national/act government

Categories under national/act government

Nats plummet, Lab soars post-budget

Written By: - Date published: 8:27 pm, June 9th, 2011 - 93 comments

The latest Roy Morgan is the first poll taken after the Budget has had time to sink in. Nat+ACT+UF fell from 55.5% to 51% while Lab+Green went from 38% to 42.5%. Labour rose a massive 8%. New Zealanders do not want asset sales, fewer work rights, and National’s nasty agenda and are realising they have to vote against that ‘Nice Man Mr Key’.

Hiding the costs from Auckland

Written By: - Date published: 7:58 pm, June 1st, 2011 - 18 comments

Hide is trying to distance himself from his negligent costing of the Auckland merger, and the consequent $450 million blowout on IT systems alone.  Aucklanders won’t have the satisfaction of kicking him out at the election.  But they can still kick out the arrogant government that steamrollered all over the city, with no regard for good process or public opinion.

Aucklanders to pay for Nats’ negligence

Written By: - Date published: 8:35 am, May 28th, 2011 - 73 comments

Auckland ratepayers are going to be stuck with a huge bill for the Nats’ failure to properly cost the merging of  the old Councils’ IT systems.  As Russell Brown puts it – “Someone has to be accountable for this”…

Keeping the buggers honest

Written By: - Date published: 3:00 pm, May 18th, 2011 - 33 comments

This rolling post is intended to be a record of the lies, misrepresentations, and misdirections the National government and its allies try to foist on us. It’s a ‘facts only’ post.

Today’s topic: borrowing for tax cuts

Helen Clark calling the shots

Written By: - Date published: 9:14 am, May 4th, 2011 - 19 comments

After a turbulent fortnight in politics, Helen Clark’s new look Green Party is now in place.

Nats attacks legal aid but pays a million to defend itself

Written By: - Date published: 2:37 pm, April 30th, 2011 - 11 comments

Legal aid and your rights if accused of a crime are under attack by the National Government yet at the same time, as Michael Bott, explains it has spent a fortune in court trying to defend its practice of discriminating against carers who are related to the disabled people they care for. More disgusting choices from National.

How to tell you have a Tory govt

Written By: - Date published: 5:01 pm, April 16th, 2011 - 7 comments

Brian Fallow is one of the Heralds more understated columnists. Brian and I probably vote differently, but I find his articles usually worth the read. But there is understatement, and then there is deliberate obfuscation. His column today starts out workmanlike enough, repeating the PM’s case how average wages/salaries have increased in real terms around […]

Choices, Choices

Written By: - Date published: 1:37 pm, April 7th, 2011 - 25 comments

Aucklanders think Joyce is crazy.

Written By: - Date published: 2:30 pm, April 5th, 2011 - 27 comments

Even considering putting in a new harbor crossing without heavy rail that hooks into our existing public transport rail system is simply ideological stupidity by National. Well it is good to see that Aucklanders recognize the critical requirement for a new harbor crossing – “Rail crossing wins big backing in poll”. The sample is small but quite clear…

“Boosting science and innovation”

Written By: - Date published: 2:19 pm, March 15th, 2011 - 9 comments

No Right Turn says all that is required on another of Nationals aspirational failures.

For the past year, the government has been talking a lot about “boosting science and innovation” as the “keys to economic growth”. Today, we saw the reality behind that talk, with news that NIWA is planning to sack 5% of its total workforce:

One job only for Jerry

Written By: - Date published: 1:46 pm, March 8th, 2011 - 77 comments

John Key has appointed Jerry Mataparae as the next Governor-General. That’s all well and good. I’m sure he’ll do a fine job. But Key says he can also stay on as head of the Government Communications Security Bureau. That’s not on.

Update: the Stuff article failed to mention the vital fact that Mateparae is stepping down from the GCSB before becoming G-G. Sorry. Fucken Stuff.

