Open mike 27/02/2013

93 comments on “Open mike 27/02/2013 ”

• Comments are now closed

1. KhandallaViper 1

   27 February 2013 at 7:58 am

   There is an old fashioned look to the Labour party now.

   As David Shearer was out of NZ from 1989 to 2009 with a short retuen 2000 to 2002, it is understandable that he reference people and reference points are 80s. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Shearer

   Retaining old codgers like Mike Smith, Mike Williams and Ian Fraser is keeping him in touch with the 80s!.
   Being advised on tactic by Aneetee King, Phil Goff and Trevor Mallars. (& Tamahere?)…not exactly the Social Medial Generation….

   Keeping back talent like Little, Cunliffe, Wall and Chauvel compounds the problem .

   David Shearer is running out of time to make Labour relevant to the 16, 17 , 18, 19 year olds who are voting the first time

   David Shearer is running out of time to make Labour relevant to the 800,000 who did not see a reason to vote.

   There is some time. David needs to get fresh youthful people (non- parliamentary staffers ffs) experienced in this NOW world.
   • Red Rosa 1.1

     27 February 2013 at 8:33 am

     Sadly, all too true KV. From the outside, the current Labour caucus seems to be drifting with the tide and totally lacking the guts and brains required to lead in Opposition. In contrast, the Greens are making waves with regular displays of analysis and initiative on a number of topics.

     Intriguing to compare, on a daily basis, the posts and comments on NZ left wing blogs with actual Labour efforts. No wonder they claim not to read the blogs!

     Certainly NZ deserves a better government. But it also deserves a better Labour opposition.
2. Skinny 2

   27 February 2013 at 8:42 am

   State owned Genesis Energy is being ready for the sales block. Announcing a 85 % rise in profit & a return of $72 million for the last 6 months. So what have their 265,000 customers got to say?

   I am a customer and have this to say ” give us customers a rebate since your making such healthy returns, 85 % rise & 72 million says your over charging us.”

   “Get rid of Chairwoman  Jenny Shipley as I am uncomfortable with her recent failures.” 

   “I am giving my notice as a & customer & consumer in protest to state assets being sold.”
   • Treetop 2.1

     27 February 2013 at 12:59 pm

     Genesis Energy have been up dating all their meters so they do not have to come out for a reading or do an estimate. The cost of upgrade would have cut into their profit.
     • Rogue Trooper 2.1.1

       27 February 2013 at 6:51 pm

       while we are on the subject of water (Hint: it’s not oil)
       http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/25/the-coming-water-wars/
       as in the Days of Noah (who needs to be able to swim on The Beach? shoot!)
   • aerobubble 2.2

     27 February 2013 at 2:38 pm

     Oh please. If you move to the state owned energy company with the lowest profits, and everyone else does, we would all be using our customer power to lower our power prices.
     So which companies made the least profit???
   • David H 2.3

     27 February 2013 at 10:14 pm

     Time to change suppliers.
3. geoff 3

   27 February 2013 at 8:49 am

   I wonder if peter jackson will be brave enough to admit he decieved the country
   • Draco T Bastard 3.1

     27 February 2013 at 10:32 am

     Sociopaths never admit to doing wrong.
     • Treetop 3.1.1

       27 February 2013 at 1:17 pm

       Jackson could do a movie about the Hobbit deal and he could be nominated for an oscar, (best director, best lead male role). Key likes the camera and having the Crown Law emails released would add to the intrigue of the relationship between Key and Jackson.
4. johnm 4

   27 February 2013 at 9:11 am

   The Artistic Taxi Driver on the disastrous U$K situation where the banks and the privateers are being bailed out with trillions, but the people especially the disabled, the sick, and unemployed are being screwed with workfare and sanctions. The Tory scum have abandoned ordinary brits in favour of the casino speculating banks. All this has been prepared with a press campaign on scroungers and the like. This is the NeoLiberal scumbag system of profit before people and KeyBoy is following the exact same path here. At this moment they’re taking advice from a Welsh Pommie Toffter on how to reduce the disabled roles here and it won’t be pretty. 🙁

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpctuA5OtLs&list=UUGThM-ZZBba1Zl9rU-XeR-A&index=2

   Same crap happening in the U$ which is in depression. The bail out money received by the casino crook banks has been invested for profit in the BRIC countries NOT in the has been U$ economy. Refer Michael Hudson for this. The U$ and the U$K are fighting in the last ditch to avoid the inevitable: a socialist society as the UK had just after the end of WW11.Note that is NOT a communist society. The Market has clearly been shown to be a socially and environmentally a destructive force as a nuclear war.
   • johnm 4.1

     27 February 2013 at 3:07 pm

     “Australian corporate chief calls for major welfare cuts” Key’s mates are egging him on:

     “The Australian corporate elite’s demands for the government to impose the kind of drastic austerity measures being implemented in Europe and the US were spelt out again on Saturday in a speech by Don Argus, the former chairman of mining conglomerate BHP Billiton and the National Australia Bank. Argus declared that public spending in Australia was “unsustainable” and demanded a “national conversation about our welfare budget and how it could be better calibrated for the challenging period ahead.”

     Argus, a multi-millionaire who wants for nothing, stated that his view, which means millions of working people will suffer severe cuts to their living standards, was “common sense.” Government spending, he asserted, had “outpaced income” and therefore had to be reduced. Feigning concern over rising youth unemployment, Argus called for increases in productivity to create jobs. In reality, “productivity” is the corporate code word for lowering wages and working conditions, and destroying jobs in order to boost profits.”

     http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/02/26/aust-f26.html Key is trying to work up the nerve to serve his kleptocratic masters, you better believe it, he doesn’t serve ordinary kiwis who don’t exist to him! 🙁
5. travellerev 5

   27 February 2013 at 9:20 am

   So NZ signed a deal with the US with regards to our food safety. What does that mean? Well, for starters the second guy at the FDA is a Monzanto guy and guess what? We are going to cut some red tape with regards to “potential” regulatory burden: What does that mean? Watch Farmageddon and find out!
   • TheContrarian 5.1

     27 February 2013 at 9:22 am

     Perhaps Monsanto was behind the WTC attack?
     • travellerev 5.1.1

       27 February 2013 at 9:49 am

       Perhaps you’re a dickhead who likes his GMO breakfast cereals. Who knows! In the mean time
     • vto 5.1.2

       27 February 2013 at 1:58 pm

       Contrario doesn’t think that human beings conspire. It has never happenned. It doesn’t happen.
       • travellerev 5.1.2.1

         27 February 2013 at 2:01 pm

         Nope, never happened and never will!
       • TheContrarian 5.1.2.2

         27 February 2013 at 2:49 pm

         What a silly strawman. Of course people conspire. Why some Islamic terrorist conspired to bring down the WTC centre
         • vto 5.1.2.2.1

           27 February 2013 at 2:51 pm

           How do you decide when there has been a conspiracy? And how do you determine whether you would know or not?
           • travellerev 5.1.2.2.1.1

             28 February 2013 at 11:17 am

             Funny how he is happy to accept the story about Muslims conspiring without a real shred of evidence while dissing real questions such as how come a building twice reinforced to withstand a nuclear blast collapsed in 6.5 seconds into its own footprint for the first and last time in history?
   • muzza 5.2

     27 February 2013 at 8:28 pm

     Now that awaths of North Island are being declared *state of drought*, this is the perfect opportunity for Monsanto, woops I mean the FDA to to come to rescue of NZ.

     Just think of the possibilities!
     • The Al1en 5.2.1

       27 February 2013 at 8:42 pm

       Say no to GM dope
6. joe90 6

   27 February 2013 at 9:32 am

   What, no earthquakes.

   http://www.nrl.navy.mil/media/news-releases/2013/nrl-scientists-produce-densest-artificial-ionospheric-plasma-clouds-using-haarp
   • Rogue Trooper 6.1

     27 February 2013 at 12:05 pm

     locally, could be the “worst drought in 50 years” though.
     • Colonial Weka 6.1.1

       27 February 2013 at 1:51 pm

       Whereabouts RT?
       • karol 6.1.1.1

         27 February 2013 at 1:59 pm

         Here:

         http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8359060/Northland-in-drought-Government-declares
         • vto 6.1.1.1.1

           27 February 2013 at 3:10 pm

           Would there be a drought if all the ground cover had not been burned off last century?
   • muzza 6.2

     27 February 2013 at 5:08 pm

     No Joe, no earthquakes…What was your comment about!

     http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/25/world/asia/japan-earthquake

     http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/02/us-quake-japan-idUSBRE91107T20130202
7. rosy 7

   27 February 2013 at 9:44 am

   GPs rely on charity to ensure the basic health needs of children are met.

   Health services in Northland and Manukau are pioneering school-based treatment for children, but they are exposing big gaps in health coverage, particularly rheumatic fever, and highlighting housing issues.

