Key takes the election result as a mandate for another term of it as the sheeple say so assisted by a labour party with past their use by dates MPs and strategists
I saw an MP had posted on facebook a photo of the Labour caucus class of 2015 on the steps of parliament yesterday. Plenty of 50 something’s shades of grey. It was depressing some of the same old faces still clipping the ticket. Others must have been thinking the same as there were few likes.
By the way where is Nicky Hager these days? Haven’t heard anything of him for a while!
Is he under house arrest?
Been gagged?
Prevented from speaking publicly?
Any news about the outcome of police removing his personal effects from his home to be investigated?
We need a journalist of Hager’s intelligence, calibre and integrity to investigate John Key’s involvement re the time frame of having been informed of the Mike Sabin affair!
Another point is it’s interesting that today, msm (Fairfax and NZH) is carrying the story about Andrew Little’s past “non payment” of an invoice, (after it was raised in Parliament yesterday by the loathsome Steven Joyce), focusing on the time frame of the actual payment (yesterday)!
So I ask, where is msm focus on slimy PM Key and his grubby ministers, digging deep about when they first became aware of the Sabin investigation?
Pity more media enthusiasm and attention isn’t focused on this issue, where it should be.
The media give corporate shills like Mary Beard a voice, not real journalists like Hager publicity.
Remember they want more for themselves and less for the rest of us.
So being on a salesperson for the TPP rather than an advocate for democracy, transparency and solidarity.
Labour Party PR is abysmal. How can any efficient system drop their leader into the mess that Andrew finds himself in? The Shearer “fish in Parliament” debacle, lack of penetrating secondary questions and dredging up petty and inconsequential points. Andrew needs a decent “minder” that would never have allowed the likes of Joyce to crucify him over an unpaid bill. It’s all over the media today and Key’s back off the ropes.
Pay some real money and buy a minder that’s got his/her finger on the pulse. Another with the political nous of Heather Simpson – – – there’ll be someone out there.
Not a single reference to it on Stuff’s front page in fact. I guess people who are impressed by ‘gotcha’ politics will clutch their pearls a bit. Meanwhile, Bill English’s toxic ACC rort is getting as least as much attention, and that will still be news tomorrow, as will National Party Sabinism and the Skysore.
Getting plenty of airtime on Morning Report. The complainant (who just happens to be an NBR freelancer) is suggesting there was no intention to pay. But you’re right this will be old news tomorrow. Labour just need to get their shit together and stop being their own worst enemy.
Given that Shearer’s fish debacle is brought up at every available opportunity (and in this column today!!) I reckon that Andrew Little’s unpaid bill (and no need to put it in inverted commas ‘cos it was exactly that, it appears) will continue to haunt him in just the same way. It was a damn silly oversight on Andrew’s part and his minders need to be much more on the ball.
Sure is a pretty dumb own-goal but given the debacle of last week and the ease with which Little has owned Key on SkyCity I guess some sort of retaliation was to be expected. No surprise then that the Nats have reverted to the tried-and-true methods that have served them well in the past. It will be interesting how Little and Labour respond. Probably best just to suck it up, take responsibility and try and push through. And, since we’re dealing the dark art of politics, some added fuel thrown on Winston’s claims of insider trading at SkyCity would be useful.
The timing of SkyCity announcement of wanting a taxpayer handout pushed their share price up which was smart Morrison. However the ‘no penalty’ for the convention centre size reduction looks dodgy as hell.
Key and his cronies tie up with that very sketchy outfit the NZX is fishy in my opinion. By the NZX moving into being a fund manager and recently increasing their holdings bears looking into.
Gosman the National Party shrill will come on here with his twisted opinion shortly.
I believe the fish idea was entirely Shearer’s, and no one else in caucus knew about it until he did it. He bought the fish from an Auckland supermarket and flew to Wellington with him in his carry-on…
“Mr Shearer’s fish, which he had brought down from Auckland in his carry-on luggage, were placed back in a bag and ushered out of the debating chamber by deputy leader Grant Robertson.”
“Show me will they? Hehehe, my and my little ‘friends’ here will sink the National government. Sink? That’s a good pun. Must work that in. Also something about sleeping with the fishes. Ho ho ho – that’s a good one”
And so forth.
Also, what the fuck did the guys screening his bag think?
That was a great example of the emperor has no clothes on. I remember thinking
oh dear god this mug has lost the plot. To think he didn’t fall on his sword and not seek re election sums up the problem with Labour. All the previous leaders bar DC should have not stood again.
I bet a few people would like to have a Super Minister discuss their unpaid bills in parliament, and then get the harpie Gower into it to. Perhaps they could get onto the tax evaders for the country while they are onto it
A caliphate established by radical Muslims that supports genocide and appears intent on precipitating World War 3 with an aim of engineering the Apocalypse – “that it considers itself a harbinger of—and headline player in—the imminent end of the world.”
Doing nothing to try and minimise this would seem to be unwise.
ISIS is a threat to a bunch of people over there who would do stuff about it.
Obviously the Shia blocs who are the current primary target of ISIS. So they are already stepping up in the alliance between Iran/Iraq and Syria. That would continue. They have their own agenda of forming a fairly solid shia ruled area. They’d probably achieve that.
Secondly, the Gulf states like Saudi A, UAE etc are threatened by ISIS to a small degree. Insofar that they are bad PR for the anti Shia movement that they care about, they will step up. They have problems in that if they step up too hard against IS then their own populations get a bit angsty, not because of direct IS support (which is small) but because of IS being an Anti-shia force. It’s a tricky spot for them, so they’d probably clamp down hard on ISIS when it raises it’s head in a Sunni state, (same as they do with AQ and the Bortherhood).
The Sunni states probably enjoy watching Iran bleed against ISIS so they may be tempted to quietly fund them to prolong it, and they will not be happy about the Shia states getting their solid bloc, but I doubt they could stop it, and fundamentally, they’d rather have someone who wasn;t as insane as ISIS to be their proxy.
So, I reckon if we butted out, the Shia would fuck ISIS over the next year or two, the Sunni states would say ‘that’s annoying’ and start funding some other wee group.
Pretty much the same as what will happen if we do interfere, with the difference being that we won’t be getting in the way.
lol
Uncharacteristically considerate of brownlee to have a hummer.
Some people might not immediately recognise him and therefore know he is a twat, but driving a hummer is like a huge neon sign labelling him as such.
A stated before PG… How about the “West” stop training, funding and arming ISIS before “we” worry about putting military personnel there – in ANY form?
No arms, no cash and no capability would tend to weaken them quite a bit don’t ya think?
Nobel Peace Laureates Slam Human Rights Watch’s
Refusal to Cut Ties to U.S. Government AlterNet, July 8, 2014
Human Rights Watch’s affiliation with ex-CIA and NATO officials generates perverse incentives and undermine its reputation for independence.
In a May 12 letter published on AlterNet, two Nobel Peace Prize Laureates and over 100 scholars, journalists and human rights activists called on Human Rights Watch to close its revolving door to the U.S. government. On June 3, HRW published a response from executive director Kenneth Roth on its website, arguing that their “concern is misplaced.” In a June 11 debate on Democracy Now!, HRW Counsel and Spokesman Reed Brody similarly rejected their recommendations.
