Resignationwatch: questions for Key
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- Date published:
9:54 am, May 5th, 2012 - 42 comments
Categories: corruption, john banks, john key -
Tags: resignation
Does he believe Banks’ account of the Dotcom donation?
What corroborating evidence has he or his staff sought to confirm Banks statement, particularly as more irregularities and contradictions have emerged?
Ethical and legal behaviour are both requirements of ministers in the Cabinet Manual – Key is happy to apply a legal standard to Banks’ behaviour before he became a minister but says the ethical standard only applies after he became minister (conceding unethical behaviour prior), why the disconnect?
Why was he happy for ethical standards to be applied to the behaviour of Pansy Wong before she was a minister but not to John Banks?
Was it unethical for Banks to lie to the media and fake memory lose while a minister?
Check out David Fisher’s excellent account of the John Banks scandal.
42 comments on “Resignationwatch: questions for Key ”
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Lianne Dalziel was forced to resign as a Minister for lying to the media. What makes Banks different, other than the fact that there is a different Prime Minister with supposedly “higher standards” for Ministers.
Key’s bottom line is that Banks has done no wrong in law. He will hang onto that but should it blow up later, Mr Key can say he did not know. He was kept in (self inflicted) ignorance by those around him especially Banks who has not been questioned (what!) by the PM.
More questions than answers. Will John Campbell ask more? Tune in next week to the continuing sordid saga of misdirection, mis-speaks, and memory loss. Brought to you by……………
After seeing the cheque John Campbell produced on TV, it is crystal clear Kim Dotcom never made a donation. How could John Banks declare a donation from Kim Dotcom if he never made one?
[how many Nick K’s can dance on the head of a pin? The donation came from Dotcom’s company and should have been declared as such since Banks clearly knew he had received such money. Is your new fallback: he thanked Dotcom for donating but didn’t know he had received money from Dotcom’s company? Eddie]
After seeing the gift tags on the presents under the tree are all signed by Santa, it is crystal clear Santa really, truly, does exist.
How could John Banks ever have flown in a helicopter because everyone knows, helicopters, like bumble-bees, can’t fly. So they are lying that he did fly, and therefore there were no cheques and John Banks is a figment of everyone’s imagination. Like God. Phew. That fixed ’em.
so your point is he could not declare a dobation fron Kim Dotcom per se, most people get that, but he must declare the donation from the company name plainly written on the cheque and which no doubt also appears on the election fund’s bank statement.
Most people get that? Bullshit! Everyone is saying he got a donation from Kim Dotcom that he said was anonymous.
So? It’s still not anonymous, whichever legal entity Dotcom chose to use.
A retort like that simply confirms to me you know you’re fucked on this one.
You must be confusing me with John Banks.
no baby puppy…. it is you who is fucked…..making patently stupid statements is not, i repeat, not, the way to convince anyone you have the judgement to make calls on when to put the sign out at a school crossing, let alone judgements that require remotely subtle thought processes…
what gave you the idea that you were capable of making judgements on something as complicated as identifying a check? has your mother been reminding you how “special” you are again?
A “check”? Who’s the stupid one now.
If you have to ask, it’s probably you.
What I want to know is if Kim Dotcom gave a donation to the National Party to help just a teensy weensy bit with his application for residence and is he now going to declare this.
And now Dotcom is considering suing the crown ! That should be interesting!
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/105067/dotcom-may-sue-crown
Also see this Herald article on this aspect –
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10803433
There were also other articles much earlier eg Feb and March on the mistakes made.
Quite bluntly, I would not blame Dotcom for suing at all in light of the shoddy way the whole thing was handled – BUT presumably the taxpayer will pick up the tab.
Key’s and Collins’ nasty hounding of Benson-Pope was to do with things that allegedly happened way before Benson-Pope was a Minister. Could we have a rerun on TV of some of Key’s vicious taunting of Benson-Pope in the House?
Well spotted marsman.
I also agree ianmac.The way those two ratbags attacked Benson-Pope was a disgrace ,but its typical Tory action. I bet Key wishes he could put a tennis ball in Keys mouth .
Benson Pope was an outstanding teacher. He was given the job of looking after some of the “difficult” students as well as supervising outdoor education for city-slicker kids. It is very easy to judge people by today’s standards when the so called mistakes were made in a different time.
I would love to see Collins in a classroom; the bullshit would last 2 or 3 days and then it would be all down-hill.
Part of David’s demise was he got off-side with inside Labour politics.