   Dr Lance O’Sullivan says he would not see most of Kaitaia’s children with skin infections if he didn’t go into schools to look for them.

   “Vulnerable children are not getting into doctors’ surgeries enough,” he says in the general practice clinic that he opened last year at Kaitaia Hospital, from which he visits children in 14 local schools.

   “We can sit here in a particular role, or we can take health services to where people live, work and play,” he says.

   “This is actually getting out of our rooms, getting off our butts and working through the schools and reaching the kids and getting them early.”

   Dr O’Sullivan, until recently one of only two Maori general practitioners in Northland, has taken Health Ministry funding for tackling rheumatic fever and topped it up with money from the food charity KidsCan to put five nurses and health workers into the district’s schools.

   A brilliant initiative but surely it is the job of government, not charity?
   • AsleepWhileWalking 7.1

     27 February 2013 at 10:21 am

     Yes, it is..but ultimately Northland is lucky to have Dr O’S. IMHO he looks as though he is crossing some boundaries BUT THANK GOD HE IS!

     Without him these kids would just be someone else’s problem and would develop life long consequences of the gov’s health neglect.

     Once they have a good model of delivering a service at low/no cost they would be in a much better position to obtain government funding (thanks again to Dr O’S and his supporters). Northland is really a crucible for the rest of the country who are following at a less noticeable pace.
     • rosy 7.1.1

       27 February 2013 at 12:44 pm

       Yes, it takes people like Dr O’S to shake the system up a bit. However the MoH should be funding a trial, not relying on a driven GP to seek out charity funding. It’s hard enough doing the work without having to sort out how to fund it.

       To me it’s another example of the government’s lack of focus on primary care, population health and prevention of illness.
       • AsleepWhileWalking 7.1.1.1

         27 February 2013 at 3:08 pm

         Agree.
   • vto 7.2

     27 February 2013 at 1:55 pm

     God this government makes me sick.

     The New Zealand people have tasked the government with providing health care to all, regardless of wealth. But that just aint happening.

     Perhaps that $400 million for businessmen farmers could go to looking after these children.

     Bleeaaarrgh, vomit spew, cough splutter croak.

     I have nothing but contempt for this government and even more so for their supporters.
   • Colonial Weka 7.3

     27 February 2013 at 2:10 pm

     “but surely it is the job of government, not charity?”

     I don’t think what O’Sullivan is doing is charity. It’s the community organising itself. We should all be doing this – it creates more stable communities, and better health services (locals know better than MoH in Welly). It also futureproofs communities in the face of teotwawki.

     Yes, govt ‘should’ be providing health services to all NZ kids. But they’re not, and it’s been a long time now since we’ve had a comprehensive, accessible health system. Time to take things into our own hands.

     O’Sullivan’s points about how GPs practice are pertinent. Doctors SHOULD be going into the community and making themselves accessible. The whole making people travel to the GP, sit and wait sometimes for a long time, for 10 minutes of the GPs time model… that’s an insane way to run primary health care, and it’s come about because the people with privilege have organised it that way to suit themselves, not the people in need.

     As an aside to that, every GP I have had has worked less then full time. I’m sure this varies hugely depending on many factors, but many GPs get paid very well for what they do, and seem to be benefiting greatly from the state subsidy to primary health care. All my GPs trained pre-student loans though, so that’s another factor.
     • Draco T Bastard 7.3.1

       27 February 2013 at 2:32 pm

       (locals know better than MoH in Welly).

       Well, they’d know the local conditions better but the ministry would have better knowledge of drugs and therapies available.

       O’Sullivan’s points about how GPs practice are pertinent. Doctors SHOULD be going into the community and making themselves accessible. The whole making people travel to the GP, sit and wait sometimes for a long time, for 10 minutes of the GPs time model… that’s an insane way to run primary health care, and it’s come about because the people with privilege have organised it that way to suit themselves, not the people in need.

