Author Archive

Electoral Commission, Radio Live, Key and the BSA

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 5:40 pm, February 9th, 2012 - 12 comments

Radio Live and the Prime Minister pushed the boat out in the PM’s hour programme. Radio Live sought Electoral Commission’s advice two days before broadcast, though they had been planning it for months. When Key’s office got the Commission’s warning to be careful, an internal memo said “the Electoral Commission have been pretty clear about putting the responsibility on the broadcaster, which is useful”. The Electoral Commission has now sunk Radio Live’s argument that it was ok if it didn’t discuss politics.

Epsom government – unstable and unequal

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 10:17 pm, February 6th, 2012 - 21 comments

I’ve just watched John Key say on Sky Australia “We don’t need the Maori Party – we have the votes for stable government.” But without the Maori Party, all we’ve got is an Epsom government. It hangs by a thread on the teacup meeting between Parnell resident Key and Epsom candidate Banks. Key’s dogwhistle to Epsom voters is all that guarantees National’s “mandate” for asset sales.

“Largely symbolic”

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 5:26 pm, February 2nd, 2012 - 15 comments

According to TVNZ, the Prime Minister said section nine of the SOE legislation, referring to the Treaty of Waitangi, was “largely symbolic” because it had not been enacted since it was drawn up in 1986. It wasn’t a felicitous phrase; he might well find Maoridom’s response is both symbolic and large, if not in the sense he meant.

National breaks law on donations

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:07 pm, January 31st, 2012 - 52 comments

Donations over $30,000 from the same source must be declared to the Electoral Commission within 10 working days. National overstepped the mark in declaring a total donation of $86,005 from Gallagher Industries outside the limit. These days the Electoral Commission doesn’t get involved – the penalty is a fine of up to $40,000 on summary conviction.

Cheques and Balances

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:24 pm, January 11th, 2012 - 2 comments

Is the title of the independent High Pay Commission’s report set up to look at “the reasons for the gap between high and low pay in the UK and why this matters.” It is very good and well worth a read. Christchurch City Council CEO’s Tony Marryatt, whose pay late last year rocketed up by $68,000 to $585,000 on a 7-5 split vote, should take note. So should Mayor Bob Parker and the other 6 – the protest goes on.

Home advice better for Shearer

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 2:58 pm, January 9th, 2012 - 22 comments

Here we go – the DomPost offers advice to Shearer on welfare policy, based on a Guardian article by Liam Byrne, British Labour welfare spokesperson. Trevor Mallard, our America’s Cup spokesperson, quotes him on Red Alert as “slaying some sacred cows.” Beveridge and Savage are used in ways they never envisaged. Savage at least had it right – jobs are the priority, not beneficiary-bashing.

Inequality and the rich

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 1:56 pm, December 29th, 2011 - 75 comments

In today’s Herald, Geof Nightingale, PWC tax partner and member of the Nats’ Tax Working Group, joins the argument for greater inequality in New Zealand. Ironically in the same issue Garth George writes his last column as the editors decided that his column “does not fit in with their future plans for the opinion pages.” Garth thinks the most serious and vexing problem facing New Zealand – and the Western World – now and in the immediate future is income inequality and unemployment. I’m with Garth – I hope the Herald’s future plans are not with Nightingale.

Shearer shows he means it

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 4:40 pm, December 21st, 2011 - 84 comments

Labour’s new leader promised a fresh approach. He’s delivered already in his speech in reply today. Gone is the ritual opening denunciation of the government’s programme – Shearer begins with where a new Labour government would start.

Christmas presents from the Commission

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 1:39 pm, December 16th, 2011 - 9 comments

In 2008, the Electoral Commission released its non-decision on the address I used on Chris Knox’s CD “it’s a better way with Labour” on 16 December. They were embarrassed and buried it in the pre-Christmas dump. This December, I’m waiting for a much more important decision on the RadioLive “Prime Minister’s Hour.” There’s a lot at stake.

The poor get richer?

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:33 pm, December 13th, 2011 - 81 comments

Phil O’Reilly’s article in today’s DomPost headed “The rich get richer but so do the poor ” is appalling. Responding to the OECD report on inequality, he is following in the footsteps of Alasdair Thompson. BusinessNZ are still dinosaur employers from the Victorian age.