Thanks Marsman. Your reminder that Key has been around for some time makes his political performance inexcusable.
With similar cases in the legal pipeline in the US, it is starting to look like an opening salvo by DRM holders against FOSS, with NZ chosen as the first target because it is seen as a pushover in geopolitical and legal terms, especially with a Merrill alumni as PM.
Key looked ratty, uncomfortable, and defensive during the Campbell interview, but he turned up.
Is Warners a party to the case ? Jackson’s commercial success is in large part due to FOSS for LOTR1-3.
Stay tuned ..
Veni, “but he turned up”. That was the point that Diane made. He should turn up, and he should always turn up, as a PM in a Democracy. We say he turned up as though it was a gracious gift from up on high, instead of an expected responsibility of a PM. How many times have Key and other Minsters fronted during the Election? How many serious interviews has Key been in? One.
By the way, notice how Key is not using his “hill-country aw shucks” persona?
QED
ianmac, how would you describe his interview persona ?
Inner-city street-kid made good ?
We have immigrants from all over the world gaining residency in our country (and good on them) so their kids can be properly educated in our excellent state run schools.
What bothers me..really bothers me… is Key letting simpleton Banks and his also ran woman (can’t remember her name) who knows nothing about education (neither of them) in charge of an experiment to introduce charter schools ..the very thin end of a wedge where our education system, respected all over the world could change into producing Little actoids like him.
Anyone else read Steve Braunias ‘The Secret Diary of… John Banks’ in today’s newspaper? Classic opening line paraphrasing Marcel Proust, Remembrance of things Past, ‘Memory is hidden somewhere beyond the reach of intellect’
It would help if you actually provided a link to the article……….
Edit – here it is
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/opinion/steve-braunias/6862562/The-Secret-Diary-of-John-Banks
Haha very good.
FYI folks!
Am looking for more ACT acronyms..
A ccept
C orrupt
T emptations
Have started campaigning in Epsom for the upcoming by-election – yesterday (Friday evening) in the WILDS of Remuera with brand new banners:
“A ssociated with
C rooks and
T hieves
with morph of dodgy John Banks morphing into (older /non-botoxed? )Mr Burns (Simpsons)
plus rather lovely cariactures of Banks and Dotcom – MEAGASTUFFUPLOAD.COM
The other banner :
“AOTEAROA IS NOT FOR SALE – unlike the ACT MP 4 EPSOM – DODGY John Banks”.
Hundreds and hundreds of people saw these banners (the displaying of which probably a bit uncommon in the Remuera/Epsom electorate heartland?) – so arguably – there will probably be a bit of a ‘ripple’.
A number of people agreed with the sentiments expressed, and took copies of the ACTION PLAN against ‘white collar’ crime, corruption and ‘corporate welfare’ upon which I campaigned as an Independent ‘anti-corruption’ candidate in Epsom in 2011.
(Had copies still available – how convenient! 🙂
(Copies of ACTION PLAN downloadable on http://www.pennybright4epsom.org.nz)
Beware dodgy and shonky Johns!
A number of concerned members of the voting public do NOT like lies especially GIGANTIC WHOPPERS of the dodgy Banksie variety ……..
Have secured the website http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com and am getting material organised for it.
Will include copies of the formal letters of complaint to the Police lodged by myself and 2007 former Mayoral candidate Lisa Prager over the alleged $15,000 Sky City donation and alleged $50,000 donated by Kim Dotcom that were not disclosed.
Also a copy of my formal complaint to the SFO against both John Banks and Kim Dotcom for alleged bribery and corruption (s105) of the Crimes Act 1961.
Given that the SFO are purportedly the ‘lead agency’ to which allegations of bribery and corruption are to be reported, it will be fascinating to see what they do with this complaint.
Not been impressed to date with the track record of the SFO (or the Police) when it comes to DOING THEIR JOBS and applying ‘one law for all’ to those alleged ‘white collar’ criminals who are running the country?
Neither Police nor SFO did anything in 2008 when I made a formal complaint about John Key over TranzRail, or in 2011/2012 when I formally requested that they charge Banks and Brash as former fellow Directors of Huljich Wealth Management (NZ) Ltd, for signing Huljich Kiwisaver Scheme registered prospectuses which contained untrue statements?
Seems that some arguably crooked ‘white collar’ politicians are effectively a ‘protected species’ In NZ ‘perceived’ to be the ‘least corrupt country in the world’?
