The lurch to the right begins

Written By: - Date published: 9:20 am, September 22nd, 2014 - 129 comments
Categories: john key, national, spin, workers' rights - Tags: , ,

John Key is busily constructing the smokescreen for his third term, and the key phrase is going to be “centre ground“.

“Obviously there are some things we want to do; RMA (Resource Management Act) reform, employment law reform, but they’d be very much based around what’s in the carry over provision … what we talked about before we left. We’re not looking to do radical, different things.”

But let’s remember a few things:

The Employment Relations Amendment Bill which National are going to pass in their first 100 days is radical rightwing reform. Despite the spin that it’s about “fairness and flexibility” in the workplace it attacks rights as fundamental as getting a regular rest break.

The ERA Bill stirred up so much resistance that they weren’t able to pass it last term, especially after John Banks resigned in disgrace.

In fact, it’s the perfect example of this narrative in action: take law changes which will undermine the wages and conditions of every New Zealand worker, make it easier for bad bosses to fire people whenever they want, but as long as you keep hammering the “fairness and flexibility” line you can pretend it’s not a dramatic shift to the right.

If anyone believes that Key’s third term won’t see a ramping up of the rightwing agenda to run down our public services and open more and more of our country to private interest plundering, I have a public/private bridge partnership to sell you.

129 comments on “The lurch to the right begins ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Draco T Bastard 1
    22 September 2014 at 9:42 am

    Emmerson almost gets it here. The bit that he’s missing is Key spinning the wheel to the right.

  2. Hayden 2
    22 September 2014 at 9:50 am

    In the current lexicon, “flexible” is never to the advantage of the worker.

  3. millsy 3
    22 September 2014 at 9:51 am

    If the government takes our smoko breaks we will have exhausted workers collapsing all over the place.

    Why the right begeudges workers a smoko break is beyond me.

    What is next?

    Sick leave?

    Holiday Pay?

    At will employment?

    The right to be paid in money?

    And dont rule out tradeable water rights in the future — which will impact in domestic users.

    • Once was Pete 3.1
      22 September 2014 at 11:29 am

      You are completely and totally deluded. There will be no appetite to take away smoko breaks, dilute sick pay etc. national is smart enough to know this sort of proposition just won’t be received well by the electorate at large.This is just fantasy stuff. No wonder Labour is in trouble if you represent their ability to think.
      What’s next/ The boogie man under the bed.

      • millsy 3.1.1
        22 September 2014 at 11:33 am

        You supported the “Hobbit Law” that effectively stripped smoko breaks, sick leave, ACC and holiday pay, not to mention the right to join a union from those in the movie industry by making them all independent contractors.

      • lprent 3.1.2
        22 September 2014 at 11:49 am

        Evidently you haven’t looked at the bill that Simon Bridges was trying to get through before the election. He wasn’t able to get support from some of the support parties, so had to abandon it.

      • Tracey 3.1.3
        22 September 2014 at 11:54 am

        go look at bridges bill which does the stuff you say they would never do…

      • aerobubble 3.1.4
        22 September 2014 at 2:55 pm

        When growing an extra cow is taxed at the same rate as writing a new financial contract then it pays financial accountants to elevate the profitability of the financial over the productive. So conversely, it pays retailers to lower the productivity, i.e. retailers can carry more less productive staff. Worse, when the market place is so small, retailers can lower product quality to the point where consumers are forced to buy around to find marginal better quality and pay the highest price for it. While consumers details are collected to on sell to data brokers.

        But there is a problem for National. Well no, not a problem per se. As Banks are demanding higher deposits and secured income streams, more people will fail to enter the housing market (more homes to sell to offshore chinese), and become renters in their own nation. Insecure work places.

        Welcome to the creation of a class system in NZ. Remember that Cunliffe failed to sell CGT to farmers and others who are in debt to bankers. How a farmer cannot understand the fact that growing a cow is taxed at the same rate as some guy reselling a financial contract is just amazing to me.

        Farmers, dairy included should be very worried now the EU has to start exporting to dig itself out of its financial crisis. The Eu has been growing eastwards, bringing into the EU market large swaths of Eastern farmland. And the central government of the EU has removed restrictions of farm limits.

        So very soon good by to the distortions that gave us an advantage in China, that were also hugely expanded by the Dragon Year child boom. As property comes off the boil, logs exports will fall too, given that many logging firms are now sold off to overseas owners…

        Anyway the rot continues. And here’s the advice. Bring it on. The sooner NZ wakes up to the fact that the National party represents the back stabbing cheapshakes that they are, the sooner we will have change, and the way to do that is to demand even greater impositions on workers. The last thing we need is Key to govern for all NZ, what he means is he will paste over the problems as they come up.

    • smokeskreen 3.2
      22 September 2014 at 11:29 am

      Try zero hours contracts that many multi nationals have introduced overseas!

      • joe90 3.2.1
        22 September 2014 at 11:58 am

        We have zero hour contracts in the meat industry where after a period of penance workers sacked by Talleys for violating on site codes are reemployed as on-call casuals.

