Daily Review 31/10/2018
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5:30 pm, October 31st, 2018 - 33 comments
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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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All those tears on your cheeksJust like deja vu flow nowWhen grandmother speaksSo tell me a story (I'll tell you a story)Spell it out, I can't hear (What do you want to hear?)Why you wear black in the morning?Why there's smoke in the air? Songwriter: Greg Johnson.Mōrena all ☀️Something a ...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. ...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
- Release: Rule-Czar bill a right-wing power grab
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. ...3 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. ...3 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. ...4 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. ...5 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. ...5 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. ...5 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. ...5 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. ...5 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 ...5 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. ...6 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. ...6 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
- Greyhound racing industry ban marks new era for animal welfare
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- Rangatahi voices must be centred in Government’s Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh
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- Govt introduces archaic anti-worker legislation
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- Winston Peters – Kinleith Mill Speech
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- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
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- Wide ranging legislation to make justice system more efficient
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- Torture redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Unit
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- Consultation opens on working with engineered stone
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- Greater reporting on Treaty settlement commitments
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- New appointments to the Charities Registration Board
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- Building consent processing times improve
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- New Zealand to assist Vanuatu on earthquake response
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- Government takes steps to reduce card fees for Kiwis
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- Review recommends ECE regulation shakeup
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- Local Government (Water Services) Bill passes first reading
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- Vanuatu quake: Warnings as bad weather threat looms for Port Vila
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After observing Simon Bridges performance in the House today he confirmed his total incompetence as a leader of the opposition, almost bordering on plain idiocy. The facial expressions of Paula Bennett are getting more bizarre by the day and general flaky demeanor cannot be ignored. The rest of the blue team are not worth mentioning.
National party caucus meetings must be similar to scenes from One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest.
Yeah you go on under-estimating them right up to the moment they kick our arse again. OK so I understand it’s a sweet little dopamine hit to rant off like that, but doing it in public is an unsavory habit.
Right now National are in exactly the same kind of turmoil that Labour went through in the aftermath of Helen Clark’s departure. How much do you want to crow about that? Note carefully how very quickly they’ve re-grouped and imposed party discipline again after the JLR fiasco. Yes they have their internal tensions that have yet to resolve; do not assume they’re dysfunctional or incapable of asserting themselves if they need to.
It’s perfectly ok to take a quiet satisfaction in watching National in this state; do not assume it’s going to last long. Sooner or later someone competent will rise to the top and it will be business as usual for them.
Quiet satisfaction!…. oh alright…. 🙂
RedLogix, I agree with you.
I agree. “”Yes they have their internal tensions’ and “It will be business as usual for them”
They are most dangerous when things go against them… So…
Who could Hooten be doing research on in Britain?
How come the “ministry” has allowed their Minister, Lees-Galloway to be so embarrassed if the rumoured “Contradictory information ” is true?? Who was involved in that?
Why when ‘phoning Whaleoil, did Bridges look so full of shining relief? “Successful deal?”
Why is Bennett looking so down appearing to have lost her nodding enthusiasm she used to produce for “Her Leader”.
Who empowered Collins to begin her attacks?? Remember..
Rust never sleeps!!
the Lees-Galloway/Czech crim affair, has the hall marks of a political “hit”, there are weasels throughout the state sector, and a number of ex public servants turned consultants quite capable
out of so many immigration cases, why did that one in particular surface right now? other seemingly deserving cases, involving medical and family situations, tend to surface via supportive lawyers and approaches to media, it will be interesting to work out who, when, why re this one
+100 Tiger…..a mountain out of a molehill (ha ha)
Paranoid lil ol me wondering if some ministry shiny arse gave the Minister an edited summary and some rotten advice, then dobbed him in to Slick Bodges.
Red logix: “OK so I understand it’s a sweet little dopamine hit to rant off like that, but doing it in public is an unsavory habit.”
Yes. That certainly describes Bridges letting strip on the General Debate on Wednesday, but why he does it again in public is a bit thoughtless. Weird?
+ 1 kat – bennett looked so uncomfortable – so funny. Bridges needs to go now because the gnats seem so despondent, so lost and disheveled. The paranoia must be at extreme levels in that caucus.
Sssssssh…not so loud, no ranting around here!
rant loudly and often is my philosophy especially when it makes you happy, as ranting about the gnats does me – yeah!!!
Dopamine is a wonderful drug:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201105/dopamine-primer
sure if it helps you go for it – not sure why you are bringing it up though – seems a little patronising
For those who need a giggle. 15 minutes of Josh Johnson.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/108180804/national-partys-political-prospect-colin-zheng-and-business-partner-yikun-zhang-in-breach-of-companies-act
More truth about the nats mates.
Comrade Jian says it’s fine.
Letter: Simon Bridges to Judith
Pic
Tick tick tick….
“count down until 13th December begins – will Simon Bridges still be leader on the 14th of December?”
This is the worst outcome for National, all that will consume the media between now and the 13th of December is what JLR will say in Parliament under Parliamentary Privilege.”
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2018/10/30/the-countdown-till-december-13th-begins-will-simon-bridges-still-be-leader-on-the-14th/
Don’t hold your breath. The guy will turn out to be full of shit. Just like his new boyfriend, Dotcom.
“For sale: one parliament.
If Jami Lee Ross has achieved anything, it is casting the full glare of public scrutiny over Party donations. His methods may have been unorthodox – but he’s got our attention. We can no longer feign lack of awareness of this dark shadow over our democracy.
The rest is up to us, as a nation, what we do now….”
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2018/10/31/special-investigation-a-possible-solution-to-party-campaign-funding-rorts/
I was going to say great work again by Frank Macskasy – best piece on the whole darn JLR affair.
I like the fact he gets to the heart of the matter – the corruption that money in politics brings.
If people are not looking at the US political situation and going yuck – then somthing is wrong with ya. They got there by corporate money in politics, so people can, and do buy elections.
It is time that threats to the planet were defended as such.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-46039996
Is it just me or does that feel a lot like the last government we had, doing bat shit crazy stuff like that?
Merging government departments into super ministries which become a power unto themselves, so stuff the people and consequences.
Bolosinaro should just buy a nuke, and drop it on the Amazon. Get it over with. It’s clear he hates it so much.
It’s silly to demonise your opponents. It’s not about hating the Amazon. It’s just the tension between development and conservation that will always be a theme in Brazilian politics. This time the pendulum seems to be swinging to the development side but how far, we cannot yet tell.
A.
The ‘tension’ will end either when there is no Amazon left to ‘develop’, or when there is no profit to be had from ‘development’ – for a senient species, with so much information at our fingertips, we have a surprisingly poor grasp of natural limits.
Marty, what are you suggesting we do about threats to the planet? I don’t quite get your point
A.
I think we need to get serious about the threats and the threateners.
See my 10.0 Way to go.
Why are you replying with that. I’m okay if you don’t reply when you have nothing to say or alternatively you could say something if you want.
ANZ (KEY)… 2 billion PROFIT!! Bloody Aussie Banks.
Come on Kiwis, change from that bank!! Keep the money in NZ.
There are NZ banks.
“Yikun Zhang with National Party president Peter Goodfellow.”
National Party’s political prospect Colin Zheng and business partner Yikun Zhang in Companies Office probe
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/108180804/national-partys-political-prospect-colin-zheng-and-business-partner-yikun-zhang-in-breach-of-companies-act
A late night lesson: