Cunliffe interacts on Tuesday evening (rescheduled)

Written By: - Date published: 4:24 pm, May 12th, 2014 - 45 comments
Categories: activism, david cunliffe, notices, Politics, The Standard - Tags:

Dolphin Over World 2010Update: Due to a communications failure, this has been rescheduled for Tuesday evening.

David Cunliffe will taking some time to write a post and engage on comments about it tomorrow evening. The topic will be about David’s “vision for New Zealand and how we get there”.

The post may be up earlier, but the earliest that David will be able to respond will be about 5:30pm and then at most only for a few hours unless he pops back later. Hopefully the recent improvements in site speed will help a bit and he will be in a 4G zone rather than in a car bouncing between towers on his way to the east Coast.

Needless to say, the post will be on auto-moderation. The normal rules for these interactive posts will apply. The comment has to be on the topics raised in the post or questions about thing that you should think should have raised in the post. Comments that are simple trolling or “when did you kill your mother-in-law” meme raising or simply going way off topic will simply be trashed without notice.

I’m also going to slightly vary the rules this time. The last time these were run, we got far too many comments that were, in my opinion, simply just speeches stating what the commenter would like do if they were David Cunliffe. However there is only one person invited to give a speech in this post and that the David Cunliffe. If I see too much speechifying in a comment that isn’t pertinent as a question or clarification, then I will redact it back so that is all that is there.

I’d suggest that if your rave gets away on you*, that you write it here or in OpenMike, and link to it in your brief comment on the post for later discussion. However don’t expect David to have read it when and if he answers.

It should be an interesting opportunity to get some clarification from the source of so many of your questions for the last couple of months. But please don’t annoy me while I’m moderating. To do this I have to get up earlier than I like to have time available later in the day. I’m liable to be grumpy.

* There were several names that never passed my lips as I said that.

//=========

Incidentally, if other people from the Greens, Mana, or whatever would like do this, then get hold of us and we’ll figure something out.

45 comments on “Cunliffe interacts on Tuesday evening (rescheduled) ”

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  1. One Anonymous Bloke 1
    11 May 2014 at 1:50 pm

    Excellent idea. Looking forward to it.

  2. Stephanie Rodgers 2
    11 May 2014 at 2:02 pm

    Posting and commenting is a winning combination!

  3. Ad 3
    11 May 2014 at 2:10 pm

    Also watch out for the Cambell Live show – they finally did the interview around his house.
    Plus you’ll get to see expertise from the family on keeping bees.

  4. ianmac 4
    11 May 2014 at 2:15 pm

    Remember that David at Home is on Campbell Live on Monday night.

    I did enjoy Hone’s at Home. Seemed genuine. Russel’s was also great watching. What you see is what you get. Enthused about politics.
    Looking back I reckon that John Key’s @ Home (his bach actually) was artificial. A sort of set-up where John wanted to be seen as a good Kiwi barbecue bloke but all he managed was a few slowly cooked sausages. ( A persona that doesn’t quite ring true?)
    So David. Over to you. Will you pass the credibility test?

    • finbar 4.1
      11 May 2014 at 2:26 pm

      Liked the comment when Key was looking for the utensiles to cook with.His good Lady says, not that drawer John,and Keys responce,she is always moving these drawers around.Yeh right John,hope you liked the bangers,would have been some time since you tasted them.

      • ianmac 4.1.1
        11 May 2014 at 3:36 pm

        Yes finbar. Noticed that. It contributed to my impression that it was a put up job. A fraud I say!

      • Mary 4.1.2
        12 May 2014 at 11:20 am

        What jumped out at me was how Key waved a barbeque utensil in front of Bronagh’s face and more than once. It was a true insight into of how he is as a person. I shouldn’t have been surprised but I did find it absolutely astounding. Out of the leaders only Key would be capable of such arrogant and abusive behaviour.

    • freedom 4.2
      11 May 2014 at 2:31 pm

      “but all he managed was a few slowly cooked sausages.”

      John Key cooking mashed up pulp that had been excreted into indigestible synthetic packaging?

      Sounds like they captured him pretty well

    • Anne 4.3
      11 May 2014 at 2:58 pm

      Well, David did tell some of us last night that it went very well and should be an enjoyable watch.

