Chris Trotter tries to argue that Clinton is ‘progressive’.
Comments below show what most think of that.
One says.
Take up gardening, Mr Trotter. It’s getting embarrassing. Of course there are differences between Clinton and Trump, but both could lead us to war. Clinton would do it deliberately and Trump would blunder into it.
and for what it is worth, US American will not vote for their President on the ‘war’ issue.
the US Americans have no issue going to war as long as the war is fought somewhere else. They will however vote for ‘progressive’ things such as health care, well funded schools, the much re-build of infrastructure etc, and on the other side of the aisle they will vote for ‘second amendment’, they will vote to outlaw abortion, they will vote to expel Obama Care (while flawed and still to expensive has provided insurance for several million of people).
I don’t understand why people don’t get this. War in its abstract, overseas form is not something that a democrat or a republican will vote on. They will vote on domestic issues as much as the National Voter in NZ voted to keep is Capital Gains.
Politics begins at home, so that notion that these guys are going to do something good for the world is just useless. They will vote for the one that will bring back jobs, bring back a bit of pride, bring back the bacon so to speak. They will do the same here.
Nothing to do with progressive or conservative.
and yes, much like here , they – the voters – individually care very little about how their vote will affect someone else far far away.
I don’t know, judging by the dogpile I got when I tried to argue that Clinton is a right-wing democrat, (which she evidently is if you look at how weak her “wins” against corporations are, and her stances on anything but healthcare, and even the details of what she supported and opposed during the healthcare reform) a lot of people here wouldn’t disagree too loudly with her being a progressive, because apparently she’s left-of-centre in their view, as opposed to someone right-of-centre who gets away with it due to her party ALSO being on average right-of-centre, despite being the leftmost option.
See I wouldn’t go quite that far, she’s probably at about the same place economically as John Key, but is more commited to being a liberal than he is at the very least.
That said, in a less corrupted political system, she would probably be more left-wing, so while she’s objectively right-wing, it is fair to say that she’s also typical for a Democrat in many ways.
In many ways Trump is more left wing. What we are seeing is he disintegration of labels. The Republicans see themselves as the voice of the disenfranchised worker and middle classes,, while the Democrats fasten onto the bankster feed tube and embrace identity politics.
Trump is a populist. He’s not very left-wing as a principle, but he supports some left-wing positions that Hillary doesn’t. (or more genuinely than she does such as on opposing TPP)
But more than being left or right, the most relevant label for Trump is that he’s an authoritarian, and not just in the small way that conservative policians engage in authoritarianism by restricting small liberties here and there. Trump outright has no problem with banning media, inciting violence, and requiring proof of allegiance. He belongs in the garbage with the other dictators and would-be-dictators of the world.
Yes, she is a conservative as was her husband and now Obama. I think that US Americans still have ways to go before they would vote for a true progressive. They had Kucinic, heck look what happened to Carter and his Solar Cells on the White house …..
But, she is still more to the left than anyone on the republican side in regards to gender (especially the right to choose, the right to control ones fertility etc), education, infrastructure, race and yes even poverty.
Is she a lefty, nope and I don’t think she ever sold herself as one, but she is in the US american sense a progressive.
“In a statement to Business Insider on Wednesday, Rich family spokesperson Brad Bauman thanked investigators and implored high-profile figures to stop attempting to “politicize” Rich’s death by perpetuating unfounded theories about the shooting.
“The family welcomes any and all information that could lead to the identification of the individuals responsible, and certainly welcomes contributions that could lead to new avenues of investigation,” Bauman said in the statement.
He added:
“That said, some are attempting to politicize this horrible tragedy, and in their attempts to do so, are actually causing more harm that good and impeding on the ability for law enforcement to properly do their job. For the sake of finding Seth’s killer, and for the sake of giving the family the space they need at this terrible time, they are asking for the public to refrain from pushing unproven and harmful theories about Seth’s murder.””
There is selective commenting going on over there. I posted a comment upholding Trotter’s line of thought… not because I’m a Clinton fan but because I detect the same sort of one-sided hysteria creeping in to the anti-Clinton rants as is happening in Britain with the anti-Corbyn rants. Comment never appeared. It’s happened before so don’t think I’ll bother to go there again.
They have a really irritating moderation setup where quite a few comments simply disappear when posted to appear later once moderation is done. I find it pretty much impossible to hold a conversation over there.
Anne. I too thought Trotter’s comments were more convincing than the Blogspot rants. Blogspot was just random insults with little or no substance. Trotter was at least right or wrong trying to present a substantial argument.
Tony Veitch (not the partner-bashing 3rd rate broadcaster) 2
Now, the problem is: how can we force the entire National Party (and the Labour Party too) to watch this short 7 minute clip? It should be required viewing for all aspiring and incumbent members of parliament!
That was a fairly reasonable run through of free trade.
Not convinced that VAT acts as a de-facto tariff though. The example he gives (German made cars) means, as I understood it, that a German consumer will pay 19% VAT on any new car, no matter where it’s been manufactured…so no advantage to German car manufacturers on that front.
That the 19% VAT is dropped if the car is exported doesn’t strike me as meaning that German car manufacturers get an advantage over US car manufacturers in the US market either.
But maybe I missed a detail.
I still think the clearest example to use for illustrating what free trade is and how it works, is that of the British – chopped off the thumbs of Indian weavers to ensure that Indian cotton was processed in Paisley, Manchester etc.
He starts off using the words comparative advantage while describing absolute advantage. He ends by describing sales taxes (GST, VAT) as a tariff.
Now, he’s absolutely right that the so called free-trade deals have made things worse after protectionist policies made things better. But by getting those two things completely wrong he’s undermining the entire argument.
Thank you 44 South. That does sum it up well.
There is a great doc. series called “The Unknown War” which details the Russian role in WW2. It is a real eye-opener to see what Russia endured and how they won the war for us all.
Also I like watching Putin when he has press conferences – he has a great grasp of the issues and addresses them with sound reasoning.
It is easy to regard countries as suprahuman beings that think and take decisions and do things. Practically speaking, countries consist of a small number of people, usually men, who make decisions for reasons often selfish, pathologically aggressive, pecuniary, delusional, misinformed, or actually psychopathic in the psychiatric sense.
That sounds about right and what you end up with when only a few people are making the policy decisions rather than the entire nation.
