Daily review 28/06/2023

Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, June 28th, 2023 - 40 comments
Categories: Daily review - Tags:

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 …

40 comments on “Daily review 28/06/2023 ”

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  1. Phillip ure 1
    28 June 2023 at 6:15 pm

    Another week…another minister..

    Maybe time to open a book..

    And start offering odds on those remaining…

    • Ad 1.1
      28 June 2023 at 6:38 pm

      Kiri Allen:

      Wasn't enough to have $4billion in front of you to bring to your people and rebuild the entire East Coast.

      Just had to hang in there at $240,000+ and four damn months to go.

      And she waited until the boss was out of the country.

      What the fuck is wrong with these people?

    • observer 1.2
      28 June 2023 at 6:45 pm

      Lumping a mental health issue in with the Cabinet manual incompetence of Wood and Nash is lazy at best, and at worst, a sign that for all the reviews, fine words and platitudes, we haven't made much progress. Apparently everything is still fair game, because it's politics and it's still the last century.

      Have a word with yourself.

      • Ad 1.2.1
        28 June 2023 at 6:54 pm

        Don't be wet. She is a massive bully to her staff, and stepped in to defend her partner at RNZ in a live speech to the staff. Check around the operators in Wellington. 'Mental health leave' in this case means you were caught being an asshole.

        • Patricia Bremner 1.2.1.1
          28 June 2023 at 7:32 pm

          Takes one to know one Ad.angry “caught being an asshole”
          “Mirror mirror on the wall who is the biggest today?”
          You sir are the wet!! Witch hunt much?

        • Belladonna 1.2.1.2
          28 June 2023 at 8:08 pm

          If this is true – bullying staff – it makes me really sad. I felt that Allan had huge potential to do a lot of good – both in her electorate, and in Parliament as a whole. One of the stars of a future government.

          I do give her a pass on the RNZ speech – no one is entirely impartial when it comes to family – and it was clearly a fraught occasion. She shouldn't have done it. But, I don't feel that it was a massively serious offence.

          Nor, do I think that she had any control over when this was going to be presented to the media – that is entirely the responsibility of the departments concerned.

          The wording of the article – also makes it possible that this is a storm in a teacup – given that there have been no formal complaints, and the issues raised appeared to be well over a year ago – and were addressed at the time. There is not even any statement that the issues were with the Minister – simply with her office (which may mean a senior staff member).

          https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/06/28/more-than-one-public-service-head-aware-of-kiri-allan-office-issues/

          Now, on further investigation, it may turn out to be serious – and an example of bullying – but that's not a conclusion I'd jump to, just yet.

          • Anne 1.2.1.2.1
            28 June 2023 at 11:01 pm

            That's a reasonable assessment Belladonna. Pretty much my view too. As you say, there maybe something more serious but I'm keeping an open mind. As I alluded to @1.2.2, there may be things going on in her life we know nothing about.

          • Patricia Bremner 1.2.1.2.2
            29 June 2023 at 1:27 am

            Balanced view of what we know so far.yes

          • Shanreagh 1.2.1.2.3
            29 June 2023 at 9:23 am

            Agreed we just do not know the 'ins' and 'outs'.

            Though if she does not shine at managing staff, and not everyone does, then self knowledge may lead her to take other measures to help them/her.

            One of them would be to get an experienced, in parliament and staff management, office manager. I don't know who her current senior private secretary/office manager is but hopefully they have been chosen for their knowledge of Parliament etc rather than the knowledge of Labout Party rules etc.

            Hon Helen Clark struggled with staff management, ironically also in the Conservation portfolio. She employed Heather Simpson and things seems to go better.

            • Belladonna 1.2.1.2.3.1
              29 June 2023 at 10:14 am

              I do wonder if this is the solution (experienced office manager) which has already been implemented. Given that the issues were raised over a year ago, and were being dealt with then, and haven't (as far as we know) resurfaced.

              People management, as you point out, is not a skill that everyone excels in – or enjoys. Part of being a good politician (or any leadership role), is finding the people who can support you in areas where you are not strong.

        • Bearded Git 1.2.1.3
          28 June 2023 at 11:33 pm

          Way over the top Ad….I guess you have become a Luxon fan?

          If not, do try and look at the facts…no complaint, over a year ago, and she was great in the media last week.

          This is the MSM trying to nail Labour.