      I couldn’t agree more about Russel and Hone. Two genuine people with two very genuine spouses. It was a pleasure to be part of their home life for a brief period. Thanks to both of them.

      • ianmac 4.3.1
        11 May 2014 at 3:38 pm

        It is a risky project of course but one that exposes one to credibility issues because it is not a set piece political delivery. Caught off guard the genuine side good/bad is bared. Good luck David.

      • veutoviper 4.3.2
        11 May 2014 at 3:54 pm

        Russel also had some funny twitter exchanges with Campbell before the filming – like “how do you like your mung beans?”.

        I found the John Key ‘dinner’ quite false – both in terms of the venue and the whole video. Was quite uncomfortable seeing him straightening the young girl’s ponytail when they were out wherever they were – very inapropriate. And Bronagh certainly did not seem relaxed and happy.

        As you say, Russel and Hone and their wives/partners were very guinine – and it was both a pleasure and privilege to see them at home.

      • Will@Welly 4.3.3
        11 May 2014 at 7:35 pm

        Genuine people.
        Unlike the pretender.

  5. vto 5
    11 May 2014 at 7:00 pm

    my question will be whether he still wishes to stand for the vto party

  6. Colonial Viper 6
    11 May 2014 at 10:52 pm

    Good on you David. Look forward to reading what about your plans are and how we can get in behind to help make the changes for the nation even more gutsy and relevant.

  7. adam 7
    11 May 2014 at 11:04 pm

    For me as a person who works at were people collapse under the weight of this nasty beast of neo-liberalism – the question I have for Mr Cunliffe is simple. And it would be better if he did not respond to it.

    Will the next government remove from state departments all the petty and vindictive so called public servants, who have taken six years of national to use what little power they have to smash people down?

    If you would like some pointers – may I suggest a complete clear out of ACC, a removal of all management within WINZ and housing New Zealand and a wiping of the floor ministry of social development. Some other departments need a major clean up as well. I’m sure if you ask around, people will quickly tell you a horror story or two about some bureaucrat sticking the knife in when people are down. Personally I think it ironic, that i.r.d have been one wing of government helping people stay a float – but then again labour did a good job at the start of the century getting that house in order.

    Again David, please don’t answer, it’s not necessary. Just a reminder that neo-liberalism as a philosophy/ideology enables pettiness and vindictive behaviour to become the norm when people deal with the unfortunate and downtrodden.

  8. Jenny 8
    12 May 2014 at 12:57 am

    ‘

    “Climate Change Affects All” upcoming New York September 23 Global Summit

    “Solutions exist. The race is on. My challenge to all political and business leaders, all concerned citizens and voters is simple: be at the head of the race. Don’t get left behind. Don’t be on the losing side of history.”

    Ban Ki-Moon Speaking from the Abu Dhabi Climate Change ; pre-Summit Ascent<

    Let’s listen to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

    Let’s not be left behind.

    Let’s not be on the wrong side of history.

    Kia ora David,

    You won’t remember me, but I have met you and we talked, I remember I was struck by your genuineness and humanity, in my opinion you have none of the arrogance your detractors accuse you of. But you came to my attention long before that, when I read your famous Dolphin and Dole Queue speech. To my recollection it was the first ever serious statement from a parliamentarian to confront the question of climate change and resource use, and the human effects it will have on future generations. Just ask Lynn Prentice and he will tell you that I have bee in my bonnet about climate change and the government’s role.

    I think that New Zealand has a key role to play in fighting this global menace.

    As Sir Peter Gluckman says: in his govt. website; “New Zealand is a small emitter by world standards – only emitting some 0.2% of global green house gases. So anything we do as a nation will have little impact on the climate – our impact will be symbolic, moral, and political”

    “After the final no there comes a yes…”

    Patricia Lerner of Greenpeace International attended the Abu Dhabi pre-Summit Aspect, where Ban Ki-Moon made the comment I quoted above. She writes; 70 Ministers from governments around the world, plus numerous business leaders had gathered for this important preparatory meeting before the United Nations Secretary General’s Climate Change Summit being held September 23, 2014, in New York.

    God willing, David, you will be the Prime Minister elect by that time.

