Open mike 04/11/2014

120 comments on “Open mike 04/11/2014 ”

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1. Paul 1

   4 November 2014 at 7:07 am

   Banks’ profits explode.

   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11352577

   Just in care you were wondering who was benefiting from the present system.
   One nation. In debt.
   • Clemgeopin 1.1

     4 November 2014 at 11:01 am

     Why doesn’t the Kiwi bank cut its charges, expenses and profit margins and give these excessive profit making foreign owned banks the run for their money? Wasn’t that the goal of the Kiwi bank when it was initiated by Jim Anderton?
   • Tracey 1.2

     4 November 2014 at 2:08 pm

     but the bankers association says it means the economy is doing well.

     here ends critical analysis by the media…

     no mention of the profits going into australias economy.
   • Colonial Rawshark 1.3

     4 November 2014 at 6:05 pm

     Attack of the vampire squid’s lesser cousins.
2. Paul 2

   4 November 2014 at 7:08 am

   Singapore buys into Auckland waterfront

   http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/258481/singapore-buys-into-auckland-waterfront

   Depressing.
   We will soon be tenants in our own land.
   • Chooky 2.1

     4 November 2014 at 10:25 am

     at least Winston is speaking out!
     • fisiani 2.1.1

       4 November 2014 at 9:53 pm

       Winston said that terrorists will not target the World Cup cos terrorists aren’t interested in cricket. How thick is he? thick as pigshit.
       • Weepus beard 2.1.1.1

         4 November 2014 at 9:56 pm

         Agree. It sounds like something John Key would say.
       • Chooky 2.1.1.2

         4 November 2014 at 10:04 pm

         Winnie is right terrorists are not interested in cricket !….and John Key is wrong to try and make us paranoid for his own reasons

         …however if John Key gets us involved with wars which are not our own ….we may become a target for retribution…in which case we can blame John Key …nothing to do with cricket!
         • fisiani 2.1.1.2.1

           4 November 2014 at 10:15 pm

           Terrorists are interested in unarmed crowds ya numpty. Now there’s thick and there’s Chooky thick.
           • vto 2.1.1.2.1.1

             4 November 2014 at 10:19 pm

             That’s right. So why did your beloved leader call the Canadian shootings terrorism when it was an attack against an armed soldier and the parliament where war orders are made? Similarly the attack against a British soldier in London last year?

             Wake up man – your John Key is full of shite on this and it will be on his shoulders when retribution gets shat on our door step.
             • fisiani …

               4 November 2014 at 11:37 pm

               A cowardly attack on an unarmed soldier. There’s Chooky thick and vto thick.
               • McFlock …

                 5 November 2014 at 12:01 am

                 What would you call a drone strike on first responders, then?
         • higherstandard 2.1.1.2.2

           5 November 2014 at 11:00 am

           I’m not sure who is the biggest Dunce you or Winston Raymond Peters – the confused forgetful drunk of Herne Bay !

           http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_attack_on_the_Sri_Lanka_national_cricket_team

           http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakvsl/content/story/393212.html

           http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/story/120394.html
   • DoublePlus Good 2.2

     4 November 2014 at 4:50 pm

     Maybe we should sell our stuff, get heaps of money for it and then just repossess it…
   • Colonial Rawshark 2.3

     4 November 2014 at 6:06 pm

     Wait…how is it the Singapore GOVERNMENT recognises the value of building up a massive portfolio of investment assets itself? (As well as owning and controlling the vast majority of property developments in Singapore…sounds like bloody communism!)
   • Murray Rawshark 2.4

     4 November 2014 at 8:10 pm

     Singapore has a sovereign wealth fund which buys up stuff in other countries. We have the honour, since the first ACT government, of being one of those countries. Neoliberals will see the fact that overseas buyers are lining up as a plus for our country’s economy. We’re like a shop that, instead of selling the stock, sells the walls and roof.
3. Paul 3

   4 November 2014 at 7:10 am

   Rent subsidy will address poverty: PM

   http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/258480/rent-subsidy-will-address-poverty-pm

   War is peace.
   Freedom is slavery.
   Ignorance is strength.
   Selling state houses will improve housing for the vulnerable.
   • chris73 3.1

     4 November 2014 at 7:37 am

     Are you feeling ok? You seem a bit down.
     • Paul 3.1.1

       4 November 2014 at 7:38 am

       I tend to care about others.
       Other people’s misery does not affect you obviously.
       • felix 3.1.1.1

         4 November 2014 at 8:10 am

         chris doesn’t care about anything much. He’s just doing his job.
         • McFlock 3.1.1.1.1

           4 November 2014 at 11:59 am

           … badly
   • AsleepWhileWalking 3.2

     4 November 2014 at 7:42 am

     More subsidies that benefit landlords by fueling hirer rent prices and property values? *head slap* Oh wait….it only benefits those in social housing leaving the rest of low to middle income NZ at the mercy of landlords.
   • joe90 3.3

     4 November 2014 at 8:00 am

     Beginning late last year two Whanganui motels have been converted to low cost accommodation. Coincidence, or owners in the know?.
   • vto 3.4

     4 November 2014 at 9:42 am

     Good to see the PM admitting that the market has failed a huge proportion of the population.

