David Cunliffe two-way on Sunday at 4pm

Written By: - Date published: 10:24 am, June 28th, 2014 - 61 comments
Categories: admin, david cunliffe, notices, The Standard - Tags:

Dolphin Over World 2010David Cunliffe will be putting up a post on Sunday earlier on Sunday. He will be around for some two way interaction at about 4pm-5pm.

It will be similar to the previous session last month. However he has put more time in his schedule. But I’d suggest putting your questions in earlier as I suspect those may get answered earlier.

At the regional list conference I also fixed the problem that was preventing his iPad from reading the site (iOS didn’t like the sites webapp). So he may have more time to read the comments.

As I said last time

Needless to say, the post will be on auto-moderation. The normal rules for these interactive posts will apply. The comment has to be on the topics raised in the post or questions about thing that you should think should have raised in the post. Comments that are simple trolling or “when did you kill your mother-in-law” meme raising or simply going way off topic will simply be trashed without notice.

I’m also going to slightly vary the rules this time. The last time these were run, we got far too many comments that were, in my opinion, simply just speeches stating what the commenter would like do if they were David Cunliffe. However there is only one person invited to give a speech in this post and that the David Cunliffe. If I see too much speechifying in a comment that isn’t pertinent as a question or clarification, then I will redact it back so that is all that is there.

I’d suggest that if your rave gets away on you*, that you write it here or in OpenMike, and link to it in your brief comment on the post for later discussion. However don’t expect David to have read it when and if he answers.

We are as sure as is possible that it will happen at the appropriate time. However, it is the election campaign and as events over the last couple of weeks have shown, anything can happen.

 

Updated: Someone in Cunliffe’s office has whipped up an image..  Feel free to use

 

 

the standard with david cunliffe

61 comments on “David Cunliffe two-way on Sunday at 4pm ”

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  1. Colonial Viper 1
    28 June 2014 at 10:31 am

    Great to see you actively engaging with The Standard DC, your willingness to front up and front foot the campaign puts you a mile in front of the ducking and diving NATs. Keep it up, better stronger faster!

  3. travellerev 3
    28 June 2014 at 11:41 am

    Great, another 15 minute pick and choose session. I think I’ll pass.

    • Lanthanide 3.1
      28 June 2014 at 12:32 pm

      I was pretty disappointed by last time’s effort. I’m expecting this one to be much better.

      But politicians are always going to pick and choose the questions they answer.

      • lprent 3.1.1
        28 June 2014 at 1:01 pm

        Part of the problem was that he wound up with only half an hour available last time because it was part of the working week. Just trying to get him here was hard enough when it competed with half-hour sessions he could have been doing elsewhere like radio or TV.

        We’re getting a awful lot of people here on Sundays these days and that tends to be deadtime for politicians in terms of media. So I suggested that.

        It was also noticeable last time that it took about 10-15 minutes before he got into the swing of things. It isn’t a usual medium for politicians so there is always a learning curve whenever any of them come on this kind of site. Hopefully having a longer period will reduce the impact of that.

        Finally, he hadn’t been able to read The Standard on his iPad. There was some kind of issues with the webapp and iOS7. I fixed that earlier this month and he can now read the site. So hopefully he’ll be able to read the comments prior to the start of the session.

        • weka 3.1.1.1
          28 June 2014 at 1:16 pm

          I missed the one in May, but the one last Sept was pretty good I thought.

          http://thestandard.org.nz/david-cunliffe-2/

          Some people seem to think that Cunliffe, or any author/guest poster here, is somehow obliged to answer everything. Even if they had the time, which they don’t, surely it’s ok to choose what one replies to? If there was some pattern of avoidance, that could be pointed out, but other than that I can’t see the problem.

          • Colonial Viper 3.1.1.1.1
            28 June 2014 at 1:42 pm

            Yep, and for better or worse there are some questions that politicians should not go near in public during sensitive times in campaigns lest they be drawn off message into a media shit storm.

            • blue leopard 3.1.1.1.1.1
              28 June 2014 at 1:59 pm

              @ CV
              Do you think one of those subjects might be welfare? I tend to. There appears to be an avoidance of this issue with Labour (which I have justified in past conversations), yet it is clearly a problem for some with regards to how much they can trust Labour in this respect – given their silence on the matter.

              In actual fact, I believe Labour are making inferences about this subject but it is clearly going over some peoples’ heads and I note that I couldn’t find a direct reference to welfare in their policies section on their website the other day – is it there and I simply failed to find it or does it not exist?).

              I wonder if Labour would ever consider removing the secondary tax requirement off those on welfare and who are working? And I wonder about the way couples are treated as units – not individuals.

              Do you think welfare is one of those subjects that is too ‘touchy’ to be spoken of by Labour?

