Open mike 06/09/2024

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, September 6th, 2024 - 48 comments
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48 comments on “Open mike 06/09/2024 ”

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  1. Mike the Lefty 1
    6 September 2024 at 6:54 am

    Heard on the radio yesterday that Far North District Council is going ahead with implementing local speed restrictions that are bound to clash with Simeon Brown's pathological desire for speed.

    We have seen most councils openly challenging central government by deciding to keep their Maori wards (although ironically not the Far North) and now another comes another challenge to Brown's petrol head king of the road ego.

    • PsyclingLeft.Always 1.1
      6 September 2024 at 7:54 am

      Good Morn. there was also this (which I had been going to put up : ) Its paywalled at mo, but you get the picture…

      The Nat MP who lobbied for speed humps at his local school

      Horowhenua council says Tim Costley requested speed control humps – but the Govt says they ‘infest’ the streets and won’t be funded

      https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/09/05/the-nat-mp-who-lobbied-for-speed-humps-at-his-local-school/

      Well, he must be conflicted much ? Embarrassing for him and his fellow NACT1's. But really…why the fck wouldnt you want Children, Pedestrians, and All to be ..safer?

      • Barfly 1.1.1
        6 September 2024 at 8:08 am

        IMO. Speed bumps are a good for the community type of thing that National idealogically opposes.They prefer the 'rugged individualism' of solo speeding which reflects their 'me me me' attitude and promotes selfishness which is of political benefit to them.

        • PsyclingLeft.Always 1.1.1.1
          6 September 2024 at 8:25 am

          Indeed, which makes Nat MP Tim and his concern for school children (I could say..his school and his children, but surely not?) all the more incongruous…with his NACT1 crew?

          Anyway….I hope it gets more, much more, viewing. If at the very least for the..discomfort feeling for a Govt that thinks Children’s (and others) safety…is not worth it !

  2. PsyclingLeft.Always 2
    6 September 2024 at 8:14 am

    After the Paris Olympics and onya to our competing NZ Athletes , notwithstanding the dissing of some, by some (easy to criticise from a seat ?)… is the Paralympics.

    I have an interest in this, and a great respect and admiration for same. I was watching the swimming….unbelievable. Some with one arm,disabled legs and still going for it, faster than most fully able swimmers !

    https://paralympics.org.nz/paralympian/cameron-leslie-paralympian-164/

    also amongst others, Cycling…

    Anna’s clouds have a beautiful silver lining

    https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/09/04/annas-clouds-have-a-beautiful-silver-lining/

    Much admiration for you, and all….

  3. Kay 3
    6 September 2024 at 9:03 am

    Agree. I'm also enjoying being able to watch said paralymics on TVNZ streaming. As opposed to the Olympics that are still stuck behind a paywall (or highlights with ads every 5 minutes). One has to wonder why Sky doesn't care about hogging the rights for this- not enough money to be made?

    Many countries screen the Olympics for free, including Australia, UK, USA but of course we don't. Can we assume that TVNZ can't afford the rights, or are major sporting events now the preserve of the rich?

  4. aj 4
    6 September 2024 at 9:07 am

    Luxon and Co paint the NZ economy as the only one faltering in the world and relentlessly point the finger at Labour, but anyone with half a brain and an ear to the ground knows that most western governments are struggling with similar issues.

    One only has to look across the ditch and see that Dutton's liberal party has a real chance at toppling the Albanese government. Wouldn't have picked that a couple of years ago.

    If a Federal Election were held now the result would be ‘too close to call’ with the ALP on 50.5% (up 1%) just ahead of the Coalition on 49.5% (down 1%) on a two-party preferred basis, the latest Roy Morgan survey finds.

    https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/federal-voting-intention-alp-50-5-now-marginally-ahead-of-the-coalition-49-5-after-albanese-governments-strong-stance-on-putting-the-cfmeu-into-administration

    Australia's economy growing at slowest pace since 1990s recession, as households cut back on spending.

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-04/gdp-june-quarter-2024-australia-economic-growth/104305324

    • James Simpson 4.1
      6 September 2024 at 10:33 am

      Most western governments from the right and the left followed the same monetary policies during and post COVID. Almost without exception governments implemented large fiscal stimulus packages to support businesses and individuals. That increased money supply and spending in the economy, was a major contribution to high inflation which resulted in high interest rates that have caused recessions across the globe.

      But which government, in the history of the world, didn't blame the previous government for all the issues they were dealing with?

      Its hardly a new attack line that Luxon is using.

