Axe the Copper Tax wins

Written By: - Date published: 6:49 pm, November 28th, 2013 - 32 comments
Categories: act, cycleway, greens, labour, mana, maori party, national - Tags:

Beehive corporate influenceSomething momentous happened today.  John Banks and Hone Harawira are on the same side of an issue, Peter Dunne is doing something sensible, and the Greens and New Zealand First as well as Brendan Horan agreed on something.

And David Farrar and Matthew Hooton are being praised in a Standard post for a job well done.

It was announced today that all other political parties have blocked National’s proposal to override the Commerce Commission’s determination on the level of reductions of broadband charges.  Chorus will be fuming.

According to the Herald:

Government support partners the Maori Party and United Future along with Winston Peter’s NZ First have come out against Government proposal to override the Commerce Commission’s recommendation of a cut to internet prices.

In what appeared to be a co-ordinated move, all three parties announced they wouldn’t support legislation which overrides the commission’s recommendation.

With Labour opposed to the move to override the commission, the announcements this afternoon mean the Government would not have the numbers to pass legislation to impose a smaller cut.

This is the first issue I can think of where every party has revolted against a Government proposal although its latest RMA reforms were torpedoed in September after Peter Dunne and the Maori Party refused to support the proposed changes.

National is waiting to see what the results of its review of Chorus’s ability to complete the fibre optic network before deciding what to do next.  According to Radio New Zealand Amy Adams has said:

We’ve had some initial discussions with our support partners and they indicated they weren’t keen on legislating. We’ve commissioned some independent analysis on the numbers – we certainly want to wait for those before we come out with anything concrete. We prefer to have the information in front of us.”

But this is deeply embarrassing for the Government.  And I suspect that the embarrassment is going to continue for a while as Chorus applies the pressure on the Government for a helping of corporate welfare.

32 comments on “Axe the Copper Tax wins ”

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  1. Ake ake ake 1
    28 November 2013 at 7:29 pm

    At this time of the year, and especially in the year before the general election, the government of the day should be keen under an MMP system to wheel out some kind of a ‘Christmas tree’ legislation for many political parties, especially those with whom it is in governing coalition, to hang various little ornamental policy and legislative wins so as to LET each claim their relevance and toast to their own victories before the country imbibes the festive spirit and forgets about the lot of them momentarily.

    Who would have thought that, for a change, John Key’s government would have offered the gift of such a ‘Christmas tree’ policy to its coalition partners, as well as even parties on the other side of the debating chamber * but * – with a twist, in a year nearing the end that has been filled with bumps, bruises and bloopers – presenting itself on this day as the thanksgiving turkey?

    [Thanks ake ake ake. I am not sure why but a lot of comments have gone into moderation today. Have deleted your other comments and amended this comment – MS]

  2. karol 2
    28 November 2013 at 7:55 pm

    Yep. A very good result.

    • ghostwhowalksnz 2.1
      29 November 2013 at 8:10 am

      Dont count the chickens yet.

      Its just a bargaining position, wait for Dunne and one or more of the Maori party Mps to rollover once National has bought their support.

      • tc 2.1.1
        29 November 2013 at 9:31 am

        yup they are the consummate willing sellers at the right price, all about looking tough and principled right up till they sell out.

        • ghostwhowalksnz 2.1.1.1
          29 November 2013 at 11:06 am

          Even better, Chorus , as a private company, can directly fund these minor parties. The government can only give them policies they like.

          Chorus has plenty of filthy lucre to spread around. In ways that are hidden from the general public of course.

          Carefully note its only political commentators that are saying its over, there doesnt seem to be an official announcement.

          No doubt Joyce is plotting a smokescreen to cover the reality, while Key busies himself with his Christmas card list- his only priority till he takes off to one of his overseas houses for the holidays

  3. AmaKiwi 3
    28 November 2013 at 8:02 pm

    “We prefer to have the information in front of us.”

    That’s a new twist, too.

    Do they expect me to believe Key’s ideology based decision making is about to be replaced with reason and logic?

  4. toad 4
    28 November 2013 at 8:42 pm

    We’ve had some initial discussions with our support partners and they indicated they weren’t keen on legislating.

    So National was keen on legislating over the legitimate findings of the statutory authority that they themselves had charged with making that decision.

    This is indeed a corrupt Government, where the ends (i.e corporate welfare) justify any means (i.e. legislating over the outcome of the processes they themselves have set up).

