I just watched this debate hosted by the Free Speech Union. Don't let that put you off, it's good. I disagreed and agreed with all four debaters, and had my own thinking challenged by much of the discussion, as well rolling my eyes quite a few times.
Moot: “be it resolved, #nodebate: some discussions will only cause harm”.
speakers: Simon Wilson, Damian Sycamore vs David Bromell & Holly Lawford-Smith
Moderator: Josie Pagani
Inspired by and modelled after such events as The Munk Debates, Oxford Union, The Cambridge Union, and similar events organised by Intelligence Squared, the New Zealand Free Speech Union is organising its very own debate series, where the principle of free speech can be practiced through the exchange of differing thoughts and ideas. The FSU Debate Series will be a place where a wide range of ideas and opinions, presented by a diverse range of speakers can come together to affirm the belief that the discussion of complex topics should not only be encouraged but is an essential element of any free society.
I'd like to watch it again because there is a fair amount about social media and it made me think about how much we hold a particular space here at TS to allow meaningful debate rather than allowing emotionally reactivity to drive argument.
That is what keeps me continuing to read The Standard. We have our individual preferences re- subject matter and we all clash from time to time, but overall the standard of commentary on this site gets better and better.
I'll be the first to say thank-you to the current moderators for keeping it clean and permanently removing those whose intentions here are not honourable.
An oldie but a goodie – Luxon and Willis know which side National's 'bread' is buttered on.
Luxon unsure if he'll lower rents on homes he owns despite policy promise [10 Sept 2023]
Christopher Luxon is unsure whether he will lower the rents on his own investment properties if National's housing policy is enacted despite saying the plans would put a "downward pressure on rents" if the party is elected.
Nats want to reheat the property market – donors are fuming over the current correction.
Pulling tax from one part of teetering Jenga tower to place it in another [updated 20 Sept 2023]
It’s bleak, against this backdrop, to see so much of this year’s election debate consumed by a policy proposed by the National Party that depends, again, on boosting the property sector.
…
At its core, National’s tax plan is all about property.
It should be no surprise that the real estate sector, who stand to gain from an influx of affluent foreign buyers, have been the most vocal in their enthusiasm for National’s tax plan.
I had a quick look at Mike Hosking's rant in the Herald this morning and just as quickly got out and took some deep breaths to regain a modicum of normality. Of course it's paywalled so it's no sense in adding the link. Ye gods, he really does have issues with Jacinda Ardern and can't seem to let it drop. I really wish that he and his missus would simply up sticks and simply bugger off to Australia, as he has threatened to on several occasions. That wouldn't stop him though and I suspect his retainer from Newsquawk ZB keeps him here. JA certainly lives rent free in his head.
They make the threat to leave the country but never do. Making the threat is (in my opinion) a way of reinforcing their conviction that their remaining here is a noble sacrifice they make to bless us with their presence. And that therefore, it is highly impertinent of us to want to tax them or restrict in any way their inclination to do whatever the hell they please.
In fact, their talent is so slight that they would struggle anywhere else to accrue a fragment of the same wealth, influence and fake celebrity that so easily falls into their laps here.
Some one pointed out that the Nat fiscal plan is very late. Due out tomorrow. Luxon and Willis are always on about setting goals and being efficient and on time. Not as wonderful as they claim. Hoisted I reckon.
Ryan Bridge shocked AM co-host Laura Tupou on Thursday morning by pouring cold water on the idea of menopause leave for women, suggesting sick leave should be used instead.
The idiot does not realise it is a condition that can last up to a year.
Expert says unemployment rate needs to jump to 'rebalance' economy
The claim, bringing in migrants (who have no guarantee of employment) is part of a plan to raise unemployment levels without job loss.
Riggall told AM co-host Ryan Bridge the key thing the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RNZ) wants to see is a "rebalance of the labour market".
"If we step back and look at the bigger picture, we need to rebalance the labour market. We had unemployment down to 3.2 percent, it's currently 3.6 percent, but that is still way below the four-point something percent it was pre-COVID. The RBNZ are needing the employment market to rebalance because it's too tight," he said.
"How do you want to rebalance that? Do you want to rebalance that by people losing their jobs or do you want to have more people come into the labour force and cause the unemployment rate to go up without unnecessary loss of jobs and that's what we're seeing.
