Daily Review 10/10/2018

Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, October 10th, 2018 - 71 comments
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Daily review is also your post.

This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Don’t forget to be kind to each other …

71 comments on “Daily Review 10/10/2018 ”

  • Comments are now closed

    • alwyn 1.1
      10 October 2018 at 6:14 pm

      I think she is trying to distract people from this.
      https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/107737757/waitlist-soars-more-than-9000-households-are-waiting-for-public-housing
      Remember how the CoL were going to fix the housing problem?
      How they were going to build more State Houses.
      How they were going to house the homeless?
      And build 100,000 extra homes in 10 years.
      Well they are fail, fail, fail and fail.
      Now we discover that the waiting list for Social Housing has risen by more than 50% since the end of 2017. It was 6,182 at the end of 2017 and it is 9,344 now.
      What a spectacular failure.
      Why has the PM not taken responsibility and either fired Twyford or resigned herself?
      Better still of course is if they both went. They are, as feared, totally useless.

      • Gabby 1.1.1
        10 October 2018 at 6:29 pm

        Turns out the building industry is a bit shit wally Sucking on the taxpayer’s tit won’t make it better. Doesn’t work for charter schools, doesn’t work for builders.

      • ScottGN 1.1.2
        10 October 2018 at 6:29 pm

        Haha alwyn, nice try.
        This points to a deliberate effort by National to undercount the waiting list when they were in office, wouldn’t you agree?
        Maybe Bennett should resign?

        • alwyn 1.1.2.1
          10 October 2018 at 6:35 pm

          I fear your paranoia is showing.

          • mickysavage 1.1.2.1.1
            10 October 2018 at 7:29 pm

            It is all Labour’s fault. They have not fixed up the mess that National caused quickly enough.

            Have I got this right?

            • alwyn 1.1.2.1.1.1
              10 October 2018 at 8:48 pm

              “Have I got this right”
              Not at all.
              Not only have they not improved things but they have made them much, much worse.
              If, as you seem to be saying, that 6,000 on the waiting list is a mess you would have to agree that increasing the number by 50% in a mere 9 months is not merely an unfixed mess but has turned it into a total disaster.
              Your mob are completely incapable of running the country.
              I was quite happy to accept that the National-led Government was tired and needed to change. The problem I saw was that, even after 9 years in Opposition, there was no viable Government in waiting. I was forced to accept that another 3 years of a tired Government was vastly better for the country than a gang of fools in power. The evidence of the last 12 months has demonstrated the accuracy of my opinion.
              Robertson and Parker are doing well. The rest, from the PM down are idiots with no knowledge of what they should be doing.

              • mickysavage …
                10 October 2018 at 9:17 pm

                Change in policy, a realistic attempt at measuring the problem and suddenly the number on the list goes up. Who would have thunk it.

            • Ngungukai 1.1.2.1.1.2
              10 October 2018 at 9:11 pm

              Micky they should have sorted it out by now, they have had over a year for gods sake.

              • mickysavage …
                10 October 2018 at 9:18 pm

                Getting lectured by the right on how a major poblem has not been sorted out yet sucks just a bit …

            • patricia bremner 1.1.2.1.1.3
              11 October 2018 at 2:08 am

              absolutely Micky.

      • BM 1.1.3
        10 October 2018 at 6:35 pm

        Terrible, the fools are making the housing situation so much worse.

        They need to do the decent thing and beg National to take back power.

        Politicians who know what they’re doing back in charge is the only way out of this self-made disaster.

        • Gabby 1.1.3.1
          10 October 2018 at 6:45 pm

          Politicians who know how to feather their nests BMmer.

        • Stuart Munro 1.1.3.2
          10 October 2018 at 6:48 pm

          The decent thing would be to send Gnat MPs where they can do most good – as chew toys for endangered carnivores.

    • Gabby 1.2
      10 October 2018 at 6:27 pm

      Before you know it businesses will have to compete for customers BMmer.

