Labour hits the motherlode

Written By: - Date published: 7:16 am, September 13th, 2012 - 82 comments
Categories: auckland supercity, corruption, john banks, john key, local body elections - Tags:

The Police Report into the Banks.com affair, which Labour has distributed to the media, is a gold mine. Banks is shown to be a liar and completely unethical.

It’s a huge report and things will keep being discovered, but here’s some of the remarkable points so far:

Banks insisted that Dotcom’s donation be anonymised saying “I want to help you, Kim, and I can help you more effectively if no one knows about this donation”.

Then – having said that anonymous donations would let him help Dotcom – Banks used the donations, which he had just a few days earlier told media he didn’t remember, as an excuse not to help Dotcom while a minister:

Gregory Powers, a partner at Simpson Grierson, told police Mr Banks telephoned him in February – a few weeks after Dotcom was arrested on US anti-piracy charges.

Only a few days earlier he had told media he hardly knew the internet tycoon.

In fact, Dotcom gave a $50,000 donation to Mr Banks’ campaign to be Auckland supercity mayor in 2010, which was declared as anonymous.

A witness statement from Mr Powers reveals he contacted Mr Banks, by then MP for Epsom, on February 8, to ask for his help in getting an additional mattress for Dotcom’s Mt Eden cell. Mr Banks called back the next day.

“John Banks said that as much as [he] wished to publicly support Kim that may backfire on Kim if it became known about the election support,” Mr Powers said. “He said he was very supportive however of Kim’s case.”

Then, there’s the SkyCity donation, which Banks’ campaign ‘disguised’ at the request of SkyCity.

SkyCity executives told police they made the donation openly after meeting a request for money from Len Brown, now the super city’s mayor.

The treasurer later rang SkyCity’s legal department to ask if it was an “anonymous” donation.

A friend who worked there told him it should be disguised – leading to questions when the donation to Mr Brown was later revealed.

Banks is lying low now. Farrar is desperately trying to run distraction for the Government. So was David Carter when he timed the announcement of changes of the local government election rules to coincide with the release of the OIA.

Key has to sack Banks, or spend the rest of the year being kicked around the House.

82 comments on “Labour hits the motherlode ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Carol 1
    13 September 2012 at 7:52 am

    Hmmmm…. one wonders what sort of heckling Banks was getting from labour in the House yesterday during question time.

    At least a couple of times Banks complained to the Speaker about that unruly behaviour and noise coming from the opposition benches. He was quite indignant and uppity when he said that behaviour in the House had reached an unacceptable low.

    Mind you, if I was in the House with this government of anti-democratic, beneficiary hating, elitists and crony capitalists who are waging a viscous war on the poor…. I’d find it pretty hard not to loudly vent my anger at the government benches.

    Banks was also seeking financial support from people on the NBR rich list. Banks strikes me as not being the most intelligent MP we have, but he certainly has made a mission out of sucking up to the rich and powerful…. and he’s a bit of a sleaze with it

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7664819/John-Banks-told-lawyer-of-Dotcom-donation

    On meeting Dotcom’s wife, Mona, right, John Banks declared her “the most beautiful woman I have ever seen”. Dotcom told police: “I was surprised he would say that with his own wife [Amanda] present.”

  2. irascible 2
    13 September 2012 at 8:19 am

    Ethics and morality dont rank high in the behaviour and thinking of those who fly close to money speculators and other double dippers at any time. Banks has certainly demonstrated that, like Wong, it s a key essential in this government.

  3. Carol 3
    13 September 2012 at 8:36 am

    And Andrew Geddis reckons that the name of another donor to Banks has been redacted from the OI available on the NZ Herald site. He refers to section of the official information act, to support his argument that the name of this donor should be made available to the public:

    http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/why-dont-i-have-a-right-to-know-what-i-have-a-right-to-know

    At various places, there has been material redacted from the document the Police provided. That’s not unusual in itself – the Official Information Act allows for information to be witheld for a variety of reasons. But in this particular case, the information that has been blanked out includes the names of an individual donor to Banks’ campaign whose donation was listed by Banks as coming from an “anonymous” source, but that the Police concluded ought not to have been because he both knew the donor’s identity and the fact the donor had made the particular donation.