        • ghostwhowalksnz 3.2.1.1
          22 September 2014 at 12:49 pm

          Zero hours casual means you wont know what hours you get ‘that day’ till you get the call.
          Dont even think about being unavailable for that day

          • KJT 3.2.1.1.1
            22 September 2014 at 3:00 pm

            Already in most ports. The reason behind the Auckland lockout.

            Also for many retail workers.

            • bad politics 3.2.1.1.1.1
              22 September 2014 at 3:56 pm

              NZ Post posties too, have “Oncalls” that don’t know if they get any work til they get a phone call 6am in the morning, & then they might only get 4 or so hours for the whole week!

              Plus no sick, no holiday pay etc…

    • Psycho Milt 3.3
      22 September 2014 at 12:28 pm

      What is next?

      Sick leave?

      Holiday Pay?

      At will employment?

      The right to be paid in money?

      The party of the employers will put as many of those on the agenda as it thinks it can get away with. The question is, how many does it think it can get away with? It has a majority, but there’s always the next election to consider – it’s hard to say, but I expect we’ll be all the way back to the Employment Contracts Act before Labour gets in again.

    • Peanut horse-fart a donkey 3.4
      23 September 2014 at 1:13 am

      As if major employers are going to be taking those out of job contracts. NZ may have unemployment, but a significant part of it is structural and the competition for more skilled labour is very real. Besides, casual part time work being subject to some vicious labour laws is just an expense that’s ultimately taken out of wages. It’s time it needs reviewing, but radically changing the law would be railroading: something the Nats have learned not to do.

    • Mr Grumpy 3.5
      23 September 2014 at 4:12 pm

      THe “Right” as you call it don’t want stop you having smoke breaks they just you to be flexible when you take them. So how about telling the real story

  4. cogito 4
    22 September 2014 at 9:54 am

    ….. not to mention a great smokescreen in the form of a referendum on the flag!

    “We want to have the referendum and I want to embark on the referendum relatively quickly,” he says.
    “I want that issue dealt with in 2015. New Zealanders either need to decide yes or no, and we need to give them a proper, thorough constitutional process.” ”
    http://www.3news.co.nz/politics/keys-priorities-economy-education-and-the-flag-2014092209

    This National government is going to be the worse yet as Key gets hell-bent on leaving his mark on NZ.

    • yeshe 4.1
      22 September 2014 at 10:18 am

      Well, the words are a first for Key but of course this is likely the only thing in his coming rule that will receive “a proper, thorough constitutional process”.

      sigh …

      • cogito 4.1.1
        22 September 2014 at 10:57 am

        Agreed.

        The “constitutional process” will be a great cover and diversion, allowing Key to slip in all manner of extremist reforms while people are busy arguing about the union jack and whether they want the kiwi or the silver fern or the maui dolphin on our flag.

        And he’ll get away with it too.

    • Jones 4.2
      22 September 2014 at 10:53 am

      That’s one referendum I won’t vote on. Given the plethora of more important problems and issues facing this country… the flag debate is NOT one of them. It will be used as a smokescreen to pass some legislation that the Government knows to be unpalatable to the electorate.

      • cogito 4.2.1
        22 September 2014 at 11:02 am

        Exactly.

        Funny how I don’t recall any mention of the flag issue during the election campaign…. drowned out by dirty politics….???? LOL.

        How many other things got conveniently drowned out that will now appear as top priorities.

      • Hanswurst 4.2.2
        23 September 2014 at 1:02 am

        In the lead-up to that referendum, whenever it does take place, there should be large ads online, in papers and all over the place, reading:

        There’s a referendum on our flag next Tuesday…

        … or was it Wednesday… or Monday?

        … Meh. Something like that.

        John Key, concentrating on the issues that don’t matter to you since 2007.

  5. fambo 5
    22 September 2014 at 10:10 am

    A lot of National Party voters are about to lose their right to a tea break. I don’t want to hear any of them complain.

  6. Puckish Rogue 6
    22 September 2014 at 10:16 am

    I fervently hope what you say is true but the sad fact is John Key has taken National to the center and thats where his greatest strength is

    I do realise that your looking at what he’ll do through your own eyes

    ie if the left got in they’d gut everything Nationals done so of course you expect National to go rampant but thats why the left did so poorly this election because you don’t know what NZ wants

    • millsy 6.1
      22 September 2014 at 10:18 am

      So you do want to get rid of paid sick leave?

      • Puckish Rogue 6.1.1
        22 September 2014 at 12:02 pm

        I’m surprised at such a restrained question, why not ask if I support slavery as well
        🙂

        • Psycho Milt 6.1.1.1
          22 September 2014 at 12:30 pm

          Unusually for millsy, it’s a fair question. Just how far would you like to see a government strip workers of their current rights? Why would sick leave be sacred if the 40-hour week isn’t?

