david cunliffe

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First the Hone bash, then the royals

Written By: - Date published: 10:37 am, December 20th, 2013 - 116 comments

It’s looking like Team John Key is trying every PR spin trick in the book to gain an advantage for the election next year.  Does he have anything to offer Kiwis other than bash, spin and photos ops? And McGehan Close?  The underclass?

The Pike River deal of the century

Written By: - Date published: 10:08 am, December 13th, 2013 - 57 comments

A month ago John Key was embarrassed in the House by David Cunliffe over the failure of the Government to contribute to the compensation of $3.41 million ordered by Judge Farrish to be paid to the Pike River families.  Yesterday’s deal saw this amount being paid and the charges against Peter Whittall being withdrawn.  An embarrassing political issue was shut down by a decision not to continue with a prosecution.  Are you concerned?

Prosecuting Cunliffe

Written By: - Date published: 3:06 pm, December 5th, 2013 - 56 comments

No Right Turn writes on what should happen with David Cunliffe screwing up on election day. Sensible advice and commentary on what looks like a typical example of some of the innumerable silly mistakes and accidents that happen during election campaigns. The reaction of some on the right has been pretty damn hilarious when they compare what looks like deliberate concealment of electoral finance with a silly tweeting mistake

The Christchurch East by election

Written By: - Date published: 7:25 am, November 25th, 2013 - 45 comments

This Saturday the voters of Christchurch East vote for their next MP.  Labour’s hopes are pinned on Poto Williams.  But even though the seat has been Labour’s for a considerable period of time anything is possible.  And turnout will be vital.

The democracy challenge

Written By: - Date published: 2:20 pm, November 24th, 2013 - 101 comments

I’ve been thinking about what next years’ election is going to be like. Not like 2011 that’s for sure. Labour was in the doldrums and ran a largely negative campaign. Let’s assume that Labour has learnt its lesson about running an effective campaign and ticks all the boxes. The secret weapon that Labour and the Greens have eschewed for as many elections as I can remember is actually working together.

150 years: tell us your NZ Herald Story

Written By: - Date published: 10:47 am, November 22nd, 2013 - 29 comments

NZ Herald has a long history as the voice of the (most often white, masculine, middle/upper class, Pakeha) conservative establishment.  Dr Hope shows how this happened in the past.  NZ Herald online provides 21st century support for Key’s government.  Tell us your NZ Herald stories.

Nat government treachery destroys public broadcasting

Written By: - Date published: 10:16 am, November 21st, 2013 - 30 comments

Key’s government has destroyed the weak attempts by Labour to enable some public service broadcasting on Freeview.  The NActs have employed ideologically-driven, irrational, bad faith, underhand, agreement-breaking moves to protect commercial monopoly. The CBB is campaigning for non-commercial TV channels.

Nats’ demolition derby

Written By: - Date published: 5:20 pm, November 18th, 2013 - 107 comments

John Key’s government is going full tilt at dismantling everything of value in NZ, and selling as much as possible to the overseas investors.  It’s the government of Drill It, Mine it, Sell it.  Find out about the asset sales referendum & how to vote.

Key refuses to pay compensation for Pike River

Written By: - Date published: 6:53 am, November 16th, 2013 - 120 comments

John Key this week ruled out any Government contribution to compensation ordered to be paid by Pike River to the deceased miners’ families despite a strong suggestion by Judge Farrish that this should occur.  Now that the photo opportunities have finished and the effect of the corporate PR spin has worn off the Government’s handling of the issue appears to be deeply cynical and totally unjust.

Key rewrites history for “Crazy Colin”

Written By: - Date published: 5:00 pm, November 13th, 2013 - 68 comments

Answering questions on the up-coming Asset Sales referendum, John Key spoke some appalling un-truths.  He is rewriting political history to suit “Crazy” Colin Craig’s possible coalition bottom lines on the “anti-smacking” law.   Cunliffe finally got there in the General Debate, but the opposition was too slow in countering Key’s lies & spin.