      • Anne 1.2.2
        28 June 2023 at 7:05 pm

        Thanks observer.

        Sometimes I want to smash the f*****g media and their spiteful games.

        Okay she took her frustrations out on some of her staff. Who hasn't been in that position whatever the circumstance might have been. She has evidently recognised she needed time off to reflect on her conduct and seek assistance.

        I don't know what has been going on in Kiri Allen's personal life, but what I can guess is that, as a gay woman in public life, she has been the target of some of the most vile abuse imaginable.

        This is all part of the Opposition/media game being played. That is, to pick off cabinet ministers one by one in election year. Thus far, none of their misdeeds are any different to what was regarded as normal behaviour for decades in respect of both National and ACT.

        • Ad 1.2.2.1
          28 June 2023 at 7:50 pm

          It's the media's fault.

          Always works.

        • Kat 1.2.2.2
          28 June 2023 at 7:54 pm

          Speaking from China: Jessica….just 'had' to mention on 6pm news Kiri Allan's clouding the PM in his press stand up after meeting Chinese president.

          The Blue MSM have become pathetic and childish with this 'gotcha' broadcasting.

        • Phillip ure 1.2.2.3
          28 June 2023 at 8:11 pm

          @anne..

          The media are just doing their job…they would question tory ministers with the same rigor..

          And no…I never took out my 'frustrations' on employees….

          And as for ani anti-lesbian prejudices…personally I was impressed in my initial viewings of ms allen…she impressed with her obvious intelligence/energy…

          That initial impression has faded somewhat since then..

          And claiming nash/wood are no worse than past tory ministers.. albeit true..is nonetheless a defence lacking in both scope and effectiveness..

          And as for these fallen ministers…

          It is all their own handiwork…nobody else to blame..

          • Bearded Git 1.2.2.3.1
            28 June 2023 at 11:34 pm

            With friends like you Phillip, who needs ACT?

          • Shanreagh 1.2.2.3.2
            29 June 2023 at 3:56 pm

            Okay she took her frustrations out on some of her staff. Who hasn't been in that position whatever the circumstance might have been.

            and

            Philip Ure says

            And no…I never took out my 'frustrations' on employees….

            I'm with Philip Ure on this.

            While it can be a stressful environment in well functioning Ministerial offices staff/minister look after each other to a degree that is not usual in a 'normal' workplace, at least in my experience.

            She has little experience as a Minister and has one large gnarly portfolio, Justice, and I wonder why she has the others?

        • Louis 1.2.2.4
          28 June 2023 at 10:02 pm

          “concerns” had been raised by the Department of Conservation about the working relationships in Allan’s office more than a year ago"

          “No further concerns were subsequently brought to my attention, and I understand relationships improved.”

          A DoC spokesperson said the incident was “more than a year ago”.

          "no formal complaints made by departmental or ministerial staff about Allan"

          “Some issues have been raised about how to improve working relations in the minister’s office. Work was done to improve the situation and no further issues were raised"

          https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/labour-minister-kiri-allan-on-mental-health-leave-as-concerns-emerge-over-work-relations/7UB3IMXCMVEMTNVTJL7FN7TNWM/

          • bwaghorn 1.2.2.4.1
            29 June 2023 at 6:53 am

            Not going to be surprised if the employee isn't a delicate flower who's feelings weren't massaged enough.

            • Shanreagh 1.2.2.4.1.1
              29 June 2023 at 9:37 am

              Umlikely…seconded staff are not usually ‘delicate flowers’. Usually they are people with a great knowlegde of the portfolio and a wish to knuckle down and get the job done for the benefit of the Minister and through them the Department. Most seconded staff are not in the least bit interested in playing the nitty gritty of party politics, that is not their job.

              When I worked over in Parliament as a seconded private secretary/ministerial adviser for over 4 years there were always some ministers who wanted neutral seconded public service staff to be party politicals. Thankfully not the two I worked for, these recognised the benefit of having advice on their portfolios that was straight up and not run through a party political mould.

              If the staff do not have an experienced office manager to raise this type of stuff with, and who in turn provide advice back to their Minister then staff either leave prematurely or it is escalated back to the seconding department. Some of these issues are able to be resolved by good staff management but if the office has no-one employed in this capacity…..Some offices don't and more's the pity.