Parata parades the achievement levels creeping forward but what are the kids loosing? This says it all for parents and grandparents and meddling politicians.
Above all else, we taught her to fear failure. That fear is what has destroyed her love of learning.
And that is what our education system has been doing to a lot of people for a very long time. Not passing a course is seen as a failure and that brings persecution in various forms from all quarters. That persecution breeds fear.
DTB. A science friend never answered the questions posed by his kids. Instead he would muse seriously the question, and add another question. The kids are both seriously curious enquiring adults now.
Surveys of NZ classrooms show that kids do not ask questions. They just answer the teacher’s ones. No time they say but…
Silver Fern Farms is having its special shareholder meeting about its takeover by Shanghai Maling today. Apparently, control of the Board and of appointing the Chief Executive from New Zealand interests to Shanghai Maling doesn’t constitute a “major transaction” under the Companies Act 1993, so a special resolution of shareholders is not required.
The Companies Act says a company must not enter into a major transaction unless the transaction is approved by special resolution.
NZFirst has been leading the political charge to oppose this sale.
Separate but related, NZFirst’s Land Transfer (Foreign Ownership of Land Register) Amendment Bill has been pulled on the Parliamentary ballot yesterday. United Future and the Maori Party are likely to have the deciding vote.
Silver Fern Farms is by a fair shake the largest meat processor in New Zealand, and dominates the South Island. It’s one of New Zealand’s largest exporters. They have 19 processing sites across the country. At peak season they employ around 7,000 workers. Those 16,000 farmers are also shareholders.
I am pretty pissed off that this has even got this far.
We took over a century to gradually pull back control of processing from colonials like Borthwicks. Silver Fern Farms are now most of the way to giving over our a major chunk of our farming economic sovereignty to Chinese foreign commercial interests. I wouldn’t care what country they were: selling out something this important representing so many farmers is utterly wrong and should be stopped.
We took over a century to gradually pull back control of processing from colonials like Borthwicks. Silver Fern Farms are now most of the way to giving over our a major chunk of our farming economic sovereignty to Chinese foreign commercial interests. I wouldn’t care what country they were: selling out something this important representing so many farmers is utterly wrong and should be stopped.
Yep, it seems the only people who can see the damage to our society that foreign ownership produces is everybody except economists, politicians and RWNJs. Unfortunately, it’s the politicians making the decisions often in corruption with the RWNJs.
I attended that meeting – and a few others like it – as a member of the community.
He lays the blame on ARC and the 2008 Parliament for the MUL.
It’s a redirection at best, and misdirection at its worst.
While attending the Unitary Plan workshops, I came across a hard copy of proposals that would offset the likelihood of land banking. This was produced by Auckland Council, and I only picked up the single copy that was there alongside the rest. My attempts to find an online copy that afternoon – for posting to the community – failed.
Included in this document was reference to a number of mechanisms that could be employed by Auckland Council. One was “capital value uplift” tax. ie. if your property was rezoned, then you would pay a tax on the increased capital equity when you resold (at increased value) or developed.
This alongside an increased land tax on undeveloped residential land, would have mitigated some of the issues he points out in his article.
I raised these choices in a few subsequent meetings, most particularly memorable with John Duguid, Head Planner in charge of the Unitary Plan. He dismissed it immediately, as having been discounted as an option. By who – he didn’t say.
I now wonder if I picked up a document that was not available to the public for discussion. It was a very small turnout in Freeman’s Bay, and I spent a few minutes talking to a very tired but personable Len Brown.
I wonder if it was a document inadvertently left on the public consultation table.
The Unitary Plan consultation did appear to start off with the best of intentions, but the process – from my perspective – is now controlled by the usual suspects and short-term thinkers.
I would imagine the main reason why it was rejected is that the Auckland City has no legal power to impose such a tax.
The city, or any local govt, can only impose rates and charges for services delivered.
Taxes, and such a thing as a “capital value uplift’ tax would certainly be a tax, are the domain of central government. There is no way it could have been characterized as a rate.
And taxes should definitely remain the domain of central govt, they are accountable in a much more direct way for any taxes they impose. Any new tax or increased tax requires an act of parliament.
Many cities around the world, London included, have such a tax.
If you are stating that legislation cannot be changed regarding local government, then I disagree.
In the last few years there have been many changes to the local government acts at national level. (Including the capping of development charges that are then subsidised by the ratepayers.) A government is in place to make changes to benefit citizens and residents long term – or it is not. An act of parliament to invoke this tax around the country is a good outcome. And that tax can be returned to the council’s for specific community uses, I have no problem with that.
Your opinion that tax should remain the domain of central government ignores the rates (if not the GST on those rates) paid to local governments.
The issues of unfettered or badly designed development is felt at local level.
And mitigation or considered planning has to be at that level, else disconnected communities result.
Examples of this is apparent in the consolidated Auckland Council, and could be noticed even in some of the larger district councils, where the smaller communities were neglected or disregarded.
And taxes should definitely remain the domain of central govt, they are accountable in a much more direct way for any taxes they impose.
I disagree with that for four reasons:
1. A city/region should have control of the land within it’s borders and be able to make decisions for the betterment of the city including adding taxes to alter behaviour in regards to that land
2. The central government should only be setting broad policy that the city/region then make local laws to uphold
3. The central government is not accountable to the rate payers at all
4. Central government doesn’t have the information or the flexibility to govern the regions as well as the country whereas the local councils do. It’s actually why we have local councils and not just central government
She describes Andrew Little as waxing desperate with imagination. She’s the one waxing desperate…
And how about this:
In an astonishing and undignified episode, he tongue-lashed Wellington mayoral candidate Nick Leggett and left-wing commentator Phil Quin, and humiliated his Napier MP Stuart Nash.
Left wing commentator Phil Quin? Who is she trying to kid? He’s the one who resigned publicly and dramatically over the “Chinese sounding names debacle” she claims later in the article. Yeah… Phil Twyford as been fully vindicated since.
Have always suspected Ms Vance is a two-faced journo. Now I know.
And some on the centre-right are daydreaming about what a new party would look like: a front bench with (electable) talent like Shane Jones, Josie Pagani, Leggett, Nash and Davis.
Davis excepted (I have a lot of time for him), what’s in her drinking water that’s fried her brain?
