“Extinction Rebellion blanket ban chilling and unlawful”

Written By: - Date published: 7:10 am, October 16th, 2019 - 74 comments
Categories: activism, climate change, police - Tags: , , ,

On Monday, midway through their fortnight of direct action to force the UK government to act on climate change, Extinction Rebellion focused their day on London’s financial district. XR blocked major roads into the area and access to institutions including the Bank of England and the stock exchange, with some activists gluing themselves to buildings and many pushing the police into arresting them.

By the end of day the police had implemented a ban on all XR protests across London, saying that anyone protesting would be arrested irrespective of what they are doing.

From the BBC,

Speaking to the Victoria Derbyshire programme, Extinction Rebellion campaigner and former Met Police officer Paul Stephens said: “Police are being really sloppy with the law, and it won’t stand up in court.”

He added that “there will be a judicial review”.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said he is “seeking further information” about the decision to impose the ban and why it was necessary.

“I believe the right to peaceful and lawful protest must always be upheld,” he said.

Anti-Brexit barrister Jo Maugham QC said the move was “a huge overreach” of police powers, while human rights lawyer Adam Wagner described it as “draconian and extremely heavy-handed”.

Mr Wagner added in a tweet: “”We have a right to free speech under article 10 and to free assembly under article 11 of the (annex to the) Human Rights Act. These can only be interfered with if the interference is lawful and proportionate. I think the police may have gone too far here.”

The BBC’s explanation of police powers is at the bottom of that link.

Amnesty International UK’s press release,

On Monday evening, the Metropolitan Police issued a revised section 14 order saying demonstrators protesting in London after 21:00 BST could be arrested.

Allan Hogarth, Head of Advocacy and Programmes at Amnesty International UK, said:

“Imposing a blanket ban on Extinction Rebellion protests is an unlawful restriction on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Under UK and international human rights law, the Government has an obligation to facilitate the exercise of these rights. 

“The majority of those protesting have been doing so peacefully, removing and prosecuting activists for engaging in non-violent direct action to raise their voice is deeply worrying. Overly harsh and disproportionate charges will have a chilling effect on rights.

The Guardian reports that XR protests have continued,

However, by 8am on Tuesday it was clear the climate campaigners had no intention of backing down as one of the organisation’s founders, Gail Bradbrook, led a protest at the Department for Transport in London.

Standing on top of the entrance of the building before she was arrested, Bradbrook called on ministers to explain how their continued expansion of roads and airports fitted with a net-zero emissions target. “I do this for the beautiful pear tree at Cubbington Woods, 250 years old – they have no rights. I do this in fierce love of the 108 ancient woodlands threatened by HS2, this climate crime of a project. I do this in the spirit of what Emmeline Pankhurst called the noble art of window smashing.”

National spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion, Rupert Read,

Extinction Rebellion arose out of the UK white middle class activist community, which explains something important about their strategy of intentional arrests. Their actions are designed to overload the police and justice system as part of wider disruptions to the governance of the United Kingdom in order to force the government to act on climate change.

XR has been criticised for this approach because of the large disparity between how white, middle class people will be treated by police compared to everyone else. There’s also been concern about how XR’s actions will change the safety and function of other climate activism. While there are important issues here for XR and other activist movements to work through, there is also great value in white middle class people finally standing up and doing the right thing by putting their own wellbeing at risk.

If the police don’t back down on the ban I suspect we are about to see XR put their money where their mouth is, with increased resolve for the cause. This is consistent with their approach which is based on successful historic  social movements that used sustained disruption to force change.

It’s not surprising that the police would eventually crack down, nor that they would do so once financial institutions were targeted. While XR has been serious in their campaign and extremely well organised, watching from the outside the feeling up until now has often been carnivalesque and big theatre. The actions of the police this week are sobering, and there is risk here for XR, both for individuals, and also with the chaotic nature of fast social change and who will be blamed if things go badly. But the rebellion cause is deadly serious and I can’t see XR backing off given the depth of feeling and thought about the coming climate crises.