      • Chris76 4.1.1
        6 September 2024 at 10:40 am

        Actually, most inflation was caused by covid related bottlenecks and delays not increased gvmt spending. Supply side caused not demand side. The idea it was all or mostly due to gvmt spending is a tired right wing myth.

        https://www.brookings.edu/articles/covid-19-inflation-was-a-supply-shock/

      • Belladonna 4.1.2
        6 September 2024 at 10:41 am

        But which government, in the history of the world, didn't blame the previous government for all the issues they were dealing with?

        Remember the "Nine years of neglect" phrase trotted out at every opportunity….

        It's rhetoric. And all political parties do it, in order to serve their own narrative.

        • aj 4.1.2.1
          6 September 2024 at 10:45 am

          The difference is that one narrative has a strong basis in fact, the RW narrative, as Chris76 points out, is bullshit.

          • aj 4.1.2.1.1
            6 September 2024 at 11:28 am

            And today's example is:

            Shane Reti’s office admits chart used to justify $1.4b Health cuts ‘does not exist’

            https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/shane-retis-office-admits-chart-used-to-justify-14b-health-cuts-does-not-exist/NHCTZ3SOVFF6TBGISEXD36L5EA/

          • Belladonna 4.1.2.1.2
            6 September 2024 at 6:47 pm

            Well, left wing blog, and all — of course you'd think that one example of rhetoric has a strong basis of fact.

            The fact is that all political parties do it.

            Right now, the government could claim that the grass is green – and they'd be decried on TS.

            • Drowsy M. Kram 4.1.2.1.2.1
              6 September 2024 at 11:35 pm

              Well, left wing blog, and all…

              Right now, the government could claim that the grass is green – and they'd be decried on TS.

              Imho, what our commentariat needs is a 'respectful centrist' – someone who could occasionally bring themselves to critique the claims of our CoC govt.
              And so my watch begins cheeky

              In praise of Jacob Rees-Mogg, the secret centrist [14 Oct 2022]
              It’s possible, and should be utterly normal, to agree with someone on some things and disagree with them on others. That is – or should be – an article of centrist faith.

              • Belladonna …
                8 September 2024 at 10:37 am

                Well, it's hardly needed. The pile on on TS is overwhelming.

                • Drowsy M. Kram …
                  8 September 2024 at 11:43 am

                  The pile on on TS is overwhelming.

                  smiley Overwhelming to a political centrist?

                  Is there nothing in the "pile on" (critiques) that you agree with?

                  It’s possible, and should be utterly normal, to agree with someone on some things and disagree with them on others. That is – or should be – an article of centrist faith.

                  • Belladonna …
                    8 September 2024 at 12:57 pm

                    Yes. However, there is little point to 'me too' posts. If you don't have a different perspective to share, you're just wasting bandwidth.

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      8 September 2024 at 2:35 pm

                      Yes.

                      "Yes", critiques of our CoC govt here are overwhelming to centrists?

                      Or "Yes", there's nothing in those critiques that you agree with?

                      However, there is little point to 'me too' posts.

                      sad Are you suggesting that “there is little point” to many of the posts here? Such a suggestion could be considered a bit arrogant, imho.

                      If you don't have a different perspective to share, you're just wasting bandwidth.

                      Consider the possiblity that your main objection to "'me too' posts" here is less about a waste of bandwidth (?), and more to do with the fact that the consensus of these (left-ish) "'me too' posts" is very often at odds with your 'respectful centrist' perspective.

                      It’s possible, and should be utterly normal, to agree with someone on some things and disagree with them on others. That is – or should be – an article of centrist faith.

  5. koina 5
    6 September 2024 at 10:19 am

    So 6 years of the right wing coalition and then what?

    Luxon will be replaced soon after the 2026 election . By who I wonder.

    When does Labour let Hippy go and who will replace him?

    Is Chloe a candidate for PM in 2029?

    Ideas on a postcard please.

    • Jimmy 5.1
      6 September 2024 at 11:28 am

      McNulty will replace Hipkins but it's all in the timing.

    • Bearded Git 5.2
      6 September 2024 at 1:16 pm

      I think Luxon is unpopular, Seymour is becoming even more hated, Winston is past it and the economy will still be weak in late 2026.

      Cue a win for Lab/Gr/TPM.

      As I said yesterday, a Land or Wealth Tax where ALL of the proceeds are committed towards fixing the major issues faced by the public health system would be a good policy to run on.

      Luxon is chronically weak on health because he doesn't know anybody who uses the public health system.

  6. Reality 6
    6 September 2024 at 10:47 am

    After the historic events of the last week, will this government continue to divide, degrade, and belittle any Māori focussed legislation as they have been doing for the last 10 months? The absolutely amazing thousands and thousands who made the journey to the Waikato will surely not stand by and let Luxon/Peters/Jones/Seymour continue as they have been doing. I felt there was an underlying demonstration of "mess with us at your peril".

