Author Archive
But which club?
Written By: - Date published: 3:41 pm, January 21st, 2015 - 7 comments
I think when justifying sending troops to Iraq the club John Key is really talking about is the group of right-wing political parties known as the International Democratic Union. Today Key chairs its Executive in Sarajevo, his first meeting as President. This move by Key to the IDU is calculated; he sees himself as leader of the world right-wing club and this is the first step to his international political career post New Zealand politics.
Top 1% own 50% of world wealth: Oxfam
Written By: - Date published: 10:44 pm, January 19th, 2015 - 241 comments
Winnie Biyanyima of Oxfam is one of six co-chairs at the Davos World Economic Forum. She says her role is to challenge the powerful elites, and she goes armed with a new report that shows that on current trends by next year the world’s richest !% will hold more wealth than the other 99%. She’s got some good ideas on what to do about it too.
The “pop-star” economy could go pop
Written By: - Date published: 4:36 pm, January 17th, 2015 - 38 comments
This the time of year when papers are thin and economic prognostications abound as the pop-star economists from banks and brokers look to raise their public profile. In 2013 the same Cameron Bagrie gave us the “rock-star” economy, this year apparently in Wellington we can all be part of the “movie-star” economy. Such puffery is […]
Organising to win
Written By: - Date published: 7:31 pm, December 9th, 2014 - 13 comments
Labor’s win in the recent Victorian state election was historic – the first time a one-term government had been turned out for more than 60 years. It was also a fantastic example of how organisation can win elections. Labor leader Daniel Andrews’ focus was on having 5500 active volunteers behind him.
Fred Dagg – User’s Guide to NZ
Written By: - Date published: 10:07 pm, December 4th, 2014 - 35 comments
I miss Fred Dagg – John Clarke’s latest is a purler. “New Zealand … is an egalitarian nation made up of well over four million rugged individualists and naturally gifted sportspeople and is run on alternate days by the government and whoever bought the national infrastructure.” Read, laugh and weep – he might be gone but we’re not forgotten, and thank God for that.
Blowing smoke
Written By: - Date published: 3:31 pm, December 2nd, 2014 - 31 comments
Is David Farrar being paid to attack plain packaging? His latest post quotes research described by the Melbourne Age as “pushed by the smoking lobby.” He also misrepresents New Zealand researchers’ views. The Age says “a co-ordinated assault just ahead of the review of plain packaging laws is emerging.” Looks to me like Farrar has joined it.
Key in for the long term?
Written By: - Date published: 10:33 pm, November 22nd, 2014 - 38 comments
John Key’s election as chair of the International Democratic Union is significant. Key succeeds John Howard who has led the IDU for the past 12 years. Key’s acceptance signals that like four-time winner Howard, Key plans a long career as Prime Minister of New Zealand. This news should be a wake-up call for the Labour Party’s review of its election organisation and party structure.
David Parker – my choice for Leader
Written By: - Date published: 7:12 am, October 15th, 2014 - 199 comments
Heavyweight Cabinet experience, strong egalitarian values, a cool debater, with a passion for manufacturing and a high-value economy, a good deal of steel and with an open mind and a twinkle in his eye – these are the reasons why I support David Parker for Labour Party Leader.
Headbutting Bunnies
Written By: - Date published: 7:13 pm, October 10th, 2014 - 8 comments
I watched the NRL Grand Final last Sunday night and pleased to see the Rabbitohs win. But I was sickened by what I saw from James Graham – two tackles led with his head fractured Sam Burgess’ cheekbone and saw David Tyrell stretchered off the field with concussion, not to return. Burgess should also have been taken from the field, and head tackles outlawed as they are in American football.
Onya, Granny!
Written By: - Date published: 11:05 am, October 10th, 2014 - 46 comments
Today’s Herald editorial raises important questions about the police search of Nicky Hager’s home. “Inconvenient and embarrassing disclosures do not justify police actions to uncover journalistic sources. The effect of such raids is to intimidate such people from approaching media to disclose uncomfortable truths.”
Check the polls – we’re off to war!
