No remorse from English
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- Date published:
8:43 am, September 29th, 2009 - 14 comments
Categories: bill english -
Tags: mps accomodation rort
Last night I posted on Bill English’s attempt to shift blame by claiming the system had failed him, and argued that he wasn’t at all sorry for rorting us, only that he got caught.
Dude keeps digging in today’s Herald. Talking about the Colmar Brunton poll showing 2 to 1 public disapproval, English
made it clear he was paying the money back to end the political fallout, not because he had done anything wrong.
Can’t get any clearer than that. English has no remorse, no shame. This payout’s just a rich man’s way of shutting down the story and avoiding responsibility. It’s time Key showed him the door.
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- NZ must pursue independent foreign policy
The Green Party says the need is greater than ever for Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue an independent foreign policy. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Winston Peters must apologise
The Deputy Prime Minister should apologise to the public servant he named and blamed for something they did not do, and for misusing the rules of Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements
The Government is taking action to ensure Southland farmers and growers are not affected by unreasonable regional farm plan deadlines, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.“Cabinet has agreed to provide more time for farmers and growers to comply with regional rules ...13 hours ago - Bill reaffirms Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending
The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Bill had its first reading at Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “In recent years we have seen an unacceptable spike in youth offending. “This Bill makes ...14 hours ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
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- State of the art radiology machine for Auckland
People in Northland and Auckland will benefit from a new machine for cancer treatment installed at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The MV5 linear accelerator, or LINAC machine, officially opened today targets cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says this new, ...15 hours ago
- Foreign Minister to visit Europe
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- First arrests made under gang patch ban
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- Better support for victims of sexual violence
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- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
Cabinet has agreed to invite all regions to submit proposals for Regional Deals between central and local government that drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure our country needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. Inviting all regions to propose a Regional Deal that boosts ...18 hours ago
- MSA pilot participant update
One of the ten young men selected to participate in the Military-Style Academy Pilot has allegedly reoffended. Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is disappointed but says it would be naïve to think that none of these young men would reoffend. “I’m saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity ...18 hours ago
- Attendance rates increase, again
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023. “This Government has prioritised student attendance and it is ...20 hours ago
- Improving the lives of young New Zealanders
Ensuring New Zealand is the best place in the world for children and young people is the vision at the heart of the Government’s new Child and Youth Strategy, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says. “Childhood represents a huge opportunity to set people on a positive path towards living ...23 hours ago
- Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea
The Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard.“The Government will introduce legislation changes to reinstate the trade, enhance oversight, and strengthen requirements for exporters to identify risks and manage the welfare of ...2 days ago
- Speech to the National Quality Forum 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa – it is a pleasure to be here today. I would like to begin by acknowledging the important leadership role you all play in ensuring a quality health system New Zealanders can trust. There is enormous clinical expertise in this room covering a wide range of disciplines. ...2 days ago
- New Zealand’s COP29 National Statement
Tēnā koutou katoa. Mr President, Excellencies, Delegates. New Zealand, and all nations represented here today, are already dealing with the impacts of climate change. Our households, businesses, and economies are bearing the costs of its effects. The choices we make now will shape the severity of these impacts for generations ...2 days ago
- Latest Quarterly Investment Report released
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- New Zealand supporting loss and damage fund
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced New Zealand will contribute NZ$10 million to the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage while at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. “New Zealand is joining the global effort to address the significant challenge of responding to ...2 days ago
- Gang crackdown begins at stroke of midnight
The free ride for gangs is over when the clock strikes midnight tonight, with tough new laws officially coming into effect, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. “Gang patches will no longer be able to be worn in public. To earn the right to wear a ...2 days ago
- LGFA increases borrowing capacity to support high growth councils
The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.“Communities across the country are facing an infrastructure deficit and significant population growth is projected in ...2 days ago
- Temporary Traffic Management costs revealed
The Government has revealed that over the past three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has spent an eyewatering $786 million of taxpayers’ money on road cones and temporary traffic management (TTM), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“When I became Minister, I was surprised to learn that that NZTA did ...2 days ago
- Jurisdiction of Disputes Tribunal to double
Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. “We need to improve court timeliness and access to justice so that Kiwis and get on with their lives. Court delays affect everyone, the ...3 days ago
- Protecting New Zealand from foreign interference
Legislation that will specifically criminalise foreign interference and strengthen espionage offences has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “It is normal and appropriate for states to interact and work to influence one another. This encourages cooperation and can have mutually beneficial outcomes. “However, the reality ...3 days ago
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- Youth Parliament 2025 announced
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- Better coordination of anti-scam efforts
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- Minister to consider 7AA select committee report
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- Defence Minister to attend ASEAN meeting
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- Launching the White Ribbon Ride
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- Construction to begin on next stage of Papakura to Drury
Construction on the next stage of the SH1 Papakura to Drury project will begin early next month, with the contract for works awarded to Fulton Hogan, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. "SH1 Papakura to Drury is a key project that will drive economic growth and productivity, reduce congestion, and enable people ...6 days ago
- NZ signs trade deal with Costa Rica, Iceland and Switzerland
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has signed a pioneering trade agreement that prioritises New Zealand’s sustainable exports at a ceremony during APEC in Peru today. “The Agreement on Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS), between Costa Rica, Iceland, and Switzerland was concluded in July of this year and opens up significant ...6 days ago
- Government and iwi work together on aquaculture
Five new Aquaculture Settlement Areas will help ensure Ngāi Tahu shares in the opportunities aquaculture offers for Southland’s economy, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “The Aquaculture Settlement Areas (ASAs) I’m announcing today set aside space so the Crown and Ngāi Tahu can assess their potential for aquaculture development. ...7 days ago
- Government launches review to ensure electricity market is fit-for-purpose
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- Speech to Social Investment Hui: Jack and his whānau need our help
Kia ora koutou katoa. Nau mai, haere mai, piki mai. Ki te mihi atu ahau, ki te manwhenua nei, Te Atiawa, Ngāti toa rangatira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Thank you, Andy, for your introduction. Let me acknowledge you as the new Chief Executive of the Social Investment ...7 days ago
- Minister of State for Trade heads to Brisbane for PACER Plus meeting
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- Proposals to modernise conservation released
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The Government’s economic adviser is sending a message it doesn’t want to hear – superannuation is increasingly unaffordable The post Treasury bangs the drum on ‘unsustainable’ superannuation appeared first on Newsroom. ...59 minutes ago
- Victims of sex offending welcome shift on name suppression laws
A man abused by a former political figure is "immensely relieved" at a government proposal to end secrecy around sex offenders' identities. ...1 hour ago
- This week three parties stood together – can they withstand the storm to come?