     I thought the right’s philosophy was that the marketplace will always provide? Why doesn’t it provide for the poor?

     Market fail

     Market has failed

     Market fails all over the place

     Those Actoid goons must be feeling silly being part of a government which admits large scale market failure. And on something as basic as housing.
     • Tracey 3.4.1

       4 November 2014 at 2:10 pm

       when the right suggests the market is failing it means tax payer bailouts and subsidies are headed the way of business owners who vote for less govt in business.
       • Aerobubble 3.4.1.1

         4 November 2014 at 4:35 pm

         Less govt is necessary otherwise the state keeps getting bigger and bigger. Lol

         Tax cits can only happen if taxes have been raised.

         Government can increase costs, friction if you will, to coin business. However the private sector sitting on wealth likewise creates friction, since obviously yo have to work and amass much more wealth to become rich. More wealth harms motivation, and is a cost o society.

         Yet media only spin one way, wealth good in all forms, govt bad in alll forms, despite this being obviously false. Deregulation of safety anyone.

         As mideast oil gushed onto the 80s market, it was obviously that tax cuts would spur people to grow the economy and thus raise govt revenue. Similarly now, as energy prices rise, so tax rises on wealth will stimulate growth as the invisible hand needs activity, and this will have the absurd outcome of lowering the tax payer burden of lifting up those on a low income. Key was wrong to raise taxes, gst, since it increased the burden on the tax payer.

         Raising the taxes on the richest.
         • Tracey 3.4.1.1.1

           4 November 2014 at 4:46 pm

           its a giant con…
         • Draco T Bastard 3.4.1.1.2

           4 November 2014 at 8:20 pm

           As mideast oil gushed onto the 80s market, it was obviously that tax cuts would spur people to grow the economy and thus raise govt revenue.

           Except that that didn’t actually happen. We got growth from housing bubbles fueled by massive private borrowing which massively increased the amount of money in circulation because the private banks create money when they make loans. Thus we got a totally fictitious growth.

           Key was wrong to raise taxes, gst, since it increased the burden on the tax payer.

           That was the whole point of National’s tax switch. It decreased the taxes on the rich and placed it on the poor.
4. chris73 4

   4 November 2014 at 7:36 am

   http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11352633

   – About as scientific as the New York one but tell us us what we already know I guess
   • phillip ure 4.1

     4 November 2014 at 7:57 am

     the new york one had all the white males edited out of it..

     ..not very dodgy/suss…
     • vto 4.1.1

       4 November 2014 at 9:49 am

       and all the black ones edited in… eh
       • factchecker4all 4.1.1.1

         4 November 2014 at 10:12 am

         I think they should repeat the experiment in Riyadh.
   • Molly 4.2

     4 November 2014 at 8:21 am

     Given the difference in culture, it is a stupid comparison.

     The equivalent of doing the same in a culture where women are arguably more oppressed – ie. areas of India, would have the same low “wolf-whistle” outcome.

     If you are really interested in whether NZ women are subject to different behaviours because of their sex, you might have to go out and talk to some. Or critique your own behaviour.

     Just because it is not expressed in NY style wolf whistles, it does not mean that it does not exist.
     • weka 4.2.1

       4 November 2014 at 9:11 am

       “Just because it is not expressed in NY style wolf whistles, it does not mean that it does not exist.”

       But it used to. I remember biking to school (in school uniform) in my mid teens (14/15) and getting harrassed by men on building sites. That was the early 80s and while I’m sure this still goes on in some situations it’s definitely way less socially acceptable. Thank-you feminism and the shifts in NZ culture in that time 🙂

       Associate Professor Annabel Cooper from the University of Otago’s department of sociology, gender and social work said the kind of harassment seen in that video was not accepted in New Zealand.

       “In saying this, you sort of risk saying, ‘We don’t have problems with rape and violence’, and we just so clearly do. But we’re conscious that the public ethos doesn’t tolerate overt forms of it.”

       It would be difficult to recreate the same conditions that allowed the New York video to be made in Auckland, but different times and areas of the city may change things, she said.

       “Our guys drunk and our guys sober are pretty different groups.”
       • Molly 4.2.1.1

         4 November 2014 at 1:18 pm

         Thanks weka for that good quote from Annabelle Cooper.