Now, Nobel Laureates Mairead Maguire and Adolfo Pérez Esquivel join fellow signatories Richard Falk (United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories from 2008-14) and Hans von Sponeck (UN Assistant Secretary General from 1998-2000) in demanding that their proposals be taken seriously, and additionally, that HRW remove former NATO Secretary General Javier Solana from its Board of Directors.
Dear Kenneth Roth,
While we welcome your stated commitment to Human Rights Watch’s independence and credibility, we are dismayed by your rejection of our common-sense suggestion for strengthening them: bar those who have crafted or executed U.S. foreign policy from serving as HRW staff, advisors or board members—or, at a bare minimum, mandate lengthy “cooling-off” periods before and after any associate moves between HRW and the foreign-policy divisions of the U.S. government.
Before addressing your letter’s objections to the three instances of HRW’s advocacy that suggest a conflict of interest, we would like to reiterate that they were “limited to only recent history,” and that other cases could have been raised as well. One obvious example of HRW’s failure to appropriately criticize U.S. crimes occurred after the 2004 coup d’état against the democratically elected government of Haiti. The U.S. government essentially kidnapped Haiti’s president; thousands of people were killed under the ensuing coup regime; and deposed officials of the constitutional government were jailed.
In the face of what were likely the worst human rights abuses of any country in the Western hemisphere at the time, HRW barely lifted a finger. HRW never hosted a press conference criticizing the coup or post-coup atrocities. In contrast to HRW’s appeals to the Organization of American States’ Inter-American Democratic Charter for Venezuela and Cuba, HRW never publicly invoked the Charter in the case of Haiti, even as Articles 20 and 21 afforded multilateral measures “in the event of an unconstitutional alteration of the constitutional regime.” HRW never placed an op-ed about the overthrow in a prominent newspaper. (In 2004 The New York Times alone published at least five HRW opinion pieces and four HRW letters on other subjects.) It is reasonable for outside observers to question whether this lack of response from HRW to such large-scale human rights violations had anything to do with U.S. foreign-policy priorities.
The very existence of such questions regarding HRW’s advocacy should be reason enough to impose sharp restrictions on HRW’s close ties to the U.S. government. ….
Yes but they are quality losers who know no other life, you wouldnt want to see them down the local cafe down to their last million wearing last years pradas would you.
“..I feel shameful walking past rough sleepers – how must the politicians responsible feel?..” (+ comment:..and how do our politicians feel when they see their handiwork in the flesh..?..do they shift at all uneasily in their (comfortable/well-padded/heated) seats..?..especially those labour politicians..eh..?..’cos of all of them..they should really know better..eh..?..but they don’t..)
“.. An evening walk down the Strand in London brings to painful life official figures –
– that show a sharp rise in rough sleeping..”
(cont..)
(ed:..i have asked myself that question..
..especially of labour mp’s/politicians..
..and our labour/green mayors of auckland..
..both of whom when first campaigning to be mayors..
..put their hands on their hearts..
..and vowed/promised to help the homeless..
..since then..yeah..nah..eh..?
..but especially those neo-liberal/rightwing labour mp’s..
..those who won the argument within the labour party pre-’14 election..
..that saw labour ’14 election-policy offering absolutely nothing for the poorest..
..cunnliffe said that benefit-levels wd increase ‘by the rate of inflation..
..which is what national does..
..and here’s the funny story..!
..those rightwing/neo-liberal labour people are still wondering why those poorest..(the missing million..)..
..why they didn’t rush to the polling booths..
..sobbing in/with gratitude on their way..
..to tick the box for labour..
..as i say in the headline..eh..?..’they should really know better’..eh..?..)
Analysts had expected prices to firm in response to lower supply brought on by drought conditions on the east coasts of both the North and South Islands.
See, droughts are good news.
The auction will give farmers some confidence that Fonterra will meet its $4.70 a kg milk price forecast for the current season after prices slumped by 50 per cent in 2014.
However, farm investment company MyFarm estimates the current forecast is well below its estimated average cost of production of $5.03 kg.
I’m not an expert, but that looks like a loss-making enterprise to me.
The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 7
And if you read like that, I have good grounds to conclude you are incapable of writing anything other than erroneous pedantry. Concentrate on adam’s criticism; a brief summary of why we should click on the link would be helpful, because the number of readers who are going to just on your say so is minimal.
Something like: ‘Frankie Boyle skewers the false outrage of the media’ or ‘comedian rips into media hypocrisy’. It’s not hard.
The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell …
More reading difficulty, gormless? That fact that I was able to provide a couple of short summaries strongly suggests I did read Boyle’s piece. Try and avoid arguments based on pedantry in the future, you’re not much good at them.
The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell …
You’ll like this from Frankie Boyle, Ole – given that you’re such a good Tory…
On Mock the Week after Thatcher’s demise:
How much do you think the funeral is going to cost ?
Frankie Boyle: “3 million. For 3 million, they could give everyone in Scotland a shovel and we would dig a hole so deep that we could hand her over to Satan personally.”
Who suggested Andrew Little commission anything from David Cohen? He is a very right wing journalist and a great friend of Bill English. It was before Andrew Little was leader so hopefully he is getting better advice these days about who to talk to.
The fact that National have to reach further down into the barrel to ping him for a ubiquitous human error – forgetting to pay a bill – is an indication that they aren’t getting many hits in debate.
Not only that but the NBR has the story saying that the go-between (one Chris Matthews) was also slaggng off other Labour MPs to the journalist. Who is he and what position does he hold?
Since the working class was defeated, indeed pretty much smashed, under the fourth Labour government and the following National government, class consciousness in this country is at an all-time low. The left, defeated on the economic front, managed to win some victories on the cultural front. That was good, but we do need to get back to class: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2012/10/24/class-class-consciousness-and-left-political-practice/
Reading about the Euro debt-mongers problems with their unsustainable business model in Greece would be tragic and hilarious if it wasn’t so hilarious and tragic.
The entire western financial system is hilarious and tragic.
It is up to its use-by date and Greece is a canary in the mine.
More debt in the world than there is money to repay it ……………. thinking thinking thinking
This is quite similar to what Bill wrote here the other day. Indeed if the only option for war with ISIS, is war with ISIS – I think we should do the right thing and help the people at war with ISIS – rather than send our own troops over there.
Just another reason, why we should not send troops into the middle east. This is just stupid on the part of the commanders who ordered this to happen – stupid.
And if you think privatising health care is a winner – or if Obama care is any go. Think again. Insurance companies are in the business to make money – sick people don’t make money = hence the USA and it’s SNAFU approach to health care.
At Public Integrity – you should look up health – and see all the nasty, vicious, and down right evil things the health insurance industry does to make a buck.
…..”But for Arabs, there is a clear message in all these alliances. Washington has an American-trained general in charge of the Libyan air force, an American-trained former field marshal and president in charge of Egypt, an American-educated and British-trained king in Jordan and two wealthy emirates with huge US investments – one of them headquarters to the US fleet in the Gulf – in the battle. Only that well-known dictator who has been fighting Isis for longer than any of them – Bashar al-Assad of Syria – is left out. For now.”
