Simon says it’s all Labour’s fault

Written By: - Date published: 8:20 am, August 14th, 2018 - 102 comments
Categories: clickbait, jacinda ardern, making shit up, Media, national, Politics, same old national, Simon Bridges, the praiseworthy and the pitiful, twitter, you couldn't make this shit up - Tags:

Last night Newshub published figures showing that Simon Bridges had during his tour of the country spent quite a bit of money on hotels and limos.  It was bread and butter click bait stuff.  The left complained about the cost and the right, well they did what they normally do and tried to divert attention.  And got owned in the process.

Then Simon struck.

First of all he claimed it was all Labour’s fault that he had gone around the country and spent up large on limos and hotel rooms on the taxpayer’s dime.

From Stuff:

Simon Bridges says the country has been forced into “wasting a couple of hundred million dollars” because the Government did not do enough work while in Opposition.

Bridges was responding to a Newshub article that claims a leak shows he has spent more than $100,000 on travel and accommodation over the past three months.

The National Party leader said he’s been travelling the country “to understand what’s happening and what New Zealanders want from the Opposition and Government”.

But he said if Labour had done more groundwork before they won the election, “we wouldn’t now be wasting a couple of hundred million dollars on work on working groups and inquiries”.

That is a strange use of the concept of causation. Labour did not do something costing money before being elected so it has to spend money on consultants now so Simon had to go out and spend big on limos and hotel rooms.

Then there was this train wreck of an interview on Morning Report.

From Radio New Zealand:

Mr Bridges said he did not know who leaked his expenses, which were due to be publicly released later this week, to the media.

The Speaker of the House receives information about MP expenses and the whips of each party also get given the information to pass on to MPs.

“It does seem pretty strange but I haven’t turned my mind to any of those issues yet.”

“Already I’m getting a sense that this is not from my party, that there’s something different at play here. As I say though, I don’t have perfect information on that. It may be over time we see what the truth is but it does seem pretty strange,” Mr Bridges said.

Asked whether he could rule out his own MPs leaking it, Mr Bridges said, “the information I’ve had so far suggests that’s not the case”.

The statement is so clumsy. First Bridges hasn’t turned his mind to the issue of who leaked the information. Then he says he has a sense the leak did not come from his party and that the information he has had so far suggests it is not one of his MPs.  Which is it?  He hasn’t turned his mind to the issue or he has and concluded that it is not one of his MPs.  And if he has concluded it was not one of his MPs while not making the most rudimentary of checks then that is ridiculous.

He should have been brave and said about his tour that the cost is the cost. Or he could have been really clever and driven himself around in an electric car, just like Jacinda would do, and then make a big deal about how he was saving taxpayers money.

Or he could have shut up and said nothing. The story would have died pretty quickly.

Instead we have a second day of adverse media attention and comment and the wonder if this was an inside hit job on Bridges by a disaffected National MP.

If Bridges wants to see how to be on top on your media game Clarke’s tweet above showed how to do it.  Be funny.  Be sharp.  But above all else be sincere.  And for one of National’s apologists to attack Jacinda in an attempt to divert attention is just too funny for words.  The country loves her.  The right should realise this and lay off the attacks on her.  Otherwise this could be early evidence of Ardern Derangement Syndrome.

I hope Bridges stays leader of the opposition for a long time. For the good of the country.

102 comments on “Simon says it’s all Labour’s fault ”

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  1. Matiri 1
    14 August 2018 at 9:03 am

    Deranged Ardern Syndrome? Shouldn’t that be Ardern Derangement Syndrome …..

    • mickysavage 1.1
      14 August 2018 at 9:32 am

      Aye. Corrected. Not enough coffee …

      • Enough is Enough 1.1.1
        14 August 2018 at 11:09 am

        How the times have changed.

        The pettiness of politics is demonstrated with silly names like this. I used to cringe when Farrar and co used to use “Key Derangement Syndrome” for anyone who opposed their world view.

        Now we have jst flipped sides but the silliness continues

    • Cooper oil 1.2
      14 August 2018 at 10:59 am

      Not ADS it is Ardren Infant Derangement Syndrome. Spread so quickly there must be a right wing daisy chain looping New Zealand

  2. marty mars 2
    14 August 2018 at 9:17 am

    Hooton caught spinning untruths again – what a loser.

    Simon sez hey look over there.

    Gnats in disarray.

    Ahh the world has not spun into a parallel universe – all is well.