         Expresses exactly the problem with where I thought the conversation might be misguidedly heading, when chris73 posted it.
5. phillip ure 5

   4 November 2014 at 7:40 am

   “..Shocking New Study Reveals that Everything You Thought You Knew About Milk Is Wrong..

   ..Recently published research suggests that milk may actually make bones brittle – and might lead to earlier mortality.

   The study – published in the The BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal) –

   – indicates that high amounts of milk consumption is associated with increased possibility of bone fractures-

   – and may be a factor in premature death.

   The study – conducted by researchers from Sweden’s Uppsala Univesity –

   – indicates that milk may increase inflammation and oxidative stress in the body..”

   (cont..)

   go to source/story>>http://www.alternet.org/personal-health/milk-may-actually-make-womens-bones-brittle-cause-premature-death
   • The Al1en 5.1

     4 November 2014 at 7:43 am

     Just had cornflakes with plenty of milk and a few white coffees for breakfast and my bones feel fine.
     Even though my skelly is sorted, do you want me to do the fall on the floor and see if I break test again?
     • phillip ure 5.1.1

       4 November 2014 at 7:52 am

       heh..!..the ‘fool’ who laughs in the face of science..

       ..’the british medical journal’..?..w.t.f. do they know..!

       ..gimme my milk..!..i hate vegans..!”

       ..(can i suggest heel-drumming on floor..while holding fists tightly closed..after the stress-fall test..

       ..and yes..i think repeated stress-test falls are called for..

       ..knock yrslf out..!..eh..?..)
       • The Al1en 5.1.1.1

         4 November 2014 at 1:41 pm

         Yeah right, with global life expectancy trending up and huge dairy/milk consumption worldwide, I don’t think it’s something I’ll worry over or give too much thought to.

         Didn’t that Austrian research conclude veggos were more prone to mental illness, got more cancer and were more likely to get heart problems than omnivores? Just goes to show you never know what you’re going to get when you go out cherry picking. But I don’t want to go down that road again, so I’ll call it as agree to disagree, but I know you know I know you know and that’s what really counts. lol.
         • phillip ure 5.1.1.1.1

           4 November 2014 at 3:16 pm

           “…’the british medical journal’..?..w.t.f. do they know..!..”

           ..eh..?
           • The Al1en 5.1.1.1.1.1

             4 November 2014 at 3:24 pm

             Chill out man, it’s the age of the octogenarians, and you know how you veggos are with strokes and seizures. 😉
           • ropata:rorschach 5.1.1.1.1.2

             4 November 2014 at 10:39 pm

             Reading the abstract,
             This bit indicates the researchers may be on to something:

             Lactase persistence has evolved independently several times and shows signs of preferential selection, indicating that lactase persistence may promote survival to adulthood or fertility but not necessarily longevity. […]

             Now for the caveats:

             However, a theory stands or falls according to how its predictions withstand testing and not according to the plausibility of its mechanism. Tests in humans to confirm or refute the role of milk and D-galactose or its metabolites in early survival, fertility, and longevity are not available.

             Michaëlsson and colleagues raise a fascinating possibility, about the potential harms of milk with an interesting inner mechanism involving D-galactose, which is consistent with ecological evidence and animal studies. Their findings should be interpreted cautiously though because the authors rely on observational not experimental evidence, potentially reflecting correlation not causation.
   • Murray Rawshark 5.2

     5 November 2014 at 12:22 am

     I drink maybe 400 ml of milk a day. On Friday I’m having a bone density scan. We’ll see what numbers we come up with.
     • phillip ure 5.2.1

       5 November 2014 at 6:32 am

       let us know how you get on..
6. b waghorn 6

   4 November 2014 at 7:49 am

   Watching key on TV this morning and it struck me that he’s become the boy who cried wolf to me he’s lied so much for so long I don’t believe a word he says now
7. JanM 7

   4 November 2014 at 8:26 am

   Last episode of Native Affairs for 2014 last night 🙁 . Wonder if we’ll ever see it again? Who’d have thought it would be Tau Henare doing the jumping up and down about Hone Harawira being excluded from the programme?
   • weka 7.1

     4 November 2014 at 9:13 am

     The power and control sector of society is getting quite brazen. Looks like the election result and the supposed failure of Dirty Politics being outed has made them more confident to be acting publicly.
   • Tracey 7.2

     4 November 2014 at 2:12 pm

     tau and jaqui blue, finding some bottle once not a national mp.
   • Murray Rawshark 7.3

     5 November 2014 at 12:45 am

     Doesn’t surprise me at all. Tau is Ngapuhi before he is NAct. There is a dynamic there that’s missing from the pakeha world.
8. adam 8

   4 November 2014 at 8:29 am

   The US senate elections the ugly stats.