I used to have some respect for Andrea Vance but this opinion piece looks like it was written by Matthew Hooton. What absolute nonsense!
Davis is NOT part of that rightwing cabal, despite all attempts by some to claim otherwise. Most of us were relieved when Andrew Little exposed Leggott as a rightwinger with Act support, and were also pleased to see Nash brought into line.
Leggott, Pagani, and Quinn have been plotting to move Labour rightwards for years but it is clear that they no longer have any influence within the party. Cosgrove and Goff are on their way out and they are obviously panicking. That Vance bought their spin is deeply disappointing.
Recall we had trolls smearing Vance as a Labour stooge, well maybe half true (right wing Labour stooge?), no matter, I was always weary of her opinions as she was always a ‘Labour did it too’ repeater. Pal of Pagani maybe?
I’m picking she threw his name into the ring to give the ‘cabal’ some respectability.
Bear in mind where Vance learned her trade… The News of the World. She’s brought their trademark underhand tactics with her. I should not be surprised if she wasn’t doing a bit of a counter-spin job for the govt. because they are under a lot of pressure at the moment.
I actually think Vance is one of the better journalists we have in that she does usually do research.
This article suggests to me she is friendly with Josie Pagani who often appears on TVNZ to represent the left (even though she is not at all left) and Vance has all too easily swallowed the Pagani/Leggott spin. Poor effort from someone who should know better.
You could be right Karen. After all Vance is new to NZ. Doesn’t have the background of knowledge and understanding of NZ politics (no doubt thinks she does) so could be easily mislead by the likes of the Paganis/Quins or Leggotts of this world. It suggests to me she needs to do more research and start talking to the people who actually know what they’re talking about. Eg. Andrew Little.
“And some on the centre-right are daydreaming about what a new party would look like: a front bench with (electable) talent like Shane Jones, Josie Pagani, Leggett, Nash and Davis.”
Vance should be ashamed to think she’s any sort of journalist to invent such deliberate fabrication. It’s reminiscent of The News of the World semi- criminal rubbish.
Vance is cooking up drama for ratings….Andrew was absolutely correct to explain to Stuart Nash it is “not a good look”…What about Vance asking Nash what his game is? If Hekia was doing a speaking engagement with Justin Lester, would Key have something to say?? We can’t even imagine it as it would not happen, cheers Stu, managed to divide people again.
It made Mr Little look like a strong leader imo , minions need chipping into line occasionally , ( I know because I ‘ve had the odd boss chip me when needed)
Where have you been in the last few weeks? Estate agents, financiers, journos (the real ones), various other expert commentators have been publicly condemning the govt. for not reining in the foreign based speculators who are the main driver of the escalating house prices and ALL of them are conceding that the most significant group are from China. The only people NOT conceding this fact is the govt. who are manipulating the figures in an effort to conceal the truth. Everyone knows it except Chuck – and his little band of fellow rwnj cohorts.
Regardless of the source, I guess they are the govt’s manipulated/massaged figures you are quoting. The govt’s lying through their teeth and anyone with any nous knows it. Hence the reason so many financial and real estate experts have been going public with the truth. Easy enough to disguise their foreign-based credentials by arranging for NZ based associates to ostensibly buy the properties while the money is coming from off-shore investors who remain incognito.
Yes the delay in the second round of money laundering legislation in which nz is an outlier suggests incompetence,or a requirement to check with the governments corporate sponsors.
There were 57,678 property transfers in total over the three months (second quarter). Only 1749 of them involved foreign buyers and 1560 foreign sellers, both including trusts and businesses.
So to be clear – are you saying that foreign based speculators are THE main driver of escalating house prices in Auckland?
Yes.
1. They’ve got far more money than the majority of people in NZ
2. As Poission points out, even a small increase in demand will adversely affect house prices and 20% isn’t a small increase.
I was referring to Andrea Vance’s piece and the fact that you said:
Andrew Little made it very easy for Vance to write that piece.
Which means that you recognise it as an attack piece.
Every Asian looking person from that point at an auction or open home were tarred with Twyfords “attack piece”.
Unfortunately, that was already happening because people were already noticing that auctions for housing were being dominated by Asians. Twyford just put the figures together to show that the housing market was dominated by non-resident Asians.
“I was referring to Andrea Vance’s piece and the fact that you said:”
“Andrew Little made it very easy for Vance to write that piece.”
Ok got it.
No my view is its not an attack piece. When I said Little made it very easy – it was because he shot from the hip. Labour has been infighting for years over this subject, the last thing it needed was for Little to throw petrol on the fire.
Vance responds to a tweet offering a more rational view of the feedback Nash got from Little:
“the point I was trying to make is there should be room for more ideas and less nastiness!”
Talk about “nasty” Andrea?
Dickhead alan duff gets some learning from Leonie Pihama
“Each column written by Alan Duff is yet another repetitive Once Were Warriors theme. We continually get themes of: Once Were Losers, Once Were Whingers, Once Were Drop Outs… the list goes on and within it the themes continue to reflect what is in fact Alan Duff’s inability to grasp the fundamental underpinning issues of the impact of colonisation, and how that has specific and particular consequences for Indigenous Nations. This is somewhat ironic, given that the position Duff takes in virtually every column is a reflection of those impacts, and are reflected constantly as the justification for Māori people being bashed by him on regular basis. Perhaps it is because Mr Duff has never taken to the time to seek out pathways for understanding his own self hatred and the hegemony of that. Hegemony, being the internalisation of self hatred, and the internalisation of the belief that to be successful in this society is to act, write, speak and live as the reflection of your coloniser (The definition is provided here as the column indicates that Mr Duff has difficulty with such terms as hegemony, colonisation and imperialist arrogance – all of which are states of being that are reflected in Mr Duffs column).”
@ No Right Turn:
“(Clinton on TPPA) I oppose it now, I’ll oppose it after the election and I’ll oppose it as President,” the Democratic nominee told supporters at a factory in Michigan.”
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On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A new Commonwealth Prac Payment will provide students with $319.50 a week when they are on clinical and professional placements. The payment will be means tested and start from July 1 next year, which ...
Asia Pacific Report About 500 people honoured Palestinian journalists in the heart of the New Zealand city of Auckland today for their brave coverage of Israel’s War on Gaza, now in its seventh month with almost 35,000 people killed, mostly women and children. Marking the annual May 3 World Press ...