          • Puckish Rogue 6.1.1.1.1
            22 September 2014 at 12:38 pm

            John Key is a centrist that leans right, he won’t remove WFF and hes not going to remove sick leave

            • Puckish Rogue 6.1.1.1.1.1
              22 September 2014 at 1:13 pm

              Sorry should have mentioned I also don’t want to get rid of paid sick leave

              • One Anonymous Bloke …
                22 September 2014 at 2:20 pm

                Don’t worry, PR, you’ll realise that sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to from time to time when John explains it to you. Or doesn’t, but smiles, and waves.

                Your principles will prove worthless. Non existent, in fact, eh.

                • Puckish Rogue …
                  22 September 2014 at 3:03 pm

                  I’d take to heart what you said except that I’m just really happy with the result of the election 🙂

                  The election result I predicted I might add

            • Tracey 6.1.1.1.1.2
              22 September 2014 at 1:36 pm

              he is self centred and leans toward his personal self interest.

  7. weka 7
    22 September 2014 at 10:18 am

    I know the specials aren’t in but can someone please clarify. Can National govern on its own or does it need support from ACT/UF/Mp?

    • Lanthanide 7.1
      22 September 2014 at 11:36 am

      121 seats required a majority of 61, which they have in Nat MPs alone.

      They’re stringing in the other parties to ward off two problems:
      1. Short-term, the specials could give Greens another MP at the expense of National
      2. Medium-long term, they don’t want to be held hostage to a single defecting MP, a la Brendan Horan.

      • Enough is Enough 7.1.1
        22 September 2014 at 11:40 am

        They have essentially got the Act vote as well.

        That chap won’t have a clue what to do and the only reason he is there is because Key allowed him to win.

        The Nats will babysit him and slap him around if he dares to vote for anything other than them.

      • alwyn 7.1.2
        22 September 2014 at 12:16 pm

        Short term it is more likely that another Green MP would be at the expense of Labour.
        You also suggest that Brendan Horan defected. He didn’t, Winnie kicked him out of their caucus and he wouldn’t resign. It isn’t quite the same thing.

  8. millsy 8
    22 September 2014 at 10:37 am

    Once Was Pete, etc — do you support the right of workers do join a trade union and bargain collectively?

    Do you support sick leave and holiday pay?

    If National put forward a bill banning trade unions would you support it.

    • Once was Pete 8.1
      22 September 2014 at 11:36 am

      If they want to they can. I would not be in favour of making membership compulsory.
      I doubt you would find 1/100 people who would advocate for a reduction in employees rights. I am not one of those people. I see employment as a partnership where each is treated with respect, and mutual obligations are met. Old fashioned idea, but it works.
      No, I would not support a bill to ban trade unions. Why would anyone do that? Are they seditious? Are they breaking the law? Do they deal drugs, corrupt our children etc etc.
      Just because someone wants to reform something eg RMA, union voting rights in Labour party etc doesn’t mean they want to do way with it.

      • millsy 8.1.1
        22 September 2014 at 11:39 am

        Well if people want to weaken them, like you, it is just as good as doing away with them.

        Did you support Rogernomics?

        • Once was Pete 8.1.1.1
          22 September 2014 at 3:28 pm

          If legislators took your view no Act of parliament would ever be changed, and that is clearly nonsense. I am in favour of any measure that streamlines the process and removes cost. That does not necessarily weaken it. At the moment the RMA is used by inefficient council staff to obfuscate and delay. Unfortunately too many of our elected council members do not have the intellectual horsepower to find their way through the morass.
          Rogernomics was 20 years ago, and I like many others voted for David Lange. I am not going to go around in sack cloth and ashes apologising for it.
          You might also like to reflect on the fact that it was Muldoon’s (worst PM in history) excesses which paved the way for Rogernomics. he left the country broken.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 8.1.1.1.1
            22 September 2014 at 3:41 pm

            Look everybody: a conspiracy theorist who think Council employees are plotting against him.

            Point and laugh 😆

          • millsy 8.1.1.1.2
            22 September 2014 at 3:44 pm

            The RMA is so people like you cant just go around turning our national parks into parking lots.

            And Muldoon was a great PM. No child poverty when he was PM. We got to own some good assets too.

          • ma rohemo 8.1.1.1.3
            23 September 2014 at 12:58 pm

            “worst PM in history”

            Give history a little time. We have a new contender.

  9. Annie 9
    22 September 2014 at 11:45 am

    National need to appoint a Speaker, so if it is one of their own MPs, they’ll have to get at least one of their little friends to support them.

    • alwyn 9.1
      22 September 2014 at 12:18 pm

      You appear to be assuming that the Speaker can’t vote. In that you are wrong. The Speaker’s vote can be cast and is counted like any other MP’s since MMP was introduced 18 years ago.

  10. Tracey 10
    22 September 2014 at 11:48 am

    jason ede resigned. announced by key even though key hasnt had anything to do with him for years.

    so an ede story came out 2 days after the election…

    key wants act so he can pretend they are behind some policies but its all nats

    key is back to making mugs of the voters

  11. adam 11
    22 September 2014 at 12:07 pm

    This is were national will go – once they introduce the TPP, were going that way.

