Well said Anne. What is is about right -wing commentators who cannot seem to express any joy or pride when other NZers do well on the international stage simply because they have different views to them? It seems like it is a pre-requisite to being a right...
Agreed...like a lot of people who seemingly don't understand public policy and the attendant issues of complexity mixed with human behaviour, CR has made a rash comment without context or any sense of the issues.
Yes, it is definitely a transformational budget, just look at the climate change and health spending (including purpose/direction) as examples. When you consider all the budgets delivered by Labour since 2017, their transformational nature (especially ...
Thank you for describing the governments principled approach to Transport, and therefore by extension confirming that the opposition are by definition ideological dinosaurs.
It's clear there are some (a very vocal minority) that don't want to listen to reason, logic and science. They aren't interested in anyone else. Their selfishness seemingly knows no bounds. I am glad we have a government that does use logic, reason and ...
The pandemic is not a 'useful excuse', it is the reality we are all having to grapple with. In the real world there are limits on resources and time, therefore, plans and priorities need to continually reviewed and adjusted. The core argument I suggest MS ...
I do agree you are particularly unqualified to make any determinations given your clear lack of understanding of the science involved in responding to a pandemic. Wanting to always criticise the government (for political reasons) is no excuse for lazy ...
Can you confirm your acceptable death rate, if you aren't sure that the death rate comparison' is valid?
Wishful thinking, but not so. The institutions you refer to are not a creation of the reforms, rather they exist despite the reforms.
The 'philosophy' of the public service is whatever the philosophy of the govt of the day is. The 'reforms of the late 1980s and 90s made sure of that that. To not understand that is to completely miss the point of the neo-liberal reforms.
Wrong - it is a public document once it is tabled before any debate (if not before depending on release decisions by the govt). In this case the govt has already stated (last week) it will release it to other parties (i.e. effectively making it public) ...
I suggest you look at the detail before making assertions that should be an embarrassment. The detail is not hard to find. This set of changes come on top of a large set of changes since this govt took office in 2017. They need to be see in there entirety,...
LOL if you think the rating base vs taxation base, the ability to raise capital at good rates etc are the same for councils as for the govt. That doesn't even get into the reality of 'local democracy ' vs govt standards, and the theory vs reality of the ...
Have you not worked out that all experts don't (and do not have to) agree...that is the nature of opinions. We are used to that being the case with economic commentators, it is about time we understood that in relation to 'public health' commentators. Also...
Sometimes people make false assertions about proposed legislation. That doesn't change reality.
Yes, I have. Having concerns is not the same as actually knowing or understanding the Bill. Finally, if the counsellor you know is actually at risk of being criminalised under the provisions under the bill, then they need to take a long hard look at what ...
Again what nonsense. If submitters turn up and argue incorrectly or mistakenly on what a bill is about and why, they need to expect that those people who actually understand the bill will point that out to them.
What nonsense. She simply disagreed with his assertions and pointed out quite correctly that he misunderstood the bill.
The Select Committee's role isn't to uncritically accept what they hear and see from submitters. If submitters choose to submit they need to understand and accept that they will be engaged with and challenged by MPs as that is the nature of political ...
Yes, if like me and most NZers you are keen on the truth about the reality of a pandemic like COVID & our Govt's response, then we (like Hipkins) can be forgiven for getting pissed-off at politicians (like Bishop) who don't see anything wrong with blatant,...
Thanks for confirming the govt is doing the right thing (as it has done consistently), unlike the rabble that is the opposition.
The evidence is that the lockdown as we know and implement it is working. Read the information and the data, rather than simply repeating the criticism of those with an interest and purpose in attacking the govt.
I suggest you actually read the proposals and engage with them, rather than make sweeping generalisations and personal attacks to try and support your concerns.
You touch on an interesting question TT....it is also interesting that at times people think a government can make a decision and the result is immediate...something like the Star Trek meme, 'make it so'. It seems that there is a lack of appreciation for ...
Thanks JS for posing an interesting and genuine question. I'm not sure I can offer such a benign view of ACT and all that it stands for. I do agree that the liberterian view on personal freedom does at time intersect with left values, but DS in particular ...
No, but I understand your frustration. Being in government is actually quite hard. It is where politicians realise very quickly how complex the government actual is and that the reforms of the 80s actually reduced the ability of both government and public ...
Suffice to say you seem to have no understanding of how large integrated computer systems work, or how the benefit system works, if you think 'small' changes can be made to a complex system without reference (for example) to any unintended consequences. ...
Perhaps Kay, for those of us who don't understand, you could explain how the changes you refer to (individualising benefits) could happen overnight? If you think the reason they haven't occurred is down to 'pathetic excuses', then what would would you do ...
Well said McFlock. It seems it is an excuse to not arguments the merits of policy proposal. In addition, why Chris T is it an 'election bribe'? Is an election policy a bribe by definition, or do you see a distinction between different types of policies, ...
Given Ministerial expenses are published on a regular basis, what should Labour have done differently?
Party returns are externally audited before submission to the Commission. They are the responsibility of the party (i.e the President and not the leader/PM). I would be surprised if the timing is in any way coincidental to the wider political events/news. ...
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