Auditor-General must investigate Wongs
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11:57 pm, December 8th, 2010 - 59 comments
Categories: corruption, john key -
Tags: pansy wong, pete hodgson, rort, travel perks
Fresh evidence was presented in the House yesterday by rortbuster Pete Hodgson that makes a lie of testimony Sammy Wong gave to the investigation into his and his wife’s travel on taxpayer money. A proper inquiry by the Auditor-General must now be undertaken. There are also questions over John Key’s involvement.
You’ll remember that the Parliamentary Service investigated disgraced former Minister Pansy Wong and her husband Sammy’s use of her MP travel perk after Hodgson revealed that she and he had conducted private business while using that perk, which is against the rules. The investigation looked into trips that the Wong’s had taken on that perk. Based on the Wongs’ description of the purpose of each trip, it concluded that there was no “systematic abuse” of the perk.
One of the trips, according to Sammy, was to investigate his family genealogy. Hodgson today tabled evidence that, in reality, Sammy met with his business partner, former National PM Jenny Shipley and “he helped former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley launch a $40 million investment into a biotechnology centre, in which Mrs Shipley has shares”.
This, I think means two things: 1) the Wongs used the travel perk for business on more than one occasion, which is suggestive of “systematic abuse” rather than accidental or incidental abuse 2) the Wongs misled the Parliamentary Service investigation, which, frankly, should never have relied on the mere word of those being investigated in the first place.
When the Parliamentary Service report came out, John Armstrong and others condemned it as a whitewash. This new information makes it a sham.
Clearly, these matters need re-investigation by a competent body, which is obviously the Auditor-General. And let us not forget that Pansy also took four trips as minister to China that have not been investigated at all yet. These, too, should now be subject to the A-G’s inquiry.
Now we come to the issue of John Key’s involvement in all this. Here’s how it played out in the House:
Hon Pete Hodgson: When did he first become aware of the link between Pansy and Sammy Wong and Lianyungang Supreme Hovercraft Ltd?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: When I first met Pansy Wong she introduced Sammy as her husband, so I was aware of the link then. In terms of the question the member asked, I have no recollection of that date.
Hon Pete Hodgson: Does he recall having dinner with Sammy Wong in New Zealand on 19 September 2008 and receiving a progress report on Liangyungang Supreme Hovercraft Ltd at that time?
Rt Hon JOHN KEY: No…
… Hon Pete Hodgson: I have a number of documents to table. I will try to group them. The first document I seek leave to table is off the Lianyungang Supreme Hovercraft website, which is no longer existent. It is both in English and in Mandarin, and it refers to the dinner between Sammy Wong and the Prime Minister on 19 September 2008.
Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sort to table that document. Is there any objection? There is no objection.
The look on John Key’s face when Hodgson tabled those papers ( about 2.55 in the vid) is what Audrey Young famously called his ‘Tranzrail eyes’. He looked caught out and uncertain of what more was to come.
I can’t speculate on what this all means. Although I’m confused as hell as to why the Leader of the National Party was getting updates on a Chinese hovercraft business.
And we’re not getting any answers out Key and Wong. After Question Time, Key walked through the waiting media “refusing to stop or acknowledge media queries” while Wong snuck out the back way. This unwillingness to front up can only deepen concerns.
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- Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation
The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens join King’s Counsel in calling for Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned
The Prime Minister must answer the call from a group of senior lawyers of the King’s Counsel to abandon the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Chris Hipkins’ apology statement to state and faith-based care survivors
...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour formally apologises to state and faith-based care survivors
Labour joins with the Government in unreservedly apologising for the abuse, neglect and trauma including torture in state and faith-based care and for ignoring the voices of survivors for too long. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party stands in support of survivors of abuse in care
Today, the Green Party stands alongside the survivors of abuse in state care and faith-based care as the Government issues an historic apology. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party calls for conscience vote on Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party has written to the Speaker of the House requesting he enable a personal vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt move to exclude journalist risks chilling effect
The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. ...2 weeks ago
- Without action, an apology will be empty air
For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Concerns remain over tobacco interference
Concerns about the tobacco industry’s ability to interfere in government policy making remain, despite the inability of the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the Government’s decision to halve the excise tax on heated tobacco products. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent wake-up call on climate
The Climate Change Commission’s latest advice indicates Aotearoa needs to be stepping up on climate action. ...2 weeks ago
- Green MP’s Meme-ber’s Bill set to save the world
Break out the punchlines and dust off your meme folder: Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Ballot yesterday. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Poroporoaki: Ta Robert (Bom) Gillies
Kua hinga te manawa kairākau o Te Rua Tekau Ma Waru Tiwhatiwha te po! Kakarauru i te po! Ka rapuhia kei hea koe kua riro! Haere e te Ika a Whiro ki o tini hoa kua ngaro atu ki te Pō ...2 weeks ago
- Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principles Bill
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principle...