Ironically, on Sunday the The Guardian reported this from the financial sector,

Companies and industries that are not moving towards zero-carbon emissions will be punished by investors and go bankrupt, the governor of the Bank of England has warned.

Mark Carney also told the Guardian it was possible that the global transition needed to tackle the climate crisis could result in an abrupt financial collapse. He said the longer action to reverse emissions was delayed, the more the risk of collapse would grow.

Shit is getting real with increasingly widespread acceptance of the climate emergency and the urgent need to change. At some point the government will have to step up and make a decision about whether to meet with XR over their demands or to double down as a repressive state.

Moderation note: no climate denial comments under my posts, thanks.

74 comments on ““Extinction Rebellion blanket ban chilling and unlawful” ”

  1. Sanctuary 1

    Section 14 of the Public Order Act has been around since the act was passed in 1986, and it was explicitly designed to crush political dissent in the wake of London riots and the especially the miners strike. While I might feel a certain schadenfreude in watching terribly nice middle class people suddenly being outraged at a weapon that has been used to crush working class protest for over three decades I guess it is a case of better late than never.

    But yes – I do not believe it should ever be in the police’s power to issue orders to people, that way lies a police state. The police should only ever investigate crime and to make arrests of those who commit crimes.

    • I have been thinking about police in NZ and their powers of freedom of action – who sets the rules and demands

      This idea of stand-alone groups making their own 'deemed' laws, regulation and rules is unsatisfactory for a really democratic country and the elected pollies should have a great s

      There are too many agencies like transport, that basically run themselves with the politicians and elections being a passing cloud – that way leads to the breakdown of society and economy, distribution and reasonable taxation spread that we see in NZ.

    • weka 1.2

      Schadenfreude seems understandable.

      For the state too. They're going to be hard pressed to crack down on the bastions of English middle class culture: elderly, grandparents, ex bankers, women academics, well known journalists getting arrested is one thing, what happens if they keep going back?

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ski8LcjvwVo

      • WILD KATIPO 1.2.1

        Always nice to see these elderly making such bold stands,… and the sincerity of those many younger ones…

        Its good people are ready and willing to challenge city hall, political systems that are so air tight and unyielding,…

        Yet I think the solution is not so much a political one in legislation…. but a holistic one… the answer is trees, uncountable acres and hectares of revegetation… coupled with a more scrutinizing look at modern industry practice…

        The joke always was, ' if in doubt , follow the hippies'… well, to a point. But their clean green mantra of revege the forests remains the same and is in accordance with creation… if you wreck your environment… you will only reap the whirlwind…

        When all the trees have been cut down,
        when all the animals have been hunted,
        when all the waters are polluted,
        when all the air is unsafe to breathe,
        only then will you discover you cannot eat money.

        —Cree Prophecy

        • weka 1.2.1.1

          Reforestation is critical, but without solid political and social change, this advantage will just be wasted as carbon offsetting for people to keep polluting.

          • WILD KATIPO 1.2.1.1.1

            Not necessarily.

            The governmental and legislative involvement plus the sheer redirection of capitol to enact such a global revegatation would be immense. I think you would find the same sort of obstacles that the carbon tax fiasco in France encountered. That is, no one govt willing to take the lead , and hence, a failure of even that basic and rudimentary measure.

            We are dealing with humans in all their self centered and vested interested glory , here.

            Not a hypothetical hive like , pheromone led alien race that puts the welfare of the many above the few.

            THAT,… is your core problem.

            Humanity.

            US.

            • WILD KATIPO 1.2.1.1.1.1

              But as for logical direction and pragmatic undertaking, I'm sure many among the western nations ( and the East ) would have no such qualms in agreeing with large scale revegetation , as it holds less of a 'conspiracy theory' and directionless amalgam of people 'who just want to protest', than simply doing something so practical as ' planting a tree'.

              Not only that, it would also provide employment… which could capture the minds of those so inclined towards Entrepreneurialism…. play em at their own game , so to speak….