Dropping like flies

Written By: - Date published: 12:41 pm, March 8th, 2011 - 37 comments

Worth: gone. Wong: gone. Mapp: going. John Carter: going. Te Heuheu: probably going. Sharples, Hide, Dunne: facing de-election. Lockwood Smith: going mid-next term. Key: gone in three years, tops. More with limited lives due to corruption/abuses/incompetence (Heatley, English, Bennett). Why did Power really leave a party and government that was his to shape?

Unemployment tsunami hits Chch

Written By: - Date published: 12:12 pm, March 5th, 2011 - 28 comments

3065 people have already claimed the special benefit for people left unemployed due to the Christchurch earthquake. Once that payment expires in a few weeks they’ll be on the dole, if they’re eligible. The quake killed and did physical damage in seconds but, without action, it will keep strangling the economy and taking jobs for […]

Minister vs Minister – deathmatch

Written By: - Date published: 2:37 pm, February 17th, 2011 - 18 comments

Rodney Hide has accepted Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples’ challenge to a street race to settle the Supercity Maori Advisory Board dispute. Standing beside his customised Crown limo, the Kupapa II, Sharples said “we called on Rodney to resign as he promised but he won’t. So we’re taking this battle to the streets”.

What do you think Righty – a perfect score?

Written By: - Date published: 1:30 pm, February 17th, 2011 - 50 comments

Even the most optimistic lefty can’t deny that National are continuing to dominate the opinion polls. That must be quite a source of pride and confidence for the Right. But I wonder, is there anything that rightwing voters believe this National-led Government has done wrong? A couple of years ago I asked what rightwing voters thought […]

Limos for me, job cuts for youse

Written By: - Date published: 11:22 pm, February 15th, 2011 - 135 comments

Last week, Key says Kiwis “have to tighten their belts, we have to do the same”. More job cuts for public servants. This week, buying 34 $200,000 limos for him and his mates to replace 3 year old ones. How many teachers would that employ?Not the cars that need replacing after 3 years. It’s this government. Good on Goff for giving up the limos.

Govt is not there to make your life better – Bennett

Written By: - Date published: 12:14 pm, February 11th, 2011 - 56 comments

The nice thing about David Bennett is he says what other Nats are smart enough to keep quiet. Remember his rant against the minimum wage? But he out did himself with his speech defending the appalling record of the National government. It turns out the brighter future Key promised was a lie – the National government “is not there to make your life better”.

Key’s priorities laid-bare

Written By: - Date published: 9:00 am, February 7th, 2011 - 24 comments

When a millionaire director and a foreign corporate wanted millions in tax breaks, Key jumped to it. When SCF collapsed the investors got an average of $60K, no questions asked. But when it comes to helping the ordinary families of Christchurch and the West Coast, the Nats are nowhere to be seen once the cameras are gone.

Useless ministers wasting our money

Written By: - Date published: 10:40 am, February 3rd, 2011 - 5 comments

Crushless Collins’ double-bunking money saver costing $2.6m.

Shock! Paying someone else to build and operate our schools won’t save money.

Nat-appointed public service chiefs paid to air-commute. Pay cuts for frontline.

Key smiles at launch of new science ministry, waves in $3m of science funding cuts.

Ministerial review: the economy

Written By: - Date published: 10:37 am, December 27th, 2010 - 36 comments

The idea of this little group-effort series of posts is to look at the major areas of government activity and have an objective look at how National is doing – both against their own promises and things that we hold important. Let’s start with the economy, the direct responsibility of Finance Minister Bill English and Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee.

