Government reneges on Pike River

Written By: - Date published: 8:04 am, March 13th, 2011 - 38 comments
Categories: same old national - Tags: ,

Gerry Brownlee promised the West Coast a stimulus package.  “The government” has now ruled that out.  John Key never fronts bad news (see: Christchurch’s hopes of still hosting RWC games) to keep his nice-guy persona shiny, but in this case no-one wants to front it.

Pike River Coal’s 80 contractors and suppliers – many who lost workmates and friends – are owed about $7 million and were told they’d get government help – but instead they seem to be getting government neglect.

The government may yet fund an Events Centre as a memorial to the 29 dead, and try and get as many of the out-of-pocket contractors to work on it as they can.  But the work will be a lot less than the debts the contractors face, and mine workers aren’t necessarily Events Centre builders.

The question has to be asked – if the government is willing to leave the victims of the Pike River disaster in the lurch, how much can those in Christchurch trust the government’s promises to look after them?

38 comments on “Government reneges on Pike River ”

  1. tc 1

    You can trust brand key as much as you can trust any banker. The GFC has shown this lot to be without shame or morality

  2. vto 2

    Key is on a hiding to nothing imo. This will cement the return to the Coast’s political roots that the tragedy began.

    If fact, I wonder whether Key is now fretting and that this is one of the reasons the memorial service for Christchurch is being carried out with undue haste. Key wants rebuild etc to get underway asap lest the despair of the looming long winter cements the same return to political roots in Christchurch’s east. And southeast, always a close one.

    Has anyone adequately explained the reason for the undue haste of the memorial?? It is way too soon. Foolish to such an extent that I am left in wonder. And hence doubt.

    • IrishBill 2.1

      My suspicion is that the government wants a symbolic event because that’s what they are comfortable with – symbolism.

      I note that Key is backpedaling on the stimulus package now and claiming there may still be one (despite not having any detailed official advice on one) his use of the phrase “kicking around some ideas” is so inappropriate it would be funny if the matter wasn’t so serious. Key is fast becoming the Ricky Gervais of politics.

    • handle 2.2

      Undue haste?
      The prince was free that day? The photo opportunity rules.

    • ianmac 2.3

      The Prince was going to visit the Australian flood aftermath. Key team saw a photo-op so invited the Prince here as well, not because the timing was right, but because it fitted in with the Prince’s planned trip and to avoid clashing with the Prince’s wedding plans. Think of the opportunity to be photographed snuggling up to a Royal!

    • bbfloyd 2.4

      vto… as far as i can judge, it was to take advantage of williams visit downunder. another great photo op.

      • vto 2.4.1

        Well if the memorial service was designed to fit around Prince William’s visit then that is appalling. Good to know where the residents of Christchurch fit into the scheme of things.

        It would be interesting to know Key’s given reason for this date.

    • James 2.5

      It seems the timing of the memorial day & service was prompted by Prince William’s visit down under initially to pay respects to flood-ravaged Queensland. The opportunity for a photo-op with royalty was undoubtedly too good to miss. Very few people in ChCh I’ve spoken to seem to think that this is an appropriate time,

      • vto 2.5.1

        James, I do not know of one who thinks it is right. The opinions range from “its just dumb and ignorant” to “well, its gotta be done sometime, at least it helps us move on… etc” (i.e. making excuses while knowing it is wrong).

        What a wanker Key is if he has done it to fit in with Prince William.

  3. Fisiani 3

    Remind me. How much borrowed money did Phil Goff say Labour would impose on taxpayers to splash around on the West Coast purely to try to win back the West Coast electorate and attempt to win in November.
    Was it a) $50 million
    b)$100 million
    c)$500 million
    d)$5000 million

    • Pascal's bookie 3.1

      Remind me. John Key gave a widely praised speech in Greymouth that was said to appropriately capture the mood of the Nation with regard to the west coast after the PRC disaster. Did he say:

      a) “A country where we are our all our brothers keeper.”

      b) “The cake is a lie”

      c) “The coasters are self reliant people who do not need or ask for assistance, and we will not be delivering any.”

      d) “I would like to take this opportunity to ask the people of the west coast if they would like to come up see my etchings? Now watch me fuck this cat.”

      • Lanthanide 3.1.1

        I’m not sure if GLADoS would be a worse PM or not. She’d definitely insist on scientific rigour for all decisions made, but she’s probably a bit more psychopathic than John Key is.

      • about 3.1.2

        it was D Now watch me fuck this cat.
        Gerry(Cat) Brownlee
        Why you up for a bit Fisicat

    • Mac1 3.2

      Fisiani, you disappoint me- no reference to your glorious leader, as you normally do.

      But then, he didn’t front on the issue of reneging either.

