The praiseworthy and the pitiful
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- Date published:
1:04 pm, February 20th, 2009 - 23 comments
Categories: the praiseworthy and the pitiful -
Tags: bill english, john key, Rodney Hide, Tony Ryall, tracy watkins, vernon small
The praiseworthy and the pitiful is our weekly post on the little things that caught our eye but didn’t lead to a full post. This week:
Tracy Watkins’ new blog A best of the political journos’ blogs I reckon. Watkins has been responding to comments, showing a bit of a sassy side, and her pieces aren’t too long. Funny (and sad) thing is that the best writing we se from the political journos is often on their blogs.
Vernon Small pieces on the Dom and Independent on global recession B+ First political journo I’ve seen trying to get to grips with the geo-political ramifications of the global recession. He correctly points out that the outlook for the Anglo hegemony is not good, he doesn’t look at the other side – the economic and political power that China will gain, right now they’re the only ones with lots of money and they’re using it to buy up major firms and resources in the rest of the world. Points off for writing “double plus bad”, correct Newspeak is ‘doubleplus ungood”‘.
National: “taking the sharpest edges off the recession” C All the Nat MPs are saying as often as possible that their policies are doing this. It’s one of those brilliant spin lines. It sounds good but what does it mean? What are these ‘sharpest edges’, are the policies really going to take them off, why not all the edges? No-one asks, of course. Wait for this to be picked up like ‘rolling maul’.
Hide attacking Auckland Regional Council for losing money on Beckham. C Higher points because its good, if petty, politics but ultimately a bad mark because, if you’re one of the few who still cares about our constitution, you won’t like seeing a Minister looking over a council’s shoulder and criticising their individual and minor spending decisions.
Bill ‘eyes on the ball’ English: “this Government is not preoccupied with all the details” F He goes on to explain that he doesn’t need information because he is too busy making decisions. Any idiot can make a decision, good decisions require good, detailed understanding of the situation.
Key and English when asked about conditions for bailing out firms “there would be a very high benchmark”, “there would be a high hurdle for any assistance” F-. Um, those.. those aren’t answers and we deserve to have them.
Tony Ryall justifying canceling pay-equality inquires because they will “generate an additional form of remuneration pressure that is unaffordable in the current economic and fiscal environment” Mega-fail Arguing sexism is necessary to save money. That’s a new low, almost a sacking offence I would have thought.
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- Govt move to exclude journalist risks chilling effect
The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. ...2 weeks ago
- Without action, an apology will be empty air
For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Concerns remain over tobacco interference
Concerns about the tobacco industry’s ability to interfere in government policy making remain, despite the inability of the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the Government’s decision to halve the excise tax on heated tobacco products. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent wake-up call on climate
The Climate Change Commission’s latest advice indicates Aotearoa needs to be stepping up on climate action. ...2 weeks ago
- Green MP’s Meme-ber’s Bill set to save the world
Break out the punchlines and dust off your meme folder: Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Ballot yesterday. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Poroporoaki: Ta Robert (Bom) Gillies
Kua hinga te manawa kairākau o Te Rua Tekau Ma Waru Tiwhatiwha te po! Kakarauru i te po! Ka rapuhia kei hea koe kua riro! Haere e te Ika a Whiro ki o tini hoa kua ngaro atu ki te Pō ...2 weeks ago
- Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principles Bill
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principle...