  4. Rosie 4
    13 September 2012 at 8:53 am

    “Key has to sack Banks, or spend the rest of the year being kicked around the house”……….

    You would expect so wouldn’t you. However I just listened to the weekly interview with Grant Robertson on Radio Active just now and when asked about the liklihood of JB being sacked Roberston repsonded saying he believes JK won’t sack JB as he needs his vote, and he needs his vote especially for asset sales, otherwise he “will be beholden to the Maori Party……….”

    He also went on to say that he feels JK’s view is that “if you can get away with it, then theres no harm done” and with the track record of questionable ethics and behaviour and breaches of protocol over the last 4 years from JK himself and his ministers that seems like a reasonable estimation of JK’s attitude. They’ve lowered the standards and they don’t care so I’m thinking, is JK really going to let the 126 page police report into JB’s dodgy donations saga get in his way?

    • SpaceMonkey 4.1
      13 September 2012 at 10:17 am

      JK’s view is that “if you can get away with it, then theres no harm done” and with the track record of questionable ethics and behaviour and breaches of protocol over the last 4 years from JK himself and his ministers that seems like a reasonable estimation of JK’s attitude. They’ve lowered the standards and they don’t care so I’m thinking, is JK really going to let the 126 page police report into JB’s dodgy donations saga get in his way?

      Of course he’s not… he needs Banksies vote. But that attitude is completely consistent with other Wall St and City of London psychpaths who adhere to the view that criminal and illegal behaviour in finance is victimless crime.

    • Dr Terry 4.2
      13 September 2012 at 11:39 am

      Key has urgently “needed” Banks from the time of the infamous tea-party. What would it take for Key to sack him?

  5. Tiger Mountain 5
    13 September 2012 at 9:05 am

    There is more digging to be done on Banksie. Who stole his Harley motorcycle and why, for a starter. C’mon you journos.

    • tc 5.1
      13 September 2012 at 1:32 pm

      Yup and a good time for some alleged footage where our creationist charter school fan boy indulges his desires and highlighting his double standards further.

      Key could sack him as a minister and look all tough and righteous but the sleeze will still vote with them so I’m not seeing anything short of removal as an MP as meaningful.

    • HalfCrown Millionare 5.2
      13 September 2012 at 7:13 pm

      You are not going to get any “indepth investigative reporting” by the so called MSM journos of today. Remember Helengate over the signed painting, and the big stir that went on for weeks. Why? because she was from the left. You will not get the same amount of coverage if it is against one of their lover boys from the right. On TV1 pathetic excuse of a news channel tonight they “just” reported about Banks and how people are protesting. Oh Hum, more important things to report, move on, nothing to see as we have more important news item like the Tiddlywink Championship somewhere. That’s about the level of coverage you are going to get from these right wing pathetic excuse of journo arsholes.

      • gobsmacked 5.2.1
        13 September 2012 at 7:28 pm

        Did you see the front page of the Herald today?

        Did you see the reporting on Banks/Dotcom done by Campbell Live? Over months?

        Yes, One News and Close-Up are poor, but it’s simply a cop-out to blame all the MSM journos. They are paid far less than the MPs whose job it is to hold the government to account. But in many cases, they have done a better job than some (not all) of those MPs.

    • Hami Shearlie 5.3
      13 September 2012 at 10:54 pm

      I’ve heard rumours of a surveillence videotape showing Mr Banks in a “bad light”!! Anyone know anything about this?

  6. xtasy 6
    13 September 2012 at 9:18 am

    Banks is a total idiot and the tragic clown of Parliament now. He deserves nothing else. His whole life he was a staunch right-winger within National, crusading against crime, poor morals, gambling, drinking and corrupt practices, look at him now.

    He went into local body politics in Auckland, was mayor during the explosion of apartment buildings within the CBD, and many of these have since been exposed as “leaky buildings”, rotting from the inside. He has always favoured private enterprise, privatisation and he supported that in local and national politics.