              • weka …
                28 June 2014 at 2:06 pm

                Here’s what I asked DC last Sept, which he replied to,

                http://thestandard.org.nz/david-cunliffe-2/#comment-691162

                Weka: “What is your view on Work and Income beneficiaries, esp re Labour policy (carrot or stick)?

                How do you intend to repair the damage done by the deserving working poor vs lazy/cheating beneficiary meme?”

                DC: “I am not into beneficiary bashing in any way, shape or form. I do want to see intensive case management with support for unemployed kiwis to find work. That means there has to be jobs to go to. And we also have to respect people’s individual challenges and family circumstances.”

                I’m in two minds about how to interpret that, but he did answer the question 🙂 I certainly think it’s worth asking more. I won’t be here tomorrow afternoon, but hopefully Lynn will get the post up earlier in the day.

                • blue leopard …
                  28 June 2014 at 2:14 pm

                  Yes! I just saw that earlier today (followed the link you put in another comment on this thread) – I didn’t recall that thread or answer at all – good to see it in black and white!

                  However it does appear that some are being put off Labour (Mary for example) due to no clear policies/announcements directly on the matter. I don’t know how they address this issue without being attacked, although that article (yesterday I think) re capital gains tax certainly indicated Labour are capable of driving the narrative/issues. I also thought they (well the left) achieved that with the way National stole the whole family issue focuss off the left in the latest budget.

                  I wonder if welfare is still to ‘hot’ an issue to do the same with….

                • lprent …
                  28 June 2014 at 3:56 pm

                  …but hopefully Lynn will get the post up earlier in the day.

                  That is the intent. But depends on when I get it. Since the questions have to relate to the post…

              • lprent …
                28 June 2014 at 3:16 pm

                If I was Labour and I had a policy on welfare, I’d either push it out the year ahead or an election, or I’d do it quite later.

                The reasons should be pretty obvious. You either have to inoculate or surprise.

                But I suspect that getting your budget together would be the limiting factor. Until you see the PREFU and do your own budget and tax policies, it is bloody hard to figure out how much you have to play with.

                • weka …
                  28 June 2014 at 3:28 pm

                  True, except there is quite a bit that can be done to fix the culture of WINZ without spending a lot of money. WINZ culture generally improves under Labour govts relative to NACT ones. However this time round more of NACT’s restructuring is in legislation I think, so it will be harder to roll back, both politically and structurally. I’m sure that was intentional on NACT’s part.

                • poem …
                  29 June 2014 at 1:47 pm

                  I know everyone wants to know what labour’s policy is on this, and I hope they repeal the punishing draconian stance national have taken, but if I was labour, I would leave it as late as possible, only for the fact of not wanting to give national/media a chance to turn it into a weapon.

    • Tanz 3.2
      28 June 2014 at 10:55 pm

      Same, my question last time was ignored as well.

      I support CC instead. Donating as well.

      • Clemgeopin 3.2.1
        28 June 2014 at 11:19 pm

        May be you asked it too late or may be it seemed like a time wasting stupid question from a RWNjob troll? What was your question?

  4. Sanctuary 4
    28 June 2014 at 11:42 am

    In your own fifty words or less, what is the Labour party’s mission statement?

    • phillip ure 4.1
      28 June 2014 at 11:45 am

      will you have new zealand continue to be a component of the american drone-strike program..?

      • phillip ure 4.1.1
        28 June 2014 at 12:00 pm

        i understand that you have yr own timetable of policy-release..(and i am not requesting any premature details)..

        ..but cd you assure us that labour will be releasing ‘poverty-busting’ policies in that timetable..?

        ..policies that will address the plights of the worst off..both children and adults..

        • phillip ure 4.1.1.1
          28 June 2014 at 12:09 pm

          i understand you have already given a big ‘no’ to any idea of cannabis-law-reform..

          ..does the herald digi-poll this wknd showing a majority supporting ending prohibition soften/change that stance at all..?

          ..and the surprise from that poll for me..is that 45% of national party voters support either decriminalisation..or full-legalisation..

          ..so to my mind..were labour to be more open to that change..you could well woo soft-national-party voters..

          ..yr thoughts on those factors..?

          • Weepu's beard 4.1.1.1.1
            28 June 2014 at 5:43 pm

            Look, I enjoy blazing up as much as the next guy but I don’t think you should ask questions about weed. He’ll think we’re all a bunch of wasters.

      • poem 4.1.2
        29 June 2014 at 1:50 pm

        David Cunliffe already answered that on Q & A the other week, he said NO to drones.

  5. Mike 5
    28 June 2014 at 11:42 am

    WTF?

    He needs to be talking to actual swing voters at this point, not ‘the base’ over here

    Unless of course he has given up on the general election already and is more worried about a post-election leadership challenge…..

    • lprent 5.1
      28 June 2014 at 11:47 am

      A large chunk of the work for Labour is activating activists to go out and talk to undecided…

      A place like TS is perfect for the task.

