Campbell on welfare reforms

Written By: - Date published: 2:54 pm, May 31st, 2011 - 61 comments
Categories: class war, economy, national, welfare - Tags: , ,

Gordon Campbell, as ever, is there with the insightful commentary:

Gordon Campbell on John Key’s assault on the welfare system

If John Key is the face of moderation, there’s not much room left on the margins for the extremism of Don Brash. “Moderation” evidently means asset sales, tax breaks for the rich, cuts to government spending, a view that public services are “unsustainable” and unaffordable” plus – as Key indicated at yesterday’s post -Cabinet press conference – forced contraception for women on benefits as an idea worthy of further consideration. If you can get all that from the smiling face of “moderation” who needs the Act Party?

Act’s first dismal round of polls under its new leadership suggest that the centre right voters have indeed decided that Act is a redundancy. That’s an entirely rational conclusion. As a political shell company for the National Party – led by its lesser, older lights – the Act Party’s only purpose seems to be to foster the illusion of Key’s moderation. Yesterday, Key-the-moderate was engaged in the age-old right wing election year rhetoric of welfare bashing.

More in sorrow than in anger though, of course. The current system was “broken”. It was “unaffordable” And it was “unsustainable ” – unless most of the wilder ideas of the Welfare Working Group are put into action. A Cabinet working team and government departments are now to be tasked with furthering the WWG recommendations.

These welfare alarums are bogus, of course. Only three years ago, this same allegedly broken system had benefit levels down at record lows. The driver of beneficiary numbers is not the mindset of individual beneficiaries, or the fact that New Zealand has suddenly transformed itself into a nation of shirkers. The main determinant of beneficiary numbers is a functioning economy where jobs are available – and that’s something for which Key takes no responsibility whatsoever. Instead, the government seems to be hellbent on making beneficiaries keep their side of the social contract – while taking no responsibility as managers of the economy, for failing to keep its side of the bargain.

In that respect, the government’s welfare reform rhetoric is as dishonest as the timeframe that Key chose to introduce the topic at yesterday’s press conference. In 1970, Key twice pointed out, only 2% of the working age population were on benefits, while 13% were on benefits today. Conclusion: the system is making it too easy for people to get on, and stay on benefits. No concession that he is measuring those beneficiary numbers at the employment trough of the worst global recession since the 1930s, and in the wake of one of New Zealand’s worst natural disasters.

Campbell is spot on. People are desperate for work. But the work isn’t there. The Nats have not responded successfully to the current challenges, so they are blaming beneficiaries for their own failures. Read on for the rest of Campbell’s piece, then go and read his Ten Myths About Welfare. Another electoral battle line has been drawn – arm yourself with the facts!

61 comments on “Campbell on welfare reforms ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. JaJ 1
    31 May 2011 at 3:33 pm

    Forced contraception? What is this – last time I checked the proposal was for free contraception.

    • r0b 1.1
      31 May 2011 at 3:37 pm

      I had a quick look and couldn’t find anything further on that claim. I’m hoping a reader can elaborate?

  2. todd 2
    31 May 2011 at 5:12 pm

    The WWG report states:

    We have heard a concern among some people that setting a work expectation for parents when their youngest child reaches three years or six years may create an incentive for a small minority of parents to have additional children to avoid this work expectation. Should this eventuate, this would likely contribute to worse outcomes for the parents, their existing children and the family as a whole, and make it even harder for parents to regain their independence from the welfare system. The Working Group considers that one component of addressing this incentive is to provide support for people on welfare to manage their fertility, including through contraception and information about expectations.

    My understanding of what that means is that if a woman gets pregnant while on a benefit, she must accept state enforced contraception if she wishes to continue to receive her $194 per week social support.

  3. Bunji 3
    31 May 2011 at 5:35 pm

    From wikipedia:

    Until the 20th century, poverty was seen as a quasi-criminal state, and this was reflected in the Vagabonds and Beggars Act 1495 that imprisoned beggars. During Elizabethan times, English poor laws represented a shift whereby the poor were seen merely as morally degenerate, and were expected to perform forced labour in workhouses.

    Looks like Key’s keen to bring that mindset back.

    Progress? What progress?

    • Draco T Bastard 3.1
      31 May 2011 at 5:47 pm

      That’s exactly the mindset that they have and are trying to force upon the rest of us.

  4. Bunji 4
    31 May 2011 at 6:04 pm

    Campbell points out Key’s complete denial of reality again. Just like seeing a respected scientist and expert in his field as just another “opinion” on HardTalk. When even the departing head of Treasury writes a report showing the stats of NZ as the 7th most unequal country in the OECD, John Key is “not sure that’s right. I haven’t had a really good look…” but he ‘knows’ better.