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 weeks ago
- NZ must pursue independent foreign policy
The Green Party says the need is greater than ever for Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue an independent foreign policy. ...3 weeks ago
- Child Protection Investigation Unit established
A new Child Protection Investigation Unit is being established to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children in care, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “The report released by the Royal Commission into abuse in state care shows us all the risk of not acting immediately when there are serious ...3 days ago - Speech at United States Business Summit 2024
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Ka mihi ki te mana whenua ko Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Kia ora and good morning everyone. Thank you Fran and Simon for inviting me here today, and importantly your leadership of this forum over several years now. I want to acknowledge David Gehrenbeck, Deputy ...3 days ago
- Record number of submissions received on granny flat proposal
Nearly 2,000 submissions have been received on the Government’s proposals aimed at making it easier to build a granny flat of up to 60 square metres without a resource or building consent, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk say. “This is the highest number ...3 days ago
- District Court Judge appointed
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Rebecca Guthrie as a District Court Judge. Judge Guthrie was admitted to the bar in 1997 following her graduation from the University of Canterbury in 1996 (LLB, BA). She commenced her legal career in Hastings in 1997 before moving to London in ...3 days ago
- Appointments strengthen Predator Free 2050
The latest Predator Free 2050 Board appointments will help to strengthen biodiversity efforts across Aotearoa New Zealand, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. Mr Potaka today announced two appointments to the Board of Directors of Predator Free 2050 Limited, a key player in the wider Predator Free 2050 Programme. “The Predator ...3 days ago
- New facility in Christchurch will improve the lives of young New Zealanders
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey today opened Kahurangi, an innovative and much-needed facility for Canterbury’s Child, Adolescent, and Family Mental Health Services. “The new state of the art outpatient facility opened today will be a gamechanger for the way mental health is delivered for young people in Canterbury,” says Mr ...3 days ago
- Driver safety screens to be installed on Auckland buses
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) that bus driver protection screens will be installed across Auckland’s bus fleet by 2026.“The Government is committed to improving the safety of working environments for bus drivers, and Budget 2024 allocated $15 million of Crown funding over ...3 days ago
- Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements
The Government is taking action to ensure Southland farmers and growers are not affected by unreasonable regional farm plan deadlines, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.“Cabinet has agreed to provide more time for farmers and growers to comply with regional rules ...3 days ago
- Bill reaffirms Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending
The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Bill had its first reading at Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “In recent years we have seen an unacceptable spike in youth offending. “This Bill makes ...3 days ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
Fairer, more sensible rules about managing earthquake risks are a step closer with the passing of legislation and the appointment of an independent chair to provide expert advice, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The Government is committed to reinvigorating our cities and regions to support economic growth, ...3 days ago
- State of the art radiology machine for Auckland
People in Northland and Auckland will benefit from a new machine for cancer treatment installed at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The MV5 linear accelerator, or LINAC machine, officially opened today targets cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says this new, ...3 days ago
- Foreign Minister to visit Europe
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Europe for high-level talks with France, Germany and the United Kingdom next week. "Since taking office almost a year ago, the Coalition Government has emphasised the importance we place on New Zealand's traditional and likeminded diplomatic and ...3 days ago
- First arrests made under gang patch ban
Police have made their first arrests under the new gang patch legislation, with two gang members arrested, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Just before 11 this morning, Police in Wairoa apprehended a gang member for wearing a patch to the supermarket. He has been arrested and will now face enforcement ...4 days ago
- Better support for victims of sexual violence
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- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
Cabinet has agreed to invite all regions to submit proposals for Regional Deals between central and local government that drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure our country needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. Inviting all regions to propose a Regional Deal that boosts ...4 days ago