Sounds like something NACT would do, Labour’s plan was more likely based on easy access of employers to skilled workers – but it was misused (by agents etc). Reducing the number of jobs left open to locals and thus more applications for fewer job openings.
Chippy up north today rightly calling out certain racist commentary from the ‘Coalition of Caenum’, have to say its the first time I have ever heard a PM in NZ speak so forthrightly and passionately on this subject this close to an election. If anyone else has I would like to know who that PM was.
Not Politics..(maybe ?), but more Grocery Consumer problems.
The Warehouse facing ‘Weet-Bix situation’ as Sanitarium pulls cereal from stores
The Warehouse sells the 1.2kg family packs of the popular cereal product for $6, cheaper than it typically retails at other supermarkets like Countdown and New World.
The Commerce Commission’s chair John Small said the claims made by The Warehouse were “extremely concerning” and Sanitarium had been approached for an explanation.
“We are also considering the potential ongoing implications for competition in the grocery sector – particularly given The Warehouse Group’s stated strategy of expanding in the sector,” he said in a statement.
Welfare is a strange obsession of Christopher Luxon, the real issues here are of an educational base for on the job/polytech training/apprenticeships and other work capability (drivers licence/after school care/addiction issues).
And unemployment is under 4% and is only trending up because of an anti-inflation priority.
It also seems to show up in Luxon’s preoccupations with certain issues, such as the thorny problem of welfare dependency, that was grappled with by, and in some ways helped define the legacies of, baby boomer leaders whose careers Luxon has followed, such as Bill Clinton and Tony Blair.
Luxon made long-term welfarism the subject of one of his first major speeches as leader and this week announced a “traffic light” system of sanctions for jobseeker recipients who did not try to find work.
This is silly, the three strikes (traffic light policy) has been around since the 1990's. Over a decade before the Rebstock report under the last National government.
He has clearly spent a lot of pre-politics and in-politics time thinking about how he would address this issue, despite having become an MP when the question is perhaps less relevant than at any time since the 1970s, with unemployment near historical lows for a number of years.
He surely means 1990's there was hardly any back in the 1970's, so RM focused on the problem of Maori youth coming into the city and joining gangs by establishing PEP jobs for them so they could to pay rent for their own housing.
Perhaps the purpose of the policy was another lesson of the 90s political memoirs: triangulation. A tough-sounding policy on beneficiaries may help crowd out New Zealand First, which also takes a hard line position.
The decade when the MW was held down – ECA era. And benefits were low to maintain some sort of incentive to work anyhow.
Peters is proposing 2 years on welfare lifetime limits (USA back in the 1990's) and a requirement for community employment for continued support (work for the dole is frowned on by the ILO, so it might be circa 20 hours at MW).
The other part of the US welfare reforms was faith based providers (and panopticon society oversight of the unemployed as they lost their term limit support – no community work or anything, instead homelessness and precariat desperation). Luxon was earlier proposing management of those under 25 by outside "parties" who could sanction people off welfare support.
One hopes this triangulation is not some sort of crusade to deliver the sanction regime victims to dependence on charity – and susceptibility to the God and mammon prosperity religion gospel cult that "so profoundly ended poverty in the USA".
Luxon made long-term welfarism the subject of one of his first major speeches as leader and this week announced a “traffic light” system of sanctions for jobseeker recipients who did not try to find work.
And there I was thinking traffic lights were for safety, not sanctions.
The Veil of Ignorance (sometimes referred to as "the original position") is a thought experiment popularized by 20-century philosopher John Rawlswith the goal of thinking more clearly and impartially about the fair organizing principles of a society based on solidarity. The actual thought experiment is as brilliant as it is simple. The authors of Net Positive describe it as follows:
"Imagine you are setting up a political and economic system, but you don't know your place in society, class position or social status… [or] fortune in the distribution of natural assets and abilities, intelligence and strength.
What kind of system would you design if you didn't know whether you would be born a white male in a wealthy country, or a Syrian girl in a refugee camp? What kind of policies would you want in place, and how would you want companies to behave?
The answer is obvious. Respect, equity, compassion, humanity, and justice would be at the core. The system would provide a basic foundation of well-being and dignity for all, with people at the center, not money."