       Agreed but it still comes down to resources – what resources are available and which option uses less.
8. Dave Kennedy (bsprout) 8

   27 February 2013 at 10:52 am

   “They started it!” http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2013/02/national-needs-to-grow-up.html
   • Colonial Weka 8.1

     27 February 2013 at 1:58 pm

     Ha, ha, good one.
9. bad12 9

   27 February 2013 at 12:11 pm

   Will the ‘HairDo from Ohariu’ Minister of Revenue, Peter Dunne make it through to the 2014 election, the ‘skunk’ look has gone in favor of a totally white bouffant and seen yesterday Dunne has lost a hell of a lot of weight,

   Perhaps another MP in the grip of vanity fear having had a stomach staple job, or has the piece of string which is the ‘Hairdo’s” lifeline come to an untimely end…
10. Rogue Trooper 10

    27 February 2013 at 12:28 pm

    form Echo Beach; (Rose, Maria and Time grow Where The Wild Things Are)
    http://gwend0lynleigh.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/susanna-and-the-elders-4452-mid.jpg
    O Susanna, don’t you cry for me, better wormwood than Wormtongue
    Hotere (2001) http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/hotere-2001 may be our greatest artist Ever without doubt Francis

    Lockdown’s Pelican Bay, that’s where the killers wanna’ be to “hone their skills”. Southern Mexicans certainly prepared amongst the BRIICS (beware the NLR). Silver Ants are expert at navigating by the sun and proportionately cross the desert at 450km/hr. It’s an Enigma, yet Joyce looked decidedly uncomfortable around The Hobbit.

    Daniel Day-Lewis IS the “Greatest Actor of All Time” (Foot Supports Intl. is a registerd Work and Income supplier apparently; better put ya’ best foot forward while special offer lasts.

    RNZ- Helen Kelly is Everywhere (spooky).

    GB-“Bob the Builder”of Backbenchers seems more like Rob the Gilder and Tolley the smoking gun.

    Therefore the law is paralyzed,
    and justice never prevails.
    The wicked hem in the righteous,
    so that justice is perverted.
11. AsleepWhileWalking 11

    27 February 2013 at 12:40 pm

    **Same sex marriage bill recommended to be passed into law by committee**
12. Addison 12

    27 February 2013 at 12:44 pm

    What IF! What if after the next election National rule alone, Labour have less seats, the greens have more! Will we blame Shearer, will we blame policies or will we blame the poll and the press? just asking!
    • aerobubble 12.1

      27 February 2013 at 1:32 pm

      Greens get a proportion, When Labour voters vote Labour in constituent seats and Greens in the list vote then Labour get a overhang (like the Maori party now) – parliament is now 121 seats.

      So if you are say Greens get more seats and Labour less, it means Labours vote has collapsed again!!! Which is what happened at the last election, Goffed.

      Labour needs to get back in touch with NZ voters by standing up to and for policies that are good for NZ voters, and it still hasn’t been able to sell a CGT or a tax free threshold on income, why?
      Because nobody believes they have rejected Rogernomics.
13. Rogue Trooper 13

    27 February 2013 at 12:49 pm

    forMicah:

    Hear this; you leaders of the house of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel who despise justice and distort all that is right; who build Zion with bloodshed, and Jerusalem with wickedness. Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet,
    they lean upon the Lord and say “Is not the Lord among us? No disaster will come upon us.” (the opening prayer of parliament always cracks me up). Therefore, because of you, Zion will be ploughed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound (interesting)
    overgrown with thickets. 😉

    fro Living In the FuTure:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esp_hOlFqiM

    Eccl. 5:* : If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things: for one official is engaged by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.

    10: Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.

    11: As goods increase, so do those who consume. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them.

    12: The sleep of a laborer is sweet whether he eats little or much, yet the abundance of a rich man often permits him no sleep.

    WOW
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Wayne%27s_Musical_Version_of_The_War_of_the_Worlds#Track_listing
    (’cause you’re not here)
14. Arfamo 14

    27 February 2013 at 12:49 pm

    I’ll blame Shearer and those who selected him as leader. If the greens have more seats than Labour I think I’d be right to do so.
    • Addison 14.1

      27 February 2013 at 1:13 pm

      I agree, if the Greens are on the ascendancy and Labour on the decline ,it’s not left wing policies that are at fault. It’s got to be that the higherarchy of the party is ineffective.
      • Draco T Bastard 14.1.1

        27 February 2013 at 2:35 pm

        Doesn’t have to be just the hierarchy, the entire party could be out of touch with the majority of the populace and reality.
    • Treetop 14.2

      27 February 2013 at 1:32 pm

      Getting people to vote is what has to happen. There has to be a good reason for people to vote. A policy for under 30s, those age 30 – 65 and over 65.