  3. ianmac 3
    14 August 2018 at 9:30 am

    A few years ago there would be lots of speculation in the media that the National (Labour) Caucus was tearing itself to pieces as their Leader fails to handle issues.
    In this case Simon provides his own foot for shooting at.

    • D'Esterre 3.1
      14 August 2018 at 10:30 am

      ianmac: “In this case Simon provides his own foot for shooting at.”

      Ha! Very neat. And wickedly accurate.

      • Dukeofurl 3.1.1
        14 August 2018 at 1:18 pm

        I’ve noticed that a couple of times now. Bridges talks out of both sides of his mouth.
        One side says it’s not something to worry about and he’s not bothered and on the other side it’s clear that it’s all labour’s fault.

        He lost a chance to reprise his ‘everywhere tour’ you know pick some small town and make a big fuss about the place. That will do 2 things, first turn off the chattering classes as they can’t stand small town NZ, and secondly make the spend of money somewho worthwhile as well as giving him cred in Nationals rural base.

        In the end he seemed small himself rather than saying ‘ what I’ve learned from small town NZ is…………

      • Patricia Bremner 3.1.2
        14 August 2018 at 6:28 pm

        And anyway, as they say…. It is public money after all!! Precious!!

      • NZJester 3.1.3
        15 August 2018 at 2:36 am

        He is not putting his foot up to be shot at. He is putting it up to put it in his mouth.

  4. Puckish Rogue 4
    14 August 2018 at 9:36 am

    Ok so conspiracy theory time (which is always the best time)

    So just before a story breaks about 240 million more being spent on the billion trees (or it might be 500 million trees, who really knows) Simon Bridges expenses are leaked to the media which could just be normal politics however lets go back a few months and remember this:

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11992215

    happened the day the victims of Labours sex camps were first interviewed

    Coincidence or something else…

    • WILD KATIPO 4.1
      14 August 2018 at 9:54 am

      This is called a long bow.

      Enjoy.

      How to shoot the English Longbow – YouTube
      Video for long bow you tube▶ 2:05

        • Cinny 4.1.1.1
          14 August 2018 at 10:26 am

          Why yes, but nothing is cooler than a tinfoil hat wearing archer.

          Jokes aside…. simon and nationals go to excuse for any issue seems to be, blame someone else.

          Pucky, could it be an inside job lead by judith?

          • reason 4.1.1.1.1
            14 August 2018 at 10:54 am

            Given that Judith Collins has a record for nastiness, ….. and she supports through BS excuses the biggest thieves and abusers of humane rights on our planet …. Leaking her way to leadership coup would be small change for this queen of dishonesty.

            http://www.sarawakreport.org/search/?q=New+Zealand&lang=en&page=1

            …..”the huge sums flushed through property, businesses and the art market, countries like the United States, Switzerland and Singapore have taken action and are punishing financial facilitators in their regions.

            Yet, down south, Australia and New Zealand are still doing their best to pretend none of this was to do with them.”

            …..” New Zealand had 11,645 trusts in April last year but fewer than 3000 have registered with Inland Revenue under the law changes. Some 3000 said they didn’t want to operate under the new rules while another 5000 didn’t respond, meaning they will be struck off.

            However, as financial writer Graham Adams has told Sarawak Report “Extraordinarily, the government is spinning this as trusts finding the new conditions to be onerous rather than evidence of the trusts formerly being used to hide illicit money and packing up shop because their cover has been blown”.

            Judith Collins …. ” “Revenue Minister Judith Collins said the drop in trust numbers was not surprising and it shouldn’t be assumed that was because many had been handling the proceeds of illegitimate activities. “There is a much heavier compliance burden under the new regime with more disclosure required than ever before.”.. she said, adding New Zealand now had a “world class regime”.[Stuff NZ]

            Who believes that – after all, how burndensome is it to write down your own name?

            Nor is this system yet ‘world class’. The New Zealand Government have notably refused to extend to the full transparency that would actually be expected of a benchmark regime”

            Judith is as bent and as dirty as John Bent Key ever was …..

          • Puckish Rogue 4.1.1.1.2
            14 August 2018 at 11:05 am

            Pucky, could it be an inside job lead by Judith?

            Ok so taking off the tin foil hat (and jesters hat) for a sec theres some things to consider.

            Who gains the most out of this?