- MSA pilot participant update
One of the ten young men selected to participate in the Military-Style Academy Pilot has allegedly reoffended. Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is disappointed but says it would be naïve to think that none of these young men would reoffend. “I’m saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity ...4 days ago
- Fighting for Kiwis in Trade
Delivered at Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School Good morning and thank you Deputy Vice Chancellor Lithander for your warm welcome and for inviting me to open Auckland Trade and Economic Policy School today. A Special thanks to the University of Auckland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and ...4 days ago
- Attendance rates increase, again
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023. “This Government has prioritised student attendance and it is ...4 days ago
- Improving the lives of young New Zealanders
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- Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea
The Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard.“The Government will introduce legislation changes to reinstate the trade, enhance oversight, and strengthen requirements for exporters to identify risks and manage the welfare of ...4 days ago
- Speech to the National Quality Forum 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa – it is a pleasure to be here today. I would like to begin by acknowledging the important leadership role you all play in ensuring a quality health system New Zealanders can trust. There is enormous clinical expertise in this room covering a wide range of disciplines. ...5 days ago
- New Zealand’s COP29 National Statement
Tēnā koutou katoa. Mr President, Excellencies, Delegates. New Zealand, and all nations represented here today, are already dealing with the impacts of climate change. Our households, businesses, and economies are bearing the costs of its effects. The choices we make now will shape the severity of these impacts for generations ...5 days ago
- Latest Quarterly Investment Report released
The Government has released its second Quarterly Investment Report (QIR) which shows substantial work still to be done by agencies to improve investment reporting and meet the Government’s expectations, Infrastructure and Acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “New Zealand has significant infrastructure and investment needs. The Government is determined to get ...5 days ago
- New Zealand supporting loss and damage fund
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced New Zealand will contribute NZ$10 million to the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage while at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. “New Zealand is joining the global effort to address the significant challenge of responding to ...5 days ago
- Gang crackdown begins at stroke of midnight
The free ride for gangs is over when the clock strikes midnight tonight, with tough new laws officially coming into effect, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. “Gang patches will no longer be able to be worn in public. To earn the right to wear a ...5 days ago
- LGFA increases borrowing capacity to support high growth councils
The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.“Communities across the country are facing an infrastructure deficit and significant population growth is projected in ...5 days ago
- Temporary Traffic Management costs revealed
The Government has revealed that over the past three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has spent an eyewatering $786 million of taxpayers’ money on road cones and temporary traffic management (TTM), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“When I became Minister, I was surprised to learn that that NZTA did ...5 days ago
- Jurisdiction of Disputes Tribunal to double
Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. “We need to improve court timeliness and access to justice so that Kiwis and get on with their lives. Court delays affect everyone, the ...5 days ago
- Protecting New Zealand from foreign interference
Legislation that will specifically criminalise foreign interference and strengthen espionage offences has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “It is normal and appropriate for states to interact and work to influence one another. This encourages cooperation and can have mutually beneficial outcomes. “However, the reality ...5 days ago
- Significant milestone for Canterbury Road of National Significance
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- Health survey results to help drive change
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says findings from the annual Health Survey highlight the need to continue driving better health outcomes for New Zealanders. The New Zealand Health Survey is an annual snapshot of key metrics measured from July 2023 – July 2024. Findings released this morning include: In 2023/24, ...6 days ago
- Final push needed to get to Smokefree 2025
A renewed effort to get people to quit smoking will build on what has worked to date and target the groups who most need support, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today. “The latest New Zealand Health Survey results show the daily smoking rate at 6.9 per cent and we ...6 days ago
- New diplomatic appointments
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced four new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign ...6 days ago
- Next steps for Regulatory Standards Bill
