Open mike 18/08/2019
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7:00 am, August 18th, 2019 - 75 comments
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- A Government System That Works
The Covid-19 saga will no doubt produce many twists and turns for us before it is finally brought to an end. But one thing it has shown us – and what comfort it should bring us – is that our country’s government is in good hands. I am not thinking ...29 mins ago - Smashing down the barriers: Where are we at with COVID vaccines?
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- Rāhui day 3I’m here in lockdown with my flatmate and her two girls (6 and 2) and it. is. a time. They’re usually really active so to start with the only boardgame in the house is the copy of Guess Who that the 6 year old got for her birthday. Flatmate commented ...3 days ago
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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The scale of what we face right now is unlike anything we have ever seen before. Overcoming it is our common purpose. ...7 days ago - Winston Peters urging New Zealanders overseas to stay putForeign Minister Winston Peters is encouraging New Zealanders overseas to stay where they are amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "We are reaching a point where the best option for most New Zealanders offshore is to shelter in place, by preparing to safely stay where they are.” "This includes following the instructions ...1 week ago
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- New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial processRt. Hon. Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to establish truth, accountability and justice for the downing of Flight MH17 ...3 weeks ago
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- Strong Govt books support ‘go hard, go early’ responseNew Zealand’s ability to go hard and go early in the fight against COVID-19 has been underpinned by strong Government finances and the growing economy heading into this global pandemic, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. The Treasury today released the Crown financial statements for the eight months to the end ...23 hours ago
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- Government supports Air NZ freight flightsThe Government has fast-tracked up to $1 million to help Air New Zealand move urgent freight to and from New Zealand, with the first flight to Shanghai leaving tonight, Transport Minister Phil Twyford announced today. Phil Twyford says it’s crucial that trade in vital goods such as medical supplies and ...2 days ago
- Tariff concessions on COVID-19 related productsNew Zealand will temporarily remove tariffs on all medical and hygiene imports needed for the COVID-19 response. Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi said today that the New Zealand Customs Service will apply tariff concessions to all diagnostic reagents and testing ...4 days ago
- Clarification of modification to wage subsidy schemeMinister of Finance Grant Robertson has clarified that the changes to the wage subsidy scheme announced yesterday mean that employers should be passing on the full subsidy to workers, except in the case where the person’s normal income is less than the level of the subsidy. “We still want employers ...4 days ago
- Face masks flowing to DHBsMedical face masks from the national reserve supply are now being distributed to District Health Boards, while at the same time local production is being ramped up. Yesterday more than 640,000 masks were sent to DHBS – that is an immediate two week supply, with more to follow in coming ...5 days ago
- COVID-19: Further steps to protect New Zealanders’ jobsThe Government has made modifications to the wage subsidy scheme to ensure people don’t lose their jobs during the national lockdown. These changes will soften the impact of COVID-19 on workers, families and businesses, and position them to exit the lockdown and look to recovery, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. ...5 days ago
- Tax relief for Mycoplasma Bovis farmersFarmers whose herds were culled in response to the outbreak of Mycoplasma bovis will be able to minimise the tax treatment of their income in some circumstances. Revenue Minister Stuart Nash says Cabinet has agreed to change the law. It means farmers may be eligible to spread their income over ...5 days ago
- $27 million for NGOs and community groups to continue providing essential servicesA $27 million dollar package, effective immediately, is being provided to social sector services and community groups to ensure they can continue to provide essential support to communities as we stay at home as a nation to stop the spread of COVID-19, Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni announced. “At ...6 days ago
- Statement on guilty plea of March 15 terrorist“The guilty plea today will provide some relief to the many people whose lives were shattered by what happened on March 15,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. “These guilty pleas and conviction bring accountability for what happened and also save the families who lost loved ones, those who were injured, ...6 days ago
- COVID-19 updatesThe Prime Minister is holding daily press conferences to update New Zealanders on the Government's response to COVID-19. Links to videos and transcripts of these updates below. These transcripts also include All of Government press conferences led by Director Ministry of Health's Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield. 25 March: Live update from the Prime ...6 days ago
- Police numbers break through 10,000 markFrontline Police numbers have broken through the 10,000 mark for the first time in history as officers step forward to keep the community safe during the COVID19 lockdown. “Two Police graduations in Auckland and Wellington in the past week have been conducted in unprecedented circumstances,” Police Minister Stuart Nash said. ...6 days ago
- Urgent tax measures for economic recoveryUrgent legislation has been passed to support the package of economic and social measures needed to recover from the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. “The COVID-19 Response (Taxation and Social Assistance Urgent Measures) Bill will cushion New Zealanders from the worst economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Revenue Minister ...7 days ago
- Further support for farmers and growers as drought persistsFrom tomorrow, Government support for farmers and growers affected by drought will be expanded and extended across the country, with access to Rural Assistance Payments (RAPS) available throughout the North Island, parts of the South Island and the Chatham Islands, Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced. “These challenging conditions have ...7 days ago
- COVID-19: Temporary changes to Education ActParliament has passed amendments to legislation that give the Secretary of Education stronger powers to act in the fight to limit the spread of COVID-19, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “They are part of a suite of changes passed under the COVID-19 Response (Urgent Management Measures) Legislation Bill,” Chris ...7 days ago
- Canada, Australia, Chile, Brunei and Myanmar join NZ and Singapore in committing to keeping supply a...Canada, Australia, Chile, Brunei and Myanmar have joined forces with New Zealand and Singapore by committing to keep supply chains open and remove any existing trade restrictive measures on essential goods, especially medical supplies, in the face of the Covid-19 crisis. Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker today welcomed ...7 days ago
- COVID-19: Rent increase freeze and more protection for tenantsImmediate freeze on rent increases Tenancies will not be terminated during the lock-down period, unless the parties agree, or in limited circumstances Tenants who had previously given notice can stay in their if they need to stay in the tenancy during the lock-down period Tenants will still be able to ...7 days ago