( spot the ironies)
The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 12
There is a Wisconsin version of FJK, Scott Walker. There are many similarities in their methods. Given the nature of the US and A, Walker may actually end up in legal trouble if things filter up to the federal level. Meanwhile, FJK’s smile and wave is increasingly being replaced by scowl and lie.
Winston is a lot more useful than Labour these days ( since Helen Clark) ….Labour is a liability…didnt Labour MPs …(the Labour Party boys)…accept SKYCITY hospitality along with the Nacts?…and what about that Auckland Labour Mayor’s role in helping along SkyCity ?…say no more….
….it was the Greens who have always had form on fighting the SkyCity deal …and Winston…and Mana ….this is the real Left Opposition in New Zealand
David Cameron is demanding that obese/overweight people *accept help* (For example the outdated dietary advice that includes eating wheat and a little sugar? That the obese or overweight should learn to hate the appearance of their bodies like the government apparently does? To be taught that human rights law is for “real” disabilities? Hmmm….) or lose benefits.
Cameron really knows how to bene bash huh? At least this reporter has the good sense to make this comment:
“But here is the alternative theory. What if the intention is not to make people slimmer, but to make the obese reconcile themselves with the fact that they are worthless human beings, and hence unworthy of receiving any financial support from anyone? If that is the case, then the initiative may work very well indeed.”
Ask them, if you know who they are. When the English Tories start on obese people as part of their attack on our brothers and sisters in England, I think it’s perfectly OK to suggest they start on Brownlee.
I don’t know what the forms are like currently in NZ, but back in the day when you applied for a benefit for medical reasons part of the form you signed said something like how you could be declined a benefit if you refused medical treatment for the condition. I’m surprised Bennett and co haven’t gone down that track already tbh.
Each foreign government’s request will be examined on a case-by-case basis, and they must agree to “proper use” principles created by Washington that stipulate the drones must obey international law.
Oh, would that be like US drones indiscriminately killing civilians?
I’d say that it’d be better for any country to build their own drones. That way they could guarantee that there wouldn’t be any back doors into the control systems.
Apparently Ports of Auckland have settled with Maritime Union & new Collective contract agreed.
Neither Herald nor Stuff have any details so its going to be interesting to see who ‘won’ after all.
Tont Gibson won as the maritime union has less members and less money then it did before and with the rival port union on the scene they have less influence
Of course they could have accepted the arbitrators decision a couple of years ago and been in a stronger position but thems the breaks
Heres where I’d usually sling some stuff KLittles way over this except that hes doing the exact thing I’d advise him to do, keeping the Greens out of anything that matters is what most voters want since the Greens only got 10% of the vote which is pretty shoddy when you consider how many people didn’t vote
Little is taking Labour to the center which is what he needs to do and it looks like hes distancing Labour away from the Greens to set up a deal with Winston for the next election ala Labour back when they were last in power
Labour doesn’t need to offer the Greens anything because theres nowhere else for the Greens to go and if its a choice between Labour/Winston and the Greens or National/Act/MP then of course the Greens will be Labours doormap
So, unfortuantely (as I want another term for Key) , this is smart politics from Little
Never said anything about going to the right instead I applaud him for:
going to the center
learning from Helen Clark
and yes Little needs to do whatever he needs to so he can get into power then he can make the changes, the problem with Labour supporters in general is that they don’t quite seem to get it that you need to get the power first before you make the changes
Fortunately, for Labour supporters, Little realises that
As you say briefly and then people realised he was all mouth and no trousers, had he gone to the center he probably would have won
Which is why John Key is merely tinkering around the edges of what the right wing want ie
partial privitisation as opposed to full sell offs,
keeping union membership voluntary instead of abolishing unions,
90 day employment bill instead of firing any time any place,
increasing benefit payments instead of cutting back,
tinkering with the RMA instead of abolishing ot and writing a new one
all this because Keys knows (as did Clark) its the center that decides who governs
“Coming up in a few minutes, The Panel with Jim Mora and Noelle McCarthy. I don’t know who their two guests are today, but whoever they are, quality broadcasting will ensue….”
Paddy Gower has taken a $900 unpaid debt to new heights.
By making it his most important event today he has nailed Little. Announcing the honeymoon is over… Almost sounded like he was making a very pointed comment to Little directly.
As in most contests when one side is getting flogged the ref will attempt to even things up a bit by making a “no fuss no foul” trivial call.
Gower is out of his league and should be reporting the Mid-week news in a small community based provincial newspaper.
Cohen is well known to the likes of aunty Audrey & uncle Vernon when they were principled unionists with the journalists union.
From another Open Mike, but it didnt get answered:
I was wondering if an employer that pays minimum wage, after the minimum wage goes up, is required to negotiate in good faith, or can just say ‘im paying minimum wage, deal with it’
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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 ...
Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8. The universe was ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
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 arguments for such a bold reform. ...
Peter Dunne writes – The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
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. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
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 ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
Workers at a major ASB contact centre in Auckland have voted to take strike action and withdraw their labour following disappointing pay negotiations with the employer and an "offer" to workers that would leave them worse off than the previous year. ...
The Labour Party is demanding Peters be stood down, saying "he's embarrassed the country" with a "totally unacceptable" attack on a prominent AUKUS critic. ...
The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance, whose members were victims of a China-backed cyber attack, is discussing forming a standing committee to deal with foreign influence. ...
The PSA is concerned that the voluntary redundancies being offered to staff by Stats NZ will impact on the agency’s ability to deliver on its core functions. ...
Results ranged from surprisingly yum to soul-destroying. I love cooking. The kitchen is a hearth of culinary creation, of sensory delights, of gastronomic poetry. I also can’t afford anything nice. Why does a pack of instant noodles and some milk cost ten bucks? I love you, Aotearoa, but I miss ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor Police in Solomon Islands are on high alert ahead of the election of the prime minister today. The two candidates for the top job are former foreign affairs minister Jeremiah Manele at the head of the Coalition for National Unity and Transformation, which is ...
He’s fine but it feels like I’m losing a friend and it’s making me bitter. How do I say ‘enough is enough’? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzHey Hera,I’ve recently moved in with a girlfriend, her partner Steve, and his friend. We all live in a lovely little house. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick Chartres, Senior Research Fellow, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney shutterstockAhmet Misirligul/Shutterstock You go to the gym, eat healthy and walk as much as possible. You wash your hands and get vaccinated. You control your health. This is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacqueline Hendriks, Research Fellow and Lecturer, Curtin University Children and young people may be seeing news headlines about men murdering women or footage of people rallying to call for action. Perhaps they or their friends have even gone to the protests. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Balanzategui, Senior Lecturer in Media, RMIT University ABC “Bluey mania” shows no sign of abating. Bluey’s season finale, The Sign, was the most viewed ABC program of all time on iView. A “hidden” follow-up episode, aptly named The Surprise, created ...
Labour market figures came in softer than the Reserve Bank had forecast, but they won’t be enough to move the needle on interest rates, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Unemployment ...
The campaign will engage the community and encourage submissions on the bill to the New Zealand government by the closing submission deadline of Friday 31st of May 2024 4pm. ...
The paper raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand's political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency plays in that. ...
