Open Mike 28/08/2017

178 comments on “Open Mike 28/08/2017 ”

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1. AsleepWhileWalking 1

   28 August 2017 at 6:08 am

   Darn. The # isn’t released yet.

   Edit: Bomber’s one …a distant cousin https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2017/08/28/exclusive-my-case-against-a-secret-nz-police-investigation-that-breached-my-privacy-and-my-civil-rights/
   • Ed 1.1

     28 August 2017 at 6:11 am

     The MOAS?
     • AsleepWhileWalking 1.1.1

       28 August 2017 at 6:22 am

       Yes that #. Although TDB story is offensive the type of behavior is almost expected and needs urgent attention.
       • tracey 1.1.1.1

         28 August 2017 at 3:54 pm

         Has it been picked up by MSM and English questioned, and the current Police Minister of course.
   • AsleepWhileWalking 1.2

     28 August 2017 at 6:29 am

     Newshub and Seymour are trying to turn Peters overpayment into a *thing*, Newshub claiming he told them two different stories. Pathetic.
     • CoroDale 1.2.1

       28 August 2017 at 6:43 am

       Love him or hate him… Winnie has always got something up the sleeve. Bet this pans out for him 10x better than MT’s benefit story.
       • AsleepWhileWalking 1.2.1.1

         28 August 2017 at 7:02 am

         Sadly I think that will be the case. Newsroom has a better story on this.

         Even so all it does is highlight why we need means resting on Super.
         • CoroDale 1.2.1.1.1

           28 August 2017 at 7:07 am

           The old folk will love him for it. But hey, I’ve a soft spot for his Peoples Public Credit, and love a good racist, sorry, realist, sorry. He actually claims he isn’t racist at all. Oh, this is all so confusing.
     • tracey 1.2.2

       28 August 2017 at 7:17 am

       He is so wealthy he never checks his accounts or notices his bank balances. It must be awful for him. Does seem like a non story except the keeping quiet bit.
     • tracey 1.2.3

       28 August 2017 at 7:23 am

       In fairness to newsroom, he lied on his form and said he was single when actually in a de facto relationship. She told the truth when she registered a few years later which is when they cross referenced.

       Surely it doesnt matter why he lied, he lied and took money from the poor taxpayer. BUT unlike Turei this wont trigger outrage cos he wasnt a beneficiary and the hatred displayed toward them is not reserved for Super recipients
       • marty mars 1.2.3.1

         28 August 2017 at 9:34 am

         You have no proof he lied – i suggest being more circumspect as the way to go.
   • AsleepWhileWalking 1.3

     28 August 2017 at 6:35 am

     !!! OK…this is more like it. And I bet anyone commenting or reading this site will be included in that surveillance.

     https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2017/08/28/exclusive-the-rawshark-investigation-secret-police-mass-surveillance-program-against-100-000-nzers/
     • Ed 1.3.1

       28 August 2017 at 6:40 am

       100 000.
       Goodness me.
       • One Anonymous Bloke 1.3.1.1

         28 August 2017 at 7:24 am

         I’d love to see the reckoning that led to that figure.

         On a more serious note, what are the odds that various people connected to The Standard Trust are on that list?

         Somewhere between a strong likelihood and a certainty.
     • CoroDale 1.3.2

       28 August 2017 at 6:53 am

       Cool, ganna be fun at customs next week with the old double passport, but woops forgot the NZ, but woops Student Loan. But woops did I really say that at Select Committee for National Security. “No Sir. No gold coins or political thoughts…”

       …but looking forward to being back in NZ and sleeping in a car.
   • AsleepWhileWalking 1.4

     28 August 2017 at 6:52 am

     I think @tmurphyNZ dropped the final clue…sounds like National
     • One Anonymous Bloke 1.4.1

       28 August 2017 at 6:59 am

       Sounds like Winston, you mean.

       This is the “mother of all scandals”?!

       Next.
       • AsleepWhileWalking 1.4.1.1

         28 August 2017 at 7:09 am

         I’m very disappointed in the quality of this scandal.
         • One Anonymous Bloke 1.4.1.1.1

           28 August 2017 at 7:26 am

           Perhaps the real scandal is the exposure of Patrick Gower et al’s revolting partisan double standards.

           Not exactly news to anyone here.
       • tracey 1.4.1.2

         28 August 2017 at 7:13 am

         It isnt even headlining on stuff or Herald… you have to scroll down
   • One Anonymous Bloke 1.5

     28 August 2017 at 7:00 am

     Ok, so Bradbury actually came up with something. Seriously out-of-control cops. How many other people’s human rights have they violated this way?

     Edit: I see Bradbury is claiming 100k. So somewhere between two, and one-hundred thousand.
     • tc 1.5.1

       28 August 2017 at 7:10 am

       As opposed to the ongoing subversion of due process and transparency we see with slater, roastbusters, a prominent NZ’er etc etc.

       National have politicised many sections of nz’s public service and SOE’s, some were happy to, others had managers dropped in to ensure they came to heel like RNZ, kiwirail and TVNZ.
   • Eco maori 1.6

     28 August 2017 at 6:12 pm

     I wish to write about the Dairy industry in a un biased manner.
     As I was only hurt by one and a cop was part of that the other 2 were elderly and for that reason I will let them off.
     All dairy farm workers including most farm owners work 7 days a week usually 430 am to 600 pm. THEY can not stop milking the cows as the cows would get sick I.e mastitis e.c.t rain hale or snow the cows have to get milked .I take my hat off to the farmers for that. Now the immigrant issue some kiwi workers have cost the farm owners money big money to tens of thousands of dollars have been lost because of incompetent workers.But not all kiwi workers are like this when I work or run a farm I strived to increase production and minimise stock losses I got the big picture the boss loses money no job + I thought about my reputation.
     But some workers could not give a fuck not all kiwi workers are like this.Now all the tree in central north island are more productive being dairy farmed but not next to our water ways. A dairy farmer buys a cow he get about 5 season from the cow he doesn’t have to kill the cow for his production. A good cow will produce 4 times her body weight in milk solids and give the farmer 3 good calves.Most farmers look after there stock in a very HUMANE way as if they don’t the farmer would lose his ASS I.e go broke.So please don’t go being city slickers and bash farmers. Most farmers care about the environment they get that we have one planet they usely want to leave the farm to there children so they are not going to deliberately FUCK up there farming environment the media have a lot to blame for all the dairy farm haters well get real.