- Working together to protect businesses and workersAs New Zealand unites to lock-down in the fight against COVID-19, the Finance Minister is urging all businesses and workers to stay connected over the next four weeks. “We understand the extreme pressure many businesses are under right now. I know most business owners think of their workers as family ...7 days ago
- State of National Emergency declared to fight COVID-19A State of National Emergency has been declared across the country as the Government pulls out all the stops to curtail the spread of COVID-19. “Today we put in place our country’s second ever State of National Emergency as we fight a global pandemic, save New Zealanders’ lives and prevent ...7 days ago
- Prime Minister’s statement on State of National Emergency and Epidemic NoticeMr Speaker I wish to make a Ministerial Statement under Standing Order 347 in relation to the recent declaration of a State of National Emergency. Having considered the advice of the Director Civil Defence Emergency Management, the Minister of Civil Defence declared a State of National Emergency for the whole of ...7 days ago
- Deadline for domestic travel extendedPeople needing to travel on domestic flights, trains and Cook Strait ferries to get home before the country moves into level 4 lock-down tomorrow night will be able to continue using the passenger services until midnight on Friday, Transport Minister Phil Twyford said today. Domestic passenger services, particularly ferries, have ...1 week ago
- Mortgage holiday and business finance support schemes to cushion COVID impactsThe Government, retail banks and the Reserve Bank are today announcing a major financial support package for home owners and businesses affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19. The package will include a six month principal and interest payment holiday for mortgage holders and SME customers whose incomes have been ...1 week ago
- Government working to keep air freight movingMinister of Transport Phil Twyford has today announced details of the Government’s support package to keep key air freight moving and ensure New Zealanders retain access to essential goods during the four-week level 4 lockdown. “The Government is working with airlines and air freight operators to ensure New Zealand’s key ...1 week ago
- New Zealand moves to COVID-19 Alert Level 3, then Level 4 in 48 hoursNew Zealand moved up to COVID-19 Alert Level 3 – Restrict New Zealand to move up to COVID-19 Alert Level 4 – Eliminate, in 48 hours Two-staged approach to give people and businesses time to prepare Level 3, from tomorrow Non-essential businesses must close All events and gatherings must be ...1 week ago
- Prime Minister: COVID-19 Alert Level increasedGood afternoon The Cabinet met this morning to discuss our next actions in the fight against COVID-19. Like the rest of the world, we are facing the potential for devastating impacts from this virus. But, through decisive action, and through working together, do we have a small window to get ...1 week ago
- Govt takes significant economic decisions as NZ readies for Alert Level 4 in COVID-19 fightThe Government is announcing significant further support for the economy, workers and businesses as the country unites to prepare for Alert Level 4 in the fight against COVID-19. Cabinet today agreed to remove the cap on the Government’s wage subsidy scheme, which will inject a further $4 billion into the ...1 week ago
- Govt backs RBNZ move to support economy with lower interest ratesThe Government is backing the Reserve Bank’s latest action to support the economy by reducing longer-term interest rates, meaning lower costs for businesses and mortgage holders, and a lower currency to help our exporters. The Minister of Finance has signed a memorandum of understanding and a letter of indemnity with ...1 week ago
- Government statement on commercial cooperation during COVID-19The Government has asked the Commerce Commission to take account of the exceptional circumstances created by COVID-19 when monitoring business behaviour in coming weeks. “The purpose of my request to the Commerce Commission is to make sure businesses can work together in ways that will allow them to provide ...1 week ago
- New Zealand temporarily closes diplomatic posts in Barbados and Myanmar due to COVID-19The New Zealand Government has temporarily closed its High Commission in Bridgetown, Barbados and its Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Due to the increasing scarcity of air links in and out of Bridgetown and Yangon, and the pressure COVID-19 is placing ...1 week ago
- Supporting Māori communities and businesses throughAssociate Health and Whānau Ora Minister Peeni Henare has today announced the Government’s plan to support Māori communities and businesses in the face of COVID-19. “Our Government’s $12.1 billion economic package will help many Māori whānau, workers and businesses, whether it’s through wage subsidies, income support and worker redeployment, or ...1 week ago
- Guidelines for hospitality establishments releasedThe Government and the hospitality industry have worked together to produce guidelines to assist with managing and reducing transmission of COVID-19, Health Minister David Clark announced today. The guidelines developed between the Government, Hospitality New Zealand and SkyCity Entertainment Group, set out how the new restrictions on physical distancing and ...2 weeks ago
- Nation steps up to COVID-19 Alert Level 2Four stage Alert System for COVID-19 announced New Zealand moved up to COVID-19 Alert Level 2 – Reduce Contact New Zealanders over 70 and those with certain medical conditions told to stay at home as much as they can to reduce risk of contact with the virus Workplaces to implement ...2 weeks ago
- PM Address – Covid-19 UpdateKia ora koutou katoa I’m speaking directly to all New Zealanders today to give you as much certainty and clarity as we can as we fight Covid-19. Over the past few weeks, the world has changed. And it has changed very quickly. In February it would have seemed unimaginable to ...2 weeks ago
- NZ and Singapore commit to keeping supply and trade links open, including on essential goods and med...New Zealand and Singapore have jointly committed to keep supply chains open and to remove any existing trade restrictive measures on essential goods, especially medical supplies, in the face of the Covid-19 crisis. Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker welcomed the commitment. “This is an important collective response, and ...2 weeks ago
- Joint Ministerial Statement by Singapore and New Zealand -Covid-19 situationJOINT MINISTERIAL STATEMENT BY SINGAPORE AND NEW ZEALAND AFFIRMING COMMITMENT TO ENSURING SUPPLY CHAIN CONNECTIVITY AMIDST THE COVID-19 SITUATION The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious global crisis. As part of our collective response to combat COVID-19, Singapore and New Zealand are committed to maintaining open and connected supply chains. We ...2 weeks ago
- Access Now Releases Recommendations On Privacy And Data Protection In The Fight Against Covid-19
Since late 2019, the world has been fighting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In response to the pandemic, governments around the world have been using data and technology in their efforts to contain the spread of the virus. Access Now puts forward ...23 mins ago - The coronavirus response calls into question the future of super
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Warwick Smith, Research economist, University of Melbourne Understandably, given we are in a crisis, the government has baulked at including superannuation contributions in the A$140 billion worth of $1,500 per fortnight wage top-ups it will be directing to six million Australians. As ...29 mins ago - Business wrap: Confidence and sales crash