    Himself being in business, he has run restaurants and other outfits selling alcoholic beverages, while he rallied against alcohol abuse and liberalisation of the law. He was involved with Huljich – an investment company, where some director(s) were convicted of fraudulent behaviour.

    Losing the Auckland mayoralty to Len Brown he was in a vacuum, then jumped at the chance to join the ACT Party. With Brash he was involved in the coup of ACT by National, then stood for Epsom, and as his voter base was not strong enough, he consulted Key over the famous “cuppa” to excite the media and to get public attention. We know what happened re that.

    Before that incident he lobbied for donations while running for mayor of Auckland, getting cosy with Dotcom, a mega rich new resident, whom he was going to help by the looks of things. Donations were solicited, and Dotcom states this clearly in the evidence supplied to the police.

    Yet now “Banksie” goes around saying he was a “victim” of the law, which was “an ass”. He dares to take the attack mode of defence and tries to distract from what really happened, and why police let him off. So he tries to moralise in Parliament, but only making a dick of himself.

    This O.I.A. exposed police report comes at the right time, to put him back into his place.

    Bizarre was also, that Banks as ACT MP, who always was critical of homosexual law reform, and who as a supposed Christian strongly upholds “traditional” marriage and other “values”, was forced to vote in favour of the passing of the 1st reading of the gay marriage law proposals.

    I hope that one day a comedy movie will be made of this man. I am sure Kim Dotcom has the resources and ideas to make this another great “HIT”. It may be a kind of “tragic comedy”, it there is such.

    His conduct only increases the contempt I and surely many others must have – not only towards this man, but adds to that towards a fair few others sitting in Parliament without good reason, except for having conned voters into getting them in there.

    • Carol 6.1
      13 September 2012 at 9:38 am

      And this corrupt hypocritical, sycophantic clown has been awarded these honours:

      http://www.act.org.nz/john-banks

      John was awarded the Companion of the Queen’s Service Order (QSO) for public service in the Year 2000 New Year’s Honours. In the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2011 he was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for service to local government.

      Makes a mockery of the honours system….. or maybe not? Maybe just shows what a farce the whole system is.

      • xtasy 6.1.1
        13 September 2012 at 9:54 am

        Remember the days of the Cold War, those that have been around those times. In many “western” countries, including NZ, the mickey was taken out of the awards of the types of “hero of labour”, “hero of diligent work” or other achievements in some communist countries then.

        You are right, one should take the mickey out of the Queen’s Honour system and what else there may be around. Abolish this whole crap, as too often the “dignitaries” and “long serving” bureaucrats, politicians and business “heros” tend to get awarded, same as mercenary soldiers fighting wars somewhere in faraway places no-one here has any direct connections with.

      • Dr Terry 6.1.2
        13 September 2012 at 11:41 am

        Carol, the entire honours system is a mockery of human kind.

      • starlight 6.1.3
        13 September 2012 at 11:50 am

        Yes and how is the speaker of the house going to call banks ‘honourable’
        it makes a mockery of that as well.

    • mike 6.2
      13 September 2012 at 11:05 am

      He is the Tony Blair of NZ politics. Brazenly standing up to self-righteously rail against the short comings of others, even as a mountain of evidence that he is a lying sack of dung rains down on him. He will only shout louder that he is the victim and it’s all so unfair, thus looking more and more like the nasty, ugly man that he is. You reap what you sow.

      John Key where’s your ‘higher ethical standards’ now?

      “Er well, of course I place the utmost importance on ethical standards. But akshully, the reality is, at the end of the day, the truth is, the important thing is what’s best for NZ. I need John Banks to push through the asset sales which NZ doesn’t want, so I have to put my master plan, I mean the interests of NZ, above ethics. I mean ethics are a nice idea, but often they just aren’t practical. They aren’t even real anyway. Ackshully he hasn’t been charged so that’s good enough for me. I have very high ethical standards.”

      • Dr Terry 6.2.1
        13 September 2012 at 11:43 am

        mike, ideally a bad person would reap what he sows. This entire Government deserves that, but unfortunately it never seems to happen, whatever it sows!