      As for your comment, your point (apart from diversion) relating to the post is?

      • bbfloyd 3.2.1

        mac…. you know you shouldn’t mock the afflicted… fisiani has a rare form of turettes syndrome…

        he is relatively normal untill he is challenged to think with his cerebrum rather than his rump.

      • Rob 3.2.2

        Doesn’t disppoint me. His posts serve as a regular reminder why I’ll never vote National again.

        I’d rather see money splashed around in communities suffering from disaster than splashed around on new BMW’s, providing deferred loans to media companies, bailing out finance companies or giving tax cuts to high-income earners.

  4. Draco T Bastard 4

    This government will happily leave the entire country in the lurch as long as they can give themselves tax cuts…

    • bbfloyd 4.1

      but not before sorting out career options for after the shit hits the fan..(ambassador,consultant, standup comedian,etc)

      • todd 4.1.1

        One has to wonder how much damage a lack of proper leadership and blatant lying to score cheap political points is going to cause this country. If these people are willing to lie to those most in need of help while giving their rich mates financial benefits at the taxpayers expense, I wouldn’t put anything past them. It’s no laughing matter, Shonkey would fail as a comedian just as he is failing as a leader.

    • Deadly_NZ 4.2

      And how far up shit creek in a barbed wire canoe are we going to be if Key and his Larcenous mates steal/sell our power stations????

  5. g says 5

    the hypocricy continues because if you are to question politicians at the time as to their motives you are told ….this is not the time for politics… and yet that is exactly what they appear to be doing… photo op after photo op…
    at the time (pike river) the idea that the state would stand by these workers and contractors seemed appropriate and right (and politically expedient). now it doesnt seem to fit into the budget.

    • bbfloyd 5.1

      G….. “the budget” is a political expediency itself. it will be used as camouflage to cover asset/income stripping whenever the public start to question the motives of the nat govts actions…

      traditional national m.o. traditional media complience helping to cheer it on.

  6. JohnDee 6

    Whow Fisi, so of topic and so out of rhetoric.

  7. Keys agenda is that he is not worried about small business. Only the fat cats e.g. power companies, Fletchers, Fonterra … The six week package for small business in Christchurch is to decrease the unemployment figures as this will give some people the chance to find work else where.

  8. Irascible 8

    Key has lost the ball on Pike River, he will soon lose the ball on Christchurch as soon as he has been photographed shaking hands with a Willie in Hagley Park.
    His next game will be from the Ohio State Governor’s playbook as he works to destroy the NZ economy in the name of asset stripping in an “emergency.”

    • joe90 8.1

      Maddow on how democracy is being dismantled state by state..

      • bbfloyd 8.1.1

        frightening to think that decades of struggle to give workers a bit of dignity and hope for a better future for their children could be wiped out…. my heart goes out to the hero’s of wisconsin

  9. Jum 9

    captcha: manipulation – and so it goes on – Hide, the honest face of JKeyll, tells us that we should be welcoming the open cast mining of Pike River Mine. Is there no depths that this government will not stoop to to make their money from misery?

    Hide actually got starry eyed as he rattled off the billions to be made on the grave of the workers.

    Really sick-making.

    • handle 9.1

      Pike River is not geotechnically right for open cast mining anyway. Hide is just a blowhard.

      • Jum 9.1.1

        Handle – the important point here is that He is Key’s voice, just as he was for the Auckland asset takeover. Key is the idiot ‘blowhard’. It’s all about money, honey.

  10. Jenny 10

    “If blood be the price of your accursed wealth then we have bought it fair.” Banner carried by unemployed hunger marchers to parliament in the Great Depression.

    “Why should we stop mining because of a couple of accidents.” Rodney Hide

    3 News, Sunday, March 13

    The words of a callous, self centred, political thug who as part of this government reneged on the promise to give a stimulus package to West Coast. And now in obscene disrespect of the dead and in defiance of the democratic will of the majority of New Zealanders, is now calling for an open cast mine.

    This political representative of the greedy knows nothing of respect, decency democracy, or honesty.

    All this parasite can see is the profits that can be made from this dirty and dangerous 19th Century technology for the wealthy investors parasites who will never have to enter a mine themselves.

    Environmentalists and mining families should join together to say the price is to high and demand that the original promised aid should be sent to the coast to fund sustainable 21st Century sustainable industries, so that young men no longer have to risk their lives in this 19th Century industry that is also destroying our planet.

    Environmentalists and miners should unite to demand that the government honour their original commitment to the West Coast.

    Let’s tell this rat bag, “Pike River is closed for business”

  11. Maggie 11

    This is the type of mess which results from having a government stacked with Miinisters who make policy on the run and constantly tell people what they want to hear.

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-29T12:21:51+00:00