Hmm – "A basic foundation of well-being and dignity for all, with people at the centre, not money." Would Luxon or Willis care to comment?
Study finds link between young ram-raiders and family harm events
[29 September 2022]
"The evidence, the community, the sector experts at the forefront of family and sexual violence have been very clear for a long time that we need enduring solutions. That's why the simplistic short-term 'tough on crime', 'tough on youth' responses do not work," she said.
"When you have people involved with violence – let's say a politician who may have caused violent harm to someone at a boarding school. When they are wrapped with support, understanding, forgiveness, and given opportunities to carry on and lead a good life – that's how we can interrupt cycles of violence. That is how people can be supported to lead healthy lives."
Luxon has an answer for every problem caused by his “ reckons”, and it,s …..VOLUNTEERS. Watch this space, the next thting from that added head will be no super unless the over 65s do a number of hours helping clean up his shitfights. You heard it here first!
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The Green Party stands in support of volunteer firefighters petitioning the Government to step up and change legislation to provide volunteers the same ACC coverage and benefits as their paid counterparts. ...
At 2.30am local time, Israel launched a treacherous attack on Gaza killing more than 300 defenceless civilians while they slept. Many of them were children. This followed a more than 2 week-long blockade by Israel on the entry of all goods and aid into Gaza. Israel deliberately targeted densely populated ...
Living Strong, Aging Well There is much discussion around the health of our older New Zealanders and how we can age well. In reality, the delivery of health services accounts for only a relatively small percentage of health outcomes as we age. Significantly, dry warm housing, nutrition, exercise, social connection, ...
Shane Jones’ display on Q&A showed how out of touch he and this Government are with our communities and how in sync they are with companies with little concern for people and planet. ...
The Government’s new planning legislation to replace the Resource Management Act will make it easier to get things done while protecting the environment, say Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court. “The RMA is broken and everyone knows it. It makes it too hard to build ...
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay has today launched a public consultation on New Zealand and India’s negotiations of a formal comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. “Negotiations are getting underway, and the Public’s views will better inform us in the early parts of this important negotiation,” Mr McClay says. We are ...
More than 900 thousand superannuitants and almost five thousand veterans are among the New Zealanders set to receive a significant financial boost from next week, an uplift Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says will help support them through cost-of-living challenges. “I am pleased to confirm that from 1 ...
Progressing a holistic strategy to unlock the potential of New Zealand’s geothermal resources, possibly in applications beyond energy generation, is at the centre of discussions with mana whenua at a hui in Rotorua today, Resources and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is in the early stages ...
New annual data has exposed the staggering cost of delays previously hidden in the building consent system, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I directed Building Consent Authorities to begin providing quarterly data last year to improve transparency, following repeated complaints from tradespeople waiting far longer than the statutory ...
Increases in water charges for Auckland consumers this year will be halved under the Watercare Charter which has now been passed into law, Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown say. The charter is part of the financial arrangement for Watercare developed last year by Auckland Council ...
There is wide public support for the Government’s work to strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity protections, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. “The Ministry for Primary Industries recently completed public consultation on proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act and the submissions show that people understand the importance of having a strong biosecurity ...
A new independent review function will enable individuals and organisations to seek an expert independent review of specified civil aviation regulatory decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Director of Civil Aviation, Acting Transport Minister James Meager has announced today. “Today we are making it easier and more affordable ...
The Government will invest in an enhanced overnight urgent care service for the Napier community as part of our focus on ensuring access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown has today confirmed. “I am delighted that a solution has been found to ensure Napier residents will continue to ...
Health Minister Simeon Brown and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey attended a sod turning today to officially mark the start of construction on a new mental health facility at Hillmorton Campus. “This represents a significant step in modernising mental health services in Canterbury,” Mr Brown says. “Improving health infrastructure is ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has welcomed confirmation the economy has turned the corner. Stats NZ reported today that gross domestic product grew 0.7 per cent in the three months to December following falls in the June and September quarters. “We know many families and businesses are still suffering the after-effects ...
The sealing of a 12-kilometre stretch of State Highway 43 (SH43) through the Tangarakau Gorge – one of the last remaining sections of unsealed state highway in the country – has been completed this week as part of a wider programme of work aimed at improving the safety and resilience ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters says relations between New Zealand and the United States are on a strong footing, as he concludes a week-long visit to New York and Washington DC today. “We came to the United States to ask the new Administration what it wants from ...