The Government Communications Security Bureau denies hosting a foreign spying capability flagged by the watchdog, differentiating it from the system recently criticised. ...
RNZ News A group of academic staff at New Zealand’s largest university have expressed concern at the administration’s move to block a protest encampment that was planned to take place on campus calling for support for the rights of Palestinians. This week, the University of Auckland warned that while it ...
Genterwocky After a hard days marching, Sir Doocey calls in at the Village Tavern For a pint of ale and a pork pie. The grim villagers stare at him. “Do not be travelling on the forest road,” warns a crusty old beak. “And why is that, antique peasant?” Grins Sir ...
Political conferences after a party returns to power are usually a chance for some healthy, even unhealthy backslapping. Yet National Party president Sylvia Wood’s address to its mainland representatives on Saturday hardly contained the unalloyed delight that one might have expected following National’s escape from the wilderness of opposition. Yes, ...
Comment: Almost half the world is voting in national elections this year and artificial intelligence is the elephant in the room. There are genuine fears AI-generated or AI-edited deepfakes will potentially manipulate election outcomes not just in the US and UK, but critically in countries such as India. For that ...
Ahead of the reality franchise’s return to New Zealand, allow us to introduce the eight brides and grooms. Chuck on a veil and tie back your man bun, because it’s time to say “I do” to a new season of Married at First Sight NZ. The reality TV “social experiment” ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Norton, Professor in the Practice of Higher Education Policy, Australian National University Every year on June 1, student debt in Australia is indexed to inflation. In 2023, high inflation pushed the indexation rate to 7.1%, the highest since 1990. This ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Changes in the May 14 budget will cut the student debt of more than three million people, wiping more than $3 billion from what people owe. The government will cap the HELP indexation rate ...
Asia Pacific Report The prosecutor’s office at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has appealed for an end to what it calls intimidation of its staff, saying such threats could constitute an offence against the “administration of justice” by the world’s permanent war crimes court. The Hague-based office of ICC Prosecutor ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk A women’s union in New Caledonia has staged a sit-in protest this week to support senior Kanak indigenous journalist Thérèse Waia, who works for public broadcaster Nouvelle-Calédonie la Première, after a smear attack by critics. The peaceful demonstration was held on ...
New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring overseas recalls of Indian packaged spice products manufactured by MDH and Everest due to concerns over a cancer-causing pesticide. ...
By Stephen Wright and Stefan Armbruster of BenarNews Fiji’s ranking in a global press freedom index has jumped into the top tier of countries with free or mostly free media after its government last year repealed a draconian law that threatened journalists with prison for doing their jobs. Fiji’s improvement ...
We might be in Invercargill but all anyone can talk about is Gore. Specifically, Salford Street. That’s where three-year-old Lachlan Jones lived, south of the centre of town, between the A&P Showgrounds and the Mataura River. Roughly 1.2 km away from the single level home he lived in with his ...
MONDAY I lined up the latest round of civil servants from city hall against the wall, and signalled for the firing squad to drop their rifles. I stepped up onto a wooden crate to look at the office workers in the eye. But that didn’t feel right, so I found ...
Keen hiker and second-year MSc student Liam Hewson wears two hats when he’s in the great outdoors. “The scientist in me appreciates nature and goes, ‘Oh, there’s that thing and there’s another thing,’ but then the tramper and the outdoorsy person in me thinks, ‘Cool bush.’” Born and bred in ...
After a long and illustrious career as a goal kicker, Dan Carter’s favourite way to unwind is… kicking goals. Why can’t he get enough of it? And what it’s like to watch him do it for an hour straight? A semicircle of people wielding cameras and phones has formed in ...
Dame Susan Devoy takes us through her life in television, including late night ER debriefs, her proudest CTI moment and the show she watches in secret. Quite aside from her four world champion squash titles, Dame Susan Devoy will likely go down in history as one of the best Celebrity ...
Hera Lindsay Bird reveals the best places in Ōtepoti to score more for your apocalypse-prep book hoard.Sometimes I get the feeling I’ve been killed in a car crash, and this second half of my life is just the brain unspooling itself, like one of those episodes of a hospital ...
ThreeNow’s new murder mystery series takes us on a dark, damp journey into the Australian wilderness.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. High Country is ThreeNow’s new Australian eight-part crime drama, set in a remote part of the Victorian highlands. It tells ...
Introducing a new way to read The Spinoff every weekend. After nearly 10 years of being an online magazine, we’re finally embracing the weekend liftout. Despite our best efforts to convince you otherwise, writers and editors at The Spinoff don’t work weekend. It is through the sheer power of technology ...
Tip one: let yourself be nurtured by this big old man. Tip two: don’t ask him to adopt you. So, you’ve arrived at your first session with a new therapist. He tells you to make yourself comfortable and you opt for the tweed armchair, hoping it makes you look like ...
I didn’t know books could open you back up; that there were books that stayed with you, where reading was like a chemical event. I knew nothing.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.Not too long ago, I was listening to the American ...
Former Olympic swimmer James Magnussen has already started training for the Enhanced games, though says he won’t start taking performance enhancing substances until about nine months out from the competition. The Australian world champion was the first athlete to be announced by Enhanced, but he says the organisation has had ...
Everyone thinks he’s dead. Every day they expect his body to be washed up along the coast. Most likely up Karitane way, the way the tide’s running. But nobody’ll be too surprised if his body’s never found. Even in death he wouldn’t have wished for such attention. He would have ...
Council members voted 21 to 4 in favour of Ahluwalia returning to the Laucala campus following a much-awaited meeting in Vanuatu this week. It comes as USP and its two unions — the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS) and the Administration and Support Staff Union ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Henry, Professor & Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University Shutterstock Following an emergency meeting of the National Cabinet this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a raft of measures to tackle the problem ...
Analysis - A poll showing the opposition is more popular than the government raises questions, politicians go through their 'trial by pay rise' and a Green MP loses her cool in the debating chamber. ...