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ must pursue independent foreign policy
The Green Party says the need is greater than ever for Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue an independent foreign policy. ...2 weeks ago
- Child Protection Investigation Unit established
A new Child Protection Investigation Unit is being established to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children in care, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “The report released by the Royal Commission into abuse in state care shows us all the risk of not acting immediately when there are serious ...2 days ago - Speech at United States Business Summit 2024
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Ka mihi ki te mana whenua ko Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Kia ora and good morning everyone. Thank you Fran and Simon for inviting me here today, and importantly your leadership of this forum over several years now. I want to acknowledge David Gehrenbeck, Deputy ...2 days ago
- Record number of submissions received on granny flat proposal
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- District Court Judge appointed
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Rebecca Guthrie as a District Court Judge. Judge Guthrie was admitted to the bar in 1997 following her graduation from the University of Canterbury in 1996 (LLB, BA). She commenced her legal career in Hastings in 1997 before moving to London in ...2 days ago
- Appointments strengthen Predator Free 2050
The latest Predator Free 2050 Board appointments will help to strengthen biodiversity efforts across Aotearoa New Zealand, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. Mr Potaka today announced two appointments to the Board of Directors of Predator Free 2050 Limited, a key player in the wider Predator Free 2050 Programme. “The Predator ...2 days ago
- New facility in Christchurch will improve the lives of young New Zealanders
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey today opened Kahurangi, an innovative and much-needed facility for Canterbury’s Child, Adolescent, and Family Mental Health Services. “The new state of the art outpatient facility opened today will be a gamechanger for the way mental health is delivered for young people in Canterbury,” says Mr ...2 days ago
- Driver safety screens to be installed on Auckland buses
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) that bus driver protection screens will be installed across Auckland’s bus fleet by 2026.“The Government is committed to improving the safety of working environments for bus drivers, and Budget 2024 allocated $15 million of Crown funding over ...2 days ago
- Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements
The Government is taking action to ensure Southland farmers and growers are not affected by unreasonable regional farm plan deadlines, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.“Cabinet has agreed to provide more time for farmers and growers to comply with regional rules ...3 days ago
- Bill reaffirms Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending
The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Bill had its first reading at Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “In recent years we have seen an unacceptable spike in youth offending. “This Bill makes ...3 days ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
Fairer, more sensible rules about managing earthquake risks are a step closer with the passing of legislation and the appointment of an independent chair to provide expert advice, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The Government is committed to reinvigorating our cities and regions to support economic growth, ...3 days ago
- State of the art radiology machine for Auckland
People in Northland and Auckland will benefit from a new machine for cancer treatment installed at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The MV5 linear accelerator, or LINAC machine, officially opened today targets cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says this new, ...3 days ago
- Foreign Minister to visit Europe
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Europe for high-level talks with France, Germany and the United Kingdom next week. "Since taking office almost a year ago, the Coalition Government has emphasised the importance we place on New Zealand's traditional and likeminded diplomatic and ...3 days ago
- First arrests made under gang patch ban
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- Better support for victims of sexual violence
The Government is proposing two major changes to name suppression laws that will put the views of victims of sexual violence first, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “We are committed to restoring law and order and these two proposed changes will help ensure the victims of crime are put at ...3 days ago
- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
Cabinet has agreed to invite all regions to submit proposals for Regional Deals between central and local government that drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure our country needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. Inviting all regions to propose a Regional Deal that boosts ...3 days ago
- MSA pilot participant update
One of the ten young men selected to participate in the Military-Style Academy Pilot has allegedly reoffended. Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is disappointed but says it would be naïve to think that none of these young men would reoffend. “I’m saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity ...3 days ago
- Fighting for Kiwis in Trade
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- Attendance rates increase, again
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- Improving the lives of young New Zealanders
Ensuring New Zealand is the best place in the world for children and young people is the vision at the heart of the Government’s new Child and Youth Strategy, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says. “Childhood represents a huge opportunity to set people on a positive path towards living ...3 days ago
- Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea
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- Speech to the National Quality Forum 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa – it is a pleasure to be here today. I would like to begin by acknowledging the important leadership role you all play in ensuring a quality health system New Zealanders can trust. There is enormous clinical expertise in this room covering a wide range of disciplines. ...4 days ago