  7. Ed 7
    13 September 2012 at 9:27 am

    The rot started from the second in charge, Bill English and has permeated this Govt since.

    This Govt makes Robert Mugabe look good.

  8. xtasy 8
    13 September 2012 at 9:45 am

    The report again reveals, which had been mentioned in the media before, that the case could basically not be pursued by the police, due to provisions of section 14 of the Summary Proceedings Act 1957, which requires that information must be laid within 6 months for summary offences.

    Evidence would due to that mere reason have been “inadmissible”.

    Following from that the information provided to back up the allegations agains Banks did not meet the threshold required by section 134 (1) of the Local Electoral Act 2001.

    That is all that “let Banks off the hook” so to say.

    But the law is being used not only in such cases, to “defend” illegal actions by some.

    Why do we not hear any follow up reporting and public discussion about a revealing story on ’60 minutes’ on TV3 on 09 Sept. 2012, which revealed what ACC and their various assessors have been up to? I hear little or nothing, even the politicians are very quiet on this.

    Well, one can have expected that certain top lawyers would have been engaged right away, to send off letters to TV3 and other media companies and institutions, probably “warning” them NOT to make “false”, “slanderous” allegations or accusations.

    NZ is officially a democracy, but looking at the greater picture, it becomes very, very clear:

    Those that have the INCOME and connections, to get the best lawyers in the country, they get away with breaking statutory, common and other law, with ignoring natural justice and even committing criminal offences in some cases, because they can “afford” to “access justice”, while the right to that under the NZ Bill of Rights Act has been hollowed out even further by recent restrictions to legal aid.

    The top guys get off before the courts in too many cases, while the youth in South Auckland get pulled before the courts and convicted en masse for “disorderly behaviour” or whatever.

    Who rules and runs this country, any more questions?

  9. Carol 9
    13 September 2012 at 10:03 am

    xtasy @9.45am
    There have been press releases and questions asked in parliament on the ACC assessors, following that 60 minutes doco. But the media haven’t made that much of it:

    Green Party press release:
    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1209/S00112/independent-medical-assessments-must-be-a-top-priority.htm

    But it did get some media coverage:

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7637014/ACC-pays-millions-to-send-its-hatchets

    But I guess opposition parties have been more focused on poverty and especially child poverty. But I can see why this might be.

    • xtasy 9.1
      13 September 2012 at 10:28 pm

      Carol – I got all that, sadly this site went down while I tried to post a response..

      Yes, I watched question time and Kevin Hague put the questions to poodle like Collins, she only dared to argue a couple of questions, trying to justify the high spending on assessors, by trying to say, they are elite staff, deserve this kind of pay and are hard to get.

      Distraction, bull shit and more is my answer. They are ripping off the system society an d tax payer, knowing full well they get away with it.

      Fuck outsourcing I’d say.
      Re Banks read Dotcom’s comment s in the report, I am sure you did not ask, but that other post must be clear.

      Lies, lies, deception and crap is sadly the media story here, but some new story may hit the weekend. I am working on it overtime!

  10. tsmithfield 10
    13 September 2012 at 10:16 am

    Bank’s biggest problem is his efforts to explain the situation after the event.

    He could have easily come out and said that he had solicited donations from the likes of Dotcom, knew the donations were being made, but that he had signed off the return within the rules. This is precisely what the police have found, and the reason he is not being charged.

    • SpaceMonkey 10.1
      13 September 2012 at 10:21 am

      Bank’s biggest problem is his efforts to explain the situation after the event.

      Because he knew what he did was wrong.

    • framu 10.2
      13 September 2012 at 11:49 am

      “but that he had signed off the return within the rules”

      – err… i thought they said they didnt have enough evidence to be sure of proving it.

      IE: proving what banks knew or not (in regards to him signing off on the forms) in court was going to be difficult without a smoking gun

      thats nowhere near “within the rules”

      Banks biggest problem is that he knowingly and cynically broke the rules, then made up a big bunch of BS in an effort to get out of being snapped for it

    • Draco T Bastard 10.3
      13 September 2012 at 1:43 pm

      Bank’s biggest problem, and it seems one that’s endemic to the political right and you’re excusing him is further proof of it, is that he’s corrupt.