Business confidence and retail sales collapse as lockdown begins; Infrastructure NZ sees 30 percent of jobs lost in 6 months; Kathmandu shares halted Survival mode: ANZ’s latest business confidence survey made for grim reading. The bank said there was very little that was positive in the survey as businesses switch ...51 mins ago - The Bulletin: Government’s Covid-19 approach faces serious scrutiny
Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Government approach to testing faces serious scrutiny, second Queenstown nurse tests positive, and PM rejects curfew call.The government’s approach to fighting the Covid-19 outbreak has faced a robust bout of scrutiny, both from MPs and experts. It only took one sitting ...2 hours ago - A Ministry of Works for post-Covid NZ
Government could enter the construction market in a way not seen in several generations, Dileepa Fonseka reports Ministers are rushing to prevent the country's construction sector hollowing out under lockdown. However, they've also admitted the state's role in construction will massively expand in a way unheard of in several generations. That could include turning Crown Infrastructure ...2 hours ago - Covid-19: Jacinda Ardern says repatriation of foreign nationals will take a while under lockdown
Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand is willing to help thousands of people from overseas get back to their own countries, but doing it under lockdown may take a bit longer. ...2 hours ago - The doctor will see you now
Auckland GP Himali McInnes makes a plea for anyone needing medical care to call their doctor. Last week, I wrote of the Covid-induced frenzy in our general practise waiting room in Three Kings, Auckland. Anxiety flurried in and out, bringing on its coat-tails the marginally unwell. Patients avoided eye contact ...3 hours ago - Covid-19 live updates, April 1: Will Covid-19 re-order the world?For all The Spinoff’s latest coverage of Covid-19 see here. Read Siouxsie Wiles’s work here. New Zealand is currently in alert level four. The country is shut down, apart from essential services. For updated official government advice, see here.The Spinoff’s coverage of the Covid-19 outbreak is funded by The Spinoff Members. To support this work, join The ...3 hours ago
- Fiordland braces for the new normal
Only a small minority of tourists to Milford Sound and its stunning surrounds are from New Zealand, but that will have to change if the region is to recover when the lockdown ends, reports Jim Kayes. Nonu’s had plenty of walks. The retriever-collie cross is just back from ...3 hours ago - Lessons from another lockdown
The University of Auckland's Nicholas Rowe draws some parallels between the restrictions in West Bank and Gaza Strip during the second intifada and the current lockdown in New Zealand Covid-19 and New Zealand’s national lockdown means online teaching has become the new ‘normal’ at the University of Auckland. The process ...3 hours ago - One thing we can’t afford to lose
As the ripple effects of Covid-19 continue to put livelihoods on the line and a recession seems inevitable, the fate of organisations that largely survive on donations and volunteers is precarious. Current severe restrictions on movement mean the tasks normally done by volunteers face-to-face just won’t be possible, and while ...3 hours ago - The threat beyond the reef
The Cook Islands has quarantined itself from the world, and collapsed its vital tourism industry in the process. With no Covid-19 cases so far, it’s now a nervous wait to see if the lockdown will work, reports Emmanuel Samoglou. It’s quiet in Rarotonga. Much quieter than usual for this tiny ...3 hours ago - Restrict alcohol to help our hospitals
To prevent hospital overload from the Covid-19 crisis and beyond, alcohol sales hours should be cut and prices raised, argue Louise Delany and George Thomson of the University of Otago. This is a time to immediately reduce the stresses for the health system. We must plan for scenarios where thousands ...3 hours ago - The Covid aftershocks will upend the global power structure for years to comeWe’re only just beginning to understand the vast political ramifications of the coronavirus, both here and around the world, writes Colin James.What comes after Covid-19? Not business as usual. The global virus is a disjunctive shock and such a shock sets up a chain reaction that changes the order of ...3 hours ago
- Watch: Auckland in lockdown, from aboveStriking scenes from the first week of alert level four restrictions in our biggest city. As New Zealand adjusted to alert level four Covid-19 restrictions, the usually bustling streets of Tāmaki Makaurau were all but deserted. We captured this surreal, strangely beautiful footage during the first week of ...4 hours ago
- Exclusive: New online tool to ‘rat out the snitches’ in lockdown NZ – sourceThe tool is targeted at people who want to expose those who are exploiting the options for reporting misbehaviour amid Covid-19 alert level four. It is said to be the ‘new normal’.A new online tool for reporting people who take advantage of mechanisms designed to keep the peace in lockdown ...4 hours ago
- Siouxsie Wiles & Toby Morris: Why those bubbles are so importantA quick reminder why we need to hold firm, and resist any temptation to bend the rules.For almost a week now, every one of us who isn’t an essential worker has been confined to their bubble. We are allowed to go shopping for groceries, to visit the doctor, and to ...9 hours ago
- The Real Pod: The final pod for the final roseThe Real Pod assembles one more time to dissect the final week of The Bachelorette NZ, with special thanks to Nando’s.We’ve reached the end of our love journey in more ways than one, as this season of The Bachelorette NZ coincides with end of The Real Pod in its current ...11 hours ago
- More Equal Societies Are Better For AllWe can be justifiably proud of our Government’s approach to the Covid 19 virus crisis. It has acted quickly recognising the WHO recommendations. The country “lock-down’ will do much to stop the spread of the virus and the Government support for people ...11 hours ago
- PPE Victory For Frontline Health WorkersFrontline health workers in aged care, home care, and community support are relieved by the Ministry of Health announcement that proper PPE will now be made available to them through DHBs. E tū member Pam King, a support worker in Invercargill, congratulated ...11 hours ago
- Covid-19: Every New Zealand case, mapped and charted, March 31The second in our new series of charts, graphics and data-visualisations by Chris McDowall, covering the Covid-19 epidemic within New Zealand. We’ll publish the latest set each day on The Spinoff.This work is entirely funded by the generosity of The Spinoff MembersInformation about confirmed and probable cases of Covid-19 in ...13 hours ago
- Antibody tests: to get a grip on coronavirus, we need to know who’s already had itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Larisa Labzin, Research Fellow, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland With much of society now effectively in lockdown, how will we know when it’s safe to resume something like normality? It will largely depend on being able to say who ...13 hours ago
- ‘Pandemic drones’: useful for enforcing social distancing, or for creating a police state?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Richardson, Senior Research Fellow, UNSW People in Western Australia may soon see more than birds in the sky, as the state’s police force has announced plans to deploy drones to enforce social distancing. The drones will visit parks, beaches and cafe ...13 hours ago
- Federal government gets private hospital resources for COVID-19 fight in exchange for funding suppor...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Private hospitals will be on the frontline in the coronavirus battle, under an arrangement with the federal government that makes available the sector’s more than 30,000 beds and 105,000 workforce, including more than 57,000 nursing ...13 hours ago