  2. Gosman 2

    This is a brilliant interview by Nigel Farage with one of the organisers of Extinction Rebellion in the UK. Farage gets to the heart of the matter.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vOxgzIeSt4

    • Siobhan 2.1

      Moderation note: no climate denial comments under my posts, thanks

      Does this extend to clips of Climate Change deniers?

      Nigel’s kids
      “My boys, who were spoonfed climate change all through school, used to think it was hilarious when I ranted at the Six O’Clock News about that bloody iceberg and that bloody polar bear HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.”

      Climate science
      “I haven’t got a clue whether climate change is being driven by carbon-dioxide emissions.”

      UK carbon cuts
      “We are a nation that produces 1.8 per cent of global carbon dioxide, so I do not get closing down our aluminium smelters, most of our steel production, and now our refining industry, and all that production being moved to India, and therefore the steel-based products made in India then having to be shipped back to Britain! This to me makes no sense at all.”

      UK Greens
      “If Natalie Bennett won the election, we’d all be living in caves… the whole thing is based on a fallacy: that our fossil fuels are going to run out and therefore we have to adapt the way we live.”

      Wind energy
      “I think wind energy is the biggest collective economic insanity I’ve seen in my entire life. I’ve never seen anything more stupid, more illogical, or more irrational.”

      An Italian physicist
      “We’re almost back to Galileo. Whether it’s Galileo or Darwin, you challenge consensus, whether it’s in science, whether it’s in politics, and you are demonised for doing it.”

      • Gosman 2.1.1

        The interview was not about Climate Change denial. It was about asking the Extinction Rebellion person what they actually wanted. He actually made that point very well and she floundered quite badly. This idea of a "Citizens assembly" is so unformed it is essentially meaningless. You may as well state you want people to come together and fix Climate change.

        • Siobhan 2.1.1.1

          The point is Farage is a Climate change denier..as such he has no credibility, and anything he does say that might strike you as noteworthy needs to be viewed in that context.

          https://www.climatechangenews.com/2015/03/11/nigel-farage-on-climate-change-in-his-own-words/

          • Gosman 2.1.1.1.1

            He is interviewing one of the organisers of the Extinction Rebellion movement. That is what is being discussed here. Her views not his.

            • left_forward 2.1.1.1.1.1

              To the contrary, each question was prefaced by Nigel's view, including as Siobhan notes, his climate change denial. This is as far from 'brilliant' as it is gets Goz! If this is your starting point, you're hardly going to appreciate what XR is all about.

              • Gosman

                It is his questions to her that are pertinent not his views on Climate change. She couldn't explain how a people's assembly would work and how it would be set up exactly. Who would choose the representatives for example?

        • Incognito 2.1.1.2

          An “Extinction Rebellion person … floundered quite badly”. Well, that settled the climate crisis then. Your invaluable contribution to the debate has been noted and I will personally nominate you for a Prize at the end of the year.

          • Gosman 2.1.1.2.1

            Pointing out the fundamental flaw in the Extinction Rebellion movement is VERY pertinent to this discussion.

            • Incognito 2.1.1.2.1.1

              An “Extinction Rebellion person … floundered quite badly” proves “the fundamental flaw in the Extinction Rebellion movement”. Absolutely! Given that the Prize nominees are ranked using STV, I think you are almost guaranteed one.

        • WILD KATIPO 2.1.1.3

          The thing is Gosman, that in times past, it was often civil disruption that forced change.

          I seem to remember the Poll Taxes of the 17th century as one. Also , after the Great Plague, which ran from the 13th to the 17th,…there was a new power enabled by the peasantry of England in which they were able to demand higher wages as there were less workers available, – to which the King of England at that time after the initial aftermath of the Plague … passed a law which enabled the remaining law enforcement to make sweeping arrests on the working populations , to inhibit local travel , to accept substandard wages….

          In essence, a totalitarian type of answer which benefited only the elites…

          It was not long before that was overturned by successive Kings through sheer weight of numbers.