            Judith Collins certainly stands to benefit from all this but theres still quite a ways to go until the next election however she could be laying the ground work for a challenge next year

            Labour absolutely gain by having their main opposition be led by an unpopular leader so making him out to be a spendthrift tory and keeping him at around 10% helps the COL

            However having said that Judith Collins has probably surmised that if shes found out it will not go down will voters and supporters, back stabbing your own leader never goes down to well

            Whereas if Labours been found to have done then most people will probably just go meh because most people know politics isn’t clean anyway

            So I would say that on the balance of probability that its been leaked by Labour however if this happened next year or so then I’d probably swing towards Judith Collins being the instigator

            • McFlock 4.1.1.1.2.1
              14 August 2018 at 12:53 pm

              Except everyone in the nats had access to the figures, nobody in the Labour caucus did.

              For it to be someone other than a caucus member stirring shit, either mallard has decided to chuck his legacy into the toilet or a parliamentary employee is putting their career on the line for a fuckall pointscoring enterprise against bridges. Why? For what? Because national under bridges is holding its position as the biggest loser? 45% gets you second place if you have no friends.

              Whereas if someone in caucus thinks themsef to be a contender for the job (or elevation under a new leader), they have a much more clear motive.

              As for the trees – that’s good news. More regional jobs, and progressing towards an election pledge. Why would Labour distract from that?

              • Puckish Rogue …
                14 August 2018 at 12:57 pm

                Well we don’t know all the details just yet so lets just hold fire on the accusations

                Is it good news, how many trees have been planted thus far and yet even more money is being pumped into the re-elect NZFirst fund, sorry the tree planting

                Must be a bit galling to know, as a teacher say, that getting NZFirst re-elected is considered more important than getting a decent, and well deserved, pay raise

                🙂

                • WILD KATIPO …
                  14 August 2018 at 1:06 pm

                  ^^^^

                  New found sympathy for the workers and Trade Unions.

                • McFlock …
                  14 August 2018 at 1:46 pm

                  lols

                  Must be galling that the only thing you can reasonably do is deflect to other issues rather than accuse Labour of leaking something that they didn’t know about.

                  Come on, you should be talking up how awful Bridges is – it will help bring forth the age of the Collins.

                  • Puckish Rogue …
                    14 August 2018 at 1:50 pm

                    “Come on, you should be talking up how awful Bridges is – it will help bring forth the age of the Collins.”

                    I don’t need to do anything, hes doing it all for me 🙂

                    • McFlock …
                      14 August 2018 at 2:04 pm

                      nah – he’s doing just well enough to keep his job without being in too much danger of becoming PM in 2020.

                      But there’s enough danger in it for me to want Collins as leader of the opposition – she’ll knock you guys down a point or two.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      14 August 2018 at 2:08 pm

                      “But there’s enough danger in it for me to want Collins as leader of the opposition – she’ll knock you guys down a point or two.”

                      Well if she gets the leadership it’ll make for a very fun and interesting election battle

                    • WILD KATIPO …
                      14 August 2018 at 2:30 pm

                      Heeheehee,…

                      Picture it… Adern constantly rolling her eyes and saying ”Oh , come on…”

                      Collins on the other podium bulldozing her way through a statement she just made much to the boo’s and jeers of the audience…

                      Yeah it could be fun.

                      🙂

                    • McFlock …
                      14 August 2018 at 2:43 pm

                      And when Nats under Collins get 40% in 2020, they’ll try coalition negotiations with the Greens lol

                    • dukeofurl …
                      15 August 2018 at 6:57 am

                      Collins wasnt even close last time they contested the leadership. Amy Adams was runner up.

                      The reality is most of the caucus dont support her.

                      Plus Rogue cant count. national is allready at 45% by following the polls on what the swing voters want. Go hard right and what happens ?
                      You pick up Acts 1.2% . !
                      And then lose the 10% moderate voters

                      Good luck with that

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      15 August 2018 at 9:48 am

                      I don’t need to bother with counting, my faith will sustain me 🙂

                • KJT …
                  17 August 2018 at 8:18 am

                  Both are needed.

                  Costly to fix Nationals years of vandalism and theft.

            • Cinny 4.1.1.1.2.2
              14 August 2018 at 2:58 pm

              Thanks Pucky for the reply.

              I admire your dedication towards judith, and seeing you are a tory, was interested in your point of view.

              Now it looks like the info may have been readily available to many, so it could be anyone.

              Media will be having a Cluedo clickbait field day lmao.

              Seriously doubt jude will ever be a PM, our country has evolved beyond her thinking.

              I wonder if judith will end up leading a break-away party?