  5. dv 5
    28 November 2013 at 9:00 pm

    >> We prefer to have the information in front of us.”

    But they have had 5years to sort it !!!!!!
    Aren’t they suppose to be the good economic managers??

  6. felix 6
    28 November 2013 at 9:14 pm

    Amy Adams was hilarious on the radio today.

    Can’t recall the exact words but it amounted to “We didn’t want to anyway and it doesn’t count because we weren’t playing”.

    • Bearded Git 6.1
      28 November 2013 at 9:45 pm

      Adams seems to be a walking disaster-all of the parties in parliament (except the Nats) also opposed her RMA reforms legislation.

      Or maybe Chorus, the RMA reforms and the failure to pay compo to the miners are all signs of National losing the plot?

  7. ak 7
    28 November 2013 at 9:51 pm

    Tipping point.

    Today a major embarrassment politically, another in the wings – emphatically NO asset sales.

    Anomie territory socially – roastbusters the final dirty nail in the filthy brighter future lie.

    Zeitgeist warming, global winds stirring. Socialist pope. TPP a wet dream. Dairy god a dirty mammon joke.

    Scapegoat roll very nearly exhausted.

    Brace for one final, desperate benny-bash.

    And watch it backfire, just in time for Progression’s birthday.

    • ak 7.1
      28 November 2013 at 10:35 pm

      Sorry state I know when one replies to oneself, but just a reminder that the best rejoinder to a distraction is a positive affirmation,

      Big public hug for Russel please Dave.

      Hels/Jim gave us three terms.

      When even Small admits it (and wee Brycie calls it a must-read), you know it’s the truth.

      Big distraction coming. Timing is everything, so be ready old chap.

      • Colonial Viper 7.1.1
        28 November 2013 at 10:51 pm

        Giving those factors which I am sure you have right, it must be time to pull a ‘false flag.’

        • ak 7.1.1.1
          28 November 2013 at 11:54 pm

          No need for perfidy, Tat old man. LAGR is the accepted brew of the masses right now. Time for pure, wholehearted embrace and inebriation.

  8. Te Reo Putake 8
    28 November 2013 at 10:01 pm

    Could someone help with my math? 4 weeks boosting Colin Craig divided by 3 miffed support parties equals 2 term Johnny. Does that add up?

  9. Zorr 9
    28 November 2013 at 10:32 pm

    Can I dance in the virtual streets now? ^_^

    This is great news

  10. Craig Glen Eden 10
    28 November 2013 at 10:32 pm

    nah it dosent and I like your factors and divisor TRP. lol sorry people this was in response to TRPs 8 forgot to push reply.

  11. Herodotus 11
    28 November 2013 at 10:46 pm

    http://www.chorus.co.nz/dividend-information
    http://www.chorus.co.nz/chorus-board
    Given that there have been concerns since this issue was raised late last year, how could the board initially recommend a $0.255 dividend and why was the April 13 dividend paid out?
    http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/chorus-pricing-decision-very-problematic-says-key-bd-133405
    Can only hope that corporate beneficiary welfare is dead.

  12. Observer (Tokoroa) 12
    29 November 2013 at 6:46 am

    What is this revolt of John Key supporters?

    It cannot be the result of new found wisdom – for, excluding Labor, the Greens and the New Zealand First, these Key defectors have displayed only one thing in five years: and that is a ruthless determination to give cosmic loads of wealth to already wealthy people here and overseas.

    Led by John Key, we have seen the feckless Maori Party, Peter Dunne, and John Banks too, support Billy English in borrowing staggering $Billions to be donated to the wealthiest green eyed in the land and beyond.

    Remember the glee with which Turiana and Sharples and Dunne jacked up the regressive Gst? They passed their first test with flying colours. Assets sales easy peasy for them.

    Remember, the ever rising cost of food and in particular Electricity? The Maori lot, and Peter Dunne salivated while the poor struggled even more. Their supporters, namely the screeching Hooton and the lugubrious Farrar and John Armstrong licked their feet like little lap dogs.

    Remember the way they found no work for thousands of New Zealanders! These single minded ratters of the New Zealand handbag, stayed clung to their salaries and perks, while astronomical numbers of youth and parents desperately went to Australia seeking a crust. Their homes by the hundreds put to mortgage sale. Write a haka for that Sharples!