Written By: - Date published: 8:13 pm, October 9th, 2014 - 63 comments
“It all depends on the question you ask” – this was John Key’s resp0nse to a question as to whether he had concerns about the SAS identifying air-strike targets that might kill civilians. Farrar/Curia will no doubt be in the field now asking questions to find out how to make New Zealanders comfortable as off to war we go.
Aussie police raid – plastic sword discovered!
Written By: - Date published: 12:42 pm, October 8th, 2014 - 22 comments
Last month the Australian covered “the biggest anti-terrorism raid in Australia’s history” extensively, complete with picture of sword “that police claim they were planning to use” according to Channel 10. Yesterday it turned out that the sword was plastic. Oz Police had a lot to say about the raid, but are staying quiet on the sword.
Defend Nicky Hager
Written By: - Date published: 5:01 pm, October 7th, 2014 - 103 comments
We can contribute to his defence fund here. It’s one way to help – this is going to be a long fight.
Cameron follows Key – channels Eminem
Written By: - Date published: 3:10 pm, October 2nd, 2014 - 7 comments
It’s the conference season in Britain. According to the Guardian, audio specialist Cassetteboy has rearranged cuts from David Cameron’s Conservative conference speeches to Eminem’s 2002 track Lose Yourself. Cameron can be heard rhyming “I’m hardcore and I know the score” with “I am disgusted by the poor” followed by “I’ve made sure we’re ready for class war.”
Point of Order
Written By: - Date published: 4:03 pm, September 29th, 2014 - 61 comments
Trevor Mallard is known for frequent intervention with points of order in Parliament at Question Time. His latest intervention however notified to the Herald to refuse caucus discipline is out of order. The whip’s request to caucus members to refrain from expressing their personal views at this stage of the process is entirely reasonable. No doubt at some time they will all be let off the leash, but right now unity and solidarity is far more important.
No rush to judgment
Written By: - Date published: 10:31 pm, September 23rd, 2014 - 146 comments
It would appear that the Labour caucus has decided to take its time to fully consider all implications of what was a massive defeat before proceeding to decide questions of leadership. I think that is wise – we have to get the Labour horse in proper shape for the next race before we worry about the jockey.
Time to say thanks
Written By: - Date published: 8:24 pm, September 23rd, 2014 - 14 comments
A word of thanks to our departing Members of Parliament – Hon Maryan Street, Moana Mackey, Raymond Huo and Carol Beaumont. All those who put themselves forward to serve our cause in Parliament deserve our sincerest and most heartfelt thanks. Their life becomes an open book, their time is no longer their own, and the verdict of the electorate can be cruel for those on the list. Thanks to all for your commitment and contribution to Labour.
VRWC rises from the grave
Written By: - Date published: 8:35 pm, September 14th, 2014 - 29 comments
They’re at it again. David Farrar has a guest post from fellow VRWC member Charles Finny about FiveEyes, arguing that it’s kept us safe in foreign wars and Labour did it too. Which of course is not the point of the current debate about massive government surveillance of innocent citizens. Farrar then gets himself tangled in knots – if Dotcom is right Labour did it too – but he’s not of course says Farrar.
Panic in the ranks
Written By: - Date published: 11:15 am, September 12th, 2014 - 28 comments
No its not our politicians, media or PR and pundits trying to make sense of what is happening here but according to the Tatler the Scottish aristocracy is nervous. Change is afoot.
Nicky Hager on Democracy – Wellington
Written By: - Date published: 10:30 am, September 2nd, 2014 - 5 comments
Black ops – blogger in the House
Written By: - Date published: 11:15 am, September 1st, 2014 - 12 comments
John Key dropped Winston Peters’ visits to DotCom into an answer to a question in the Houseof Parliament on February 12 2014. Today when pressed by Guyon Espiner whether the information had come to him from Cameron Slater he ducked and dived all over the place but finally had to admit Slater was the source. This episode confirms that Key was part of the black ops campaign, not just his office.