The entire stretch of Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast will be subject to a joint customary marine title for two hapū, and extending up to four miles out to sea. A High Court judge has found the two groups, who during the case settled a dispute over boundaries for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Hall, Lecturer, Media & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University A longstanding feud between TikTok and Universal Music Group seems to have finally reached an end, with both parties signing a deal that will see Universal-backed music returned to the social media ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan O’Dean, Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney After several highly publicised alleged murders of women in Australia, the Albanese government this week pledged more than A$925 million over five years ...
Political parties have now fully disclosed the donations they received last year - with National getting more than double the cash of any other party. ...
A Pacific regionalism expert has called out New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS military pact. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard de Grijs, Professor of Astrophysics, Macquarie University Bruno Scramgnon/Pexels All systems are “go” for tonight’s launch of China’s next step in a carefully planned lunar exploration program. Placed on top of a powerful Long March 5 rocket, the Chang’e 6 ...
National returned a massive donation the day after a Newsroom story linked the donors to a property being investigated for operating unlawfully as a migrant workers’ hostel. The party’s 2023 donation filings, released on Friday, show it returned a $200,000 donation from Buen Holdings on August 23. That was the ...
Pacific Media Watch New Zealand has slumped to an unprecedented 19th place in the annual Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index survey released today on World Press Freedom Day — May 3. This was a drop of six places from 13th last year when it slipped out of its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Political Historian and Administrator Officer, Australian Historical Association, Australian National University Australia has had its fair share of public record-keeping controversies in recent years. Some have been mere farce, as in the case of two formerly government-owned filing cabinets (containing ...
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Chris Trotter tries to argue that Clinton is ‘progressive’.
Comments below show what most think of that.
One says.
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/08/11/hillary-clinton-progressive/
http://nzagainstthecurrent.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/youre-not-proper-progressive.html
and for what it is worth, US American will not vote for their President on the ‘war’ issue.
the US Americans have no issue going to war as long as the war is fought somewhere else. They will however vote for ‘progressive’ things such as health care, well funded schools, the much re-build of infrastructure etc, and on the other side of the aisle they will vote for ‘second amendment’, they will vote to outlaw abortion, they will vote to expel Obama Care (while flawed and still to expensive has provided insurance for several million of people).
I don’t understand why people don’t get this. War in its abstract, overseas form is not something that a democrat or a republican will vote on. They will vote on domestic issues as much as the National Voter in NZ voted to keep is Capital Gains.
Politics begins at home, so that notion that these guys are going to do something good for the world is just useless. They will vote for the one that will bring back jobs, bring back a bit of pride, bring back the bacon so to speak. They will do the same here.
Nothing to do with progressive or conservative.
and yes, much like here , they – the voters – individually care very little about how their vote will affect someone else far far away.
A nice healthcare plan isn’t much use under a cloud of radiation!
yes dear.
I don’t know, judging by the dogpile I got when I tried to argue that Clinton is a right-wing democrat, (which she evidently is if you look at how weak her “wins” against corporations are, and her stances on anything but healthcare, and even the details of what she supported and opposed during the healthcare reform) a lot of people here wouldn’t disagree too loudly with her being a progressive, because apparently she’s left-of-centre in their view, as opposed to someone right-of-centre who gets away with it due to her party ALSO being on average right-of-centre, despite being the leftmost option.
If she were in NZ she’d be considered to the right of John Key and not by a small margin either
See I wouldn’t go quite that far, she’s probably at about the same place economically as John Key, but is more commited to being a liberal than he is at the very least.
That said, in a less corrupted political system, she would probably be more left-wing, so while she’s objectively right-wing, it is fair to say that she’s also typical for a Democrat in many ways.
In many ways Trump is more left wing. What we are seeing is he disintegration of labels. The Republicans see themselves as the voice of the disenfranchised worker and middle classes,, while the Democrats fasten onto the bankster feed tube and embrace identity politics.
Trump is a populist. He’s not very left-wing as a principle, but he supports some left-wing positions that Hillary doesn’t. (or more genuinely than she does such as on opposing TPP)
But more than being left or right, the most relevant label for Trump is that he’s an authoritarian, and not just in the small way that conservative policians engage in authoritarianism by restricting small liberties here and there. Trump outright has no problem with banning media, inciting violence, and requiring proof of allegiance. He belongs in the garbage with the other dictators and would-be-dictators of the world.
+1
Yes, she is a conservative as was her husband and now Obama. I think that US Americans still have ways to go before they would vote for a true progressive. They had Kucinic, heck look what happened to Carter and his Solar Cells on the White house …..
But, she is still more to the left than anyone on the republican side in regards to gender (especially the right to choose, the right to control ones fertility etc), education, infrastructure, race and yes even poverty.
Is she a lefty, nope and I don’t think she ever sold herself as one, but she is in the US american sense a progressive.
Exactly Sabine.
And another one bites the dust! Still think the Clintons are wonderful?
http://www.infowars.com/friends-of-dnc-linked-shawn-lucas-freaked-out-by-his-death/
http://www.businessinsider.com.au/dnc-seth-rich-wikileaks-politicize-2016-8?r=US&IR=T
“In a statement to Business Insider on Wednesday, Rich family spokesperson Brad Bauman thanked investigators and implored high-profile figures to stop attempting to “politicize” Rich’s death by perpetuating unfounded theories about the shooting.
“The family welcomes any and all information that could lead to the identification of the individuals responsible, and certainly welcomes contributions that could lead to new avenues of investigation,” Bauman said in the statement.
He added:
“That said, some are attempting to politicize this horrible tragedy, and in their attempts to do so, are actually causing more harm that good and impeding on the ability for law enforcement to properly do their job. For the sake of finding Seth’s killer, and for the sake of giving the family the space they need at this terrible time, they are asking for the public to refrain from pushing unproven and harmful theories about Seth’s murder.””
There is selective commenting going on over there. I posted a comment upholding Trotter’s line of thought… not because I’m a Clinton fan but because I detect the same sort of one-sided hysteria creeping in to the anti-Clinton rants as is happening in Britain with the anti-Corbyn rants. Comment never appeared. It’s happened before so don’t think I’ll bother to go there again.
This comment?
They have a really irritating moderation setup where quite a few comments simply disappear when posted to appear later once moderation is done. I find it pretty much impossible to hold a conversation over there.
Yes it was. It wasn’t there yesterday evening and it wasn’t there this morning – and they’ve printed it twice. Yep. It’s too hit and miss for me too.