              • Puckish Rogue …
                14 August 2018 at 3:13 pm

                I’m not actually a tory by the way 🙂

                She does have a profile so she could definitely start up a new party…or take over Act 😉

            • veutoviper 4.1.1.1.2.3
              14 August 2018 at 3:13 pm

              Nah, not Judith. More like Paula Bennett. Sorry, Pucky.

              She can hardly contain herself today in the House. First, her whole own question to the Prime Minister and now she is performing as a “I want to be Leader of the Opposition” in the debate on the Appropriation (2018/19 Estimates) Bill..

              Either that or she is hoping for an Oscar! The posing and confidence is OTT. LOL. Smacking the hands, hammering, counting off on her fingers, hands on hips – shes doing it all. It smacks of some form of recent (theatrical) training. Its worth watching with or without sound!

              Here is the Question – Estimates debate will take longer but will put it up later when it is up.

              https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=202108

              • WILD KATIPO …
                14 August 2018 at 6:08 pm

                LOL! – PB is a bigger joke than JC !!!

                Come Soiman, come Pullyer , come Crusher,- matters not . We will be entertained for the years to come. Better than the best of British humour.

              • Venezia …
                14 August 2018 at 11:48 pm

                Paula Bennett bleating about victims of bullying and intimidation??
                She has a fine record on that issue – releasing personal and financial information about sole parent beneficiaries because they questioned publicly the decision to cut a training allowance which she herself took advantage of as a single parent.

    • reason 4.2
      14 August 2018 at 10:32 am

      Labours sex camps ????

      Projecting your own sleazy mind Puckish ???

      Just out of interest …. what would a sleaze like yourself … call the sexual assaults dished out against female visitors to this country who were visiting in connection to Kim Dotcom ???. …. the ones done by customs agents .

      Or are sexual assaults only of interest to you if you can make political mileage out of them ?.

      ie …. your a bit like James … or TRP.

    • Hongi Ika 4.3
      14 August 2018 at 10:57 pm

      Puck get it right m8 it’s 20 Billion trees when the whole of the East Coast is replanted in Manuka & Kanuka, we have to stabilise the hillsides FFS open your mind ?

  5. MaggieMc 5
    14 August 2018 at 9:41 am

    Matthew Hooton seems to be getting more and more hysterical. I’m listening to Simon talking with Kathryn Ryan. I wish she’d pick him up on his waffle more than she does.

    • veutoviper 5.1
      14 August 2018 at 12:41 pm

      Totally agree, MaggieMc. I haven’t seen you here before, so welcome.

      That Law and Order interview by Kathryn Ryan of Simon Bridges this morning was an absolute dozy. She basically let him waffle, although to give her due she did pull him up on things like the changes to bail laws during Nats time in power – and not a peep about his expenses.

      Here is the link for anyone who did not hear it (21.55 mins).

      https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018658000/simon-bridges-talks-law-and-order

      I must admit I really had to force myself to keep listening but decided I needed to do so togive him a fair go and to be sure of what he said. I really cannot abide his voice but need to try to get over tha.

      I also feel that he has been given a list of ‘sayings’ where he needs to tick off at least one instance of saying each one. LOL. This interview felt a bit like ticking off a bingo card!! Just a few – actually quite a few:

      “If I can say so …”
      “What we do know though is that …”
      “My bottom line is …”
      “The reality is … ” – he like that one and said it several times.
      “Think about this …”
      “The truth is …”
      “Here is my point to you …”
      “Be careful that …”
      “Be clear that …”
      “I’ve been really clear that …”
      “I am not going to apologize but ..”
      “I accept a lot of the evidence .. but …”
      “If … I am all for that”.
      “I/we can chew gum and .. at the same time”

  6. marty mars 6
    14 August 2018 at 10:25 am

    I think Simon may regret having the speaker try to find the leak. This could be the start of the end of the little baffler – and a skirted smirker lurks in the wings.

    If he does go – that will be 4 gnat leaders in as many years – what a rabble. I’m LOVING it lol.

  7. bwaghorn 7
    14 August 2018 at 10:27 am

    Fuck i hate that hooting piece of shit. Your scum hooton .

  8. Observer Tokoroa 8
    14 August 2018 at 10:37 am

    A Creeping Hoot and a deceitful Bridge

    As Paula and Simon will tell you, they are there to impoverish and destroy decent people. By means of untruths and theft. They have no other purpose.

    For they are Capitalists. It is their job to fail to pay proper wages and to lie through their teeth. Evil.

    It works for them. They have endless wealth. Stolen from the decent people of new Zealand.

    It will be but a matter of time before the decent people of New Zealand send the Bill to the Capitalist Crims of NZ.