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has welcomed changes to international anti-money laundering standards which closely align with the Government’s reforms. “The Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) last month adopted revised standards for tackling money laundering and the financing of terrorism to allow for simplified regulatory measures for businesses, organisations and sectors ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour says he welcomes Medsafe’s decision to approve an electronic controlled drug register for use in New Zealand pharmacies, allowing pharmacies to replace their physical paper-based register. “The register, developed by Kiwi brand Toniq Limited, is the first of its kind to be approved in New ...
The Coalition Government’s drive for regional economic growth through the $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund is on track with more than $550 million in funding so far committed to key infrastructure projects, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. “To date, the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) has received more than 250 ...
[Comments following the bilateral meeting with United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio; United States State Department, Washington D.C.] * We’re very pleased with our meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio this afternoon. * We came here to listen to the new Administration and to be clear about what ...
The intersection of State Highway 2 (SH2) and Wainui Road in the Eastern Bay of Plenty will be made safer and more efficient for vehicles and freight with the construction of a new and long-awaited roundabout, says Transport Minister Chris Bishop. “The current intersection of SH2 and Wainui Road is ...
The Ocean Race will return to the City of Sails in 2027 following the Government’s decision to invest up to $4 million from the Major Events Fund into the international event, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown says. “New Zealand is a proud sailing nation, and Auckland is well-known internationally as the ...
Improving access to mental health and addiction support took a significant step forward today with Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announcing that the University of Canterbury have been the first to be selected to develop the Government’s new associate psychologist training programme. “I am thrilled that the University of Canterbury ...
Health Minister Simeon Brown has today officially opened the new East Building expansion at Manukau Health Park. “This is a significant milestone and the first stage of the Grow Manukau programme, which will double the footprint of the Manukau Health Park to around 30,000m2 once complete,” Mr Brown says. “Home ...
The Government will boost anti-crime measures across central Auckland with $1.3 million of funding as a result of the Proceeds of Crime Fund, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. “In recent years there has been increased antisocial and criminal behaviour in our CBD. The Government ...
The Government is moving to strengthen rules for feeding food waste to pigs to protect New Zealand from exotic animal diseases like foot and mouth disease (FMD), says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. ‘Feeding untreated meat waste, often known as "swill", to pigs could introduce serious animal diseases like FMD and ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held productive talks in New Delhi today. Fresh off announcing that New Zealand and India would commence negotiations towards a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, the two Prime Ministers released a joint statement detailing plans for further cooperation between the two countries across ...
Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay signed a new Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) today during the Prime Minister’s Indian Trade Mission, reinforcing New Zealand’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with India in the forestry sector. “Our relationship with India is a key priority for New Zealand, and this agreement reflects our ...
Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay signed a new Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) today during the Prime Minister’s Indian Trade Mission, reinforcing New Zealand’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with India in the horticulture sector. “Our relationship with India is a key priority for New Zealand, and this agreement reflects our ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new Family Court Judges. The new Judges will take up their roles in April and May and fill Family Court vacancies at the Auckland and Manukau courts. Annette Gray Ms Gray completed her law degree at Victoria University before joining Phillips ...
Health Minister Simeon Brown has today officially opened Wellington Regional Hospital’s first High Dependency Unit (HDU). “This unit will boost critical care services in the lower North Island, providing extra capacity and relieving pressure on the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and emergency department. “Wellington Regional Hospital has previously relied ...
Namaskar, Sat Sri Akal, kia ora and good afternoon everyone. What an honour it is to stand on this stage - to inaugurate this august Dialogue - with none other than the Honourable Narendra Modi. My good friend, thank you for so generously welcoming me to India and for our ...
Nearly 25 years after the "corngate" saga, the debate on genetic modification is back thanks to the Gene Technology Bill currently in select committee. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephanie Brodie, Research Scientist in Marine Ecology, CSIRO jittawit21, Shutterstock Picture this: you’re lounging on a beautiful beach, soaking up the sun and listening to the soothing sound of the waves. You run your hands through the warm sand, only to ...