    Goodbye co-operative NZ, was nice knowing you,
    Goodbye freedom, was good having you,
    Goodbye liberty, you were such a wonderful dream.

  12. higherstandard 12
    22 September 2014 at 12:08 pm

    Will this be like the odious lurch to the right that was heralded by the lefty parties and activists after the last election in 2011 ?

    Did it ever eventuate ?

    I really do despair about the blog sites and activist base on the left, the only thing that gives me some hope are sites like the dimpost, psychomilt’s musings and reflective commentators like r0b. Sadly they’re drowned up by the lunatics at the Daily blog and many of the frothing activist masses.

    • millsy 12.1
      22 September 2014 at 12:19 pm

      They are in the process of kicking thousands of state housing tenants out, a lot of them will simply not be able to find or afford accomodation in the private sector.

    • Tracey 12.2
      22 September 2014 at 12:26 pm

      examine employment law changes betw 2008 and 2014.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 12.3
      22 September 2014 at 3:43 pm

      a lot of them will simply not be able to find or afford accommodation

      …and some will die. Abuse of power doesn’t just kill hope and civility.

    • framu 12.4
      22 September 2014 at 4:05 pm

      “Did it ever eventuate ?”

      it does take more than one term to skin an ideological cat

      considering that theyve essentially tried to pick things up from where shipley put them – who picked them up from ruth richardson – who was handed them by rodger douglas, and they all pretty freely admit that what they really want takes quite a bit of time – even if you rush through a whole bunch of stuff – “Did it ever eventuate ?” is somewhat missing the point and timeline

      the lack of historical and chronological context in NZ is a big problem when trying to understand the “why” of political policy. If we dont look at what people of the same group have done or pushed for before, if we dont examine a parties base ideology, and if we dont look at how one policy fits into a much longer narrative we will always be easily tricked by anyone

  13. philj 13
    22 September 2014 at 12:17 pm

    It’s ‘ business as usual ‘ folks. Welcome to NZ Inc.
    George Carlin – ” The planet is fine, it’s been around for over 4 billion years …… it will shake off the human race like a dog shakes off a bad dose of fleas “

  14. Jeg 14
    22 September 2014 at 12:19 pm

    Shifting the centre is nothing new – it’s what effective governments do. Working For Families, for example, was seen as quite left when introduced, but by the time Labour had positioned the policy it was centred enough for National to have to continue it. “The centre” is not an unchaning location.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 14.1
      22 September 2014 at 12:43 pm

      The notion that there is a “centre” between evidence based policy that focusses on positive outcomes for as many as possible, and evidence free ideology as a mask for greed, is beyond stupid.

      We have a bought government run by criminals. What “centre”?

  15. ghostwhowalksnz 15
    22 September 2014 at 12:55 pm

    Key mentioned ‘Speech from Throne’ in october.

    Is this significant, as parliament would normally do a quicky meet up after election and then close down for Xmas.

    yes the election is a bit early, but gives them 6 weeks to do some nasty things before hoping every one tunes out for Xmas.

    I reckon its the blitzkreig of policies that havent told us about before the election

    • Skinny 15.1
      22 September 2014 at 1:34 pm

      I pinned down one of their retiring MP’s 3 weeks ago about policy. Like where & what are National policies? The smart arse let out enough of an indication “Oh we have a plan alright.” I replied “yeah I am well aware you lot do ya just don’t want to share it prior to voting.”

      He laughed and said ” yeah you got it.”

      Makes me sick some of their rightwing lobbyist’s come out of the woodwork today. The usual suspects like Kim Campbell of the EMA and Phil O’Reilly Business sector. The Trucking Lobby Group would have made it a treble of trouble they must have been busy feeding Brownlee at a brunch function.

  16. Mike 16
    22 September 2014 at 1:17 pm

    Here’s hoping. We have had 6 years of Labour Lite run by National – now we want some meaningful reform.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 16.1
      22 September 2014 at 1:21 pm

      Join the Mongrel Mob: they have your sort of “reforms” down pat.

      • Skinny 16.1.1
        22 September 2014 at 1:44 pm

        +1 Haha classic! go to a pad up North Mike. There is bound to be a few Mana members who will be in a pleasant mood to greet you!

  17. Jonathan 17
    22 September 2014 at 1:30 pm

    It does seem funny that the very first day back at work after the election that myself and all my other work mates are given new contracts to sign.
    Might need to do a thorough read.

  18. RRM 18
    22 September 2014 at 2:03 pm

    “Lurch to the right begins”…?

    Good.

    I believe the word for it is democracy.

    We won.

    You lost.

    Eat that 🙂

    • One Anonymous Bloke 18.1
      22 September 2014 at 2:05 pm

      What Bev Wakem said.

    • Stephanie Rodgers 18.2
      22 September 2014 at 2:07 pm

      It’s not democracy if you lurch to the right while claiming you’re not lurching to the right.

