The more things change

Written By: - Date published: 6:32 pm, June 21st, 2010 - 33 comments
Categories: Media - Tags:

C. Colin Espiner (today):

And it’s not appropriate for a politician to be a protester, either.

Russel needs to choose, just as his colleagues have done. Sue Bradford was a veteran activist and protester, but she put down the megaphone during her years in Parliament.

NZ Herald (2000):

Possibly the last thing New Zealand needs right now is for one of its MPs to be on the CNN satellite news service as a voice of the protests outside the World Economic Forum at Melbourne.

Sue Bradford, as New Zealanders know, is well accustomed to the role of speaking for street protests. But those around the world who caught her comments on television yesterday would have noted only that she was a member of New Zealand’s Parliament. She and her Green Party colleague Nandor Tanczos ought to have considered their position as MPs before they went to join the melee in Melbourne.

I guess there are two things we can take from this:

one: Despite his flash new job Colin can’t even get basic facts right in his “specialty” subject.

two: The establishment media have always put trade ahead of freedom of speech.

33 comments on “The more things change ”

  1. Tigger 1

    Did he say any of this when Nats were driving tractors up Parliament step and waving those vile ‘mad cow’ placards?

    • Fred 1.1

      Mad cow placards v2.0 coming to NZ parliament steps tomorrow Tuesday 22nd

    • ghostwhowalksnz 1.2

      Espiner mentioned the Ardern tractor protest in his ‘final’ column. Go figure

  2. logie97 2

    Given Smile and Wave doesn’t appear to have a point of view about the plight of Tibetans, and couldn’t recall having a position on the ’81 tour, I think we can anticipate that he will welcome the 1981 Springbok Old Boys next year. (What are the odds he will apologise to them as well.) Watch this space.

    • His statement about the Springbok tour convinced me that he was and is a liar. I can remember with exquisite detail the dates of different games, protests, meetings that I attended and the colours of various squads of police officers who brutalised protesters. I can recall clearly the test matches, especially the Auckland one, the flour bombing of the field and the bashing of the clowns.

      For John to not remember this suggests one of the following:

      1. His memory is severely deficient. He should seek IHC assistance immediately.
      2. He spent 1981 in a cave in a foreign country without access to any media.
      3. He is lying.

      • Lanthanide 2.1.1

        Or, actually, none of the 3 options you’ve listed, and he just genuinely doesn’t remember because he wasn’t much interested in it at the time.

  3. American Gardener 3

    This isn’t really about trade versus freedom of speech : its about politicians maintaining respect for the position by not bringing it into ill repute. That means no Groser’s draining the mini bar at the taxpayers expense, no Jones watching porn on the company credit card and no protesting while an MP. If Norman wants to protest he should resign or wait till he is out of parliament.

    • Macro 3.1

      Absolute tosh! The reputation of Parliament was enhanced! Those thugs from China need to be told we don’t agree with their lack of human rights and the only one doing it, it seems, was Russel.

    • Matt 3.2

      How is being an MP contrary to taking part in a protest?? I am amazed its even being questioned, as long as he is not grossly breaking the law (I get the impression from one of the Standard writers that legality gets bendy when police deal with protesters) and he isn’t breaching cabinet responsibility its fine. In fact, considering his and his party’s position on the issue I’d be pretty disappointed if he wasn’t protesting. Geez, get off the pompous ill informedness and do some research about what representative democracy is all about.

  4. it’s not appropriate for a politician to be a protester

    WTF!? what a cock. Espiner should be ashamed of himself.

    This isn’t really about trade versus freedom of speech

    No, actually that’s exactly what this is about, and it’s exactly why corporate media are so keen to villify Norman over this (and anything else he might do that could reduce their profits).

  5. American Gardener 5

    Politicians have access to channels of communication ordinary people don’t. It is uneccessary and rather egotistical for them to protest. No doubt for Green and Maori MP’s it is mana building to protest but it is very tacky.

    • spoken like a true bourgeoise twat

      • IrishBill 5.1.1

        They do have channels ordinary people don’t. In this case Norman was able to protest where ordinary people couldn’t. If you think he would have had a chance for a more formal channel of communication you are wrong.