- New Zealand’s COP29 National Statement
Tēnā koutou katoa. Mr President, Excellencies, Delegates. New Zealand, and all nations represented here today, are already dealing with the impacts of climate change. Our households, businesses, and economies are bearing the costs of its effects. The choices we make now will shape the severity of these impacts for generations ...4 days ago
- Latest Quarterly Investment Report released
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- New Zealand supporting loss and damage fund
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced New Zealand will contribute NZ$10 million to the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage while at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. “New Zealand is joining the global effort to address the significant challenge of responding to ...4 days ago
- Gang crackdown begins at stroke of midnight
The free ride for gangs is over when the clock strikes midnight tonight, with tough new laws officially coming into effect, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. “Gang patches will no longer be able to be worn in public. To earn the right to wear a ...4 days ago
- LGFA increases borrowing capacity to support high growth councils
The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.“Communities across the country are facing an infrastructure deficit and significant population growth is projected in ...4 days ago
- Temporary Traffic Management costs revealed
The Government has revealed that over the past three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has spent an eyewatering $786 million of taxpayers’ money on road cones and temporary traffic management (TTM), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“When I became Minister, I was surprised to learn that that NZTA did ...5 days ago
- Jurisdiction of Disputes Tribunal to double
Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. “We need to improve court timeliness and access to justice so that Kiwis and get on with their lives. Court delays affect everyone, the ...5 days ago
- Protecting New Zealand from foreign interference
Legislation that will specifically criminalise foreign interference and strengthen espionage offences has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “It is normal and appropriate for states to interact and work to influence one another. This encourages cooperation and can have mutually beneficial outcomes. “However, the reality ...5 days ago
- Significant milestone for Canterbury Road of National Significance
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news that the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has approved funding towards pre-implementation and early works on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass Road of National Significance (RoNS). “Reaching this significant milestone is a reflection of our Government’s ...5 days ago
- Health survey results to help drive change
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says findings from the annual Health Survey highlight the need to continue driving better health outcomes for New Zealanders. The New Zealand Health Survey is an annual snapshot of key metrics measured from July 2023 – July 2024. Findings released this morning include: In 2023/24, ...5 days ago
- Final push needed to get to Smokefree 2025
A renewed effort to get people to quit smoking will build on what has worked to date and target the groups who most need support, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today. “The latest New Zealand Health Survey results show the daily smoking rate at 6.9 per cent and we ...5 days ago
- New diplomatic appointments
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced four new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign ...5 days ago
- Next steps for Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulation Minister David Seymour has today announced the next steps in the Government’s plan improve the quality of regulation by opening consultation on a proposed Regulatory Standards Bill. “New Zealand's low wages can be blamed on low productivity, and low productivity can be blamed on poor regulation,” says Mr Seymour. ...5 days ago
- Red Tape Tipline goes live
Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline is now live. “We want to hear about your red tape horror stories. From today, New Zealanders will have a say on how they are regulated through an online portal,” says Mr Seymour. The ...5 days ago
- Youth Parliament 2025 announced
The Minister for Youth Matt Doocey has today announced the eleventh Youth Parliament will be taking place in 2025. “Youth Parliament offers a unique youth development opportunity to young people from across New Zealand to experience the political process and learn about how government works,” says Mr Doocey. “The two-day ...6 days ago
- Police stats show promising change
After nearly a year in Government, Kiwis have seen significant change across law and order with promising early results shown across some Police statistics, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “In August 2023, I told New Zealanders that if they had not started to see a change in public safety within ...6 days ago
- Better coordination of anti-scam efforts
With the launch of Fraud Awareness Week, the Government is committing to new coordination efforts across industry and government to combat online scams, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Online financial scams are a growing problem for New Zealand. New data released today shows that Kiwis lost nearly ...6 days ago
- Minister to consider 7AA select committee report
Minister for Children Karen Chhour will consider the recommendations made by the Social Services and Community Committee in its report back to Parliament on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill. “I want to thank the people who made submissions and those who appeared before the committee in ...6 days ago
- Defence Minister to attend ASEAN meeting
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Vientiane, Laos. “We need to take every opportunity to engage with our international partners, given the increasingly unstable geo-political situation,” Ms Collins says. “New Zealand has a long-standing commitment to this ...6 days ago
- All Blacks end of year tour: What we learned
Analysis - There's plenty to talk about including TJ Perenara's statement during the haka, Jamie Wall writes. ...2 hours ago - ‘To love is to move towards freedom’: Parliament’s newest MP makes their maiden st...
