The tipline has a SST column
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- Date published:
8:30 am, December 7th, 2014 - 36 comments
Categories: Judith Collins, national -
Tags: dirty politics
Judith Collins debuted this morning as a columnist in the Sunday Star Times.
It is an interesting concept. I am a bit of a purist and always thought that the fourth estate should be kept away from the politicians. It is bad enough that corporate interests are so well represented. Giving politicians a direct feed into a newspaper feels a bit North Korean to me.
She obviously feels exonerated by the Chisholm Report. It did what was intended and acquitted her of the allegations that she had used Cameron Slater to attack former Serious Fraud Office head Adam Feeley. It is a shame that Mark Hotchin, Cathy Odgers and Carrick Graham were not interviewed. The allegation is that they sought to affect a SFO investigation and such activity should not be allowed in a civilised society. As well as this Chisholm could have been asked to investigate related attacks on former head of the Financial Markets Authority.
Adam Feeley was interviewed recently by reporter David Williams of the Otago Daily Times. He had a few interesting things to say:
Yesterday, Mr Feeley, who left the SFO to take the helm at the Queenstown Lakes District Council, told the Otago Daily Times the Chisholm inquiry’s terms of reference were very narrow.
“You’ve got a report that’s given within the constraints of fairly tightly-defined terms of reference, so in that sense, yes [the decision was inevitable].”
Justice Chisholm’s 98-page report said an electronic search of Ms Collins’ email, telephone and social media records turned up “very little” relevant material; her Facebook account had been deleted and comprehensive phone records were not available.
The report details how former Hanover director Mark Hotchin, who tasked public relations consultant Carrick Graham — who then engaged bloggers Mr Slater and Cathy Odgers — to “rebalance” the public perception of the businessman, whose company was being investigated by the SFO.
Justice Chisholm decided not to interview Mr Hotchin.
Feeley had one of the most understated yet best descriptions of the effect that Dirty Politics had on him.
“I think most people see me as an unfortunate meat in a very unpleasant sandwich.”
Collins debut column (not on line yet) is about the dangers of drilling and cutting concrete fibre board without adequate ventilation and protection. The issue is an important one. If inhaling specks of dust has a similar effect to asbestos then the results can be disastrous. This is a topic worthy of discussion.
There was an accompanying article which provided some comment by Collins about her recent problems. Apparently she never liked the name “Crusher” and the framing of her character as someone to be feared was all a big misunderstanding. And her plight was caused by other people, not by her own actions.
As for Dirty Politics she says essentially that Hager has cherrypicked a few comments from a large collection of her messages and emails to make her look bad. In one intriguing passage she is quoted as saying:
Aside from the book’s serious allegations, such as her potential connection to Slater’s ugly campaign against civil servant Simon Pleasants, she is also quoted mouthing off about “total destruction”, and “rewarding” enemies with “double”, and how “if you can’t be loved, then best to be feared”.
Such bellicose talk was just “nonsense”, says Collins, and the impression Hager created of her “was so false in many ways”.
Maybe so. Yet for anyone who had watched Collins in action through the year – during her increasingly combative responses to questions about her husband’s company Oravida, during her amusing yet mean-spirited critique of Metiria Turei’s clothing, and especially during her bizarre, vengeful attack on political reporter Katie Bradford – Hager’s portrait of a vindictive, aggressive Collins seemed all too believable.
Collins gets that. “It’s unfortunate that I had allowed the image to become so harsh that people would believe [Hager’s] was a fair rendition. And that’s just stupid to have done that.”
I take it she is claiming saying that she never said or did the things alleged of her. Certainly she is seeking to recreate a persona that is deeply damaged and scarred with the effects of Dirty Politics and the Oravida scandal. Some sort of apology would help to speed up the process.
Apparently there will be a prominent hard hitting left wing columnist introduced into the SST next week. I have no idea who it will be. But I would prefer that the media put its efforts into proper investigative journalism rather than allowing talking heads to tell us what we should be thinking.