The Urban Habitat Collective was an attempt to built an innovative new form of apartment building in Wellington. Here’s why it failed, and why the idea could still work, writes co-founder Bronwen Newton. When we started the Urban Habitat Collective in November 2018, we thought we were starting a revolution, ...
Two decades ago this week, a controversial law that attempted to define ownership of the foreshore and seabed prompted a formidable display of outrage and kōtahitanga as 15,000 marched to parliament. Jamie Tahana looks back.‘Hīkoi, hīkoi,” they chanted by the thousands as the biggest Māori march in a generation ...
Why has New Zealand slipped from third to 12th on Quality of Death Indexes over the past decade or so? Hospice New Zealand Chief Executive Wayne Naylor has a list of reasons. “We don’t have a current national strategy – the Government hasn’t renewed our 2001 strategy, so we don’t ...
While women’s sport is exploding in Aotearoa and around the world, you still don’t hear a lot of talk about athletes and their periods, RED-S, breastfeeding and visible panty-lines. SASS (Suze and Sez Sports)Talk isn’t afraid to have that kōrero.LockerRoom founder Suzanne McFadden and Olympian broadcaster Sarah ...
On an unusually hot night in January 2019, a little boy’s lifeless body was found face up in a small town’s sewage oxidation pond. To the police, it was an open and shut case: three-year-old Lachlan Jones had run away from his home in the Southland town of Gore, climbed ...
A Labour Party Member’s Bill aims to plug a culpability gap between manslaughter and health and safety breaches The post New push for corporate killing laws appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Terence O’Brien had the rare and no doubt undesired distinction of rising to one of the most exalted positions in New Zealand diplomacy, then being unceremoniously recalled to Wellington without explanation just when his career was at its zenith. What is perhaps more surprising is that he appears to have ...
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Rongotai MP Julie Anne Genter has apologised in Parliament after National accused her of intimidating and attacking one of its ministers in the House. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Prime Minister and state and territory leaders met on Wednesday as the national cabinet to discuss a crisis gripping Australia – the horrific number of women murdered this year. The killings have shocked ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Radhika Raghav, Teaching Fellow, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Otago Netflix Indian director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known for his big-budget Bollywood production, featuring grand sets, star casts, meticulously choreographed dance sequences and lavish costumes, jewellery and furnishings. ...
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Better late than never, isn’t it?
http://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/other/labour-leader-outed-over-unpaid-bill/ar-BBhEQBy?ocid=mailsignoutmd
Despite Hager’s book, Dirty Politics alive and kicking under Key’s sleazy government.
TPP?
Sky City?
Sabin?
Key takes the election result as a mandate for another term of it as the sheeple say so assisted by a labour party with past their use by dates MPs and strategists
I saw an MP had posted on facebook a photo of the Labour caucus class of 2015 on the steps of parliament yesterday. Plenty of 50 something’s shades of grey. It was depressing some of the same old faces still clipping the ticket. Others must have been thinking the same as there were few likes.
is there a down-tick option..?
Yes democracy rapidly becoming a sham in the land of the great white sheeple.
@ Paul. Agree.
By the way where is Nicky Hager these days? Haven’t heard anything of him for a while!
Is he under house arrest?
Been gagged?
Prevented from speaking publicly?
Any news about the outcome of police removing his personal effects from his home to be investigated?
We need a journalist of Hager’s intelligence, calibre and integrity to investigate John Key’s involvement re the time frame of having been informed of the Mike Sabin affair!
Another point is it’s interesting that today, msm (Fairfax and NZH) is carrying the story about Andrew Little’s past “non payment” of an invoice, (after it was raised in Parliament yesterday by the loathsome Steven Joyce), focusing on the time frame of the actual payment (yesterday)!
So I ask, where is msm focus on slimy PM Key and his grubby ministers, digging deep about when they first became aware of the Sabin investigation?
Pity more media enthusiasm and attention isn’t focused on this issue, where it should be.
A good rejoinder to Joyce would be to ask how many Teachers have not been paid correctly this year.
@ dv – BINGO!
The media give corporate shills like Mary Beard a voice, not real journalists like Hager publicity.
Remember they want more for themselves and less for the rest of us.
So being on a salesperson for the TPP rather than an advocate for democracy, transparency and solidarity.
Labour Party PR is abysmal. How can any efficient system drop their leader into the mess that Andrew finds himself in? The Shearer “fish in Parliament” debacle, lack of penetrating secondary questions and dredging up petty and inconsequential points. Andrew needs a decent “minder” that would never have allowed the likes of Joyce to crucify him over an unpaid bill. It’s all over the media today and Key’s back off the ropes.
Pay some real money and buy a minder that’s got his/her finger on the pulse. Another with the political nous of Heather Simpson – – – there’ll be someone out there.
“It’s all over the media”.
Not a single reference to it on Stuff’s front page in fact. I guess people who are impressed by ‘gotcha’ politics will clutch their pearls a bit. Meanwhile, Bill English’s toxic ACC rort is getting as least as much attention, and that will still be news tomorrow, as will National Party Sabinism and the Skysore.
Wot’s this then ?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/66310310/andrew-little-coughs-up-months-overdue-bill
On the front page? English comprehension 101. Reading is a skill.
Why do you have to be so offensive ? You brought up the ‘front page’ issue, not I.
I repeat “it is all over the media”.
I think you’re exaggerating the significance of a story that will be gone by tomorrow.
i don’t..it’s an impression that will stick..
Getting plenty of airtime on Morning Report. The complainant (who just happens to be an NBR freelancer) is suggesting there was no intention to pay. But you’re right this will be old news tomorrow. Labour just need to get their shit together and stop being their own worst enemy.
Is John Armstrong frothing at the mouth screaming “resign!” again? After all, a late payment is at least as serious as an eleven-year-old form letter.
I’m sure Armstrong is whipping up an online column as we speak…
Along the lines of “When will National pay its $100 billion bill, Bill?”
Stop trying to resurrect that dead horse.
That isn’t a very nice thing to say about Mr. Armstrong.
Little will be taking the blame for some staff cock-up either in his office or Labour HQ.
Given that Shearer’s fish debacle is brought up at every available opportunity (and in this column today!!) I reckon that Andrew Little’s unpaid bill (and no need to put it in inverted commas ‘cos it was exactly that, it appears) will continue to haunt him in just the same way. It was a damn silly oversight on Andrew’s part and his minders need to be much more on the ball.
Your concern is touching. Truly.
No, wait, this just in: fuck off.
Silly but minor. It will be forgotten within a week.
Sure is a pretty dumb own-goal but given the debacle of last week and the ease with which Little has owned Key on SkyCity I guess some sort of retaliation was to be expected. No surprise then that the Nats have reverted to the tried-and-true methods that have served them well in the past. It will be interesting how Little and Labour respond. Probably best just to suck it up, take responsibility and try and push through. And, since we’re dealing the dark art of politics, some added fuel thrown on Winston’s claims of insider trading at SkyCity would be useful.
The timing of SkyCity announcement of wanting a taxpayer handout pushed their share price up which was smart Morrison. However the ‘no penalty’ for the convention centre size reduction looks dodgy as hell.
Key and his cronies tie up with that very sketchy outfit the NZX is fishy in my opinion. By the NZX moving into being a fund manager and recently increasing their holdings bears looking into.