- NZ lockdown – Day 6: Emergency extended by 7 days – PM on mediaBy RNZ News Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has eased restrictions on the media industry in New Zealand during the four-week lockdown, saying it was not exempt from the financial hardship caused by the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. She said community newspapers will now be able to be printed for hard ...13 hours ago
- ‘Pandemic drones’: useful for enforcing social distancing, or just for creating a police state?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Richardson, Senior Research Fellow, UNSW People in Western Australia may soon see more than birds in the sky, as the state’s police force has announced plans to deploy drones to enforce social distancing. The drones will visit parks, beaches and cafe ...14 hours ago
- What is homeschooling? And should I be doing that with my kid during the coronavirus lockdown?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca English, Lecturer in Education, Queensland University of Technology “How to home school” has been trending on Google for the past few weeks as more and more children stay home from school because of COVID-19. So, what is homeschooling and is this ...14 hours ago
- The coronavirus lockdown could test your relationship. Here’s how to keep it intact (and even impr...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Raquel Peel, Lecturer, University of Southern Queensland With the raft of social distancing measures in place to control the spread of coronavirus, you may be spending more time with your partner than ever before. If you’re both working from home, and with ...14 hours ago
- A ‘rapid shift to a new way’ for supermarket business
The CEO of Foodstuffs tells Rod Oram he is certain food manufacturers and supermarkets can produce and distribute enough food for Kiwis, although the company is preparing for further challenges ahead Can New Zealand’s food manufacturers and supermarkets keep feeding the nation through the escalating Covid-19 crisis? “The answer is ...14 hours ago - Can mosquitoes spread coronavirus?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cameron Webb, Clinical Associate Professor and Principal Hospital Scientist, University of Sydney The pathogens mosquitoes spread by sucking our blood cause over half a million deaths each year and hundreds of millions of cases of severe illness. But there is no scientific ...15 hours ago
- Why closing our borders to foreign workers could see fruit and vegetable prices spikeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Rose, Research fellow, Australian National University One aspect of the COVID-19 crisis that has so far escaped widespread public attention in Australia is its potential impact on our food security. We haven’t seen supermarket shortages of fruit and vegetables like toilet ...15 hours ago
- JobKeeper payment: how will it work, who will miss out and how to get it?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca Cassells, Associate Professor, Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, Curtin University The A$130 billion $1,500-per-fortnight JobKeeper payment will benefit six million Australians for six months, with payments expected from May 1. Eligible businesses include not-for-profits and businesses with turnovers of less than $1 ...15 hours ago
- The safest sex you’ll never have: how coronavirus is changing online datingSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Portolan, PhD student, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University When Tinder issued an in-app public service announcement regarding COVID-19 on March 3 we all had a little laugh as a panoply of memes and gags hit the internet. Two ...15 hours ago
- Outlander recap: Jamie has the worst birthday everIt’s been a tough week in both 2020 and 1771, but things just got a whole lot worse for Jamie and Claire. Contains very big, very sad spoilers for season five, episode seven of Outlander.We are locked in a bubble of our own distress, we are self-isolating in a heavy ...15 hours ago
- Prime Minister Reconsiders Ban On Rural And Ethnic PublicationsPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that rural and ethnic media outlets will be re-classified as essential services, if they are able to show they serve either a hard to reach or non-English speaking audience and follow health and safety ...15 hours ago
- Submit tax returns even if unable to meet payments, businsesses told
Businesses should continue filing their tax returns, even if they cannot make the payments, so the IRD can keep track. Under laws quickly passed before the country entered alert level four, Inland Revenue has the power to write off interest accrued on tax payments due on or after February 14. ...16 hours ago - Dramatic spending drop in lockdown
Spending through electronic payments dropped steeply on the first day of the Covid-19 lockdown compared with the same day a year ago. Figures just released by Paymark - which monitors electronic payments - show spending dropped by two-thirds - 72 percent - on the first day of level four restrictions ...16 hours ago - Businesses want minimum wage increase postponed
Businesses are asking the government to defer the minimum wage rise - scheduled to go up tomorrow - but workers do not agree. The minimum wage is due to rise to $18.90 from $17.70 per hour. The Employers and Manufacturers Association said the timing was inappropriate. "In the middle of ...16 hours ago - Oil and gas ban lacked consultation
A new report has found that a two-year-old a ban by the government on new oil and gas exploration would be costly, would do little for the environment and was done without proper consultation. The ban on new exploration permits, except on land in Taranaki, was announced by the government ...16 hours ago - If you’re worried about bushfires but want to keep your leafy garden, follow these tipsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Philip Gibbons, Professor, Australian National University As we witnessed last summer, the number of houses destroyed during bushfires in Australia has not been stemmed by advances in weather forecasting, building design and the increased use of large water-bombing aircraft. At the latest ...16 hours ago
- Delays and confusion surround wage subsidy scheme
Government agencies may be working overtime to get wage subsidies to people during lockdown but many are still in the dark over what they are entitled to and when they will get it. Gavin Somers runs a fishing charter company in Auckland's Waitematā Harbour. His business, Snapper Fishing Charters, started ...16 hours ago - Seven new Covid-19 clusters in NZ
There are seven new clusters of Covid-19 cases in New Zealand, doubling the number of clusters overnight. The Ministry of Health website notes that because they are connected to a known or likely patient zero, they're not classified as community transmission. However, they do represent the spread of Covid-19 within communities. The ...16 hours ago - Local government ‘unsung heroes’ of Covid-19
A new unit solidifies the role councils will play in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic Local government will help distribute food and medication to those most in need during the Covid-19 lockdown. Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management Sarah Stuart-Black announced the Society of Local Government Managers, Local Government New ...16 hours ago - Explainer: what is the national cabinet and is it democratic?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer Menzies, Principal Research Fellow, Policy Innovation Hub, Griffith University Crises pose particular challenges for democratic leaders. They are expected to make critical decisions in times of uncertainty and rapidly develop effective plans to lead us out of the crisis. Normally, we ...17 hours ago
- Here’s hoping Big Pharma come up quickly with something to beat Covid-19
Stuff’s headline ran “Vaccine hopes push sharemarket higher”. An intriguing one, and sure enough Wall St had rallied on news the drug giant Johnson & Johnson had reported it expects to begin human clinical tests on a vaccine candidate for Covid-19 by September. Point of Order went in search of ...17 hours ago - Covid-19: More tests needed, Ardern says
