Abuse of power

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New Powers to Ministers to screw Iwi

Written By: - Date published: 10:19 am, July 2nd, 2015 - 25 comments

The Social Housing Reform (Transaction Mandate) Bill allows designated Ministers to sell off state houses. Currently Housing New Zealand has no such power. Interestingly however this Government could introduce a Bill with criteria to enable sales to be signed off by the CE of Housing New Zealand but instead they are seeking that power for themselves. But within it there is a fishhook for iwi. UPDATE: comment from Turei and response from Bennett

The Cyber bullying law and Dirty Politics

Written By: - Date published: 1:58 pm, July 1st, 2015 - 36 comments

The cyber bullying legislation is a cynical piece of law which allows National to claim that it has left dirty politics behind.

Gagging scientists

Written By: - Date published: 10:02 am, June 27th, 2015 - 13 comments

Forty percent of scientists surveyed feel that they are unable to speak out on issues within their areas of expertise because of management policy or concern over losing funding.

More political interference in State Broadcasting

Written By: - Date published: 1:49 pm, June 23rd, 2015 - 43 comments

It appears that shortly after a meeting between the Minister of Maori of Affairs Te Ururoa Flavell and head of Maori TV Paora Maxwell occurred a potentially embarrassing planned televised debate concerning Whanau Ora was cancelled.  Of course the timing is completely accidental and Flavell had nothing to do with it …

Colin Craig’s Contempt for His Victim

Written By: - Date published: 7:30 pm, June 22nd, 2015 - 113 comments

The Conservative Party’s Colin Craig has victimised his former Press Secretary by deliberately breaching a confidentiality settlement in order to frame his inappropriate behaviour as a minor matter they were both equally responsible for. Well, that’s crap, Colin. It’s actually a rich man using his power and privilege to belittle a woman. Again.

The third way according to Tony Blair

Written By: - Date published: 9:06 am, June 14th, 2015 - 70 comments

Supporters of Tony Blair’s third way and the need for Labour to be aspirational should reflect on recent reports of his huge wealth earned with taxpayer support while he has been engaged on official business.

NRT: Rubberstamping surveillance

Written By: - Date published: 3:11 pm, June 3rd, 2015 - 6 comments

I/S at No Right Turn on the “poor job the courts are doing of overseeing surveillance”.

Conservatives and Human Rights

Written By: - Date published: 8:24 am, June 2nd, 2015 - 16 comments

In Australia a recent attempt by Abbott and some supporters to give the Minister of Immigration the power to cancel an Australian’s citizenship status was met by a cabinet revolt.  In England there is talk of the UK withdrawing from the European Convention of Human Rights.  So much for the Conservative commitment to the rule of law.

The stupidest idea this Government has had yet

Written By: - Date published: 9:15 am, June 1st, 2015 - 92 comments

One News has reported that the Government is on the verge of introducing Social Bonds whereby investors in social services will be rewarded if targets are met.

Money for nothing and the sheep are for free

Written By: - Date published: 8:36 am, May 29th, 2015 - 38 comments

The legal suit offered as part justification for the Government paying $11 million to a Saudi businessman was apparently “off the table” at the time that Cabinet agreed to the payment.  So why was the payment made?  And why didn’t Murray McCully tell this to Cabinet or to Parliament earlier?

Sheepgate

Written By: - Date published: 8:54 am, May 28th, 2015 - 103 comments

It has emerged that the New Zealand Government has paid money to a Saudi businessman allegedly to settle a legal dispute that does not exist but more probably to persuade the Saudi Government to enter into a free trade agreement.  Update – and maybe there was a threat of legal action but because of the actions of National, not Labour.

Sky City redux – the house still wins

Written By: - Date published: 8:25 am, May 27th, 2015 - 101 comments

Sky City has managed to persuade the Government to allow it to build a cheaper building while retaining the same valuable gambling regulatory concessions.  Update: and the Government appears to have made further contractual concessions to Sky City.

Owning the news agenda

Written By: - Date published: 8:20 am, May 24th, 2015 - 47 comments

He who pays the piper calls the tune. The killing of Campbell Live is just the latest example.

Campbell Live Dumped

Written By: - Date published: 2:42 pm, May 21st, 2015 - 83 comments

John Campbell has quit TV3. Campbell Live is dead.

Banks let down by the Crown (but not the judiciary)

Written By: - Date published: 11:03 am, May 21st, 2015 - 41 comments

I support any decision he makes to lay a complaint with the NZ Law Society against the taxpayer funded prosecutor/s who made the decision to breach their obligation to the Court and to hold the AG’s feet to the fire regarding a rigorous investigation of the withholding of the memorandum.

