Open mike 29/07/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 29th, 2015 - 88 comments
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88 comments on “Open mike 29/07/2015 ”

  1. idbkiwi 1

    Couldn’t agree more, good on you Mr Little

    “Labour leader Andrew Little has described the national anthem as a “dirge”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11488272

    • vto 1.1

      I like Mr Little.

      He is not scared of calling things out.
      He shows strength.
      He is unafraid to stand up to things wrong.

      Keep going Mr Little – and let a bit of that humour that we all know you have in spades out for some sunlight

    • Puckish Rogue 1.2

      Hes not wrong about the anthem

    • Ad 1.3

      It’s a bizarre comment.

      Why complain about the national anthem when you don’t want to change the national flag?

      • vto 1.3.1

        That is more bizarre – to link the two separate things.

        Both should be ditched mostly anyway – people show more allegiance today to their ethnicity and other life aspects than to their nationality, which makes more sense. The nation state is both dissipating and being hovered up by global elites hell bent on the coming world order. We are in the midst of this change which future historians will note we lived through and were part of.

        • Ad 1.3.1.1

          They are the two primary representations of national identity, which at least Little should be able to figure.

          Fair that the nation-state isn’t as strong as a concept as it once was, but it’s done a couple of millennia already and there’s little replacement on the horizon.

          • thatguynz 1.3.1.1.1

            I’ll take the nation state over global governance and control any day of the week. In fact I’ll fight tooth and nail to defend it.

    • Morrissey 1.4

      What a pity he doesn’t speak out so forcefully about something that actually matters—like the persecution of journalists in this country.

    • James 1.5

      So how many on here prefer to sing along with the Australian anthem?

      Where the hell does Little get that idea? I dont know a single person who does (We always sing the anthem at games as a family) – and have never seen this.

      In fact as evidence that Little is talking shit – go to a AB game – Listen to the difference in the number of people singing to the NZ vs Aust anthem when we play Australia.

      • Draco T Bastard 1.5.1

        So how many on here prefer to sing along with the Australian anthem?

        What’s that got to do with it?

        Where the hell does Little get that idea? I dont know a single person who does (We always sing the anthem at games as a family) – and have never seen this.

        That’s nice but do you actually like it? Everyone I know absolutely hates the bloody thing.

        In fact as evidence that Little is talking shit – go to a AB game – Listen to the difference in the number of people singing to the NZ vs Aust anthem when we play Australia.

        1. The Australian National Anthem has nothing to do with NZ’s being shit except possibly that they were both written by Australians
        2. Just because people sing it doesn’t mean that they like it

        • James 1.5.1.1

          So how many on here prefer to sing along with the Australian anthem?

          What’s that got to do with it?

          Well – Little stated the “fact” that many NZ’s perferred to sing along to the Oz anthem – Quote from the link:

          “Labour leader Andrew Little has described the national anthem as a “dirge” and said many New Zealanders preferred to sing along to the Australian anthem than our own.”

          He also said “Most of them sing along to the Australian national anthem before they sing along to our own.””

          Im saying what he said was bullshit.

          And yes – I do like it.

          When I see someone saying something like “Everyone I know absolutely hates the bloody thing.” I think really ….. 100% everyone you know …… You need a wider circle of friends. Variety of views is good.

      • Lanthanide 1.5.2

        Ever since I can remember, my mum has said she always thought the NZ national anthem was crappy and Australia’s was much better.

  2. just saying 2

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NXnxTNIWkc

    Song for Karol wherever she is, and women of the left in general.
    Four non-blondes – What’s Going On?

  3. Hami Shearlie 3

    Why aren’t the revelations about our future medicine buying power under the TPPA the front page news in the Herald? Key says consumers won’t pay more, the Government will – but I wonder where people think the Government gets their revenue from – could it possibly be the taxpayers ?? Pharmac won’t be charging the consumer more for the medicines because Pharmac won’t be able to buy them at all in the future. The extension of patents on medicines will mean that generics will be so long in coming that the medicines will be superseded by others by the time we can buy the generic versions of them. Yet nothing in the country’s major newspaper – Has Key once again calmed the sheeple like the Pied Piper did the rats? Every person in the country except for the multi-millionaires should be very worried about themselves, their children, their parents. None of us know when we might get cancer or some other illness which requires expensive medicines – if we think they’re expensive now, just wait!!

    • jenny kirk 3.1

      Hami S – Strong words have come out from Labour and Andrew Little on TPPA re Pharmac ….. see below, and personally, I think NZers have started to wake up to the TPPA. It’ll be interesting to see what the next polling shows.

