Author Archive

Policy for Money?

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:50 pm, April 29th, 2012 - 13 comments

Party donations for the 2011 general election will be published on Tuesday . One new provision in the Act provides for the declaration of the number of donations in two bands; $1500 to $5,000, and up to $15,000. It will be very interesting to see the number of upper level donations in National and ACT particularly. They could hide Banks-type split donations from asset-sale backers.

Filleted Murdock

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 4:46 pm, April 27th, 2012 - 37 comments

Stayed up last night to watch Robert Jay QC question Rupert Murdoch at the Leveson enquiry. It was riveting – you can see why top lawyers like Jay are called silks. Murdoch denied, deferred, demeaned, derided and defended but couldn’t help himself – ended up with more damage than control. This affair has more legs than a millipede.

$100m for Lizards

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 8:54 pm, April 26th, 2012 - 26 comments

John Key and Bill English couldn’t find $150million over four years for increased parental leave that would hugely benefit future children. Horrors – we would have to borrow! But they could find $100million straight away to pay international investment banks including Australian company Lazard’s to advise on asset sales that robs our children’s future and that nobody else wants. It’s a matter of priorities – money gets money, kids get nothing.

Community Forum on State asset sales Sunday 29th

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 12:08 pm, April 26th, 2012 - 21 comments

Gareth Morgan and Peter Harris will speak at a Community Forum on the sale of State-owned assets on Sunday 29th at 3:30pm at the Island Bay Bowling Club, 260 The Parade, Island Bay, Wellington. The forum is being organised by the Wellington South Branch of the Labour Party. All welcome.

Murdoch did discuss BSkyB with Cameron

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 10:11 pm, April 25th, 2012 - 7 comments

James Murdoch has confirmed to the Leveson enquiry that he did discuss News International’s bid to take over BSkyB with Cameron at a dinner at the home of Rebekah Brooks. Cameron had previously denied this. Also Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, charged with ensuring that the takeover was according to law, was briefing Murdoch on the back channel via his staff. His tenure looks very shaky. Cameron will also be under severe pressure. There are lessons for us as well.

Alastair Cameron Labour CoS

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:53 pm, April 24th, 2012 - 26 comments

Alastair Cameron has been appointed Chief of Staff in David Shearer’s Parliamentary office. I’m delighted to hear it; we were on the New Zealand Council together when Alastair was a law student. Since then he’s started Labour’s successful Summer School, been a Fulbright scholar, practised law, and worked in Marian Hobbs’ office. He’s a very good choice.

Ask no questions

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 5:59 pm, April 24th, 2012 - 44 comments

At the Finance Select Committee today, Maggie Barry told a submitter “You are not here to ask us questions, you are here to answer our questions.” The submitter’s question was reasonable; but it was addressed to closed minds. Todd McLay who chairs the committee on state asset sales referred to a number of the submissions as “emotional”. He was right. It was anger, and it won’t go away.

Murdo RIP

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:42 am, April 19th, 2012 - 8 comments

Long time Labour Party stalwart Murdo MacMillan’s funeral will be at St Peter’s Church on Friday 20th at 10am. Son of a seaman and ex-wharfie, rock-solid in his values, Murdo made a huge contribution behind the scenes to Labour’s successes over the best part of forty years.

Hubris in pink

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:35 pm, March 27th, 2012 - 23 comments

“Crusher Collins up close” headlines a two-page article by Andrea Vance in the Saturday March 10 DomPost. It’s not on the Stuff website but deserves a wider audience. John Key might have been unwise to have stayed away on holiday this week – he should remember what happened to Jim Bolger.

PoA halts redundancies

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:56 pm, March 21st, 2012 - 12 comments

It’s back to the bargaining table for Ports of Auckland and the Maritime Union. Redundancies are on hold. The court minute is here. portcourt.

McCully does a seagull

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 5:01 pm, March 21st, 2012 - 14 comments

Murray McCully has been described as a “seagull Minister, one who flies in, squawks loudly, poops over everyone and flies away again.” Today in the House he squawked, pooped over his Chief Executive and flew away from any responsibility for the the restructuring of MFAT. John Key better get his knighthood soon. The wheels are starting to come off his government.

Class war Oz style

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 10:37 pm, March 20th, 2012 - 11 comments

When Treasurer Wayne Swan recently took on wealthy vested interests in defence of democracy and the Aussie fair go, he was attacked as an old-fashioned class warrior. Australian researchers found 86% of Australians think that class exists, and they support Swan by 58% to 26%. Their conclusion – opening up the debate about inequality is a sure-fire winner for Labor.

Bathwater and babies

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:42 pm, March 19th, 2012 - 31 comments

Tapu Misa has an excellent article in today’s Herald. She hopes those predicting the demise of Labour’s pre-election promise to extend Working to Families to the children of beneficiaries are wrong. So do I. Labour will be defined by what it does for our children. Let’s not throw out what was a very very good policy.

Remember 1984

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 6:52 am, March 19th, 2012 - 70 comments

Labour moving to the right would be a disaster for the left. It doesn’t need to, in order to lead a winning coalition at the next election. The last time a small cabal in Labour tried that strategy was in 1984 – it proved to be a disaster for New Zealand and for the Labour Party. I’m not sure that the Labour leadership is making a definitive shift to the right – more like a tentative search for the marshmallow centre. As a strategy, it is a recipe for failure.

Better ideas from Finland

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 2:43 pm, March 16th, 2012 - 55 comments

David Shearer used Finland as an example of successful small country economic development in yesterday’s very good speech, but his main focus was on education. Dianne Ravitch in the NY Review of Books shows how Finland also leads the world in education – and with few tests and excellent teachers, they don’t need to bag any “bad” ones.

Ministry of National Significance?