      • Blue 18.2.1
        22 September 2014 at 2:25 pm

        If the voters want National to govern (and they clearly did – voting to have them govern alone if they saw fit), dont you believe that is a democratic choice? BTW it is democracy to claim you’re not lurching to the right, because it is a perspective on your part, an from your opinion. The Labour Party to an ACT supporter look like slavering marxists, and ACT would look like gun toting red necks to a Mana supporter. Just because you beleive something from your perspective doesnt make it true.

        • cogito 18.2.1.1
          22 September 2014 at 2:50 pm

          @Blue.

          How patronising.

          • Blue 18.2.1.1.1
            22 September 2014 at 3:58 pm

            Really? How so? I find anyone attributing a ‘lack of democracy’ to anything they disagree with childish. If a left wing Government was elected on a centrist platform and then moved further left would you still cry your tears?

            • framu 18.2.1.1.1.1
              22 September 2014 at 4:10 pm

              ” If a left wing Government was elected on a centrist platform and then moved further left would you still cry your tears?”

              bet you wouldnt call it democracy would you – of course you wouldnt

              so – if your being honest you will admit that national has tried to portray itself as center/center-right. And thats what people voted in.

              So yes a lurch to the right would be deeply undemocratic because no one voted for an extremist hard right govt to the point that gained that kind of platform a mandate

              its not childish – its fact

              • Blue …
                22 September 2014 at 4:17 pm

                You are assuming an “extremist right wing government” is what the majority of people voted for. You must not have been paying attention for the last six years. I know its your perception, but that doesnt make it so.

                A working majority in an MMP environment is a “mandate”, particulalry if a coalition is unnecessary to govern. National has a majority without any other parties. How is that not a mandate? If it was another Party (say Labour) in the same position would you not think they had a mandate? I cant follow your logic.

                • framu …
                  22 September 2014 at 4:31 pm

                  no – i said people voted for a center/center right govt – that was the sales speech the nats put forward

                  “so – if your being honest you will admit that national has tried to portray itself as center/center-right. And thats what people voted in. ”

                  go back and read it again

                  i will make it really simple for you

                  1) NZ elected what was portrayed and advertised as a center/center right govt – yes/no?

                  2) If that govt then lurches hard right that is then anti democratic – yes/no?

                  to make it even easier – heres you agreeing with me up thread …
                  “If a left wing Government was elected on a centrist platform and then moved further left would you still cry your tears?”

                  please dont make me explain this very simple set of sentences again

                  • Blue …
                    22 September 2014 at 4:35 pm

                    I didnt agree with you, its called an analogy. Either way you didnt answer the question. Would it be undemocratic for a centrist left wing Govt to move further left after an election? If they did, I dont think that’s undemocractic, especially if they have a mandate froim being able to Govern alone.

                    • framu …
                      22 September 2014 at 4:52 pm

                      OK – for the last time for the slow table – the issue being discussed is a party elected on a centre/center right platform going hard right – not a little bit right, but hard right.

                      If i sold you a flat screen TV but it turned out to be one of those clunky rear projection ones would you want your money back? – i reckon you would

                      yes your comment is an analogy – but are you saying you wrote that with absolutely no suggested answer? – why the hell did you put it there if not to suggest something?

                      and yes i did answer your question – i answered it in my first reply to you by outlining that a party elected for centrist platform who then goes hard right or left is being undemocratic

                      Obviously this applies to all parties

                      So – are you saying that a party that outright deceives the electorate by selling a fake or neutered policy platform only to then change to something far more radical, that they know is unpopular is a democratic and correct thing for a party to do? Do you really have no problem with that?

                      a simple yes/no will suffice

                • framu …
                  22 September 2014 at 5:04 pm

                  me – “so – if your being honest you will admit that national has tried to portray itself as center/center-right. And thats what people voted in. ”

                  you – “You are assuming an “extremist right wing government” is what the majority of people voted for.”

                  hey blue – just so we dont have to do this again. Do you see where youve utterly mis-interpreted what im saying?

                  Please read all the words before responding – no one likes repeating themselves

          • Mike 18.2.1.1.2
            23 September 2014 at 5:06 am

            Cogito
            No not patronising..true

        • KJT 18.2.1.2
          22 September 2014 at 2:54 pm

          Com-on. Key is the reasonable smokescreen for the hard right policies, just as David Lange was.

          He was head hunted to be the personable face of the National (Corporate takeover) party when both Brash and ACT proved to be unelectable, as too many people were fully aware of their polices.

          National is now seeking to do the same things, but gradually and under the radar. Like Ryalls successful deconstruction of our health system.

          If National had been open about what they are doing, and the effects on most of us, they would be as unelectable as the fruitcakes in ACT.

    • cogito 18.3
      22 September 2014 at 2:16 pm

      @RRM

      Your comment reeks of arrogance. Your leader said that arrogance will not be tolerated.

  19. Black Lemming 19
    22 September 2014 at 2:46 pm

    The greatest sleeper of the election and the greatest policy lurch to the right post election is the Trans Pacific Partnership .

    Wall street and the super rich of America having successfully bought US democracy to enhance corporate profits , and now wish to export the model to take over and control other countries democratic institutions to raise profitability further .