Coronavirus testing is set to increase after government officials loosened the criteria for who should be checked and when The number of tests for coronavirus is set to ramp up, with health officials relaxing the testing criteria as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called for more testing to be done. New Zealand's ...17 hours ago - Alive from the US heart of Covid-19, New York City
Kiwi writer and photographer Cherie Aaarts Coley sent this dispatch from isolation in New York City, the US epicentre of Covid-19 I’m not sure what day it is today, or the date. I barely even know the month. It doesn’t seem to matter any more. Mostly all that seems to ...17 hours ago - What actually are ‘essential services’ and who decides?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gary Mortimer, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, Queensland University of Technology The Morrison government keeps using the word “essential” to describe employees, public gatherings, services and businesses that are still allowed and not restricted as it tries to reduce the spread ...17 hours ago
- RITA was counting on a 2019/20 net profit of $165.8 million – but did they expect being nobbled by...
According to a Stuff report: New Zealand might be in lockdown but at a time when problem gamblers are at their most vulnerable, the TAB and online gambling sites are open for business. Might be in lockdown? We wonder where sports writer Mat Kermand was when he wrote that sentence as ...18 hours ago - More masks for community care workers
The Government will release "a large number" of masks and other protective equipment to DHBs to distribute for community and home care workers, Marc Daalder reports Community care workers who have been left without access to personal protective equipment (PPE) will now have their wishes granted as the Government moves to ...18 hours ago - Madeleine Chapman: Our PM is the finals MVP we need right nowMadeleine Chapman, who wrote the just-published biography Jacinda Ardern: A New Kind of Leader, says watching our prime minister handle the Covid-19 response is like watching an NBA star burst out from the pack. (Yesterday we published an extract). Rajon Rondo was the fourth-best player on the Boston Celtics roster in ...18 hours ago
- CEAC – “Gov’t Must Charter Airlines To Fly Stranded Kiwis Home.”NZ Gov't must charter airlines to fly stranded Kiwis home just as British Gov’t has agreed to do here today; https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-52099252 Quote; BBC 30th March 2020. Coronavirus: Foreign Office links up with airlines to fly stranded Britons ...18 hours ago
- CEAC – “Gov’t Must Charter Airlines To Fly Stranded Kiwis Home.”NZ Gov't must charter airlines to fly stranded Kiwis home just as British Gov’t has agreed to do here today; https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-52099252 Quote; BBC 30th March 2020. Coronavirus: Foreign Office links up with airlines to fly stranded Britons ...19 hours ago
- Covid-19 in NZ – Tuesday’s numbers charted
How is Covid-19 spreading within the country? Newsroom is collating information as it's available to paint a picture of what's happening. There were 58 new cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand, down from the previous day's 76 new cases. Details of how many tests have been completed are now being ...19 hours ago - Covid-19: How banks and Govt are working together
Newsroom Pro’s Bernard Hickey and Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr zoom out at lunch to talk about the Reserve Bank’s latest move to help banks lend to corporates. Bernard Hickey talks with Kiwibank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr and Kiwibank CEO Steve Jurkovich about how the banking sector, the Reserve Bank and ...19 hours ago - Covid-19 definition may be broadened over test fears
A new committee set up to oversee the Government's Covid-19 response has held its first meeting - with testing criteria under the microscope Health officials are set to expand the criteria for coronavirus testing, amidst concerns of suspected cases being turned away at testing facilities. The Government has also been ...19 hours ago - Australians are moving home less. Why? And does it matter?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aude Bernard, Lecturer, Queensland Centre for Population Research, The University of Queensland Australians are among the most mobile populations in the world. More than 40% of us change address every five years, about twice the global average. Yet the level of internal ...19 hours ago
- Flexible, Responsive Family Violence Services Needed During COVID-19 Crisis...19 hours ago
- Great first time to try: travel writing from the homeSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Stubbs, Senior Lecturer, School of Creative Industries, University of South Australia Being in isolation might be a great time to try something new. In this series, we get the basics on hobbies and activities to start while you’re spending more time ...19 hours ago
- Keith Rankin Chart Analysis – Covid19: United States’ Deaths as at 29 March 2020Analysis by Keith Rankin While, United States’ local data on Covid19 is more readily available than for other countries, the American ‘country’ system of local governance is way out of date and often does not well represent urban conglomerations. Doing my best from the available data, I constructed the following ...19 hours ago
- ‘My partner’s being punished because I’m a doctor’
Shared custody of children between separated parents has become a flash point under pandemic lockdown rules, Teuila Fuatai reports. An Auckland doctor and her partner have been forcibly separated from their five-year-old son for the lockdown, in breach of a court-mandated 50/50 custody arrangement. The boy’s parents split three years ...19 hours ago - ‘I need people to make sure I’m OK’: How teenagers are coping with lockdownEmily Writes talks to teens about how the level four restrictions are affecting them, and asks how they can be better supported.There are unfortunately so many terrible stereotypes about teenagers, but Gen Z might just be our most resilient generation yet.Struggling through feelings of helplessness around climate change, they started a ...19 hours ago
- NZ mine worker killed, two others wounded in Freeport shootingBy Victor Mambor in Jayapura A New Zealand employee of gold and copper mining company PT Freeport Indonesia was shot dead on Monday by gunmen in Timika, the capital city of Mimika regency in Papua. The employee, identified as 57-year-old Graeme Thomas Weal, according to RNZ Pacific, was engaged ...19 hours ago
- Covid-19: Questions fired in first Epidemic Response Committee meetingTop health officials fronted this morning as the Epidemic Response Committee held its first public meeting via video conference. ...20 hours ago
- Migrants Need Access To Benefits Considering COVID-19 CrisisAuckland Action Against Poverty is calling on the Government to grant people who do not meet the residential requirements access to benefits so that everyone can have a roof over their head and follow the Alert Level 4 Covid-19 guidelines. We ...20 hours ago
- What’s on RNZ News at midday – Mar 31
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ExKiwiForces this would interest you.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/2018709193/kriv-stenders-the-battle-of-long-tan
Kriv Stenders: The Battle of Long Tan Listen duration 10′ :04″
From Sunday Morning, 7:23 am today
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This Sunday marks the day in 1966 in South Vietnam where a company of Australian and New Zealand soldiers in a rubber plantation called Long Tan fought to hold off a force of two thousand Viet Cong and North Vietnamese soldiers. Kriv Stenders has made a movie about the men of D Company who had to battle against the odds for four hours in torrential rain. The film is Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan.