      We said Pharmac and its purchasing model had to be protected’ – Little

      The Labour Party says the undermining of Pharmac in the Trans Pacific Partnership breaches one of its bottom lines on the trade deal.

      Leader Andrew Little said Government had misled the public by not being upfront about the potential impact on the Government agency, which uses bulk-buying power to reduce the costs of medicine for New Zealanders.

      He would not rule out removing New Zealand from the controversial TPP if Labour entered Government.

      Prime Minister John Key conceded for the first time today that medicine costs could rise if New Zealand signed up to the TPP, which is expected to be finalised this week. ………………………

      …..Asked whether that meant Labour could not support the deal, he said: “If that bottom line isn’t met, then we don’t support the TPP.”

      The TPP does not need Labour’s support to be ratified, but Government may seek cross-party support on the legislation which would confirm the deal.

      Mr Little said he could not comment on whether a future Labour government would pull out of the TPP because the contents of the deal were not yet known.

      He said Labour had a number of options if it entered Government, which included “fixing” the agreement or leaving it altogether.

      Labour’s trade spokesman David Parker said he was confident that Labour could renegotiate the deal if it did not serve New Zealanders’ interests.

      Trade deals usually required a country to give six months’ notice before pulling out. …………………………………..

      Further details in this link – NZ Herald
      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11488237

      • Hami Shearlie 3.1.1

        I sure hope the population starts thinking long and hard about this – they haven’t done much of that for the last few years!

      • Karen 3.1.2

        Little is doing well on the TPP considering the caucus still has Goff in it but on what planet is David Parker living?
        Confident we could renegotiate? Yeah sure , Japan and USA would be happy to help out.

        • Olwyn 3.1.2.1

          Little is doing well on the TPP considering the caucus still has Goff in it…

          I thought the same thing. I haven’t caught up with David Parker’s stance so I can’t comment on that.

        • The Chairman 3.1.2.2

          David Parker brought his credibility (and that of the Labour Party) into question when he said he was confident that Labour could renegotiate the deal.

          • Jenny Kirk 3.1.2.2.1

            Nonsense, TC. Parker is a lawyer, and he’s a very bright guy. He doesn’t say anything he doesn’t mean.

            • Colonial Rawshark 3.1.2.2.1.1

              Jenny, how on earth can you have so much faith in any lawyer??? What has Parker achieved in the field of international FTAs which gives you so much faith in him?

              How do you expect NZ to be able to force the US Congress to meet and agree to the US renegotiating the TPPA after we have signed?

              Why should we place so much trust in the judgement of the Labour caucus?

              • gsays

                hi cr, speaking of labour and lawyers, makes me think of langes quip about never trust a lawyer, half of them are always wrong.

            • The Chairman 3.1.2.2.1.2

              Jenny, it was a silly comment for a supposedly “bright guy”.

              His confidence may be genuine but the reality of Labour renegotiating the deal is slim to none.

              • Colonial Rawshark

                I suppose it is no secret, but my sense is that Parker is not personally opposed to the TPPA.

    • northshoredoc 3.2

      I can’t really see anything changing, what is off patent now and/or contracted by PHARMAC will remain off patent and/or contracted by PHARMAC.

      Suggesting that PHARMAC is somehow going to disappear and that suddenly medicines are going to be more expensive in NZ is bizarre and yet another example of Key speaking without thinking, Helen clark would never have made such a silly comment.

      Even though there is some small variance in patents between the US and NZ in relation to medicines it is often the case that the relevant patent expires in the US before it expires in NZ. In relation to your comment about medicines for cancer the prices for those that are currently funded by the DHBs/PHARMAC will not change under a TPP except during a tender round wherein the price usually (but not always) declines quite significantly.

      • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1

        I can’t really see anything changing, what is off patent now and/or contracted by PHARMAC will remain off patent and/or contracted by PHARMAC.

        As you well know it will be the new medicines that are going to cost more and they’ll do so for longer. We don’t keep using the same medicines forever.

        • northshoredoc 3.2.1.1

          How will the new medicines cost more ?

          At present PHARMAC drip feeds new medicines into the market anyway. Quite often we’ve had to wait for a products patent to expire before pHARMAC funded a product…

          If people really think the PHARMAC issue is the biggest hook in the TPPA they rally aren’t looking in the right place.