     Now we have a industry that is world class most of our dairy farm are the best in the world for animal welfare. The cows are not locked inside in a unnatural environment.
     Now let’s not make the mistake and think that they are sensitive to the environment like humans as cows have a hide that is a half inch thick and hair and when it rains hard they all gather together to keep warm.
     Now were are lucky to have a environment that’s good for dairy farming. Our Dairy farming industry is the only industry that we have that is a price setter so all big powers in the world can not muck our dairy industry around and pay the farmers unstable money like some industry’s .So for a small nation we have a industry that puts us on top of the world .The dairy farmers insulate us from been bleed dry by larger more powerful Nations.I no that the dairy industry is not perfect but whom is a small persent are but you get that in any population or industry .All the photos of cows in water ways are beef cows I.E dry stock but townies can not tell the difference so those pictures are doctored up to shit on the dairy farming image So new zealand let’s not be led by the corrupt and paid for media. Let’s not kill our one world class industry .kill the only golden goose
     We have sure they need to change abit but not that much to fuck it up
     Come on the rest of the WORLD ARE VERY ENVYIUS OF OUR WOURLD CLASS DAIRY FARMERS AND OUR DAIRY INDUSTRY
     • Eco maori 1.6.1

       28 August 2017 at 10:32 pm

       Most dairy farmers are still struggling from the low milk solid payment of the last 3 season so they could not take a hit from legislation against them. We need to work with them to mitigate against climate change. Not kick them in the private parts.
       All the flats that have been turned into dairy farms are good for NZ .It’s national fault for the way things are at the moment not dairy farmers.
       We need to plant more trees on the hill country and around water ways . National are at fault for all the problems they have down south .The Allblacks are world class and we celebrate them And we should celebrate our would class DAIRY FARMERS .The only leader ship national showed was to subsidize Bills m8 down south.I believe that irritation is good when run properly and not a free for all circus.
       As it what the ancient culture did thousand of years ago as insurance against droughts system that store water when there is plenty of water and we use it during droughts
       • Eco maori 1.6.1.1

         29 August 2017 at 6:25 am

         The cops are still pissing in the wind WTF
2. Ed 2

   28 August 2017 at 6:46 am

   Finland does not test.
   It has the best educational system in the world.
   National are copying the US and the UK with more testing.
   Neo-liberalism is destroying our country.
   • tracey 2.1

     28 August 2017 at 7:15 am

     Yes but having promised the 3Rs and after 9 years maths is worse any Right thonking person woukd introduce free language learning for primary schoolers. Wouldnt they?
     • AsleepWhileWalking 2.1.1

       28 August 2017 at 7:18 am

       Languages can be learnt for free by apps eg Duolingo and travel.
       • Cinny 2.1.1.1

         28 August 2017 at 7:26 am

         Sister is head of a language department at a highschool. She says that online language learning only works if the student is highly motivated.
         • Molly 2.1.1.1.1

           28 August 2017 at 8:19 am

           Apparently studies have shown that online learning is considerably more effective when students have regular face to face meetings with other students.

           The personal interaction both reinforces and motivates students.
         • tracey 2.1.1.1.2

           28 August 2017 at 9:28 am

           I worked from 2015 to end of 2016 delivering and writing blended courses for Tertiary students. Blended meaning a mixture of online face to face and doing some work before class.

           The students complained. Parents wrote emails demanding we “teach” their children properly cos “I am not paying them to teach themselves”. Leaving aside the obvious advantage of learning self directed learning these parents demanded mobey back cos we didnt stand up and lecture at their kids for 2 hours rather we used mixtures of discussion, activity and lecturing.

           There is so much wrong in NZ cos too many parents want education to be for their children what it was for them. Even though it failed almost half of them.
           • Draco T Bastard 2.1.1.1.2.1

             28 August 2017 at 10:07 am

             There is so much wrong in NZ cos too many parents want education to be for their children what it was for them. Even though it failed almost half of them.

             Probably for more than half of them actually. Some actually realised that though and have taken self-directed efforts to counter that failing and so have some idea as to how much better self-directed learning is.

             The problem seems to be that many parents don’t understand the new system and so want us to go back to the old system simply because they feel comfortable with it. These are the people who haven’t realised how bad the old system was and, yes, they’re the very definition of ‘conservatives’. They really do see the past through rose-coloured glasses.
             • tracey …

               28 August 2017 at 10:10 am

               I had that conversation with my betters. That parents need to be educated on what we were doing and why. However my betters wete more concerned to change those 45s to 50s.
           • Molly 2.1.1.1.2.2

             28 August 2017 at 12:46 pm

             There is a lot to be said for educating parents about education.
3. Pat 3

   28 August 2017 at 7:14 am

   Almost as big a beat up as MT…..lets see if the opprobrium reaches the same fever pitch, somehow I suspect not.
   • Wayne 3.1

     28 August 2017 at 7:40 am

     Pat,
     Not as big as MT because he paid it back straight away. Also what were his circumstances 7 years ago when he first claimed it. Maybe he was not in a relationship back then and was therefore entitled to the single rate.
     I guess we will soon find out.
     • Pat 3.1.1

       28 August 2017 at 7:56 am

       bollocks…Peters a)was not a young inexperienced solo parent b) if anyone should know about super payments it is qualified lawyer, serial politician “gold card’ winston c) he took 7 years to correct, and curiously around the time of MTs scandal (I also note MT agreed to pay back any overpayment once the level determined)

       ….in his defence Iwill say that as I understand it the onus is on the dept to ensure the correct level of payment is made
     • tracey 3.1.2

       28 August 2017 at 9:31 am

       Yes. He must have been on struggle street with his MP pension… his travel perks… his legal work.

       Legal? Yes. And that is all that matters, right Wayne?
4. AsleepWhileWalking 4

   28 August 2017 at 7:16 am

   All that needs to happen to get millennials to show up to vote is to run a competition for a new home. Entry would be a n/a/p into a separate box on the way out of the voting booth.
5. r0b 5

   28 August 2017 at 7:26 am

   Have put up a post on the Peters super thing…
6. Sanctuary 6

   28 August 2017 at 7:26 am

   the claim of 100-200,000 New Zealanders being subject to illegal blanket surveillance is an extremely serious one, but I can’t see Bradbury’s evidence. He clearly has a very strong case personally against the plod – he has been treated outrageously.

   However, if he has proof of a coupe of hundred thousand people – presumably including some leading figures on the left and centre left – being subject to arbitrary search then this is a gigantic scandal the media can’t ignore.

   The government and police – who I think have almost certainly subverted security and police resources to further the governments own political agendas – will fall into a lockstep of blanket refusal to comment and claims of secrecy. Normally, they would get away with that, given the three day media cycle. But during an election campaign, I am not so sure.