    And he claims that NZ’s benefit system is “universally regarded as a more generous scheme than in many other countries…” despite the reality we spend far less on welfare than most of the OECD. Just because the US is the place he holidays and it’s more nasty to the poor, doesn’t mean we’re universally regarded as generous…

    I can’t believe how much making shit up the media lets him get away with. We need a media that factchecks our politicians’ statements. So when Bill says our wages have all risen lots, they say: but only if you use whichever contorted metric, most academics would say this instead. Sanitise all our politicians, please, the more that National get away with it, the more everyone else will make shit up to counter-balance.

    • Ed 4.1
      31 May 2011 at 11:12 pm

      I suspect that Key was thinking about something entirely different – state provision of retirement income. He and National clearly regard that as a welfare benefit, forgetting entirely the history of the provision of a universal income benefit from age 65 – which is based in an understanding that a proportion of income taxes will be used to provide the benefit. The original 2/6 in the pound was developed at a time when we had a lower average age than now, and life expectancy was much shorter, and the amount of the pension was I think a little different, but the principle was for a long term commitment as a public service, not a welfare benefit.

      Next we will have National including secondary education and health care as ‘welfare’ – to be restricted for those unable to pay for privately provided services . . .

  5. tc 5
    31 May 2011 at 7:27 pm

    Making shit up is what bankers and big business interests do best, having a tame media that never questions and let’s the BS go unchallenged is a bonus as I think they’d be surprised at how little scrutiny they’ve faced.

    That’s why the arrogance has gone up a notch or 3 I reckon……a docile compliant MSM which gives them a sense of ‘we can do nothing wrong’

  6. Descendant Of Smith 6
    31 May 2011 at 7:56 pm

    Generous be damned – as I’ve much lamented – Labour couldn’t bring themselves to even put back the $20-00 per week taken away from the poor.

    Here’s a simple example of the difference between the US and France – the whole article is linked to and explains the difference in values placed upon having children. We used to value people having with children once – even the banking industry where I worked in the early 80’s paid people a higher rate if they had a family to support.:

    It’s not hard to find examples of better and more generous welfare systems than ours.

    “Mary Lou Sarazin went to Paris to teach. When the job ended, she was newly married to a French husband and pregnant. Her visa had expired, however, and she couldn’t renew it right away, so she returned to New York a little over a year ago to finish graduate school and have the baby.

    Sarazin, 34, has since received health care in both France and the United States. Her experience has given her a firsthand look into why France has earned a reputation for being a good place to be pregnant and have a child.

    In New York, pregnant and unable to find work, Sarazin couldn’t find health insurance that she could afford. Eventually, she did get limited coverage through New York Medicaid, the state program for the poor and uninsured, but it only covered her prenatal and hospital care. Once the baby was born, she would be uninsured again. ”

    http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92116914

    • Draco T Bastard 6.1
      31 May 2011 at 11:48 pm

      Labour couldn’t bring themselves to even put back the $20-00 per week taken away from the poor.

      Don’t use absolute figures as inflation tends to eat them away. Use the actual percentage that the benefits were cut which, IIRC, was something like 15 or 20 percent.

  7. Bored 7
    31 May 2011 at 7:57 pm

    I really cannot express my disgust for these malcreants and their supporters. Key and his ilk leave me with nothing I want to debate with the likes of HStandard, PeteG, Gosman etc, I leave it to the facts to state the case, regardless of the spin scum put on it. I leave those people haters to contemplate Campbells lines “the government seems to be hellbent on making beneficiaries keep their side of the social contract – while taking no responsibility as managers of the economy, for failing to keep its side of the bargain..

  8. Chris 8
    31 May 2011 at 8:41 pm

    I think most people would agree the benefit system needs to be looked at as it has become somewhat of a monster. Its not ‘benefit bashing’ so forget the rhetoric.

    • Campbell Larsen 8.1
      31 May 2011 at 8:52 pm

      The only ‘monster’ here is a government that implements policies that create poverty and then embarks on a hate campaign against the poor, stripping them of dignity and fundamental human rights.

    • Descendant Of Smith 8.2
      31 May 2011 at 9:02 pm

      Yeah it needs looking at – the standard benefit rates need increasing so people can afford to live.

      There needs to be less applying for and grovelling for assistance so people are able to retain some dignity and not get pissed off all the time by having to denigrate themselves.