          • Lanthanide 3.2.1.1.1

            “Quite often we’ve had to wait for a products patent to expire before pHARMAC funded a product…”

            So now we’ll have to wait even longer for the patent to expire. How many people are going to die in the meantime?

            There was a story on stuff the other day about a drug that will cure hepatitis C. It costs something like $174,000 per patient in New Zealand, precisely because it is patented and the company can therefore charge monopoly rates.

            It is a literal life-saving drug. Pharmac cannot justify the current price. If prices like that (or slightly cheaper) stay around for more years, it means more people will go without the treatment than otherwise might have it, had we not agreed to longer patents.

            This is all so terribly basic, I don’t know why it needs to be spelt out to someone called “northshoredoc”.

            Someone from the Doctors for Public Health against Trade Agreements association (obviously biased) this on an interview on National Radio this morning that adding 1 year to patent lengths will cost Pharmac an extra $25-50 million per year. Frankly I trust their numbers more than your “nothing to see here” charade.

            There are also stories about new cancer drugs that are available in Australia, but not in NZ. Is increasing patent lengths on drugs generally going to lead to more drugs being available in NZ, or fewer? The answer is obviously fewer.

            • northshoredoc 3.2.1.1.1.1

              Lanthanide I have no idea who these “Doctors for Public Health against Trade Agreements association ” are, perhaps you could enlighten me.

              In relation to the new medications for Hep C, PHARMAC has recently funded new products for Hep C as below.

              http://www.pharmac.health.nz/assets/notification-2013-08-09-boceprevir-and-pegylated-interferon.pdf

              This is a step forward from what we had available previously. The new medications from abbott and gilead are certainly a further improvement with reported ‘cure’ rates in the high 90% range. They are extremely expensive and many western 1st world jurisdictions around the world have struggled to fund them as the manufacturer’s pricing is exorbitant to reflect this price per cure (and saving on a liver transplant).

              With or without a TPPA these medications will struggle to be funded in NZ, of note the patent on these particular products expires earlier in the USA than in NZ. This is the same case for the new cancer medications I believe you may be alluding to .. biologics for malignant melanoma perhaps ?

              While you may consider this a ‘simple’ or ‘basic’ area I can assure you it is not and the simplistic comments on this website and by morons like key does little to inform anyone.

              • Lanthanide

                “With or without a TPPA these medications will struggle to be funded in NZ”

                At best, the TPPA changes nothing.

                At worst, it means these drugs will stay expensive for longer, hence less access.

                It really is very simple.

          • Colonial Rawshark 3.2.1.1.2

            northshoredoc

            How will the new medicines cost more ?

            I refer you to the NZMJ, 14th February 2014, Volume 127 Number 1389

            Through the TPPA, the United States (US) is seeking to eliminate therapeutic reference pricing, introduce appeals processes for pharmaceutical companies to challenge formulary listing and pricing decisions, and introduce onerous disclosure and “transparency” provisions that facilitate industry involvement in decision-making around coverage and pricing of medicines (and medical devices).

            This editorial examines trends in pharmaceutical industry conduct and strategy over the past 15–20 years and argues that if the TPPA (based on the US proposals) is successfully prosecuted, it will contribute to adverse health outcomes by increasing costs and reducing access to affordable medicines for New Zealanders. This in turn can be expected to disproportionally affect disadvantaged population groups, including Māori and Pacific peoples.

            • northshoredoc 3.2.1.1.2.1

              CV, Yes if any of those things are in the TPPA, most especially the inability to reference price it would make things more difficult for PHARMAC… do you have any information to suggest that they are ?

              Interestingly PHARMAC don’t tend to apply reference pricing to generics as the prices are so low there’s no real need and it would just lead to certain medicines no longer being available.

              As I have stated a number of times I think the PHARMAC issue is a red herring and we should be far more concerned regarding other issues of the TPPA most importantly… what’s actually in it for us in terms of better access to overseas markets, really we are all in the dark until there is an agreement in front of us to peruse.

              • Colonial Viper

                Agree with your contention that there may be bigger fish to fry in the TPPA in terms of things that we need to look out for.

    • ianmac 3.3

      You’re right Hami. Perhaps Auckland is in a Housing Bubble and in “TPP Free”
      Bubble.
      A great talk on Morning Report after 8 this morning.

    • vto 3.4

      John Key simply bullshitted New Zealand yesterday when he said that Pharmac costs will not affect New Zealanders…

      liar
      liar
      liar

      deceiver extraordinaire

      deceitful

      snake-oil salesman

      can’t stand liars and deceit

  4. Sanctuary 4

    Constitutional question:

    National unilaterally signs up to the TPP. Cabinet and Select committee use government majority to rubber stamp deal.