    The TTP is not a trade deal , its a covert takeover of our parliaments ability to make protective laws for its own citizens, workers , land , the financial system , public health , and the environment. The american greed virus.

    Is this to be John Keys finest achievement and ultimate political purpose ?

    To suggest he is a puppet of wall street would be incorrect , he is an integral part of that global elite ,with high level banking / political connections and a personal fortune in excess of $ 50 million.He is one of them.

    Under “certification ” US lawyers will help draft NZ legislation ,( and will even travel to Wellington if necessary to ” assist ” the drafting of legislation ), to make sure no Kiwi law undermines or reduces offshore corporate profits , which would be a contravention of the “trade Agreement “.

    The highjacking of our parliament by the high priests of globalisation is the ultimate in organised crime and John Keys National Govt is about to sell out his own countries sovereign independence to foreign corporate pirate raiders.

    Can this be stopped ? Short answer ; no.

    1. A left block victory would have stopped this.

    2.A National lead Govt with Winston as King maker could have constrained this .

    3. A National governing alone with unbridled power means they can pass it any time they want.

    It tragically appears we may end up losing a great deal more than an election .

    • KJT 19.1
      22 September 2014 at 2:58 pm

      Forget the politicians, and forget waiting for “our” turn in Dictatorship. What we need to build is grass roots movements to oppose the ongoing destruction, NOW!

      Many people are opposed to a great many of Nationals policies. Even people who voted for them.

      As the effects become more apparent the movement will build.

      Oppose policies individually for the next three years and do not depend on Government to do the right thing.

    • Melb 19.2
      22 September 2014 at 11:11 pm

      >A left block victory would have stopped this.

      No it wouldn’t have. Labour’s position was “it sounds concerning, but we want to see what’s in it first. They would have continued to negotiate it, and pass with votes from National.

      >The TTP is not a trade deal , its a covert takeover of our parliaments ability to make protective laws for its own citizens, workers , land , the financial system , public health , and the environment. The american greed virus.

      Did it escape your notice that the drafts on wikileaks showed NZ opposed to these sorts of clauses?

  20. coolas 20
    22 September 2014 at 4:05 pm

    With an absolute majority Nats will continue to undo the achievements of the last Labour Govt and I reckon there’s an element of spite in their gusto to gut the ECA, RMA, LGA – all far sighted legislation to protect workers rights, the environment, and localized participatory democracy.

    Key asked his MP’s to avoid arrogance but can’t see the likes of Tolley, Brownlee, Bridges, and Paraata heeding his call. Education is in for an especially rough ride with divisive performance pay policy implemented, and everyone who has to work multiple jobs to make ends meet will get no relief from secondary tax rates.

    Here in HB there’s talk of the Port being sold off to pay for the Ruataniwha dam and they could do that through legislation. And repeat the model throughout the country. Providing investment opportunities for the portfolios of the wealthy, as with energy company PPP’s, will be a priority.

    Legitmisation of greed is what will characterise National’s third term.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 20.1
      22 September 2014 at 4:11 pm

      They will spend a considerable amount of time embedding criminal associates in public bodies, and running hate-based attacks on those brave souls who refuse to follow orders.

      • Naki man 20.1.1
        22 September 2014 at 9:19 pm

        You are confused this is National not the dirty politics of the left.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 20.1.1.1
          23 September 2014 at 1:48 pm

          And yet the Labour Party is not subject to three official investigations (and the Prime Minister’s Clayton’s whitewash) at the moment, and the National Party is.

          Funny that.

  21. dave 21
    22 September 2014 at 4:14 pm

    Well the bastards should have voted this is what they wanted I have no sympathy left to hell with them I don’t how times I heard while canvasing we don’t vote well fuck them they were warned. See how they like it with there incomes cut
    Zero hour contracts benefit cuts no breaks and no show of getting a
    Pay crime will sore as will violence but he they have there beloved leader

  22. infused 22
    22 September 2014 at 4:16 pm

    You’re not going to see it. I put $100 on it. Key wants a 4th term. Maybe then, but not in this term.

    • Blue 22.1
      22 September 2014 at 4:28 pm

      Agree totally, Infused. At the risk of using a naughty word, I think the hysteria about the election result from the left is ridiculous. It was such a hammering I think folk are a bit bewildered by it all. The people have spoken, democracy has run its course, and the result is what it is. Of course noone is saying you have to be happy, but the speculation that National will be implementing harsh and unforgiving legislation is laughable. Key is too smart for that, this also explains his victory. Examining why the left message is so unpalatable to the majority of New Zealanders might be the more valuable path.

      The sooner Key’s opponents realise how much a smart operator he is, the sooner they might get some traction. You have to admit he’s a very smart operator. I don’t think Mana and the German having the “moment of truth” helped anyones cause – Labours included. Key handled that with aplomb, dismissed it, treated it and the messangers with contempt and the public agreed. It had as much impact as a deflated ballon at a 5 year olds birthday.

