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#Sheepgate – did National ask the Saudi Sheep Farmer to sue NZ?

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:36 am, June 24th, 2015 - 42 comments

It seems crazy but it appears that National may have asked the Saudi sheep farmer to sue New Zealand. And John Key seems to be relaxed about facilitation payments aka bribes.

Keep on rocking in the free world

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:19 am, June 19th, 2015 - 25 comments

Donald Trump has attracted adverse comment for using Neil Young’s song “keep on rocking in the free world” during his campaign launch. There are a number of other examples, both local and in the US, where right wing candidates have misappropriated progressive musicians’ music for campaign purposes.

Enter Sandman

Written By: te reo putake - Date published: 6:57 pm, June 18th, 2015 - 52 comments

Nathan Guy reckons he knows what killed hundreds of kiwi taxpayer funded lambs in the dodgy Saudi Arabian model farm. Believe it or not, this time it’s not Labour! No, it’s the Sanding of the Lambs.

The Government’s Auckland Housing policy fiasco grows

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 7:59 am, June 16th, 2015 - 20 comments

The Herald has reported that, contrary to John Key’s assurances that the Government did not have to do so, one of the pieces of land set aside for the Government’s affordable housing partnership with private developers has already been offered to iwi under right of first refusal.

Smith embarrassed as Iwi propose legal proceedings over Auckland housing

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 7:51 am, June 15th, 2015 - 60 comments

Ngati Whatua and Waikato-Tainui have announced that they will seek a declaration from the High Court on their rights to participate in the constructing of social housing on Crown land in Auckland. Their proposal that the Crown joins with them in making a joint application is a good one. Surely Nick Smith will agree to this.

#Sheepgate – it was the official’s fault

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 1:51 pm, June 11th, 2015 - 48 comments

National is appearing to be changing tack and trying to now blame a junior official rather than the Labour Party for the failure to complete the Gulf Free Trade Agreement. And the promised release of the relevant cabinet papers proving it was all Labour’s fault has still not occurred.

Sheepgate and National’s last defence: Labour does it too

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 11:51 am, June 4th, 2015 - 43 comments

John Key yesterday went on the attack and implied that Labour did something about Sheepgate in 2007. What it was he did not say but the implication was that Labour did it too. A brief review of dirty politics shows that this is alway’s National’s desperate last line of defence. Update: Labour tried to table in Parliament the Cabinet Paper that John Key talked about yesterday and National refused leave …

Sheepgate: the McCully mess

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:33 am, June 3rd, 2015 - 20 comments

The media have joined opposition demands that Murray McCully’s actions in relation to sheepgate are investigated. If John Key really expects high standards from his ministers this is the least that should be done. Update: And a claimed “independent audit” of the tender process was conducted by none other than MFAT.

The stupidest idea this Government has had yet

Written By: mickysavage - 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: mickysavage - 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: mickysavage - 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: mickysavage - 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.

Government incompetence threatens Relationships Aotearoa

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 11:19 am, May 26th, 2015 - 48 comments

Government incompetence, drastic cuts in funding and a refusal to provide a helping hand is likely to cause the closure of Relationships Aotearoa, a charitable entity that has existed in one form or another since 1949.

Is Maurice Williamson jumping ship?

Written By: Natwatch - Date published: 2:30 pm, May 25th, 2015 - 50 comments

Rumours are surfacing that Maurice Williamson wanted to jump ship to Act but was turned down.

Superannuation and Government forecasts

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 9:31 am, May 25th, 2015 - 197 comments

National has again refused to consider doing anything about the future of Superannuation. Yet its policies of increasing Crown debt, stopping contributions to the Cullen Fund and attacking Kiwisaver have made a discussion about the future of superannuation more important than ever.

The media and two child poverty policy releases

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 9:24 am, May 24th, 2015 - 60 comments

The media’s handling of Labours Best Start policy announcement in January of last year and its handling of National’s recent budget announcement of a $25 a week increase for beneficiary families provides an interesting contrast.

Young Labour and sex change ops

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 10:04 am, May 20th, 2015 - 274 comments

Young Labour has proposed that there is public funding for hormone replacement therapy and gender reassignment. Jonathan Coleman described the proposal as “absolutely nuts” but it then emerged that there is already some public funding for this treatment. And the media tried to suggest that some off the cuff comments by Labour MPs is evidence of division.

Herald praises Cunliffe for CGT policy

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 9:30 am, May 19th, 2015 - 29 comments

The Herald has praised David Cunliffe with changing public opinion about the introduction of a capital gains tax. And rubbished John Key’s suggestion that the announced limited tax on increasing housing values is not a capital gains tax.

Capital gains tax to be introduced

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 11:45 am, May 17th, 2015 - 196 comments

National appears to be doing an about face on a Capital Gains Tax for housing.

Robbie would be turning in his grave

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 11:47 am, May 16th, 2015 - 46 comments

Simon Bridges wants to ease Auckland’s congestion by investing more into local roads and less in rail. And by the looks of things he wants to politicise transport funding in a way that has not occurred for decades.

Auditor General rules on Dirty Politics allegation

Written By: mickysavage - 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.

Finlayson calls Key wild eyed on National Radio

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 8:28 am, May 15th, 2015 - 23 comments

Chris Finlayson has described a comment made by John Key as “wild eyed stuff” on National Radio,

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

Written By: mickysavage - 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.

National’s innumeracy and Auckland’s Housing crisis

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 10:19 am, May 11th, 2015 - 23 comments

Radio New Zealand’s Todd Niall has investigated figures recently advanced by Simon Bridges and Nick Smith used to attack Auckland Council and has discovered that the figures are somewhat rubbery.

Hosking wants Auckland Council deposed

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 11:00 am, May 8th, 2015 - 45 comments

From the I kid you not files Mike Hosking believes that Auckland Council is to blame for the housing crisis, not immigration, not favourable tax conditions for landlords, not the global financial crisis and not the lack of restrictions on home ownership. And he believes that Nick Smith should step in and Roll Auckland Council.

NRT: There is too much money in our politics

Written By: notices and features - 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: mickysavage - 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: mickysavage - 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.

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

Written By: te reo putake - 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.

Key announces new schools – again

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 12:45 pm, April 17th, 2015 - 35 comments

At least two of the four new schools that John Key recently announced had been announced previously. And it appears that one of them has had its concrete foundations already poured.

The difference between a surplus and landing a 747 on a pinhead

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 11:55 am, April 14th, 2015 - 16 comments

John Key’s latest pronouncement is that achieving a budget surplus is as difficult as landing a 747 on a pinhead. Michael Cullen must be a super airline pilot if this is the case.