    • Macro 5.2

      “Politicians have access to channels of communication ordinary people don’t.”

      I wonder when the Chinese delegation were going to call on the Greens?

      “No doubt for Green and Maori MP’s it is mana building to protest but it is very tacky.

      The illegal occupation of Tibet by China is more than “Tacky” – but I guess you don’t care about that.

  6. American Gardener 6

    I would happy to see an entire army of greens protesting about Tibet but Russell has a position to uphold, he needs to act in a dignified manner.

    • Marty G 6.1

      like Shane Ardern and Bill English riding myrtle the tractor up Parliament’s steps and holding a sign saying ‘the mad cow shouldn’t have signed’?

      very dignified

      what about Key dancing at the big gay out or singing on the edge, or lying on TV about his Tranzrail shares or talking about his vasectomy? Dignified?

      Or is it only undignified when it’s your political opponents doing it?

      • American Gardener 6.1.1

        No Shane Ardern & Bill English were equally guilty of disrespecting the office they hold.

    • Puddleglum 6.2

      Is there something undignified about protesting?

      Or are there just certain kinds of protesting you find undignified?

      And, therefore, are you saying that the “entire army of greens” that you are keen to see protesting about Tibet would be acting in an undignified manner by doing you this service? (Or, that they wouldn’t be acting in an undignified manner because they aren’t MPs?)

  7. American Gardener 7

    I would happy to see an entire army of greens protesting about Tibet but Russell has a position to uphold, he needs to act in a dignified manner.

  8. tc 8

    Geez this is just sad…watching our ‘punch above our weight’ reputation been tossed on the fire for the sake of some shonky alliance or whatever with a nation that can’t be trusted.

    Nice to see the msm monkeys are doing their chimply best for the gov’t rather than pay attention to history/the facts/etc…..what do you expect from an Espiner anyway they are both featherweights.

  9. Fred 9

    I do find it slightly ironic that a Green MP is standing up for democratic rights when the eco-fascists such as James Lovelock are calling for a “suspension of democracy” to combat the “climate crisis”

    • Marty G 9.1

      why? James Lovelock doesn’t speak for the Green Party

      By your logic, I should damn Key on the basis of what Glenn Beck says.

      • American Gardener 9.1.1

        James Lovelock seems rather more qualified and less mentally unhinged than Glenn Beck.

  10. Marty G 10

    irish mate, did you realise this is the third post we’ve had titled ‘the more things change’? – very subtle irony. nice

  11. WOOF 11

    Woof! I think the guy’s barking mad 👿 How could be be so ruff on him. Of course Russel was
    howling, wouldn’t you! This guy is like a dog with a bone when it comes to this, if he had his way, we’d be sending Russel out into the doghouse! Methinks he’s being a mongrel. Woof! 😯

  12. Bunji 12

    I thought we were egalitarian in this society? Why should an MP be “too good” to protest?

    If you have principles like the Greens do, you do your best to act upon them. Russel won’t have got a meeting to quietly complain to the Chinese, and this will have been much more effective anyway. Why should we not upset militarist authoritarian thugs about their wrongdoings? Were we wrong to send a frigate to Mururoa in 1973? We have a long and proud history of official protest. We should always speak to power, not kow-tow.

    I don’t know how John Key can feel it is good to apologise to an aggressor for them having to assault a representative of the NZ people. Disgusting.

    • WOOF 12.1

      He can’t just submit and expect the rest of us to roll over and play dead! 👿 Especially since Russel was on his own territory.

    • fermionic_interference 12.2

      Does anyone notice any corollaries to Chamberlain ahead of WWII?
      To make this more obvious, bowing down to an aggressor?

  13. ianmac 13

    If Russel hadn’t protested, then Phil wouldn’t have have a reason to explain to the delegation the importance we place of freedom of speech. Phil must be pleased.

  14. WOOF 14

    He’s a good dawg 🙂

  15. Ron 15

    Espiner is wrong. Key is a gutless prick.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-28T09:49:15+00:00