          That in turn , ushered in a new era of creativity, scholastic advances for the commoner and eventually , …the Renaissance was born. And from that came global travel , new technology's , new trade links etc… so what started off as a punitive move ended up in benefiting England immensely… in power and in wealth.

          Not all public protest is to be viewed a a mere anarchy and challenge to the established order to be put down as some common violent peasant revolt.

  3. "Moderation note: no climate denial comments under my posts, thanks."

    That will deprive a lot of older white males of the opportunity to share their opinion on anthropogenic climate change

    • Formerly Ross 3.1

      Ageist, racist and sexist all in the same sentence. That is quite some feat!

      • Adrian Thornton 3.1.1

        @Formerly Ross…True that, it seems that as long as you attack the right people you're OK…I guess that this is a natural progression of the fanatical anti Trump (and believe me I am no fan of him) carry on that has infected the liberal left..just smoke and mirrors for lazy thinkers.

      • marty mars 3.1.2

        It is actually none of those things mr strugglestreet

        • Adrian Thornton 3.1.2.1

          Well as you are so deeply embedded down that track, I can see why you would not be able to see past your own nose..so no surprised there.

      • greywarshark 3.1.3

        Yes succinct and right to the point of the situation. Good on you ep.

    • weka 3.2

      A small number I think 🙂

  4. Adrian Thornton 4

    I am not sure why anyone would be surprised at this turn of events, at least now people will start seeing and maybe understanding that there are no answers for battling climate change in a meaningful way that will or can from within the framework of any country that operates under the Liberal Capitalist freemarket framework (centre Right or centre 'Left') which by the very core of it's ideology, demands endless growth, endless extraction endless trading of goods and foods that are often not of any real value to the countries they are being shipped to…half way around the world.

    Time for a real change, Capitalist Liberalism has proved time and again it can't save us..so therefore Labour NZ can't either…a sad but true fact.

    Turn Labour Left!

  5. Dukeofurl 5

    "Anti-Brexit barrister Jo Maugham QC said the move was “a huge overreach” of police powers"

    Jolyon Toby Dennis Maugham QC is a British barrister, as of 2019 practising in tax law at Devereux Chambers. Wikipedia

    Tax law . probably has never had a case dealing with the police and the public. BBC link seems to have dropped off

    [this is why I get grumpy about people not linking. You obviously copy and pasted from wiki so why not put the link in so people can see if you are speaking truth or manipulating the conversation? Linking improves the quality of debate – weka]

    • weka 5.1

      Lol, you couldn't even be bothered reading past the first sentence on the Wikipedia page? You only had to read the second sentence.

      Jolyon Toby Dennis Maugham QC (born 1 July 1971)[1] is a British barrister, as of 2019 practising in tax law at Devereux Chambers.[2] He is the founder and director of the Good Law Project, through which he has played a key role in bringing to court a number of legal challenges to the Brexit process, which he opposes.[3]

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jolyon_Maugham

      The Good Law Project,

      We use the law to deliver a progressive society.

      We fight cases to defend, define or change the law in the following areas:

      Brexit – we think Brexit’s a terrible idea. And if the people agree we think they should be able to stop it.
      Tax – we all need what our taxes buy. We all have to pay our share.
      Workers’ Rights – no one should get rich exploiting the vulnerable. Where Government policy lets workers down, we will step in.

      https://goodlawproject.org/about/

      • Dukeofurl 5.1.1

        I gave the name of the Source. Thats the part Google search gave up. Its not a big deal. Same as the BBC link that wasnt there, I was easily able to find BBC UK news.

        Devereux Chambers ?

        Devereux has a "strong reputation as a leading set for tax law." The set advises wealthy individuals on tax and estate planning matters, including pensions, offshore trusts and Capital Gains Tax…..

        Barristers with this Expertise :Jolyon Maugham QC

        Yes hes worked on the Brexit legal cases but his own link gives this as his area of expertise

        Rich Pricks Tax lawyer in other words.
        Which is what the Wikipedia snippet said

        • weka 5.1.1.1

          Your comment implied that Maugham had no experience outside of tax law, presumably you were saying that as a way negating their commentary on the XR ban. Your comment was misleading.