      Shearer will not be the leader this time next year if Labour do not improve by at least 5%.
15. Poission 15

    27 February 2013 at 1:39 pm

    English admits there is a problem, and LVR will be used.( or maybe as it will become wheelers problem)

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/8358864/House-buyers-may-need-bigger-deposit

    The first option should be the low hanging fruit ie taxing non resident housing investments.
16. Rogue Trooper 16

    27 February 2013 at 1:41 pm

    The Bewitched, The Beguyled and The Bewildered Nichol in the palm is worth two in the Bush.
17. geoff 17

    27 February 2013 at 2:09 pm

    LPRENT: Have you fixed the mobile version? Page scrolling works sweetly for me now.
    • AsleepWhileWalking 17.1

      27 February 2013 at 3:16 pm

      New Air NZ saftey video, this time with Bear G!
      http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/bear-grylls-stars-in-air-new-zealands-new-safety-video/story-e6frfq80-1226586455323
    • geoff 17.2

      28 February 2013 at 9:49 pm

      No it doesn’t, i was just using the full version on my phone.
18. Pete 18

    27 February 2013 at 3:08 pm

    Via Twitter:

    Vernon Small ‏@VernonSmall

    Chief justice Sian Elias says court unanimous on all issues and held crown actions are reviewable
    Retweeted by Idiot/Savant
19. Pete 19

    27 February 2013 at 3:10 pm

    Via Twitter:

    Adam Bennett ‏@AdDeville

    The Supreme Court has upheld the Maori Council’s legal challenge to the Government’s flagship asset sales policy.
    • Pete 19.1

      27 February 2013 at 3:12 pm

      Update:

      Adam Bennett ‏@AdDeville

      Sorry, got that wrong!!!!

      ______________

      Aw, stink.
20. mickysavage 20

    27 February 2013 at 3:10 pm

    Twitter is saying the Supreme Court has ruled against the Government and granted Maori’s application for an injunction …
    • mickysavage 20.1

      27 February 2013 at 3:11 pm

      Hold that …
      • mickysavage 20.1.1

        27 February 2013 at 3:14 pm

        Appeal dismissed …

        Share float can go ahead.
        • JK 20.1.1.1

          27 February 2013 at 3:17 pm

          Bugger !
        • yeshe 20.1.1.2

          27 February 2013 at 3:24 pm

          farewell sweet aotearoa … what a tragedy for us all. then gnats will also approve the destruction of milford sound courtesy of the ‘trusted’ nick smith … wow… miserable day. and the referendum is not binding is it ?
21. Pete 21

    27 February 2013 at 3:14 pm

    Appeal dismissed.

    Now on to the referendum.
22. just saying 22

    27 February 2013 at 3:14 pm

    http://werewolf.co.nz/2013/02/bringing-the-living-wage-to-life/

    Werewolf is out. The article linked above is particularly interesting:
    Its an example of how ingrained the culture of low pay has become in our society: it is now seen as a core duty of government to effectively subsidise corporate profits (and hence the incomes of the wealthy) by compensating for their sub-standard wages. We spend over a billion dollars a year doing this; meanwhile the idea of government regulating for decent wages (or even paying them itself) is apparently now politically unthinkable for the major parties.

    “….So….where do we go from here in order to make the Living Wage become a reality? Not to mention to achieve a Universal Basic Income that can address the income/participation needs of the unwaged on benefits who could miss out on the Living Wage, just as they do not qualify for the Working For Families subsidies at present.

    One way forward would be to vote for political parties who promise to regulate for a Living Wage and to increase the benefit levels. (Good luck with convincing the Labour Party to do either.) There is another avenue however. The political parties could be pressured to amend the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act, in order to put social, cultural and economic rights on the same legal footing as the civil and political rights that we already recognize under BORA. That way, people would have a legal mechanism to seek a decent standard of living as a fundamental right, and not as an act of charity bestowed by employers and/or by benevolent governments. It would also mean that all future legislation would have to be vetted for its impact on the standard of living – and for the extent, for instance, to which it may contribute to economic hardship and income inequality. Any retrogressive socio-economic legislation would then need to justify its existence.