    Patricia Lerner related a speech given at the Abu Dhabi ‘Aspect’ by Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever. Paul Polman said that business look to governments for “clarity, confidence and courage”. I hope that the government you lead will be able to give that confidence and clarity and courage.

    Lerner said that Paul Polman, the CEO of Unilever, likened action on fossil fuels to the moral equivalent of ending slavery.

    Former US Vice President Al Gore gave the keynote address.
    Gore said there were just two questions: do we really have to do this and can we do this. He answered unequivocally yes to both.

    Patricia Lerner for Greenpeace expressed her concern at the inconsistencies in public policy which persist when it comes to understanding what the international commitment to “staying below 2 degrees Celcius” actually means. Patricia Lerner said that in plain English, it means it’s game over for fossil fuels.

    In response to the US government’s National Climate Assessment Greenpeace said that “Fossil fuel extraction and exports remain a major blind spot in the Obama administration’s climate action plan

    I think the same thing could be said of our government. “Fossil fuel extraction and coal exports remain a major blind spot in our government’s plan”.

    Patricia Lerner writes:

    “Imagine if Heads of States actually took the warnings of scientists seriously.

    “Imagine President Obama and Premier Li both announced a “war on coal”.

    “Imagine if Chancellor Merkel announced the German development bank KfW was ending its financial support for coal.

    “And imagine if Prime Minister Abe made a similar announcement about Japan.

    “Those could be ambitious actions leaders could bring to the UNSG’s Climate Change Summit in September.”

    To which I might add, what if you David, as Prime Minister elect made a similar statement?

    “We the incoming New Zealand government in coalition negotiations with our Green Party junior coalition partner, have agreed to ban all new coal mine expansion in New Zealand on climate change grounds, as an example to the world and starting immediately with the proposed Bathurst export open cut coal mine on the Denniston Plateau.”

    Wouldn’t that be something for your new government to announce to this international climate change summit in September?

    Wouldn’t it see New Zealand step onto the world stage, capturing the attention of the world’s media?

    As we did over universal sufferage,

    As we did over the Welfare State

    As we did over nuclear weapons,

    As we did over Apartheid Sport,

    Let’s Lead the World Again

    Let us not be like John Key and tell our grandchildren we couldn’t remember where we stood on climate change, in 2014.

    (‘No New Coal Mines’ is Green Party and Mana Party policy)

    • Ad 8.1
      12 May 2014 at 6:48 am

      Most practical and likely way a Labour-led government will do that is in transport policy, particularly in public transport for Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Labour’s full transport policy is yet to be announced, but under Twyford it’s in good hands.

  9. Ecosse_Maidy 9
    12 May 2014 at 6:04 am

    “Will Pvt Pyle George be banished to room stocks, a cupboard or sent into semi exile in Standards toilets with duct tape round his mouth & fingers to prevent any potential hijacking & diversionary tactics? Therefore allowing others to pose questions, views, hopes, without fear of being PG’d?

    • freedom 9.1
      12 May 2014 at 4:40 pm

      “Needless to say, the post will be on auto-moderation.”

      clearly written in the post

  10. Ecosse_Maidy 10
    12 May 2014 at 6:06 am

    “With recent events around The Minister for Justice, do you think that She should be subject to any enquiry from within Parliament in respect of conduct & discipline and misuse of influence?”

  11. Harry 11
    12 May 2014 at 10:43 am

    Cunliffe = Key with less charisma.

    Key: No change to cannabis law.

    Cunliffe: No change to cannabis law.

    I hope they both get cancer, turn to cannabis for pain relief, and get arrested for using it. Serve the bastards right.

    • tinfoilhat 11.1
      12 May 2014 at 4:45 pm

      A disgraceful comment which does your cause a complete disservice.

    • phillip ure 11.2
      12 May 2014 at 5:04 pm

      i don’t ‘wish cancer’ on them..

      ..but i do wish either of them would show some courage/leadership on this issue..

      ..how can they just continue to ignore the groundswell of opinion/evidence we are now seeing..?

      ..parents forced to turn to the blackmarket to make their own oil..to treat sick children..

      ..you have the commissioner for children..a paediatrician..f.f.s..!..