    • mike e 10.4
      13 September 2012 at 5:11 pm

      The Silly Monetarist the police don’t want to get involved in politics these are the people that pay them.
      We need an independent commissioner ie the ombudsmen to clarify and prosecute corruption and illegal lobbying.

    • felix 10.5
      13 September 2012 at 8:32 pm

      “This is precisely what the police have found, and the reason he is not being charged.”

      Lies from tsmith. The police said the reason he’s not being charged is because the time frame within which charges for those particular offenses could be laid had expired by the time the police investigated them.

  11. alex 11
    13 September 2012 at 10:49 am

    Don’t gloat about who tripped him up, just focus on what he actually did.

  12. captain hook 12
    13 September 2012 at 11:13 am

    banks looks like he’s almost senile now anyway.

  13. starlight 13
    13 September 2012 at 11:38 am

    NZ’ers knew all along that he was ‘fudging’ the truth,playing an actors game of ‘loosing
    his memory’ this only goes to show how the man operates.
    In parliament it is hypocritical of him to fire arrows at anyone because there is
    dozens comming back at him.
    Shall we see him front up in parliament today?
    He may have to answer a ‘question’ or two,or three,or four and so on.
    He should resign,he should have already resigned,but the tax payers will
    pay him,no problems.

  14. Carol 14
    13 September 2012 at 11:39 am

    And will Labour be able to really nail the questions in Question time today?

    http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QOA/2/f/3/00HOH_OralQuestions-List-of-questions-for-oral-answer.htm

    3. GRANT ROBERTSON to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his reported statement of 1 May 2012 that if Hon John Banks had lied over a donation from Kim Dotcom then he would be sacked from Cabinet?

    Of course, being a Thursday, it won’t be Key answering in person.
    And for xtasy above, from the Greens:

    4. KEVIN HAGUE to the Minister for ACC: Does she agree with Peter Trapski’s recommendation in his 1994 Report of that “the Corporation must ensure that the opinions it obtains from medical practitioners are independent, not only of the claimant, but also of the Corporation, and that they are seen to be so”?

    • gobsmacked 14.1
      13 September 2012 at 2:47 pm

      Robertson’s questions were too long-winded. Mallard’s were better.

      Joyce just stonewalled, but Labour still see this as an Insider’s Game. (A point of order from Robertson about irrelevance was itself irrelevant – focus, focus, focus … if it’s not reaching outside the chamber, it doesn’t matter. Will they ever get that?).

      It’s more difficult when somebody else is answering on behalf of the PM (it gives the Minister an out, and Joyce took it), but still, it’s their job to learn how to do that effectively.

      1. “Has the PM read the file?” (no more extra bits, just short and sharp)
      2. “Will the PM read the file?”
      3. “Why won’t the PM read the file?”

      etc

      That gets on the TV/radio news. Rambling multi-clause questions don’t.

      Now we have to wait until Tuesday at the earliest.

    • Glg 14.2
      14 September 2012 at 6:49 am

      So why does Key never show on Thursdays? Is it his golf day with crony capitalists?

  15. CnrJoe 15
    13 September 2012 at 12:13 pm

    anonymous donators unite!

  16. Steve Wrathall 16
    13 September 2012 at 12:29 pm

    Of course, what Banksie should have done is just steal public money to pay for his campaign, and then retrospectively change the law, like Helen Clark did.

    • framu 16.1
      13 September 2012 at 12:33 pm

      can i get a “retrospective!”

      shit mate – even burts stopped going on about that one

      you missed out other key words though “dyk0cracy” “Liarb0re” “paintergate” – c’mon i know you want to say them – out with it

    • Te Reo Putake 16.2
      13 September 2012 at 12:37 pm

      Can someone find a hanky for Steve? His tears are dripping all over his taxpayer purchased keyboard.