    • mac1 1.3
      10 October 2018 at 6:39 pm

      BM and alwyn, there may just be another reason for government action.

      Shonky practice which the former National government did little or nothing about.

      Truck vendors.
      Fuel price hikes at an uneven rate and coverage.
      Contractors abusing employment law.
      Scammers, spammers, door to door salespeople.
      Landlords disregarding basic housing practice.
      Tax evaders,
      Food prices.

      There’s a lot to be improved in Godzone. And it’s great to have a higher than expected income for government to be able to spend more to counteract the lackadaisical dealings of National.

      To say that this Labour and reforming government is acting as it does because of ‘polling results’ is more a reflection upon the proposers of this idea than actuality.

      Mind you, it is acting because of a poll result delivered by more than 50% of voters in 2017!

    • Ad 1.4
      10 October 2018 at 6:40 pm

      We are a nation run by just a handful of oligopolies who have been scamming us for decades:
      – Petrol
      – Supermarkets
      – Building supplies
      – Loan sharks
      – Banks
      – Insurers
      – Car park operators
      – Airports
      – Water supply
      – Airlines
      – Electricity generators
      – Milk suppliers
      – etc

      A few have had small challengers pop up, making a difference at the margins.

      Most are almost totally unregulated because there are such weak powers to smash cartels.

      And most have been ripping us all off for years.

      We don’t have an entity with the power of the ACCC.

      So we have a government who is just starting to gather some powers around itself to get at them. Dirty job, full of consultants, lawyers, lobbyists, and the rest. But someone’s got to start somewhere, so they are.

      • Chuck 1.4.1
        10 October 2018 at 6:53 pm

        “Most are almost totally unregulated”

        When you come back down to earth Ad, can you provide evidence “most are almost totally unregulated”?

        • Ad 1.4.1.1
          10 October 2018 at 7:27 pm

          Can you show me the last time the Commerce Commission successfully prosecuted for collusion or any other kind of price-gouging behavior:

          – Petrol companies. Nope
          – Supermarkets. Nope
          – Building supply companies Nope
          – (there was a successful loan shark prosecution in 2012)
          – Banks (yes a few by the IRD for tax avoidance/evasion), but not for fees and charges
          – Insurers (there have been a couple of of insurers pinged in the last few years)
          – Car park operators Nope
          – Airports Nope despite several goes to the Commerce Commission by airlines
          – Electricity generators Nope
          – Water suppliers Nope. Councils and water companies set what they like to the public
          – Milk suppliers Nope. Legislated monopoly.

          Of course I could go on with other industries, such as meat buyers, fruit buyers, and others.

          But it’s a pretty easy list to draw up. The New Zealand consumer has been ripped off for years and there are no regulators for most of the industries above with the teeth or will to do anything about it.

          • RedLogix 1.4.1.1.1
            11 October 2018 at 1:24 am

            Building supply companies

            Typically charging double what the same business does across the Tasman.

      • Ngungukai 1.4.2
        10 October 2018 at 9:15 pm

        Neoliberalisation = Corporatistation

        Milton Friedman Chicago School of Economics

        • Ed 1.4.2.1
          10 October 2018 at 9:21 pm

          The simple solution is to renationalise those vital services so private foreign interests don’t loot our country.

      • Antoine 1.4.3
        11 October 2018 at 12:09 am

        Hey Ad

        > We don’t have an entity with the power of the ACCC.

        Suppose we had an entity with the power of the ACCC, good institutional capability and a legal framework to back it up. What would you expect it would find your listed oligopolies guilty of, and what remedies would it impose?

        I would be particularly interested in an answer for petrol, supermarkets and banks.

        (Genuine question!)

        A.

    • Scooter 1.5
      10 October 2018 at 9:36 pm

      Who’s Cindy?

      • Incognito 1.5.1
        10 October 2018 at 10:42 pm

        It’s a nickname that RWNJs came up with for Jacinda Ardern to denigrate her and make her smaller because otherwise their heads would explode. You know, small words for small minds.

