election 2014

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Tax cuts – simple question simple answer

Written By: - Date published: 9:54 pm, September 7th, 2014 - 84 comments

Duncan Garner asks – “when we’ve just borrowed $55b over 6 years how on earth are tax cuts suddenly affordable?”. Presumably it’s a rhetorical question…

Airbrushing the VRWC

Written By: - Date published: 10:10 am, September 7th, 2014 - 111 comments

In today’s Sunday Star Times, is an article on a Matthew Hooton & the VRWC (Vast Right Wing Conspiracy). Hooton criticises John Key, does a couple of mea culpas, but ultimately, airbrushes the whole disgusting mess of dirty politics. [Updated: comment from Bill]

Perceptions of National’s government

Written By: - Date published: 12:57 pm, September 6th, 2014 - 114 comments

There is how John Key and a few of his acolytes like to think of his government. Then there is how everyone else now does. The many ministers who have been abusing their position, were caught and ‘resigned’.  Now we can see the true nature than lurks beneath. A vote for National is a vote for Cameron Slater.

Two weeks to go …

Written By: - Date published: 11:05 am, September 6th, 2014 - 139 comments

Two weeks to go and polls suggest that National’s slide in the poll may be arrested.  But for how long?

Slater’s bid- fail!

Written By: - Date published: 5:40 pm, September 5th, 2014 - 121 comments

TV3 News reports Slater’s bid to gag the media has failed. High Court decision is that media can report on previously published material, & material they already have. doesn’t apply to previously published material. Rawshark had already given remaining material to the media and departed. [Updated]

The Big Lie in action

Written By: - Date published: 12:30 pm, September 5th, 2014 - 13 comments

This morning Rob Salmond did a great post about the “big lie” – the spin coming from the Right that Labour hasn’t concentrated on policy, just dirty politics.

Like clockwork, David Farrar has a post up about the latest polls, suggesting “Their focus on hacked e-mails instead of policy  is backfiring.”

‘Dirty Politics’ symposium, streaming today

Written By: - Date published: 11:34 am, September 5th, 2014 - 16 comments

The University of Otago had a symposium on Nicky Hager’s Dirty Politics book now. The event has ended but video on youtubeInterviews with Hager, speakers, panel.

Tories! Scared of Internet/Mana? I have the solution …

Written By: - Date published: 7:19 am, September 5th, 2014 - 64 comments

Labour are going to lead the next Government. So what’s a Tory voter to do to keep the damge to a minimum? If the possibility of Hone Harawira and Laila Harre being Ministers in the Cunliffe administration is keeping you up at night, then Te Reo Putake has the answer.

NRT: Sensationalising the status quo

Written By: - Date published: 1:41 pm, September 4th, 2014 - 55 comments

Pity the political reporter. Committed to horse-race style reporting and desperate for an ‘angle’. Patrick Gower on 3 News last night was desperately talking up how “complicated’ National’s… current arrangements are?? Use your brain Paddy…

Show us the money John

Written By: - Date published: 1:32 pm, September 4th, 2014 - 76 comments

John Key and National are talking about tax cuts. But when you think about the actual cost of the Christchurch rebuild and tumbling international milk prices you have to question if tax cuts are affordable or even justifiable.

Thoughts from the crowd on Tuesday night’s debate

Written By: - Date published: 7:50 am, September 4th, 2014 - 51 comments

I was in the front row of the audience at the Press leader’s debate between David Cunliffe and John Key. While the media in Auckland and Wellington might have called it one way, the people in Christchurch were only presented with one leader who understands the issues in this city, and it wasn’t the Prime Minister.

Debate tonight: Climate Voter

Written By: - Date published: 4:36 pm, September 3rd, 2014 - 41 comments

Climate Voter is streaming a debate between the major parties tonight at 7pm.

Early Voting starts

Written By: - Date published: 11:00 am, September 3rd, 2014 - 43 comments

Advance votes can now be cast.

National’s campaign train wreck

Written By: - Date published: 8:33 am, September 3rd, 2014 - 243 comments

So far National’s election campaign has been a train wreck.  What was meant to be a leisurely walk to the finish line has turned into a limp.  David Cunliffe is more than holding his own against John Key.  And dirty politics is having a gradual corrosive effect on National’s support.

The Press Debate – tonight, livestreamed on Stuff

Written By: - Date published: 2:00 pm, September 2nd, 2014 - 227 comments

The second big head-to-head between David Cunliffe and John Key will be livestreamed on Stuff from 7pm tonight.

Why Is John Key Not Compelled to Give Evidence Under Oath?

Written By: - Date published: 12:13 pm, September 1st, 2014 - 75 comments

I have today sent an open letter to the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security to ask why Mr Key is not required to attend her inquiry and to give evidence under oath.  The letter is attached.

