Daily review 29/11/2022
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5:30 pm, November 29th, 2022 - 35 comments
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- Love, happiness, blur
The last few days have been a bit too much of a whirl for me to manage a fresh edition each day. It's been that kind of year. Hope you don't mind.I’ve been coming around to thinking that it doesn't really matter if you don't have something to say every ...9 hours ago - All I Want For Christmas
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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 ...20 hours 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 ...2 days ago - Government Forces Universities to Enforce “Free Speech” While Limiting Universities̵...
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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 ...3 days ago - Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Saturday, December 21
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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 ...7 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 ...1 week ago
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Returning to the model that was failing for most polytechnics and Institutes of Technology is not the answer. ...4 days ago
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It’s been revealed that National has cancelled 60 percent of its housing projects planned before mid-2025 amidst housing woes. ...4 days ago
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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. ...5 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. ...6 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. ...6 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
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- 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. ...7 days ago
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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. ...7 days ago
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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. ...7 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. ...1 week ago
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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. ...1 week ago
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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. ...1 week ago
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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. ...2 weeks ago
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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. ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks ago
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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. ...2 weeks 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
- Greyhound racing industry ban marks new era for animal welfare
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...2 weeks ago
- Rangatahi voices must be centred in Government’s Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt introduces archaic anti-worker legislation
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
- Winston Peters – Kinleith Mill Speech
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...2 weeks ago - Swarbrick calls on Auckland Mayor to end delay of revival of St James Theatre
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- Be wise around water this summer
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The Government is urging Kiwis to drive safely this summer and reminding motorists that Police will be out in force to enforce the road rules, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“This time of year can be stressful and result in poor decision-making on our roads. Whether you are travelling to see ...16 hours ago
- Internationally-trained doctors jump at chance to boost health workforce
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- PM appoints business leader to APEC Business Advisory Council
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 ...4 days ago
- New intelligence oversight appointments
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...4 days ago
- New housing developments able to progress more quickly
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...4 days ago
- Actions to speed up air travel delivering results
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...4 days ago
- Ending contracted emergency housing in Rotorua
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...4 days ago
- Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...4 days ago
- Reducing the environmental impact of synthetic refrigerants
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...4 days ago
- Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...4 days ago
- Appointments to the ENZ board
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...4 days ago
- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...4 days ago
- More gangs added to Gangs Act list
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...5 days ago
- Judicial appointment announced
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The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...5 days ago
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Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...5 days ago
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Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...5 days ago
- Minister reopens Mangamuka Gorge
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...5 days ago
- Funding confirmed for second Ashburton Bridge
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...5 days ago
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The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...5 days ago
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Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...5 days ago
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The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...5 days ago
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- Government seeks partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned-land
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...5 days ago
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Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...5 days ago
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A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...6 days ago
- Torture redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Unit
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- New appointments to the Charities Registration Board
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...6 days ago
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- Offshore Renewable Energy Bill passes first reading
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Luxon has targeted the Indian vote, just go on his Facebook and look.
Deservedly after Labour took them for granted for too long.
This is interesting.
https://thedisinfoproject.org/2022/11/29/dangerous-speech-misogyny-and-democracy/?fbclid=IwAR3F6ChJ51CpMSqJVeWeO4pAMNY0UDv324zYGgMb_BLfhQv1OngmeYBEWos
I am amazed that people seem to have no idea that Members of Parliament do not actually clear their own office ansaphones.
The person who does the one in the Prime Minister's local office is a mother and a grandmother. She has done that job for decades but is now subject regularly to a tirade of obscene and violent threats every working day,
If we are going to take any of this seriously, we should start with the Diplomatic Protection Service returning all those calls.
We had Parliament sitting under urgency,to pass all the important legislation,that is mostly not needed,and the use of proxy voting allowed legislation to be introduced into Parliament that neither the PM or labour leader of the house knew about.
Which raises questions about ,urgency,proxy voting,and a government that does not even know about what is in the legislation being voted on.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/11/three-waters-christopher-luxon-accuses-labour-of-trying-to-scare-the-public-by-discussing-privatisation.html
What sane lender would provide funding to an entity that has no legal status (that is known to lenders) has infrastructure that can not be used as collateral against a loan,or that the government did not even know what was in the legislation when passing.
Hipkins is lying.
He runs the House ffs.
In the post cabinet briefing he was quite clear.It seems Mahuta done a sneaky with the Greens.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/479745/power-play-three-waters-anti-privatisation-blunder-adds-to-storm-of-controversy
Mahuta and Sage thought they could jam it through under Urgency and no-one would notice. Piss poor judgement.
The behaviour was dishonest,and breached the confidence of transparency in legislation.Banana republic stuff.
Does anyone really think Hipkins is telling the truth here?
His office is across all facets of the House agenda. Nothing in the PCO or Clark's Office or Crown Law gets to the House without them setting the agenda.
This is Hipkins knifing Mahuta and Sage at the same time.