    This may sound like airy-fairy stuff. It isn’t. It might be the only way to escape from the whims and expediency of the government of the day. And luckily, the intellectual spadework has already been done. Wellington-based lawyer Joss Opie wrote his law thesis on the subject, and that’s available online (click item 6 on the list here.)…”

    I trust the link at the top of the page meets the requirements of all site regulations regarding linkage, Draco.
    • just saying 22.1

      27 February 2013 at 3:17 pm

      Damn, still no edit function. The first paragraph after its first sentence should be part of the block quote

      [lprent: Tonight’s build at work is the production release. I start having time again. ]
23. just saying 23

    27 February 2013 at 3:28 pm

    Hey Xtasy,
    I saw this note from Gordon Campbell in today’s ‘Werewolf’ and thought of you*

    Thanks to Lyndon for helping me post this online. And thanks to everyone who’s got this far, and shown an interest in reading Werewolf and keeping it going. Thanks a lot. If you want to be involved and want to talk over some story ideas, contact me at gordon@scoop.co.nz

    Cheers,
    Gordon Campbell
    Werewolf/Scoop
    gordon@werewolf.co.nz

    (emboldening mine)

    *I don’t think it would be a good idea for you to follow this up in the middle of the night – just saying.
    • xtasy 23.1

      1 March 2013 at 2:52 am

      just saying: I invite Gordon to read the Standard and get inspired! Thanks for the suggestion though. I have as of recent been a bit nocturnal, I am afraid, I have my bizarre “cycles” of activity.
24. Polish Pride 24

    27 February 2013 at 3:49 pm

    Had a thought last night re getting NZ out of debt…
    Would like to know if this is feasable…
    This all needs to be relatively top secret if it were to be done
    Have a series of SOEs. lets say 5 for good measure
    Have a govt owned bank. (Reserve Bank)
    Have a Govt owned bank that is customer facing
    Set up a long list of fictitious customers via a data entry upload into SOE systems
    Have the Reserve Bank secretly generate more money than National debt.
    Funnel Money through SOEs via ficticious customers.
    That money is then returned clean and clear to the Govt via dividend payments
    Pay off overseas debt.
    And yes I know what it is. 🙂
    The question is, is it feasible at least in principle without tanking the dollar.
    If not are there any tweaks that could be made so that it is.
    • xtasy 24.1

      1 March 2013 at 2:55 am

      To start off, perhaps do it the Argentine way, simply default and have it written off, to start anew? That is always a last option solution. But then the debt collectors inside and outside of NZ do not like this, do they?
25. emergency mike 25

    27 February 2013 at 4:03 pm

    Question time:

    RN: “Does the minister think it’s a laughing matter when a minister of the crown comes to this house and misleads this house, directly misleads this house by telling the house that there had been no pressure from Warner bros when the email traffic released just yesterday proves that there was very significant pressure from Warner bros to change our law?”

    SJ: “Well Mr Speaker I think that what is a laughing matter is that this member talks constantly about creating jobs in the NZ economy, but opposes every hands on measure in which to do that.”

    Norman objects that the question was not answered, and the Speaker denies him saying he should re-read his question and that Joyce answered the question “very adequately.” Is “Does the minister think…” not a good way to frame the question perhaps? Or am I missing something?

    Anyway the whole 14 odd minutes is Joyce dodging Norman’s questions with responses like “I wasn’t the minister at the time,” “I haven’t read that speech,” “I’m not aware of the details of that question, but blah blah blah about something else.”

    At one point the speaker agrees that Joyce hasn’t answered a question and asks Norman to repeat it. Joyce gives more of the same bollocks, and Norman is allowed to repeat the question again. Another non-answer. Norman objects, but the speaker rules that it’s simply time to move on. Cosgrove asks whether one can now ‘get off the hook’ to a question if one simply repeats a BS answer three times. The Speaker answers that it’s now for the public to judge Joyce’s answer. I’m so sure it will be all over Seven Sharp.

    Thank goodness we have parliament’s ‘robust’ debates to keep our politicians in check in this perceived least corrupt country.
    • McFlock 25.1

      27 February 2013 at 5:17 pm

      is the speaker elected by simple majority? 2/3 majority might be in order, given such shameless corruption described in your comment…
      • emergency mike 25.1.1

        27 February 2013 at 5:49 pm

        Where did I describe corruption?
        • emergency mike 25.1.1.1

          28 February 2013 at 12:13 am

          Maybe think first next time.
    • bad12 25.2

      27 February 2013 at 5:36 pm

      Perhaps the Speaker has been reminded ‘just who’s side He is on’, yesterday on a point of order from NZFirst’s Winston Peters who accused Slippery the Prime Minister of giggling like a school boy instead of answering a question from the Labour Benches the Speaker angrily directed Slippery to answer the question,

      Slippery certainly didn’t look to happy about the rebuke…
      • emergency mike 25.2.1

        27 February 2013 at 5:58 pm

        Ah Winnie… I don’t suppose you can remember which question that was bad12?
        • bad12 25.2.1.1