   Labour should stay out of this, unless it really blows up – and even then, simply promise a full public inquiry if they gain office.
   • Eco maori 6.1

     28 August 2017 at 8:05 am

     M8 National will use every trick they can to keep power.
     One would notice that I did Not use the phrase Every trick in the book.
     Because they will use any thing to cling to power .But all the shit they have pulled makes that pole of power to slippery for them to hold on to hence the phrase national slip out of parliament.
     Duncan garner looks a bit nervous this morning maybe he has heard that he has been played.Now Jack Tame is over compsioncating in his effort to keep a straight face when National are the subject But Hillary’s is not phased at all Yes our Black Ferns should be promoted and held up as role model for all our girls to aspire to and payed for there efforts Cemmon Steven this is 2017 = right this is 2017 we need to raze our women’s confidence so we get more women on the business boards council and Parliament so we have more of women’s ideals become part of our laws. MORE HUMANE LAWS that will benefit women as much as men
   • Draco T Bastard 6.2

     28 August 2017 at 10:10 am

     Labour should stay out of this

     Hell no. They should be a) promising better legislation b) an inquiry into what has actually happened and c) who was spied upon by the police
     • tc 6.2.1

       28 August 2017 at 10:58 am

       Yup votes right there in pursuing this and it also highlights nationals intransigence/tacit approval as this is on Bills watch now.
7. Cinny 7

   28 August 2017 at 8:11 am

   Coleman is blaming hospital overloading on a record flu season. Sounds familar to the excuse of a rat plague of bibilical proportions that seems to happen every year in the Kaharangi Park

   I’d say that hospital overloading is due to a failing underfunded health system and people unable to afford going to the Dr’s.

   Our local Drs only charge $18 per visit no matter who you are, so Nationals bribe of $18 Dr visits doesn’t mean jack to me or anyone else who already pays $18 a visit
8. Pat 8

   28 August 2017 at 8:58 am

   now for something of real political importance…the response to Nationals Education policy..

   http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201856292/national-out-of-touch-on-education-principals-teachers

   They have no idea….much like everything else, if the market doesn’t deliver (and we know it doesn’t in the round) they are clueless
   • patricia bremner 8.1

     28 August 2017 at 10:09 am

     They were like this always. In the 90’s

     Lockwood Smith said we had to “implement the new English curriculum in Term 1.”

     We didn’t get the curriculum documents ’till Term 2 ,
     and the training ’till the following year.

     So Bill, did you consult University Research? Principals? Teachers? Boards? Parents? Children? No????? Why not???

     Policy on the hoof!!
   • tracey 8.2

     28 August 2017 at 12:05 pm

     Hoots is calling it “real policy”. LOL
   • Tony P 8.3

     28 August 2017 at 5:44 pm

     There was another Education Policy released separately, and quietly , on Saturday. Read about it here. https://saveourschoolsnz.com/2017/08/28/whats-the-real-reason-national-are-implementing-progress-tracking-via-pact/
     • Pat 8.3.1

       28 August 2017 at 8:29 pm

       thanks for that link….so the Nats are going to make the failed policy of teaching to test entrenched….brain dead. Completely undermines the subsequently promoted goal.
9. Ad 9

   28 August 2017 at 9:07 am

   If anyone wants to hear from Guy Standing the author of “The Precariat”, he’s appearing in Auckland this Thursday, on the UBI idea:

   Guy Standing – Basic Income: the case for a significant new policy
   In conjunction with Basic Income New Zealand and Auckland Debating Society, we present Guy Standing, leading international speaker on Basic Income, author of The Precariat, with as a panel to respond to his presentation, Sue Bradford and Keith Rankin.

   Guy Standing is a Professorial Research Associate at SOAS, University of London, and a founder and co-President of the Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN), an NGO promoting basic income as a right. He has held chairs at the Universities of Bath and Monash (Australia) and was previously Director of the Socio-Economic Security Programme of the International Labour Organisation.

   He is currently working on pilot basic income schemes in India and on issues relating to his two recent books, The Precariat: The New Dangerous Class (2011) and A Precariat Charter: From Denizens to Citizens (2014).

   Professor Standing’s book recently featured in University World News: Higher education and the precariat class.

   When
   Thursday 31 August, 6.30pm
   Where
   Epsom Campus
   Lecture Theatre J1
   University of Auckland
   76 Epsom Ave
10. AsleepWhileWalking 10

    28 August 2017 at 9:53 am

    Flood before and after pics Houston, Texas vs Harvey with motorway sign indicating depth.

    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-08-27/houston-surreal-and-after-photo

    https://mobile.twitter.com/MattSitkowski/status/901782145814978560
11. Sabine 11

    28 August 2017 at 10:13 am

    can someone explain to me why someone who earns several tens of thousands of dollars is eligable for superannuation.
    btw, i have no issue with monied people getting super if they contributed to he fund, pass the right age crossing and stop working.

    but why get it when you are still working?
    the whole point about super is that it allows one to retire, stay at home grow a garden, ride a bike etc and hopefully someone younger fills the job.

    please explain it to me and ‘its just the way it is’ does not cut it.

    Why is someone who earns several tens of thousands of dollars plus perks on super? He is still working?
    • McFlock 11.1

      28 August 2017 at 10:26 am

      One of the few universal benefits, I believe.
      • JanM 11.1.1

        28 August 2017 at 10:54 am

        Yes it is – I worked for several years after I got my super – you get taxed on all your income, so for that time I was essentially paying my own super, or working tax-free, whichever way you like to look at it.
        I think any other way would cost more to administer than it’s worth. What a nightmare it would be!
        Don’t panic, Sabine, – your day will come!
        • Sabine 11.1.1.1

          28 August 2017 at 11:03 am

          mate, i don’t think my generation or any generation after mine will get anything. Inever thought we would get anything since at least the 80’s. Someone has to pay for that shit, and we are less and less paying for it
          .
          I don’t beguile someone the benefit, i just don’t think someone who makes more then the average income and who works full time should be receiving super. It should be reserved for people who retire and free workplaces up to younger people.
          • Draco T Bastard 11.1.1.1.1

            28 August 2017 at 11:39 am

            Someone has to pay for that shit, and we are less and less paying for it

            That’s because we have a delusional system that looks at money rather than the productive capability and carrying capacity of the nation.
          • garibaldi 11.1.1.1.2

            28 August 2017 at 11:40 am

            Basically the rich pricks (Capitalists) won’t let the poor get something unless they get it too. It’s about the only time they agree with socialism!
            The other time is when they “need” a bail out when things don’t go their way.
        • Draco T Bastard 11.1.1.2

          28 August 2017 at 11:37 am

          I think any other way would cost more to administer than it’s worth. What a nightmare it would be!