      There needs to be more investment in training and support – preferably run by state agencies such as polytechs and not private sector wallies who are more interested in making a buck rather than producing quality training – dive courses anyone!

      Industry and ITO’s should have input into where the skill shortages are likely to occur and then work with the polytechs to plan for these

      More support to sole parents to ensure that their children are well supported and nourished

      More information sharing with other government agencies so that fraud can be identified earlier and more quickly e.g. IRD number matches before assistance is paid, including self employed

      Welfare trusts should be accessed before state assistance – if a trust with all it’s tax advantages has been set up to provide for someones welfare then it should damn well do so – I mean the mantra of the right is that everyone should provide for themselves – why the fuck do they then take the tax breaks and not do so

      Support should be provided to assist people to move form low employment areas to high employment areas – you know help move labour supply to labour demand

      There’s some suggestions:

      You can hardly say the benefit system is a monster then say not to use rhetoric – besides if there is a monster it’s the banking system – you know like Australian charging it’s NZ counterpart a fee to use the banks name to avoid tax, or charging a premium on NZer’s with higher interest rates cause they can, or lending out more and more money on an ever-increasing money go round – shit even Muldoon knew how corrupt the bankers were – it’s why he put restrictions on how much they could lend., or the speculation on currency that simply puts our dollar value up and creates exactly nothing of any substance.

      • Campbell Larsen 8.2.1
        31 May 2011 at 9:24 pm

        The devil is very much in the detail.

        You were sounding so ‘reasonable’ until you recited one of the myths of the free market – the erroneous assumption that there was no cost associated with moving people around the country to fill labour shortages.

        People have families. People have friends and support networks. People have homes. How are you going to compensate them for giving up all of these essential intangibles? Let me guess, the minimum wage?

        Sloppy work, Decendant of Smith, the other Smith is smarter than you.

        • Descendant Of Smith 8.2.1.1
          31 May 2011 at 9:32 pm

          No I don’t quite agree with you there – support for people to move meant exactly that – support. I wasn’t talking about forcing people to move either – just help for those that are willing to do so but the costs associated make it difficult e.g. moving from a small rural area where rent may be low to an area with skill and labour shortages – this could be actual moving costs, some initial support with higher rents until a job is found, maybe help with paying dual rent while one parent goes to look for work while the other waits with the children, assistance for dual rent to move to do seasonal work and then return home once the seasonal work is finished – currently there is no assistance for these things.

          There are people willing to move but the cost of moving is a significant barrier.

          It’s easy when you are single and young and own nothing – if you were laid off at 40 then it’s much harder to sell up and start again

          • Campbell Larsen 8.2.1.1.1
            31 May 2011 at 9:45 pm

            Ah yes seasonal work, you did mean the minimum wage, and your point was?
            They will of course all want to uproot themselves for a few months a year for minimum wage, and the government would never force them to move…
            Fool, that’s exactly what the government will do.

            You gave yourself away with “there needs to be less applying for and groveling for assistance”

            Couldnt quite hide the disgust could you?

            Don’t say things like that and pretend you care.

            • Descendant Of Smith 8.2.1.1.1.1
              31 May 2011 at 10:01 pm

              I’m not sure how many people you know on benefit but that is exactly how many of them feel – the point which you seem to have missed is that by increasing the benefit rates then people will have less need to apply for additional assistance such as food grants – if you don’t think putting an extra $20-00 per week plus in the poorest’s pocket would make a positive difference then I don’t know why you think having to go to Work and Income and apply for food is a much better option.

              Don’t equate how others say they feel and that reflection with my own feelings – I have the utmost respect for anyone who is struggling to survive on a benefit – particularly sole parents. Maybe I should have put those words in quotation marks to emphasise that it was a common public generalisation rather than my own perception – but then I thought I’d posted long enough on here over the last couple of years that regulars would have some idea about where I come from.

              Also you can earn considerably more than minimum wage doing seasonal work and many people do. For some it also leads to permanent work.

              • Campbell Larsen …
                31 May 2011 at 10:22 pm

                I note that you don’t just argue for an increase in benefits (understandable, commendable) but also the removal of emergency grants.

                Generous, but not too generous eh? Or is it that you don’t rely like those additional grants.

                If you are such a nice guy, why would you ever suggest axing emergency support?

                • Descendant Of Smith …
                  31 May 2011 at 10:26 pm

                  I didn’t argue for axing the assistance – I said people wouldn’t need to apply for it so often cause they would have more money in their pocket.