      When people start throwing shit around many others get splattered.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 22.1.1
        22 September 2014 at 4:33 pm

        “…democracy has run its course…”

        Meanwhile, on Earth, democracy is considerably more than a box-ticking exercise.

        Do you think the National Party will succeed in destroying Beverley Wakem before she exposes their criminal behaviour, or will they focus on intimidating and undermining witnesses?

      • framu 22.1.2
        22 September 2014 at 4:42 pm

        History is against a 4th term – and all politicians know this deeply. Sure they will try for it, but they will definately be dusting of the bucket list this time round. Any party would be doing exactly the same.

        ———————-
        “Key handled that with aplomb,”

        i dont call changing your story every day for 4 days, starting with – “its bullshit” and ending up at “yeah hes right but semantics” as handling with aplomb

        he behaved like a child whos been caught

        ——————-
        most of know key is a smart operator – thats how hes got most of NZ thinking hes not hard right

        thats not to say there wasnt major fuck ups from certain people on the left and from labour.

        Key regularly lies, makes mistakes and treats the public and govt convention with outright contempt – really obviouslly as well – he doesnt even hide it. But for some reason his supporters and the MSM dont see or even care – thats what confuses the left.

        Its not Keys ability to deceive – its your weird ability to keep believing despite evidence

        • cogito 22.1.2.1
          22 September 2014 at 5:22 pm

          Key taps into that part of the kiwi psyche that admires someone who is a lying sob and yet manages to get away with it and stay ahead of the game.

        • infused 22.1.2.2
          22 September 2014 at 9:18 pm

          History is against increasing your support in a 3rd term as well.

          • framu 22.1.2.2.1
            23 September 2014 at 7:58 am

            true enough – but that doesnt make my first point wrong in any way

            do you think the nats are going to sit on their backsides waiting for the maybe of a 4th term?

            • infused 22.1.2.2.1.1
              23 September 2014 at 1:52 pm

              If their result was lower, I think you may be right. With what’s happening in Labour, I really think a 4th is quite high.

      • Richard 22.1.3
        22 September 2014 at 9:10 pm

        Give me a break Blue. Talk reality. Three months of pure bias towards National by all MSM won the election. the people are so dumb they took it all in without question.

        Resign Cunliffe from Armstrong in the herald over an 11 year old letter was one example, but all the dirty politics and bad press for national was overlooked and labelled dirty politics by the loony left. Please go talk shit elsewhere I am not in the mood to hear twaddle from some gloating scumbag who hasn’t got a blardy clue.

        You know it. Fact is the rich media owners support Corporate government and cabinet club must be so awesome.

        Where my bloody invite I pay taxes. That their isn’t democratic at all and should be highly highly ill blardy legal. Fancy giving a section of the population preferred treatment and access to ministers 24/7.

        Hey isn’t it time you got back to labelling labour the queer party? We know how you Blues like to play name calling kiddie games.

        • framu 22.1.3.1
          23 September 2014 at 7:59 am

          “Three months of pure bias towards National by all MSM won the election”

          try 6 or 7 years

          while not the only factor (by a long shot) the media have a hell of a lot to answer for – the way theyve conducted themselves the last few years is utterly unacceptable – regardless of whos in govt

  23. Dramaticus 23
    22 September 2014 at 6:26 pm

    If Key and his fascists take my smoko break I will go to Wellington and kick his arse
    When hes shorn sheep on a 12hr day then he will Know that a smoko break is earned, its not a cuppa with the Queen

    [lprent: No threats of violence on this site please. Or you will have to give up writing here. ]

    • Richard 23.1
      22 September 2014 at 9:13 pm

      Think that’s a figure of speech Lprent. I don’t think he meant it literally mate.

      [lprent: Do I care? Write the words and start praying you can write here again. I have no particular wish to spend MY time talking to police about threats made by thoughtless fuckwits. It is simplier to just give them a permanent ban. Having unthinking fools like you wasting my time explaining the obvious just makes the easy option look easier.. ]

  24. venezia 24
    22 September 2014 at 8:06 pm

    Well – its already started. I saw for the first time a job position advertised in a shop window at my local mall titled “On Call Position”. I went inside and asked (‘on behalf of a friend’) what were the regular hours. The answer was that it is an ” on call position”; You only get paid if you are called up. In other words a Zero Hours contract.

    • Richard 24.1
      22 September 2014 at 9:19 pm

      Advertisement like that in the south Waikato news every week. on call job . no hours, no promises, like why would you bother? unless your retired and looking for a few extra dollars.

      Thing is all this casual hours work isn’t going to get bill and ben newly married through the mortgage checklist is it. Thanks god I have a full time permanent job, made it through a very worry some 90 day trial. I have been there almost 1.5 years and if I’m good and work hard another three maybe i’ll even get a wage rise above 16.75 I’m on now. Frankly 16.75 and only 40 hours, single, mortgaged I barely , I mean barely, keep this place from going mortgagee. I really should give up the smokes but heck I need some stress relief from all the final demand letters.

