Author Archive

Nothing to hide nothing to fear?

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 7:44 am, December 3rd, 2014 - 93 comments

I guess we can conclude that Key has something to hide, otherwise what could he possibly have to fear?

Exploited workers need union protection

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 11:20 am, December 1st, 2014 - 30 comments

Another example of a bad employer unfairly docking a worker’s pay. But this worker was a union member…

Too much noise

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 7:46 am, December 1st, 2014 - 36 comments

The next time Key repeats the lie that there was “too much noise”, I suggest that the interviewer play the audio of the event to the audience, and let them hear for themselves.

Armstrong still pulling his punches

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 8:54 am, November 29th, 2014 - 41 comments

What does it take for Armstrong to call for Key’s resignation, the way he called for Cunliffe’s?

Impeach John Key

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 8:34 am, November 29th, 2014 - 142 comments

The honour system is broken, exposing the flaws of our political model.

Two lies in 20 seconds

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 7:07 am, November 28th, 2014 - 50 comments

Contrary to Key’s claim he was directly asked about the Inspector General’s (Gwyn) inquiry. Contrary to Key’s claim the questions were asked in perfect silence. Updated with video

Key’s repeated reflexive lies (and giving back double)

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 2:15 am, November 27th, 2014 - 162 comments

It is now clear that Key lies repeatedly and reflexively. It is all catching up with him. From the confusion of emails and texts that emerged last night it also looks like the Collins / Slater faction is back, and giving back double.

John Key vs the truth

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 6:51 am, November 26th, 2014 - 100 comments

Trying to dodge the fallout from the Gwyn report Key simply lies and refuses to accept the facts. He can’t get away with it. Can he?

Chisholm enquiry whitewash

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 2:42 pm, November 25th, 2014 - 7 comments

Just as almost everyone predicted, the enquiry into Collins (dumped today to confuse coverage of the Gwyn enquiry) delivered a nice big bucket of whitewash.

Gwyn Report to confirm dirty politics

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 6:32 pm, November 24th, 2014 - 203 comments

What did Key know and when did he know it?

National identity

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 9:52 am, November 24th, 2014 - 49 comments

A recent report from the Waitangi Tribunal questions the “constitutional” foundation of NZ and challenges the received wisdom of our history.

Tip of the iceberg

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 9:39 am, November 23rd, 2014 - 99 comments

Looks like exploiting petrol station workers by docking their pay for circumstances beyond their control was just the tip of the iceberg of this kind of behaviour.

Who needs $4.8 billion anyway

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 7:15 am, November 21st, 2014 - 106 comments

Yesterday a report from the NZ Super Fund (the Cullen fund) provided further evidence of National’s economic “genius”. We could have used the $4.8 billion that they just chucked away.

One law for the rich

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 9:10 am, November 20th, 2014 - 77 comments

And, as ever, one for the poor.

Andrew Little should…

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 8:48 am, November 20th, 2014 - 217 comments

All the usual suspects are lining up to give advice to new Labor leader Andrew Little. Why shouldn’t we have a go?

Labour and the unions

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 8:26 am, November 19th, 2014 - 109 comments

In which I ponder my 2c on the leadership race, and the path ahead for Labour and the unions…

John Key and the Fart Tax

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 3:16 pm, November 17th, 2014 - 35 comments

Momentum is building for action on climate change – but Key reckons it’s all just too hard for little old NZ. If only the Nats hadn’t killed of funding for research into the reduction of agricultural emissions…

Nats’ economic genius at work in the property market

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 7:35 am, November 14th, 2014 - 45 comments

On Monday Bill English reckoned that pressures in the property market were “easing”. Yesterday’s headline “Spring house price surge in October”…

Nats’ climate negligence

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 7:35 am, November 13th, 2014 - 39 comments

Yesterday was a big day for climate news, highlighting yet again the irresponsible negligence of this National government.

Social housing providers

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 9:08 am, November 12th, 2014 - 46 comments

Is Key planning to flog off state houses at half price to a liquor company?

Effects of privatised power

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 7:13 am, November 11th, 2014 - 120 comments

The entirely predictable effects of privatising much of our electricity generation capacity are arriving thick and fast.

Fifty year mortgages

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 9:22 am, November 9th, 2014 - 79 comments

Fifty year mortgages are here, and as usual the game is rigged against the ordinary buyer. Madness.

The working poor

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 9:20 am, November 8th, 2014 - 183 comments

The Nats’ line on poverty is that beneficiaries need to get in to work. The rise of the working poor both in NZ and internationally, shows what nonsense that excuse is.

Elective surgery waiting lists

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 10:47 am, November 7th, 2014 - 29 comments

The Nats have been manufacturing “good news” stories in health by creating a system that turns away one third of the patients in need.

Nats’ selective science

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 6:45 am, November 7th, 2014 - 87 comments

Dita De Boni in the Herald takes the Nats to task for their selective use of science, and Sir Peter Gluckman proposes gagging scientists.

Reds under the beds

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 8:17 am, November 6th, 2014 - 82 comments

Governments have always used external threats (real or not) to expand their powers. Supposedly “small government” types seem the most keen to grab more powers, for some strange reason.

One News promoted climate crank

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 10:54 am, November 5th, 2014 - 183 comments

After a strong reaction, TVNZ has taken down video and an article featuring a climate change denialist crank.

Housing policy shambles

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 7:43 am, November 5th, 2014 - 30 comments

National’s sale of state housing assets and other aspects of housing policy is stupid at all levels. Which is probably why they are confused themselves about it.

Bilateral mobility a bad idea

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 8:21 am, November 4th, 2014 - 166 comments

Who wouldn’t want the option of easy access to Britain, and hence Europe? But, hang on…

Campbell & Gould on neoliberalism

Written By: Anthony R0bins - Date published: 7:20 am, November 4th, 2014 - 49 comments

Yesterday’s Werewolf contained a fascinating discussion between Gordon Campbell and Bryan Gould on neoliberalism and the economy. It should be required reading for Labour leadership contenders!