Gosman the National Party shrill will come on here with his twisted opinion shortly.
“..The Shearer “fish in Parliament” debacle..”
wasn’t that stuart nash shearers’ chief-adviser then..?
..was the fish his idea..?
..or did shearer brain-fart that one out all on his own..?..
I believe the fish idea was entirely Shearer’s, and no one else in caucus knew about it until he did it. He bought the fish from an Auckland supermarket and flew to Wellington with him in his carry-on…
“He bought the fish from an Auckland supermarket and flew to Wellington with him in his carry-on…”
Wow, really? That’s a special kind of retarded.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11111726
“Mr Shearer’s fish, which he had brought down from Auckland in his carry-on luggage, were placed back in a bag and ushered out of the debating chamber by deputy leader Grant Robertson.”
Wow…
And just imagine him on the plane with his secret cargo, all pleased with himself, smug little smirk on his fishy little face.
Underestimate my scaly powers, will they?
Wow indeed.
Heh, indeed. I can see the inner dialogue
“Show me will they? Hehehe, my and my little ‘friends’ here will sink the National government. Sink? That’s a good pun. Must work that in. Also something about sleeping with the fishes. Ho ho ho – that’s a good one”
And so forth.
Also, what the fuck did the guys screening his bag think?
Maybe he still keeps a diplomatic bag…
It’s probably a catch bag
Maybe he pulled the old bait and switch
He might have said “It’s my lunch” and airport security would have bought it hook, line and sinker
That was a great example of the emperor has no clothes on. I remember thinking
oh dear god this mug has lost the plot. To think he didn’t fall on his sword and not seek re election sums up the problem with Labour. All the previous leaders bar DC should have not stood again.
“..All the previous leaders bar DC should have not stood again..”
+ 1..
funny story..!
..shearer now feels he is qualified to work in ‘intelligence’..
..(just keep him away from the fish..!..)
New temporary boss of GCSB was the ex lawyer for the ministry of Fisheries Maybe take some loaves and he is in!
there ya go..!..
q.e.d..
there is a definite pattern there..
..i feel a venn-diagram coming on..
..let the overlaps fall where they may..!
I bet a few people would like to have a Super Minister discuss their unpaid bills in parliament, and then get the harpie Gower into it to. Perhaps they could get onto the tax evaders for the country while they are onto it
A caliphate established by radical Muslims that supports genocide and appears intent on precipitating World War 3 with an aim of engineering the Apocalypse – “that it considers itself a harbinger of—and headline player in—the imminent end of the world.”
Doing nothing to try and minimise this would seem to be unwise.
ISIS – apostles of the Apocalypse
Long version (Graeme Wood at The Atlantic): What ISIS Really Wants
Invading Iraq in 2003 really worked, didn’t it?
Guess you advocated for NZ’s involvement then as well.
No, you shouldn’t make baseless assumptions. I opposed the invasion of Iraq.
This is now very different situation. ISIS is not a State. Iraq has asked us to assist them in opposing ISIS.
Have you read The Atlantic article? Or have you leapt straight to diversion?
Nah, this is about you telling lies again. Citation needed for people who suggest we do nothing. Put up or shut up, racist.
That’s more garbled than usual from you OAB.
Of course I’m a much more dangerous enemy than ISIS. ‘Must defeat enemy’. You should wake up properly first though.
Who are the people who say we should do nothing? Put up or shut up, racist.
Me. I say we should do nothing. It would work if we did nothing – why don’t people actually think through these things?
No humanitarian aid then. No help for the Kurds. No restriction on arms dealers?
Nothing military.
For a large number of reasons, all of which have been thrashed around here plenty.
What do you think would happen if we did nothing militarily?
Just making sure that Racist George hasn’t found his citation – “nothing military” ≠ “nothing”.
little said that the iraqi politician who visited asked for humanitarian-aid..
..why the fuck don’t we just do that..?
..instead of being mercenaries/spear-carriers for the fucken americans..
..with our soldiers having to be given diplomatic passports..
..so they can kill at will..?
..’cos the iraqi govt won’t give them the legal rights to kill their people..
..the australian soldiers are already killing using diplomatic passports..’cos they were also refused that right by the iraqi govt..
..how the fuck does all of this mesh with the bullshit being spun by key..?
..that we aren’t just mercenaries/spear-carriers for the americans..
..we are going to war ‘to help’ the iraqis..
..that they ‘want us there’..
..as little was told..what they want is humanitarian aid..
..not just more fucken soldiers throwing lead around..
No prob oab.
But – what would happen over there if we did nothing militarily?
Anyone?
We’d have to stop helping spy on them first – unless that doesn’t count as “something military”.
Ok then, if the spying and any other military activity stops.
What would happen if we did nothing militarily over there?
Anyone?
(why do I get the feeling the question is being avoided…
I think the result would be much the same, because the plan is rubbish and we lack sufficient influence to change it.
I’ll have a crack VTO.
ISIS is a threat to a bunch of people over there who would do stuff about it.
Obviously the Shia blocs who are the current primary target of ISIS. So they are already stepping up in the alliance between Iran/Iraq and Syria. That would continue. They have their own agenda of forming a fairly solid shia ruled area. They’d probably achieve that.
Secondly, the Gulf states like Saudi A, UAE etc are threatened by ISIS to a small degree. Insofar that they are bad PR for the anti Shia movement that they care about, they will step up. They have problems in that if they step up too hard against IS then their own populations get a bit angsty, not because of direct IS support (which is small) but because of IS being an Anti-shia force. It’s a tricky spot for them, so they’d probably clamp down hard on ISIS when it raises it’s head in a Sunni state, (same as they do with AQ and the Bortherhood).
The Sunni states probably enjoy watching Iran bleed against ISIS so they may be tempted to quietly fund them to prolong it, and they will not be happy about the Shia states getting their solid bloc, but I doubt they could stop it, and fundamentally, they’d rather have someone who wasn;t as insane as ISIS to be their proxy.
So, I reckon if we butted out, the Shia would fuck ISIS over the next year or two, the Sunni states would say ‘that’s annoying’ and start funding some other wee group.
Pretty much the same as what will happen if we do interfere, with the difference being that we won’t be getting in the way.
interesting and correct although I meant “we” being “NZ”. In other words the US and its dirty cronies like Australia carry on without us.
Same result – no difference…
Sounds like an endorsement for war with shoot to kill being approved by the PM and the troops becoming honorary diplomat’s.
Expecting something else from captain beige ? content generation is best done with such inferences.
I hear Feild Marshal Brownlee has been kitted out with a dapper taylor made safari outfit.
our very own colonel blimp..
brownlee clearly need a swagger-stick..
..so he can stand there and whack his thighs with it..
..to emphasise his points..
..(and for a touch of self-inflicted bdsm..?..
..gerry’s been a naughty boy..?..)
He has been seen roaring around the streets of Christchurch in a Hummer. Must be some special powers Key has invoked since we are at war.
is it a camo-hummer..?
has it got one of those disabled-access lift things..?
..to get him in and out..?
..are there emergency-procedures set up for when he gets stuck..?
lol
Uncharacteristically considerate of brownlee to have a hummer.
