Daily review 29/09/2021
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5:30 pm, September 29th, 2021 - 28 comments
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- The 1 Good Thing Left In Journalism
Hi,It’s almost Christmas Day which means it is almost my birthday, where you will find me whimpering in the corner clutching a warm bottle of Baileys.If you’re out of ideas for presents (and truly desperate) then it is possible to gift a full Webworm subscription to a friend (or enemy) ...39 minutes ago - Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Monday, December 23
This morning’s six standouts for me at 6.30am include:Rachel Helyer Donaldson’s scoop via RNZ last night of cuts to maternity jobs in the health system;Maddy Croad’s scoop via The Press-$ this morning on funding cuts for Christchurch’s biggest food rescue charity;Benedict Collins’ scoop last night via 1News on a last-minute ...1 hour ago - 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #51
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Well, I've been there, sitting in that same chairWhispering that same prayer half a million timesIt's a lie, though buried in disciplesOne page of the Bible isn't worth a lifeThere's nothing wrong with youIt's true, it's trueThere's something wrong with the villageWith the villageSomething wrong with the villageSongwriters: Andrew Jackson ...21 hours ago - Government Forces Universities to Enforce “Free Speech” While Limiting Universities̵...
ACT would like to dictate what universities can and can’t say. We knew it was coming. It was outlined in the coalition agreement and has become part of Seymour’s strategy of “emphasising public funding” to prevent people from opposing him and his views—something he also uses to try and de-platform ...21 hours ago - Fact brief – Are we heading into an ‘ice age’?
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The Government cancelled 60% of Kāinga Ora’s new builds next year, even though the land for them was already bought, the consents were consented and there are builders unemployed all over the place. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political ...2 days ago - Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Saturday, December 21
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In 1998, in the wake of the Paremoremo Prison riot, the Department of Corrections established the "Behaviour Management Regime". Prisoners were locked in their cells for 22 or 23 hours a day, with no fresh air, no exercise, no social contact, no entertainment, and in some cases no clothes and ...6 days ago
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AUSTERITYText within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedMy spreadsheet insists This pain leads straight to glory (File not found) Read more ...6 days ago - Minimum wage ‘increase’ is an effective cut
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Iain Rennie, CNZMSecretary and Chief Executive to the TreasuryDear Secretary, Undue restrictions on restricted briefings This week, the Treasury barred representatives from four organisations, including the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, from attending the restricted briefing for the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. We had been ...7 days ago
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Returning to the model that was failing for most polytechnics and Institutes of Technology is not the answer. ...3 days ago
- Release: National buries 1019 planned homes
It’s been revealed that National has cancelled 60 percent of its housing projects planned before mid-2025 amidst housing woes. ...3 days ago
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The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...3 days ago
- Release: Why not both? Luxon shuns Waitangi celebrations
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is running away from problems of his own creation, with his decision not to go to Waitangi. ...4 days ago
- Govt’s ‘free speech’ legislation stokes fear, not freedom
The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...4 days ago - Release: Nicola Willis spirals country deeper into recession
The economy shrank 1% this quarter and New Zealand has tumbled into the depths of a recession of Nicola Willis’ making. ...4 days ago
- Release: Hikes for company directors but not ordinary Kiwis
Working people are going backwards while company directors are being given huge pay hikes. ...5 days ago
- ECE no place to cut corners
The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...5 days ago
- Release: Strengthening Justice Services for New Zealanders
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...5 days ago
- Release: Labour will continue fight against destructive projects
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...6 days ago
- Green Government will revoke dodgy fast-track projects
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...6 days ago
- Government for the wealthy keeps pushing austerity
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...6 days ago
- Release: Visa changes let migrant workers be paid less
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...6 days ago
- Release: Nightmare before Christmas for Nicola Willis
With more debt and a larger deficit, Nicola Willis’ reputation is in tatters after her failure to return the Government’s books to surplus. ...6 days ago
- Warning to Fast-Track Applicants – ‘Exploit the Whenua, Face the Consequences’
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt cuts wages for lowest paid NZers… again
For the second year running, the government has effectively cut wages for the lowest paid workers in New Zealand. ...6 days ago
- Govt’s miserly 1.5% minimum wage will take workers backwards
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt shirking responsibility for rate hikes
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...6 days ago
- Luxon’s ‘localism’ strikes again
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...7 days ago