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Although New Zealand and Australia seem to have escaped the worst of Donald Trump’s latest tariffs, some Pacific Islands stand to be hit hard — including a few that aren’t even “countries”. The US will impose a base tariff of 10 percent on all ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton both agree Australia should react to US President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff regime by continuing to seek a special deal. They just disagree about which of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanne Orlando, Researcher, Digital Literacy and Digital Wellbeing, Western Sydney University UK Prime Minster Keir Starmer met with Adolescence writer Jack Thorne to discuss adolescent safety at Downing Street on Monday. Jack Taylor/ GettyImages Netflix’s Adolescence has ignited global debate. ...
By Anneke Smith,RNZ News political reporter A stoush between the Chief Human Rights Commissioner and a Jewish community leader has flared up following a showdown at Parliament. Appearing before a parliamentary select committee today, Dr Stephen Rainbow was asked about his recent apology for incorrect comments he made about ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rakesh Gupta, Associate Professor of Accounting & Finance, Charles Darwin University US President Donald Trump’s new trade war will not only send shockwaves through the global economy – it also upsets efforts to tackle the urgent issue of climate change. Trump has ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Toohey, Professor of Law, UNSW Sydney It had the hallmarks of a reality TV cliffhanger. Until recently, many people had never even heard of tariffs. Now, there’s been rolling live international coverage of so-called “Liberation Day”, as US President Donald Trump ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick Fuller, Clinical Trials Director, Department of Endocrinology, RPA Hospital, University of Sydney mavo/Shutterstock In the ever-changing wellness industry, one diet obsession has captured and held TikTok’s attention: protein. Whether it’s sharing snaps of protein-packed meals or giving tutorials to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sebastian Maslow, Associate Professor, International Relations, University of Tokyo Two months into US President Donald Trump’s second term, the liberal international order is on life support. Alliances and multilateral institutions are now seen by the United States as burdens. Europe and ...
Starving public services of resources, gutting the workforce and then proposing private market solutions has been a key strategy of this government, says Vanessa Cole, spokesperson for Public Housing Futures. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hayley Geyle, Ecologist, Charles Darwin University Sarah Maclagan/Author provided The greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is one of Australia’s most iconic yet at-risk animals — and the last surviving bilby species. Once found across 70% of Australia, its range has contracted by ...
The government’s own Regulatory Impact Statement acknowledges that organic producers will bear the financial burden of adapting to the risks posed by GMO expansion. ...
The committee has "rammed it through with outrageous haste", with a report now expected tomorrow, but excluding thousands of submissions, Duncan Webb says. ...
The US president’s sweeping programme of global tariffs will hit every country abroad, including New Zealand, and dramatically raise prices at home. This is an excerpt from The World Bulletin, our weekly global current affairs newsletter exclusively for Spinoff Members. Sign up here.In a dramatic, flag-draped address from the White ...
Alex Casey talks to Bariz Shah and Saba Afrasyabi, the couple who launched a project to change 51 lives in honour of those lost in the Christchurch mosque attacks. When Bariz Shah and Saba Afrasyabi walked into Naeem’s house in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, they knew immediately that he needed their help. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Deane, Professor of Trade Law, Taxation and Climate Change, Queensland University of Technology US President Donald Trump has imposed a range of tariffs on all products entering the US market, with Australian exports set to face a 10% tariff, effective April ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra US President Donald Trump singled out Australia’s beef trade for special mention in his announcement that the United States would impose a 10% global tariff as well as “reciprocal tariffs” on many countries. In ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hayley Geyle, Ecologist, Charles Darwin University Sarah Maclagan/Author provided The greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is one of Australia’s most iconic yet at-risk animals — and the last surviving bilby species. Once found across 70% of Australia, its range has contracted by ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra US President Donald Trump singled out Australia’s beef trade for special mention in his announcement that the United States would impose a 10% global tariff as well as “reciprocal tariffs” on many countries. In ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Rudge, Law lecturer, University of Sydney Shutterstock Recent media coverage in the Nine newspapers highlights a surge in non-medical ultrasound providers offering “reassurance ultrasounds” to expectant parents. The service has resulted in serious harms, such as misdiagnosed ectopic pregnancies and ...