                  It was a short post not a detailed policy statement.

                  Upon reflection it seems the only one suggesting negative ideas / intent here is yourself.

                  • Campbell Larsen …
                    31 May 2011 at 10:36 pm

                    Why don’t you pack up your life into a suitcase and go pick some apples, someone told me it’s a great life., with great career opportunities.

                    • Descendant Of Smith …
                      31 May 2011 at 10:56 pm

                      Seasonal work is more than picking apples – and if you want to go to the lowest denominator as you seem want to do I would suggest asparagus – it’s a darn sight more difficult.

        • rosy 8.2.1.2
          31 May 2011 at 9:35 pm

          Yes, move the jobs around, not (always) the people, especially the most vulnerable. We all know the free market can shift production 😉

          There was regional development at some stage, if I recall correctly – even had a minister for it.

          • Descendant Of Smith 8.2.1.2.1
            31 May 2011 at 9:41 pm

            I totally agree with regional development and don’t think continuing urbanisation is a good thing overall but I also know that for many people opportunities lie elsewhere and it’s often good to move and make a fresh start or to go where the work is now.

            Sometimes regardless of willingness some people don’t have a shitshow of getting employment in there local area – e.g. blacklisted by employers cause they took one to court and won their grievance, criminal record for something stupid they did when they were young, and so on.

            Having the option to be supported to move gives people more options – I don’t see that it takes any away therefore see that as a positive move.

            • Campbell Larsen 8.2.1.2.1.1
              31 May 2011 at 10:10 pm

              “Blacklisted by employers because they took one to court and won”

              If they won then a clause would have been inserted into the settlement ensuring that it was illegal for the company to badmouth the employee.

              Criminal record – well that will follow them everywhere, no moving away from that.

              Your ‘more options’ sounds a precursor to move or be cut off to me.

              How about coming up with an idea that offers more than part time minimum wage and doesn’t involve significant disruption to the individual concerned.

              • Descendant Of Smith …
                31 May 2011 at 10:21 pm

                Yeah well I guess that your comment that “fool, that’s exactly what the government will do” indicates that you have a total lack of trust in government. If you are predisposed to see the bad in everything then that’s your problem.

                Anything can be used for the wrong reasons and I understand that the road to hell is often paved with good intentions but I was at least trying to provide some positive ideas to go against the negativity .from this government.

                Maybe you could come up with some decent suggestions.

                BTW in the real world people are blacklisted by employers all the time and as far as I know it’s not illegal in this country to do so. Criminal records in themselves don’t always stop people getting a job but local reputation does – the record might follow but the reputation doesn’t.

                • Campbell Larsen …
                  31 May 2011 at 10:29 pm

                  Let’s start with respecting peoples human rights (freedom of movement, freedom of association) you will be surprised about the difference that makes.

                  Perhaps you simply chose your works poorly. Time will tell.

                  • Draco T Bastard …
                    1 June 2011 at 12:02 am

                    Or, perhaps, you’re just a fuckwit purposefully misreading DoS’s words.

                  • Puddleglum …
                    1 June 2011 at 10:55 am

                    Campbell, I don’t think you and DoS are worlds apart. When I was younger I did plenty of apple picking, oast-house work, kitchen handing, etc.. You’re right that the ideal is not to have to move for work (it was at its extreme in South Africa when black men had to live for years away from their families – back in the ‘homelands’ – because of lack of work there). That kind of dislocation and ‘churn’ inevitably undermines individuals, families and communities. 

                    But, right now and in this context, the best pragmatic response may well be for the state to help with the ‘costs’ of moving (both financial and ‘other’) in exactly the same way that the state helps with the consequences of being unemployed, invalided, etc.. I think the welfare state is, structurally, simply a support for capitalism. That doesn’t mean, however, that I argue against it and want it dismantled. I realise that many people – including myself from time to time – depend upon it directly just to survive.

                    Your basic principle is correct … and DoS’s practical suggestions are also correct.

                    I know, helping individuals cope within a system that is manifestly harmful and unjust in aggregate is also helping the system to continue. That’s the moral and practical bind all those with some humanity find themselves in – in this world.

              • Vicky32 …
                1 June 2011 at 3:53 am

                “Blacklisted by employers because they took one to court and won”

                That did happen to a friend of mine, I won’t go into details as I don’t have his permission – but he worked in a job where there are a limited number of possible employers in his district, who required people with his particular skills…

                • Campbell Larsen …
                  1 June 2011 at 10:38 pm

                  Fair is fair Vicky – this sort of thing does happen, I have seen it myself.