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- Red Tape Tipline goes live
Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline is now live. “We want to hear about your red tape horror stories. From today, New Zealanders will have a say on how they are regulated through an online portal,” says Mr Seymour. The ...6 days ago
- Youth Parliament 2025 announced
The Minister for Youth Matt Doocey has today announced the eleventh Youth Parliament will be taking place in 2025. “Youth Parliament offers a unique youth development opportunity to young people from across New Zealand to experience the political process and learn about how government works,” says Mr Doocey. “The two-day ...6 days ago
- Police stats show promising change
After nearly a year in Government, Kiwis have seen significant change across law and order with promising early results shown across some Police statistics, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “In August 2023, I told New Zealanders that if they had not started to see a change in public safety within ...6 days ago
- Better coordination of anti-scam efforts
With the launch of Fraud Awareness Week, the Government is committing to new coordination efforts across industry and government to combat online scams, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Online financial scams are a growing problem for New Zealand. New data released today shows that Kiwis lost nearly ...7 days ago
- Minister to consider 7AA select committee report
Minister for Children Karen Chhour will consider the recommendations made by the Social Services and Community Committee in its report back to Parliament on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill. “I want to thank the people who made submissions and those who appeared before the committee in ...7 days ago
- Defence Minister to attend ASEAN meeting
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Vientiane, Laos. “We need to take every opportunity to engage with our international partners, given the increasingly unstable geo-political situation,” Ms Collins says. “New Zealand has a long-standing commitment to this ...7 days ago
- COP29: Carbon credit trading scheme criticised as ‘get out of jail free card’
By Kate Green , RNZ News reporter A new carbon credit trading deal reached in the final hours of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, has been criticised as a free pass for countries to slack off on efforts to reduce emissions at home. The deal, sealed at the annual UN climate ...1 hour ago - View from The Hill: Albanese government crumples on misinformation bill and gambling advertising
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra “Big Tech” is celebrating one victory over the Albanese government, but is set to lose on another front. Ahead of the final parliamentary sitting week for 2024, the government has not just withdrawn its ...4 hours ago
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Former inmates are speaking out to demand better mental health care for those currently imprisoned. ...4 hours ago - ‘I was so scared’: Abused as children, incarcerated as adults
Former inmates are speaking out to demand better mental health care for those currently imprisoned. ...4 hours ago
- Remaining members of ‘Bali nine’ set for repatriation, with conditions
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government is still discussing the details for the remaining five of the “Bali nine” to be repatriated to Australia, Special Minister of Sate Don Farrell has said. The planned repatriation follows the representations ...5 hours ago
- COP 29: Carbon credit trading scheme critisised as ‘get out of jail free card’
The deal reached in the final hours of COP29 has been criticised as a free pass for countries to slack off on efforts to reduce emissions at home. ...6 hours ago
- COP 29: Carbon credit trading scheme criticised as ‘get out of jail free card’
The deal reached in the final hours of COP29 has been criticised as a free pass for countries to slack off on efforts to reduce emissions at home. ...6 hours ago
- Protest photographer John Miller records Hīkoi mō te Tiriti with his historic lens
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacqueline Peel, Director, Melbourne Climate Futures, The University of Melbourne The petroleum-laden dust has settled on this year’s United Nations climate summit, COP29, held over the past fortnight in Baku, Azerbaijan. Climate scientists, leaders, lobbyists and delegates are heading for home. ...9 hours ago
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For the march to Parliament, many young wahine donned a red beret. It's a pōtae steeped in history and symbolism. ...20 hours ago
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While it is important to maintain strong alliances, it is equally crucial to uphold our Kiwi values of fairness and justice. New Zealand has always prided itself on its commitment to equality and human rights. ...1 day ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aaron J. Cavosie, Senior lecturer, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University JPL-Caltech/NASA Water is ubiquitous on Earth – about 70% of Earth’s surface is covered by the stuff. Water is in the air, on the surface and inside rocks. ...2 days ago
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Merry Christmas National Ltd™ – cos you deserve it.
Can’t blame Key for pushing past the media throng… he’d have needed to change his trousers post haste.
Pete Hodgson is shaping up as the new Winston Peters – minus the deceit and the dance floor moves.