    • mike 16.3
      13 September 2012 at 1:32 pm

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hominem

      “An ad hominem (Latin for “to the man”), short for argumentum ad hominem, is an attempt to negate the truth of a claim by pointing out a negative characteristic or unrelated belief of the person supporting it.[1] Ad hominem reasoning is normally described as a logical fallacy,[2][3][4] more precisely an informal fallacy and an irrelevance.”

    • tc 16.4
      13 September 2012 at 1:33 pm

      How’s life under the bridge Steve ?

    • mike 16.5
      13 September 2012 at 1:37 pm

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet)

      “In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory,[3] extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as a forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response[4] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.”

    • HalfCrown Millionare 16.6
      13 September 2012 at 7:21 pm

      change the law, like Helen Clark did.

      And how was that then sunshine, When did Clark change the law to cover a criminal offence?

    • North 16.7
      13 September 2012 at 8:11 pm

      Sick, sick, sick apologist Wrathall. What planet are you on mate ?

    • mike e 16.8
      13 September 2012 at 10:57 pm

      They paid the whole amount back Steve Rat will out of their MP’s salaries.
      Just look at all the National Troughers and hacks on the govts teat receiving ridiculous sums for f all work it makes labours indiscretions look paltry.

  17. McButturt 17
    13 September 2012 at 1:39 pm

    I wonder what the obedient votes of Epsom make of all this? Are they disappointed their Prime Minister instructed them to vote for this charlatan? Are they ashamed? Do they feel used? Are they walking funny and feel the need to take a long hot shower?

  18. Fortran 18
    13 September 2012 at 1:51 pm

    Banks is a fool – he should have channelled any funds through a Trust Fund like Len Brown
    then there can be no questions to answer.
    Thought he had more brains but no.

  19. gobsmacked 19
    13 September 2012 at 1:52 pm

    Banks must stay! Banks must stay!

    He’s a permanent reminder of John Key’s promise to “look a Minister in the eye”, his empty promises in opposition

    He brings out the imbeciles like Steve W who try and defend the indefensible

    He kills charter schools stone-dead (Banks is the salesman, and nobody smart is buying)

    He is inextricably linked to Kim Dotcom, who is never out of the media – the public see Kim, they think “Banks”, and then they see Banks and Key together

    He is Epsom and ACT and the cup of tea and the attack on the media and everything that went wrong for National in the last election campaign

    Banks is Santa!

    • tc 19.1
      13 September 2012 at 5:22 pm

      +1 keeping him around is an albatross that will continue to decay and stench.

      Then there’s banks own ability to sail foot into mouth.

  20. Dv 20
    13 September 2012 at 2:10 pm

    http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/

    Noright turn has an interesting comment

    “it looks like Banks explicitly linked donations to influence:

    Mr Banks asked mutli-millionaire Kim Dotcom for two payments of that exact amount so that he would not have to declare where they came from, the internet tycoon told police.
    Dotcom said Mr Banks told him: “I want to help you, Kim, and I can help you more effectively if no one knows about this donation.”

    This isn’t just evidence that Banks solicited the donations – it is evidence of corrupt intent. “Cash for favours” has no place in our political system, and any politician who promises it must be driven out. Banks should be sacked from Cabinet and disowned by the ACT Party. If either refuses to do so, then it should be taken as support for this sort of corruption.

  21. Treetop 21
    13 September 2012 at 4:01 pm

    The only person who cannot see being caught having their fingers in the cookie jar is Banks.

  22. ianmac 22
    13 September 2012 at 4:02 pm

    The Herald: 3:45pm By David Fisher and Andrew Koubaridis

    Today Mr Key said: “Nothing has changed when it comes to (our earlier) position. I haven’t read the full (police) report, I’ve seen what’s in the media … Look, this is a politically motivated attack from Labour and really where they should have put their political energy is changing the law. It is very, very broad, unworkable law and that’s why the Government is changing it now.”

    Asked if he still had confidence in Mr Banks, he said: “Yes absolutely.”

    The Prime Minister said Mr Banks hadn’t broken the law and his position on the matter hadn’t changed……..
    ….He said he did not plan to read the police file and it was a matter for Mr Banks whether he released a statement made to police.