One may be an accident, two gets suspicious….but fifty?
Looks like I was a bit short. More like 90!
http://www.freewebs.com/jeffhead/liberty/liberty/bdycount.txt
Anne. I too thought Trotter’s comments were more convincing than the Blogspot rants. Blogspot was just random insults with little or no substance. Trotter was at least right or wrong trying to present a substantial argument.
Thom Hartmann explodes the myth of ‘free trade.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROf1arimLH8
Now, the problem is: how can we force the entire National Party (and the Labour Party too) to watch this short 7 minute clip? It should be required viewing for all aspiring and incumbent members of parliament!
That was a fairly reasonable run through of free trade.
Not convinced that VAT acts as a de-facto tariff though. The example he gives (German made cars) means, as I understood it, that a German consumer will pay 19% VAT on any new car, no matter where it’s been manufactured…so no advantage to German car manufacturers on that front.
That the 19% VAT is dropped if the car is exported doesn’t strike me as meaning that German car manufacturers get an advantage over US car manufacturers in the US market either.
But maybe I missed a detail.
I still think the clearest example to use for illustrating what free trade is and how it works, is that of the British – chopped off the thumbs of Indian weavers to ensure that Indian cotton was processed in Paisley, Manchester etc.
He starts off using the words comparative advantage while describing absolute advantage. He ends by describing sales taxes (GST, VAT) as a tariff.
Now, he’s absolutely right that the so called free-trade deals have made things worse after protectionist policies made things better. But by getting those two things completely wrong he’s undermining the entire argument.
The latest post over at “Fred On Everything” re Trump/Clinton and Russia sums it up pretty well.
Thank you 44 South. That does sum it up well.
There is a great doc. series called “The Unknown War” which details the Russian role in WW2. It is a real eye-opener to see what Russia endured and how they won the war for us all.
Also I like watching Putin when he has press conferences – he has a great grasp of the issues and addresses them with sound reasoning.
This one?
That sounds about right and what you end up with when only a few people are making the policy decisions rather than the entire nation.
Well done Luuka, from being ranked 28th in the world and qualifying last to storming to silver is a fantastic effort
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/olympics/83091604/rio-olympics-2016-luuka-jones-reaches-womens-canoe-slalom-final
Well done lads, doing what you need to do and doing better then anyone else
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/olympics/83090966/rio-olympics-2016-backtoback-mens-pair-gold-medals-for-hamish-bond-eric-murray
Parata parades the achievement levels creeping forward but what are the kids loosing? This says it all for parents and grandparents and meddling politicians.
“The truth—for this parent and so many others—is this: Her child has sacrificed her natural curiosity and love of learning at the altar of achievement, and it’s our fault. Marianna’s parents, her teachers, society at large—we are all implicated in this crime against learning.”
http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/08/when-success-leads-to-failure/400925/?utm_source=atlfb
And that is what our education system has been doing to a lot of people for a very long time. Not passing a course is seen as a failure and that brings persecution in various forms from all quarters. That persecution breeds fear.
DTB. A science friend never answered the questions posed by his kids. Instead he would muse seriously the question, and add another question. The kids are both seriously curious enquiring adults now.
Surveys of NZ classrooms show that kids do not ask questions. They just answer the teacher’s ones. No time they say but…
Silver Fern Farms is having its special shareholder meeting about its takeover by Shanghai Maling today. Apparently, control of the Board and of appointing the Chief Executive from New Zealand interests to Shanghai Maling doesn’t constitute a “major transaction” under the Companies Act 1993, so a special resolution of shareholders is not required.
The Companies Act says a company must not enter into a major transaction unless the transaction is approved by special resolution.
NZFirst has been leading the political charge to oppose this sale.
Separate but related, NZFirst’s Land Transfer (Foreign Ownership of Land Register) Amendment Bill has been pulled on the Parliamentary ballot yesterday. United Future and the Maori Party are likely to have the deciding vote.
Silver Fern Farms is by a fair shake the largest meat processor in New Zealand, and dominates the South Island. It’s one of New Zealand’s largest exporters. They have 19 processing sites across the country. At peak season they employ around 7,000 workers. Those 16,000 farmers are also shareholders.
I am pretty pissed off that this has even got this far.
We took over a century to gradually pull back control of processing from colonials like Borthwicks. Silver Fern Farms are now most of the way to giving over our a major chunk of our farming economic sovereignty to Chinese foreign commercial interests. I wouldn’t care what country they were: selling out something this important representing so many farmers is utterly wrong and should be stopped.
SIlverfern says it doesn’t matter what gets decided today, the deal is going ahead regardless.
^^^^ THIS
Totally agree Ad.
QFT.
Yep, it seems the only people who can see the damage to our society that foreign ownership produces is everybody except economists, politicians and RWNJs. Unfortunately, it’s the politicians making the decisions often in corruption with the RWNJs.
Gordon Copeland has an article in the Herald today: ARC’s urban boundary to blame for evil of land banking.
I attended that meeting – and a few others like it – as a member of the community.
He lays the blame on ARC and the 2008 Parliament for the MUL.
It’s a redirection at best, and misdirection at its worst.
While attending the Unitary Plan workshops, I came across a hard copy of proposals that would offset the likelihood of land banking. This was produced by Auckland Council, and I only picked up the single copy that was there alongside the rest. My attempts to find an online copy that afternoon – for posting to the community – failed.
Included in this document was reference to a number of mechanisms that could be employed by Auckland Council. One was “capital value uplift” tax. ie. if your property was rezoned, then you would pay a tax on the increased capital equity when you resold (at increased value) or developed.
This alongside an increased land tax on undeveloped residential land, would have mitigated some of the issues he points out in his article.
I raised these choices in a few subsequent meetings, most particularly memorable with John Duguid, Head Planner in charge of the Unitary Plan. He dismissed it immediately, as having been discounted as an option. By who – he didn’t say.
I now wonder if I picked up a document that was not available to the public for discussion. It was a very small turnout in Freeman’s Bay, and I spent a few minutes talking to a very tired but personable Len Brown.
I wonder if it was a document inadvertently left on the public consultation table.
The Unitary Plan consultation did appear to start off with the best of intentions, but the process – from my perspective – is now controlled by the usual suspects and short-term thinkers.