   http://www.publicintegrity.org/2014/11/03/16152/election-2014-numbers?utm_campaign=election_14_promo&utm_source=appeal&utm_medium=button_top&goal=0_ffd1d0160d-b1cee71a27-100020097&mc_cid=b1cee71a27&mc_eid=c346e018f7
   • joe90 8.1

     4 November 2014 at 8:59 am

     Lots spent on voter suppression too.

     http://projects.aljazeera.com/2014/double-voters/

     http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/03/how-voter-id-laws-are-being-used-to-disenfranchise-minorities-and-the-poor/254572/?single_page=true
9. les 9

   4 November 2014 at 9:05 am

   who’s everyone backing in the Melbourne Cup?I guess Red Cadeaux might be popular ;),I’d say Willing Foe,Opinion and My Ambivalent could be a good boxed tri!
   • Olwyn 9.1

     4 November 2014 at 9:22 am

     Leaning toward Fawkner, but also noting that Sign off has a very light weight and a very famous jockey. I think the odds on Who Shot the Barman will shorten over the course of the day because of the name.
     • phillip ure 9.1.1

       4 November 2014 at 9:31 am

       i’m backing ‘boredom with’..
       • les 9.1.1.1

         4 November 2014 at 9:37 am

         with…Opinion….’thats number 20 phillip.
     • Anne 9.1.2

       4 November 2014 at 10:24 am

       Oooh, you’re a lady of diverse knowledge Olwyn? I know the back end of a horse from the front end and that’s about it. 🙂
       • Olwyn 9.1.2.1

         4 November 2014 at 10:30 am

         It’s all a bit of a nostalgia trip for me Anne – my parents were very into their races, and the day conjures up mum in her apron, holding an imaginary bridle and urging some horse or other home. 🙂
   • RedbaronCV 9.2

     4 November 2014 at 9:10 pm

     I won the office sweep – it’s taken a while
     • les 9.2.1

       4 November 2014 at 9:21 pm

       well done.me..maybe next year..the German horse monstered them.
       • RedbaronCV 9.2.1.1

         4 November 2014 at 10:07 pm

         Good luck Les – when I said a while I meant several decades. Hope you don’t have to wait so long.
   • Murray Rawshark 9.3

     5 November 2014 at 12:47 am

     My wife backed the one that died. She says she’s unlucky at gambling, but lucky in love. I suspect the poor horse was heavily doped.
     • les 9.3.1

       5 November 2014 at 8:24 am

       doping speculation is premature.A rare occasion ,a tragedy of this nature…humans drop dead suddenly too.
       • Murray Rawshark 9.3.1.1

         5 November 2014 at 10:59 pm

         I don’t think so. We’ve got rich people, dumb animals, a shitload of money, and not a lot of ethical behaviour to be seen anywhere. Throw in gambling as well and it’s like Sky City, so beloved of NAct politicians.
10. Penny Bright 10

    4 November 2014 at 9:06 am

    THIS is how to stop the privatisation of State Housing!

    State Housing tenants REFUSE TO ACCEPT 90 DAY EVICTION NOTICES!

    If YOU are opposed to the privatisation of State Housing (for which there is NO electoral mandate) – then SUPPORT State Housing tenants – like Niki – who are bravely refused to accept 90 day eviction notices from Housing NZ, and are refusing to leave!

    Niki is today in the Auckland District Court having taken Housing NZ to the Tenancy Tribunal for their bullying and harassment.

    There will be a demonstration of support for Niki from 10am.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1411/S00017/harassed-tenant-takes-housing-nz-to-court.htm

    Harassed Tenant Takes Housing NZ to Court
    Monday, 3 November 2014, 4:00 pm
    Press Release: Tamaki Housing Group
    03/11/14

    Harassed Tenant Takes Housing NZ to Court

    Housing New Zealand tenant Ioela Rauti (Niki) will be up against Housing New Zealand tomorrow in the tenancy tribunal.

    Niki became known earlier this year for successfully occupying her housing New Zealand home and extending her 90 day eviction notice another 7 months. She is taking Housing New Zealand to court for bullying and intimidation, which has occurred since the extension of the eviction. Her Taniwha street home of 21 years is eyed for development as part of a large scale gentrification plan for the suburb of Glen Innes.

    Over 87 homes have been removed and many more demolished after a wave of evictions over the past three years. This has intensified since the National government’s housing reform earlier this year, which opened the door to 90 day eviction notices, indiscriminate of the elderly and disabled.

    Niki is a member of the Tamaki Housing Group who have been protesting the evictions, house removals and demolitions for three years. Two weeks ago activists from the group successfully halted the removal of a home from the neighbourhood by locking themselves on to the removal trucks. They will be protesting the ill treatment of State Housing tenants outside the Auckland District Court tomorrow, 4th of November from 10am.