                  People like me can move – no kids, relatively unattached – and frequently do when there are opportunities to be had elsewhere.

                  Many people cannot without breaking up families, relationships…

    • Vicky32 8.3
      1 June 2011 at 3:34 am

      I think most people would agree the benefit system needs to be looked at as it has become somewhat of a monster.

      And I think you’re wrong! Define monster, to begin with…

  9. Puddleglum 9
    31 May 2011 at 8:46 pm

    Campbell has hit the strategic nail on the head.

    Key’s aim all along has been to maintain his mantle of Mr Moderate/ Mr Universally Liked while also delivering big time for the radical right. The fact that that strategy allows the ultra-radical right to explore, with all its auto-stimulatory pleasure, the politically uncharted nether regions of radical right wing insanity in public should not distract from the increasingly radical nature of the measures Key has followed and intends to follow more and more aggressively.

    The budget was only ‘moderate’ to the extent that it is ‘postponed’ and there remains an election hurdle to leap. All the signals are there – literally, and explicitly, in black and white – that Key is rhetorically positioning a post-election government to chant, endlessly, that ‘we have a mandate’ for whatever radical right policies they then wish to pursue. 

    This is starting to look like the ultimate triumph of shallow perception (image) over truth (reality), of absurdity over sense, of unconvincing spectacle over substance. Never a pretty sight – but for some reason I can’t keep my eyes from the gory and sad details as it plays out right in front of me. 

    With this capstone announcement about a pre-election set of welfare reform policies, it’s almost as if Key is deliberately pushing the NZ public to make a devotional choice: “How much do you really love me?” 

    Asset sales vs. “How much do you really love me?”

    Beneficiary bashing vs. “How much do you really love me?” 

    An increasingly unequal society vs. “How much do you really love me?”

    ACC privatisation vs. “How much do you really love me?”

    Tax cuts for the rich vs. “How much do you really love me?”

    For some reason, I keep getting reminded of the book Nineteen Eighty-Four at the moment.

    There’s that scene right at the end when Winston Smith – completely shattered by his experiences in the Ministry of Truth – is sitting at an outside table at a cafe with the tune ‘under the spreading chestnut tree’ (‘where I sold you and you sold me’) running through his mind. He looks across the road at one of the omnipresent billboards of Big Brother and tears well in his eyes – he realises that he loves Big Brother. It’s his consolation for selling his soul – and his belief in the truth.

    • bbfloyd 9.1
      1 June 2011 at 11:30 am

      Quite right puddlegum……Orwell is indeed turning out to be the prophet some hailed him when that book was written.

      Required reading for schools i would have said. A modern political science textbook.

  10. Akldnut 10
    31 May 2011 at 10:03 pm

    Campbell missed “the major” contributing factor in his list of causes.

    “No concession that he is measuring those beneficiary numbers at the employment trough of the worst global recession since the 1930s, in the wake of one of New Zealand’s worst natural disasters and the most under-performing govt & worst handling of the NZ economy that we Kiwis have ever had!!!”

    There fixed it for him. 😎

  11. Demoralised 11
    31 May 2011 at 10:13 pm

    The only ‘monster’ here is a government that implements policies that create poverty and then embarks on a hate campaign against the poor, stripping them of dignity and fundamental human rights.

    Tell me about it.Over the last few years i have even been refused help with dental care,with suggestion it were due to high cost, even though i would have ended up needing to pay most of it back.Instead i had to put up with pain of many ongoing mouth ulcers and gum disease that slowly set in, the outcome of this being my teeth have all been painfully slowly falling out.Add to this im now on a invalid benefit due to having deep depression and PTSD connected to some sensitive issues, that also leave me with lack of sleep extensive anxiety and extreme anger issues which also mean im unable to find an employer.This has left me scratching to find enough money to pay rent, and so ive then also been forced into needing to try living in some bad situations with some very dubious flatmates,somebody of whom also opened my mail that was marked confidential.Removing my human rights and dignity even more

    Dignity and human rights ?

    To be honest, what i have shared here, is really only the very tip of the ice burg of the lack of dignity and human rights ive been experiencing.And because im so poor i cant even affort any lawyer to help me stand up for my rights.To top this matter off seems the health system has also been cut and/or become so over worked, there is nobody there that provides me with any proper support or points me in the right direction toward where i can find help.If somebody was willing to help me, i would be more than willing to blow the whole whistle on this nasty situation.But all i ever seem to hear,is people telling me to try to cheer up and just forget about it.

