull her head in and show a bit of nous.
   • One Anonymous Bloke 3.1

     13 November 2017 at 8:49 am

     😆

     Follow the leader. Australia’s leader.

     BM, the wrong side of history just called and asked if someone could get you to back off a bit. They like you, just not in that way, ok?
   • mickysavage 3.2

     13 November 2017 at 8:54 am

     Nous has worked really well so far.
   • The Other Mike 3.3

     13 November 2017 at 9:05 am

     Case of mind over matter, eh BM?

     You don’t mind and they don’t matter – to you.
   • tracey 3.4

     13 November 2017 at 9:56 am

     Cos Nats stance worked well… international fees for kiwi students in OZ… deportations and so forth. It is going to be hard for some Nat voters to watch a leader, well, leading.
   • marty mars 3.5

     13 November 2017 at 10:09 am

     Yep weakness is always rewarded isn’t it bm.
   • mac1 3.6

     13 November 2017 at 1:07 pm

     BM, ‘nous’ is not a contraction of ‘not us”!

     We are there because we are also citizens of the world. Just as some like to criticise North Korea, and whoever else is not the flavour of the month with the US, so we criticise even our friends if they need it.

     Morality is outside of friendship.
4. mauī 4

   13 November 2017 at 9:07 am

   I have to say on the news last night, she came across as quite war hawkish on North Korea. The goal seemed to be to pull N Korea into line. That’s the price of being part of the western alliance though I spose.

   http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/11/what-donald-trump-s-asia-pacific-dream-means-for-nz.html
   • mickysavage 4.1

     13 November 2017 at 9:36 am

     They have nukes and they keep threatening to use them …
     • mauī 4.1.1

       13 November 2017 at 10:37 am

       If your country had been starved for 60 years, and had a superpower camped on your border for 60 years who liked to play regular wargames, then it’s kind of understandable.
       • marty mars 4.1.1.1

         13 November 2017 at 10:48 am

         They get on with China. Are you a supporter of north Korea?
         • mauī 4.1.1.1.1

           13 November 2017 at 3:42 pm

           I’m supportive of their right to not feel threatened and to not have to be at war still 60 years after it ended.
           • marty mars 4.1.1.1.1.1

             13 November 2017 at 3:59 pm

             Cool, so you obviously oppose their dictator and his heinous crimes against the good people of north Korea. Man the fear those people must feel is unimaginable unless you lived on the wrong side of the wall in Berlin I spose. So much suffering and so unnecessary – I hope they don’t have any more famines because all their resources are being used to compensate you know who for you know what, via nukes. ffs size doesn’t matter – pity trump doesn’t get that too.
             • mauī …

               13 November 2017 at 5:54 pm

               That’s what I’m saying is that we’ve put the Berlin wall in place in Korea and made the country more isolated and more aggressive through our own actions.

               Also our lens on the country is totally biased as it’s tainted by the corporate media view that has always painted them as an enemy, so I don’t think we really have much of an idea on the true goings on in that country.

               I’m anti dictators like the next person and you know it always ends up well when the west gets involved with these so called despots – Saddam, Gaddafi, Assad. 3 ruined countries now. Why don’t we learn from our mistakes and give them some breathing room for a start and try to understand why their government might be the way it is.
               • marty mars …

                 13 November 2017 at 6:47 pm

                 Yeah I hear you.

                 I don’t know why Korea ended up the way it is I wish things were different. I have zero love of dictators and bullies on any side.

                 I don’t know what freedom is for other peoples or empowerment or happiness. I know what it is for me but that is only so useful in understanding other peoples and cultures.

                 Of all the stupid ways humans will kill themselves off – shooting and bombing one another has got to be the thickest and most pathetic.

                 I wish we could call the occupants of an interplanetary craft for help.
               • Brigid …

                 14 November 2017 at 2:06 pm

                 ” 3 ruined countries now.”
                 Who ruined them?
                 If Syria is so ruined why do you suppose the UN says Syrians are returning?
                 “According to a recent statement from Andrej Mahecic, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, an estimated 440,000 displaced Syrians who remained in the country have returned to their homes since the year began. In addition, 31,000 refugees in neighboring countries also returned to Syria in the first half of the year, with 260,000 having returned to Syria from other nations since 2015.”
                 http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-07-05/over-500000-syrian-refugees-return-government-controlled-areas-syria
             • Brigid …

               14 November 2017 at 10:34 am

               Heinous crimes like free housing, healthcare, education. Yep it’s real rough.
               Why don’t you talk to people who live there, or have visited recently?
               That is, of course, unless you prefer to keep repeating fake news from the msm.
               • marty mars …