Green MP Benjamin Doyle has joined the 54th Parliament a year into its term. Their maiden statement emphasised the need for radical love. ...6 hours ago
- Live: Minister absent on crucial day as climate talks near collapse
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- An Ode to .. Erica Stanford
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While it is important to maintain strong alliances, it is equally crucial to uphold our Kiwi values of fairness and justice. New Zealand has always prided itself on its commitment to equality and human rights. ...17 hours ago
- New Zealand Government’s Racially Divisive Treaty Principles Bill Passes First Reading
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“taking the sharpest edges off the recession” sounds like the excuse of an alcoholic having a liquid breakfast to “take the edge off the day”.
“he doesn’t need information because he is too busy making decisions.”
’cause he’s the decider.
So let me guess the great blogs are the left wing ones, they get As and Bs and the right wing blogs are bad they get, Fs.
At least over at kiwiblog, they give credit to labour mp’s when they do something right.
Tracy Watkins is a journo Brett, and a National-leaning one at that. She’s no leftie blogger. Vernon Small is a political journo for the Dom Post.
Does Vernon have a blog or RSS feed ?
Brett isn’t even trying anymore. F.
The Hide vs ARC thing is a conundrum for me. Certainly from a constitutional perspective we don’t want Ministers sticking their noses in to what ought to be the preserve of local government (though I seem to remember something about a certain Trevor Mallard and a certain stadium… but I’m sure you’ll find a way of telling me that’s different, Steve 😛 )
OTOH local governments don’t have oppositions. There’s no one there to challenge and criticise and promote alternatives and in those rare instances there’s a few dissenting councillors their views are rarely reported – certainly not till after they’ve voted against a proposal (and lost).
And if the community dare challenge some of these modern-day Caligulas, well, they’re just “single issue nutters” who can be vilified and made to feel so out of place that many of them leave.
Keeping watch on, and challenging, Mayors and councils – especially some mayors and councils – is necessary part of democracy. It’s just that it’s usually left to poorly oganised, unfunded, minority membership ratepayers’ groups if it’s done at all.
While the Minister isn’t the ideal watchdog, we do need some sort of monitoring / critiquing going on, and who else has the resources or public platform to do it?
Felix:
How is my post not trying?
Tracy, a National leading Journo??
‘leaning’, not ‘leading’, brett.
Tane:
Cool, thanks for the pick up.
Rex “, well, they’re just “single issue nutters’ who can be vilified and made to feel so out of place that many of them leave.”
Yeah, and don’t we ALL wish the SST and their insane, retribution-seeking head nutter would be treated like that by certain polys and the media – but they’re the good kind of “single issue nutters’ I guess?
On th…I mean OTOH Rex, the community has a lovely opportunity for expression every three years, and local body operations and consultative processes are vastly superior to the (almost non-existent in practical terms) central govt equivalent – open forum before every session of Parliament or its committees is there?
Not to mention the audit requirements or comparative political realities: e.g. no councillor gaining the equivalent vote-share of the Yellow Gibbon (less than Winnie, despite the media gang-bang of the latter) would even get a foot under the table, let alone a Ministerial power equivalence.
(and I’m sure Rodders will also be insisting on Govt expenditure staying under inflation too…..funny how “necessary stimulus” only applies to central govt….but I’m sure he’ll find a way of telling us how that’s different Rex 😉
SP – You forgot to give Labour a rating for their unanimous support for the repealing of the EFA this week. Must have slipped your mind.
Let’s add an F for Judith Collins, who is starting to look very silly indeed.
“Mr Matthews has told Radio New Zealand he never intended to resign and is committed to working with Ms Collins and the National-led government.
He says Ms Collins told him on Friday morning she was pleased that he was staying on in the role.” (Radio NZ, emphasis added).