The three MPs whose rule-breaking haka caught the world’s attention didn’t attend their scheduled hearing yesterday. Constitutional law expert Andrew Geddis has the rundown of what happened, why, and what’s likely to come next. I see Te Pāti Māori and the privileges committee are in some sort of stand-off – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Turner, Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University The Eurasian and North American tectonic plates in Thingvellir National Park, Iceland.Nido Huebl/Shutterstock Earth is the only known planet which has plate tectonics today. The constant movement of these giant slabs of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra US President Donald Trump singled out Australia’s beef trade for special mention in his announcement that the United States would impose a 10% global tariff as well as “reciprocal tariffs” on many countries. In ...
Meta has stolen millions of books to train its AI, including books by kaituhi Māori. What does that mean for mātauranga and its status as taonga? New Zealand authors are among the millions whose books have been pirated and scraped by Meta to train its AI. The New Zealand Society of ...
Some hoped the open of the New Zealand markets would open with a bounce as certain tariffs fell short of the worst-case scenario, but investors were met with a deflated thud.The New Zealand market fell immediately as stock market darling Fisher & Paykel Healthcare’s shares were punished, with no update ...
Healthcare dominated the debate in an unusually sober and serious question time. “Hey David!” a group of high school students in the public gallery called out as Act leader David Seymour entered the debating chamber. Standing in the middle of the floor, before any other MPs had arrived, he happily ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Heaslip, Senior Lecturer in Naval History, University of Portsmouth How the Shuqiao barges may be used to ferry troops ashore. X (formerly Twitter) China’s intentions when it comes to Taiwan have been at the centre of intense discussion for years. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kiera Vaclavik, Professor of Children’s Literature & Childhood Culture, Queen Mary University of London This spring, Babe is returning to cinemas to mark the 30th anniversary of its release in 1995. The much-loved family film tells the deceptively simple but emotionally powerful ...
I just watched this debate hosted by the Free Speech Union. Don't let that put you off, it's good. I disagreed and agreed with all four debaters, and had my own thinking challenged by much of the discussion, as well rolling my eyes quite a few times.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-free-speech-union-debate-series-auckland-tickets-684442214087
Replay video (needs an email etc, but I think you could put in fake details if you need to)
https://www.poweredby.live/2023-free-speech-union-auckland-26th-sept/
I'd like to watch it again because there is a fair amount about social media and it made me think about how much we hold a particular space here at TS to allow meaningful debate rather than allowing emotionally reactivity to drive argument.
That is what keeps me continuing to read The Standard. We have our individual preferences re- subject matter and we all clash from time to time, but overall the standard of commentary on this site gets better and better.
I'll be the first to say thank-you to the current moderators for keeping it clean and permanently removing those whose intentions here are not honourable.
thanks Anne, appreciate that. The biggest challenge I find currently is limiting FB/twitter-esque commentary on TS.
An oldie but a goodie – Luxon and Willis know which side National's 'bread' is buttered on.
Nats want to reheat the property market – donors are fuming over the current correction.
I had a quick look at Mike Hosking's rant in the Herald this morning and just as quickly got out and took some deep breaths to regain a modicum of normality. Of course it's paywalled so it's no sense in adding the link. Ye gods, he really does have issues with Jacinda Ardern and can't seem to let it drop. I really wish that he and his missus would simply up sticks and simply bugger off to Australia, as he has threatened to on several occasions. That wouldn't stop him though and I suspect his retainer from Newsquawk ZB keeps him here. JA certainly lives rent free in his head.
They make the threat to leave the country but never do. Making the threat is (in my opinion) a way of reinforcing their conviction that their remaining here is a noble sacrifice they make to bless us with their presence. And that therefore, it is highly impertinent of us to want to tax them or restrict in any way their inclination to do whatever the hell they please.
In fact, their talent is so slight that they would struggle anywhere else to accrue a fragment of the same wealth, influence and fake celebrity that so easily falls into their laps here.
In general, please provide a link and if it’s paywalled or subscription-only then please mention this.
Some one pointed out that the Nat fiscal plan is very late. Due out tomorrow. Luxon and Willis are always on about setting goals and being efficient and on time. Not as wonderful as they claim. Hoisted I reckon.
On the menopause leave issue, maybe a bit like early parental leave – up to a year off and the job to return to.
If single and renting/mortgage a benefit and AS, if in a couple and children WFF tax credits and AS.