    ENDS

    http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/tenant-refuses-leave-accuses-housing-nz-bullying-6122100
    • fisiani 10.1

      4 November 2014 at 10:00 pm

      Another eviction coming up soon. One for a rates dodger with no shame.
11. ianmac 11

    4 November 2014 at 9:32 am

    David Farrar must be very very busy at the moment with his Curia weapon.
    Mr Key says before the election that no NZ involved against ISIS.
    Mr Key says after the election that maybe NZ might be involved against ISIS.
    And Mr Key nibbles away at “maybe” statements.

    All the time Mr Farrar will be polling away to test just how much Mr Key can get away with and his Focus Groups must be working overtime.
    A great way to run a country?
    • factchecker4all 11.1

      4 November 2014 at 10:41 am

      The only thing Farrar is busy with at the moment is travel blogging.
      • CnrJoe 11.1.1

        4 November 2014 at 2:04 pm

        the polling maul keeps rolling, in country or out, all those busy interns and their question sheets, Farrah can operate the internets you see
      • Tracey 11.1.2

        4 November 2014 at 4:50 pm

        despite knowing he is blogging while out of the country you appear to be in denial he can have any influence over his company from outside the country… what facts do you check?
12. Anne 12

    4 November 2014 at 10:36 am

    Hope these stupid and ignorant sports stars get their comeuppance.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11352879
    • BM 12.1

      4 November 2014 at 10:39 am

      If Cunnliffe didn’t get done, I doubt these guys are going to get any thing more than a “Don’t do it again” hand slap.
      • Anne 12.1.1

        4 November 2014 at 11:00 am

        Hence the stupidity and ignorance. When there has already been a high profile error of judgement, you think they would have the brains not to repeat it, but then – like a good few sports-stars – they’re not famous for their cognitive abilities.
        • chris73 12.1.1.1

          4 November 2014 at 5:14 pm

          They do know the value of hard work, discipline when needed and achievement which is probably why they gravitate towards National
          • McFlock 12.1.1.1.1

            4 November 2014 at 5:30 pm

            Like most tories, you forgot to mention the habitual rule-breaking where the regulators can’t see it, and the fact that hereditary advantage seems to play a bit of a part in selecting Bloody Large Fellows for the team.
          • Anne 12.1.1.1.2

            4 November 2014 at 6:23 pm

            They gravitate towards National because they are stupid and ignorant and lack cognitive abilities.

            http://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2013/02/scientifically-proven-right-wingers-are-dumb-2-2585834.html
            • Draco T Bastard 12.1.1.1.2.1

              4 November 2014 at 8:43 pm

              +1
    • Draco T Bastard 12.2

      4 November 2014 at 8:41 pm

      Prime Minister John Key said people had to obey the law.

      “It’s not for me to speak about their particular case but I’d probably surmise at least it was done out of ignorance of the law rather than some intent.”

      What a surprise – John Key comes to their defense. Personally, considering the number of followers that they have, I’d say that they had full intent to influence how people voted.

      Oh, and ignorance of the law is no excuse.
13. Pat O'Dea 13

    4 November 2014 at 10:48 am

    bruhaha 36
    2 November 2014 at 7:35 pm

    Will you increase the unemployment benefit to allow people without work to live with some dignity?

    Reply

    Yossarian 37
    2 November 2014 at 7:37 pm

    Hi Grant,

    If you were to become New Zealands NEXT Prime Minister, which one of these would you repeal/legislate for?

    A) Draconian Tea Break Law to be repealed?
    or
    B) Encouraging more employment, work based APPRENTICESHIPS amongst our young, whom dont have the luxary of being concerned about a Tea or Latte Break?

    Which is a Labour Adminstration priority policy

    THANK you.

    Reply

    r0b 38
    2 November 2014 at 7:41 pm

    A lot of QUESTIONS here tonight! Not sure that Grant will get through them all, so apologies if you miss out…

    Reply

    Grant Robertson 38.1
    2 November 2014 at 8:42 pm

    Sorry folks, I am out of time for tonight. I will try to come back in the morning and answer the rest of the QUESTIONS. Thanks!

    A no show?

    No follow up?

    No explanation?

    No apology?

    Was this a ‘Politician’s Promise’?

    http://thestandard.org.nz/?s=%40author+Grant+Robertson&isopen=none&search_posts=true&search_comments=true&search_sortby=date#

    Really not a good look. Especially as it ended on two very hard hitting, (non patsy) questions.

    Let us hope that this is just an oversight, and Grant Robertson will take the time to make up for this possible sign of disrespect to The Standard’s followers, with an apology or simple explanation.

    Here’s hoping anyway.

    [lprent: It is to be expected. The MPs have very limited amount of time to do these kinds of exercises and they aren’t particularly used to doing it.