    And now this government suggests it wants to make some more cuts?.

    • Vicky32 11.1
      1 June 2011 at 4:11 am

      Demoralised, I really feel for you.. some of your issues are the same as mine.. I wish I could do more than say that I feel for you!

  12. M 12
    31 May 2011 at 10:14 pm

    I was musing over the “problem” of women having more children whilst on the benefit, wouldn’t it be better to encourage them not to have any more children by not forcing them to find work when a child is a pre-schooler because anyone who’s parented on their own knows how damned tiring it is. An expectation of seeking work once the kids are in school and paying for child care for before and after school in conjunction with paying for upskilling is positive not punitive.

    As for financial incentives women could receive positive financial encouragement to avoid having more children through higher abatement rates for the DPB for money earnt and would see this as a way to better their lot. I know that I’m placing the onus on women in this but it’s women who so often are left holding the bag as it were. God forbid we should return to the days when the only escape from alcoholism/gambling/drugs or violence for a woman in a violent relationship was death or grinding poverty.

  13. O2B 13
    31 May 2011 at 10:15 pm

    Yet in the polls Key and his henchmen can do wrong. It would seem that if the voting public allow National another term, it would basically give them carte blanche for more cuts, more asset sales, more user-pays. And who is this going to affect the most? Quite a number of the same voting public that for some reason thought National would stop the Labour rot and make millionaires of us all.

    Are we suffering from Stockholm syndrome?

    • RedLogix 13.1
      31 May 2011 at 10:36 pm

      That’s the most interesting question O2B. I won’t attempt anything like an answer right now… it’s late and I’m tired…. but I do recall reading quite a few very interesting contributions along those lines.

      The core question can be put; why do the working class everywhere in the Western world vote for govts whose policies directly hurt their own interests?

      At least part of the answer is that no-one likes to think of themselves as ‘working class’ anymore. Most people no longer believe in unions; the word ‘solidarity’ is a joke, and the idea of a ‘social contract’ or a collective public good is dead in the water. These things no longer form a part of the identity for many, many people.

      There has been a massive generational change here, especially over the last 30 years. How it came about is a complex story with many trails leading down some very interesting rabbit holes…

      • O2B 13.1.1
        31 May 2011 at 10:52 pm

        It’s important for those on the left side of the political spectrum to keep faith in what we believe in. But it’s even more important to get across the message of ‘collective public good’ to our friends and family. When the shit well and truly has hit the fan we will need to be strong for each other. Hopefully some of us will learn from the mistakes in voting this lot in… and biting our tongues when we’re about say ‘I told you so’.

    • McFlock 13.2
      31 May 2011 at 10:43 pm

      Hostages forming an intense, irrational bond with their kidnappers based on a perceived external threat of common harm?
       
      Not too far off, if you believe the polling.

      • Tigger 13.2.1
        1 June 2011 at 6:05 am

        The Stockholm theory makes perfect sense. Also it enables me to see National voters as something deeper than just selfish and deluded.

  14. ZeeBop 14
    31 May 2011 at 10:39 pm

    Agrarian societies evolve! Well NZ de-evolves, every day we give too much relief to agriculture, manufacturers hurt, businesses pay a risk premium, only the wealthy farm sector can carry the risk. So farmers harm the rest of the economy and in doing so force up their own cost of borrowing, and expose themselves to more debt from farm land bubbles.

    And all we need do is tax farming properly (and homes), a capital gains tax. And until
    someone pulls their finger out and starts pointing it at the fiscal mob who make so much
    money out of sitting at the fiscal port and taking their cut of any action.

    Fair taxation isn’t some wholly left wing policy, its good for efficiencies in an economy,
    a level trading field makes us all richer.

  15. Chris 15
    1 June 2011 at 12:34 pm

    Campbell Larsen 8.1
    31 May 2011 at 8:52 pm
    Quote
    “The only ‘monster’ here is a government that implements policies that create poverty and then embarks on a hate campaign against the poor, stripping them of dignity and fundamental human rights”

    It psychotic comments like this that give the left a bad name.

    The left also are giving a mixed message.

    On the Mike Hosking ZB Newstalk this AM Annette King was clearly agreeing with Steven Joyce that the benefit system needed a review and changes had to be made as the cost was significant and there were people who took advantage of it. The caveat being future jobs.
    A review is timely and the majority of people believe it is due and no it is not ‘benefit bashing’.

    • Luxated 15.1
      1 June 2011 at 1:38 pm

      The left also are giving a mixed message.