Some people might not immediately recognise him and therefore know he is a twat, but driving a hummer is like a huge neon sign labelling him as such.
How many tents did it take?
just one marquee…
Sounds like you haven’t tried to read it.
I’m a strong supporter of peace and non-violence generally.
But when you already have a war with major intent then doing nothing doesn’t reduce or stop the violence, it allows it to grow.
All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent – Edmund Burke
Citation needed for people who suggest we do nothing, Racist George.
A stated before PG… How about the “West” stop training, funding and arming ISIS before “we” worry about putting military personnel there – in ANY form?
No arms, no cash and no capability would tend to weaken them quite a bit don’t ya think?
Stop sipping the kool-aid.
Handwringing pearl clutching racist has nothing of value to offer. Again.
Well that will just fit in perfectly with those Christians who also want to bring on the Apocalypse.
http://www.christianity.com/theology/end-times/
Pity we cant limit the war to Apocalypse believers only on some unoccupied area of wasteland and leave them to it.
They’re not the only ones.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messianic_Age#Judaism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messianic_Age#Islam
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_al-Mahdi#Reappearance
readership down a bit, that you need to clickbait?
Nobel Peace Laureates Slam Human Rights Watch’s
Refusal to Cut Ties to U.S. Government
AlterNet, July 8, 2014
Human Rights Watch’s affiliation with ex-CIA and NATO officials generates perverse incentives and undermine its reputation for independence.
In a May 12 letter published on AlterNet, two Nobel Peace Prize Laureates and over 100 scholars, journalists and human rights activists called on Human Rights Watch to close its revolving door to the U.S. government. On June 3, HRW published a response from executive director Kenneth Roth on its website, arguing that their “concern is misplaced.” In a June 11 debate on Democracy Now!, HRW Counsel and Spokesman Reed Brody similarly rejected their recommendations.
Now, Nobel Laureates Mairead Maguire and Adolfo Pérez Esquivel join fellow signatories Richard Falk (United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories from 2008-14) and Hans von Sponeck (UN Assistant Secretary General from 1998-2000) in demanding that their proposals be taken seriously, and additionally, that HRW remove former NATO Secretary General Javier Solana from its Board of Directors.
Dear Kenneth Roth,
While we welcome your stated commitment to Human Rights Watch’s independence and credibility, we are dismayed by your rejection of our common-sense suggestion for strengthening them: bar those who have crafted or executed U.S. foreign policy from serving as HRW staff, advisors or board members—or, at a bare minimum, mandate lengthy “cooling-off” periods before and after any associate moves between HRW and the foreign-policy divisions of the U.S. government.
Before addressing your letter’s objections to the three instances of HRW’s advocacy that suggest a conflict of interest, we would like to reiterate that they were “limited to only recent history,” and that other cases could have been raised as well. One obvious example of HRW’s failure to appropriately criticize U.S. crimes occurred after the 2004 coup d’état against the democratically elected government of Haiti. The U.S. government essentially kidnapped Haiti’s president; thousands of people were killed under the ensuing coup regime; and deposed officials of the constitutional government were jailed.
In the face of what were likely the worst human rights abuses of any country in the Western hemisphere at the time, HRW barely lifted a finger. HRW never hosted a press conference criticizing the coup or post-coup atrocities. In contrast to HRW’s appeals to the Organization of American States’ Inter-American Democratic Charter for Venezuela and Cuba, HRW never publicly invoked the Charter in the case of Haiti, even as Articles 20 and 21 afforded multilateral measures “in the event of an unconstitutional alteration of the constitutional regime.” HRW never placed an op-ed about the overthrow in a prominent newspaper. (In 2004 The New York Times alone published at least five HRW opinion pieces and four HRW letters on other subjects.) It is reasonable for outside observers to question whether this lack of response from HRW to such large-scale human rights violations had anything to do with U.S. foreign-policy priorities.
The very existence of such questions regarding HRW’s advocacy should be reason enough to impose sharp restrictions on HRW’s close ties to the U.S. government. ….
Read more….
http://www.alternet.org/world/nobel-peace-laureates-slam-human-rights-watchs-refusal-cut-ties-us-government
I knew something sneaky was hiding behind the SkyCity funding kerfuffle. The Govt has been softening us for (at least) $6M funding of a bunch of wealthy losers: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11403588
Government of the rich, for the rich, by the rich.
Yes but they are quality losers who know no other life, you wouldnt want to see them down the local cafe down to their last million wearing last years pradas would you.
$millions$ given to rich yachties (and they are very rich)
$hundredsthousands$ taken from school children libraries.
………
$millions$ for casinos
$homes$ sold from under the poor
-and a measely $30 thousand couldn’t be found to fund Christchurch’s only Rape Crisis Support Line
“..I feel shameful walking past rough sleepers – how must the politicians responsible feel?..” (+ comment:..and how do our politicians feel when they see their handiwork in the flesh..?..do they shift at all uneasily in their (comfortable/well-padded/heated) seats..?..especially those labour politicians..eh..?..’cos of all of them..they should really know better..eh..?..but they don’t..)
“.. An evening walk down the Strand in London brings to painful life official figures –
– that show a sharp rise in rough sleeping..”
(cont..)
(ed:..i have asked myself that question..
..especially of labour mp’s/politicians..
..and our labour/green mayors of auckland..
..both of whom when first campaigning to be mayors..
..put their hands on their hearts..
..and vowed/promised to help the homeless..
..since then..yeah..nah..eh..?
..but especially those neo-liberal/rightwing labour mp’s..
..those who won the argument within the labour party pre-’14 election..
..that saw labour ’14 election-policy offering absolutely nothing for the poorest..
..cunnliffe said that benefit-levels wd increase ‘by the rate of inflation..
..which is what national does..
..and here’s the funny story..!
..those rightwing/neo-liberal labour people are still wondering why those poorest..(the missing million..)..
..why they didn’t rush to the polling booths..
..sobbing in/with gratitude on their way..
..to tick the box for labour..
..as i say in the headline..eh..?..’they should really know better’..eh..?..)
(cont..)
http://whoar.co.nz/2015/i-feel-shameful-walking-past-rough-sleepers-%E2%80%93-how-must-the-politicians-responsible-feel-comment-and-how-do-our-politicians-feel-when-they-see-their-handiwork-in-the-flesh-do/
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11403351
Not so much down and gloom on dairy prices anymore
When it gets back up to the average price in 2011, be sure to let us know.
See, droughts are good news.
I’m not an expert, but that looks like a loss-making enterprise to me.
This:
http://www.frankieboyle.com/frankie/free-speech.html
I’m not going to follow the link gormless – as your to bloody lazy to write a description.
Are you just click baiting?
It’s “you’re”. It is a contraction of “you are”. Maybe reading is not your thing.
adam was writing, not reading, gormless. Pot, kettle, etc.
If he writes like that, I have good grounds to conclude he is incapable of reading.
And if you read like that, I have good grounds to conclude you are incapable of writing anything other than erroneous pedantry. Concentrate on adam’s criticism; a brief summary of why we should click on the link would be helpful, because the number of readers who are going to just on your say so is minimal.
Something like: ‘Frankie Boyle skewers the false outrage of the media’ or ‘comedian rips into media hypocrisy’. It’s not hard.