    National fails to pass enabling Pharmac legislation, being defeated by Labour/Green/NZ First/Maori Party votes.

    Constitutional crisis? Early election?

    • northshoredoc 4.1

      Sigh….what pHARMAC enabling legislation ?

      There won’t be any..

    • Jenny Kirk 4.2

      Not sure, Sanctuary. NZers don’t like early elections – they punished the Nats last time they tried it.
      Also – haven’t you seen the Maori Party (minus Sharples and Turiana) rolling over like good dogs for the Nats – they won’t vote against them.

  5. ianmac 5

    My guess is that Countries with high tariffs and subsidised farming will only free trade after about 25 year lead in. Just wait.

    • northshoredoc 5.1

      I think you’re absolutely right xianmac I doubt we’ll get anything meaningful for our agricultural/horticultural industries in the next 20 years which begs the question why do it ?

      • Colonial Rawshark 5.1.1

        Suggests that this commercial agreement is primarily directed by power politics, not by good economics.

        • Sanctuary 5.1.1.1

          Yup. We simply need to behave like a good little colony of the economic imperium of the United States, a supine position our Hawaii based, and paid up member of the globalised elite, prime minister is more than happy to adopt.

          • les 5.1.1.1.1

            quote John Kerry…’when it comes to NZ ..we dont even have …to ask!’

        • northshoredoc 5.1.1.2

          @CV, Yes I think it’s more about wanting to be part of the club and free trade ideology than anything else. I’m also of the opinion that Labour and National will OK the deal regardless.

          • BM 5.1.1.2.1

            Always better to be inside the tent than out.

          • Jenny Kirk 5.1.1.2.2

            NSdoc – Nonsense – Labour won’t okay the deal if their bottom lines are knocked out. Please get a bit real about this.

            • northshoredoc 5.1.1.2.2.1

              Jenny Kirk – of course they will – their bottom lines as they are, will be found not to be in conflict with supporting signing the TPPA if it comes down to it.

      • Stephen 5.1.2

        Dim Post makes the same point via dear ole Fran.
        https://dimpost.wordpress.com/2015/07/29/nuanced/

  6. Morrissey 6

    Kathryn Ryan claims big pharmaceutical companies are “not the bad guy”;
    Does she actually do any preparation for her interviews?

    Nine to Noon, Radio NZ National, Wednesday 29 July 2015

    We have expressed our concern on many occasions at the shallowness and the lack of knowledge exhibited by Kathryn Ryan.

    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-18072014/#comment-850765
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-17072014/#comment-850188
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-21012014/#comment-760529
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-13122013/#comment-744053
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-24102013/#comment-715845
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-12042012/#comment-458258
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-04062013/#comment-643309

    This morning she perhaps scraped the very bottom of the barrel during an interview with a medical oncologist about the government’s reckless endangerment of our public health system by exposing us to the predations of the pharmaceutical conglomerates….

    KATHRYN RYAN: Let’s be clear here; Pharma, or the big pharmaceutical companies, is not the bad guy here.

    DR. BERNIE FITZHARRIS: No, and that’s fair enough. They want to maximise the return to their shareholders.

    Anyone who wishes to go a step further than Kathryn Ryan and actually do some reading about this should click on the following link….
    http://www.citizen.org/publications/publicationredirect.cfm?ID=7065

    • Marvellous Bearded Git 6.1

      @Morrissey
      Agreed. Ryan let her right wing leanings show this morning. I’m always amazed how few people on TS realise she favours the right.

      • Save NZ 6.1.1

        She’s hopeless and clueless.

      • Morrissey 6.1.2

        I was also disappointed by the muddle-headed response by Dr Fitzharris.

      • Jenny Kirk 6.1.3

        Agree also. Does Kathryn Ryan not know WHY Pharmac was formed? The big pharmaceuticals WERE playing bad guys in the 19802 and forcing the cost of medicines up high – too high for NZers.

    • DH 6.2

      There’s a good article here on how big Pharmas are ripping nations off….

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/70539656/cost-keeps-cure-out-of-reach-for-those-with-hepatitis-c

      They don’t even try to justify the price of the drug…..

      “The price of Sovaldi and Harvoni is determined on a country-by-country basis taking into account the burden of disease in the country, its economic means and the value of the medicine in terms of its impact on improving overall health outcomes.”