  9. D'Esterre 9
    14 August 2018 at 10:44 am

    “I hope Bridges stays leader of the opposition for a long time. For the good of the country.”

    Indeed. Whatever he says, he manages to sound like a petulant adolescent. To the extent that I leap for the “off” button whenever he’s on RNZ. I can’t take seriously anything he says, so not listening is good for my blood pressure.

    However – having said that, and against my better judgment – I listened to his interview with Kathryn Ryan this morning. He asserted that Andrew Little’s plans for criminal law reform indicate “a crisis of incoherence”, then went on to be just as incoherent as he accuses Little of being. Yup, carry on as leader of the opposition, Simon…

  10. Cinny 10
    14 August 2018 at 11:07 am

    Turns out national had access to bridges expense info. So it wasn’t leaked by anyone else but ‘his own’.

    Now he’s spinning that it’s a big distraction…..since his excuse that labour leaked it was proven to be incorrect.

    See ya later simon you spinner, you’re such a gone burger..

    Edit… how’s this for a theory…. don brash nicked the info off simons desk….(insert dramatic music here)

    • veutoviper 10.1
      14 August 2018 at 11:30 am

      Just going on memory alone (so could be wrong or things may have changed over recent years), my recall is that, as Wayne said on the Bludger Bridges post, drafts of expenses go to each MP initially for checking etc prior to the full records for each Party being collated and released – but in so doing, they could be seen by the MP’s/ Minister’s staff.

      IIRC drafts of all that party’s MPs’ expenses also go to the Whips for that Party. Current National Party Whips are: Barbara Kruiger, Senior Whip, Matt Doucey, Junior Whip, and Tim van de Molen, Third Whip.

      • Cinny 10.1.1
        14 August 2018 at 3:00 pm

        Thanks VV 🙂 It now looks like it was available to many different people. The beginning of the end for simon, me thinks.

    • Hongi Ika 10.2
      14 August 2018 at 11:00 pm

      This one might be an own goal ?

  11. mary_a 11
    14 August 2018 at 11:36 am

    Natz has a serial leaker or two lurking in it’s murky swamp. One in particular, eh Paula?

  12. Paul Campbell 12
    14 August 2018 at 12:45 pm

    Why is this an issue at all, surely all such spending of public money should be available to everyone?

    • McFlock 12.1
      14 August 2018 at 12:58 pm

      it is, but it all gets released at the same time.

      That is supposed to avoid this exact situation, where only one person is the focus and there’s no comparison with anyone else. Because it’s released by parliament via the speaker, the release should be done in a politically neutral manner.

  13. Ross 13
    14 August 2018 at 12:45 pm

    You though Clarke’s tweet was funny? You need to get out more. 🙂

  14. Robert Guyton 14
    14 August 2018 at 12:48 pm

    “National has confirmed all of its MPs had the full range of National Party MP expenses.”

    Collins!
    That’s just rude, Jude.

    • Puckish Rogue 14.1
      14 August 2018 at 12:52 pm

      Now now, its innocent and pure (as the driven snow) until found to have been the victim of a set up

      • Robert Guyton 14.1.1
        14 August 2018 at 1:12 pm

        Chips, cracks and fissures are appearing all over your clay-footed goddess lately, Pucky! The fake-news text was a foolish and revealing misstep, Jude’s gleeful promotion of double-bunking has been taken out again for an airing and now this; suspicions swirling around her over knifing her leader for her own gain! I hope you’re not driven to drink as a result of Jude’s hebdomas horribilis.

        • Puckish Rogue 14.1.1.1
          14 August 2018 at 1:21 pm

          A week is a long time in politics indeed but I’m confident that St Jude of Papakura will rise above the trials she finds herself under (probably due to jealous men) and will come out the other end stronger, tempered and ready for battle

  15. Greg 15
    14 August 2018 at 2:11 pm

    Tory’s aways seem high maintenance there not really cost effective and aways bankrupt the host like a virus

  16. Harpoon 16
    14 August 2018 at 3:00 pm

    Putting aside the truth or otherwise of Bridges’ claim that he was on a ‘listening tour’ rather than a political marketing tour …

    It is unfair on Simon Bridges that this large expense gets sheeted home to him.

    IIRC, the hourly rate charge to VIP Transport users of about $100 is just an accounting strategy to show how the large annual fixed cost of running the VIP Transport fleet is shared out amongst its users. The cars get used (and need to be available for) by Ministers, the Leader of the opposition, visiting VIPs, members and ex-members of the Privy Council, and some others.