                 14 November 2017 at 10:42 am

                 Have you been there? What did you see and hear from those living there? Who did you talk to? Did you leave your government minder at any point?
                 • Brigid …

                   14 November 2017 at 1:53 pm

                   I know people who have been there in the last couple of months.
                   I know a person who organises tours around any part of the country one wants to go to. A Korean tour guide always accompanies tourists and does not restrict anybody from seeing anything or taking photos anywhere, accept military bases.
                   However, you will be fined heavily for littering.
                   It’s a very safe country generally. Damned site safer than the US from what tourists say.
                   Koreans generally don’t discuss politics, they don’t feel any need to.
                   Their education facilities would make you drool with envy.
                   But they are pretty pissed off at the sanctions which make maintaining their very flash medical equipment difficult. As they say, it hurts the people who are most vulnerable.
                   North Koreans are pretty happy people and just don’t understand the west’s animosity and why the west believes the rhetoric that the MSM spews.
                   And just why the hell shouldn’t North Korea have nuclear weapons? Israel has.
                   And considering the US practically leveled every major city in the country during the Korean War I think they have every damn right to arm themselves to the teeth.

                   Now show me the quote from Kim Jong-un where he threatens the US, or any country.

                   You really should go have a look.

                   Now. Where do you get your information from?
                   • marty mars …

                     14 November 2017 at 3:00 pm

                     Well done for having a friend that has just been there. I have zero desire to go anywhere.

                     Good that you love their leader. I wish only good things for the people that live there.

                     My information on what is happening there is sourced through western media and some alternative left wing media.
     • One Two 4.1.2

       13 November 2017 at 12:06 pm

       What’s is the point exactly?

       Threats of using weapons are made on a daily basis, around the planet

       Actual use of weapons occurs around the planet on a daily basis..

       NK have not used nuclear weapons nor do they regularly use weapons against multiple nations..

       USA does all of the above

       Bluster should not even make the ‘news’…

       But it creates fear…don’t buy into it…

       Suckers buy into the ‘drama’…
5. BM 5

   13 November 2017 at 9:15 am

   It’s fairly obvious to anyone with an ounce of intelligence what this Manus Island stuff is all about.
   This is a partnership between the Australian and New Zealand Labour parties to undermine the Australian Liberal government.
   • One Anonymous Bloke 5.1

     13 November 2017 at 9:25 am

     Good for them. How did they get the Liberal Party to behave so abominably though? Mind control?
     • BM 5.1.1

       13 November 2017 at 9:30 am

       So you have no problem with Ardern working in conjunction with Austrailian Labour to undermine the democratically elected Australian government?
       • One Anonymous Bloke 5.1.1.1

         13 November 2017 at 9:37 am

         No, I’m ridiculing your fatuous cry-baby drivel, loser.
       • tracey 5.1.1.2

         13 November 2017 at 9:57 am

         Do you have proof of your assertion that they are doing this?
         • Nick 5.1.1.2.1

           13 November 2017 at 10:10 am

           Yes, BM and the other RWNJ s post here regularly. There’s the proof….. Summed up by OAB…. fatuous cry-baby drivel, loser.
         • BM 5.1.1.2.2

           13 November 2017 at 10:14 am

           What do you think Hipkins was doing when he was asking questions in parliament?

           http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/10/dual-nationality-sees-aussie-deputy-pm-barnaby-jones-disqualified.html
           • One Anonymous Bloke 5.1.1.2.2.1

             13 November 2017 at 10:18 am

             Acting as an individual. What was his leader’s response, you dishonest loser?
           • Draco T Bastard 5.1.1.2.2.2

             13 November 2017 at 10:37 am

             Asking questions in parliament as is his job?
           • Paul Campbell 5.1.1.2.2.3

             13 November 2017 at 11:39 am

             I suspect he had discovered a New Zealander behaving illegally in Australia,, and wanted to dobb him in, any kiwi doing that reflects on all of us … I think Hipkins did us all a service
           • tracey 5.1.1.2.2.4

             13 November 2017 at 12:11 pm

             This is like the Hobbit stuff isn’t it BM, it doesn’t matter how often the facts are put to you, you still believe the Key/Brownlee or Bishop/English version?

             http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11905544

             You said there is a partnership between NZ Labour and Aussie Labour to bring down the Liberal Government. You need proof of that partnership. Hipkins asking a question in parliament is not that proof. Imagine if any of us had said that about something in the key government BM. You wouldbe changing your undies cos you laughed so hard.
           • Michael Shanahan 5.1.1.2.2.5

             13 November 2017 at 1:33 pm

             He was asking about publicly available information. I had a look on legislation.govt.nz when this issue came out, it’s about 5 or 10 minutes work to find the relevant bit.
       • tc 5.1.1.3

         13 November 2017 at 11:12 am

         yes dear
       • McFlock 5.1.1.4

         13 November 2017 at 11:53 am

         The Australian government is undermining itself.