          That’s what we get with WINZ and the governments present punitive policies.
          • Sabine 11.1.1.2.1

            28 August 2017 at 11:44 am

            its actually fairly simple
            you are 65 years of age? yes/no
            you work? yes/no
            full time/part time?
            annual income?

            fill it out, provide your income stub from IRd and if you work then you are not retired and thus don’t receive ‘retirements’ benefits.

            I don’t see this at hard. I again point out that i would base my system on contribution, i.e. taxed income for x amount of years at a minimum to be eligible. But being an active MP and thus at the receiving end of the government largesse should automatically exclude on from retirement funds.
            • Draco T Bastard 11.1.1.2.1.1

              28 August 2017 at 12:40 pm

              The system you describe is the one at work in WINZ ATM in regards to the Unemployment Benefit.
              • Sabine …

                28 August 2017 at 1:00 pm

                with one difference tho, the minister still got the money even tho he did not need it, while those that need it don’t get it or have to perform circus acts to get some of it.
                • Draco T Bastard …

                  28 August 2017 at 1:27 pm

                  No. I said the system you propose is the same as the one that UB beneficiaries have to go through now. If you apply that to superannuation then the retirees will have to go through it as well.

                  Basically, you’re saying that retirees should be treated the same as beneficiaries are now.

                  Note they should be treated the same but through a UBI. It’s the simplest, most efficient system. We’d just need to alter the tax system a bit.
            • McFlock 11.1.1.2.1.2

              28 August 2017 at 2:00 pm

              Actually, the main advantage of a universal system is that the amount of fields that need to be filled in and audited are vastly reduced. This speeds up collection, processing, administration, and averyone knows what they’re getting.

              Your list of four questions, under the current system, is reduced to one: are you over 65?

              It’s the same with student allowances – the amount of processing and auditing that has to go into whether someone’s parents earn over a particular threshhold, are the kids still dependent or married, number of points of study, academic attainment, weekly changable income declarations – back around the turn of the millenium WINZ-student services hadn’t calculated whether the hundreds of millions administering the system was more expensive than just giving 100k students a set income, and they probably still haven’t.

              Whether this applies to the entire population I’m not so sure, but for those populations where a significant proportion are already receiving govt money (students, elderly, single parents) might as well just give it to everyone rather than paying people to be jerks.
        • tracey 11.1.1.3

          28 August 2017 at 12:06 pm

          Seems odd that he got anything in the sense he had MP Super plus was working.
    • Carolyn_nth 11.2

      28 August 2017 at 10:57 am

      I doubt Peters was trying to fraud the system – why for $50.00 extra a week. And he would probably lose as much as he gained in super. Ditto his partner. It may be he thought he should apply as a kind of support for the super policy he is aligned with.
      • Sabine 11.2.1

        28 August 2017 at 11:01 am

        that is not my point.

        my question stands. why do we pay super to someone who works.
        personally i find this ‘benefit depended on partnership’ almost criminal. It essentially forces people to stay in toxic relationships if that is the only income thy are provided.
        i personally favor a system where a benefit is paid to a person based on contribution irrespective if they live with family or as a hermit. You don’t pay lower taxes just because you are in a relationship.

        so i don’t care if he forgot, mis understood, could not care enough of what ever. The point is, at his current work related income he should not have received super at the first place.
        • Draco T Bastard 11.2.1.1

          28 August 2017 at 11:40 am

          why do we pay super to someone who works.

          Why not?

          But then we have to ask why we’re not doing the same for everyone else.
          • Sabine 11.2.1.1.1

            28 August 2017 at 11:46 am

            i like your utopia of giving money to everyone.

            in the meantime however how about we give money to those that have none before we give it to people that already receive government largess such as active MP’s and contenders for the top spot?
            • Draco T Bastard 11.2.1.1.1.1

              28 August 2017 at 1:29 pm

              We give it to everyone and their taxes pay for it.

              It’s not as hard as you seem to think it is.
        • weka 11.2.1.2

          28 August 2017 at 11:53 am

          “why do we pay super to someone who works.”

          One reason is that older people are more likely to be in part time work, so it’s simpler all round to have a set system rather than the complete cluster fuck that is what younger people have to do on a benefit (e.g. declaring income weekly).

          Also, it’s not about someone working, it’s about people having adequate or surplus income. So someone could be getting income from investments.
          • Sabine 11.2.1.2.1

            28 August 2017 at 11:59 am

            well considering the current situation, namely that payment is dependent of live in partners etc we can conclude its already a clusterfuck.
            • weka 11.2.1.2.1.1

              28 August 2017 at 12:07 pm

              And having pensioners having to jump the same hoops as other beneficiaries is a move in the wrong direction. Better to leave Super alone and fix the rest of WINZ so it is humane.

              I’m not averse to people who have surplus income getting less, but it can be done via taxation instead of hoop jumping.

              Max Rashbrooke‏ @MaxRashbrooke
              Replying to @mfyfyr

              Susan St John has a pretty clever way to do it via raising taxes on the other income of ppl 65+. Wdnt test for assets but still.
              

              https://twitter.com/MaxRashbrooke/status/901907630800609280
              • Sabine …

                28 August 2017 at 1:02 pm

                question, and i don’t try to be unreasonable.

                how many people would miss out if really super were means tested at say 50+ grand income a year after tax? (yes i know arbitrary, but then we have families with nothing live of less)
                • Draco T Bastard …

                  28 August 2017 at 1:33 pm

                  Who cares when there’s a better system available?
                • alwyn …

                  28 August 2017 at 1:48 pm

                  Very few people would miss out.
                  If you were in that situation you would do exactly what they do in Australia. You would put your money into expanding your house OR you would give it to your children OR you would spend it on luxury travel until you got down below the bar.
                  Australia has a National super scheme, at something like the level of the NZ one but it is asset tested.
                  A couple get, before tax, about $35k if their assets, not counting the family home are less than about $400k.
                  They get nothing if their assets are greater than about $800k. Between those numbers there is very steep abatement of the super.
                  Suppose you had $800k. There is no way that you can get a return on the extra $400k in assets that makes up for the loss of super. Indeed I have seen estimates that you would need about $1.5m to be better off without National Super than a person with $400k who gets the full amount.
                  What do people do? The expand their home. The go on a long world tour. They give it away. They do anything to get their assets over and above their house down to the $400k mark.

