Daily review 29/11/2021

37 comments on “Daily review 29/11/2021 ”

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1. Dennis Frank 1

   29 November 2021 at 6:40 pm

   Good to see the High Court remains defiant in protecting the judiciary's privilege, letting Labour know they can proclaim govt transparency until they're blue in the face but it still won't allow that to happen in the justice system…

   Two criminal cases over allegations of unlawful donations to both the Labour and National parties will be heard together at a joint trial, the High Court has ruled. In a decision released today after a two-day hearing earlier this month, Justice Ian Gault granted the Serious Fraud Office's (SFO) application to join the two cases and hold a single 10-week trial. However, the reasons given in the judgment and submissions made by lawyers – which includes six Queen's Counsel – remain suppressed.

   Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also indicated there needed to be legislative reform because of the number of cases involving political parties. "This isn't a good environment for anyone, for no political party, but nor for New Zealanders. They want to have confidence in the system, so let's look at the law," she said.

   https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/sfos-national-and-labour-party-donations-cases-to-be-heard-together-high-court-rules/WO4DMJF543DD6XDUIPTCOQHS6Q/

   So the barbarians remain outside the gate but the PM has tossed them a bone to chew on. There needs to be reform, she admits, whilst carefully avoiding a declaration that she will deliver it. Cool, thinks the judiciary, dodged that bullet.

   Instead, Jacinda has invited the nation to look at the law as it stands. Disingenuous? Of course! The nation has never looked at a law before. The prospect of having to wade through an enormous amount of legalese has always been too powerful a deterrent. Might as well get kiwis to translate Sumerian cunieform tablets for light relief as a positive alternative. Shh! Don't tell her. She might say `let's do this'.
   • alwyn 1.1

     29 November 2021 at 6:54 pm

     I would have been a great deal happier if, instead of saying "They want to have confidence in the system, so let's look at the law" she had said "They want to have confidence in the system, so let's insist that political parties obey the law".

     But she doesn't want to do that does she? The law is for the common people, not for us superior creatures seems rather more her belief.
     • observer 1.1.1

       29 November 2021 at 7:27 pm

       That doesn't make any sense. How does this "insisting" happen? Within her own party, sure. But does a PM force other parties to obey the law? You'd say "over-reach", "arrogant interference", etc.

       And Dennis' is no better.

       The PM is asked a Q at a post-Cab, and she gives the non-committal answer that you'd expect any PM to give when asked about matters before the courts. And the quote is from May, not today (misleadingly reported there).

       And that's it.
     • Craig H 1.1.2

       29 November 2021 at 9:17 pm

       Following the law as written is imperative, but it's not unreasonable to ask if the settings are correct.
   • Ad 1.2

     29 November 2021 at 7:13 pm

     Don't be trite.

     Why should two entities have their cases joined into one trial? Would we do that to two opposing companies? Or two completely different murders? Would we even do that to two finance companies – even if there was similar fact evidence?

     Of course not. The SFO is being unjust.

     The SFO's Mr Gault has just ensured that they will get completely cleaned out whoever wins the next election.
     • Dennis Frank 1.2.1

       29 November 2021 at 7:38 pm

       Don't be trite.

       I tried not to be. I knew my duty was to criticise the establishment since their misbehaviour was so blatant. However I just didn't feel up to the task. Advanced age seems to be taking its toll.

       The currently fashionable ethos is to be kind, so I relaxed into a bit of kindly satire instead. Going with the flow, as it were. I'll endeavour to be more resolute in future, fwiw – perhaps tomorrow will find me feeling staunch again…
2. Ad 2

   29 November 2021 at 6:44 pm

   Good to see the Police Commissioner concerned about the New Lynn and Glen Eden incidents over the last 24 hours, in which the Police shot a person dead, a house was burnt down, three Police injured by the gunman, and in New Lynn a burglar deliberately drove into a Policeman who is now in surgery.

   https://www.1news.co.nz/2021/11/29/police-commissioners-heart-sank-after-glen-eden-shooting/

   This is a seriously massive crimewave.

   As for any comment from any elected representative in the area – all Labour – tumbleweeds rolling past.
   • Anne 2.1

     29 November 2021 at 8:32 pm

     As for any comment from any elected representative in the area – all Labour – tumbleweeds rolling past.

     The matter is essentially sub judice Ad. Of course they are not going to comment. Mark Mitchell should never have committed to his twittering on the subject for the same reaason but then he was politicking. Big day tomorrow and in the days ahead. Some juicy porfolios in the offing. Pretty obvious which one he is after?
     • Ad 2.1.1

       29 November 2021 at 8:37 pm

       Seriously calling out your bullshit there. MPs don't comment about murders in their area. Since when?

       Didn't stop Mayor Goff last week on growing gang violence. Didn't stop Deborah Russell or Kay Thomas reassuring us two weeks ago that nothing was wrong.