Wong resigns from Parliament

Written By: - Date published: 10:58 am, December 14th, 2010 - 72 comments

Corrupt former National minister Pansy Wong has finally done the right thing and resigned from Parliament. Key didn’t want her to go. This doesn’t change the need for the Auditor-General to investigate the abuse of her travel perks. [Update: Key announces March 5 by-election (a very quick response from him having just learnt her personal, […]

Ridiculous Urgency

Written By: - Date published: 11:50 pm, December 11th, 2010 - 31 comments

National, under the direction of Gerry Brownlee, continue to abuse parliamentary procedure and make bad law.  They tried to ram 12 bills through on Thursday, resulting in them sitting under urgency until Saturday night.  There is no proper oversight, no thinking through the possible problems with bills, and far too little chance for the public to have their say.  We have procedure for a reason…

This Government Doesn’t Trust You

Written By: - Date published: 10:34 am, December 8th, 2010 - 34 comments

You not only can expect to be spied on more after an overhaul of the SIS, but you sure as hell shouldn’t be allowed to know how they are going to do it.  It’s your freedom they’re protecting, so you should expect a reduction in liberty to achieve that.  And we certainly can’t be allowed […]

3 time loser wins

Written By: - Date published: 9:30 am, December 7th, 2010 - 25 comments

In a surprise to no-one, John Key has appointed 3 time election loser Hekia Parata to replace the latest of his corrupt ministers to walk the plank – Pansy Wong. I’m hoping Parata will be less of a disgrace than Wong. It wouldn’t be hard, she would just have to actually try to answer questions in the House and actually do something about the wage gaps.

Unravelling at both ends

Written By: - Date published: 11:57 am, November 26th, 2010 - 42 comments

The new foreshore and seabed deal is going sour for the government at both ends. The Maori Party is in a state of virtual civil war with the fundi faction led by Hone Harawira gaining support against Tariana Turia’s sell-out faction. Meanwhile, National is feeling the heat as ACT targets its redneck vote.

US says no to fox guarding NZ meat

Written By: - Date published: 2:28 pm, November 17th, 2010 - 11 comments

I know it’s in National’s DNA to fight regulation where ever they find it but it looks like the meat industry and government ‘watch dog’ MAF’s Food Safety Authority may have bitten off more than they can chew with their proposal to do away with independent  meat inspectors in the country’s freezing works. Seems a 6 month trial to […]

Key: up to Labour to stop us rorting

Written By: - Date published: 12:33 pm, November 17th, 2010 - 25 comments

With Pansy Wong in hiding on John Key’s orders, rort-buster Pete Hodgson laid the blame her corruption and all the other rorts squarely on Key yesterday. In question after question, Key couldn’t make a serious defence of his record. Then, he made an extraordinary admission: his ministers will keep on rorting – it’s up to Labour to catch them.

Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony

Written By: - Date published: 8:06 am, November 13th, 2010 - 35 comments

The NBR reported yesterday morning that Murray McCully had awarded the $8 million RWC Opening Ceremony contract to Aussie firm David Atkins Creative.  Over on Red Alert, Grant Robertson was rightly appalled. The story seems to be being largely retracted now, with McCully trying to distance his meddling hands from the affair and the NZRFU […]

Now who’s the f*ckwit?

Written By: - Date published: 1:31 pm, November 12th, 2010 - 86 comments

Pansy Wong has been stood down resigned over her abuse of her ministerial status and perks for her husband’s private business dealings. I expected that Key act ‘relaxed’ and hope for this blow over. That he hasn’t indicates they’ve uncovered something more. Will we find out what it is, or will Key pull another Richard Worth on us? Updates coming.

Govt Attacks Right To Silence

Written By: - Date published: 10:02 am, November 11th, 2010 - 12 comments

The Government is removing your Right to Silence in TWO Bills before the House.  The much-improved Search and Surveillance Bill, and the Alcohol Reform Bill.  Ripping up civil rights fought for over centuries that ensure a fair legal system, destroying a free press – all without much thought or care.

Nasty Nats Steal Holidays

Written By: - Date published: 5:05 pm, November 7th, 2010 - 38 comments

This NAct government is so anti-worker that they have managed to re-arrange the calendar so that we get 5 fewer holidays in this government’s term than the last Labour one.  And that’s before they sell off our 4th week.