Here is probably on the best movies made on the conflict in Vietnam, and considered by many to be one of the best war movies overall….personally I would give that credit to Elem Klimov's Come and See (1985).
La 317ème section, Pierre Schoendoerffer (1965)
Come and See – (1985)
Haven't seen these two and thank you for the heads up.
Cheers for the link, I'll listen to it when I'm out bush this week during my downtime while tidying up yard after the ministry of finance (wife) wanted a new flushing thunder box or in between fighting bush fires.
I'm hoping to catch the movie on the big screen when it comes to Darwin and not put it off as I did with movie "6 Days" a few yrs ago. From what I'm hearing atm the movie is pretty good from all accounts and it has impressed the yank movie critics etc.
It's a damn shame old Maurice Stanley the Kiwi FOO (Forward Observer Officer is not around anymore as he's after battle presentation on the Battle of Long Tan is worth listening too incl the lessons learnt from the Battle of Long Tan. Without him and his two signallers Willie Walker from the RNZAC and Murray Broomhall RNZA as Harry Smith's link back to the Dat and the Kiwi BC (battery Commander) incl his staff of NZ 161Bty in which ran/ Co-Ord all the Fire support and, Close Air support missions and the aerial resupply during the lull in the battle. They now without the Kiwi's it would've been a very different story for D Coy 6RAR and possible for the rest of the 1ATF at the Dat as the field defences of 1ATF hadn't been completed yet and wasn't fully up to strength IRT manpower either.
Heck even the US General Westmoreland and his staff were shitting bricks at was happening during the Battle of Long Tan from what I've read and have been told from a few vets of the Battle of Long Tan.
It was a very close run indeed.
Hearing about what training for political life is availabe to MPs was a bracer for me.
7.32 The House http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/the-house
When MPs first turn up to Parliament they are often surprised at the incredibly varied demands of their jobs. And as their careers progress the skill demands change and increase. So who trains them to do those jobs? Parliamentary programme The House looks at new moves to upskill the people running the country.
Katherine Rich, Chair of the Parliamentary Education Charitable Trust and Girol Karacaoglu, head of the Victoria University School of Government Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
Audio for above https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/the-house/audio/2018708709/mps-head-back-to-school
Hi everybody – lovely day in Nelson though cool. I am putting up some interesting things from Radionz that are good.
This was interesting. It is wise to build relationships with China and build good business there, and at the same time ease off from the USA as we can.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/insight/audio/2018708828/disappearing-students-how-nz-is-wasting-opportunities-with-our-chinese-graduates
Thank you grey.
Fighting on the streets in Queenstown at 3 am. What is the bet that these had been drinking alcohol in bars? If they had been sitting in bars drinking coffee and listening to music and chatting or singing it would have been unlikely to end like this.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/396937/two-injured-in-serious-assault-in-queenstown
This is NZ hypocrisy exposed, once again. Big on drugging really, and that is why it is hard to get appropriate controls on drugs, every time there must be some precious political time consumed deciding whether synthetic cannabis is all right but not something else. Always with alcohol being pushed. People allowed, almost encouraged to become addicted with RTDs being high alcohol. Just cut the hours for the bars down – make them get used to it, both the drinkers and the bars, normal closing at 11.30 and emptied by 12.30 am.
And they must have to apply for special licences limited to two a year or six for the area, to stay open till 1 am and be empty by 2.00 a.m. Moans and groans and concerns about lots of people milling about being more likely to become unmanageable will only happen rarely then.
This will save police and hospital time and safety and taxpayers paying out for the stupid and foolish and dissolute.
Fighting in the streets of London at 3am.
Owen Jones targeted by the far right
Perhaps we should all avoid being out at 3 am which seems to be the good time for violence! Trouble is that bring that down to 2 am – for this sort of premeditated attack any time at night would be good for the perps. To mount an attack they must be nearby sitting in a car/van and have someone follow the guy or gal in and monitor them and text or buzz when they move out. So a nasty feeling of background hate all the time if you are sensitive to that stuff.
so they came for the immigrants, now they're going for the columnists.
Sunday WTH? Moment
UN report claims "dozens" of NZers seeking asylum. The mind boggles.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/396928/new-zealanders-seeking-asylum-abroad-un-report
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/insight/audio/2018705590/can-new-zealand-s-mental-health-crisis-be-cured
Maybe new New Zealanders who didn't feel like being honourkilled.
Isn't one of them Suzie Dawson?
Well, who wouldn't seek asylum if they had holes appearing their ceiling.
Holy crap! I am sheltered, apparently
Right o, so WTF went on here then….
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/396938/retraction-and-apology-to-donghua-liu-for-untrue-statements
“The article claimed that Mr Liu had fled to New Zealand from China and that he was returning to face corruption charges there, for which he could be executed and his organs harvested.