      Could that be because, quelle horreur, ‘the left’ don’t all have the same thoughts? That ‘the left’ aren’t all mindless drones incapable of amicable (or otherwise) disagreement with each other? That Labour have an unfortunate history of doing what is perceived as popular at times?

  16. deemac 16
    1 June 2011 at 1:42 pm

    you still haven’t defined this alleged monster! Or explained why it magically appears during a recession…

  17. randal 17
    1 June 2011 at 3:24 pm

    Chris, there is no doubt in anyones mind that some onthe the right are getting off on bashing up beneficiaries. they are ineffectual people and psychologically disposed to bash up people but being the sort of people they are they can only pick on those weaker than themselves. Its being going on since the pharisees picked on Jesus so dont try and pretend that violence against the poor is imaginary. and it comes from the top down not the bottom up.

  18. Chris 18
    1 June 2011 at 8:28 pm

    What has to be addressed is intergenerational welfare dependency. That is the ‘monster’. It has nothing to do with ‘benefit bashing’ – that is an immature rebuttal and using that term debases your argument.
    Long term welfare dependency robs motivation and creates chronic low self esteem and depression. It leads to lower academic outcomes, subsequent difficulty in the labour market, lower incomes, lower health outcomes and poverty.
    Long term welfare dependency has especially been detrimental to the Tanga Te Whenua – this is one of the reasons why Maori are high in negative statistics in Aoteroa. It is another form of prolonged colonization.
    This has nothing to do with the genuinely sick, disabled and the aged. The state is their to protect them.
    Welfare is a hand up not a hand out. As a society we owe it to those on the fringes of society, those with situational stressors and those who come from a background of adversity not to allow long term welfare dependency. Dependency on state sanctioned hand outs is never a good thing.
    Sometimes one needs to see the world not from ‘left or right’ doctrine as that limits us – but from a humanistic viewpoint.

    • McFlock 18.1
      1 June 2011 at 9:43 pm

      “Welfare dependency” is a made-up condition. Inter-generational economic inequality is a major problem, but you have to ask “why are certain sectors excluded from econonomic self-determination over decades and centuries?”. The answer IS political: righties say “they don’t try”, lefties say “alienation and seperation from the means of production”.
       
      And your switch to the “hand up not a hand out” mantra just oozes your own bias.

      • Descendant Of Smith 18.1.1
        1 June 2011 at 11:06 pm

        The percentage of people on benefit long-term is minimal and is quite a mythic fantasy.

        Getting data is difficult because the main data provided is current numbers and duration on benefit e.g. most recent year available
        MSD Website

        Length of current spell to the end of June

        Working-age clients receiving an unemployment-associated benefit
        2009 Number
        Under 6 months 40,938
        6 months–2 years 14,554
        2–4 years 1,742
        Over 4 years 1,227
        Total 58,461

        A percentage based on a fixed point in time gives too simplistic a figure but even then it is only 2% who had been on for more than four years. Many of these are likely to live in rural areas with low employment opportunities and will include 64 year old ladies working part-time at a supermarket and getting $30-00 to $40-00 to top up their low wages.

        If you were able to tell how many people had been on benefit in total that year (lets guess at 5 for everyone on at the above point in time throughout a year) then this figure would drop to 1,227 / 292,305 = 0.41%

        As most right-wingers like to focus on the over 10 year people you can see that if the fours are this low the 10’s must be even lower.

        The percentage of managers / lawyers /brokers/ accountants done for fraud or tax evasion each year is likely higher than this and much more damaging to many more people.

    • Campbell Larsen 18.2
      1 June 2011 at 9:57 pm

      Chris – I held back before because I try never to be rude to people in public two days in a row (tho I have been know to fall short of the ideal)
      BUT you are so twisted I don’t even know where start, calling you the worst names I can think of is still doing you a compliment.
      You call yourself a humanist – I think if we peeled your skin back there would be a reptile underneath.
      You don’t even know what it is to be human.
      You are preaching to the wrong person: go suck Darth McVicars ‘sensible’ cock – he at least will enjoy you ministrations.

      • Campbell Larsen 18.2.1
        1 June 2011 at 10:13 pm

        Oh, I take it you got the comment email follow up Chris!

        Good goad!

        Your desire to provoke me coincided with my desire to slag you off.

        Now we are both happy : )

  19. Chris 19
    1 June 2011 at 10:08 pm

    ‘Cambell Larsen’ et al – you can be rude all you want – if it makes you feel better. It is an immature defense mechanism. It does not effect me. You are blinded by your left ideology. It breeds contempt and hatred towards those who may have an alternative viewpoint to your failed socialist doctrines.