- Release: Govt breaks promise on EV chargers
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...7 days ago
- Greens call for end to subsidies for Methanex
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...7 days ago
- Govt child poverty targets allow for increase in poverty
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...1 week ago
- Release: Four weeks annual leave under threat
The Government’s attack on workers continues with news it is scrapping work on the Holidays Act. ...1 week ago
- Govt’s emissions plan for measly 1% reduction
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...1 week ago
- Greens stand in solidarity with Whakaata Māori on sad day
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...1 week ago
- Sanctions regime to create more hardship for families
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...1 week ago
- Govt gifts renters housing anxiety for Christmas
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...1 week ago
- Release: National Party urged to support modern slavery legislation
Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour has lost confidence in the Speaker
The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament made an unprecedented decision on the government amendment to the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night. ...2 weeks ago
- One year on, still no progress on new ferries
Today’s announcement from the Government on its plan for new ferries throws more uncertainty on the future of the country’s rail network. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Nicola Willis’ smaller ferries will cost more
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...2 weeks ago
- Bill to sanction unlawful occupation of Palestine
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour fully supports greyhound racing ban
The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
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The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...2 weeks ago
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...3 days ago
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https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/126529970/covid19-clarke-gayford-criticises-sir-john-keys-name-slinging-and-use-of-disinformation
Good on the 1st man ,calling out slipkey johns bullshit,
I have always regarded politicians families, not themselves involved in politics, as being exempt from public criticism.
At what point do such people become fair targets of criticism? A comment from a moderator would be appreciated?
stick to the facts and be prepared to back them up sooner rather than later, don't post anything potentially defamatory. If you just want to say someone is a dick, don't bother. If you have a political point to make, have at it.
Gayford is obviously a public figure in his own right. More care is needed with children etc of public figures.
Thank you for your response. I shall keep it in mind if he says something I strongly disagree with.
If you step into the ring dont winge if you take a few punches I guess, problem is the nats dont go by queensberry rules
"Play by Queensbury Rules" No they do not!! bwaghorn.
The Police had to step in when untrue rumours of a nasty sort were spreading in their gnat nasty DP crowd about the PM's fiance almost as soon as she took office.
"There are no matters for him to answer, and no matters of concern."
The National Party has under John Key developed a group of people who were happy to pass cruel often untrue stories about. Over time they have been exposed.
So the public find outright untruths again in John Key's assertions about Pfizer and Pfzer's rebuttal no surprise. Alwyn you can not deny the facts.
National/Act leaders show us why they are in, and will stay in, opposition.
Collins the Idiot, bringing in nurses in time for the Christmas Covid rush. My wife trains immigrant nurses, it takes months to bring an offshore nurse up to NZ standards and thats if their English competency is top class, even Kiwi returning nurses need refresher courses to reacquaint themselves to what is required. Who the fuck is advising these dickheads? It was noticeable on 3news just now that the 3 Stooges, Bishop, Collins and Reti struggled to coherently answer any questions.
Can you provide a link to this claim you seem to imply has been made by Collins?
There is certainly nothing in that Parliamentary question relating to such an idea?
You haven’t read National’s plan yet???
It is Step 10 of their Master Plan.
Read and weep.
Well, like Gypsy just below this comment I cannot see any reference to having it done by Christmas.
However you appear too be following along with Adrian here and I'm sure you will produce the words from Judith that promise it would be done by Christmas if she was in charge. Come on, it must be very easy for you if it is there. Or perhaps you will admit that you are wrong. Saying sorry is very easy to do when you have screwed up you know. Just try it.
I personally don't think that the problems with the Health system can be fixed that fast. With the current lot in charge we have had just under four long years of neglect between October 2017 and today.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/09/covid-19-national-s-home-by-christmans-plan-a-tantalising-prospect-for-tens-of-thousands-stranded-offshore.html
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300418397/covid19-nz-national-proposes-opening-up-travel-at-85-per-cent-vaccinated-labour-say-it-would-result-in-covid-for-christmas
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/covid-19-delta-outbreak-kiwis-abroad-home-for-christmas-under-nationals-plan-judith-collins/WV5XOBQ3VLZ4EI7Y6RPMF4Y7UY/
This is Collins saying borders will open by Christmas. The inevitable surge in cases and hospital admissions in the weeks following will require increased ICU capacity to deal with impending death.
National’s plan might look polished but it is full of holes.
Thanks Muttonbird.