    Now that must be great Prime Ministerial stuff. He is blind and cannot hear.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10833792

    • mike 22.1
      13 September 2012 at 4:28 pm

      Big surprise.

      • McFlock 22.1.1
        13 September 2012 at 5:12 pm

        Learned a great lesson from Yoda Banks, has he. Read not, there is no culpability, hmm? But read the memo, and to face great peril you will. A true Jedi signs all documents while blindfolded, guided by the Force he is.
                

  23. the pink postman 23
    13 September 2012 at 4:08 pm

    What I would like to know is what has “honest John” done to upset Dot.Com. ?

  24. Jackal 24
    13 September 2012 at 4:10 pm

    John Banks guilty as sin

    If John Key fails to act, the “higher ethical standards” he talked about effectively mean nothing…

    • tc 24.1
      13 September 2012 at 5:26 pm

      They’ve meant nothing since half way through the first term, Wong, Worth, Heatley, Double Dipton, Basher leaking and anyway he meant higher ethical standards as far as a money trader is concerned.

      So about the level of a robbers dog.

    • Draco T Bastard 24.2
      13 September 2012 at 6:20 pm

      They always meant nothing.

    • North 24.3
      13 September 2012 at 9:02 pm

      The weak faced bastard will keep on doing it because presently he can get away with it. Thank you MSM (for which acronym I read Mealy-Mouthed-Suck-Up-Merchants).

      And please, let no one of the Left go tut tut tutting that he’s the PM and deserves respect.

      He deserves contempt. Contempt matching the contempt in which he holds this nation and its people.

      And near equally his mindless, hate-mongering lap-girl Benefit and the insufferably vacuous potato Hek Yeah. Their only mitigation is that being thick they know not what they do.

      Principle, honour, mana – all matter nothing. Just spend the peoples’ money mouthing off with whatever some anonymous, overpriced consultant says will work.

      My God how we need the Harawiras and the Campbells and a handful of sturdy others.

  25. infused 25
    13 September 2012 at 4:45 pm

    That’s the best photoshop I’ve seen in awhile.

  26. Southern Limits 26
    13 September 2012 at 4:54 pm

    Here we are:

    PM refuses to sack John Banks

    “Prime minister John Key has refused to sack minister John Banks over fresh revelations about his campaign donations.”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7671693/PM-refuses-to-sack-John-Banks

    • mike e 26.1
      13 September 2012 at 5:15 pm

      The smile and wave doesn’t live up to the higher standards he promised his govt was going to enforce!
      just another broken promise how many is that now I’ve lost count!

    • framu 26.2
      13 September 2012 at 5:18 pm

      which is probably the best result as it keeps the issue alive and further shifts the public’s impression of both banks and key further to the negative side for a longer sustained period.

      If key had sacked him yeah he would be a vote down – but would probably get a bounce in the polls and lots of nice “ooh hes so decisive” media coverage

      all we need now is a site where you can fill out a ‘cash for favours” request that gets sent to banks and key 🙂

      • ianmac 26.2.1
        13 September 2012 at 5:24 pm

        He might not be a vote down as Key cannot dismiss an elected MP, but he could fire him from his cabinet. But the strange Mr Banks might go wild (er) and not follow instructions. Actually it might cause a by-election should Banks get the pip and resign. What a come-down from the heights that would be.

  27. Dv 27
    13 September 2012 at 5:46 pm

    In fact if Banks did resign, the nact could probably get a nat for epsom before the mighty river float.

  28. Toosense 28
    13 September 2012 at 9:14 pm

    When the hell is someone from the Opposition going to stand up and say enough!
    When the hell are New Zealanders going to take to the streets and start demanding some transparency and honesty from these despicable politicians?

  29. irascible 29
    14 September 2012 at 7:51 am

    Money traders, like KeY, are not noted for higher ethical principles other than manipulating others for their own benefit.Demanding high standards from people like KeY & Banks is asking for the impossible as their careers have been built on having none.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-01T08:14:06+00:00