    Which is why you will see the moderators carefully staging the posts to maximize the time that they do have. We pester to make sure the post is up before the MP comes online and actively moderate the posts removing dups, pruning questions that are speeches, etc etc. But the sad reality is that in about an hour period a MP will only get at most 20 replies.

    Why? Because that is about all that I could do if I stopped to think about topics.

    On the campaign trails candidates are heavily distracted. I’m always surprised if they do make it back. I’m even more surprised when they come back for another Q&A in another time. Don’t whine about it. ]
    • weka 13.1

      4 November 2014 at 12:39 pm

      Two things.

      1. MPs are under no obligation to post here. They do so at their discretion.

      2. when someone says they will try and get back, that’s not a guarantee. Demanding an apology for that is daft, not to mention rude.
      • phillip ure 13.1.1

        4 November 2014 at 1:13 pm

        bullshit weka..!..he dodged/ran away from the hard-questions..

        ..and i’m afraid i don’t share yr kow-towing attitude to them condescending to appear here..

        ..they are our employees..

        ,.you seem to have forgotten that..

        ..why shouldn’t they have to front up to explain themselves..?
      • The Al1en 13.1.2

        4 November 2014 at 1:45 pm

        I don’t like the bloke, but 2 sums up the situation perfectly.
    • Pat O'Dea 13.2

      4 November 2014 at 9:19 pm

      Sorry I tried to, but I couldn’t make it, something came up. My apologies. Thank you all for your support and understanding.

      1 minute
    • Pat O'Dea 13.3

      4 November 2014 at 9:28 pm

      Grant Robertson has rung us and asked us to pass on his apologies something has come up and he is unable to answer any more questions after all.
      • Pat O'Dea 13.3.1

        4 November 2014 at 9:38 pm

        (By text), ‘Sorry, but due to my heavy work schedule, despite saying I would try and come back, my apologies, I haven’t be able to make it after all.’
        • Pat O'Dea 13.3.1.1

          4 November 2014 at 9:41 pm

          post it note: Grant can’t make it, please pass on the message
14. Sirenia 14

    4 November 2014 at 12:19 pm

    He is probably busy helping constituents.
    All the leadership contestants are really busy with that gruelling meeting schedule as well as doing their day jobs.

    Do you really want to know the answer or just find something else to criticise?
    • phillip ure 14.1

      4 November 2014 at 1:20 pm

      “..He is probably busy helping constituents…”

      hilarious..!..he’s at it from dawn to dusk..with his ‘helping constituents’..eh..?

      .and ‘gruelling schedule’..eh..?

      ..heh..!

      ..you seem to have an over-inflated idea of the actual workload of an opposition mp..

      ..they are members who spend most of their time holding their members..

      ..(and then there are the holidays..!..lordy..!..they come around so fast/frequent..!

      ..it’s ‘gruelling’…!..)
      • Sirenia 14.1.1

        4 November 2014 at 1:46 pm

        Government list MPs maybe but all the Opposition MPs I know or have observed work really hard and take their responsibilities seriously.
        • phillip ure 14.1.1.1

          4 November 2014 at 2:04 pm

          “..and take their responsibilities seriously…”

          like hague from the greens..?

          ..and his total silence in his role as green party spokesperson for cannabis law-reform..?

          ..is that the standard of ‘take their responsibilities seriously’..you are talking about..?.

          ..i cd go on and on…

          ..this ‘hard-working opposition mp’ chimera is a total canard..
          • Tracey 14.1.1.1.1

            4 November 2014 at 4:52 pm

            ” i cd go on and on…”

            i vouch for that.
            • The Al1en 14.1.1.1.1.1

              4 November 2014 at 5:13 pm

              In aeronautics, canard refers to an arrangement in which a small forewing or foreplane is placed ahead of the main wing of a fixed-wing aircraft.

              I wonder, in forumology, if there’s a word for small foreheaddick or foreplaneknob placed ahead of the main dick on an airhead?
              Phurenard?
              • McFlock …

                4 November 2014 at 5:21 pm

                All I know is that when it flies overhead it splashes any hapless blogsite with ure-ine.
                • The Al1en …

                  4 November 2014 at 5:27 pm

                  Sod AdBlock, get a raincoat.
          • The Al1en 14.1.1.1.2

            4 November 2014 at 5:20 pm

            Here you go. Let us know how you get on.

            kevin.hague@greens.org.nz
15. Ad 15

    4 November 2014 at 1:43 pm

    We need to talk about Islam in New Zealand.

    The debate is building elsewhere, and the PM’s speech tomorrow ain’t going to help settle New Zealand down.