There is plenty yet to play out, but the next election is at this rate shaping up as trio versus trio, writes Toby Manhire. A subplot of this week’s historic hīkoi mō te Tiriti has been the sight of the three opposition parties presenting a unified front. Te Pāti Māori ...1 hour ago - All 33 malls in Auckland ranked from worst to best
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- Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 22 November
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 22 November appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 hour ago
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- China likely to strengthen regional relationships in response to another Trump term
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From the Herald:
“I stand by the view my home in Dipton is my home. I live in the house I was brought up in with 11 siblings. It is on English Rd. We’ve been there for 120 years and it is not up to anyone else to decide whether that’s home or not home.”
—
As a someone who was also raised in Southland, I can understand what he is saying. I have lived in the North Island almost half my life now, but will always consider Southland ‘my home’.
My spiritual home that is.
It is where the majority of my family still reside, and when I return for holidays I feel like I am ‘at home’.
But I live in Hawke’s Bay. It is my physical home and where I have chosen to live. It is where almost all my friends are and where I work and play. To still say that Southland is my home, no matter how closely I am tied to it, is just plain wrong.
Therefore Phil Heatley’s home must now be Wellington? Therefore he should pay back his housing allowance?
Bin Laden’s (sp) home is not Afghanistan or Pakistan but Saudi Arabia. Mail should be so addressed.
This is just more of the ‘aw shucks small town boy’ role/lie that English has coloured his entire career with it.
“and it is not up to anyone else to decide whether that’s home or not home.” Actually, it is. You signed a form declaring it your home at the bequest of Parliament. You chose to be part of the system. Now let the system decide.
Oh sorry Bill, I forgot – the system failed you!
So if Heatley says his home is in Whangarei, is he lying? If not, then what about next year, or the year after that, and so on. At some point, his home must cease becoming Whangarei and become Wellington.
This is the crux of the issue, surely. The longer you are in parliament, the greyer the area becomes, and the less robust are your claims that your home is not in Wellington.
The only fool-proof system is to not move your family to Wellington.
I don’t know anything about Heatley’s circumstances but if he’s claiming allowances he should be subject to the same scrutiny as Bill, certainly.
The longer you are in parliament, the greyer the area becomes…
I’d say it starts out clearly one thing, then becomes greyer and greyer, and then becomes more and more clearly the other.
“The only fool-proof system is to not move your family to Wellington.”
Or not stick your hand out for allowances unless they are clearly intended for your circumstances.
We’ve been there for 120 years…
No wonder he’s looking a bit fagged lately.
I still do not understand how the Endeavour Trust can rent Bill a house at below market rate when the law requires trusts to maximise benefit to beneficiaries. Benefitting a third party is illegal!
The beneficiaries of the trust are the children. One can argue that whilst the children are still under the care and protection of their parents, then anything that benefits the parents (such as lower housing costs) also benefits the children (by the parents having more money to look after the children).
.
One could argue that, yes.
And I’d love to see Bling argue it in the “court of public opinion”. Somehow I don’t think we’ll be seeing that though…
“and it is not up to anyone else to decide whether that’s home or not home”
It is mate when the taxpayer is involved.
Exactly AJ we have news for Bill and its all bad!
What he says now about where his home is is almost irrelevant.
He OBVIOUSLY knew that he could be challenged on this and THAT is why he established the trust and started working the system.
The fact that he is working the system isn’t really such an issue – everybody does it (before you start – I completely agree that on his income and in his position and with his current stance on the incomes of public srvants etc his actions are immoral) but the point is he has now been lying about it.
He’s signed different documents with different residences, he says he has no involvement in the Trust but now HE has paid back the money that was paid to the TRUST, and he’s fibbed about the timing of it all and his relationship to the whole thing.
That’s why he has to go.
captcha – nasty