      • Clemgeopin 5.1.1
        28 June 2014 at 2:27 pm

        [1] When you say,

        “But I’d suggest putting your questions in earlier as I suspect those may get answered earlier”,

        Do you mean we should put in the question here now or wait for tomorrow when there may be a new page set up?

        [2] Another point:
        Is it possible to issue a press release for MSM to possibly publicise this Q and A session?

        P.S :
        Just saw/read your clarification on the 1st point I made above. Thanks.

        • lprent 5.1.1.1
          28 June 2014 at 4:01 pm

          The post tomorrow is where you leave questions. I’d point out that the usual rules about comments having to relate to the post apply, and since I don’t know the topic that a lot of the questions are a bit moot.

          However, who knows. The post still has to be written as far as I am aware. Maybe a peek here will provide inspiration. It can’t hurt anyway.

          I suspect that some of the MSM do actually read this site. But there is quite a lot of social media action going on with that poster. Help spread it.

    • phillip ure 5.2
      28 June 2014 at 11:47 am

      i didn’t realise it was either/or..there..mike…

      ..not enough hours in the day for both..?..you think..?

      • Mike 5.2.1
        28 June 2014 at 11:57 am

        Well there is only 80 odd days to go and Labour is now polling lower than in 2011, time seems like something that can’t be wasted at this point
        I can’t imagine Key devoting an hour to Whaleoil/Kiwiblog at this point in the electoral cycle…

        • phillip ure 5.2.1.1
          28 June 2014 at 12:03 pm

          get a grip mike..!

          ..the official-campaign-period hasn’t even started yet..

          ..and comparing with tory-key..?

          ..nah..!..tories are all about top-down control..

          ..a false-comparison on yr part..

        • poem 5.2.1.2
          29 June 2014 at 1:57 pm

          Who said the polls are true Mike? And havent you been listening to your party? national have been calling on their supporters to ignore the polls.

    • Stephanie Rodgers 5.3
      28 June 2014 at 2:21 pm

      The Standard is one of the most highly read blogs in the country and frequently what gets posted here is picked up by the mainstream media. Not to mention there’s huge value in re-invigorating the base’s enthusiasm to get out campaigning.

      David Cunliffe is a great guy, but he alone does not have the ability to reach every enrolled non-voter on a personal level.

      But I suspect you know this and just wanted to get in a dig about the leadership – exactly the kind of petty little undermining tactic which can be quashed by him spending an hour here.

    • Draco T Bastard 5.4
      28 June 2014 at 6:14 pm

      He needs to be talking to actual swing voters at this point, not ‘the base’ over here

      I think you’ll find that there’s more swing voters here than base Labour supporters.

  6. Tautoko Viper 6
    28 June 2014 at 12:03 pm

    Question: Why should small business owners consider voting for Labour?

    • lprent 6.1
      28 June 2014 at 12:06 pm

      He won’t be answering questions on this post. But feel free to use it for practice…

      • phillip ure 6.1.1
        28 June 2014 at 12:12 pm

        any chance of asking him if he will answer questions posted in this thread..?

        ..surely..in the spirit of openess..?

        ..that does not seem an unreasonable request..

        • lprent 6.1.1.1
          28 June 2014 at 12:35 pm

          Why? Everything has to be scheduled.

          Hard enough to get him to come here at all.

          I’m waiting for his post at present, which I suspect that I won’t get or post up today. When that arrives and gets posted, then you can start asking questions that he may answer.

          • blue leopard 6.1.1.1.1
            28 June 2014 at 1:01 pm

            A suggestion:

            I put forward that it might actually be a better idea – might actually work better – if people post questions here today and that would allow Mr Cunliffe some time to consider the answers. (Would also show trends of interests, so questions can be answered in groups)

            I personally think it is pretty hairy for a politician to come up with responses within an hour or two of reading the questions especially in an election year and especially due to the climate of witch-hunting going on in the media with respect to the left wing and Labour in particular.

            We need good clear direct answers to our questions, yet they do need to take into account how they can be misinterpreted, exaggerated and used to attack Labour/left and then proceed to make it seem like Mr Cunliffe is back-tracking. I guess this hasn’t occurred the last time this Q&A was conducted – but I wondered if it curbed Mr Cunliffe from answering quite a few of the questions?

            The internet is not like a public meeting in real life – the responses stay in black and white for ever-more and therefore some slightly less real-time elements could be employed in order to enhance the benefits of this process?

            I therefore am suggesting it might be a beneficial approach for people to write questions here – and point this thread out to Mr Cunliffe; allowing Mr Cunliffe (and perhaps his research team) time to formulate answers that are clear – yet don’t get him horribly compromised by our rabid and hysteria-ridden media…..hopefully you understand what I mean…

            • weka 6.1.1.1.1.1
              28 June 2014 at 1:19 pm

              Problem is, someone has to wade through all the other comments, either someone from ts or someone from Cunliffe’s team (let’s assume DC isn’t going to), to find the relevant questions. Lynn said he would put the post up tomorrow, and there will be time then for people to post questions ahead of time in a more strictly moderated space.