RNZ accepts that none of these statements were true.”
Everything about this guy just gets couriouser and couriouser
Before CGI film makers were clever.
That is brilliant, you can be sure no one is going to be looking back on all the CGI that structures half the movies we see today with any kind of wonder.
I really wish someone of influence could get to Peter Jackson and say to him..'just because you can, doesn't mean you should ' before he ruins any more classic's with his appalling over the top CGI..yuk.
Further sadness re the planet and animals.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/396929/famous-dugong-dies-after-eating-plastic
They are similar to manatees which also are having a hard time.
https://phys.org/news/2019-07-manatee-deaths-watercraft-pace-florida.html
Anyone else at the All Blacks game last night, notice the chorus of boos that went out when our PM was announced. Not sure if those at home could hear it on the television, but I thought it was disgraceful. Never heard that for previous PMs, I do note however that she handled the handshake with far more competence than a certain previous PM…
I was there and heard it.
Got to say – don’t like her and think that this government is a joke – but the booing behaviour was unacceptable.
Yeah, lots of right wing nut jobs in the crowd.
Interesting that you'd comment on it here…
Amusingly – you assume people booed because of their political views as opposed to their views on Jacinda.
More amusing that you find it interesting that I would comment on it in a political blog.
I guess you are just easily impressed.
You'll find I wasn't talking to you. I try not to.
But just what are you trying to say?
That the rabid right were booing the PM not because of their political views, but because they don't like her? What has she done outside politics that has made them so angry? Been successful? Had a baby?
Wearing your England shirt last night, were you?
If it was only the “rabid right” booing Ardern, the left is in serious trouble. Because from what I witnessed last night, they must have made up roughly 70% of the crowd. And as for your comment about me mentioning this here, where else am I meant to mention it, this is open mic.
You're claiming 70% of a 48K crowd were booing the Prime Minister? An event which didn't make the news.
Delusional.
You're right, it was probably only 68%…I dont know if you were there or not, but I was, and it was frankly embarrassing. I get some dislike Ardern, but acting like toddlers and booing someone representing us and doing her job is pathetic. You want her gone, vote for the other guy.
This obviously confirms that Ardern is the most despised PM we've had in modern times…
Obv that’s not the case (yet) but could be representative of the reason her popularity has dropped so much since April to July.
Biccymoyle I'd imagine a labour pm would get a similar reception at a fair few places full of welloff drunks.
guessing they booed her because they don’t like what her government is doing.
At a guess. As for their political views – who knows only a moron would assume the views of an entire 50,000 person crowd (you being a perfect example of being said moron)
I would agree with MB that it was a very large %age of the crowd booing her.
I think you and Mickey Boyle imagined it, and if there was booing it was just you and your boof-head friends.
That's right facts dont matter when they hurt your feelings. Ardern got booed by thousands, I think it was out of line and embarrassing and I was there. It was all over talk back this afternoon. I suppose you're a flat earther too? Since you havent actually seen the earth from space right moron?
Simon Bridges was at the rugby on Saturday night. He was constantly ridiculed and made fun of. Stuff like "Hoi Soimun" and "where's ya Slushy Soimun". His wife looked a bit embarrassed, but drunken rugby buffheads will always take the piss.
You were there and saw this ?
I assume that you would be ok with people talking to Jacinda in the same manner ?
Yes I was there and saw this.
No, verbal abuse is never ok. You should know that James.
i do. That’s why I didn’t boo Jacinda along with the 000’s of people who did.
James, the head of your pin is very small.
He's got it the wrong way around, hence his hippy-hoppity behaviour.
James, you aren’t virtue-signalling, are you?
No.
Thanks for asking.
Have you condemned right wing shock jock Alan Jones for his misogynistic rant the other day?
I love how when people say things about Jacinda what lefties don’t like – they run right to the misogynistic card.
Predictable and weak.
Those people you mention, James: any of them say misogynistic things?
Alan Jones, does he say misogynistic things, do you know?
not necessarily Robert.
And I haven’t read the full Alan Jones column- I know it was far from complementary but have no idea if it was misogynistic or not.
I do think he has a point about the holier then thou “woke” comments however.
Perhaps muttonbirdbrain could point out the misogynistic comments he takes offence to?
"muttonbirdbrain"?
I see where you're coming from, James.
There are coloured swings and slides there and rubber safety-matting.
He's a bit of a pizzlenoggin though isn't he jimbo.
Jones said Scott Morrison should "shove a sock down the throat" of Jacinda Ardern.
Several advertisers have pulled sponsorship from his show. His employer, Macquarie Media, has issued a final warning about such comments. Scott Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull have both condemned Jones, Turnbull calling him an "appalling misogynist" whose use of violent language against female politicians was disgraceful. Jones himself has been forced to apologise on air and in writing to the Prime Minister. Even Fiji hard-man, Frank Bainimarama, has slammed Jones.
Turnbull again, "I mean this is appalling language – and at a time when we are doing everything we can as a national priority to stamp out violence against women and children, you have this broadcaster who uses the language of violence against women as part of his regular rhetoric".
Yet this all seems to mean nothing to you, James, who is ever so quick to point the finger at commenters for not standing up to unacceptable speech. Or perhaps such speech directed at Jacinda Ardern is fine with you.
According to your own logic, you not condemning Jones the way politicians, advertisers and media both sides of the ditch and all over the Pacific have done means you endorse and agree with the latest utterances of that decrepit, far-right, woman hater.
With respect to a culture of violence against women, you sir appear to be part of the problem.
James has used the, "you didn't condemn x-behaviour/person, so that means you endorse/condone blah, blah" so many times that I find myself cheering Muttonbird on for his careful demolition of James's behaviour.
Robert – indeed I do do this – but I think you will find that I do this in regard to specific comments in a thread. – not normally to do with third party links
Very well said, cleanly, fairly, accurately.
You did see where I clearly said I hadn’t read it right?
So you want me to condem comments I haven’t read?
You must have read Muttonbird’s comment that you’re responding to yet you missed your opportunity to speak out and condemn the comments that Muttonbird was referring to!? Instead, you act all defensive and like a victim. BTW, your defence is pathetic IMHO.