        • Scooter 1.5.1.1
          11 October 2018 at 9:43 am

          Thanks Incognito, says a lot about BM that he feels the need to infantilise a woman in this way

    • James 1.6
      10 October 2018 at 9:53 pm

      And what can they do after the study ? Make laws capping profit margins ?

      Useless talk as usual

      • Antoine 1.6.1
        11 October 2018 at 12:10 am

        My question also. What remedies could be taken as a result of this study? Or is it just to create transparency?

        A.

  2. Muttonbird 2
    10 October 2018 at 6:46 pm

    Well, the National Party leak of the decade continues to be news. Here’s Tova O’Brien basically reporting on herself as is the way in the new media where once journalists are themselves now an active part of the news cycle.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/10/exclusive-speaker-quietly-ordered-inquiry-into-simon-bridges-expenses-leak.html

    My prediction is Simon Bridges’ enquiries will deliver nothing. PwC and Simpson Grierson will, upon instruction from the National Party president, find no evidence of anyone being responsible for the leak.

    Jami-Lee Ross is the leaker, there is simply no doubt about that at all. But the Nats will have strategised that the barrier to scrutiny created by the mental health references both by the leaker himself, and by Bridges and co. since, will be enough to prevent National from sustaining serious damage by offering the public no resolution.

    I think the electorate at large should and will regard the National Party as very very untrustworthy after this flat out lying to the media, and their use of mental health as a distraction from their internal turmoil.

    • mickysavage 2.1
      10 October 2018 at 7:31 pm

      Very clever by Trevor. Fingerpointing at Parliamentary Services is going to be a waste of time …

      • joe90 2.1.1
        10 October 2018 at 8:17 pm

        old head

      • Muttonbird 2.1.2
        10 October 2018 at 8:41 pm

        Yes.

        There are a couple of points in that article which add to the prediction the identity of the leaker will be shut down. They both say the same thing:

        Newshub raised concerns with Mr Mallard about protecting sources and the privacy of journalists’ communications.

        Newshub has sought assurances from PwC that O’Brien’s communications as a journalist would not be caught up in that investigation.

        Newshub are really making a point here. I feel this could be used/is being used as a way to legitimise an outcome where ‘no leaker is found’.

      • BM 2.1.3
        10 October 2018 at 9:18 pm

        I thought Mallard knew who the leaker was?

        • mickysavage 2.1.3.1
          10 October 2018 at 9:19 pm

          So that PS cannot be held up as scapegoats.

          • BM 2.1.3.1.1
            10 October 2018 at 9:24 pm

            So why did he shut done the orginal investigation?

            Was Mallard buying time so he could bury the evidence?

            It’s all very suss and labour like.

            • Gabby 2.1.3.1.1.1
              10 October 2018 at 9:43 pm

              He’s just thinking of poor Jamie Weewoss BMmer, labouring under cruel assumptions that are not at all true.

  3. Ed 3
    10 October 2018 at 7:36 pm

    Climate Change.
    Water Wars.

    ‘Iraq’s disappearing Eden: Water shortages could force four million people to flee their homes.’

    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iraq-water-shortage-unesco-garden-of-eden-bible-four-million-people-homes-latest-a8574781.html

    • Exkiwiforces 3.1
      10 October 2018 at 9:42 pm

      It doesn’t really surprise me that Iraq is next on the list as it’s two major river systems start in Syria where the 1st Climate War started. Actually Jordan is having the a similar issue IRT to the lack of water flowing in the Jordan river and again this river system starts in Syria, but there is also a enough evidence to suggest that Israel is taking more than its fair share as well in light of the lack of rainfall and lack of snow melt run off (yes it does snow up there and I’ve seen pictures from members of the 2nd NZ Div from their time Syria during WW2) up in the head waters of the Jordan river so watch that space in the coming yrs.