“VRWC” exposes rift at top of National
Written By: - Date published: 11:48 am, August 30th, 2014 - 18 comments
There is a self-appointed “Vast Right Wing Conspiracy” in New Zealand. Odgers and Slater are key members. Search VRWC on Slater’s website and you’ll find their activities. After Pansy Wong’s forced resignation from Cabinet for misuse of her travel perk the VRWC thought the National Cabinet needed “some serious steel going forward.” You can read the minutes of their virtual white-board session on post-it cards – the rifts at the top are deep and nasty.
Cyberflailing
Written By: - Date published: 4:07 pm, August 29th, 2014 - 7 comments
Judith Collins has re-entered the election campaign. John Key’s little helper is back. Collins should take her own advice to cyber-bullies earlier this year. Her time is up but she doesn’t realise it. National’s #teamkey campaign has become a train wreck, and John Key looks weaker and grubbier by the day.
Parker nails English on economic policy
Written By: - Date published: 2:25 pm, August 25th, 2014 - 32 comments
Labour has the bold set of policies to take New Zealand forward into the 21st century – National’s “same old same old” tinkering will see the Kiwi skiff swamped. That was the clear conclusion from the debate between David Parker and Bill English on National Radio this morning.
Newspeak
Written By: - Date published: 11:37 am, August 22nd, 2014 - 54 comments
John Key’s reaction to the revelations in “Dirty Politics” is straight out of Orwell’s classic 1984.
“Having a Whale of a time”
Written By: - Date published: 6:47 pm, August 21st, 2014 - 42 comments
In July 2011, John Key was on holiday in Maui “having a whale of a time” – and also on Q+A in New Zealand letting the world know that Phil Goff was briefed by Tucker. So they do have the telephone in Hawaii.
Taxenophobia
Written By: - Date published: 4:51 pm, August 20th, 2014 - 22 comments
Chalkie has a fascinating article in today’s DomPost on why foreigners are so keen to buy New Zealand assets – tax. He discusses Wellington Electricity Network and Lochinver to make the point that “the real appeal of investing in New Zealand is how easily foreign companies manage to avoid paying tax” – anywhere. Labour’s tax avoidance clampdown will benefit Kiwis much more than National’s soundbite approach to policy exemplified in Joyce’s bullying.
Brand Key
Written By: - Date published: 9:35 am, August 20th, 2014 - 30 comments
Tom Scott says it all. And the DomPost reports that National hopes to get their campaign back on track by showing an eight rowing together. That’ll work.
Gutless!
Written By: - Date published: 3:43 pm, August 19th, 2014 - 114 comments
Key’s giving Collins a “last last” chance! After she’s outed an innocent public servant to an amoral blogger! Duncan Garner said it six months ago about Oravida: “John Key won’t like this, but by Helen Clark’s standards he looks weak.” That’s too generous – by anybody’s standards he looks weak, as well as unprincipled. He’s no leader. Update: Email here – name, job title and phone numbers including mobile
Will the real National Party please stand up
Written By: - Date published: 9:17 pm, August 18th, 2014 - 52 comments
I think it’s likely that the emails leaked to Nicky Hager for “Dirty Politics” have everything to do with the National Party. Nicky Hager identified the main source for his previous book “The Hollow Men” as six people from the National Party. He thanks “the National party staffer who first suggested he work on this subject” in the preface to “Dirty Politics.” It may well be that the both leaks come from the same source, and for the same reason. There will be many people in the National Party who will be disgusted at what is now being done under their name.
The moral low ground
Written By: - Date published: 3:00 pm, August 18th, 2014 - 45 comments
Revulsion. That’s what’s coming out from a range of people who have ploughed through the inner thoughts of Slater, Farrar, Ede, Collins, Lusk, Odgers, Jordan Williams – they’re all repulsive. It’s the strength of that gut feeling in response that will sink their plot. Despite all John Key’s efforts to move as quickly as possible to the end of the day, …it’s still not ok. Key’s try at cover up is pathetic, and doomed to be futile. But what it shows is that he has chosen the moral low ground with the rest of them. TeamKey indeed.
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