    • SPC 7.1
      6 September 2024 at 11:55 am

      It's a beat up by Shayne Currie.

      Do I (Doocey) have an interview with you tomorrow?

      No.

      The Minister (and staff) made a mistake and this was an effort to direct blame to RNZ (for one of those things that happen).

      Sure the RNZ staffer could have said – you were on here yesterday and were not that interesting. But was too polite.

  8. joe90 8
    6 September 2024 at 11:39 am

    Bernard Hickey calls the CoC's bullshit.

    @bernardchickey

    FYI in the article linked below, I challenge all the Government's talk about the need for spending cuts because 'the money has run out' and 'times are tough' and we need to 'tighten our belts'.

    Actually, the professionals who judge our Government's finances day in and day out think there is no crisis at all. Actually, they tried to lend the Government $22.7 billion last month at an interest rate of 4.25% when our Treasury had only asked to borrow $3 billion.

    The wisdom of the crowds in financial markets is literally screaming out to our leaders of both major parties to borrow money from banks and fund managers fir a decade or two to solve our glaringly obvious infrastructure deficits.

    https://thekaka.substack.com/p/the-professionals-actually-think

    https://x.com/bernardchickey/status/1831836057366884591

    • Ad 8.1
      6 September 2024 at 1:05 pm

      Only 2 more years left for this lot to prove they really are the swaggering dealmakers of the top end of town they claim to be.

      Where is this much-vaunted deal pipeline?

      Here's a line for Hipkins:

      Show Me The Money.

    • Cricklewood 8.2
      6 September 2024 at 6:55 pm

      Money lenders wanting to lend more money because they judge the interest payments will be met, quell suprise.

      Just because you can doesnt mean you should.

      • Nic the NZer 8.2.1
        6 September 2024 at 7:37 pm

        The only reason the country issues bonds is to price market confidence in its borrowing. If that confidence is meaningless we may as well just have treasury borrow directly from the RBNZ and save on paying interest to non government institutions. The RBNZ is after all the only originator of $NZ, anyway. As Hickey points out, money markets are not in anyway calling for an austerity program, its just that the govt arrived with many wrong pre-conceptions about what it should do.

  9. SPC 9
    6 September 2024 at 12:44 pm

    First it was the Lincoln Project, but the exodus from the GOP continues.

    Naturally there is concern about the emerging consequence of the GOP southern strategy (post Democratic Party move to affirm civil rights in the 1950's-1970's).

    A post HUAC move via Moral Majority, Christian Coalition, Promise Keepers to a full on Christian dominionism (nation identity) Project 2025 (political management by the Heritage Foundation policy agenda).

    A threat to the March 4 1789 constitutional republic.

    The old GOP was a champion of this non democratic regime. They resisted populism, and developed a deep state that would protect this republic from democracy, anarchy and secession and the social democracy of the secular left (the FBI is still dedicated to defend the republic from such threats to capitalism).

    But some would now rather support the alternative to Trump.

    They have learnt from history (the elite right of Germany went populist to defeat the left using a "strongmans/champion of the people" nativist pseudo religious heritage defence of civilisation playbook – MGGA) which has been reprised by Trump (MAGA). Germany became a tyranny.

    PS A few genuinely left wing Germans got caught up in that nationalism, and now a few once on the left, now posing as of an independent media, like Trump's isolationism and are attracted to the dismantling of the "neo-liberal" western regime – calling it "peace" – the Neville Nigel Oswald's of our times).

  10. joe90 10
    6 September 2024 at 3:00 pm

    Dodge elmo's site by replacing x dot com with xcancel dot com and you get a clean link that doesn’t go to X and includes the whole thread:

    eg; https://xcancel.com/Acyn

    https://xcancel.com/about

    • bwaghorn 11.1
      6 September 2024 at 6:12 pm

      Interesting cheers .

      Random thoughts are, it's not that easy bolusing large cattle , 3 and a half times a year is a big ask .

      It'll need to be policed if there's financial gain from using it as not all farmers are honest ,😉

      • Belladonna 11.1.1
        6 September 2024 at 6:56 pm

        I see they're looking at a development to stretch it to 6 months (i.e. twice a year). I wonder how supplementary feeding (e.g. feeding out in winter) would affect the results.

        Agree that drenching is a big physical job – but being able to integrate with a more general drenching schedule (frequency) would make it more manageable for farmers.

        No indication on costs.

        Should be relatively easy to police – requirement to purchase the number of doses needed for the size of the herd. That will be the largest part of the cost (if the methane bolus can be administered on the same routine farm drenching schedule). If the farmer has already bought it, there's no cash incentive to not use it.