      ..urging you to allow access to medical marijuana..

      ..for those sick/seizing children..

      ..that sunday programme showed a girl who has gone from being wheelchair-bound..

      ..to swinging on ropes..

      ..healed from/by using cannabis..when no legal/big-pharma drugs would work..

      ..how much more fucken evidence do they need..?

      ..then there was that campbell-live poll..showing 83% support for ending prohibition..

      ..and how else to put right what was the legal-high clusterfuck..?

      ..f.f.s..!

      ..on this issue..balls the size of raisins..both of them..

      • Tamati 11.2.1
        12 May 2014 at 10:45 pm

        To be fair the children’s commissioner recommended the children be allowed to participate in a clinical trial of a pharmaceutical derived from cannabis. This isn’t quite the legalization of medical marijuana.

        Secondly, you have to be extremely skeptical of anecdotal case reports of a miracle cures. For sure grounds for a clinical trial, but not in anyway scientific evidence.

        Thirdly, a poll on Campbel Live isn’t a poll. It’s a petition.

    • Daveosaurus 11.3
      12 May 2014 at 5:33 pm

      Just as the best argument for legalisation of pot is the antics of those who wish to continue prohibition, so the best argument for continued prohibition is the antics of those who wish for legalisation: such as the above comment.

      Perish the thought that, instead of sitting back and whining, anyone would actually get off their backsides and organise a petition. It’s not that difficult if even McCoskrie’s motley band of child-abusers can do it.

      • phillip ure 11.3.1
        12 May 2014 at 5:50 pm

        we don’t need a petition..davesaurus..we don’t need another royal commission..

        ..we don’t need any more ‘evidence’..

        ..what we need is for either of these ‘leaders’.

        ..to do some fucken leading..

    • Bill 11.4
      12 May 2014 at 7:15 pm

      I could have sworn that when I saw that comment in moderation this morning that I’d dumped it.

      • lprent 11.4.1
        12 May 2014 at 9:12 pm

        It was in moderation? I let it through on probation.

        • Bill 11.4.1.1
          12 May 2014 at 11:16 pm

          It was in ‘comments awaiting moderation’ (first submitted comment?) Reckoning I got distracted while deciding whether to dump it or edit out the stupid cancer reference, and then forgot all about it.

          • Harry 11.4.1.1.1
            12 May 2014 at 11:44 pm

            So you’re into censorship around here?

            [lprent: We exclude commenters without anything useful to say. They tend to be about as interesting to talk to as you appear to be – mindless fools more interested in waving their dicks around than discussing politics.

            Putting you back into probation. While we wait for you to produce something interesting – read the policy ]

            • Bill 11.4.1.1.1.1
              13 May 2014 at 12:31 am

              Let me expand and refine your question for you Harry before you fuck off to the ‘policy’ link at the top of the page. Can I be fucked dealing with hateful bile? No. Do I want to read hateful bile? No. Will I remove it for those (like you) who appear to have fuck all sense for what might constitute hateful bile? Maybe once, possibly twice. Do I give a fuck about what you might think of that? No. Have I wasted enough of my time on you, an obvious skat filled arsehole? Yes.

  12. Jenny 12
    12 May 2014 at 5:23 pm

    “Cunliffe interacts on Tuesday evening (rescheduled)”

    That’s a shame. I got off work early today so that I could participate. It is unlikely for me to be able to do this for two days. (but I will try)

    • lprent 12.1
      12 May 2014 at 6:22 pm

      I know the feeling. Went to work early this morning so I could be home early to moderate it. I’m pretty meticulous when I’m leaving a job about putting in the value while doing goddamn boring documentation..

      Tomorrow I have a job interview in the morning that I pushed off from today. So I’ll have to go to work an hour earlier than today to keep the hours up or work for several hours at home whilst moderating.

      Just one of those things with coordinating different things happening politically. It seems to happen with every politician piece we put up.

    • Jenny 12.2
      12 May 2014 at 6:48 pm

      If I can’t get more time off work. I wonder if David Cunliffe might like to give us his view on THIS

      The court approached the case as a threshold question: was “there a real chance of the refugee claimant being persecuted” and, if so, was “there a convention reason for that persecution”? Teitiota couldn’t satisfy the test.