John Banks; Conviction Quashed

Written By: - Date published: 12:14 pm, May 19th, 2015 - 198 comments

John Banks has been acquitted of electoral fraud and his re-trial has been abandoned. Kim Dotcom has once again failed to follow through. Banks vs Goff in next year’s mayoralty race?

Curiouser and curiouser

Written By: - Date published: 10:13 am, May 19th, 2015 - 22 comments

Creepy Key has dodged a question from the Green Party about any contact he may have had with the New Zealand Fox News Herald in the lead-up to Rachel Glucina’s hit job on the cafe worker who’s ponytail he pulled.

Human Synergistics, Richard Prebble, and the end of government

Written By: - Date published: 6:08 am, May 17th, 2015 - 64 comments

Back in March 1988 David Lange had a clear idea about what lay ahead for New Zealanders as the long-term consequences of Roger Douglas’ psychopathic worshipping of the metaphysical Invisible Hand gradually materialised.

Auditor General rules on Dirty Politics allegation

Written By: - Date published: 8:33 am, May 16th, 2015 - 46 comments

The Auditor General has decided that Katherine Rich, head of the Food and Grocery Council which includes Coca Cola as well as Alcohol and Tobacco interests has no conflict in being a member of the Health Promotion Agency, a quango with the role of supporting healthy lifestyles.

Spy watchdog to investigate GCSB’s help for Groser’s campaign

Written By: - Date published: 5:01 pm, May 14th, 2015 - 13 comments

Spy watchdog Cheryl Gwyn has announced an investigation into circumstances surrounding possible spying on our allies by the GCSB in support of Tim Groser’s tilt for the top WTO job.

NSA bulk collection ruled illegal

Written By: - Date published: 6:32 am, May 8th, 2015 - 15 comments

In the US a federal appeals court has just ruled the NSA’s bulk collection of phone records is illegal.

NRT: There is too much money in our politics

Written By: - Date published: 3:27 pm, May 6th, 2015 - 60 comments

Our political system is awash with money. There is clearly an arms race going on where National is trying to spend everyone else into the ground. National includes significant funding from Auckland property developers and real estate agents, and probably explains their effective disinterest in fixing Auckland housing.

Government cuts emergency dental loans for beneficiaries

Written By: - Date published: 11:00 am, May 5th, 2015 - 38 comments

Over the past few years the amount WINZ has lent to beneficiaries for emergency dental work has been slashed. Update: Seems to have been an error- OIA chaos in the Ministry of Social Development

Joyce’s $1,248 taxi ride

Written By: - Date published: 12:02 pm, May 1st, 2015 - 52 comments

Stephen Joyce has spent $1,248 keeping a taxi waiting for him in Sydney for nine hours. The level of  born to rule arrogance displayed has been unmatched for some time.

Casual harassment

Written By: - Date published: 9:05 am, April 28th, 2015 - 89 comments

It was all a bit of fun. Have we become so casual about harassment?

A Friend first, and a Boss second, probably an Entertainer third.

Written By: - Date published: 1:56 pm, April 26th, 2015 - 44 comments

“I’m a friendly guy that likes to interact with the public. I do like to have a bit of a laugh and I’m probably the most casual Prime Minister New Zealand has had.”

John Key’s week has turned from drama to farce. David Brent looks good next to this clown.

Pull the other one… ponytails, minimisation and male privilege

Written By: - Date published: 5:48 pm, April 25th, 2015 - 407 comments

From pulling ponytails to police minimisation, there is a deep problem in our country with attitudes towards women and to sexual violence.

International laughing stock

Written By: - Date published: 6:49 am, April 23rd, 2015 - 72 comments

John Key has finally achieved the world fame he has clearly always wanted, but not in a good way. Here’s a roundup of the international coverage of his harassment.

Reaction to harassed waitress story

Written By: - Date published: 12:30 pm, April 22nd, 2015 - 183 comments

Some of the reaction from Twitter.

My Little Ponytail

Written By: - Date published: 9:49 am, April 22nd, 2015 - 407 comments

A really strange story has appeared on The Daily Blog. It claims to be a first person account of PM John Key regularly physically harrassing a staff member in his local cafe over the summer. While it may be much ado about nothing, the Prime Minister really should tell NZ his side of the story. Or resign if it’s true.

Update: It’s true. Key’s office has confirmed the harassment.

Let Campbell Live entertain you

Written By: - Date published: 12:35 pm, April 18th, 2015 - 35 comments

John Campbell is engaged in the most marvellous fightback in trying to save Campbell Live.  But you have to wonder why he is not on a State Channel with robust protection for quality journalism.