        • bwaghorn 11.1.1.1
          6 September 2024 at 7:40 pm

          there's no cash incentive to not use it.

          Unless there's a fart tax applied at some point and treating cows cuts your bill.

          Most cattle arnt drenched after about 18 months , in the beef world

        • lprent 11.1.1.2
          7 September 2024 at 6:13 am

          In the mouth drenching isn’t every 6 month for adults. Depends on what is being targeted.

          Most frequent drenching is in food usually about 28 days. And then pour on at about 42 days. Mostly frequently done on calves, especially early weaned calves

          More like 12-24 months for squirt drenches for adult cows and steers for the in the back of the mouth squirt. It is also done for stock moving between farms.

          It is a a herd health measure – just like a public health measure to keep the parasite load on paddocks low. Specific to particular encysted parasites.

          By the sound of the bolus, this is larger ‘calibre’ than what happens in drenching with a requirement to go down the gullet rather than just in the back of the mouth.

          It sounds way harder than a drenching. I can’t any incentive for farmers to either do the extra work or to pay for the bolus and gear.

          • SPC 11.1.1.2.1
            7 September 2024 at 10:56 am

            It will be available by 2027.

            Charging for methane will be the incentive. An adjustment to the farm regime by c2030.

            I doubt it will be done by the farmers themsleves, teams will be hired to do it (and verify).

            • lprent 11.1.1.2.1.1
              9 September 2024 at 9:17 am

              It will be available by 2027.

              It would if everything worked perfectly. As a person with a science degree and a lot of time working as a engineer, I am extremely sceptical.

              This is a trial of a methane reducing technique. So far the past trialling on methane reduction (at least three that I know of) in pasture fed populations of ruminants have been abject failures for NZ conditions. I don't expect this one to be any different.

              But even if the trials in Australia succeed, they still won't constitute validation for NZ. The environmental conditions and types of animals used in Aussie aren't that similar. Before anyone, especially farmers, would want to commit themselves to.

              Charging for methane will be the incentive. An adjustment to the farm regime by c2030.

              However the probability that National will actually do start charging is about 0%. The gutless wonders that are National party MPs haven't managed to stand-up to even mild pressure from farmers once in the last 30 years. That is despite the science on climate changes being well known to even National MPs back to the early 1990s.

              What makes you think that these cowards could actually make a decision that affects a noisy part of their own constituency. They only like attacking the weak, ideally the ones on the bread lines who can't fight back.

              I doubt it will be done by the farmers themsleves, teams will be hired to do it (and verify).

              To do teams would require a significiant workforce wandering around the countryside doing and enforcing the task. This is exactly the kind of organisation that National fucks up on routinely.

              Think of it as factory inspectors, or water quality testing or possum control or anything that National tries or is meant to try to organise teams of people to do over decades. That isn't something that National governments are notable for doing. Especially for an industry that is increasingly unprofitable.

      • Drowsy M. Kram 11.1.2
        6 September 2024 at 7:11 pm

        A 'fix' for methane-laced cow burps could be a 'game changer' (urgggh) – plenty of researchers/companies in the mix, but who will foot the bill(s)? Gotta stay hopeful.

        Methane-busting feed supplements are beginning to scale. But who will foot the bill, and what will drive widespread adoption? [5 Sept 2024]

  12. SPC 12
    6 September 2024 at 4:27 pm

    What happened to the planned $500Mpa less in baseline spending savings with the change in government.

    It was used to afford National's tax cuts.

    However, on coming into office, the new Government booked those $500m in savings against Budget 2024, helping to balance the coalition’s tax package and overall Budget rather than using it to reduce the deficit and borrowing.

    The papers reignite a debate that has raged since the election about whether the Government could be said to be borrowing for tax cuts. The coalition has always maintained that it was not borrowing for tax cuts because every dollar of lost tax revenue was balanced by a dollar of cutting or additional revenue somewhere else

    A Treasury paper released to the Herald under the Official Information Act reveals the intention of those savings was to reduce overall spending levels into the future, and therefore reduce deficits and borrowing.

    However, on coming into office, the new Government booked those $500m in savings against Budget 2024, helping to balance the coalition’s tax package and overall Budget rather than using it to reduce the deficit and borrowing.

    The papers reignite a debate that has raged since the election about whether the Government could be said to be borrowing for tax cuts. The coalition has always maintained that it was not borrowing for tax cuts because every dollar of lost tax revenue was balanced by a dollar of cutting or additional revenue somewhere else.

    https://archive.li/cLC04#selection-3949.0-3949.201