In the 'Reopening to the World' section of the plan, it is clear that anyone coming in to the country not required to quarantine has to be fully vaccinated, have a negative pre-departure test, an arrival test and then a further test 12 hours after arrival.
The numbers are bit ropey, but lets say 5% of vaccinated people get Delta, and of those around 2% require hospitalisation. That's about 0.01% of the total numbers entering the country requiring hospitalisation. If those numbers are correct, if 30,000 people come into the country by Christmas (highly unlikely) we'd only need 3 more ICU beds. Even if the infection rate and case hospitalisation rates are considerably higher, the ICU numbers are small.
And with that one innocuous comment, you show that you don’t know and don’t understand anything about the epidemiology of infectious diseases such as Covid-19. You fail to understand that travellers who are positive and infectious can start a huge outbreak, which could lead to large numbers of people getting infected, large numbers of people needing hospitalisation, large numbers of people requiring ICU, and large numbers of people dying. Just one positive traveller can be enough as the modelling by Te Pūnaha Matatini has shown so clearly. Your wilful ignorance and refusal to educate yourself is starting to grate.
"You fail to understand that travellers who are positive and infectious can start a huge outbrea"
What are the chances of someone who has been fully vaccinated, have a negative pre-departure test, a negative arrival test and then a further negative test 12 hours after arrival being infectious and starting a huge outbreak? Do you have that information?
I’m also interested in what numbers you have for hosptilasations within a population with a high vaccination rate.
Just takes one. We have had people who tested positive after their 14 days and the 2 or tests come up negative.
as for data on hospitalisations and vaccination
UK this week has 246,000 new cases in last 7 days and 5173 hospitalisations in last 7 days. Those that are fairly unwell could still be under observation at home.
To scale for our smaller population divide by 13.5
How many of the UK cases were vaccinated?
That hospitalisation rate is around 2%, which matches my numbers above.
We have smaller number of hospital beds per head than UK.
I dont think we could cope with 3000-3500 new hospitalisations per week, as Covid requires longer stays as well even if not in ICU
5173/13.5 = 380 hospitalisations per week? And that's based on 18,000 cases per week. The UK are pretty much 'open all hours', based on watching the football etc, I think (hope) we're a long way from abandoning elimination to that extent.
I agree our ICU capacity is an issue, but without the extra nurses, we can't build that capacity.
Nobody has that kind of information, which is why we use model simulations with a seed number of one per day coming through the border with strict controls as per the Te Pūnaha Matatini study. You seem to think that all ICU resources in NZ are sitting idle waiting for the Covid-19 outbreak that will never happen according to you and some other great ‘thinkers’.
The claim that Adrian said Collins was making was that "Collins the Idiot, bringing in nurses in time for the Christmas Covid rush".
Neither he, nor you, nor anyone else here has produced any evidence that she made any such claim.
You know exactly what Collins did claim so stop playing your usual tedious and silly games. ICU capacity won’t be beefed up by Christmas yet Collins wants thousands of travellers to come in anyway. Death is just an inconvenient fact of life, according to Collins. Any deaths will be on the Government anyway, if Collins has her way. On paper, at least, she’s sacrificing human lives for political advantage.
I’m terribly sorry but National has not provided any timelines or deadlines for their noble actions in the actual document except for backward looking statements criticising the Government’s handling, just as you’re doing here – how original. It all sounds very aspirational and it appears that they want to put the cart before the horse and let innocent people pay with their lives for this political stunt.
As Muttonbird kindly explained to you below, “National’s plan might look polished but it is full of holes.”
Like you, I have family who are nurses, so I looked up the plan.
The relevant section is Step 10 of Pillar 1, which is:
Step 10: Prepare our hospitals and expand ICU capacity
The first bullet point reads:
"Urgently implement a specialist healthcare workforce migration plan."
I can't see any mention of Christmas as a deadline for actually having nurses arriving and going straight into work.
Well done, you have found just one of many issues and gaps with National’s
PR exerciseCovid-19 plan. I refer you to Muttonbird’s excellent summary.Japan's new leader looks refreshingly sane – if our opposition took their cues from folk like this, they might not be universally loathed and execrated.
Collins asked on RNZ about how she plans to get 30,000 people returning in by Christmas.
Collins suggests nurses get paid more and release more that want to work here.
Question and answer starts at 7:57
https://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018814418
I guess it could be argued Collins didn't say which Christmas.