But who’s going to do this stuff when he retires? I can’t see anyone else lifting their nose out of the trough long enough to criticise their “Parliamentary colleagues”…
Their must be someone in the Labour wings that can be trained up.
The staff are key. Labour lost many of its best researchers in the post-election purge but hodgson got at least one back. Having the mp willing to front the research is also vital.Mallard will when hodgson is gone and maybe hughes. Needs to be someone reasonably experienced and senior
Just watched the replay of question time tonight, the OTT “who me??” look of Key when asked was he at the Wongs that night was priceless. The Wongs are the just the tip of the iceberg, interested to find out more about Shipley and Key’s dealing in this, maybe he has another trust we don’t know about or a “pension plan” as they call it.. Would be easy to give info or political help to a company to be paid back down the road to avoid no direct link..but then again Key was careless in covering his tracks with his trans-rail shares, also looks like he aint the best of picking companies either , transrail shares lost money and this the hovercraft company is being sued…
yeah, these are new eyes, his ‘ whats wong with that’ eyes. Tranzrail eyes are for when hes caught on the hop.
that bitch Shipley still owes me some money.
Yep, the eyes say “what’s wrong with that?!” even as the mouth is saying “I didn’t do it!”
He’s not even a good liar. Seriously, you’ve got to be a fucking idiot to be fooled by this 2-bit salesman.
Notice how slouchy he also gets at these times. His body goes almost limp when he’s caught out – trying to look relaxed rather than stiff with guilt.
The electorate is never wrong. Isn’t that so?
Don’t know if I can objectively say they’re wrong but I’m fairly confident I could make a case for a lot of them being fucking idiots.
Well, now we know why Mrs Wong was incommunicado for two weeks – She along with Jonkey and Mr Wong were getting their stories straight. It’s what those caught doing wrong do to try and hide the fact that they were doing wrong.
A bit of history repeating perhaps?
Shipley on the run.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=2874
Poor Pansy, give her a break. It’s not as though she is the only one, what is good for the goose is good for the gander. She is no worse than the other troughers.
Much worse: she’s shamed the entire Asian community with her actions.
That’s a bit lame. So, Carter shamed the gay community? Whatever.
Bullshit Tanz.
If you know of another minister who has been using their publicly funded private travel subsidy to conduct business, you should say so now or shut the fuck up.
You’ve tried this exact same line every time the Wongs are brought up.
my wife is chinese and she want wong deported,i dont see how you can call her poor pansy as her and the husband are both rich,and one day may look at sexy as Shipley if they spent enough time at dinners with her riping off the tax payer
bullshit. i’m not responsible for her actions & refuse to be tainted by them. what a bizarre thing to say. are you tainted when anyone of your ethnic demographic behaves badly?
Good on you for standing strong, but I also get that people stereotype. Wong liked to be seen as a community leader, her performance has a reflection on that community.
And to answer you, of course I was not suggesting that you were responsible for Pansy Wong’s actions .
if you get that people stereotype, then it would be nice if you didn’t add to the stereotype. just saying.
No.
In the mid 2000’s the National and Act parties introduced a widespread use of a poliitcal pattern of behavior into politics here – I think that they stole it from Winston Peters. It said that regardless of the seriousness of offenses by MP’s everything that they do should be blown out of proportion. Don’t focus on the policies, just smear the people. That the way the political game was played from opposition was the number of scalps of politically injured, disgraced and exiled MP’s.
I personally find it stupid, because the triviality offenses like Benson-Popes get muddled up with the serious like those of Taito Phillip Field. It also makes parliament and government a harder place to work..
However National and Act seemed to think it was required – so we are demonstrating how it should be done. Of course the left appear to be considerably better at it than national or act based on the results of the last two years harvesting. Either that or NACT politicians are more venial than was anticipated.
But NACT can expect this to continue at ever higher levels of proficiency to enure tha the political idiots on the other side learn that this type of politics is not useful for running a government, and both sides can use it against each others governments.
Which is why The Standard authors assist in the task, much like kiwiblog and it’s assorted clones did during the last government.
That is my view on it.