          • Dukeofurl 5.1.1.1.1

            yes it was saying hes not experienced with civil rights and the Police. Its not misleading

            His own specialist expertise claims back that up.

            This person has the right civil liberties expertise, Helen Mountfield QC , but maybe because shes a highly qualified woman its harder to get into news stories even if she worked on Brexits cases too.

    • weka 5.2

      mod note for you.

  6. Dukeofurl 6

    The London Police have a press release

    • weka 6.1

      The Metropolitan Police Service has not banned protests or protests by Extinction Rebellion across London.

      The MPS has imposed conditions under Section 14 of the Public order Act 1986 upon the Extinction Rebellion ‘Autumn Uprising’ demonstrations which have been taking place for nine days.

      The conditions state: “Any assembly linked to the Extinction Rebellion ‘Autumn Uprising’… must now cease their protest(s) within London (Metropolitan Police Service, and City of London areas) by 21:00hrs [on Monday] 14th October 2019”.

      Protestors have been notified and were given the opportunity to leave the site. Anyone who fails to comply with the condition is liable for arrest and prosecution.

      Section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986 is legislation used by a senior officer to impose conditions on a public assembly where it is believed serious public disorder, serious damage to property or serious disruption to life of the community may result, or it is believed the organisers of that assembly will intimidate or compel others to do unlawful acts.

      Under Section 14, a senior officer can specify the location, duration and number of participants of an assembly. The use of this legislation is not unusual, and has been used as recently as last week in order to prevent static assemblies causing serious disruption or serious harm.

      This condition will remain in place until the activities of Extinction Rebellion ‘Autumn Uprising’ cease.

      So XR protests/actions haven't been banned in London, they're just no allowed to do them in London?

      • Dukeofurl 6.1.1

        Thats probably how the Met are working it , give an official explanation from their lawyers and make it public. But the Police on the streets just get told to block everyone and arrest as usual.

        We have it in NZ , policies and procedures are ignored and the Inspector in charge just does what he/she likes

  7. weka 7

    Interesting convo here on police now stopping people on Lambeth Bridge (which has been one of the XR sites).

    https://twitter.com/alexjarmitage/status/1184086007379103744

    https://twitter.com/ZackPolanski/status/1184155877500248068

  8. Climaction 8

    Watch the middle class wokies fold like newspaper when their arrests affect their ability to travel after Brexit.

    • Incognito 8.1

      Speaking from experience, are you?

    • weka 8.2

      yeah, because traveling overseas is high on the personal agenda of people who are trying to prevent immanent climate catastrophe 🙄

      • Incognito 8.2.1

        devil

      • Siobhan 8.2.2

        You mean like the time Gail Bradbrook co-founder of Extinction Rebellion flew 11,000 miles to Costa Rica for holidays?.

        Which is actually fine with me, like Bradbrook says, “this is not about not flying or not eating meat, it’s a blend of many different things that need to happen, and the British people must be involved.”.

        Thats the point, lets not pretend we don't fly etc etc..we should all drop the false virtue signaling..which is like a free pass for mocking from the likes of Climaction, and start moving away from Climate Change all being blamed on Individual's and direct it at the real problems..and those with the power to bring real change, like our Governments.

        [if you are going to quote you have to link. Please provide a link now. – weka]

        • Gosman 8.2.2.1

          Your response highlights the weakness of the Extinction rebellion movement. There is no real substance behind what you are calling for beside some vague idea that we have to have "Urgent systematic change".

          • marty mars 8.2.2.1.1

            nah – whatever is said you will say it is not doable, affordable or that something needs to be done first or some other distract from doing anything. You are a waste of time.

            • Gosman 8.2.2.1.1.1

              I may well do that. However my views don't really matter. The point is unless you are willing to present a concrete proposal you are not going to be able to get people onboard. You may not like Farage personally or his politics but he at least did something concrete. There is a lesson to be learnt from that.

