NRT on RadioLive decision
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- Date published:
9:17 am, April 1st, 2012 - 10 comments
Categories: accountability, john key, radio -
Tags: Radio Live
No Right Turn on the police decision not to lay charges against RadioLive:
The police have announced that they will not be laying charges over John Key’s pre-election radio show. Their reason? “Insufficient evidence”. Because obviously, merely having recordings of the thing, and the paper trail showing that the Prime Minister had his grubby paws all over it isn’t enough.
(The police might credibly have been able to argue that the law wasn’t clear, due to the disagreement between the BSA and Electoral Commission – but they didn’t)
Its a highly convenient decision for John Key – and highly convenient for the police, who won’t end up offside with the people making their budget decisions. But it again shows the flaws in our electoral law. Once again the police have been handed clear evidence of a breach, and once again they have failed to act. They’ve also failed to act on any of the dozen other cases handed to them last election cycle, and its hard to escape the conclusion that they just don’t see it as a “real” crime. Unlike, say, recording politicians in a public place at a media event they called…
Again, it has to be pointed out: this is a real crime, and it threatens the integrity of our democracy. If the police are unwilling or incapable of dealing with that crime, then its time we gave the job to a body which can. And that body is the Electoral Commission.
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Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...2 weeks ago
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The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
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The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...2 weeks ago
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Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...2 weeks ago
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...3 days ago
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‘this is a real crime, and it threatens the integrity of our democracy.. ‘ pretty much sums up the tenure of NACT with the theft of our assets via asset sales to come.
Then there’s tranzrail, blind trusts, wong, worth, Ecan, broadband deal etc etc what a great set of Books maybe even a few films Shonkeys time will make with Hagar’s the Hollowmen being the prequeal.
At least the publishing/entertainment industry should profit from not being on the inside, bugger all else will.
And Andrew Geddis has a thought or two on the inconsistencies between the teatape decision and the PM Electioneering on Radio. Maybe Police need a better spindoctor to explain some of their decisions?
http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/spot-the-difference
It’s been pretty obvious that the police are in John Key’s pocket ever since they defamed Bradley Ambrose just to get in good with him.
It’s scary to realise just how fragile democracy in this country is.
Indeed, when you factor in the Search and Surveillence Act which greatly extends state snooping powers and hundreds of thousands of “don’t know, don’t wanna know” kiwis.
Like the character in ‘Batman Returns’ said “This town’s so bent who ya gonna rat to…”
btw…it was Jim Gordon in Batman Begins
“In a town this bent, who’s there to rat to anyway? ”
we are talking Batman here, this is serious stuff :]
Suitably corrected, not a major fan so should have checked first, had a feeling when I typed it the title was wrong, it was one with Chrisitan Bale in I think.
Too true Blue @ 11.32am
Indeed it is scary how fragile democracy has become worldwide, not just here. For example last weeks debacle in UK with the Deputy Chancellor of the Exchequer getting caught selling off Camerons time to the highest bidder. Prior administrations would have been turfed out, but not this lot.
One commonality: the financier / banker sector is in charge in all democracies at the moment, Key is one of them.
Cant quite see how the police can refer to the conflicting decisions from Broadcasting Standards and Electoral Commission. They are only required to consider the election law.
There is a whole swag of referrals for breaches of election law
http://www.elections.org.nz/study/news/
By not testing them in court they are essentially gutting the law.
The decision about ACT on campus will be awaited but I think we know what it will be.
Key joked about it at the halberg awards but refused to comment publicly. I am glad the police arent wasting their time on it but am sorry the public still dont see thru this guy and his team