Written By: - Date published: 9:53 am, August 16th, 2017 - 14 comments
Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy has called on the UN to tell the government to hold an independent inquiry into the abuse of children and people with disabilities in state care. (Some of us were wrong about Devoy!)
Written By: - Date published: 11:14 am, July 1st, 2017 - 18 comments
Written By: - Date published: 1:16 pm, May 16th, 2017 - 83 comments
Useful but – mostly re-announcing existing developments, far too little, far too late, and open to property speculators…
Written By: - Date published: 3:20 pm, May 3rd, 2017 - 24 comments
I guess any sign of sanity is to be encouraged. But. When the Nats came to power there was a framework for reducing carbon. The Nats dismantled or weakened it. Now, nine long years later, they want Yet Another Study?
Written By: - Date published: 9:47 am, March 23rd, 2017 - 96 comments
It’s great that the government is planning some action on this shameful situation. It’s a pity that they are treating the consequences, not the underlying social problems that contribute so much to the causes, and it’s a pity that it’s taken so long.
Written By: - Date published: 1:41 pm, March 4th, 2017 - 93 comments
In what was apparently a pretty dire interview on The Nation this morning, Bill English dropped one bombshell, possible changes in superannuation. For the record I think English is right on this. For a change.
Written By: - Date published: 8:27 pm, February 20th, 2017 - 8 comments
We sometimes give employers a bit of a hard time on this blog, so it’s nice to occasionally celebrate a good one. Dunedin gaming company Rocketwerkz is in the headlines for all the right reasons.
Written By: - Date published: 12:44 pm, January 13th, 2017 - 58 comments
English – “One of New Zealand’s benefits is because we’re a long way away and fairly small we don’t attract too much attention.” Nice contrast to the usual Nat hysterical style. I guess there’s no need for all that domestic spying apparatus then?
Written By: - Date published: 7:48 pm, December 24th, 2016 - 287 comments
Murray McCully has had New Zealand co sponsor a successful Security Council resolution condemning Israel for violating International Law through its resettlement policy.
Written By: - Date published: 8:04 am, November 26th, 2016 - 5 comments
A 2015 court decision forced National’s hand on pay equity. This week the equity working group reported back. To its credit National is accepting the recommendations, and unions are hailing a big win. But the final form of any law is not yet clear.
Written By: - Date published: 10:13 am, October 29th, 2016 - 6 comments
Credit where it is due for the success of the Ross Sea marine reserve. Now how about action where it is needed in our own waters?
Written By: - Date published: 9:57 am, June 1st, 2016 - 48 comments
Yesterday’s announcement of likely new regulations on the “plain packaging” of tobacco products is a good move.
Written By: - Date published: 7:20 am, May 22nd, 2016 - 115 comments
With news that NZ’s greenhouse emissions are at a 25 year high the announcement of a new taskforce “to provide advice and ways in which we can drive down our emissions” is as welcome as it is overdue.
Written By: - Date published: 10:37 am, March 31st, 2016 - 82 comments
Welcome signs of new realism on drugs. Sadly, it’s the sort of progress only a right-wing government can propose.
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, March 1st, 2016 - 110 comments
Credit where it’s due for an increase in the minimum wage – but the gap between that and a living wage keeps growing…
Written By: - Date published: 7:04 am, October 22nd, 2015 - 17 comments
After twice killing off pay equity legislation (2009, 1990), National have been forced to confront the issue again.
Written By: - Date published: 7:02 am, October 13th, 2015 - 17 comments
An American report which came out shortly before Key’s visit to our troops at Taji camp in Iraq is strongly critical of conditions there, and of the efficacy of the training process. Key claims he didn’t know, yet another of his outbreaks of “convenient ignorance”.
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, September 21st, 2015 - 22 comments
A year after the last election John Key lists his government’s achievements. It’s a pretty desperate effort.
Written By: - Date published: 12:58 pm, September 17th, 2015 - 38 comments
The government has overruled the Overseas Investment Office and turned down a bid to buy Lochinver Station. It’s the first time a bid for a significant landholding has been rejected since 2012.
Written By: - Date published: 12:56 pm, July 9th, 2015 - 105 comments
This is a good example of a policy win from opposition. More please!
Written By: - Date published: 8:46 am, June 26th, 2015 - 76 comments
ACT has withdrawn support for the Harmful Digital Communications Bill. Bravo. Labour, Greens – where do you stand on this badly drafted and damaging bill?
Written By: - Date published: 7:11 am, June 12th, 2015 - 87 comments
Bravo to those “big business” leaders who have come out in support of strong universal health and safety legislation. Shame on the Collins faction in Cabinet who are fighting to water it down.
Written By: - Date published: 2:00 pm, June 9th, 2015 - 71 comments
I/S at No Right Turn: “Any improvement is better than what we’ve got now .. At the same time, we should recognise that this is pathetically weak.”
Written By: - Date published: 3:00 pm, May 27th, 2015 - 18 comments
Helen Kelly and the CTU have done a great job raising the issues of workplace health and safety. Have they even got the attention of some Nats? Apparently there are delays to proposed changes as some in caucus resist.
Written By: - Date published: 6:30 am, May 21st, 2015 - 161 comments
A panicked response to the Auckland property crisis. A welcome (albeit inadequate) adjustment to benefit rates. Public pressure is forcing action on the Left’s political agenda. Still no surplus, and no one believes the projected one next year. A reactive budget – there is no vision.
Written By: - Date published: 12:34 pm, November 5th, 2014 - 136 comments
Key’s much heralded speech on terrorism / ISIS is a mixed bag. As expected it will be used to justify unnecessarily increased surveillance powers. But at least we aren’t sending combat troops.
Written By: - Date published: 3:53 pm, July 17th, 2013 - 40 comments
Nice to be able to congratulate the Nats on an environmental decision for a change!
Written By: - Date published: 7:47 pm, July 8th, 2013 - 22 comments
Key has started making concessions in an effort to pass his GCSB bill to spy on Kiwis – but Peter Dunne is not convinced.
Written By: - Date published: 3:24 pm, June 18th, 2013 - 28 comments
The Nats’ strike breaking Bill is in trouble, with the Employers & Manufacturers Association and Peter Dunne both stating their opposition. Let’s hope it’s another win for workers and for MMP.
Written By: - Date published: 12:44 pm, May 28th, 2013 - 156 comments
The government’s expansion of the KickStart breakfast programme is better than nothing – but that’s about all you can say about it.
Priorities: $9.5 Million over 5 years to feed hungry kids – but in 2012 just 4 private schools got $10.9 Million.
Written By: - Date published: 9:15 am, April 19th, 2013 - 33 comments
Peter Dunne is concerned about the use of unqualified teachers in charter schools. As well he should be – the Ministry of Education has issued a detailed warning against this daft policy.
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