You could have read it by now. Or not. Suit yourself. I will try to struggle on regardless.
More reading difficulty, gormless? That fact that I was able to provide a couple of short summaries strongly suggests I did read Boyle’s piece. Try and avoid arguments based on pedantry in the future, you’re not much good at them.
Noted.
You’ll like this from Frankie Boyle, Ole – given that you’re such a good Tory…
On Mock the Week after Thatcher’s demise:
How much do you think the funeral is going to cost ?
Frankie Boyle: “3 million. For 3 million, they could give everyone in Scotland a shovel and we would dig a hole so deep that we could hand her over to Satan personally.”
Who suggested Andrew Little commission anything from David Cohen? He is a very right wing journalist and a great friend of Bill English. It was before Andrew Little was leader so hopefully he is getting better advice these days about who to talk to.
Yeah, for goodness sakes don’t make any effort to find out how the Right will spin the things you say 🙄
he was hired to coalesce/define/translate..
..the thoughts of chairman little..
..i wonder how all of that worked out..?
..if it was value for money..?
Knowing what your adversary will say about you before they say it can be an advantage, if the information is used wisely.
I think Little’s doing ok on the presentation front.
“..Knowing what your adversary will say about you before they say it can be an advantage, if the information is used wisely. .”
to a point..i s’pose..
..and cohen was the only one who cd make those calls..?
..who cd lay out those hypothetical-scenarios..?
..and so now we have a rightwinger..who has looked inside littles’ head..
..any hypothetical bad-scenarios you can see around that..?
..and little was ‘doing ok’..
..not so much lately..
Other than you, who says Cohen was the only one?
The fact that National have to reach further down into the barrel to ping him for a ubiquitous human error – forgetting to pay a bill – is an indication that they aren’t getting many hits in debate.
What happened to ‘angry Andy’? 😆
nobbled by neo-liberalism..?
(and..)
“..Other than you, who says Cohen was the only one?..”
..was there a whole team on it..?
..the ‘little-brain team’..?..
..’here come the l.b.t.’s..!’..
..did they have a uniform..?..
..or at the very least..an insignia..?
..a motto..?
“..– is an indication that they aren’t getting many hits in debate..”
going on the commentary i did on q-time yesterday..
..little was the one not ‘getting many hits’..
..and i mean..there is hardly a lack of ammunition to hand..?
..is there..?
Not only that but the NBR has the story saying that the go-between (one Chris Matthews) was also slaggng off other Labour MPs to the journalist. Who is he and what position does he hold?
Since the working class was defeated, indeed pretty much smashed, under the fourth Labour government and the following National government, class consciousness in this country is at an all-time low. The left, defeated on the economic front, managed to win some victories on the cultural front. That was good, but we do need to get back to class: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2012/10/24/class-class-consciousness-and-left-political-practice/
Yet another excellent article, Philip. Redline is a great read.
Reading about the Euro debt-mongers problems with their unsustainable business model in Greece would be tragic and hilarious if it wasn’t so hilarious and tragic.
The entire western financial system is hilarious and tragic.
It is up to its use-by date and Greece is a canary in the mine.
More debt in the world than there is money to repay it ……………. thinking thinking thinking
Hilarious
Tragic
This is quite similar to what Bill wrote here the other day. Indeed if the only option for war with ISIS, is war with ISIS – I think we should do the right thing and help the people at war with ISIS – rather than send our own troops over there.
http://libcom.org/news/kurdistan-gilles-dauv%C3%A9-17022015
Sorry about the long links in advance.
Just another reason, why we should not send troops into the middle east. This is just stupid on the part of the commanders who ordered this to happen – stupid.
http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/02/12/16751/us-troops-burned-waste-hazardous-open-pits-while-safer-incinerators-sat-idle?utm_source=email&utm_campaign=watchdog&utm_medium=publici-email&goal=0_ffd1d0160d-3b6faff816-100020097&mc_cid=3b6faff816&mc_eid=c346e018f7
And if you think privatising health care is a winner – or if Obama care is any go. Think again. Insurance companies are in the business to make money – sick people don’t make money = hence the USA and it’s SNAFU approach to health care.
http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/02/16/16766/elimination-public-option-threw-consumers-insurance-wolves?utm_source=email&utm_campaign=watchdog&utm_medium=publici-email&goal=0_ffd1d0160d-3b6faff816-100020097&mc_cid=3b6faff816&mc_eid=c346e018f7
At Public Integrity – you should look up health – and see all the nasty, vicious, and down right evil things the health insurance industry does to make a buck.
Robert Fisk’s latest on ISIS
‘Isis has provoked an Arab alliance to bomb the West’s enemies’
http://www.independent.co.uk/biography/robert-fisk
…..”But for Arabs, there is a clear message in all these alliances. Washington has an American-trained general in charge of the Libyan air force, an American-trained former field marshal and president in charge of Egypt, an American-educated and British-trained king in Jordan and two wealthy emirates with huge US investments – one of them headquarters to the US fleet in the Gulf – in the battle. Only that well-known dictator who has been fighting Isis for longer than any of them – Bashar al-Assad of Syria – is left out. For now.”
( spot the ironies)
And this:
https://dimpost.wordpress.com/2015/02/17/same-as-it-ever-was/
There is a Wisconsin version of FJK, Scott Walker. There are many similarities in their methods. Given the nature of the US and A, Walker may actually end up in legal trouble if things filter up to the federal level. Meanwhile, FJK’s smile and wave is increasingly being replaced by scowl and lie.
http://www.alternet.org/tea-party-and-right/4-things-you-should-know-about-presidential-candidate-scott-walker-its-too-late
Daily Telegraph political commentator quits in protest at deteriorating journalistic standards
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-02-17/honesty-shocker-telegraphs-political-commentator-quits-over-hsbc-coverage-accuses-pa
Go Winston .. let’s see if the FMA have either teeth or guts ….
Winston Peters: ‘Huge volume’ of SkyCity shares trading must be investigated:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11403839
I’m glad Winnie has raised that. He’s still useful on some issues.
Winston is a lot more useful than Labour these days ( since Helen Clark) ….Labour is a liability…didnt Labour MPs …(the Labour Party boys)…accept SKYCITY hospitality along with the Nacts?…and what about that Auckland Labour Mayor’s role in helping along SkyCity ?…say no more….
….it was the Greens who have always had form on fighting the SkyCity deal …and Winston…and Mana ….this is the real Left Opposition in New Zealand
The book Dirty Politics gains a win for the port workers with the Maritime Union members ratifying a collective agreement this morning.
Well done comrades and excellent job brother Gary Parsloe. My you enjoy many years of retirement!
David Cameron is demanding that obese/overweight people *accept help* (For example the outdated dietary advice that includes eating wheat and a little sugar? That the obese or overweight should learn to hate the appearance of their bodies like the government apparently does? To be taught that human rights law is for “real” disabilities? Hmmm….) or lose benefits.
Cameron really knows how to bene bash huh? At least this reporter has the good sense to make this comment:
“But here is the alternative theory. What if the intention is not to make people slimmer, but to make the obese reconcile themselves with the fact that they are worthless human beings, and hence unworthy of receiving any financial support from anyone? If that is the case, then the initiative may work very well indeed.”