      Also keep an eye out for parts of Iran and to the nth of it as well, with Egypt and those countries along the Nile valley, but you say the most of the MER, those countries bordering around the Med and even up in the Hindu Kush with its major river systems feeding India and the surrounding countries are to have problems in the near to medium future when the snow melt stops and the seasonal rains fail.

      Hell even parts of Indonesia have declared in drought in parts of Java and other areas as the usual seasonal rains have failed.

      • Ed 3.1.1
        10 October 2018 at 9:46 pm

        With India and Pakistan being nuclear powers, the battle for the headwaters of the Indus could be devastating.

        • Exkiwiforces 3.1.1.1
          11 October 2018 at 12:03 am

          Yes, these two nations have gone head to head like two drunks in an Aussie outback pub 3-4 times since the 1947 and god knows how many shoot outs on the border etc including their proxies elsewhere.

          I did see this afternoon, but I haven’t read it yet as I may use up my 5 freebies.

          https://thediplomat.com/2018/10/be-prepared-for-an-india-pakistan-limited-war/

          But I think the Iran- Syria Team (Shia/ Shi’ite) vs Israel, Christians and the Sunni Nations within the MER especially since old mate Saddam was disposed by the Yanks many moons ago. As Iraq under Saddam’s Sunni and Christians mates actually acted as a buffer, since old mate Saddam got the boot. Iran has now achieved its goal to link up Syria–Lebanon via the over land route and support it’s Shi’ite proxies and therefore it can strike Israel which has now upset the balance of power within the Gulf Nations and further afield IRT to Western economies including NZ believe it or not.

          When we now factor in CC within the MER, the Asia Minor and Greater Asia Regions, then things look decidedly bad even China is going to get whacked as most it major river systems rely on the Seasonal rains and Snow melt all the way to the sea. In China including parts of Asia Minor they already seeing good productive land been lost to encroaching deserts, but rivers drying up and from the sounds of the Uighurs are getting restless or China’s is crushing down on the Uighurs before it gets out of hand. Either or China is taking a buck each approach atm IRT to the poor bloody Uighurs.

          The old pressure cooker can only take so much, before it blows a poo poo valve and then it will be on for young and old.

  5. ianmac 5
    10 October 2018 at 8:19 pm

    Curiouser and curiouser that Newshub should choose to publish that summary today? Is it a prelude to something else because if Simon is waiting for us to forget he is making another error of judgement.

    Ps to Muttonbird above.

    • Muttonbird 5.1
      10 October 2018 at 9:05 pm

      I’m amazed that anyone at all believes Jami Lee Ross isn’t responsible for limo leak.

      I’m also impressed that National has been able to get away with framing Ross as ‘mentally ill’ simply because he criticised the leader’s extravagant spending.

      • Ed 5.1.1
        10 October 2018 at 9:07 pm

        Do you think this story will allowed to die by the media?
        Or will they follow it further?

        • Muttonbird 5.1.1.1
          10 October 2018 at 9:17 pm

          I think there’s an out being formulated behind the scenes involving lawyers, etc.

          I don’t know whether the players driving it are fully in control though because that doesn’t seem to have been the case so far.

          But if there is emerging an official, cross party agreement that the thing should die then yes the media will let it die because they have to.

          That would be sad because it will prevent analysis of how Simon Bridges and the National Party deceived the public.

        • Ngungukai 5.1.1.2
          10 October 2018 at 9:20 pm

          It is highly topical & an important subject, critical to the overall performance of the National Party in the eyes of the Public.

  6. greywarshark 6
    10 October 2018 at 8:32 pm

    Read Politico. What do you think?
    http://www.kiwipolitico.com/2018/10/confronting-despotic-interference/

    First para:
    It is hard to fix a precise date when despotic politics entered the liberal democratic world, and then again when it began to corrode the rules-based international order. Some say that it started with the emergence of right-wing nationalism in Europe in response to the importation of authoritarian cultural values on the back of mass migration from non-European regions.