              • AB

                It's unreasonable to expect mass popular movements to have fully developed plans. Requiring them to do so is normally just a surreptitious means of discrediting them or shutting them down. I'm not at all impressed by Farage pulling this trick. However it's in the nature of such movements to transmute quickly, and sometimes disappear altogether. Therefore it could change into something that does have an operating framework of some sort. XR is not a corporation with top-down management where some honcho says "bring me a proposal by Friday." So let's wait and see – if you crave certainty and authority and a sense of being in control, then these times are not for you.

                The main problem with a people's assembly is how you constitute it. What it might do is pretty clear – create a broad CC response framework that binds future governments. It might mandate reaching the targets in the Paris accords (or more aggressive targets). And it probably should say something about how these targets are achieved – that the implementation must not increase inequality, must not increase economic insecurity for some and increase profits for others. That nobody is left behind, a just transition and all that. Things are fluid and nobody knows where this will go. If I had to pick I'd say it will be like Occupy – driven underground by police action. Then pop up again later in some new form.

                • Dukeofurl

                  Thats not correct, XR have a clear position

                  "We are facing an unprecedented global emergency. Life on Earth is in crisis: scientists agree we have entered a period of abrupt climate breakdown, and we are in the midst of a mass extinction of our own making."

                  https://rebellion.earth/the-truth/

                  None of its true 'as they are presenting it'. There is no emergency or mass extinction. This is why we have IPCC who dont say anything like that.

                  • weka

                    The scientific consensus in the 2014 IPCC Fifth Assessment Report is that:

                    A large fraction of both terrestrial and freshwater species faces increased extinction risk under projected climate change during and beyond the 21st century, especially as climate change interacts with other stressors, such as habitat modification, over-exploitation, pollution, and invasive species (high confidence). Extinction risk is increased under all RCP scenarios, with risk increasing with both magnitude and rate of climate change. Many species will be unable to track suitable climates under mid- and high-range rates of climate change (i.e., RCP4.5, 6.0, and 8.5) during the 21st century (medium confidence). Lower rates of change (i.e., RCP2.6) will pose fewer problems.

                    — IPCC, 2014

                    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extinction_risk_from_global_warming

                    • Poission

                      The emergent scientific opinion is Hallam and the cast from central casting have a weak grasp of the science .

                      https://twitter.com/KenCaldeira/status/1165329106201788416.

                    • weka []

                      “Mr. Hallam’s claim that “the science predicts” that six billion people are headed for slaughter and starvation by 2100 is simply not correct. No mainstream prediction indicates anywhere near this level of climate-change-induced human mortality, for any reason. The effects of war, disease, and weather disasters are somewhat harder to anticipate (and outside of my core expertise), so I will focus the remainder of my reply on food supply issues.”

                      Hardly a useful comparison then.

                      Edit: in other words, we’d need to see what Hallam was basing his assertion on, and consider it in the light of his role compared to the role of climate scientists.

                    • Poission

                      How about the promulgation of climate emergency politics is dangerous.

                      Declarations of emergencies create “states of exception,” often justified by governments under conditions of war, insurrection, or terrorist threat. Emergencies promise the mass mobilization of a jurisdiction’s full economic, social, and technical capacities to ward off an existential threat. Yet at the same time emergencies can threaten constitutional rights and justify the suspension of normal politics.

                      https://www.mikehulme.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Hulme-Climate-Emergency-Politics-Is-Dangerous-Fall-2019.pdf

                      The irony is mass arrests and internment would be justified under emergency powers.

                    • weka []

                      I agree this is an issue, and that how we frame and talk about the situation matters in terms of finding best solutions. I suspect this is some of the critique aimed at XR, that they may cause damage at the social level (beyond daily disruption). The solution to that is to build better framing, not deny the problem exists.

                      I’ve argued hard against Guy McPherson’s ‘we’re all going to die’ rhetoric, in part because he misuses science to say that it’s too late. But XR are presenting solutions, not a dead end. Hallam’s figure may well be hyperbole, but to know that we’d have to see the context. I had to do that with McPerson’s work when I decided to critique it, it wasn’t enough to just react against it.