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/16/david-cameron-obese-big-society-benefits
The plan should be trialled on Gerry Brownlee. He certainly doesn’t deserve any financial support from anyone.
hi murray, where are the obesist police?
i would have expected you to be taken to task for that comment.
perhaps double standards much?
i think i detect a touch of afflunentist (?) in yr comment too. 😉
Ask them, if you know who they are. When the English Tories start on obese people as part of their attack on our brothers and sisters in England, I think it’s perfectly OK to suggest they start on Brownlee.
I don’t know what the forms are like currently in NZ, but back in the day when you applied for a benefit for medical reasons part of the form you signed said something like how you could be declined a benefit if you refused medical treatment for the condition. I’m surprised Bennett and co haven’t gone down that track already tbh.
What could possibly go wrong ?
US lets allies buy killer drones … oh yes, this should end well.
07-866 6851www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2015/02/17/u-s-to-let-allies-buy-killer-drones.html?via=newsletter&source=CSPMedition
MORONS.
With the US having them, it’s already ended badly. This is just a continuation.
Hi Murray .. hope your trip to Tai Tokerau tomorrow bears some fruit if you are in the right place at the right time .. travel well …
Quoting article:
Oh, would that be like US drones indiscriminately killing civilians?
I’d say that it’d be better for any country to build their own drones. That way they could guarantee that there wouldn’t be any back doors into the control systems.
Apparently Ports of Auckland have settled with Maritime Union & new Collective contract agreed.
Neither Herald nor Stuff have any details so its going to be interesting to see who ‘won’ after all.
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/years-long-ports-auckland-union-dispute-tipped-end-morning-sources-ng-168805?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NBR%2520Heads%2520Up
Tont Gibson won as the maritime union has less members and less money then it did before and with the rival port union on the scene they have less influence
Of course they could have accepted the arbitrators decision a couple of years ago and been in a stronger position but thems the breaks
andrew little under-impressed..again..
..and kennedy ‘death-stare’ graham got performer-of-the-day..
..but all in all..it was a bit of a drag..
(but key did tell us that he ‘has a vision’..)
http://whoar.co.nz/2015/new-zealand-parliament-list-of-questions-for-oral-answer-wednesday-18-february-2015/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/editorials/66323975/editorial-andrew-little-plays-into-pms-hands-on-spying
Heres where I’d usually sling some stuff KLittles way over this except that hes doing the exact thing I’d advise him to do, keeping the Greens out of anything that matters is what most voters want since the Greens only got 10% of the vote which is pretty shoddy when you consider how many people didn’t vote
Little is taking Labour to the center which is what he needs to do and it looks like hes distancing Labour away from the Greens to set up a deal with Winston for the next election ala Labour back when they were last in power
Labour doesn’t need to offer the Greens anything because theres nowhere else for the Greens to go and if its a choice between Labour/Winston and the Greens or National/Act/MP then of course the Greens will be Labours doormap
So, unfortuantely (as I want another term for Key) , this is smart politics from Little
good advice there pucky..!
..move more to the right you reckon..?
..even when that didn’t work that well last time..eh..?
..that missing-million couldn’t be stirred to vote for the promise of s.f.a. for them..
..silly poor..!..eh..?..they should be grateful for crumbs..!..even for no crumbs..!.
..yep..!..that worked out really well..
..little-labour should try really hard to be more like key-national..eh..?
..well..they have made a good start..eh..?..on the spooking-front..
..taking five minutes to agree to extending the powers of the spooks..
..and freezing turei/the greens out of the spooks-‘club’..eh..?
Never said anything about going to the right instead I applaud him for:
going to the center
learning from Helen Clark
and yes Little needs to do whatever he needs to so he can get into power then he can make the changes, the problem with Labour supporters in general is that they don’t quite seem to get it that you need to get the power first before you make the changes
Fortunately, for Labour supporters, Little realises that
and labour polled their highest when exactly…?
..wasn’t it when cunnliffe had his (however brief) ‘workers’ flag is deepest red’ moment..?
..what wd u take from that..?
As you say briefly and then people realised he was all mouth and no trousers, had he gone to the center he probably would have won
Which is why John Key is merely tinkering around the edges of what the right wing want ie
partial privitisation as opposed to full sell offs,
keeping union membership voluntary instead of abolishing unions,
90 day employment bill instead of firing any time any place,
increasing benefit payments instead of cutting back,
tinkering with the RMA instead of abolishing ot and writing a new one
all this because Keys knows (as did Clark) its the center that decides who governs
Thanks Chris for owning up to what the right really intend to do to our society.
Do you really think they should abolish the unions PR? You’re saying the government should legislate away the right to free association?
Of course he wants workers’ rights dismantled.
They get in the way of his masters’ profits.
” Never said anything about going to the right”
FFS chris73. In which direction do you move to get from the left to the centre?
LOL
Liars of Our Time
No. 47: SIMON MERCEP
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
“Coming up in a few minutes, The Panel with Jim Mora and Noelle McCarthy. I don’t know who their two guests are today, but whoever they are, quality broadcasting will ensue….”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
—SIMON MERCEP, Radio NZ National, 3:35 p.m., Wednesday 18 February 2015
Liar No. 46 Julia Gillard: “I have got a lot of respect for people who whistle-blow, ummm….”
http://thestandard.org.nz/ope-mike-08022015/#comment-965394
Liar No. 45 Zara Potts: “Sir Bob Geldof has assembled the best of modern musicians for this year’s record, including Ed Sheeran and One Direction.”
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-11112014/#comment-924196
More liars HERE….
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-09102014/#comment-907232
A liar.
Or a deluded fool?
I think there was a bit of tongue in his cheek as he said it, actually.
Hipkins managed to get this out of the Min of Ed Secretary today:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/66349800/novopay-botchups-cost-45m-to-fix
That’s an extra 45 million on top of the countless sums already spent.
But Scott, Little didnt pay a $900 debt, you must know THAT is more worthy of being shared with TV3’s news audience tonight?
Paddy Gower has taken a $900 unpaid debt to new heights.
By making it his most important event today he has nailed Little. Announcing the honeymoon is over… Almost sounded like he was making a very pointed comment to Little directly.
I think Gower’s piece tonight smacked of overreach actually. For all that though hopefully Andrew Little is practicing the media shut-down right now.
It was Gower’s version of
na-na-na-na-na
I think it reflected more on he than little in the end
Paddy was so thrilled to be able to “nail” Andrew. “It seems that -(pause) the Honeymoon is over!” Poor deficient Paddy.
You get the feeling that Gower (and probably TV3) had hoped to lead with this story (exclusive emails etc) but events have rather overtaken them.
As in most contests when one side is getting flogged the ref will attempt to even things up a bit by making a “no fuss no foul” trivial call.
Gower is out of his league and should be reporting the Mid-week news in a small community based provincial newspaper.
Cohen is well known to the likes of aunty Audrey & uncle Vernon when they were principled unionists with the journalists union.
From another Open Mike, but it didnt get answered:
I was wondering if an employer that pays minimum wage, after the minimum wage goes up, is required to negotiate in good faith, or can just say ‘im paying minimum wage, deal with it’