Well said. The level vindictive nastiness which seeped down from the National Ltd™ opposition into the workplace, pubs and blogs is what prompted me to switch from lurker to regular commentator. Their smearing didn’t even have to involve facts, just bald, white, pudgy, middle-class male ignorance.
Don’t like it back up ’em, do they?
Now that is interesting. As a retired MP who was in Parliament before 1999, Shipley has a travel perk entitlement too. The investigation should also be widened into what she has been using hers for. We’ve already seen former Ministers David Butcher and Roger McClay criminally convicted for fraudulently using theirs for business purposes.
Make her eat her words,personal responsibility my arse,she’d be a top trougher I reckon.
Key’s justification for not referring Wong’s case to the Auditor General is beyond belief. If it was ministerial spending he would but since it is parliamentary spending he will not?
Talk about a double standard …
Key & Wong – ambitiously losing credibility
Yawn…
First time I’ve seen you bored while we are talking about bludgers, Joe.
Key is as successful closing the NZ-Oz gap just as he is closing his credibility gap
yeah…i’m tired of Key’s bullshit as well
The irony of all this is once this has all unravelled Key and Wong could end up not just in prison but with no right to even vote.
They could make Winston look like a Saint. Winston must be pissing himself now.
Wong maybe, but Key? You know something we don’t, Craig?
Hodgson seems to: http://inthehouse.co.nz/node/6685
Here’s hoping!
So we have Wong in China confirmed doing business once which is a breach of the rules.
Then we have another visit when Mr Wong Lands in China on a ancestry trip and the very next day gets a invite from his family to be at a gathering where Jenny Shipley one of Mr Wongs business partners just happens to be laying a foundation stone! Wow what a coincidence.
But wait theirs more according to the Herald
“Meanwhile, a spokesman for KiwiRail has told the Herald the company understood that Mr Wong had been engaged by Pacific Power Developments (PPD), a New Zealand registered company with links in China “to arrange meetings in New Zealand for state owned CNR (China North Rail)” in 2005.
CNR’s overseas trading arm, CNR Loric later won a contract to supply 20 locomotives to KiwiRail in an agreement signed in June last year”
Would this be the the same Rail company that John Key had shares in? Ambitious for NZ or Ambitious for John Key. Who is helping fund the National Party? Oh some one called Pansy has been helping out a bit with the odd 200 grand, oh shit Her last name is Wong what a coincidence.
Also why is John Key receiving briefings about some Hovercraft company?
Frankly, I am pissed off with the antics of the two Wongs. They appear more and more like a twin act, double deal. And the shenanigans increasingly look like they lead to the door of both Nat PMs: the current and the ex.
Curiouser and curiouser 🙂 weren’t we told last year that Kiwirail couldn’t build them here due to capacity by Steven Joyce so they didn’t even get to make a bid? Is this possible linked?
Heres the family ties Sammy was investigating –
Qiqihar Railway Rolling Stock Co., Ltd.
Harbin Railway Rolling Stock Co., Ltd.
Changchun Railway Coach Co., Ltd.
Changchun Railway Vehicle Co., Ltd.
CNR Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co., Ltd.
Tangshan Railway Vehicle Co., Ltd
Tangshan Railway Transportation Equipment Co., Ltd.
Tianjin LJ Railway Transport Equipment Ltd.
Beijing Feb. 7th Railway Transportation Equipment Co., Ltd.
Beijing Nankou Railway Transportation Machinery Co., Ltd.
CNR Datong Electric Locomotive Co., Ltd.
Taiyuan Railway Rolling Stock Co., Ltd.
Yongji Xinshisu Electric Equipment Co., Ltd.
Ji’nan Railway Rolling Stock Co., Ltd.
Xi’an Railway Rolling Stock Co., Ltd.
Lanzhou Jinniu Railway Transportation Equipment Co., Ltd.
CNR Dalian Locomotive Research Institute Co., Ltd.
Qingdao Sifang Rolling Stock Research Institute Co., Ltd.
CNR Logistic Development Corp., Ltd.