       But now that it' completely out of control they go to ground.

       We even have the Waitakere Local Board Chair – of which Glen Eden is part – as author and editor on this site.

       … and we cup our ear waiting for leadership …
       • Anne 2.1.1.1

         29 November 2021 at 9:06 pm

         Who says they have gone to ground? It only happened a matter of hours ago. How do you know they haven't been fully booked with meetings and associated activity and haven't had time to publicly comment. They are very busy people you know.

         It is also courteous procedure to leave initial statements to both the police minister and police commissioner. In the coming days when the facts become clearer, I have no doubt both national (small n) and local politicians will be publicly expressing their shock and anger about what happened. In fact they have probably already done so but in a non-public capacity. Its not for them to jump on the bandwagon and submit official statements at this stage.
       • Pete 2.1.1.2

         29 November 2021 at 9:29 pm

         It's good you put "But now that it'(sic) completely out of control they go to ground."

         It accentuates the fact you are talking nonsense. If it was completely out of the control the cops wouldn't have been anywhere near where they were injured. And they certainly wouldn't have been trying to deal with miscreants on behalf of you and me.

         Maybe the politicians are waiting for the dust to settle, the full facts to come out and making reasoned comments rather than jumping in to keep those company who want play political games with lashings of hysteria.
     • Sabine 2.1.2

       29 November 2021 at 9:07 pm

       Well, just to be fair, what did Deborah Russel say? Or is she still in so much back pain that she can't possibly comment? New Lynn is her electorate.
3. Anker 3

   29 November 2021 at 7:02 pm

   • It’s very, very serious. I hope the policemen are ok. And other victims of this violence.

   a real problem here
4. joe90 4

   29 November 2021 at 7:17 pm

   Enough beer with vodka chasers and my bike turns into one of these.
5. observer 5

   29 November 2021 at 7:51 pm

   Simon Bridges wants a contest, not a stitch-up: claims to be confident ahead of the vote tomorrow.

   Whatever you think of Bridges (disclosure: not a lot) he's got a point here. If it's an election, then have a proper one. Luxon's approach seems to be … get gifted the job thanks to Key and Collins, then after he's crowned he will speak from his mountaintop.
   • observer 5.1

     29 November 2021 at 8:24 pm

     Tweet of the day (from https://twitter.com/POLITIKwebsite):

     "Since he became an MP Chris Luxon has asked 7 questions and spoken twice in the general debate. Barry Soper asks more than that in one press conference."
   • alwyn 5.2

     29 November 2021 at 8:39 pm

     Bridges is an idiot. He can't, at least in my view, expect to lead National to victory in 2023. Luxon can and were he to be elected unopposed will. Bridges' unelectability is partly due to Collins' smear but it is also because the panicking party chose to dump him only about 18 months ago. I think he should withdraw, support Luxon and take the Finance job. He still has the time to succeed Luxon after he is PM from 2023 to say 2031.

     Forcing a vote isn't serving New Zealand or his party.

     What do you have against stitch-ups? How do you think Ardern got the job without an election by the 3 groups in the Labour Party? She did it because there was a stitch-up. Worked for them didn't it? Plus of course they gave Winston "perks" Peters everything he asked for without even having the sense to ask for anything at all in return.
     • observer 5.2.1

       29 November 2021 at 8:53 pm

       False comparison, as you know. Who was Ardern's rival? None.

       Everyone in that caucus was pleased with the outcome. Tomorrow, half of this caucus won't be. And honestly, if you haven't grasped that yet, wait and see what happens when Judith and her supporters get the promised rewards from Luxon. Maureen Pugh, for goodness' sake. Labour couldn't have written a better script.
       • Sabine 5.2.1.1

         29 November 2021 at 9:39 pm

         Well you could say that initially her rival was Mr. Little then man who thankfully decided that he was not cut for the job. She was gifted Mt. Albert to have an electorate and presented to the public a few weeks before election. 🙂 and thanks to Winston got the job.

         Now for the N's – sadly for NZ – they are fucked beyond believe, and this will give rise to ACT, which again, will not work well for NZ. (NZ should have a decent party in opposition, but then sometimes we only get what we have, or maybe even deserve).

         In saying that, no one is electing anyone for another two years so who knows what will be. could be that Ms. Arrn might even decide that it is time to move to greener and more exiting opportunities elsewhere. Who knows. All this kerfuffle is just a wee storm in a tea cup. Much ado about nothing.
     • Pete 5.2.2

       29 November 2021 at 9:31 pm

       Stitch ups? Is that how Mark Mitchell got to be a candidate in his electorate in the first place?
6. bwaghorn 6

   29 November 2021 at 8:28 pm

   Just incase any one else is scratching their heads on the vax passport.