                  If you brought this idea in here people would do exactly the same as Australians do.
                  If you had an income of $300k you wouldn’t bother. If you had $60k you would definitely get it down to a safe level.
              • Karen …

                28 August 2017 at 1:20 pm

                “Better to leave Super alone and fix the rest of WINZ so it is humane”.

                I agree with this. Super has meant NZ has lower levels of poverty amongst older age groups and the universality means it is cheap to administer. We need to do something similar for others on benefits.

                Tax will reduce payments for those with less need but needs to include a wealth as well as income.
                • Adrian …

                  28 August 2017 at 1:29 pm

                  Super has always been a sort of insurance scheme.
                  I remember 60 years ago my dad showing me his payslip and explaining it. The superann contribution was shown separatly as I recall.
                  I think it is still very much the same, it is structured like an insurance policy and think of the shit fight if an insurance company said that they werent going to pay out on a maturing life policy because … “you’ve got too much money “.
                  • alwyn …

                    28 August 2017 at 2:04 pm

                    You are thinking of Social Security. This was a tax of one shilling and sixpence on each pound of income.
                    Politicians talked about it going into a fund to pay old age pensions but it didn’t of course. It simply went into the Consolidated Fund and was promptly spent.
                    It was much the same as the pension scheme for veteran MPs (before 1992) and retired Public Servants who belonged to their scheme prior to 1991 or 1992.
                    They pay tax free super. The fairy tale story about that is that it is being paid by capital gains made by the fund. If you believe that I have a bridge to sell you. The payout comes straight from the taxpayer as the returns on the “fund” come nowhere near paying for their obligations. Wonderful if you belong. Inflation proof, guaranteed by the taxpayer. No risk of going bust.
                    And NO, you can’t join them now.
12. Draco T Bastard 12

    28 August 2017 at 10:21 am

    Bill English plays his own youth card

    Barack Obama did it. John Key did it.

    Now, perhaps reluctantly, Bill English has played the kids card.

    When the National Party officially launched its election campaign at the Trusts Arena in Waitakere, the Prime Minister’s own kids were on show.

    His 26-year-old daughter Maria sang the New Zealand national anthem and 17-year-old Xavier, in a smart-looking suit, accompanied his father and mother, Mary English, onto the stage.

    Does this mean to say that families are fair game in political reporting/commenting now?
    • Cinny 12.1

      28 August 2017 at 10:32 am

      A bit of a contrast to an interview just the other week, when he told the interviewer he won’t give interviews in his family home because he likes to keep his work and family life seperate.

      It’s like a Key style campaign with a few character replacements.

      Gosh that venue had many empty seats and so many asian people in the audience, the crowd did not seem like a typical snap shot of our nz people and English appeared not very confident to me.

      Wonder when the next polls come out?
    • Stephen Doyle 12.2

      28 August 2017 at 10:36 am

      As the judge says in American court room dramas, “You opened the door Mr English.”
    • marty mars 12.3

      28 August 2017 at 10:50 am

      Shows how low the tick from dipton is – he is so fake that guy.
      • tc 12.3.1

        28 August 2017 at 11:02 am

        Yes maybe he should’ve borrowed max key who loves the limelight, they could all do a chorus line to a showtune or 2 from les miserables.
        • marty mars 12.3.1.1

          28 August 2017 at 11:08 am

          Lol noooooooooooooo
    • tracey 12.4

      28 August 2017 at 1:54 pm

      It is the same as Key and Max. Apparently it is ok for a PM to use their family to project their career but not the media to comment on their families.
      • alwyn 12.4.1

        28 August 2017 at 2:12 pm

        You are right. Do you remember Andrew Little trying to put on a warm family face in his speech to the Labour Party Conference this year?

        “It was the house we brought our baby boy home to.
        I remember that time vividly. Preparing the baby room. And putting this precious bundle of humanity in his cot for the first time. This tiny little thing, in this ocean of sheets.
        Of course, XXXX’s nearly 6 foot tall now. He doesn’t fit in the cot anymore!”.

        Everyone cooed happily. But the press, and the blogs, left him alone thank God.
        I won’t give the lad’s name or provide a link to the speech. Leave him alone.
        • tracey 12.4.1.1

          28 August 2017 at 2:13 pm

          Yup. It must be dizzying trying to keep track of all the double standards in public life.
        • Draco T Bastard 12.4.1.2

          28 August 2017 at 3:59 pm

          I think there’s a difference between mentioning family and having them on stage with you while electioneering.

          One invites happy coos, the other invites political participation and comment.
          • Cinny 12.4.1.2.1

            28 August 2017 at 4:55 pm

            YESAH!
    • joe90 12.5

      28 August 2017 at 3:56 pm

      Kids, huh.
      //

      https://thestandard.org.nz/cyber-hypocrisy/
13. Whispering Kate 13

    28 August 2017 at 10:31 am

    Keep thinking about the Royal Flush from Tim Murphy – it could be that no. 1 Metira Turei defrauded WINZ way back in the piece, no. 2 ol’ Winnie has defrauded WINZ on his Super – whether he knew about it or not, now this new biggie supposedly coming out this week could be no.3 our Paula Benefit and her back story which we are not allowed to discuss. That would be a “sort of” Royal Flush being that these stories are all of the same ilk. Now wouldn’t that be fun and games.
14. Cinny 14

    28 August 2017 at 10:43 am

    They are hinting on the radio that Morgan is about to announce that he has a female co-leader. Apparently TOP chased away heaps of women voters with the lipstick comment last week, lolz
    • marty mars 14.1

      28 August 2017 at 10:52 am

      Ha that would be funny – Morgan is yesterday’s man through and through – ‘hey look at me’ is where he is at and where he’ll stay thank the gods
    • Carolyn_nth 14.2

      28 August 2017 at 10:55 am

      Kind of like trying to put a dress on a misogynist.
      • weka 14.2.1

        28 August 2017 at 11:54 am

        Lol.
      • tracey 14.2.2

        28 August 2017 at 12:08 pm

        Touche
    • tc 14.3

      28 August 2017 at 11:12 am

      A move as obvious as morgans motives are IMO….propping up national as he sees their puppet parties dissolving. About as trustworthy as any banskta dealer is imo.
    • Carolyn_nth 14.4

      28 August 2017 at 11:56 am

      ah. Of course, Morgan would never share the leadership with anyone.

      They have just announced a new co DEPUTY leader, who is a woman – an environmentalist, standing for East Coast Bays – looks like one of the privileged business classes to me – a blue green.