    The bulk of the annual cost for the VIP car fleet is fixed, occurring irrespective of how frequently they are used or by whom (capital cost of the cars (a fraction of the retail cost), depreciation, the salaries facilities up and down the country). The variable costs are probably quite low, just diesel and maintenance.

    Bridges gets to use VIP Transport he is Leader of the Opposition partly for security reasons. I imagine security aspects would include high-level training [eg tight and fast motorcades], escape tactics, confidential movement plans, and security-clearance at the least. The alternative would be private hire or taxis, which might make Bridges’ personal budget look cheaper but would lack the security requirements and there would be no overall saving for the taxpayer because the fixed cost of the fleet would still be there to be shared among i-less user.

    • Cinny 16.1
      14 August 2018 at 3:07 pm

      Harpoon,
      One would have thought he had been listening to the people while he was in government. He was certainly traveling the country enough to do so back then with his buddy key.

      Road trip was a publicity jaunt, nothing more.

      And not very good value for money at that considering his tumbling preferred PM poling.

      What’s simon going to do from now on to ensure he brings his costs down?

      • Harpoon 16.1.1
        14 August 2018 at 3:25 pm

        Cinny, as I explained, there are high fixed costs shared across all the designated users. If Bridges travels in VIP cars, which is kind of necessary since he is Leader of the Opposition, then there’s probably very little he can do about the hourly or mileage cost of using the beemers. If he travels in taxis, then the likelihood of a security risk eventuating increases. Mitigating that risk might cost more than just using VIP Transport. Same goes for all the other designated users.

        If you’re saying he shouldn’t be allowed to travel around the country doing his political schtick, then be careful what you wish for. The same rule would apply to a Labour leader in opposition.

    • Robert Guyton 16.2
      14 August 2018 at 6:41 pm

      “It is unfair on Simon Bridges”
      Poor wee mouse!

  17. Michelle 17
    14 August 2018 at 3:37 pm

    sounds like Hooten and his lot are getting desperate and are starting to make things up
    they need to stop picking on baby Neve

  18. Jenny 18
    14 August 2018 at 6:34 pm

    Simon Bridges says he wants a (costly) full and independent inquiry into finding out who leaked his travel costs.

    Maybe Simon Bridges could save us all a lot more money and just have a quiet word with Winston Peters, and ask him?

    Peters is currently pursuing through the courts the matter of who in the National Party leaked details of his Superannuation over-payments.

    Winston would have got by now, a pretty good idea of who the leakers are in the prosecution of his case. Quite likely, the same people in the National Party who don’t like Winston Peters are the same people in the National Party who don’t like Simon Bridges either. And as is proven these people are not above using leaks against their perceived political foes and/or rivals.

    “I’m incredibly confident it’s not going to be a National MP. I have a bit of an understanding and sense of things here, but ultimately I’m confident it’s not going to be a National MP,” said Bridges.

    He said there would be consequences if it was, and he would expect his own caucus to co-operate with an inquiry, which had to be lead by “someone like a High Court judge” and bring in top computer forensic specialists.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/106241086/speaker-trevor-mallard-launches-inquiry-into-simon-bridges-travel-leak

  19. Paul Campbell 19
    14 August 2018 at 6:35 pm

    I posted this in the other thread:

    My current theory is that Bridges realised it was going to come out that he’d just spent $100k of the taxpayer’s money campaigning for National … what better way to get out in front of the inevitable scandal than to release the info yourself and then make a big fuss trying to find the mythical releaser … and of course throw a bit of shade at Judith in the process

  20. BM 20
    18 August 2018 at 8:54 am

    Does Gayford sit in on all of Arderns meetings?

    [lprent: Irrelevant twaddle, and evident post hijacking. Banned for 2 weeks as a preliminary warning.

    Dropping to bottom of the post and warning you that if I see you try to hijack a post off topic again, then I will issue a *LONG* ban. In particular when you attack a spouse and child for MPs. In this case they were part of the story. However you took this far out of context.

    You know better and I have zero tolerance for this shit regardless of political party. ]

    • Andre 20.1
      14 August 2018 at 9:05 am

      If the best a spinmeister like Hooton can do with clear malice on his mind is describe the meeting as drinks in her office with journalists, then it doesn’t seem likely to be serious work-related. If that’s the case, then what’s the problem with Gayford being there?

    • Kevin 20.2
      14 August 2018 at 9:14 am

      As he is the principal care-giver, with baby’s mum at work, why wouldn’t he be there?