  25. Lloyd 25
    22 September 2014 at 9:06 pm

    The interesting thing about the push for “RMA reform” is it usually comes from people who are complaining about their local district plan. The more you gut the RMA , the more likely you are to end up with capricious local rules that will increase costs for developers trying to make “one product fits all” housing. In the meantime the lawyers will have a ball litigating the new rules.
    Introducing more National Environmental Standards would make the life simpler for business and strengthen the RMA, but don’t hold your breath awaiting a bunch of useful NES from the gnats.

  26. Jrobin 26
    22 September 2014 at 11:45 pm

    I am almost looking forward to the howls of betrayal when the dear father substitute turns into the rapacious cold eyed figure standing behind the nice smiley chap. National voters, there was a reason they announced no policies except the freindly sounding ones they stole from Labour and the Greens. These are their real policies which Key has already announced today.
    RMA reforms;read pillage our natural resources for overseas interests.
    Labour reforms, read maximise exploitation of ‘human resources’ again to keep corporates happy.
    Welfare Reforms, read starve more people, forces wages down, persecute solo parents.
    Education Reforms, install a toady class of tame right leaning teachers to hector the rest of the inferior unionised rebels and intensify competition between and inside schools.
    Then will come Bill English’s ‘something special’promised us by the dear leader: “the most profound reforms to the public service that NZ has ever seen”. At a candidates meeting in Dunedin Michael Woodhouse stated and this is not hyperbole “what I consider to be public services are street lights” !! You poor naive fools. I kep singing the National Anthem to myself to ward off the demons “God defend New Zealand”.

  27. Wayne 27
    23 September 2014 at 5:38 am

    Jrobin

    If it is as bad as you imagine (or worse) you can repeal with all with the triumphant incoming Labour/Green Govt of 2017.

    Or alternatively John Key is smart enough to work what he needs to do (and not do) to gain a 4th term win.

    You work out which is more likely.

    • framu 27.1
      23 September 2014 at 8:03 am

      wow – condescending much wayne?

      just when did you turn into gossman?

      i thought cult members werent allowed off the compound?

      Thats what the nats and its supporters are now under key – a cult

  28. sabine 28
    23 September 2014 at 7:22 am

    our young ones already are on 0 hours.
    our admin workers already eat the lunch on the desk while working
    our full time jobs are already being replaced by casual and temps
    this is just formalizing what has been happening to NZ for some time now.

    so again same as with the schools
    and any other piece of unpleasant legislation.
    if people moan about it….remind them that they voted National and that they own all the decisions they make.
    Remind the non-voters that they essentially voted National and that they own the decisions National is going to make.
    Remind the Greens that next time Dunne is the only vote to pass controversial Legislation that they own that one.

    i for once will let those that I know have voted for National know that they own it. Every single bit of legislation that comes through

    YOU OWN IT.

    This is not time to be polite.

  29. TheBlackKitten 29
    23 September 2014 at 9:09 am

    I would agree with this but the problem Key has, if he puts any right wing policy in place that harms middle NZ he will loose their vote that is mainly responsible for the 48% result he achieved on Saturday night. Labour would then win the next election & simply reverse any right winged policies implemented. What does National or the right wing gain from this? Not much really. Any policies Key implements, he must ensure they don’t upset middle NZ too much.

  30. Melanie Scott 30
    23 September 2014 at 10:09 am

    Not sure it would be easy to reverse the TPP once its in place. Have been re-reading Matt Taibbi’s Griftopia over the weekend, just to make myself more depressed. Everyone should read it, along with Dirty Politics.
    Lots of Australians are concerned about the number of farms being sold to foreigners, mainly the Chinese. Australian farmers have been having a really hard time in recent years, and rather than go broke many are quite keen to sell. I would expect this to become quite common here too, once dairy farmers’ payouts sink and their banks start phoning them.

  31. Sable 31
    23 September 2014 at 10:10 am

    Personally I wont be sticking around if it gets too ugly. I think the real bugbear is going to be the TPPA. Should be interesting to see what happens there…

  32. Len 32
    23 September 2014 at 1:25 pm

    The Nats are a right wing party that has colonised the centre ground which is ever shifting.
    The lurch to right that is to be feared is that of Labour, if the opponents of David Cunliffe get their way. The simplistic idea, expressed most banally by Stuart Nash, that the centre is where we have to go to get the centre back – “dump those who complain and get those who work hard to get where they are” was his mantra – will take Labour back to the future. We are in the process of dumping neo-liberalism and getting back to genuine Labour values of justice, fairness and equality. To backtrack now will destroy Labour as an alternative to National, and it will fail because why would people want to vote for a copy-cat Nat-lite party when they can have the real thing.
    No, Labour has to be the genuine alternative to the consumption-based, profit-driven, environment-destroying system that the Nats want to maintain and expand. The centre-ground will shift to us when they believe our alternative has credibility and connection with the real problems besetting them and their world. This is a task that takes time and patience and dedication. Panic measures are not in order and neither is a right-wing takeover of the Labour Party.

  33. RRM 33
    23 September 2014 at 1:35 pm

    Lurch to the right?

    Good.

    We won. You lost. Eat that.