Labour’s broadcasting policy: public service TV-RNZ

Written By: - Date published: 10:03 pm, August 31st, 2014 - 40 comments

Labour’s broadcasting policy includes setting up a new public service TV channel, to be located with RNZ, incorporating RNZ values.  The Greens are open to the idea. NZ First has a similar policy.  Laila Harre makes some good points about public broadcasting and industrial relations. [Update: RNZ report; video clip added]

For a better way…

Written By: - Date published: 4:53 pm, August 30th, 2014 - 10 comments

The NACT way is Not Our Way. We need a better way of governance and democracy.  One that is for all the people. I joined the hardy souls who went to the Not Our Way rally and march in Auckland.

Some thoughts…

Written By: - Date published: 2:04 pm, August 30th, 2014 - 113 comments

The English faction is now calling the shots inside the National party.

“VRWC” exposes rift at top of National

Written By: - Date published: 11:48 am, August 30th, 2014 - 18 comments

There is a self-appointed “Vast Right Wing Conspiracy” in New Zealand. Odgers and Slater are key members. Search VRWC on Slater’s website and you’ll find their activities.  After Pansy Wong’s forced resignation from Cabinet for misuse of her travel perk the VRWC thought the National Cabinet needed “some serious steel going forward.” You can read the minutes of their virtual white-board session on post-it cards – the rifts at the top are deep and nasty.

‘Malevolent males’, ‘Mistress Collins’ & a ‘free press’

Written By: - Date published: 5:00 pm, August 29th, 2014 - 7 comments

Dirty Politics shows the need for a reformation of our media, broadcasting and related online content. It’s about democracy.   Lucy lawless agrees. Laila Harre and Colin Craig have been added to the line up for Sunday’s Broadcasting Debate in Auckland.

NRT: Kiwis care about inequality

Written By: - Date published: 3:46 pm, August 29th, 2014 - 8 comments

Roy Morgan has a poll out today looking at the issues affecting New Zealanders and therefore this election. Social inequality is rising as an issue as the world economy has stopped getting worse.

I think that most New Zealanders…

Written By: - Date published: 12:35 pm, August 28th, 2014 - 17 comments

Our PM is fond of telling us all what we think. In the wake of Dirty Politics he is working it overtime, telling us all that we believe his spin. Interesting then to get some actual data on what (extrapolating from a sample) most New Zealanders really do think. Many thanks to the Horizon polling people for putting this up on line.

The first head-to-head debate – tonight!

Written By: - Date published: 7:45 am, August 28th, 2014 - 315 comments

The first head-to-head debate between David Cunliffe and John Key (tonight, 7pm, TV One) could be a real turning point of the election.

Supporting all the colours of the rainbow

Written By: - Date published: 1:00 pm, August 27th, 2014 - 69 comments

Labour’s Rainbow Policy got some attention for its promise to offer a third gender option on passports and drivers’ licences. Why is this a big deal?

Judith Collins raises doubt about which dimension she occupies

Written By: - Date published: 8:06 am, August 27th, 2014 - 39 comments

Judith Collins claims to have been exonerated of claims that she breached the rights of privacy of a public servant by giving his details to Cameron Slater. There is one problem with her claim. She is totally wrong. Update: RNZ is now reporting she is backing away from her claim.

60 tweeps to follow this election

Written By: - Date published: 9:30 am, August 26th, 2014 - 4 comments

Bryce Edwards had his go at a list of the top 100 tweeters to follow this election, but with only 24 women making the cut he faced terrible accusations of “a perceived lack” of gender balance. The silver lining is that his follow-up post was chock-full of the women who complained! Pesky, pesky women, as […]

Tapping the media: subverting democracy

Written By: - Date published: 11:16 pm, August 25th, 2014 - 32 comments

Dirty Politics shows why we urgently need a revitalised public service broadcasting & online media. The domination by corporate media is poisoning democracy, providing openings for ruthless manipulators like Cameron Slater.  An article by David Fisher provides some insights.

Tax cut cynicism

Written By: - Date published: 6:20 pm, August 25th, 2014 - 52 comments

According to the PM, Bill English saying there won’t be tax cuts was both true and untrue at the same time, like a fiscal Schroedinger’s Cat.

The future of the public service – public meeting in Ōhāriu

Written By: - Date published: 3:00 pm, August 25th, 2014 - 12 comments

Something to go to in Wellington this Wednesday

Labour’s housing plan is much better

Written By: - Date published: 4:03 pm, August 24th, 2014 - 65 comments

National has announced its housing policy using Labour’s Kiwisaver scheme to provide extra money to first home buyers.  But the policy will only add to housing inflation instead of addressing it.

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