Molly,
I would imagine the main reason why it was rejected is that the Auckland City has no legal power to impose such a tax.
The city, or any local govt, can only impose rates and charges for services delivered.
Taxes, and such a thing as a “capital value uplift’ tax would certainly be a tax, are the domain of central government. There is no way it could have been characterized as a rate.
And taxes should definitely remain the domain of central govt, they are accountable in a much more direct way for any taxes they impose. Any new tax or increased tax requires an act of parliament.
Many cities around the world, London included, have such a tax.
If you are stating that legislation cannot be changed regarding local government, then I disagree.
In the last few years there have been many changes to the local government acts at national level. (Including the capping of development charges that are then subsidised by the ratepayers.) A government is in place to make changes to benefit citizens and residents long term – or it is not. An act of parliament to invoke this tax around the country is a good outcome. And that tax can be returned to the council’s for specific community uses, I have no problem with that.
Your opinion that tax should remain the domain of central government ignores the rates (if not the GST on those rates) paid to local governments.
The issues of unfettered or badly designed development is felt at local level.
And mitigation or considered planning has to be at that level, else disconnected communities result.
Examples of this is apparent in the consolidated Auckland Council, and could be noticed even in some of the larger district councils, where the smaller communities were neglected or disregarded.
I disagree with that for four reasons:
1. A city/region should have control of the land within it’s borders and be able to make decisions for the betterment of the city including adding taxes to alter behaviour in regards to that land
2. The central government should only be setting broad policy that the city/region then make local laws to uphold
3. The central government is not accountable to the rate payers at all
4. Central government doesn’t have the information or the flexibility to govern the regions as well as the country whereas the local councils do. It’s actually why we have local councils and not just central government
What a load of discombobulated crap from Andrea Vance.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/opinion-little-doing-poor-job-telling-labours-story
She describes Andrew Little as waxing desperate with imagination. She’s the one waxing desperate…
And how about this:
Left wing commentator Phil Quin? Who is she trying to kid? He’s the one who resigned publicly and dramatically over the “Chinese sounding names debacle” she claims later in the article. Yeah… Phil Twyford as been fully vindicated since.
Have always suspected Ms Vance is a two-faced journo. Now I know.
Further excerpt:
Davis excepted (I have a lot of time for him), what’s in her drinking water that’s fried her brain?
Pagani on the Labour front bench…aaaarrrrghhh my day ruined….
Apparently that would be the front bench of a new party. One that, like Act, will have to make deals with National to even get into parliament.
I used to have some respect for Andrea Vance but this opinion piece looks like it was written by Matthew Hooton. What absolute nonsense!
Davis is NOT part of that rightwing cabal, despite all attempts by some to claim otherwise. Most of us were relieved when Andrew Little exposed Leggott as a rightwinger with Act support, and were also pleased to see Nash brought into line.
Leggott, Pagani, and Quinn have been plotting to move Labour rightwards for years but it is clear that they no longer have any influence within the party. Cosgrove and Goff are on their way out and they are obviously panicking. That Vance bought their spin is deeply disappointing.
Recall we had trolls smearing Vance as a Labour stooge, well maybe half true (right wing Labour stooge?), no matter, I was always weary of her opinions as she was always a ‘Labour did it too’ repeater. Pal of Pagani maybe?
Davis is NOT part of that rightwing cabal.
I’m picking she threw his name into the ring to give the ‘cabal’ some respectability.
Bear in mind where Vance learned her trade… The News of the World. She’s brought their trademark underhand tactics with her. I should not be surprised if she wasn’t doing a bit of a counter-spin job for the govt. because they are under a lot of pressure at the moment.
You need your own episode on X-Files.
I actually think Vance is one of the better journalists we have in that she does usually do research.
This article suggests to me she is friendly with Josie Pagani who often appears on TVNZ to represent the left (even though she is not at all left) and Vance has all too easily swallowed the Pagani/Leggott spin. Poor effort from someone who should know better.
You could be right Karen. After all Vance is new to NZ. Doesn’t have the background of knowledge and understanding of NZ politics (no doubt thinks she does) so could be easily mislead by the likes of the Paganis/Quins or Leggotts of this world. It suggests to me she needs to do more research and start talking to the people who actually know what they’re talking about. Eg. Andrew Little.
Wow…are you suggesting that Vance cannot think for herself?
Easily mislead…why? because Vance is female? that’s how you sound Anne.
Could you not accept that maybe Vance wrote the article based on “her considered opinion”? instead of getting nasty…
Pffft… reading what’s not there. Anyone can do that. I take it you are a typical misogynist male trying to project your failings on to a female? 😎
“Doesn’t have the background of knowledge and understanding of NZ politics”
“so could be easily mislead”
“It suggests to me she needs to do more research and start talking to the people who actually know what they’re talking about”
No, I am on solid ground here Anne…you don’t like what Vance has said so you play the “poor wee thing” BS…
From what I can see, Vance says what she thinks…if it critical of the left or right I don’t care.
Chuck-Now that’s a real troll attempt at diversion. Unconvincing though.
Anne..add a Pffft from me too.
“And some on the centre-right are daydreaming about what a new party would look like: a front bench with (electable) talent like Shane Jones, Josie Pagani, Leggett, Nash and Davis.”
Vance should be ashamed to think she’s any sort of journalist to invent such deliberate fabrication. It’s reminiscent of The News of the World semi- criminal rubbish.
Vance is cooking up drama for ratings….Andrew was absolutely correct to explain to Stuart Nash it is “not a good look”…What about Vance asking Nash what his game is? If Hekia was doing a speaking engagement with Justin Lester, would Key have something to say?? We can’t even imagine it as it would not happen, cheers Stu, managed to divide people again.
It made Mr Little look like a strong leader imo , minions need chipping into line occasionally , ( I know because I ‘ve had the odd boss chip me when needed)
she used to work for “News of the World” for sure she is cooking up drama for ratings. Good call
Andrew Little made it very easy for Vance to write that piece.
And as for Phil Twyford…39.5% of houses are sold to people with Chinese sounding names…yeh right “Phil has fully vindicated” NOT!!
Where have you been in the last few weeks? Estate agents, financiers, journos (the real ones), various other expert commentators have been publicly condemning the govt. for not reining in the foreign based speculators who are the main driver of the escalating house prices and ALL of them are conceding that the most significant group are from China. The only people NOT conceding this fact is the govt. who are manipulating the figures in an effort to conceal the truth. Everyone knows it except Chuck – and his little band of fellow rwnj cohorts.