      Monday, 28 August 2017, 11:33 am
      Press Release: The Opportunities Party

      Opportunities Party Announces New Co Deputy Leader

      The Opportunities Party East Coast Bays candidate Teresa Moore will join Wellington Central candidate Geoff Simmons as Co Deputy Leader of the Party.

      “Teresa is a welcome addition to TOP’s leadership team and will play a vital role on the campaign trail and in Parliament,” says TOP Founder and Leader Gareth Morgan, “With strong credentials in environmental matters and a proven track record in business Teresa is a fantastic addition to our leadership team.”.

      “I’m proud to be part of TOP’s leadership team”, says Teresa, “It was already a privilege to be standing alongside a highly skilled group of candidates who believe in the need for real change in New Zealand, to be asked to help lead such a great team of people is an added honour”.

      Her profile on the TOP website.

      likes sailing, solar power, renewable energy, and green tourism – had a tourism company, been involved in the special education sector, and believes education should be tailored to the individual.
      • weka 14.4.1

        28 August 2017 at 11:58 am

        She’s third on the list, with Simmons at #2.
      • tracey 14.4.2

        28 August 2017 at 12:09 pm

        Do the members vote or does Morgan appoint?
        • Carolyn_nth 14.4.2.1

          28 August 2017 at 12:30 pm

          It looks like the Board has the ultimate discretion on any decision.

          p5; the Board consists of 3-8 members, including the party leader. Party leader to preside at board meetings.

          The initial board will be appointed by the initial party leader. (p8)

          the Board determines candidates for election, based on the recommendations/nominations of a select committee and members – but the board makes the final decision, and there is no right for anyone to appeal against it.

          Basically it’s a very top-down business type set up.
          • tracey 14.4.2.1.1

            28 August 2017 at 12:35 pm

            Thanks Carolyn. Sounds like it might be traditionally patriarchal 😉
            • Carolyn_nth 14.4.2.1.1.1

              28 August 2017 at 12:37 pm

              Certainly makes Morgan look like a bit of an egotistical control freak. And maybe explains why he just didn’t provide support and engagement with an existing party with some similar policies.
              • tracey …

                28 August 2017 at 12:50 pm

                He is actually a very good fit with the greens in many ways but seems to want to bleed votes from the left. he says forget this left/Right thing (and I empathise with that view) but he is not having an impact on the Right… so what will he achieve?
              • Karen …

                28 August 2017 at 1:27 pm

                He hates being questioned at all – it has to be his way or no way.

                I find him to be an exceptionally obnoxious man and his choice of Sean Plunkett as PR just reinforces the general impression of him being a misogynist bully.
          • weka 14.4.2.1.2

            28 August 2017 at 2:57 pm

            thanks for that, that confirms a lot of things for me too about the underlying values.
      • mary_a 14.4.3

        28 August 2017 at 4:09 pm

        Carolyn_nth @ (14.4) ….

        Same Teresa Moore who stood as a Green candidate in the Rodney electorate 2/3 elections ago? When we lived there I remember voting for the Green party and Christine Rose from Labour as my candidate vote. Intuition told me not to vote for Moore at the time!
    • weka 14.5

      28 August 2017 at 11:56 am

      What radio Cinny?
      • Cinny 14.5.1

        28 August 2017 at 1:05 pm

        sorry, it was on radio live and came from Bill Rolleston.

        Looking at the election feed on stuff now, it looks like bill was a little off the mark, deputy female co-leader rather than a co-leader.
        https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96209636/live-on-the-campaign-trail
15. roy cartland 15

    28 August 2017 at 11:31 am

    Wow – Hooton is going bezerk on RNZ. He is actually advancing that Jacinda/Labour will implement a “wind tax” in addition to the “water tax” because they are so devoid of policy.

    So desperate its embarrassing, seriously.
    • weka 15.1

      28 August 2017 at 11:55 am

      He’s rumourmongering on twitter too.
    • marty mars 15.2

      28 August 2017 at 11:59 am

      The hollow one is barking – reminds me of those yappy tiny lap dogs – how he ever your any respect I’ll never know.
    • tracey 15.3

      28 August 2017 at 12:10 pm

      He also compared her to Princess Diana…
      • marty mars 15.3.1

        28 August 2017 at 12:24 pm

        Silly – just a way to denigrate women from mattspew imo
        • tracey 15.3.1.1

          28 August 2017 at 12:36 pm

          The funny thing is the things he criticises Jacinda for he praise Key for in campaign 2008
      • AB 15.3.2

        28 August 2017 at 1:06 pm

        Bad move from Hooten that Diana comparison – simultaneously sneering at the emotions of the general public and elevating Jacinda to Diana status. Double fail right there.
        Silly little elitist prig that he is – can’t discipline his own tongue.
        • Draco T Bastard 15.3.2.1

          28 August 2017 at 4:08 pm

          Punters out Punter land is how Brash characterised the general populace. From what I’ve seen no right wing leader or media mouthpiece thinks any different.
    • Cinny 15.4

      28 August 2017 at 1:08 pm

      Hooten should be charged a wind tax, due to the toxic vapour arising from his verbal crap
      • patricia bremner 15.4.1

        28 August 2017 at 7:05 pm

        15.4 I agree Cinny … Hooten produces total maure induced farts with no oxygen.
    • mary_a 15.5

      28 August 2017 at 4:15 pm

      roy cartland (15) … ha ha, Hooton blows plenty of hot air, so he’s probably scared he will be charged a wind tax 🙂

      Yes rootin’ tootin’ Hooton is in real panic mode now, realising Natz is on the way out.
16. marty mars 16

    28 August 2017 at 12:02 pm

    More nzers killed themselves last year than any year before – 606 year to end of june

    Lead item on news – there is a scandal right there
    • tracey 16.1

      28 August 2017 at 12:11 pm

      Higher than road deaths…

      One of many things we need to hang our heads in shame, but will not.
    • Draco T Bastard 16.2

      28 August 2017 at 12:36 pm

      Needs research into why and if that increase is in any way attributable to National’s punitive policies.
      • Poission 16.2.1

        28 August 2017 at 1:26 pm

        in 1916 147 people committed suicide,as a proportion of population that would not be significantly different from 2016.
        • tracey 16.2.1.1

          28 August 2017 at 3:08 pm

          Reasons? Avoiding going to war? Deprivations of War? Impacts of brutal colonisation? Yup comparable to today
          • Poission 16.2.1.1.1

            28 August 2017 at 3:28 pm

            can’t have been wages as they went up15% 1914-1917,food prices increased but rents went down.
        • Draco T Bastard 16.2.1.2

          28 August 2017 at 4:11 pm

          You do realise that suicide has been decreasing since then don’t you?