         And that goes for the ones who aren’t closeted citizens of other nations, too.
   • Ed1 5.2

     13 November 2017 at 10:12 am

     I don’t normally respond to trolls, but where do you think you lost your ounce, BM?

     Ms Arderns comments as reported above appear to be well formed and directed to international audiences and governments rather than to the second-largest party in the Australian Parliament. Wild conspiracy theories do get more attention if they are on-topic and have even a smidgeon of evidence supporting the assertions.
     • marty mars 5.2.1

       13 November 2017 at 10:37 am

       has bm lost his ounce? – no wonder he’s grumpy lol. Ring the police bm they might have found it.
   • marty mars 5.3

     13 November 2017 at 10:13 am

     Lol you’re losing it bm – yarp da big conspiracy conspiracy. Sad.
   • Muttonbird 5.4

     13 November 2017 at 10:48 am

     Tinfoil hat stuff there.
6. Wayne 6

   13 November 2017 at 9:21 am

   On North Korea, Bill English said the tweets were not helpful and that New Zealand preferred constructive dialogue, so no real change there.

   Yes, the PM has now been a bit more forthright in her language on Manus Island, but what will actually flow from it? Even in the quote she simply reiterated the same offer as was already on the table from last Sunday, which was in fact the same offer as under the previous government. Perhaps she is hoping that her words will lead to an earlier acceptance than might otherwise be the case.

   But the main question, given the expectation of this article, is she actually going to do anything more?

   Or will her big foreign policy move (if there is one at all) be in a quite different area? Presumably something in climate change.
   • Psycho Milt 6.1

     13 November 2017 at 9:43 am

     Yes, the PM has now been a bit more forthright in her language on Manus Island, but what will actually flow from it?

     Being able to sleep at night? Retaining a little self-respect? Those strike me as pretty good things. I do appreciate that a National Party PM would be untroubled by such pangs of conscience though.
   • tracey 6.2

     13 November 2017 at 9:58 am

     Is she just talk you mean? If she is just talk with Australia we are no worse off than under the prior 9 years. I am hoping for better of course.
   • Anne 6.3

     13 November 2017 at 10:19 am

     If Jacinda is continuing along the same path that was trodden by National – and she appears to be – then it’s a good thing because it is the right path. I guess the hope is that PM Turnbull and his advisers will eventually change their minds and let the 150 refugees come to NZ. To keep pressing the issue is about all that can be done.

     Her big foreign policy will almost certainly be related to Climate Change as she regards it as the most pressing issue facing the world today. I couldn’t agree more.
     • veutoviper 6.3.1

       13 November 2017 at 12:01 pm

       Climate change and climate change refugees was the subject of her first appearance on the international stage at the formal APEC meetings in Vietnam – her participation in a panel discussion

       I have yet to track down a video of the full discussion but here is a short excerpt from Youtube *

       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqS-ztMVk9Q

       * Note: Youtube is not just music etc
       I have been frustrated in trying to track down recordings/videos of Ardern’s speeches etc as the Labour Party website does not seem to archive these at present. Some appear on JA’s Facebook page but not all.

       A much better techo than I am advised me that most of these are in fact archived on Youtube – probably the last place I would have looked! And it turns out to be the case.

       I now search using, for example, “youtube Jacinda Ardern climate change” and up pops lots of videos and links.
       You can then use filters like country, date or similar.
7. Puckish Rogue 7

   13 November 2017 at 9:37 am

   Talk is cheap but what will she actually achieve?
   • Psycho Milt 7.1

     13 November 2017 at 9:45 am

     What will the Prime Minister of New Zealand achieve on matters of US/PRK confrontation and Australian immigration policy? I’m picking “Not much.” Were you under the impression things might be otherwise?
     • tracey 7.1.1

       13 November 2017 at 10:00 am

       You’d think they would be more receptive to empty words vis a vis Australia, after 9 years of sagely nodding and agreeing.
   • tracey 7.2

     13 November 2017 at 9:59 am

     PR in fairness the benchmark is the last Govt, so if nothing changes we are no worse off. However we are worse off in relation to Australia than we were in 2008.
   • BM 7.3

     13 November 2017 at 10:11 am

     Probably New Zealanders requiring a visa to travel and work in Australia.

     If Australia can’t trust Ardern and labour to not turn New Zealand into a backdoor for illegal immigrants trying to get into Australia, then they’ll shut that door.
     • One Anonymous Bloke 7.3.1

       13 November 2017 at 10:17 am

       If they once were illegal immigrants, they aren’t now. Now they are refugees, and the Liberal Party made them that way.