                  • weka

                    For the major crops (wheat, rice, and maize) in tropical and temperate regions, climate change without adaptation will negativelyimpact production for local temperature increases of 2°C or more above late-20th-century levels, although individual locationsmay benefit (mediumconfidence). {7.4, Figure 7-4} Projected impacts vary across crops and regions and adaptation scenarios,with about 10% of projections for the period 2030–2049 showing yield gains of more than 10% and about 10% of projectionsshowing yield losses of more than 25%, compared to the late 20th century. {Figure 7-5} After 2050, the risk of more severeimpacts increases. {Figure 7-5} Regional Chapters 22 (Africa), 23 (Europe), 24 (Asia), 27 (Central and South America), and Box 7-1show crop production to be consistently and negatively affected by climate change in the future in low-latitude countries, whileclimate change may have positive or negative effects in northern latitudes (highconfidence).

                    https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/WGIIAR5-Chap7_FINAL.pdf

                  • weka

                    Afaik, IPCC projections are still based on mitigation that involves CCS tech that doesn't exist yet. You may be ok with banking the world on that, many of us are not.

                    The reasons why the IPCC hasn't been talking about the catastrophe until recently are interesting, but scientists, including ecology and climate scientists are definitely talking about climate change as an emergency.

                    But even the IPCC is now too,

                    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/08/global-warming-must-not-exceed-15c-warns-landmark-un-report

                  • AB

                    Gosman was critical of their lack of concrete action plans, not their lack of a clear position. Position and plan are different obviously.

                    • weka

                      Not sure what you mean there. XR's plans are clear (force the govt to meet their three demands). They have solid and evolving strategy on how to achieve that. What more is needed? It's not XR's job to solve climate change, that's for the government to do.

                    • Incognito []

                      One way of looking at is that XR is the conduit between the science/scientists and the policy/policy-makers. By attacking the conduit, some hope to sever the link and so avoid meaningful connection and action.

                    • weka []

                      Nice metaphor!

        • weka 8.2.2.2

          Singling out a 3 year old holiday trip strikes me as anti-virtue signalling 😉

          The reason that XR exists is because the government *isn't acting. It's individuals out there on the streets, individuals that vote, individuals that also have to change their minds and their lifestyles and their values if we want t avert catastrophe. I'm not sure why people think governments will act without people actually forcing them, but this is primary to what XR are doing.

          Individuals are also MPs, journalists, civil servants, police, who have kids and grandkids, and whose minds are being changed.

          Climaction's comments are easily countered because they're just trolling.

          • Climaction 8.2.2.2.1

            And XR’s actions are frustrating and don’t advance cause towards the aims XR pursues because “direct action” is too often countered by its own activists lack of any meaningful action except slogans and protests.

            Real climate people, like Robert guyton and boyan slat, walk the talk. Unlike al gore et al who seem to arrive miraculously in some new location to talk to everyone more. Their carbon use is ok right? Because their spreading the anti carbon message.

            this basic hypocrisy is at the heart of the antipathy towards the movements, when real people are doing real things but aren’t given the same validation as they aren’t climate celebrities.

            • weka 8.2.2.2.1.1

              There's plenty of critique of using carbon to prevent climate change and the reasons why that is complex. Al Gore was never going to save the world, but he was still useful in waking people up.

              My suggestion is you take the time to look at the founders of XR and see what they've been doing. Because it's not sitting around yelling slogans. You are way off base there.

              Not sure what your point is beyond that. I get that you personally don't like XR for some reason, but vague assertions of direct action being flawed don't really tell us much.

        • weka 8.2.2.3

          mod note for you Siobhan.

      • Climaction 8.2.3

        It seems to be very high. I've never met a climate protestor who didn't like a conference in a semi exotic location. like politicians in that respect.

        The real hard yards on climate change are being done by the unsung hero's like boyan slat. https://theoceancleanup.com/ and the farmers cleaning up there waterways with native plantings and.