That’s not just a flip-flop, that’s an acrobat without a safety net. And I’ll bet John Key will just love having to publicly back up his Minister’s latest twist and turn.
Hey – at least Ryall is consistent – his actions have also seen the disabled further marginalised.
DeeDub… now there’s an interesting mind game. Call up a certain particularly rampant (and I use the term advisedly) schlock jock, get him going on “single issue nutters” (should be easy… I think there’s a button you push on his lycra outfit) and then ask him how that differs from his hero McVicar. Go on… I’d do it, but I suspect he’d recognise my voice and meltdown instantly (poor DPF once made the mistake of mentioning my name to him in the Koru lounge, and almost got a bill for cleaning the phlegm off the ceiling).
ak… Please don’t imply Winston should be back in Parliament, I’m already on pills to control my blood pressure 😛 I’m sure if we resurrected Ned Kelly most Australians would vote for him, but he’d still be a bloody thief.
You’re right, most councils hold open forums before their monthly meetings. Have you ever been to one?! Crazy (always) old (usually) men (usually) ranting on about their neighbour’s noisy parties while councillors read their agendas. People with something important to say told there isn’t time… or argued with by councillors even though they’re supposed to sit and listen, and maybe ask a question… or in worst cases, evicted by security.
Actually that’s pretty much what it’d be like if Parliament did the same thing…
And having the chance to rein in Rodney and co once every three years isn’t enough for me (I’m one of these participatory democracy single issue nutters 😉 ) so I’m certainly not happy about entirely leaving councils to it for three years.
But I agree that, aside from public vilification, Rodney doesn’t seem to have a plan for dealing with it. I’m hoping that encouraging him to look at the issue might lead to a constructive plan for improving local democracy.
Yes, I do do most of my dreaming on Fridays…
gobsmacked: I can’t think of an expletive that’s sturdy enough for the job. F for Collins, FU for Matthews, perhaps. I’d say C for chutzpah but that’s too high a score.
captcha: deter him. Well, I’ve done my best 😀
Pat. good point. But I think I should do a full post on the topic sometime. Stay tuned, y’ll
Rex Widerstrom:
schlock jock
?? is that slang for a schlong jockey?
Pat: of course Labour voted to repeal. You forgot that it’s the most evil thing this side of Hades and ensures that an incumbent govt can never be voted out. Must have slipped your mind.
(and Rex: those pills are impotent against the effects of kiwibleugh visits. Just say no. 😉
@work: Considering to whom it is I am obliquely referring, thanks for that mental image 😛 And no… schlock is Yiddish meaning “something cheap, shoddy, or inferior”. Thus inferior shock jock = schlock jock.
Hmmm I just realised I’ve used two Yiddish phrases in comments on one post (the other being chutzpah). Oy vey!!
Of course it is real easy for Snodders to attack the ARC for taking a punt on Beckham and loosing some cash. We haven’t heard the tiniest peep from the little troll about how many uncounted trillions a fraudulent and grossly irresponsible finance industry is in the process of destroying world-wide… but let a public body come out somewhat on the wrong side of an otherwise perfectly legal and reasonable commercial risk… and it’s all ‘truly appalling’.
A similar Beckham event in Wellington was very successful; so it was not wholly unfounded to think that it might work in Auckland as well…. sadly it did not and probably there are some lessons to be learnt from it. But this was a loss of less than $1.6m… I mean can Snodney not bring himself to say ANYTHING about the real gorrilla in the living room?
As for Mr Tony Ryall. One word and one word only. Odious.
RL, I’m guessing he’ll be returning the funds from the Nat/ACT coalition agreement as well. ACT gets given funding for ‘research’ outside of any portfolio areas they hold. Sounds like wastage to me.
No-one seems to know what budget that will come out of either. Or why the taxpayer should be subsidising the ACT party. But I’m sure everyone knows exactly what any ‘research’ commissioned by ACT will say before they bother beginning to ponder on a subject.
So yep, I guess Rodney will razor that little boondoggle right smartish.
I smell a derivative format here.