LORIC Import & Export Corp., Ltd
All ‘offspring of ‘ CNR ( China North Rail)
I’m hearing that the KiwiRail people on the ground are very sceptical about the probable quality of the CNR locos being delivered. According to one person on the inside, there are a number of very similar locos lying idle in Pakistan because within a few years of delivery they had so many problems the Pakis had to abandon them.
Scuttlebutt from semi-reliable source.
guys. joe bloggs has said yawn, so I think it’s best if we all just ignore this issue and hope it goes away like he is.
more like a yawning gap between what was disclosed/reported in the hugh mcphail/speaker so-called investigation and the fuller story
lprent@8:24 – thanks for that clear description. It rings like a true bell.
seems to me – heh – the Wongs live in China interspersed with reaaally loong trips to N.Z to conduct ‘business’.
hey – that Shipley heinousness is in business with Sam Wong innit?
but he gets invited by his old’ family friend’ ( the owner ) to an opening She is cutting the ribbon for?
and yet , what, he only hears about it – when? before heading back to China to flaff around with family trees, ( an orchard? forestry interests?) The morning after he arrived?
these stories are going to get rever more ridiculous as befits these crummy crummy people, these right wing politicians, these venal swipes.
Tranzrail eyes
Eye done no Wong eyes
Worthless to me eyes
Can’t stand the Heatley eyes
The Mesmerist continues his reign
WongKey-gate?
mmMmmMM ..
how about shipley+wong+key = shonkey-gate ?
Very good
Capcha Invent …
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:42 John Key
12:42 Moderator: Craig asks: What do you plan to do with your life when your term/terms as Prime Minister Finishes?
Tuesday November 30, 2010 12:42 Moderator
12:42 John Key: I’m likely to have some engagement in the commercial world. I have no interest in going to the United Nations, or holding any other elected positions.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4405723/Live-chat-Prime-Minister-John-Key-text
might as well ambitiously set up things now for some likely engagement in the commercial world ?
I have just looked into my crystal ball and the response I got was, that Mr Preest will get a settlement from Mr Yang over the hoovercraft deal going belly up to avoid litigation. This would ensure that Mr Wong was kept out of any connection with the hoovercraft business.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10686807
the link isn’t working
correct page? cached copy?
maybe people should pdf a particular webpage if they sense it could be important to refer to it
that way, if and when it gets taken away, a pdf version can be provided to moderators to post?
Oh crap I’m only human!
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10686807
Oh oh, Pansy, looks like the A-G reads the Standard:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10693149
EDIT. Changed my mind.
Well at last these bastards are being exposed for what they are .A two faced lot of sleaze bags. the Textor/Crosby run campaigns of muck throwing has rebounded. We’ve had the creepy campaigns against Helen Clark, from disgusting accusations, to smear. All without proof ,but of course mud sticks. Then we had the disgracefull attacks on Chris Carter. The Phillip Field afffair was overkill and I still believe he was set up. The ACT/Nat dirty tricks brigade bought in a couple of skinheads to accuse Benson-Pope and ended his career. Some of us oldies will remember the fascist Muldoon and the way he ruined Moyle and Amos .
Well their cover has been exposed . Lets get them good and proper.
My gut feeling is that this is big, very big . Im also beginning to think Key is involved , the so called blind trusts will at sometime have to be opened.
Just remember Key is worth 50 million . How the hell does anyone make 50 million?
Knowing all the big deals going down all the time, you simply take your bonus money (in itself worth hundreds of thousands at the start or millions a year later on) and put it where its going to make more. Not talking insider trading or anything like that here, just talking straight old being aware of the investment landscape. The first million is the hardest to make, but if you get that in your pay, then it snowballs from there.
He didn’t *make* $50 million. Him and his mates stole it when they looted Thailand.
One thing that has made me curious?
Why werent Sammys credit card records used in the Inquiry?
Surely if he was on family visits he wouldnt be using a business credit card for internal chinese hotels, car hire ,meals etc.
IRD would be very interested if business and private were being mixed.
The connections between the dots get drawn even darker and more definite. When do the NZ Police begin to investigate the dealings of the Wongs, Shipleys and Key?
Is it too much to ask that a full and proper investigation into wong-gate is begun immediately by someone other than a retired civil servant under instruction from the Speaker?