   I managed to down load it to my Google drive then linked it to home screen and made it available offline , I think that's me sorted.
   • weka 6.1

     29 November 2021 at 11:08 pm

     can you not just screen shot it?
     • bwaghorn 6.1.1

       30 November 2021 at 6:28 am

       Never thought of that ,have to get junior on the job for that ,

       Its a bit odd that there isnt simple instructions on the email as to what to do with it, and why it's not just able to be part of the tracer app is beyond me.
       • weka 6.1.1.1

         30 November 2021 at 9:15 am

         they can't send it to the tracer app for privacy reasons. And if they did lots of people (including myself) would stop using the app because we use it on the basis there is no connection with the MoH unless we choose.
         • bwaghorn 6.1.1.1.1

           30 November 2021 at 11:45 am

           Maybe it could have been an option, I'm so boring now days any spying on me would lose the will to live quickly.
           • weka 6.1.1.1.1.1

             30 November 2021 at 11:50 am

             lol. It's more a matter of trust and public health. You might not care, but if the people that do stop using the app that's a serious problem for the MoH (and NZ)
7. Ad 7

   29 November 2021 at 8:32 pm

   Positional jockeying in the German Green Party as the Ministerial jobs get dished out.

   Germany′s Green party sees old divisions flare up | Germany | News and in-depth reporting from Berlin and beyond | DW | 28.11.2021

   Since they've committed to wipe out all coal in 9 years, they need to be convincing from the start. But they are fully and resolutely a part of the coalition government.
   • Sabine 7.1

     29 November 2021 at 9:40 pm

     I give them 6 month before the shit hits the fan.
8. Dennis Frank 8

   29 November 2021 at 8:33 pm

   Omicron is an anagram for Moronic.

   Kiwiblogger comment, sure to get the conspiracy theorists fired up, as in `if you believe in this thing you are'…

   Skeptiks will claim that it's just a coincidence. They always do.

   This from another contributor: “Whenever I see a photo of Luxon I am reminded of Humpty-Dumpty. Sorry, but I can’t help it.”
9. Pete 9

   29 November 2021 at 9:19 pm

   Popular journalist and staunch anti-vaxxer dies of Covid-19
   "A well-known Pukekohe newspaper editor who steadfastly refused to get vaccinated has died of Covid-19.

   Rex Warwood, 80, succumbed to the virus in Auckland’s North Shore Hospital on Saturday.

   “Basically, Rex was a very stubborn, very opinionated man, and unfortunately for Rex one of the things he was very, very vocal on, and if you search Facebook you can find this …but he actually said, ‘I don’t know why everyone’s pandering to this pandemic, what pandemic?’ That was his view point, his was very much a stance of anti-vax.”

   https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300465994/popular-journalist-and-staunch-antivaxxer-dies-of-covid19
   • Rosemary McDonald 9.1

     30 November 2021 at 8:22 am

     Haven't the time right now to do a deep dive into Mr. Warwood's journalistic archive but I wonder if he was actually an "anti-vaxxer"ie; he did not believe in having any vaccine whatsoever, or he had an arguably justifiable hesitancy around having the Pfizer product forced upon him.

     There is a very definite difference between the two, and it is sheer laziness (or something) that so called journalists so readily throw out the 'anti-vaxxer' slur without trying to ascertain if he rejected all vaccines.

     A shame that MSM seem happy to drag this fellow's name through the mud while his family grieves.

     SSDD.
10. Fireblade 10

    29 November 2021 at 10:12 pm

    Since Jacinda Ardern became PM she has faced four leaders of the National Party, soon it will be five. It's a sad reflection on the state of the Nats and their useless leadership and ego-driven infighting.

    If the new leader can't build a cohesive loyal team with sensible policies (without reducing ACT's vote) the party will be toast. The new leader has a huge amount of work to do.
11. weka 11

    29 November 2021 at 11:11 pm

    This would have to be one of the weirdest things I've read in a while (Luxon not Sachdeva)

    https://twitter.com/SamSachdevaNZ/status/1465149804372119554
    • bwaghorn 11.1

      30 November 2021 at 6:31 am

      Sounds like something boris the bozo would say.
12. Jenny How to get there 12

    30 November 2021 at 5:41 am

    Not wishing to offend.

    What is Omicron, where did it come from, and how dangerous is it? (newatlas.com)

    Why is it called Omicron?

    “Two letters were skipped – Nu and Xi – because Nu is too easily confounded with “new” and Xi was not used because it is a common surname….

    Un-said, the name of the supreme ruler of China for life, President Xi.

    Maybe they should have called the new dangerous variant, BidenXi to offend these two global hegemons equally.
13. Jenny How to get there 13

    30 November 2021 at 5:53 am

    Omicron [BidenXi] could be anything from catastrophic to inconsequential. And that makes it challenging to communicate to people how worried they should be.
    • Sabine 13.1

      30 November 2021 at 8:34 am

      i am wondering what we are gonna call the NZ variant that could come out of Delta. 🙂 I think we will know half way through summer?

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