    Anyone game enough and gearing up to respond to the local ethnic consequences of the speech tomorrow?
    • vto 15.1

      4 November 2014 at 1:48 pm

      We actually need all the facts first Ad, before any thought of talking about it…

      Hands up who has all the facts…
      • JanM 15.1.1

        4 November 2014 at 3:47 pm

        It’s doubtful if anyone has a really clear idea – least of all the right-wing, war-mongering pot-stirrers who are busy trying to scare the daylights out of middle New Zealand for their own ends.
        Up until now I think we’ve done our usual live and let live thing, with some exceptions, notably some of Christchurch. I would be very worried to see the Muslim immigrants in this country being vilified without cause
      • McFlock 15.1.2

        4 November 2014 at 5:14 pm

        I reckon we probably have enough facts to talk about manipulative politicians who use fear and jingoism to further their own personal agendas.
16. joe90 16

    4 November 2014 at 2:48 pm

    No, nothing to see here.
    /

    The Brisbane Airport says its chairman’s position on a coal mining company’s board had nothing to do with it rejecting climate change advertising from being displayed in the arrivals hall during G20.

    Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has banned a billboard calling on climate change to be high on the agenda at the G20 meeting in Brisbane higher this month.

    http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2014/11/4/policy-politics/airport-chairman-drawn-climate-billboard-furore?
17. minarch 17

    4 November 2014 at 3:29 pm

    New Zealand’s Trade Minister Admits They Keep TPP Documents Secret To Avoid ‘Public Debate’

    from the who’s-ill-informed? dept

    “A couple years ago, then US Trade Representative Ron Kirk explained why the negotiating text of trade agreements like the TPP needed to be kept secret: because if the public debated it, the agreement probably wouldn’t be approved. He used, as an example, a failed trade agreement where the text had been public. Beyond the “small sample size” problem of this explanation, the much more troubling aspect is the obvious question of recognizing that if public debate would kill the agreement, perhaps it’s the agreement that’s the problem and not the public”

    pparently, New Zealand’s current Trade Minister, Tim Groser, feels similar to Kirk on this issue.

    https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20141030/16291028989/new-zealands-trade-minister-admits-they-keep-tpp-documents-secret-to-avoid-public-debate.shtml
    • Tracey 17.1

      4 November 2014 at 4:53 pm

      they assume the public, their voters are too stupid to understand…
18. Ennui 18

    4 November 2014 at 4:25 pm

    More Key bullshit (from Stuff today)…Al Black tweeters..

    Prime Minister John Key believes All Blacks Israel Dagg and Jonah Lomu were acting in ignorance of the law when they tweeted support for National on election day.

    The two, along with rower Eric Murray, tweeted on election day who they voted for, which is a breach of electoral rules.

    The high-profile sportspeople were among more than 20 people referred to police over electoral law breaches. Good reason why sports “heroes” should be kept as that…sports people i.e good with fine motor skills etc….which is no proof the brain is fully engaged on matters political.

    Asked about the Electoral Commission’s move to refer the two All Blacks to the police, Key said people needed to obey the law and it would be “wrong of me to get engaged in that”.

    He said it was not for him to speak about their particular case.

    “But I surmise at least that it was done out of ignorance of the law rather than some sort of intent.”

    As PM Key publicly surmising before proper process is just more of his bullshit populist attitude, and his contempt for those who have to administer the law (police and courts).
    • Anne 18.1

      4 November 2014 at 6:31 pm

      See Anne at 12 – followed by a couple of dumb right wingers
19. Tangled_up 19

    4 November 2014 at 5:24 pm

    MP demoted after suggesting homeopathy use in Ebola fight
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11353054

    Mrs Turei said the demotion sent a signal that the Green Party took an evidence-based approach to health issues, especially public health issues.

    She said the move was about “rebuilding confidence” in the party.

    Good job. People need to be able to take the Green Party seriously.
    • Colonial Rawshark 19.1

      4 November 2014 at 5:48 pm

      LOL

      Also someone should ask Turei where she thinks the historical “evidence base” to fight a global ebola pandemic is going to come from. The previous global ebola pandemic?
    • fisiani 19.2

      4 November 2014 at 10:08 pm

      Take the Green Party seriously is an oxymoron surely.
20. karol 20

    4 November 2014 at 5:40 pm

    Two questions in question time today, show the contempt John key has for democratic process.

    Gareth Hughes caught Key out. Key apparently didn’t realise that a gas-fireed power plant uses fossil fuel. Having been caught out, key does his usual arrogant jokster act and mocks Hughes young age.

    Gareth Hughes : Does he stand by his statement made yesterday that “There hasn’t been a single fossil fuel electricity power plant established in the 6 years we’ve been in Government”?

    Rt Hon JOHN KEY : Yes.

    Gareth Hughes : Does he remember personally opening the McKee 100 megawatt gas-fired power plant, which contributes to climate change from releasing fossil fuels, on 21 March last year, and perhaps this photo of the Prime Minister opening it will jog his memory?

    Rt Hon JOHN KEY : Yes, and a lovely photo.