Selections I have known

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 5:18 pm, December 13th, 2011 - 38 comments

I’ve now seen David Shearer in three Labour selection contests – I was on the panel in Waitakere in 2002 and Mt Albert in 2009, and I was in Wesley Church last Wednesday in Wellington. He’s won two out of three, and been most impressive every time. Had I been a caucus member today, he would have had my vote. This is why.

Right-wing Herald element goes OTT

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 8:29 pm, December 10th, 2011 - 61 comments

John Armstrong’s column today – not yet on website – is extraordinary. “Elements on the left cried wolf about National having a secret agenda” Armstrong’s faux outrage is generated by the fact that National’s charter schools policy was not part of any election mandate, and some people have pointed this out. Funny how people on the left are always “elements” – couldn’t possibly have a mind of their own.

Carmel wins, Nats down 1, MMP to stay

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 2:16 pm, December 10th, 2011 - 196 comments

Official Election results are out. Carmel Sepuloni takes Waitakere back for Labour by 11 votes, and National loses one seat to the Greens. MMP wins by a mile. Well done Carmel – I’m really glad she stays in Parliament. I don’t think a recount will change anything – I scrutineered the official count last election and the people doing it were very very careful.

Party reform

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 8:44 pm, December 2nd, 2011 - 36 comments

Party reform is high on the agenda of the ALP conference, being held in Sydney this weekend. The conference is being carried live on Sky. Party reform is also high on the agenda of the NZLP – President Moira Coatsworth announced that Labour would conduct an organisational review after the election in her speech to Labour’s Conference in May. It was a prescient move.

Two weeks to choose

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 3:42 pm, November 29th, 2011 - 160 comments

Have just received an email from Labour’s President Moira Coatsworth. Phil Goff and Annette King to resign Labour’s leadership effective December 13. Moira is urging all Party members to make their views known to their MPs about the new leadership.The caucus will make the decision but members will have their say. Good.

Labour should not rush to judgment

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 12:36 pm, November 28th, 2011 - 171 comments

One can understand why John Key is ‘speed dating” to form a one-seat majority in Parliament. His honeymoon is likely to be a lot shorter in the next term of government. It is quite different for Labour. The caucus would be wise not to rush to decide who leads Labour into the next election.

Ombudspin

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 11:17 am, November 27th, 2011 - 22 comments

I agree with Anthony Hubbard in today’s SST “Turning the spin around” – not yet on-line. The most outrageous piece of spin in the election was Chief Ombudsman Beverley Wakem’s justification for allowing the Treasury to refuse to release documents relating to asset sales as requested by TV1, the Greens and Labour. Hubbard calls it a cop-out and a cave-in – he’s right.

Laws and police priorities

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:02 pm, November 21st, 2011 - 18 comments

While the police are executing a search warrant at the Herald on Sunday at John Key’s request, perhaps they might be able to spare the time to follow up Section 174 of the Crimes Act re Michael Laws on Radio Live advocating shooting their journalists. It carries a ten-year prison sentence. Doesn’t need a fishing expedition either.

The other state house issue

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 8:27 pm, November 21st, 2011 - 8 comments

Key’s poodle blogs are barking about Labour’s state house attack ad. Key told us again tonight on TV3 he too was “brought up in a state house.” What it taught him though is that “it was a great marketing ploy.” What a fraud.

Key’s MMP Switcheroo – as predicted

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 10:22 pm, November 15th, 2011 - 23 comments

Key has now officially The National Party Preservation Society to try to kill off MMP. As I predicted in June, Farrar has now come out in support, attacking political scientist John Johansson for saying Key’s decision to speak out against MMP smells of partisan greed and hubris. It does; it was the tactic all along.

Privatisation N Z Style

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 8:03 pm, November 13th, 2011 - 8 comments

Economist Dr Rhema Vaithianathan from Auckland University will discuss Privatisation New Zealand Style, looking at the economic logic and evidence on privatisation of utilities and ask whether it will alleviate New Zealand’s current economic problems. St John’s Church, cnr Willis and Dixon, Wellington, Monday 14th Nov 5:30pm. All welcome. Register at Fabian Society www.fabians.org.nz.