          It’s just gone up.
    • Cinny 16.3

      28 August 2017 at 1:13 pm

      Imagining the pain and suffering for all touched by it, just horrific, heart goes out to them, this should not be happening.
      • marty mars 16.3.1

        28 August 2017 at 1:23 pm

        Yep I’d imagine times it by 4 or 5 for attempts that didn’t work and inconclusive like no note, plus all the self harming hospitalizations. A total disaster imo. So much suffering and pain so much hurt and utter devastation.
        • Cinny 16.3.1.1

          28 August 2017 at 5:07 pm

          and the ones left behind their mental health suffering, circles and cycles, it’s horrendous.

          and how they’ve cut or cleared out funding to so many aspects of prevention.

          3 years is creating a trend, i hope much investigation goes into the stats

          Self Help/Parenting etc channel on the telly please. Educate the country

          Capitalism is killing NZ
17. garibaldi 17

    28 August 2017 at 12:03 pm

    Over 600 suicides last year, third year in a row of increases. Welcome to National’s aspirational Brighter Future. What a team eh?
    • rhinocrates 17.1

      28 August 2017 at 1:17 pm

      Don’t worry, Wayne will tell you that he’s feeling quite cheerful so obviously New Zealand doesn’t have a suicide problem.
      • tracey 17.1.1

        28 August 2017 at 3:08 pm

        LOL
18. lprent 18

    28 August 2017 at 12:17 pm

    Looks like the RSS feed keeps jamming up. I will have a look at it this evening.
    • weka 18.1

      28 August 2017 at 12:22 pm

      It seemed like it was about 3 days behind when I had a look at it yesterday.
19. UncookedSelachimorpha 19

    28 August 2017 at 12:32 pm

    Garibaldi – the link on RNZ reporting record suicide rates – and especially high rates for Maori:

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/338160/suicide-numbers-rise-to-highest-on-record

    How any government can even speak the words “Delivering for New Zealand” or “A Brighter Future”, with a statistic like this – is disgraceful and outrageous.
    • tracey 19.1

      28 August 2017 at 12:39 pm

      Education failing. hospitals failing, mental health failing, rivers failing, youth dying at own hands, houses unaffordable, people sleeping in cars, Tertiary allowing cheating and grade changes to get funding…
20. Glenn 20

    28 August 2017 at 1:07 pm

    Suicide rate given top priority on Stuff and RNZ while is right at the bottom right corner of the Heralds website.
21. Robert Guyton 21

    28 August 2017 at 1:22 pm

    David Garrett @KB

    “..but back to the main point…I’m afraid 3000 members of the National Party stamping their feet and drumming their seats means absolutely nothing…other than that the National Party is in good heart…

    The Jacinderella effect is real, and it’s frightening..here’s two totally different soundings, in two countries….I am a member of a 50 person focus group which responds weekly to various questions on the coming election…7/10 of that group thinks “it’s time for a change”

    My roughneck mate Hughie, presently working in the West Australian desert, finds to his considerable astonishment that most of his kiwi workmates think Jacinda is fantastic…and more important, many of them are planning to vote, when normally they don’t bother, just so they can vote for her.
    Thumb up 26 Thumb down 1
    • tracey 21.1

      28 August 2017 at 3:11 pm

      David Garrett … “Jacinderella”? and he is a member of a focus group?

      God help us all.

      What was it called when Key was popular? Statesmanlike? Popular? “Finger on the pulse”?

      Misogyny is alive and well in its subtle and not so subtle incarnations.
    • Pat 21.2

      28 August 2017 at 3:42 pm

      where on earth did you find that?
      • Robert Guyton 21.2.1

        28 August 2017 at 3:48 pm

        KB – Kiwiblog. I know, it’s grotty there, but sometimes someone there spills the beans, reveals their inner socialist, lets drop their guard 🙂
      • tracey 21.2.2

        28 August 2017 at 3:53 pm

        KB = Kiwiblog? My first thought was the sewer.
      • Psycho Milt 21.2.3

        28 August 2017 at 4:08 pm

        It’s a comment on a Kiwiblog thread – one that quotes Tracy Watkins saying that English has delivered on the need to push back against Labour’s success, by, er, announcing a second-language policy for schools.

        NB: not recommended for those easily offended by the sight of dim bulbs parading their misogyny.
        • Ad 21.2.3.1

          28 August 2017 at 4:11 pm

          Win Kiwiblog and win the election.
          • Psycho Milt 21.2.3.1.1

            28 August 2017 at 4:18 pm

            I admit the “obnoxious arsehole” constituency is a very large one, but it’s not one you want the party you support to be trying to appeal to.
            • Ad 21.2.3.1.1.1

              28 August 2017 at 4:34 pm

              They are just punters.
              Punters on the most powerful site in the country. like ZB or other talkback.
              Really useful to understand the mood.
              I engage there when I have the time, with a different handle.
              Keeps you sharp and clear.
          • Pat 21.2.3.1.2

            28 August 2017 at 7:50 pm

            with Farrar conducting thats an ominous statement….
22. Bearded Git 22

    28 August 2017 at 1:26 pm

    September 2017: Hurricane Harvey kills 6 in Texas. Floods kill 1000 in Nepal, India and Bangladesh.

    Guess which got by far the most media attention?
    • tracey 22.1

      28 August 2017 at 3:12 pm

      Maybe Trump will now move his wall to the sea?
    • weka 22.2

      28 August 2017 at 3:13 pm

      Thanks BG, I’ve been following Houston today and I was wondering about that very thing. Drop some links if have anything of interest, I might put a post up on the differences.
      • Macro 22.2.1

        28 August 2017 at 3:51 pm

        This one here is good weka:
        Worst flooding in years.
        http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/08/floods-kill-1200-india-nepal-bangladesh-170826230610924.html
        • weka 22.2.1.1

          28 August 2017 at 4:03 pm

          cheers.
        • Bearded Git 22.2.1.2

          28 August 2017 at 5:22 pm

          yes cheers Macro.
    • Macro 22.3

      28 August 2017 at 3:38 pm

      Sadly flooding in Houston is far worse than the destruction of half of Bangladesh. I note that the lead article in the Guardian (wrt the Sub-Continent) just now is about a guru tried for rape – no mention of the millions forced to abandon their homes.
23. AsleepWhileWalking 23

    28 August 2017 at 1:44 pm

    For the first time on my life I’d actually like to punch a politician. Of course I won’t… But I’m just saying he should probably watch out for flying dildos
    https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96211348/bill-english-can-foresee-a-future-where-homelessness-is-rare-in-new-zealand
    • AsleepWhileWalking 23.1

      28 August 2017 at 1:50 pm

      Its such a manufactured crisis and perfect set up to make money that it should have been related to MOAS.
    • tracey 23.2

      28 August 2017 at 3:12 pm

      This is right up there with Key’s disingenuous regret he didnt solve poverty. And by solve he means acknowledge
    • tracey 23.3

      28 August 2017 at 3:22 pm

      “bill-english-can-foresee-a-future-where-homelessness-is-rare-in-new-zealand”

      So could I 30 years ago. How wrong I was.