Hard to tell from the RNZ report. It is not written very well, but it seems the initial proposal that Hipkins (and Ardern?) knew about was for a 75% threshold that could not be passed with the numbers Labour and the Greens have. In other words a bit of relatively harmless political theatre.
Then apparently Sage and Mahuta dropped it to 60% without telling Hipkins, while he was out of the House and without even the Opposition realising.
At this distance I have no way of knowing who is telling the truth, but my gut feeling Hipkins may be telling the truth. If he isn't then it's a bloody big risk being run here.
On reflection – it matters less if Hipkins is telling the truth or not, than the rather simpler fact of him not covering for Sage and Mahuta.
They thought they could get away with it but got caught out.
I tend to believe Hipkins is running cover for his boss.
Hipkins is pure politician. Probably our only one.
This looks like Hipkins making the setup for Ardern to kill the Maori governance parts of 3 Waters, and likely demote Mahuta.
Could be,it becomes an easier target for distraction when Robertson has to make his statement on the real financial state of the economy in early December.
Also doing a fine job of smoking out National's stance on privatisation of water infrastructure.
Wonder if Luxo's pension announcement yesterday was an attempted diversion
Or just another of his bau cock-ups…
Could be a bit of both and he cocked up the diversion.
Would killing off co-governance and demoting Mahuta result in a Maori caucus revolt and walk out?
Labour appears to be between a rock and hard place on this issue.
So Luxon thinks that unlimited immigration will fix our (perceived) employment problem.
If the problem is that we have too few people to service our current population, then increasing the population will make it worse.
Luxon is mostly right on this one.
another option is degrowth/steady state.
We just had our space un the works we send our lambs to cut by 40% for our main weaning draft in January, 100% due to lack of staff availability, it's going to be a right barstard of a situation to deal with,
I don't know what the fix is but it can't be good for a country on the brink of recession.
Science is a smorgasbord, I'll have the open heart surgery and pass on the vaccine.
/
And fuck Liz Gunn
Two parents are requesting blood used in their baby’s life-changing open-heart surgery be sourced from people who weren’t vaccinated for Covid-19.
In an online video, Samantha Savage-Reeves and Cole Reeves claim they are concerned blood containing a vaccine would be used during the operation needed by 4-month-old Will, despite their fears reportedly being dismissed by medical professionals and information published by the New Zealand Blood Service.
[…]
In the video, the parents were interviewed by former TV newsreader Liz Gunn, who has repeatedly voiced Covid-19 mistruths and was seen earlier this year confronting a news reporter about claims of fainting children at an Auckland vaccination centre – a claim that was rubbished by health officials.
https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-national/parents-request-unvaccinated-blood-be-used-baby%E2%80%99s-surgery
edit: and they’re off to court
Health New Zealand is heading to court over the guardianship of a baby in need of heart surgery as the boy’s parents are refusing to allow blood from vaccinated people to be used in the operation, it is understood.
Court records show documents had been filed with the Auckland High Court yesterday and Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora is listed as the applicant for proceedings set down for tomorrow.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/parents-request-unvaccinated-blood-used-in-babys-heart-surgery/U2PRAPN7RVECRPWF3EXDDNEXSM/
That is what they do with the Jehovah's Witness cult that don't allow blood transfusions. They make the child a Ward of Court.
Police in Australia have charged a family and their fellow religionists and leader with murder after a child's insulin was withheld and she died.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-26/elizabeth-struhs-alleged-murder-and-the-14-people-to-stand-trial/101671336
Ignoring the reason for a second (there could be many), it does seem wrong the parents don't have the option to choose the blood their child will receive. Not really what you expect in a free democracy.
Yeah, because assessing and meeting the hematological needs of an infant undergoing open-heart surgery is a fucking doddle.
FFS
/
Yes, and the blood in the hospital blood bank has had all the required tests. Why should they drop everything and take and test the blood of a bunch of randoms because the parents are suffering from a collective delusion? How long would that take?
The parents have already done the ground work and screened potential blood donors themselves, so this doesn't seem to be an issue. The last obstacle is bureaucracy?
It's all about the money.
https://twitter.com/DCANZ2/status/1597389132069642240
https://twitter.com/DCANZ2/status/1597389198842941440
https://twitter.com/DCANZ2/status/1597389238177189888
Some one should point out to the muppets that the same health system that makes heart surgery and blood transfusion possible thinks vaccines are good.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/arsonists-who-torched-tauranga-rainbow-youth-and-gender-dynamix-building-sentenced/O6WBUFV5CZFDRFVPKYJOHTFRME/
Oh so it wasn't a hate crime afterall. Geniunely pleased about that. Significantly low intellect is often a feature of people who commit arson.
Yup, it was just your run-of-the-mill that will teach them for being gay […] burn those ******* to the ground, crime.
So Joe 90 you disagree with what the Judge said? Quote from the article I linked above
"The judge said while this was a serious case of arson with “very significant” impacts on the victims, he was satisfied it was “not a hate crime [by the definition] popularised by Parliament” nor was it a deliberate targeting of the communities of Rainbow Youth and Gender Dynamix – the two services that operated a drop-in centre from the building"