Hippity-hoppity.
Jones needs to take his cock out of his mouth IMHO.
That sounds analogous to a Möbius strip in some kind of very disturbingly weird way.
Wasn't there a thing where John Key walked around a rugby field and got booed by the crowd, then got surroiunded by suckups in the corporate box?
Call that walking?
This might create a real upset. One Nation will oppose ScoMo cash ban
Insulting, although well intended. They are aware of the WEAG report that recommended IMMEDIATE increase to benefits. But part of the answer is a very National sounding "budget advice".
"As part of our work on homelessness we are expanding the Sustaining Tenancies programme. It ensures that tenants who may be at-risk of losing their tenancy receive practical support to help them get back on track."
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/115087754/government-annouces-54-million-for-homelessness-initiatives
Let’s imagine….you are a landlord, your tenant is behind in rent but pleads with you to hold back on giving them notice because they are getting budgeting advice. Pleeze. They are out on their ear because they are too poor and too stressed to home. Any landlord with a modest level of experience will know it is far easier to get someone else in rather than set themselves up to be owed thousands more in arrears.
They get a lot of ridicule and not much in the way of praise but the RNZAF deserve a big hand for their work in the Pacific.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/08/air-force-orion-s-chance-encounter-saves-18-lives.html
This search/rescue/patrol capability is vital and I think a core duty of New Zealand as a developed economy in the region.
The P8s should help establish an important presence for us in our region of responsibility.
Here's a RNZ news link on the RNZAF's C130 Hec's and yes its amazing that the Erk's/ techo's have managed to keep flying or from falling out of the sky.
And yes "They get a lot of ridicule and not much in the way of praise but the RNZAF deserve a big hand for their work in the Pacific."
BZ, 40SQN and to 5SQN.
BTW, they also hold the record for the shortest possible landing at Dili Airport. in Timor Leste by a C130 and 40SQN hold's a number of other 1st places IRT to the C130 operations incl finding a Sub during a Fincastle Comp in-conjunction with the 5SQN boys when their P3 went tits up and the funny thing is that 5SQN ending up wining the Comp as well which piss off the other Commonwealth Crews.
A wee bit of useless information if you get bored or stumped for a silly question for Trivial night.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/396934/hercules-fleet-it-s-amazing-they-ve-managed-to-keep-them-flying
Check out this Twitter thread about a LL who asked to look through the tenants current property (not owned by LL, inspecting prior to accepting them as a tenant)
that's pretty fucked up. #culturechange
Exposing Australia's housing crisis | 60 Minutes Australia, screened this last week.
Because the world financial system is entering unknown territory, and our housing status isn't far from that in Australia, this 16 minute video makes for interesting viewing.
Boorish and the best lot of hogwash you have heard in a long time. With a background of angels and promises to high heaven.
https://www.indy100.com/article/brexit-news-latest-boris-johnson-vision-for-britain-video-reaction-9062441
And dissolution of Parliament rather than proroguing it is a real possibility in the Tory's minds according to this article. Boorish the Rogue should be his nom-de-gloom. Gina Miller 18/8/19 businesswoman and transparency activist writing for The Guardian.
MPs won’t be forgiven if they fail to stop Boris Johnson’s Brexit ploy
…Unsaid in the letter, but streaming through it like shafts of light through a broken roof, Johnson’s plan of action – doubtless guided by the arch-Brexiter svengali Dominic Cummings – is clearly to call an election and dissolve parliament as soon as the beginning of next month, with polling at some point after the existing Brexit day of 31 October.
He is gambling everything on Jeremy Corbyn’s unpopularity and a public which, at that point, will have yet to experience the full force of no-deal economic headwinds. He may even hold a pre-Brexit budget to lull the public into a false sense of security, bribing them with their own money, through a splurge of new spending promises and tax cuts funded by an increase in the national debt…
Our unwritten constitution has always been based on the assumption that no one as unscrupulous as Johnson or his chief adviser would ever come to reside in 10 Downing Street, but that is what we now have to face up to. A general election on their terms and timetable would guarantee their sacred no-deal Brexit, and assure him five years in office in which to turn the UK into a laboratory for experimenting with the most extreme rightwing ideology we have ever seen.
Brexit is their cloak to disguise political ambitions to change our country. Surrounded by individuals set on putting a torch to the old order, they are using propaganda to set the people against parliament and create chaos out of which will emerge a survivalist economy…
Poll after poll has shown that a no-deal Brexit is emphatically not what the public wants – whatever the Leave campaign-staffed No 10 press office may tell lobby correspondents. For all Dominic Raab’s protests, it was never the way Brexit was sold in the referendum of 2016. And keep in mind these two statistics: Johnson came into office with his talk of “do or die” Brexit on the back of just 92,153 Tory members’ votes. By contrast, more than 6.1 million citizens have signed a petition calling for Article 50 to be revoked.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/18/boris-johnson-brexit-ploy-extreme-rightwing-ideology-gina-miller
What could possibly go wrong with this pair at the helm.
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-08-16/brexit-architect-cummings-has-radical-no-deal-plans
heh
There was a saying that a UK person's home was their castle. Which was apparently about security of tenure and respect for the individual's property. What about your face? Does that belong to you? Would you allow people to have a mask of your face and wear it wherever they and you go, you could get trouble coming to you that they caused. Facial recognition is rife in the UK and has been for some time, done in secret and by private companies rather than official authorities.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/18/facial-recognition-is-now-rampant-implications-for-our-freedom-are-chilling
Stephanie Hare 18/8/2019 The Guardian
Cracking cover.
Rod Oram considers Fonterra.
"If Fonterra wants to recover from this low point in its history and thrive it needs a bold new and practical strategy, not a tidy up of its failed one. The obvious opportunity is to become one of the world’s leading exponents of dairy farming that’s healthy for the planet, while producing dairy nutrition that’s healthier for people.
Currently, that’s an oxymoron. Dairying is an extractive industry that always damages the climate, and often land and water too, unless it is done exceptionally well. But dairy farmers mustn’t feel picked on. Many ways we produce food globally are as damaging or worse, as a growing body of research details."
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/08/18/756988/fonterra-last-chance#