          27 February 2013 at 6:52 pm

          No sorry i didn’t take note of the questions, it may have even have been a question asked by Russell Norman that had Winston telling the Speaker that Slippery’s answer was ”giggling like a schoolboy”,

          That was yesterday’s question time just in case your confused…
          • emergency mike 25.2.1.1.1

            27 February 2013 at 7:45 pm

            Found it, near the end of question 2. The calmly speaker said it would be helpful if the PM could give concise answers, but equally helpful if the the opposition could cut out the loud interjections. Not much of a win for the left. I didn’t see Slippery bat an eyelid either.
    • xtasy 25.3

      1 March 2013 at 3:07 am

      The present “speaker” of the House is also a “speaker” for his favoured government, it sounds more and more like. I could not believe the crap that man came up with over recent days. He now so often asks opposition questioners to repeat their questions, frustrating the whole process, and then he lets off most of the government ministers with the slack comment, that he believed the question was answered totally satisfactorily.

      This is the worst speaker in the House that I can remember. NO bias, yeah right, pull out yet another TUI board, thanks.
26. geoff 26

    27 February 2013 at 4:57 pm

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/129230/reserve-bank-deal-on-house-price-controls-pending

    The dipshit from dipton, aka bill english, has just given the reserve bank the ability to make banks require larger deposits for mortgages. So now it’ll be even harder for kiwis to get into their first home.
    If he doesn’t provide other complementary policies to go with this then he’s just screwed over NZers even more.
27. gobsmacked 27

    27 February 2013 at 7:19 pm

    From Scoop.co.nz …

    Those responsible for Labour’s 2011election defeat should be identified and make a “dignified exit’’ from the caucus, Charles Chauvel said in his valedictory speech today.

    Chauvel said he wished to make public two thoughts he had shared privately with Labour Party Leader David Shearer

    First – He sincerely wished Shearer would be the next Prime Minister and regretted he would not be the Attorney General.

    Second – In an apparent reference to the recent reshuffle which had seen many of those supportive to David Cunliffe’s leadership aspirations demoted, he said it was unproductive to keep seeking the “supposed’’ enemy within.

    Instead in order to stop history repeating there needed to be an open and honest look at why Labour suffered its worst ever defeat in 2011

    “Those responsible for it should make dignified exits and all the undoubted talent and diversity should be included in the shadow Cabinet, Chauvel said’’.

    (I can only add – well said).
    • Pascal's bookie 27.1

      27 February 2013 at 7:24 pm

      Burn him! He’s a witch!! etc.
    • bad12 27.2

      27 February 2013 at 7:28 pm

      True and i think Labour need look no further than having Phill Goff kick off the 2011 election campaign with the ‘raising of the age for super policy’ as the number one culprit,

      What a thing to tell the 40 odd % of workers who struggle every day to pay the bills while at the same time expecting their vote…
    • Olwyn 27.3

      27 February 2013 at 7:47 pm

      Good on him, for being so civilised and so forthright. We have lost a fine mind with him going.
    • KhandallaViper 27.4

      27 February 2013 at 8:46 pm

      “Chauvel said he wished to make public two thoughts he had shared privately with Labour Party Leader David Shearer”

      I would LOVE to the thoughts he that he shared with Shearer that he did not make public….today.
28. KhandallaViper 28

    27 February 2013 at 8:33 pm

    “A Party needs both wings to fly”

    Charles Chauvel has made an excellent valedictory speech in Parliament:
    Have a look here. http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/AboutParl/SeeHear/PTV/
    Full text later:
    • KhandallaViper 28.1

      27 February 2013 at 9:02 pm

      http://thestandard.org.nz/charles-valedictory/

      There is a discussion stream under another stream elsewhere.
29. lprent 29

    27 February 2013 at 9:27 pm

    Test the re-edit 3
    • Arfamo 29.1

      27 February 2013 at 9:30 pm

      Looking good!
      • Arfamo 29.1.1

        27 February 2013 at 9:31 pm

        But not for me … lol.
      • lprent 29.1.2

        27 February 2013 at 9:34 pm

        Just trying to find out where the problem is. Just ignore it whilst I do work on it. Problem only seems to happen on the production platform so I have to test it here.
    • lprent 29.2

      27 February 2013 at 10:30 pm

      Looks like a conflict in JQuery versions to sort out. That appears to be the problem.
      • lprent 29.2.1

        27 February 2013 at 10:53 pm

        Test the re-edit 7 – RSS Feed off
30. Penny Bright 30

    27 February 2013 at 10:55 pm

    FOUR ANTI-CORRUPTION ‘WHISTLE-BLOWERS’ – WILL BE TAKING OUR CONCERNS ABOUT ALLEGED CORRUPT AUCKLAND COUNCIL ‘COVER-UPS’ DIRECTLY TO THE MAYOR AND ALL COUNCILLORS – 10 AM THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2013:

    Speaking Rights at Public Forum, Governing Body meeting of Auckland Council, Thursday 28 February 2013 have been confirmed for Penny Bright, (and other ‘anti-corruption whistle-blowers’, Grace Haden, Gary Osbourne, and Lisa Prager).