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/key-forced-protect-banks-now-118018#comment-375541
MY COMMENT – WAS PUBLISHED – THEN VANISHED!
Gee – I wonder why THAT was?
APPARENTLY CENSORED COMMENT (which probably means it’s ‘politically correct’? 😉
Did John Key’s political protection of John Banks extend to helping to ensure that NO regulatory body to date has applied ‘one law for all’ to former fellow directors of Huljich Wealth Management (NZ) Ltd, John Banks and Don Brash, for signing Huljich Kiwisaver Scheme registered prospectuses dated 22 August 2008 and 18 September 2009, which contained untrue statements?
HOW COME JOHN BANKS AND DON BRASH WERE NEVER CHARGED UNDER s58(3) OF THE SECURITIES ACT 1978 FOR WHAT IS A STRICT LIABILITY OFFENCE????
Were there phone calls/ communications from the highest level to the former Securities Commission; the FMA, the SFO or the NZ Police to help ensure the effective (arguably corrupt) political protection of former National Party colleagues and future National Party necessary coalition allies – ACT’s (National “B” Team’s) current and former Leaders, John Banks and Don Brash?
WHAT OTHER POSSIBLE EXPLANATION CAN THERE BE FOR WHY IT IS THAT JOHN BANKS AND DON BRASH WERE NEVER CHARGED UNDER s58(3) OF THE SECURITIES ACT 1978 FOR WHAT IS A STRICT LIABILITY OFFENCE????
In my considered opinion – this STINKS.
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption campaigner’
Independent candidate in future Epsom
by-election.
http://www.pennybright4epsom.org.nz
So many questions about Banks and Brash, and we just can’t get them answered Penny! A slogan for the campaign in Epsom could read – “Vote ACT, sponsored by Megastuffup” – and in tiny print at the end “load.com” which could also refer to the huge “anonymous donations” that they love so much!
ACT- Association of Cabbages and Thieves.
Perfect. I think you should copyright that seeker.
lol Cheers rosy. Would love William Joyce to do a ‘poster’.
By the way shortening ‘Association’ to Ass gives a better collective noun for the party I was thinking?!
The NBR item by Mr Hooton was a very interesting take thanks Penny. Matthew’s explanation as to why Mr Key is so blatantly accepting of outrageous Bank line sounds right. And Key’s ignorance of Dotcom is part of it
However if Matthew’s explanation is true then Mr Key must have been at least misleading John Campbell, and us. In due course Mr Key will have to explain the justification to us. To protect the Government from falling would not be a justification in my eyes.
http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6867584/Craig-could-be-Nats-new-act
Herald reports a poll that has 10% support for Banks in Epson down from 44% at Election.
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/key-forced-protect-banks-now-118018#comment-375541
Great PR Hoots !
I think ‘now’ should read ‘for-now’ in the URL ..
McCarten .. “Drop Banks and spare us costly dead weight”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10803840
to keep us amused until Key drops the guillotine. Did I get that right ?
ACT
A ccept
C orrupt
T ransACTions
A ll
C redibility
T erminated (Heard that on talkback last night 😉
Have secured the website http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com
It is being worked on now…..
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption campaigner’
Independent candidate for Epsom 2011 (and 2012 🙂
http://www.pennybright4epsom.org.nz
re: dodgyjohnhasgone Great work Penny, many thanks. Will be marvellous when we see the headline “dodgyjohnshavegone” – and not for another cup of tea this time!
All go tomorrow!
Will be doing a Press Release, announcing that I’m standing in the Epsom by-election as a PROVEN ‘Anti-corruption’ campaigner – with an ACTION PLAN against ‘white collar’ crime, corruption and ‘corporate welfare’ (ONE A4 PAGE) that should help focus public attention on what needs to happen to help STOP this dodgy/shonky behaviour!
Check out the website!
It’s HOT!
(Even if I say so myself 😉
http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com
Has copies of the complaints to Police and SFO (+ their replies) plus LOTS of other stuff that I think you’ll enjoy 🙂
Have just finished painting new banner (blue writing on ACT yellow fabric)
____________________________
‘DODGY John Banks
protected by
SHONKY John Key?
http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com
____________________________
If anyone wants to help – I need the loan of a legal, reliable hatchback car for 3 months?
Want these banners up where the public can see them and would prefer to be self-reliant re: transporting the gear around….
Hopefully someone out there who supports what I’m doing can help out here?
Cheers!
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption’ campaigner