      Of course he is being persecuted, and he is being persecuted by us. The people of the low lying Pacific Island nations are the least responsible for climate change but are paying the full price of our refusal to act.

      The court took the orthodox position that persecution is primarily political and internal. There had to be a “violation” of human rights and a “failure” of state protection. Teitiota’s claim turned that definition on its head.

      That last, that sheer arrogant, final accusation against Teitiota.

      Makes me ask, who really, has turned that definition on it’s head and for the most basest reasons and selfish reasons?

      As for the “failure of state protection…..”

      The New Zealand state has betrayed the people of the Pacific.

      Many of the islands look to New Zealand, their closest large land mass, to give assistance and leadership.

      This is what President Loeak of the Marshall Islands, another Pacific Island nation whose natural environment has suffered severe degradation from climate change, has said:

      Pacific Islands Fighting for Survival as Sea Levels Rise

      “New Zealand can and should do more. They are the fifth highest per capita emitters in the world and Kiwi emissions continue to climb.”

      President Loeak of the Marshall Islands

      Not only are we the fifth highest per capita emitter, per capita New Zealand is number 1 in the world in paying government subsidies to fossil fuel companies to keep on cooking the climate.

      Mr Cunliffe, as a former Minister of immigration you must have some view on this matter. What would you recommend this country do about this terrible human rights disaster unfolding on our door step before our very eyes?

      Specifically what would you do for Mr Teitiota and his family?

      • Ad 12.2.1
        12 May 2014 at 7:24 pm

        What do you know of the wishes of the people of Kiribati?

        How do you want to see New Zealand immigration policy change in response to islands not becoming viable? After all in economic and fiscal terms, none are currently viable without massive foreign aid.

        • Jenny 12.2.1.1
          12 May 2014 at 7:45 pm

          Ignoring the racist dog whistle behind your comment Ad….

          But using your same argument: In economic and fiscal terms (and in environmental terms as well) Solid Energy is not currently viable without massive government aid. I think that the low lying Island Nations victims of violent invasion and massacre, colonial oppression, racism, Imperialist war, exploitation and theft of their natural resources, including fisheries, Nuclear testing and now climate change, looking down the barrel of new supercharged tropical cyclones, would be just happy to see us keep our tax payer largess to Solid Energy spent on this Nation’s schools and hospitals.

  13. Clemgeopin 13
    13 May 2014 at 12:59 am

    Question for Mr Cunliffe:

    When this present government killed the pretty inexpensive but excellent Adult Community Education Night Classes, Labour led the charge to oppose National’s unenlightened narrow minded policy. ACE helped to employ over 2,000 tutors in part time jobs around the country while providing invaluable easy low cost access to hundreds of thousands of people, especially women in rural towns, to up skill, gain knowledge, trade, and build up confidence, social cohesion and community leadership.

    Will you help the restart of ACE through funding and support?

    • Antonina 13.1
      13 May 2014 at 3:34 pm

      I think you will find that restoring spending on ACE has been made part of Labour’s policy committments.

      • Clemgeopin 13.1.1
        13 May 2014 at 9:04 pm

        Thanks. I did not know that. Do you have a page link to those ‘policy commitments’ I could have a look at please?

  14. Jenny 14
    13 May 2014 at 6:05 am

    Mr Cunliffe, I read that jobs are to be the centre of your new economic policy.

    “This is our aim, this is our promise to New Zealand that we will make unemployment a priority,”

    ‘creating more jobs’ May 12, 2014

    My question is; Will a government led by you create the “The Right Policy Settings” That Eric Pyle, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Wind Energy Association says will be necessary to create hundreds if not thousands of permanent jobs in the wind industry sector?

    Jobs worry as coal fired power station “storage” nears

    “Genesis had earlier planned to mothball the more than 30-year-old generating unit by early 2015, but has moved that forward because it made “commercial sense”.

    About 120 people work in the plant side of the power station.”

    Heartbreak for Huntly East miners

    “When corporate mismanagement and depressed global coal prices trickle down to the Huntly coalface they turn another screw into Darren O’Connor’s family.

    They crush Steven Lamb’s plans to own his marital home in north Hamilton and they send a pissed-off Ross Vernon in search of work across the Tasman.