       Personal responsibility means it’s all Labour’s fault. Loser BM speaks with forked tongue.
       • Wayne 7.3.1.1

         13 November 2017 at 12:33 pm

         Draco
         Would you really terminate CER and access of NZers literally for their whole life on the issue of the Manus Island refugees.
         Even with the current rules all New Zealanders have the right to shift to Australia, work, buy houses. They don’t need visas and with no time limit on how long they can stay.
     • Draco T Bastard 7.3.2

       13 November 2017 at 10:48 am

       Probably New Zealanders requiring a visa to travel and work in Australia.

       I’m fine with that. If the Australians want to drop CER, and all indications are that they do, then we may as well do so.
     • Delia 7.3.3

       13 November 2017 at 11:26 am

       I think Ardern covered that one, but I cannot be bothered telling you because you are to one eyed.
     • Paul Campbell 7.3.4

       13 November 2017 at 11:42 am

       When global warming kicks in and the edges of Australia get all crispy we’re going to see a massive influx of Aussies, more than we could ever handle, best to nip that in the bud now
       • Kevin 7.3.4.1

         13 November 2017 at 11:50 am

         The Great Barrier Reef is telling them it has already kicked in.
         • Paul Campbell 7.3.4.1.1

           13 November 2017 at 5:04 pm

           Sadly they are not listening
       • tc 7.3.4.2

         13 November 2017 at 2:40 pm

         They’ve an entire temperate state of their own to move to. Tasmania.

         Then there’s country Victoria for those who like the large flat brown bit to live in if the temperature/lack of green’s an issue.
     • tracey 7.3.5

       13 November 2017 at 12:13 pm

       It’s been closing for quite a while BM, or have you been sleeping through the last 9 years? each time Aussie does something detrimental we get told we need to talk to them etc etc… and what have they learned? We just roll over so guess what? They did more stuff…
8. Angel Fish 8

   13 November 2017 at 12:45 pm

   Trump didn’t sign the TPP deal Jacinda!

   Finger waving at the overtly juvenile behaviour of Trump isn’t required.
   Everyone can see the juvenile behaviour for what it is.
   But standing up for the country and not letting it get ripped off is crucial and could affect generations to come.
   Don’t be so eager to give easy credits to the PM.
9. Ad 9

   13 November 2017 at 4:31 pm

   Since they are refugees of Australia having first landed in Australia, presumably they are claiming asylum under UNHCR. Jacinda Ardern would be more useful to the Australian government if she led a proper debate on how Australia and New Zealand can lead the debate. Gain a little leverage through leadership. Right now she just looks like a powerless supplicant.

   In her comments about how Australia faces real and large refugee issues, I see Ardern acknowledging that the international refugee regime is failing Australian national interests; the interests of the international community; and the interests of refugees themselves.

   I also see her as implicitly acknowledging that there is an unreasonable burden on destination states, which also has the perverse consequence of promoting people smuggling.

   Australia has one of the strongest track records in promoting the new approaches that are now required, including intervening to prevent atrocities, enhancing protection in regions affected by displacement, and combatting people smuggling. Wish I could say the same as much of New Zealand.

   What will send the strongest signal to people smugglers, wiile retaining reasonable human right engagement? From the point of view of the smuggling economy, every advantage their clients get is simply advertising of the smugglers’ success record. So they get to drum up more profit.

   I want to see Ardern step up beyond the current media cycle of emotion and up to something that works with Turnbull’s government on rejecting the status quo about smuggling people.

   There is support for reform across the political spectrum in Australia, unlike in Europe. And Canberra has already demonstrated its willingness to reject the status quo, albeit controversially.

   Ardern should take the lead jointly with Turnbull before she is reduced to a virtue-signalling palimpsest with no leverage whatsoever, at which point her credibility to actually lead rather than react will disappear.
10. Sparky 10

    13 November 2017 at 5:10 pm

    Well I have no time for this CPTPP shit Jacinda so please get Labour to dump it….thanks…..
11. Tanz 11

    16 November 2017 at 4:26 pm

    How about helping the homeless etc in NZ first. That three million would have helped many here in need. Ardern is showing arrogance by badgering Australia re this, and not five minutes into the job. She is out of step with Kiwis also, if social media and print opinion in Granny Herald is anything to go by. Typical ‘we know best’ stance from Labour, but it’s only going to lose votes and favour, which is already 10 seats behind National’s popularity. I knew this govt would be a shambles, and it certainly is. Virtue signalling and warm fuzzies, but no depth or common sense. Bring back BIll, NZ deserves much better. Three years or less…and counting.

• Comments are now closed

• Log in
• Donate
• Contribute post

• Articles RSS