Sorry Anne but foreign based speculators are NOT the main driver of escalating house prices.
Twyford took a leaf out of Winston’s bag of tricks and ran with it.
Ah, more lies from a RWNJ – as expected.
The evidence is that foreign speculators are pushing up house prices here in NZ, in Canada and other places around the world.
But, of course, you knew that.
“Sorry Anne but foreign based speculators are NOT the main driver of escalating house prices.”
Draco please read again…”NOT the main driver”.
Any buyer in the market (when supply is limited) can be said to have an effect on escalating house prices.
So to be clear – are you saying that foreign based speculators are THE main driver of escalating house prices in Auckland?
46% of residential house sales in AK are to investors.
Of that number 5% are to offshore domiciled foreign investors,and a further 15% to temporary visa holders aka foreign investors.
remove 20% of the players from any market it will contract ie elasticity you do understand that part don’t you?
Regardless of the source, I guess they are the govt’s manipulated/massaged figures you are quoting. The govt’s lying through their teeth and anyone with any nous knows it. Hence the reason so many financial and real estate experts have been going public with the truth. Easy enough to disguise their foreign-based credentials by arranging for NZ based associates to ostensibly buy the properties while the money is coming from off-shore investors who remain incognito.
Yes the delay in the second round of money laundering legislation in which nz is an outlier suggests incompetence,or a requirement to check with the governments corporate sponsors.
There were 57,678 property transfers in total over the three months (second quarter). Only 1749 of them involved foreign buyers and 1560 foreign sellers, both including trusts and businesses.
Yes.
1. They’ve got far more money than the majority of people in NZ
2. As Poission points out, even a small increase in demand will adversely affect house prices and 20% isn’t a small increase.
Then you are plainly wrong Draco.
They have an effect…but are NOT the main drivers.
Ah, so you admit that it’s an attack piece.
Not sure what you mean Draco…
But if you are referring to Twyford’s Chinese sounding names…yes it was. Stir up the locals re – Asians are buying up your houses.
Every Asian looking person from that point at an auction or open home were tarred with Twyfords “attack piece”.
Personally I have friends of Asian decent who coped it firsthand. And they are NZ citizens and had been for a long time.
I was referring to Andrea Vance’s piece and the fact that you said:
Which means that you recognise it as an attack piece.
Unfortunately, that was already happening because people were already noticing that auctions for housing were being dominated by Asians. Twyford just put the figures together to show that the housing market was dominated by non-resident Asians.
“I was referring to Andrea Vance’s piece and the fact that you said:”
“Andrew Little made it very easy for Vance to write that piece.”
Ok got it.
No my view is its not an attack piece. When I said Little made it very easy – it was because he shot from the hip. Labour has been infighting for years over this subject, the last thing it needed was for Little to throw petrol on the fire.
Vance took notice and reported it.
upchuck
http://www.newshub.co.nz/nznews/lawyer-chinese-house-buyers-will-get-around-ban-2016062116
http://www.interest.co.nz/property/83067/nzs-populaton-grows-fastest-rate-ever-year-june-back-surging-migration
https://croakingcassandra.com/2016/08/08/perhaps-20-more-terms-in-office-will-be-enough/
Quin is on a par with the Conservative’s Stringer. Even his friends don’t like him.
The man truly is a pig.
You need to get out more…..as in don’t get all your information from the same sources.
I could resort to the rantings of infowars’ blow addled fuckwits.
But I won’t.
Vance crucifies Andrew Little https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/opinion-little-doing-poor-job-telling-labours-story
That would be one of the leaders of the block that is level with National in the polls and rising.
Vance shows shes just another jonolist, like we needed proof.
Vance responds to a tweet offering a more rational view of the feedback Nash got from Little:
“the point I was trying to make is there should be room for more ideas and less nastiness!”
Talk about “nasty” Andrea?
Better late than never – Zeynep Tufekci updated her article on the dumping of the details of female voters in Turkey.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/zeynep-tufekci/wikileaks-erdogan-emails_b_11158792.html
Bolton, huh.
/
http://www.iraqwar.org/bolton.htm
Do you have any commentary on Hillary, Joe?
Or are you a Clinton Crime Denier?
ABT
Had to look up ABT in the urban dictionary and it was an interesting read…
Dickhead alan duff gets some learning from Leonie Pihama
“Each column written by Alan Duff is yet another repetitive Once Were Warriors theme. We continually get themes of: Once Were Losers, Once Were Whingers, Once Were Drop Outs… the list goes on and within it the themes continue to reflect what is in fact Alan Duff’s inability to grasp the fundamental underpinning issues of the impact of colonisation, and how that has specific and particular consequences for Indigenous Nations. This is somewhat ironic, given that the position Duff takes in virtually every column is a reflection of those impacts, and are reflected constantly as the justification for Māori people being bashed by him on regular basis. Perhaps it is because Mr Duff has never taken to the time to seek out pathways for understanding his own self hatred and the hegemony of that. Hegemony, being the internalisation of self hatred, and the internalisation of the belief that to be successful in this society is to act, write, speak and live as the reflection of your coloniser (The definition is provided here as the column indicates that Mr Duff has difficulty with such terms as hegemony, colonisation and imperialist arrogance – all of which are states of being that are reflected in Mr Duffs column).”
https://tewhareporahou.wordpress.com/2016/08/11/just-another-excuse-to-bash-maori-a-reply-to-alan-duff/
Hat tip – Kim
Wow ,well done Leonie. If only the bloody stupid Herald would print that!
Dickhead marty mars repeats verbatim half the discourse he provides a link to …why ??does he think we cant read ?
Half? Back to school fool.
It is appropriate to quote with a link so people know what the link is like. 101
@ No Right Turn:
“(Clinton on TPPA) I oppose it now, I’ll oppose it after the election and I’ll oppose it as President,” the Democratic nominee told supporters at a factory in Michigan.”
Wow! Hope it works out that way. Meanwhile Key is going ahead with a rushed omnibus Bill to change our laws to fit TPPA.
http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/the-tpp-is-dead.html
Ps. Forgot to post this this morning. Too late?