        Not the attention seeking pseudo socialists getting misty eyed about another opportunity to prove their dedication to a cause via "Direct Action"

        But quiet, effective workers don't get cool headlines.

        • Drowsy M. Kram 8.2.3.1

          Climaction, how many climate protestors have you met?

          And how do you know that all or any of those you have met "like a conference in a semi exotic location"? Might you be projecting?

          Just curious – seems to be a rather absolute claim/stance.

  9. Aaron 9

    So what you are saying is that the police have decided to help XR with their aim of clogging up the court system. Now where's I put the popcorn?

    • Dukeofurl 9.1

      The previous protesters have been 'catch and release' for later minor court hearings.

      This is now more complicated

      "A total of 92 people connected to the Extinction Rebellion ‘Autumn Uprising’ protests have been charged with offences including failing to comply with a condition imposed under Section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, criminal damage, and obstruction of a highway.'

      Section 14 offences are much harsher punishment

      'A person guilty of an offence under subsection (4) is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale or both.

      (9)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (5) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

      (10)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (6) is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale or both .'

    • weka 9.2

      "So what you are saying is that the police have decided to help XR with their aim of clogging up the court system. Now where's I put the popcorn?"

      Indeed. Whether the UK goes authoritarian or decides to uphold civil liberties will be interesting to watch for sure. Not so much fun if they actually crack down and set a new precedent for controlling citizens' right to assemble.

  10. Yeah, seems way too hamfisted.

    You take away the right to peaceful demonstrations , you take away the voice of the people and their right to register their displeasure.

    Wrong, wrong , wrong.

    In my humble opinion, I believe the premise of the causes of global changes has been misrepresented,… owing to other causative effects, however,… you do NOT shut down honest debate by blanket , all sweeping powers that are unwarranted.

    This latest Police gesture needs to be put under scrutiny.

    We do not support an official line that leads to the undemocratic and unwarranted arrests of those with a differing view to elected officials , nor their use of the tax payer funded national policing force to enforce those arrests that betrays the very legal foundations upon which a democracy is foundered on.

    We do not support totalitarianism.

  11. weka 12

    Judicial review in court to see if the police ban was actually legal.

    https://twitter.com/damiengayle/status/1184408015530844160

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • At a glance – Does CO2 always correlate with temperature?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    3 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Tuesday, March 19:Kāinga Ora’s dry rot The Spinoff DailyBill McKibben on ‘Climate Superfunds’ making Big Oil pay for climate damage The Crucial YearsPreston Mui on returning to 1980s-style productivity growth NoahpinionAndy Boenau on NIMBYs needing unusual bedfellows Urbanism SpeakeasyNed Resnikoff's case ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 hours ago
  • Relentlessly negative
    Negative yesterday, negative today. Negative all year, according to one departing reader telling me I’ve grown strident and predictable. Fair enough. If it’s any help, every time I go to write about a certain topic that begins with C and ends with arrrrs, I do brace myself and ask: Again? Are ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 hours ago
  • Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    Bryce Edwards writes –  It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 hours ago
  • Promiscuous Empathy: Chris Trotter Replies To His Critics.
    Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played. “Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
    6 hours ago
  • Don’t run your business like a criminal enterprise
    The Detail this morning highlights the police's asset forfeiture case against convicted business criminal Ron Salter, who stands to have his business confiscated for systemic violations of health and safety law. Business are crying foul - but not for the reason you'd think. Instead of opposing the post-conviction punishment and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 hours ago
  • Misremembering Justinian’s Taxes.
    Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I - Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
    7 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    7 hours ago
  • Bishop scores headlines with crackdown on unwelcome tenants – but Peters scores, too, as tub-thump...
    Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    8 hours ago
  • Will it make the boat go faster?
    Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    11 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi The fact that a ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    12 hours ago
  • Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    12 hours ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' at 10:10am on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st Century The SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims Stuff Steve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    12 hours ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things on Tuesday, March 19
    It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    13 hours ago
  • New Life for Light Rail
    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    14 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    16 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    1 day ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-19T09:02:43+00:00