State house evictions

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 5:50 pm, November 12th, 2011 - 54 comments

In 2005 Labour wrote to State House tenants with a warning “Don’t let National sell your house.” We were criticised for scaring people. Now Tamaki residents have got the real letters. And the boot. Same old National.

Who really benefits from asset sales

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 4:35 pm, November 12th, 2011 - 25 comments

Brent Sheather assesses the case for asset sales in today’s Herald. He cuts through the crap and concludes “selling the SOEs doesn’t look all that clever, particularly from the perspective of young people and those other sectors of society who won’t be able to participate in the offers in any material way. This is likely to be at least half the population.” He looks at who really benefits, and it’s the fortunate few once again.

Credit downgrade and the banks

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 8:51 pm, November 6th, 2011 - 9 comments

Bill Rosenberg from the NZCTU and Massey’s School of Banking Studies David Tripe will speak tomorrow at St John’s Church in Wellington at 5:30pm on the credit down grade and the banks. All welcome, register at www.fabians.org.nz. Bernard Hickey in today’s Herald was also interesting about the banks’ profits.

Buy Ardern

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 11:00 am, November 3rd, 2011 - 37 comments

On Backbenches last night Nikki Kaye showed as an angry finger-wagger who thinks the most important issue facing the country is to keep wages down for young people. Kaye looked like a politician under pressure, and showed why she avoids debate with the impressive Jacinda Ardern. Forward-looking and articulate, Ardern had the best lines of the night. Auckland Central could be a very interesting contest.

Workers locked out because won’t take 25% pay cut

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 3:46 pm, November 2nd, 2011 - 45 comments

Over 100 meat workers have now been locked out for 10 days at the Canterbury Meat Packers works in Rangitikei. They are told they must sign an agreement that cuts pay by 25% and loses conditions in order to return to work. Some migrant workers face deportation if they lose their jobs. It’s a disgrace; they all need our support. Here’s how you can help.

Is Key going where Gove’s gone?

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 1:33 pm, October 31st, 2011 - 78 comments

National’s “Future Fund” asset-sale money will be spent on modernising schools we are told. Is the future they have in mind like Conservative Education Minister Michael Gove’s so-called “free schools” now being set up in Britain? It would be no surprise if our public assets were sold down by National to pay for private interests to get a stake in the school system here. We shouldn’t be under any illusions that the agenda is just short-term.

Saving our future

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:13 pm, October 27th, 2011 - 76 comments

Labour’s savings policy is taking care of future generations by making KiwiSaver universal and compulsory for all wage and salary earners, by re-starting contributions to the New Zealand Super Fund, and by gradually increasing the age of eligibility for New Zealand Super from 65 to 67 over a 22 year period. Labour is taking the decisions that are right for tomorrow, rather than the easy option today.

Ashcroft – the photo-op Key didn’t want

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:08 pm, October 26th, 2011 - 24 comments

Paddy Gower at TV3 reveals Lord Ashcroft, billionaire Tory donor and International Democratic Union treasurer, has come to talk to Key again. Just discussed politics generally, said Key. Politics yes, generally no. Ashcroft’s interests are now devoted to polling and blog communication, and he is very interested in our election. Having seen Cameron miss out on a majority, he’ll want to help Key to one here.

Europe finance ministers’ meeting cancelled

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:45 am, October 26th, 2011 - 6 comments

The meeting of European Finance Ministers set for Wednesday that was supposed to put in place the framework for the Euro support has been cancelled. Certainty appears ever more elusive. The downside scenario to Treasury’s PREFU begins to look like the most realistic option. It is time our media took off the rose-tinted spectacles and asked some hard questions of the government in the run-up to the election.

Felicitations Thierry

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 11:50 am, October 25th, 2011 - 37 comments

Thierry Dusautoir thoroughly deserved the player of the year at the IRB awards last night. And how well he took it – with praise for the All Blacks, addressed to Richie McCaw, and with words from the heart spoken to his team. We all saw on Sunday what a player he was, and he showed us all last night what a leader he was. Grace in defeat does not diminish anyone. Grace in victory is important too – we could have done better.