            • Louis 1.2.2.4.1.2
              29 June 2023 at 11:04 am

              "She said she had never shouted at staff. Questioned on general concerns raised, she said no formal allegations were ever raised"

              https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/06/29/kiri-allan-there-have-never-been-any-formal-allegations-put-to-me/

  2. weka 2
    28 June 2023 at 6:19 pm

    Bookmarking this critique of the NYT reporting of the Danish study on suicide among trans people. A good opportunity to look at how the frames we use influence the conclusions we come to.

    https://twitter.com/jeremyshawmd/status/1673897545838342144

    • Anker 2.1
      29 June 2023 at 11:44 am

      Hi Weka, I am having trouble making sense ot that research.

      Are you able to bullet point their conclusions.

      The Danes keep great health records. They were able to follow up on twins separated at birth who developed schizophrenia. Helped add to the knowledge base on the genetics of the illness. Link can be provided if required.

  3. Belladonna 3
    28 June 2023 at 7:31 pm

    While the name suppression has to be the worst-kept secret in at least the Auckland arts scene (and possibly the rest of the country) – justice has finally prevailed, and James Wallace has been named as the 'prominent businessman' who was convicted of sexual assault and also of conspiring to bribe and intimidate witnesses.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/government-moves-to-strip-sir-james-wallace-of-knighthood/TEPRTILSA5CSTDF6BAXIQCL2OE/

    [A whopping clue was the renaming of the Wallace Arts Trust several years ago]

    The fact that he's been able to hold on to his name suppression for so long – really is an indictment of the suppression rules. Which are hugely more used for the protection of the wealthy and influential, than 'ordinary' citizens. The ability for 'prominent' offenders to continue appeal after appeal in order to retain name suppression, is a real abuse of process (and, frankly, a huge waste of court time).

    While I agree that name suppression should be routine (if asked for) before trial – innocent until proven guilty; I think it should automatically lapse upon conviction, and require an extraordinary argument to the judge to have it re-imposed (thinking here of sexual abuse cases, where the offender is not identified to protect the victims). Appeals should not result in further name suppression while the appeal is heard.

    I do not think that the mental health of the offender, or the effect on their ability to earn a living, or their position or status should be a factor in any way.

    If you have benefitted from great privilege and position in society, the loss of that respect is part of your punishment for the crimes you've committed.

    In addition, society also needs to know (setting aside the entirely-accurate-in-this-case gossip pipeline) – who the offender is – in order to set appropriate safeguards.

  4. Incognito 4
    28 June 2023 at 9:08 pm

    We know that that numbers & maths are not National’s strong points. So, when Mark Mitchell exclaims that the numbers don’t lie and another Nat MP uses stats we should turn on our BS detectors and analyse everything they assert carefully & critically.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/06/national-s-mark-mitchell-says-return-of-the-three-strikes-rule-will-stop-offenders-from-re-offending.html

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/492786/gang-list-surge-not-proof-of-increased-membership-police

    Or we could simply nod our heads, accept those ‘home truths’, and parrot NACT’s talking points as if they’re the New Gospel.

    • bwaghorn 4.1
      29 June 2023 at 6:56 am

      I don't have a problem with 3 strikes as long as it applies to aggravated offenses,

      The threat of jail will have an effect, it sure did with this habitual drink driver.

      • Shanreagh 4.1.1
        29 June 2023 at 9:44 am

        I don't either as long as it is applied to appropriate offences.

        As well as aggravated offences perhaps many (ie over say 6) offences of a similar kind also eg recidivist shoplifters, burglars?

        My view is that at some stage upbringing etc should be set aside as mitigation if offences continue unabated.

  5. Joe90 5
    28 June 2023 at 10:58 pm

    The lefties over at the IMF have joined the greedflation chorus.

    /

    @IMFNews

    Rising corporate profits were the largest contributor to Europe’s inflation over the past two years as companies increased prices by more than the spiking costs of imported energy. https://bit.ly/441jfya

    https://twitter.com/IMFNews/status/1673287590865412096

    • UncookedSelachimorpha 5.1
      29 June 2023 at 1:36 am

      Yep, if you use a percentage markup and input costs go up….

      Not the only explanation, but might be part of booming fuel and supermarket profits.

    • Patricia Bremner 5.2
      29 June 2023 at 1:50 am

      That is very revealing. The pattern is evident here as well.