              • blue leopard …
                28 June 2014 at 1:23 pm

                Yes, fair enough – it really is simply a suggestion which I thought had some merit.

                I guess, as you say, there is time for Cunliffe to read questions prior to the time that he is online and responding. It simply gives him more time to think responses over- the earlier questions are put up – although that also is possible given this thread….

  7. Tautoko Viper 7
    28 June 2014 at 12:13 pm

    Question: Many young, single, childless workers (many under-employed) are not engaged in politics. They are struggling to pay the rent or living at home for longer. What policies does Labour have that will inspire them to enrol to vote and to vote Labour?

  8. David H 8
    29 June 2014 at 10:40 am

    2 Questions

    1: Is labour going to make deals with other parties on the left to win marginal seats, or to muck up the Nats ‘Cup of tea deals?

    2: Is the Labour Party going to make FULL use of Social Media this election?

  9. freedom 9
    29 June 2014 at 1:07 pm

    I will be absent for today’s Q&A, and would appreciate someone adding these questions to the submissions to David Cunliffe, Thank you.

    2 questions

    1:
    Mr Cunliffe, with Drones now being an unavoidable technology, will Labour commit to refusing to support the US Drone Strike missions and insist that any support to the US Drone missions supplied via any resource from New Zealand is for search & rescue missions only?

    2:
    Mr Cunliffe, with life long access to education being a critical foundation for any society, will Labour fully re-instate all Education funding that has been removed since 2008, including Adult Education programmes and all Tertiary assistance for mature students?

    • blue leopard 9.1
      29 June 2014 at 1:33 pm

      Hi Freedom,

      I will copy and paste your question into the thread when it appears (if someone hasn’t done so before me).

      Just to avoid any disappointment though one of lprent’s comments in this thread indicated questions may not get through if it isn’t related to the post Cunliffe writes – but I will copy and paste and send it and see if it gets through…..

  10. William Rea 10
    29 June 2014 at 1:12 pm

    We are told that if we liberalised our drug laws, that would be sending the ‘wrong message’ to young people. I want to ask David if he realises that the drug laws only catch about 1 or 2 percent of users every year, and they are mostly the young, the poor and the Maori. White, middle class professionals hardly ever get caught. What sort of “message” do you think is received by those who are the victims of this law?

  11. Clemgeopin 11
    29 June 2014 at 1:20 pm

    I intend asking these three questions. What do you think?

    [1] What is your policy on the mass secret surveillance of Kiwis by GCSB and the Five Eyes Programme? What changes will you make?

    [2] Will you legislate that Charter schools that receive public funds (a) Can not receive more public funding than public schools (b) Should abide by the rules as required by the education department such as trained/qualified teachers, subject to ERO and public audit of performance and accounts (c) should abide by (a) and (b). Otherwise, no public funds will be available to them.

    [3] Is is correct to say that National focuses on Key’s cult personality while Labour and the progressive parties focus on policies and the people?

  12. Kiwiri 12
    29 June 2014 at 1:23 pm

    Can someone ask a question about the retirement age please.
    I won’t be around later this afternoon to raise that.

    • blue leopard 12.1
      29 June 2014 at 1:31 pm

      I will copy and paste something if you would make it clear what your question is- i.e. what do you want to know about the retirement age?

      Given lprent’s one of comments in this thread; it may not get through if it isn’t related to the post Cunliffe writes – but I will copy and paste and send it and see anyway…..

  13. Pasupial 13
    29 June 2014 at 1:28 pm

    Question & Supplementary:

    Mr Cunliffe; would you be willing to accept Internet/ MANA Party MPs as part of a Labour-led government if that gave you the numbers to form a progressive coalition post-election (and a mutually satisfactory relationship could be negotiated)?

    How about; a United Future & Maori Party MP(s), if they have votes to offer and were willing to negotiate support (I’m assuming a yes for both; Green Party and NZF, a no for; National, ACT & CP, please correct if I’m mistaken)?

    Best of Luck for the election.

  14. Ergo Robertina 14
    29 June 2014 at 2:31 pm

    Would Labour require government departments to shift processing/admin functions to the regions to rejuvenate these areas and help relieve housing pressures in Auckland and Christchurch?
    Would Labour abolish Health Benefits Ltd?
    Are there too many DHBs, and would amalgamations be likely under Labour?

  15. James Brodie 15
    29 June 2014 at 4:09 pm

    Hi David.

    QUESTION: What is your proposed disability support policy and how is this different from other parties policies? (P.S. Keep up the good work)

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