New Gov. General – Dame Patsy Reddy
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2:31 pm, March 22nd, 2016 - 32 comments
Categories: Politics -
Tags: dame patsy reddy, Governor General
Key has appointed a new Governor General, Dame Patsy Reddy:
Who is Dame Patsy Reddy, and what will she do as Governor-General?
Prime Minister John Key has announced that lawyer and Crown negotiator Dame Patsy Reddy will be New Zealand’s next Governor-General.
…
Reddy is a lawyer, director, reviewer and Crown negotiator, who most recently hit the headlines for her work on a review of New Zealand’s spy agencies with Sir Michael Cullen. …
As I/S at No Right Turn points out:
Today the Prime Minister announced the appointment of Patsy Reddy as the next Governor-General. Like her predecessors, I’m sure she’ll do a fine job, which basicly involves holding a lot of garden parties and signing whatever is put in front of her. But once again, its worth remembering: she has no democratic legitimacy.
The Governor-General is not elected, and they’re not approved by Parliament. Instead, they were chosen by one man, John Key, shoulder-tapped in secret. And that’s simply not appropriate in a modern democratic state. …
Time we looked at a better process.
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here! here! +100
I too am sure she’ll do the job well starting in 6 months
But could someone tell me what the GG actually does? …and why do we have a ‘ head of state when we have already elected such competent people to run our country?
Incidentally..Nice timing Mr Key.
wow the GG gets over 340K a year
nice job if you can get it I guess
Salary of Governor-General
The salary payable to the Governor-General under section 5(1) of the Governor-General Act 2010 is $348,000 a year.
http://www.legislation.govt.nz
And it’s not taxable: Just like the Queen.
I was told stories by the children of one GG about how things like brand new his and hers Merc’s were purchased tax free at government prices. Oh, and that was a month or two before their tenure ended.
Given that accomodation, food, travel, clothing, cleaners and cooks are all supplied, that $340k is probably all free cash, along with any other income they may have.
With a name like Patsy Reddy, is it unreasonable to suggest, as her name implies, that yes, she will be and that yes, she is? .
Bummer… just tuned in and Bill has beaten me to it.
John Key’s “patsy” is my retort.
Bill.. Good one!
My thoughts also
No Right Turn is pitch perfect on this one.
Is anybody ever going to clean up this mess we call the government of NZ?
My first suggestion: The speaker of the house should be non-political, probably a judge. Then we could have genuine debates in parliament in which ministers are required to answer questions or they are found in contempt and expelled from the chamber.
My second suggestion: Do away with the governor general and stop wasting money. For $340,000 anyone would be happy to go to garden parties and make small talk.
What a great 19th century form of government we have!
The Speaker of the House needs to be a state employee with all the non-partisan rigour that our state services are supposed to have. It should definitely not be an MP assigned by the government.
It’s 17th century.
I think the Labour Party would probably think Phillip Reweti Bear might be a good pick for Speaker.
He’d keep that Paula Bennett properly in check.
Yeah totally agree would be step in the right direction. Am a kiwi
Time we shifted to become a republic with an elected head of state. One with teeth that can ensure that parliament is doing what the people of NZ want it to do.
What process would that be Draco? You mean like the flag referendum?
What teeth would they be? Maybe we could become a Republic like the US, where everything is as the people want it and government is owned by Wall Street and Big B usiness, shades of TPPA.
No. One with actual discussion probably taking years.
We’re already like the USA. The idea is to become unlike them.
Agree, I’m merely pointing out that becoming a republic is not necessarily going to deliver those outcomes; you are still going to have the same idiots running the show, but with more power to their elbows. And how much more expensive would all that be. Forget it.
So many comments and can’t find time to set them out.
This for now …
A real mix of feelings about the announcement at this time, as well as the choice, for this top office of the state (even if ceremonial, symbolic .. but constitutionally significant also at various points, especially potentially over the formation of a government after a General Election).
The annoucement comes right on the back of the very recent 9th March recommendations regarding spy laws that she was involved as a reviewer.
The 9th March was just eight working days ago đ
Look over here everybody, no no not at the flag, tppa, my defamation case, looky here a shiny new gg !
A boring old judge with a name like a country and western singer.
Well she isn’t a judge but you’ve never let fantasy get in the way of any of your comments before.
Actually I think he got the wrong Reddy. It should have been Helen, not Patsy.
Willie Apiata probably the only person qualified for that job ,uno put a bit the fear of god up a few of the smart arsess in the national party and some of the other bullshiters pullin the wool over us behind closed doors in this country or Joseph Parker or Sonny Bill might do a good job
The Prime Minister doesn’t appoint the Governor General, the Queen does.
You are technically correct Rolfcopter..
However the good book says he/she is appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of New Zealand.
I am prepared to believe that she has never refused to accept the recommendation..
https://gg.govt.nz/role
Which is my point… I/S states….
If the Queen thought it was undemocratic, she’d reject the nomination. The fact she never has says that it’s much ado about nothing.
But it OK when Helen choose the GG?
Why would you assume that?
Yes the Queen does – on the advice of the PM.
Key process,
“Smile for the camera Patsy.”
What do you mean expensive? it is shared costs.
Timing ? akshully ———
Worked for Brierleys for 11 years
Key says it would be a “wee bit too expensive” to consult with other parties. SERIOUSLY!
This role is a far more serious position than John Key makes out. The Gov is the Vice Regal Signatory of Crown Laws.This is like the Prime Minister appointing their boss…strange. So while no reflection on Dame Patsy Reddy, its the process I’m concerned about.
Considering what has been going on over Waitangi issues, perhaps DLANZ proposal back in our Crown submissions days that the Governor General / Kawangatanga be appointed and answerable also to a Maori Authority be appropriate.
Food for thought and Keep smiling
Doug Hay
DLANZ Cordinator