      In other words they’re saying they charge as much as they can possibly get away with. They’re little more than hostage takers demanding ransom.

      I wonder if our consumer laws might be used to some advantage here. They should at least be required to refund if the cure doesn’t cure……

      • RedBaronCV 6.2.1

        And if you could work out which countries it is cheap in a little internet buying or even a trip overseas ( and arrangements with customs to bring it back in) would see a solid price drop

  7. northshoredoc 7

    🙄

  8. Morrissey 8

    Finally, some good news from the United Kingdom

    The Labour (or Labor) Parties in Great Britain, New Zealand and Australia are currently afflicted with mealy-mouthed, inept and pretty much useless leaders.

    But in Britain, at least, there is a real sense of hope emerging….

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jeremy-corbyn-takes-22point-lead-in-labour-leadership-race-10422523.html

    • Colonial Rawshark 8.1

      dont worry, his Blairite caucus will sort him out

      • Sanctuary 8.1.1

        “The crisis (in the British Labour party) consists precisely in the fact that the old is dying and the new cannot be born”

        Corbyn is merely reflecting what is happening across the wider European left – an acceptance on the ground that the left is no longer defenders of social democratic welfare states but is again weak enough institutionally to be in a position to champion revolutionary action.

        The comfortably institutionalised elite leadership cadres centre-left parties are either going to be shaken out their torpor and into this new revolutionary paradigm (and be part of the new that is being born) or be the old, and die/merge with the right wing establishment so many of them are in reality part of.

        In the short to medium turn, that’ll probably involve a split in British Labour, with a bunch of Blairites moving to occupy the ground left by the recently massacred Liberal Democrats.

  9. Save NZ 9

    Why Labour is considered National Lite and losing voters. From the herald on TPPA

    Already the Labour Party has given conditional support only to the deal. It not only wants to see the fine-print but has signaled five no go areas.

    How can Labour give conditional support to a deal they have not even seen?

  10. Draco T Bastard 10

    The global addiction to energy subsidies

    ENERGY prices have been falling for a year. Over the last month that trend has accelerated. On July 24th, the price of a barrel of oil in America reached a low of $48. In spite of this, governments are still splurging on subsidies to prop up production. Fossil fuels are reaping support of $550 billion annually, according the International Energy Agency (IEA), an organisation that represents oil- and gas-consuming countries, more than four times those given for renewable energy. The International Monetary Fund’s estimates are substantially higher. It said in May that countries will spend $5.3 trillion subsiding oil, gas and coal in 2015, versus $2 trillion in 2011. That is equivalent to 6.5% of global GDP, and is more than what governments across the world spend on healthcare. At a time of low energy prices, high government debt and rising concern over emissions there is scant justification for such spending. So why is the world addicted to energy subsidies?

    Apparently to help the rich

    This is a problem because it wastes fiscal resources and hardly benefits the poor, as the wealthy drive more and guzzle more power. The IEA believes that only 8% of subsidies accrue to the poorest fifth of the population.

    Just think, if we took those $5.3 trillion of subsidies and put them fully onto renewables we’d easily be able to achieve 0 emissions by 2050 across the world.

  11. Morrissey 11

    “Ummmm, ahhhh, you know”: The Eloquence of Fran O’Sullivan

    The NZ Herald‘s Fran O’Sullivan is a regular commentator on business and politics. While she is capable of speaking clearly and effectively, as she does when she is on television, or when addressing a gathering of business people, it’s quite clear that she doesn’t put a lot of effort in when she talks to someone for whom she doesn’t respect….

    1.) Monday 16 February 2009, 6:14 to 6:21 p.m.
    Fran O’Sullivan on Larry Williams Drive, NewstalkZB…
    “Um”………. 51 times
    “Ahh”……….15 times
    “y’ know”…….9 times
    “um, er”………4 times

    2.) Monday 23 February 2009, 6:12 to 6:19 p.m.
    Larry Williams Drive, NewstalkZB…
    “Umm, aah, errrr”…….. 39 times
    “y’ know”…….7 times
    “Sort of”……..2 times
    “I mean”……..1 time
    “At the end of the day”….2 times

    3.) Thursday 26 February 2009, 6:10 to 6:20 p.m.
    Larry Williams Drive, NewstalkZB,
    In a rambling ten-minute chat with Williams, O’Sullivan said “um” or “aaah” 76 times. That’s SEVENTY-SIX times. She said “You know” 20 (TWENTY) times.