They might be able to temp/work part-time when up to it.
wow, who is talking menopause leave?
Not sure who but all the feed back on the am show thus morning from woman was against it.
why?
The Newshub leaders debate. Both Hipkins and Luxon were asked about it.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/04/18/more-women-leaving-their-jobs-due-to-menopause-survey/
The idiot does not realise it is a condition that can last up to a year.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/lifestyle/2023/09/ryan-bridge-shuns-idea-of-menopause-leave-after-hipkins-luxon-both-endorse-it.html
Headline
The claim, bringing in migrants (who have no guarantee of employment) is part of a plan to raise unemployment levels without job loss.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/money/2023/09/cost-of-living-expert-says-unemployment-rate-needs-to-jump-to-rebalance-economy.html
Sounds like something NACT would do, Labour’s plan was more likely based on easy access of employers to skilled workers – but it was misused (by agents etc). Reducing the number of jobs left open to locals and thus more applications for fewer job openings.
Is this Riggall "expert"…a Tim Gurner type?
Gurner gets ripped out here..
Chippy up north today rightly calling out certain racist commentary from the ‘Coalition of Caenum’, have to say its the first time I have ever heard a PM in NZ speak so forthrightly and passionately on this subject this close to an election. If anyone else has I would like to know who that PM was.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2023-chris-hipkins-angry-at-nationals-race-baiting-says-maori-have-most-to-lose/NRTS6AHOZNG5FIO3U6TBR26V5I/
https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/09/28/hipkins-accuses-opponents-of-race-baiting-luxon-calls-him-desperate/
Not Politics..(maybe ?), but more Grocery Consumer problems.
Is this some anti competitive action..by "supermarkets"? Other?
Does seem random. An FYI…I buy bread, milk, and other grocery from the Warehouse…as quite a bit cheaper than the Duopolists.
Of which…i had seen this in regard to one of them "rebranding"..to the tune of $400 million ! An insult really.
Welfare is a strange obsession of Christopher Luxon, the real issues here are of an educational base for on the job/polytech training/apprenticeships and other work capability (drivers licence/after school care/addiction issues).
And unemployment is under 4% and is only trending up because of an anti-inflation priority.
This is silly, the three strikes (traffic light policy) has been around since the 1990's. Over a decade before the Rebstock report under the last National government.
He surely means 1990's there was hardly any back in the 1970's, so RM focused on the problem of Maori youth coming into the city and joining gangs by establishing PEP jobs for them so they could to pay rent for their own housing.
The decade when the MW was held down – ECA era. And benefits were low to maintain some sort of incentive to work anyhow.
Peters is proposing 2 years on welfare lifetime limits (USA back in the 1990's) and a requirement for community employment for continued support (work for the dole is frowned on by the ILO, so it might be circa 20 hours at MW).
The other part of the US welfare reforms was faith based providers (and panopticon society oversight of the unemployed as they lost their term limit support – no community work or anything, instead homelessness and precariat desperation). Luxon was earlier proposing management of those under 25 by outside "parties" who could sanction people off welfare support.
One hopes this triangulation is not some sort of crusade to deliver the sanction regime victims to dependence on charity – and susceptibility to the God and mammon prosperity religion gospel cult that "so profoundly ended poverty in the USA".
https://www.thepost.co.nz/a/nz-news/350080587/story-behind-our-leaders-uninspired-book-choices?utm_source=stuff_website&utm_medium=stuff_referral&utm_campaign=mh_stuff&utm_id=mh_stuff
And there I was thinking traffic lights were for safety, not sanctions.
Very disappointing from Luxon – he must know "there but for the grace of God".
Hmm – "A basic foundation of well-being and dignity for all, with people at the centre, not money." Would Luxon or Willis care to comment?
Luxon has an answer for every problem caused by his “ reckons”, and it,s …..VOLUNTEERS. Watch this space, the next thting from that added head will be no super unless the over 65s do a number of hours helping clean up his shitfights. You heard it here first!
Absolute cunts at the Herald put this article behind their paywall.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/election-2023-what-landlords-13m-tenants-must-read-balance-could-swing-against-renters/ZTMQRK4KLZBTTM4HCPI4YR6AH4/
Renters will always come last in New Zealand. I'm surprised this fact was not in the Treaty…
Someone should wayback machine this.