Crony Capitalism, Chorus and Pike River compensation

Written By: - Date published: 6:41 pm, November 12th, 2013 - 98 comments

Today in Parliament David Cunliffe neatly skewered John Key with a series of questions that showed the Government will decline to ensure that the Pike River families are paid out because there is no legal obligation to do so, yet it is happy to pay out large sums to its corporate friends even though there is no legal obligation to do so.

The Kiwibuilt announcement

Written By: - Date published: 12:15 pm, November 4th, 2013 - 69 comments

David Cunliffe has announced further proposals regarding Housing with a Christchurch flavour.  The temporary use of red zone houses that are otherwise habitable, the proposed construction of 10,000 houses over four years and the recreation of New Brighton into a vibrant and modern beachside community are amongst the announcements.

Why the 2013 Labour Conference set course for Government in 2014

Written By: - Date published: 9:15 am, November 4th, 2013 - 11 comments

Ad reports on the 2013 Labour Conference and why the left should take heart for the next election.

Video of David Cunliffe’s speech to the 2013 Labour Conference

Written By: - Date published: 10:16 am, November 3rd, 2013 - 22 comments

David Cunliffe’s speech is now on youtube.  Enjoy …

Kiwiassure

Written By: - Date published: 8:45 am, November 3rd, 2013 - 87 comments

David Cunliffe announced yesterday Labour’s intention when it becomes Government to set up Kiwiassure, a NZ Post Insurance Company that will go in direct competition with the Australian owned insurance companies that dominate the local market.  And today there is talk about an announcement on affordable housing.

“A Tale of two countries” – NZ/Aotearoa

Written By: - Date published: 8:11 am, November 3rd, 2013 - 81 comments

Yesterday David Cunliffe told a Tale of Two New Zealands.  Today 2 NZ Herald articles show where NZ has gone wrong with its fractured and increasingly unequal society: our ailing state supported TVNZ; a high-living property-buying elite.  Will Cunliffe talk about state housing today?

David Cunliffe Speech to 2013 Labour Party Conference – Building a future for all

Written By: - Date published: 2:57 pm, November 2nd, 2013 - 142 comments

David Cunliffe’s speech notes for his speech to today’s Labour Party Conference

John Armstrong is labouring under a reality delusion

Written By: - Date published: 9:05 am, November 2nd, 2013 - 91 comments

John Armstrong’s column in this morning’s Herald is an interesting collection of ideas.  Apparently David Cunliffe is too left yet too wishy-washy, a remit that was voted down is offered as evidence that the party is “lurching” to the left, and the party is too boring.  And he decries the lack of new material before David Cunliffe has given his keynote speech.  Don’t you think you should wait for the speech first John?

The test

Written By: - Date published: 7:46 am, November 1st, 2013 - 114 comments

Fairfax has decided to go a bit mental on Labour and Cunliffe. An endless stream of stories trying to tweak Cunliffe’s nose over every little thing. Part of this is covering the embarrassment of their own rogue poll. More importantly, it’s a test that all new leaders get. The wave of hypercritical stories don’t mean much in themselves, how Cunliffe’s Labour responds does.

Because it’s all about “me”

Written By: - Date published: 6:24 pm, October 22nd, 2013 - 22 comments

Cunliffe talked of moving from a “from a cost-based to a values-based” strategy. We need a new narrative: valuing all, including children of those on benefits; about long term benefits for all of less inequality & poverty, and more affordable housing & better public transport, & more.

KiwiFund: nationalisation or competition?

Written By: - Date published: 8:05 pm, October 21st, 2013 - 61 comments

Winston Peters’ KiwiFund proposal would nationalise KiwiSaver.  Russel Norman supports it, but in competition with private schemes.  Cunliffe is open to negotiation.  Key is dismissive, but says Peters is so untrustworthy he is likely to back down & form an alliance with National anyway.