    4.) Monday 11 July 2011, 6:20 to 6:25 p.m.
    Larry Williams Drive, NewstalkZB….
    “Umm, ahhh”………. 47 times
    “y’ know”…….23 times

    5.) Monday 18 July 2011, 6:25 to 6:29 p.m.
    Larry Williams Drive, NewstalkZB…
    “Umm, ahhh”………. 45 times
    “y’ know”……………….14 times

    6.) Wednesday 21.3.2012, 6:38 to 6:41 p.m.
    Still dumbing it down for Larry Williams…
    “Umm, ahhh”………. 56 times
    “y’ know”……………….6 times

    7.) Wednesday 11 June 2013, 11:07 to 11:24 a.m.
    Fran O’Sullivan, interviewed by Kathryn Ryan, Radio NZ National…
    “um, ahh”…. 89 times
    “Well” …….….11 times

    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-11082011/#comment-363119

  12. Morrissey 13

    An OPEN LETTER from some of the world’s leading citizens

    10236 Charing Cross Road,
    Los Angeles,
    California

    Wednesday, 29 July 2015

    Dear World,

    What exactly is it that Lord Sewel did that is wrong?

    Sincerely,

    H.R.H. Prince Harry
    Alan Dershowitz
    H.R.H. Prince Andrew
    Silvio Berlusconi
    Senator John Edwards
    Gary Condit
    Ed Schrock
    Congressman Mark Foley
    Newt Gingrich
    Donald “Buz” Lukens
    Senator Brock Adams
    Gary Hart
    William Jefferson “Bill” Clinton
    William Henry “Bill” Cosby Jr.
    Rolf Harris
    Rob Lowe
    Lord Lambton
    Lord Archer
    Eliot Spitzer
    Senator Robert “Bob” Packwood
    Max Mosley
    Richard Worth
    David Letterman
    Paul Gadd
    Max Clifford
    Sir Cyril Smith
    David Wu
    Vance McAllister
    Anthony Weiner

  13. Save NZ 14

    Auckland you need to put on the biggest turn out that Queen St has ever seen!

    Join
    TPPA – Walk Away! AUCKLAND
    Saturday, August 15 at 1:00pm
    Aotea Square in Auckland, New Zealand
    1,755 people are going

  14. Save NZ 15

    TPPA Nationwide Protests – Christchurch
    Saturday, August 15 at 12:30pm
    Hagley Park in Christchurch, New Zealand
    840 people are going

  15. Draco T Bastard 16

    Professor Steve Keen on Greece, China and private debt

    In this interview in Australia, Professor Steve Keen of Kingston University predicts a full market crash in China and explains why the crushing of Greek democracy by the European Union may well open the doors to fascism in Greece.

    The discussion is noteworthy for the economist’s very pessimistic views on Greece, Europe and China that chime with comments made by fund manager and Planet Ponzi author Mitch Feierstein.

    In addition, there is some discussion of the Australian property market and, although the focus is on Australian housing, his comments on private debt also provide lessons for the UK market.

    Well worth watching/listening to.

  16. Michael 17

    http://www.vox.com/2015/7/28/9014491/bernie-sanders-vox-conversation

    A great interview with US Sen Bernie Sanders. I hope this man becomes President.

  17. James 18

    Im sure that a few on here will love this news: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11488774

    Colin Craig taking people to court, again.

    Looking for $650k from Cameron Slater.

    Of course this will be interesting if its defended – If Whale has material to back up his post.

    Colin Craig is a gift to the left.

  18. Northsider 19

    Even an arch-Tory sees problems with hot and dirty money being allowed into the housing market. Pity our arch-Tories are blind to it.

    “David Cameron will promise to act against corrupt foreigners who buy up luxury properties in the UK using secretive holding companies to hide their “dirty money”.

    The prime minister will use a visit to Singapore to make an anti-corruption speech on Tuesday in which he will express concern that some properties, mainly in London, “are being bought by people overseas through anonymous shell companies, some with plundered or laundered cash”.

    Drawing on proposals advanced by campaign group Transparency International, Cameron will set out his determination to ensure that “the UK must not become a safe haven for corrupt money from around the world”.

    http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jul/28/david-cameron-fight-dirty-money-uk-property-market-corruption

  19. Puckish Rogue 20

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/70653837/men-charged-with-500-sex-offences-against-girl-in-australia

    At some point i’d like to see a discussion started on the merits (or not) of the death penelty but i doubt it’ll ever happen

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  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

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