    They cast a cloud of bad news and worry down Huntly’s Main St.”

    Yet the government refuses to act to allow the Hauauru ma raki wind farm to go ahead, creating hundreds of jobs just down the road from Huntly where the coal industry is laying off dozens of workers.

    Hundreds of Jobs lost as Waikato wind farm cancelled

    A move by Contact Energy to back out of a windfarm on the Waikato’s west coast has blown away hundreds of potential jobs in a move described as another disappointment to a region buffeted by lay-offs.

    The Hauauru ma raki venture, planned for the coast between Port Waikato and Raglan, was expected to inject $180 million into the regional economy, including $115m of household income over a five-year construction period. It was also tipped to create an estimated 1033 jobs once operational and generate enough power for around 170,000 homes, with its 168 turbines dwarfing the 28 turbines at the region’s next biggest windfarm at Te Uku.

    But Contact Energy, after years of indecision on the project, yesterday announced in its annual result that it would completely pull out of the project, leaving its future uncertain.

    Waikato Chamber of Commerce CEO Sandra Perry said the news was just another disappointment for the region, especially for those in the energy sector following last week’s Huntly Coal Mine lay-offs.

    After the announcement that 93 jobs were to go at the Huntly Mine, Ms Perry was hopeful that some of the younger employees facing redundancy could retrain and head into new jobs – like the construction and maintenance of the windfarm.

    “Here was an opportunity for them to retrain in the skills needed for constructing the windfarm and that’s gone now, so it’s another disappointment for the region,” she said.

    Will you take the necessary political action outlined by Eric Pyle required to restart the Hauauru ma raki wind farm to revitalise the region and give hope to the working people caught up in the dying coal industry..

    Will Labour stand with the unemployed working people of Waikato and Huntly, an area that even before the coal layoffs was labelled a blackspot for unemployment by WINZ?

    Will a Labour government led by you continue the policy of the National Government to protect and subsidise the fossil fuel companies, in particular Solid Energy, to make sure the Hauuru ma raki wind farm and others like it never goes ahead?

    And will a government led by you take the threat of climate change seriously?

    And take the job creation measures necessary to combat it?

  15. The Chairman 15
    13 May 2014 at 3:17 pm

    Here are a few questions:

    Do Labour plan to seek commitments (job numbers, living wage) from companies they plan to give handouts too?

    Do Labour plan to create any new SOEs to help stimulate the economy, create jobs and grow our export return?

    Will Labour overturn what they’ve often opposed (welfare reform etc) but National have done?

    And if not, what will they keep in place? And why?

    Do Labour support removing the use of equity and increasing the LVR on property investors purchasing investment properties in areas of high demand and low supply?

    Would they consider this opposed to introducing a CGT?

    As for a CGT, are Labour aware that in areas of high demand and low supply (the very areas of price concern) there is good scope for the fiscal burden of a CGT to be passed on? Resulting in intensifying the problem, not improving it.

    Moreover, property investors largely invest in property because they distrust the markets, hence a small tax hit on their overall gains is not going to deter their investment in property, thus won’t curb property demand or increase productive investment.

    Are Labour aware of the dangers of flooding the markets (compulsory Kiwisaver) with liquidity?

    Too much liquidity chasing a limited number of investment opportunities is prone to blowing bubbles.

    Lower interest rates intensifies the problem as investors turn to the market in seek of higher yields (see link)

    http://bit.ly/1mYtxra.

    Is Labour aware that our market lacks listings more than it lacks capital?

    Last year was the best the market had seen in decades with 10 new listings, 3 of them were SOEs.

    How will their initiatives circumvent this?

    Why are Labour misleading the public in regards to the VSR ceiling?

  16. Leftie... 16
    13 May 2014 at 8:57 pm

    Hello David…

    How is the Labour government going to remedy inequality/poverty,foreign ownership of property/farms and infrastructure,mining applications/approvals and environmental pollution?

    Thank You

  17. Leftie... 17
    13 May 2014 at 9:31 pm

    I have several more questions to ask:

    Will the labour party introduce green/ethical banks?

    Will the labour party implement a bill of rights and declaration of independence?