Making sense of the census: regional decline

Written By: - Date published: 12:33 pm, October 16th, 2013 - 30 comments

Yesterday John Key, some MSM journos and a few Standard commentators were gloating that recently released Census 2013 data showed David Cunliffe was wrong in his concern with regional decline.  The evidence shows Cunliffe is correct.

This is how it’s done

Written By: - Date published: 11:56 am, October 15th, 2013 - 37 comments

This morning Cunliffe shows how to front the media on current issues, and respond to journalists questions clearly and decisively while being informed on the issues.  Questions about Kōhanga Reo National Trust, US government debt crisis, affordable housing, need better skills training, Euthanasia Bill.

From “Cost-based to Value-based”

Written By: - Date published: 8:34 am, October 10th, 2013 - 8 comments

Cunliffe’s CTU speech is significant, rousing and inspiring, laying out a shift “from a cost-based to a value-based” strategy- for an inclusive society and one that provides a good life for “all” Kiwis, with opportunities for all. Video of the speech is a must see. And social security? [Update: Gordon Campbell] & Turei’s speech

Kris Faafoi on Broadcasting

Written By: - Date published: 10:38 am, September 30th, 2013 - 16 comments

On The Nation Kris Faafoi laid out the bare bones of Labour’s policy on public broadcasting: strengthening public broadcasting across a range of platforms; continuing funding for NZOnAir to commercial broadcasters; balancing commercial & public service broadcasting; a new youth oriented public radio station. [Update: boycotting RNZ – you know why]

Matthew Hooton apologises … sort of …

Written By: - Date published: 8:52 am, September 30th, 2013 - 74 comments

nine-to-noon-matthew-hooton1Matthew Hooton has issued a public apology to David Cunliffe for his comments last week.  It is a begrudging pale imitation of a proper apology and it is tucked behind NBR’s paywall but a backdown it is.  All ears will now be on Radio New Zealand today and if Hooton does appear then there will be interesting issues raised about balance.

Hooton and CV “embellishment”

Written By: - Date published: 10:39 am, September 27th, 2013 - 53 comments

Hooton has somewhat backed down from his liar liar accusations against David Cunliffe, but the allegations of “CV embellishment” are still coming.  For future reference, I look to the “master” for an example of how not to pad a CV. What can we learn from him?  [Update: John Key’s bio?]

The birth of NZ’s very own Birther movement

Written By: - Date published: 9:07 pm, September 26th, 2013 - 81 comments

slaterThe right must be very afraid of David Cunliffe.  Because they are coming up with the most extraordinarily crazy conspiracy theories to try and discredit him.

Radio New Zealand apologises to David Cunliffe

Written By: - Date published: 10:35 am, September 26th, 2013 - 78 comments

rnz logoRadio New Zealand has issued an apology to David Cunliffe following Matthew Hooton’s recent smearing of him.  If only Cameron Slater would do the same because he is starting to get pretty obsessional about Cunliffe.  This may not be a bad thing as he is rapidly turning the Collins faction of the National Party into New Zealand’s equivalent of the Tea Party

Return of the Hollow Men

Written By: - Date published: 10:16 am, September 26th, 2013 - 48 comments

With Cunliffe’s Labour in the ascendance, NAct and/supporters pull out their bag of dirty and deceptively manipulative, Hollow Men, tricks. Adviser to John Key & Boris Johnson, Mark Textor, will most likely be used again: ruthless attack politics, playing on fears & prejudices.

“Dark, dirty and heartless” – Nats & Nick Smith

Written By: - Date published: 10:56 pm, September 25th, 2013 - 52 comments

Two very good speeches in the General Debate in the House  from opposition leaders.  They highlight Nick Smith’s dodgy record, & why he should be stood down as a Minister in Key’s “Dark, dirty & heartless” government. [Update: Key – on (dis)honesty]

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