    Gareth Hughes : Is the Prime Minister now saying that apart from the McKee plant, which he personally opened, his Government still, though, has not opened a single fossil fuel electricity power plant in the 6 years he has been in Government?

    Rt Hon JOHN KEY : The correct term should be coal-fired power plant.

    Gareth Hughes : Well, does the Prime Minister remember personally opening the Stratford 200 megawatt gas fossil fuel – powered plant in Taranaki on 31 May, and perhaps this photo of him opening it—and, in fact, commemorating the plaque—will jog his memory?

    Rt Hon JOHN KEY : Yes, and I am touched that the member has so many photos of me. If he wants, I will sign them, and he can take them back after playtime.

    In another question, Key admits that, when he communicated with Slater in his National Party capacity, it was John Key Nat Party leader, who told the PM about the content of the communications. And Key’s answers also include a lot of smart alecky put downs.

    And then there was Winston’s point of order:

    Rt Hon Winston Peters : I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. [Interruption]

    Mr SPEAKER : Order! I am just assisting the member to get some silence before I hear the point of order.

    Rt Hon Winston Peters : I seek leave, in regard to the Prime Minister’s answer, to table the Sigmund Freud 1921 thesis on the mental condition of people who talk to themselves.

    Mr SPEAKER : And we are not about to waste time by putting that leave.
    • Karen 20.1

      4 November 2014 at 5:52 pm

      Pity Gareth Hughes didn’t follow up on the answer that suggested John Key doesn’t realise gas is a fossil fuel.
      • Tracey 20.1.1

        4 November 2014 at 5:56 pm

        its in his last follow up… and your suggestion is crucial cos the press gallery wont know either
    • Tracey 20.2

      4 November 2014 at 5:54 pm

      rofl winston

      any bets that it will make the news… the bit about the telling himself and winstons quip.

      the prying lying minister is using the cricket world cup as an excuse to rush so called anti terrorist legislation
    • vto 20.3

      4 November 2014 at 10:03 pm

      John Key’s shallow and deceptive nature is also shown in this article http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/10699460/PM-send-warning-to-tourism-operators

      Pity he didn’t take the Pike River deaths as seriously.

      Pity he doesn’t take the same action in the forestry sector.

      Mind you – like his acceptance that the free market has failed to provide housing for the population, he also now accepts that self-regulation doesn’t work. That is two big knock-outs for neoliberalism and right wing fools, all thanks to the amazing Mr Key.

      But wait there’s more … to top it all off, in the last sentence of the article, he says the reason behind all of this new regulation is money… Nothing about the person who may die – just the money that would be lost if someone dies ….

      That’s John Key folks – you voted for him – what a man he is ……

      unbelievable
21. Dont worry. Be happy 21

    4 November 2014 at 6:12 pm

    Melbourne Cup again proves that those who love horses hate racing.
22. fender 22

    4 November 2014 at 6:22 pm

    Oh dear, prolific NZ ‘spinner’ John Key singlehandedly attempts to crash ticket sales for the cricket world cup by claiming the event could be a target for a terrorist attack… 🙄
23. Tracey 23

    4 November 2014 at 8:01 pm

    it is great that the marsden fund has granted 1m for research into rape victims experiences of the legal system but why not just release the 2 year old report from the law commission?

    http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/10700697/Over-1-million-for-rape-law-research
24. Pat O'Dea 24

    4 November 2014 at 9:42 pm

    urgent courier: Grant sends his apologies and this cake
25. Pat O'Dea 25

    4 November 2014 at 9:49 pm

    Carrier pigeon: I haven’t forgotten that I volunteered to try and come back, something urgent came up and I have been out of range of all electronic communications.
    Please put your remaining questions in a bottle and place into the sea at Oriental Parade. I will endeavor to answer them when I get back to civilisation.

    [Pat I am not sure why but your comments always go into moderation – MS]
    • Weepus beard 25.1

      4 November 2014 at 10:00 pm

      It’s the apostrophe.

      I, as Weepu’s beard, and Pascal’s Bookie had the same problem.

      I advise Pat to call himself Pat ODea instead.
26. Pat O'Dea 26

    4 November 2014 at 9:53 pm

    Found in an unopened sarcophogas amongst the dead sea scrolls; “Grant can’t make it let everyone know”
27. Draco T Bastard 27

    4 November 2014 at 10:02 pm

    Surveillance Begins at Home

    No doubt the second paragraph is referring to how spyware like StealthGenie is marketed. Stealthgenie’s creator was arrested in September. Kashmir Hill here at Forbes wrote:

    The app’s website advertised its use for monitoring “employees and loved ones such as children,” but according to the FBI, Akbar and his team developed an internal business plan that revealed that — duh — the primary target audience for the app was people who thought their partners were cheating.

    A very disturbing article.

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