      This crowd is truly oblivious to the damage they have done… aka Douglas and Richardson.
      • Psycho Milt 23.3.1

        28 August 2017 at 4:12 pm

        Most of us can also see a past in which homelessness was rare in NZ, Bill – having lived in that past right up until your tenure as finance minister. Still, I guess if he can’t remember making that statement to Police last year it would be way too much to expect him to remember stuff from ten years ago.
        • tracey 23.3.1.1

          28 August 2017 at 4:28 pm

          LOL. I just cannot see Shearer, Cunliffe or Little or Shaw saying this kind of shit and not being ridiculed in the press. Let alone admitting a maths learning deficit and solving it with imaginary teachers from the rapidly destaffing Humanities courses at Unis teaching every primary child 1 of ten possible second languages

          In Australia they would be having a satire field day.
    • Eco maori 23.4

      28 August 2017 at 10:38 pm

      LOL ASLEEP W W
    • McFlock 23.5

      28 August 2017 at 10:42 pm

      to rephrase the headline, Bill English can foresee himself losing this election.
24. JC 24

    28 August 2017 at 3:38 pm

    …. “activists charged under the ‘Anadarko Amendment’ after swimming in front of the world’s largest seismic oil ship, have pleaded Not Guilty.

    Greenpeace Executive Director, Dr Russel Norman, and activist Sara Howell, will be using a greater good defense to fight the charges.

    “I have to fight these charges laid against us because we are in a climate emergency that’s being fueled by the oil industry and propped up by our own Government. Politicians and industry are failing us, but people everywhere are rising up and taking action.”

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1708/S00544/greenpeace-crew-plead-not-guilty-in-historic-climate-case.htm
    • Robert Guyton 24.1

      28 August 2017 at 3:51 pm

      “Greater Good” worked for the Ploughshares, didn’t it, but I recall moves to erase that defense as a result.
      • JC 24.1.1

        28 August 2017 at 9:16 pm

        http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3917806/Waihopai-3s-greater-good-defence-to-go

        “The legal defense used by the Waihopai 3 – that they mounted an attack on the spy base to prevent suffering – is to be reformed or repealed, Justice Minister Simon Power has announced.”

        Or..

        https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/ironmaiden/forthegreatergoodofgod.html

        Maybe not your gig Robert but..

        ‘”But I don’t know, I don’t know” …
        • Robert Guyton 24.1.1.1

          28 August 2017 at 9:20 pm

          Cheers, JC. I’m taken-aback!
    • CoroDale 24.2

      28 August 2017 at 7:38 pm

      Good momentum for the next govt to declare a National Disaster, as a legal requirement for financial innovation. Housing is the obvious, but with environmental issues added, it does stake up.
25. Ad 25

    28 August 2017 at 4:08 pm

    “Majority of Kiwis back water tax even if it means higher costs”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11912604

    “There is overwhelming support for a water tax in New Zealand even if it means higher costs for consumers, a new poll shows.

    The Herald-ZB Kantar TNS online survey shows that 70 per cent of people agree that commercial water users should pay a royalty to help fund the clean-up of waterways.

    Just 19 per cent of the 1000 respondents oppose the idea, while the remainder are unsure.”

    19%.
    Sounds like a base National support level.
    • Stuart Munro 25.1

      28 August 2017 at 4:24 pm

      Yup – a bunch have died since Bill hit bedrock at 23%
    • Bearded Git 25.2

      28 August 2017 at 5:34 pm

      LOL….. yes I can see this result Nats 19 Lab 61 Green 8 NZF 8 Top 2 Others 2.

      One can but hope.
    • Graeme 25.3

      28 August 2017 at 9:33 pm

      “Sounds like a base National support level”

      Well that’s where their campaign has been focused for the last week – boot camps, getting tough on freedom campers, more testing of school kids. They’ve given up on the floating 50% voter, now it’s pitched right at the core of the core. the bleed line must have gone back that far.
      • Ad 25.3.1

        28 August 2017 at 9:39 pm

        Oh please.
        National are good for 40% if they do an ounce of fucking work on the campaign.
        • Graeme 25.3.1.1

          28 August 2017 at 10:14 pm

          “if they do an ounce of fucking work on the campaign”

          As opposed to doing what their donors are demanding, which may be what’s going on. I’ve just spent 9 years watching them being poll driven, centre focused fruitcakes, so the past weeks performance has been a bit different.
26. Macro 26

    28 August 2017 at 4:18 pm

    Some good news from across the ditch:
    Renewable energy generates enough power to run 70% of Australian homes

    Green Energy Markets analyst Tristan Edis said the emergence of renewables, in particular wind and solar, as a “significant source of power” had ushered in a “construction jobs and investment boom”.

    “The renewable energy sector has staged a remarkable recovery, after investment completely dried-up under former prime minister Tony Abbott,” Edis said.

    Edis said the renewables sector was on track to meet the federal government’s renewable energy target of 20% of total generation by 2020 over a year early, by the end of 2018.

    At least 46 large-scale energy projects under construction by the end of June were providing enough work to employ 8,868 people full-time for a year. This figure had surged to 10,000 by July. Most jobs were in NSW (3,018), thanks largely to wind farms, while Queensland (2,625) was next, with 70% of its jobs coming from solar farms.

    Rooftop solar installations supported a further 3,769 full-time jobs across Australia in 2016-17.

    Wouldn’t it be great if we had a government committed to doing something about meeting our Paris Commitments.
27. katipo 27

    28 August 2017 at 4:50 pm

    A long but informative read…
    “The story of Bill English, before he became a nice guy”
    by Branko Marcetic
    http://werewolf.co.nz/2017/08/bill-english-the-forgotten-history/
28. Robert Guyton 28

    28 August 2017 at 9:32 pm

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/opinion/95138963/southlanders-have-their-say-environment

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