    And David Farrar and Matthew Hooton are being praised in a Standard post for a job well done. Pity fascist inclined leopards, including Maori Party and Dunne and Banks have no way of changing their spots.

    So Key and English, have gone about building schools that shall not require trained teachers. Schools that will be given to their wealthy friends. This is so that money will churn to wealthy owners weekly, while impoverished kids can find an even lower place in society. There was a time New Zealanders would weep over such an evil thing.

    In order to ensure that the minimally paid and the pensioners should struggle more, The Maori Party and Peter Dunne and John Banks (currently being investigated for swindling) have invited thousands of shareholders to come and pick up money for next to no cost. The magnificent power producing assets, which belong to every New Zealander are going at bargain basement prices to a small number of wealthy people. The costs of power will rise and rise.

    To everybody’s amusement, Billy English New Zealand’s all time great borrower has got the sale in a “helluva” muddle – but he has made sure of the rising costs on the low and minimally paid. He has done that proudly.

    In the meantime, that patriot the like of which we have never seen before, is shipping every electronic thing and more, every word and thought on our fones and computers; every line in our medical reports and doctor visits; every shop we visit with an eftpos card too – and much much more – Key is shipping them to his friends in the USA.

    The Maori Party, Peter Dunne, John Banks, Mathew Hooton, David Farrar and John Alexander – have not uttered a word against this stupidity of Key. These sick Key supporters believe that New Zealanders are for sale. We are just shattles. They have got their feet on our neck. The Bastards.

    Sorry to have to write about such a mucky, icky, stupid stenchy lot. It sullies the South Waikato.

    • yeshe 12.1
      29 November 2013 at 1:44 pm

      well said Observer .. but not just south Waikato, it sullies the whole of Aotearoa and all of us.

  13. vto 13
    29 November 2013 at 8:26 am

    This

    Pike River compensation

    Rio Tinto

    gutless, ruthless, mean, nasty, without compassion, hypocrites, liars, zero principle, no backbone, zero credibility, outright, arseholes

    I’m heading out to deface some Chch east Doocey billboards

  14. Observer (Tokoroa) 14
    29 November 2013 at 8:55 am

    Well spoken “vto”

    Did Sharples speak up about the PM’s treachery over the Pike mourners?.

    They are only mourning because of shocking Government neglect of safety standards! Sharples has not maintained even a shred of decency when it comes to the afflicted and the poor.

    The real image of Key we the public should have, is slurry mouth John weeping tears as he spoke lies of support to the Pike families. True New Zealanders would rather die than break a promise. Key is just a look-a-like New York con man posing as a leader of decent people.

    There is no way that Armstrong would pull him up over that series of disgraceful callous lies. Why?
    Because it requires principle and fair play to keep promises that are made with tears. Armstrong and principle are opposites. Hooton doesn’t have a dictionary. Farrar is the slow moving tape warm within our society. No hopers.

    They all have this in common: “Go get fucked Pike River Mine People.”

  15. Tracey 15
    29 November 2013 at 12:28 pm

    is key reading reports now

  16. wtl 16
    29 November 2013 at 7:08 pm

    If you want to see something amusing, pop over to the discussion here: http://www.sharetrader.co.nz/showthread.php?8673-CNU-Chorus/page111

    A bunch of Chorus shareholders moaning about how bad it is that the evil “communist”/”left wing” parties won’t let them make excessive profits at the public’s expense. It really shows the mindset of many NZ righties – they make a bad decision (e.g. buying Chorus shares without properly assessing the risk) and then moan how it is someone else’s fault when things don’t go their way. I guess personal responsibility only applies to other people.

  17. RedBaronCv 17
    29 November 2013 at 9:36 pm

    Fascinating. Actually they might do better suing the government. After all Chorus is listed on the NZX and they are not on a trading halt yet the government is busy acquiring information that is not avaiable to the ordinary shareholder and may well leak.

  18. greywarbler 18
    30 November 2013 at 12:02 am

    A bit of Oz satire about their political decision making about fast speed fibre. They have decided that they can only put fibre to nodes in the street rather than to each house.

    This saves a little money but they point out you can have – fibre to node with copper to the house, inexpensive, as against fibre right to the house, expensive. But then the mixed fibre and copper proves to be ineffective so eventually other countries have replaced with fibre to house which is then most expensive of the options.