    Time: 10.00am
    Venue: Council Chamber
    Manukau Civic Building
    31-33 Manukau Station Road
    Manukau
    _____________________________________________________________________________

    (25 February 2013)

    Good afternoon Penny

    Your request to be heard in the Public Input section of the 28 February Governing Body meeting at Manukau has been accepted. You will be allocated five minutes in which to make your presentation.

    Should you wish to distribute any material in support of your presentation, please provide 25 copies.

    The Public Input section is at the beginning of the meeting so I would advise that you should be in attendance from 10.00am.

    The Mayor’s Office has noted reference in your request to variously the Serious Fraud Office or fraud. It would be appreciated if you do have concerns in this area to forward them to the relevant authorities via proper formal complaint processes. The Mayor’s Office cautions against making statements that impugn the reputation of individuals in a public forum.

    Regards

    Elaine Stephenson | Democracy Advisor |
    Governance Support I Democracy Services
    Ph 09 301 0101 | DDI 373 6328 | Fax 09 301 0100
    Auckland Council, Level 14, Civic Building,
    1 Greys Ave, Auckland 1142_

    __________________________________________________________

    http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/aboutcouncil/governingbody/governingbodyag20130228.pdf

    Penny Bright’s subject matter will be: “WHO IS RUNNING AUCKLAND COUNCIL?”

    This is, in my considered opinion, of SIGNIFICANT ‘Public Interest’, and needs to be dealt with by the Governing Body, because it appears that the Auckland Mayor and Councillors are NOT in control of Auckland Council.

    As an ‘Anti-corruption whistle-blower’ – I wish to raise directly with the Mayor and ALL Councillors:

    1) Their statutory duties arising from the NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990; the Local Government Act 2002, and the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, regarding the lawful rights of citizens to directly communicate with their elected representatives.

    2) I also wish to cover, not only the lack of protection for ‘whistle-blowing’ citizens and ratepayers, trying to raise alleged corrupt ‘conflicts of interest directly with elected representatives, but the attempts by unelected Council staff to ‘block’ this information from getting directly to elected representatives.

    3) Given there is evidence which confirms that the ‘blocking’ / ‘filtering’ of such information, has come directly from the ‘the top’, I also wish to request a ‘Special’ / ‘Extraordinary’ meeting of the CEO Strategy Review Committee, where the actions and performance of the CEO of Auckland Council, Doug McKay are reviewed directly by the Mayor and Councillors, who, in my considered opinion, should request independent legal advice from competent, legal professionals who specialise in ‘human rights’ law – unlike – ( in my considered opinion), the current General Counsel for Auckland Council).

    4) For your information, I shall be requesting the attendance of representatives of the NZ Police and Serious Fraud Office (the ‘lead agency’ dealing with alleged corruption) at this, and any subsequent meetings on this matter.

    Kind regards,

    Penny Bright

    ‘Anti-corruption campaigner’.

    http://www.occupyaucklandvsaucklandcouncilappeal.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/OCCUPY-AUCKLAND-APPEAL-APPLICATION-BY-APPELLANT-BRIGHT-TO-ADDUCE-NEW-EVIDENCE-pdf.pdf

    (2013 Auckland Mayoral Candidate).
31. Penny Bright 31

    27 February 2013 at 11:18 pm

    THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARLY 2013 – LAST DAY FOR SUBMISSIONS TO THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT REFORM BILL!

    http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/SC/MakeSub/2/4/d/50SCLGE_SCF_00DBHOH_BILL11932_1-Resource-Management-Reform-Bill.htm

    (Thanks for the ‘heads up’ Mels! )

    Penny Bright
32. Naki nark 32

    28 February 2013 at 5:05 pm

    Awesome speech by Mr David Cunliffe about generations and fairness. I hope Trevor watches it. Real Labour.

    http://inthehouse.co.nz/node/17360

• Comments are now closed

• Log in
• Donate
• Contribute post

• Articles RSS