    Others see the rise of despotism as the response to the sclerosis and decay of liberal democracy in advanced capitalist states, where corporate influence, political corruption, post-industrial decline and technocratic indifference to popular concerns conspired to undermine confidence in the institutional system.

    Still others saw it as a response to unfulfilled expectations in newer democracies, where hopes of equality of opportunity and choice were dashed by a return to oligarchical politics dressed up in electoral garb.

    • Morrissey 6.1
      10 October 2018 at 8:52 pm

      Very interesting phrase, that: “confronting despotic interference.” When a rogue state blew up a ship in Auckland in 1985, killing a photographer, the United States, Britain, Canada and Australia did nothing. In fact they supported that rogue state.

  7. ianmac 7
    10 October 2018 at 10:14 pm

    If Simon knows that JLR is the leaker why would he continue with the enquiry?
    If so:
    1. He would have to lie repeatedly that he doesn’t know.
    2. Taxpayers money would continue to be spent probably in excess of $100,000
    3. Others in his Caucus would also know and have to lie and they would be unwilling to do that.
    4. The public report would have to be a lie.

    Even for National this would be too much.
    Therefore I do not think that JLR is the Leaker.

  8. Ed 8
    10 October 2018 at 10:19 pm

    Steve Cowan is on the money.

    “MARTYN BRADBURY of The Daily Blog observes that the report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change, released on Monday, says that we may have only a decade or so to meaningfully and concretely tackle climate change. This is true.

    The report warns that we only have a dozen or so years for global warming to be kept to a maximum of 1.5C, beyond which even half a degree will significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods, extreme heat and poverty for hundreds of millions of people. The average global temperature is now 1.0°C above pre-industrial levels and that increase is already causing more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice, and is damaging many land and sea ecosystems.

    So far, so bad. The trouble is that Martyn Bradbury, like others of his liberal political persuasion, seem to be still labouring under the delusion that we can somehow turn back the damaging impact of climate change and avoid a global catastrophe without upsetting the current political and economic order and the elite who profit by it. Certainly nowhere will you read him calling for ‘system change not climate change’, the popular slogan of the ecosocialist movement.

    ……But, unfortunately, I fully expect that, once the IPCC report is no longer in the headlines, Bradbury will return to cheerleading for Labour. But unless we make a radical change in our economic system, it will collapse in on itself as the cost of climate change begins to add up. Simply supporting the establishment politicians sitting in Parliament is not only not good enough but also a betrayal of our children who will inherit the world that we leave them.”

    http://nzagainstthecurrent.blogspot.com/2018/10/system-change-not-climate-change.html

  9. JC 9
    10 October 2018 at 10:55 pm

    Sixty Years on ….

    “France is being taken to the International Criminal Court over its nuclear weapons testing in French Polynesia.” (and the greater Pacific!)

    Watch this space!

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/368349/france-taken-to-international-criminal-court-over-nuclear-tests

    “It’s beautiful,” said President Charles de Gaulle at the sight of the first of France’s 193 nuclear tests in the South Pacific. But for French Polynesia and many of its people, the fallout from decades of nuclear weapons testing is still being dealt with 50 years after the first test.”

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/307804/the-battle-continues,-50-years-after-first-test-at-mururoa

    and etc etc ….

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/356212/for-veterans-of-british-nuclear-tests-a-60-year-fight-for-recognition-goes-on

  10. JC 10
    10 October 2018 at 11:31 pm

    “Rising seas caused by climate change are seeping inside a United States nuclear waste dump on a remote and low-lying Pacific atoll, flushing out radioactive substances left behind from some of the world’s largest atomic weapons tests.”

    ; – Mark Willacy …

    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-27/the-dome-runit-island-nuclear-test-leaking-due-to-climate-change/9161442

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/03/runit-dome-pacific-radioactive-waste

  12. Macro 12
    11 October 2018 at 10:13 pm

    It’s a scary time for boys!
    This video has gone viral with over 25 million hits so far.
    excellent protest song.