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:51 pm, March 13th, 2012 - 16 comments

The trailers for John Key’s Thursday speech are calling it for a ” new super-Ministry” under the command of Steven Joyce. Merger isn’t the issue – the policy direction is. If Joyce just stays focussed on roads of national significance, mines and oil wells of national significance, and casinos of national significance it will be another waste of time reshuffle. If it becomes genuinely high quality export focussed, then it may prove worthwhile. Fingers crossed.

Support for global union solidarity

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 4:33 pm, March 6th, 2012 - 4 comments

Union’s have gone global in response to global financial capital’s push to drive wage costs to the bottom. Canadian United Steel Workers (USW) will meet local workers in Invercargill on Thursday at the Working Men’s Club at 8pm and picket outside Rio Tinto office in Wellington on Friday at 12:30pm. All welcome.

Vodafone text info scam

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 3:19 pm, March 3rd, 2012 - 19 comments

Vodafone appears to be billing for at least two text scams run by the same Greek, Photis Photou who runs a Cyprus law firm specialising in shelf companies and tax business. I haven’t asked for the texts, and wonder why Vodafone is clipping the ticket for Photis and presumably themselves as well.

Key on leadership ballots

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 7:44 pm, February 27th, 2012 - 6 comments

“I’ve been around these votes before when at the last moment they change” John Key said today about the ALP leadership ballot. He certainly has; in 2003 he promised Bill English his vote then shifted at the last minute to Don Brash who won narrowly. Key talks about Labor needing a repair job; but I think the next challenge may be in the Coalition.

Gillard slamdunks Rudd

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 1:01 pm, February 27th, 2012 - 23 comments

Offical result has 71 for Gillard and 31 for Rudd. Not a base for a comeback for Rudd. He must now be asking why he did it.

Fabians in Auckland and Wellington Tuesday 28th

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 2:44 am, February 27th, 2012 - 4 comments

Rick Boven in Auckland – Global environmental trends Global environmental trends will affect New Zealand’s future. In his forthcoming lecture to the Fabian Society, Rick Boven of the New Zealand Institute will summarise the high-level trends, identify implications for New Zealand, explain obstacles to an effective response and propose strategic priorities to reduce risks and […]

Shearer makes a difference

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 4:59 pm, February 24th, 2012 - 46 comments

David Shearer spoke to Greypower in Auckland today about the difference between Labour and National. The speech shows Shearer is his own man. He wants a new style of politics, focussed on the future, planning to make a difference. I think he will.

Rudd resigns – game over?

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:43 pm, February 22nd, 2012 - 17 comments

Kevin Rudd resigned as Australian Foreign Minister in a midnight speech from Washington. He will now return to Australia, consult, and issue a statement as to his intentions. Nobody seems to think Rudd has the numbers to win a ballot this week; the issue will be whether he stays on the back bench and continues to undermine. I can’t see that lasting.

RadioLive confirms PM’s hour an election programme

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 2:46 pm, February 21st, 2012 - 46 comments

RadioLive asked “Did the PM’s hour influence your vote?” on its website last Friday. Billy the Kid commented: “It was my first election. I heard Key and thought he sounded pretty cool so yeah I voted for him.” All it takes is one to confirm that RadioLive broke the law.

Pat Kelly speaks

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 10:33 pm, February 20th, 2012 - 7 comments

It’s not Helen’s dad but former Scottish TUC Leader Pat Kelly who will speak at St John’s this Tuesday 21st at 6pm on his book Scotland’s Radical Exports – Scottish expats who led unions and Labour around the world. All welcome.

I will always love you

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 11:04 am, February 19th, 2012 - 15 comments

Whitney’s funeral was today’s news – across the BBC, Fox and CNN for over three hours. It was riveting; a great tribute to a warm and loving woman, and a reminder of how hard it can sometimes be for those whose gift it is to sing from the heart, but also of how much love and forgiveness is available to them.

The Chairman doth protest too much

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 2:57 pm, February 17th, 2012 - 1 comment

Peter Radich, BSA Chair, absolutely rejects “any kind of improper influence” over his controversial decision that Radio Live PM’s Hour was not an election programme. I wouldn’t accuse him of improper influence, rather lack of competence as his judgement was completely outside the Authority’s brief.

VUW Post-election Conference

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:37 pm, February 16th, 2012 - 9 comments

The best contribution by far IMHO at today’s VUW post-election conference in Legislative Chamber, held under Chatham House rules, came from Colin James. True to Colin, his paper is public, with much food for thought. My comments here too.

“To the best of my knowledge” – yeah right

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 7:20 pm, February 15th, 2012 - 16 comments

“Not to the best of my knowledge – that is absolutely correct – I wasn’t even aware these emails existed until I heard about them yesterday” a flustered Key said in Parliament today. He didn’t know a thing about control of the programme. But his office suggested that Radio Live get the Electoral Commission’s opinion on the show’s legality. Watch this space.

Key involved in Radio Live show

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 10:56 pm, February 14th, 2012 - 25 comments

Watch Grant Robertson’s question to Key today Robertson to Key on Radio Live Key didn’t know his office was deeply involved in the show that breached the Broadcasting Act? Even though he personally chose the guests? It was a matter solely between the Electoral Commission and the broadcaster? Judge for yourself.

PM’s office cuts Radio Dead

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 6:16 pm, February 9th, 2012 - 52 comments

An internal memo in the PM’s office after they received the Electoral Commission’s advice on the Radio Live’s PM Hour broadcast says: “So the Electoral Commission has replied, and basically said they can’t make a judgment on a radio show without seeing a transcript. But they have been pretty clear about putting the responsibility on the broadcaster, which is useful.” Key’s office knew they were skating close to the wind but were happy to cut Radio Live loose. Lesson here for media.