  20. Chris 20
    1 June 2011 at 10:43 pm

    ‘Cambell Larsen’ – you give up easily. Is it that easy to reach your own level of intellectual incompetence. ?
    ‘Puddlegum’ – can’t you write something original and intelligent yourself instead of referring to some other persons thoughts ?
    Here was me thinking socialist’s had reasonable debating skills.
    Good night – pleasant dreams my socialist illiterates.

    • McFlock 20.1
      1 June 2011 at 11:07 pm

      riiiight.
       
      Can’t keep track of who you’re debating with? Can’t count beyond two?
       
      Good night, innumerate tory.

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • The Art of taking no Responsibility
    Alwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    23 mins ago

  • The shabby “Parliamentary urgency” ploy – shaky foundations and why our democracy needs trust
    Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust.  The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    51 mins ago

  • Jones has made plain he isn’t fond of frogs (not the dim-witted ones, at least) – and now we lea...
    This article was prepared for publication yesterday.  More ministerial announcements have been posted on the government’s official website since it was written.  We will report on these later today ….    Buzz from the Beehive  There we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 hour ago

  • Infrastructure & home building slumping on Govt funding freeze
    New Zealand now has the fourth most depressed construction sector in the world behind China, Qatar and Hong Kong. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 8:46am on Thursday, May 2:The Lead: ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 hours ago

  • Brainwashed People Think Everyone Else is Brainwashed
    Hi,I am just going to state something very obvious: American police are fucking crazy.That was a photo gracing the New York Times this morning, showing New York City police “entering Columbia University last night after receiving a request from the school.”Apparently in America, protesting the deaths of tens of thousands ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 hours ago

  • Peters’ real foreign policy threat is Helen Clark
    Winston Peters’ much anticipated foreign policy speech last night was a work of two halves. Much of it was a standard “boilerplate” Foreign Ministry overview of the state of the world. There was some hardening up of rhetoric with talk of “benign” becoming “malign” and old truths giving way to ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 hours ago

  • NZ’s trans lobby is fighting a rearguard action
    Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    14 hours ago

  • Your mandate is imaginary
    This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    19 hours ago

  • 14,000 unemployed under National
    The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    22 hours ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Discontent and gloom dominate NZ’s political mood
    Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    22 hours ago

  • Taking Tea with 42 & 38.
    National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    23 hours ago

  • Beware political propaganda: statistics are pointing to Grant Robertson never protecting “Lives an...
    Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”. As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    23 hours ago

  • Winding back the hands of history’s clock
    Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    24 hours ago

  • Paula Bennett’s political appointment will challenge public confidence
     Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    24 hours ago

  • Business confidence sliding into winter of discontent
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the coalition’s awful, not good, very bad poll results
    Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    1 day ago

  • New HOP readers for future payment options
    Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    1 day ago

  • 2024 Reading Summary: April (+ Writing Update)
    Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    2 days ago

  • At a glance – Clearing up misconceptions regarding 'hide the decline'
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Road photos
    Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Paula Bennett’s political appointment will challenge public confidence
    The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago

  • NZDF is still hostile to oversight
    Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • Winding Back The Hands Of History’s Clock.
    Holding On To The Present: The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • Sweet Moderation? What Christopher Luxon Could Learn From The Germans.
    Stuck In The Middle With You: As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • A clear warning
    The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • Poll results and Waitangi Tribunal report go unmentioned on the Beehive website – where racing tru...
    Buzz  from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example.  This shows National down ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Listening To The Traffic.
    It Takes A Train To Cry: Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • Comity Be Damned! The State’s Legislative Arm Is Flexing Its Constitutional Muscles.
    Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • Ending The Quest.
    Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • Will political polarisation intensify to the point where ‘normal’ government becomes impossible,...
    Chris Trotter writes –  New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, April 30
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:30am on Tuesday, May 30:Scoop: NZ 'close to the tipping point' of measles epidemic, health experts warn NZ Herald Benjamin PlummerHealth: 'Absurd and totally unacceptable': Man has to wait a year for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Worst poll result for a new Government in MMP history
    Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Pinning down climate change's role in extreme weather
    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Serving at Seymour's pleasure.
    Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Webworm LA Pop-Up
    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    3 days ago

  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    3 days ago

  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    4 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago

  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago

  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago

  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    6 days ago

  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    Skeptical Science
    7 days ago

  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable children
    The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago

  • Streamlining Building Consent Changes
    The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.      “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-01T23:43:05+00:00