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Te Tiriti o Waitangi is our country’s founding document. It forms the basis of the relationship between Māori and the Crown – and the Aotearoa New Zealand we live in today. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Over 15,000 sign Labour’s open letter to Luxon
As the hīkoi to Parliament continues, Labour has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in a last-ditch attempt to get him to kill the Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation
The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens join King’s Counsel in calling for Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned
The Prime Minister must answer the call from a group of senior lawyers of the King’s Counsel to abandon the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Chris Hipkins’ apology statement to state and faith-based care survivors
...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour formally apologises to state and faith-based care survivors
Labour joins with the Government in unreservedly apologising for the abuse, neglect and trauma including torture in state and faith-based care and for ignoring the voices of survivors for too long. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party stands in support of survivors of abuse in care
Today, the Green Party stands alongside the survivors of abuse in state care and faith-based care as the Government issues an historic apology. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party calls for conscience vote on Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party has written to the Speaker of the House requesting he enable a personal vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- 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. ...3 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. ...3 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. ...3 weeks ago
- Raising awareness of child exploitation
Customs Minister Casey Costello has praised the work of Customs’ Child Exploitation Operations Team (CEOT) for their commitment to combat the sexual exploitation and abuse of children. This specialist team in Customs features in an hour-long documentary, Unmasking the Monsters, which airs tonight on TVNZ 1. “It’s important that Customs has taken this ...5 hours ago - Prime Minister’s scholarships awarded
New Zealand is strengthening its global connections with Asia and Latin America, as 119 individual recipients have been awarded Prime Minister’s Scholarships for education experiences abroad, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Expanding New Zealand’s global engagement through world-class international education is a key government priority,” Ms Simmonds ...6 hours ago
- Climate Minister to see Antarctica research first-hand
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts is travelling to Antarctica on Monday to see the impacts of climate change first-hand and see New Zealand’s scientific work on the ice. “Antarctica is under increasing pressure from climate change, with rapid changes to the Antarctic ice sheet, ice shelves, sea ice, and biodiversity now ...11 hours ago
- Joint Statement: Singapore-New Zealand Article 6 Negotiations reach consensus
Countries have reached a deal on carbon markets at the annual United Nations climate change meeting (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. Co-chaired by Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu and New Zealand’s Minister of Climate Change Simon Watts, the negotiations on Article 6 (carbon markets) concluded successfully with ...12 hours ago
- Child Protection Investigation Unit established
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- 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 ...3 days ago
- Record number of submissions received on granny flat proposal
Nearly 2,000 submissions have been received on the Government’s proposals aimed at making it easier to build a granny flat of up to 60 square metres without a resource or building consent, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk say. “This is the highest number ...3 days ago
- 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 ...3 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 ...3 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 ...3 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 ...3 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 ...4 days ago
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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 ...4 days ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
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- 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, ...4 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 ...4 days ago
- First arrests made under gang patch ban
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- Better support for victims of sexual violence
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- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
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- 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 ...4 days ago
- Fighting for Kiwis in Trade
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Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023. “This Government has prioritised student attendance and it is ...4 days ago
- 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 ...5 days ago
- Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea
The Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard.“The Government will introduce legislation changes to reinstate the trade, enhance oversight, and strengthen requirements for exporters to identify risks and manage the welfare of ...5 days ago
- 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. ...5 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 ...5 days ago
- Latest Quarterly Investment Report released
The Government has released its second Quarterly Investment Report (QIR) which shows substantial work still to be done by agencies to improve investment reporting and meet the Government’s expectations, Infrastructure and Acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “New Zealand has significant infrastructure and investment needs. The Government is determined to get ...5 days ago
- 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 ...5 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 ...5 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 ...6 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 ...6 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 ...6 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 ...6 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 ...6 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, ...6 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 ...6 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 ...6 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. ...6 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 ...6 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 ...1 week ago
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It is a shame that Mark Hotchin, Cathy Odgers and Carrick Graham were not interviewed. “You’ve got a report that’s given within the constraints of fairly tightly-defined terms of reference, so in that sense, yes [the decision was inevitable”
Justice Chisholm’s 98-page report said an electronic search of Ms Collins’ email, telephone and social media records turned up “very little” relevant material; her Facebook account had been deleted and comprehensive phone records were not available.
The ‘report’ was a BS sham. I doubt if many people actually believe the so called ‘findings’ of the report! An expensive whitewash.
Judith’s fans will read this as vindication. The others will hoot at the awful cheek at the hypocrisy. Three years of moulding us. Hmmmm.
“Three years of moulding us. Hmmmm.”
Is the column to be a platform for her next tilt at Nat leadership?
A real test of whether we, the public are able to swallow that leopards really can change their spots, or stripes, or turn leers into friendly smiles. Really?
by the time the 4th estate has finished some people will believe leopards are vegetarians
It’s not that. It’s the right sending a message to left wing critics by pissing in their faces. The message is: “We can do and say whatever we want and get away with anything.”
Next week Bill Cosby is going to start a column on family advice.
The road to redemption is a long one. So the journey begins for Judith Collin, via becoming a Sunday columnist.
Let us believe that Judith is really, really a cute cuddly kitten who really, really just wants to be stroked and loved.
I like the North Korean Reference their Micky. Especially as they shear bad haircuts. You do have to wonder if “crusher” and co, are really in love with Kim Jong-un sometimes, you really do.
I am immediately wondering which of her close family/acquaintances works for Hardies or other fibrous board manufacturer (who doubtless coincidentally are about to launch a less dusty product)…
Probably Mike Hotching or Paul Henry no doubt.
Best we can hope is fucking useless Mike Williams or Josie Pagani…
stuart nash..?..(heh..!..)
I have heard Laila Harre’s name mentioned. Considering her relationship with the Greens and Labour I am not sure she would be the most appropriate choice.
she’s a good writer/thinker tho’…
..and her political experiences make her perfect for the job..
..’the panel’ on nat-rad should also beg her to join them..
Laila Harré is damaged goods at the moment, since the IP Dotcom business. She comes across as a bit of a carpetbagger as well. I don’t see how a column of hers would help the left at all.
She is a good woman.
It is the Labour party that stupidly did immense wrong to her, IMP, Hone and themselves.
+100
I think we should take this as a sign that Collins will not be returning to cabinet. Not any time soon anyway…
Correct. Taking a column is an MP acknowledging their political career is coming to an end.
Testing the water for a crack at the Auckland mayoralty one would presume. Dirty Lenny & Bent Bankie are yesterday’s men. She probably will have Goff & Williamson to contend with though.
Article is up http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/63913395/Judith-Collins-New-wood-worries
And I’m curious, this is apparently a critique against rushing legislation through parliament without proper Select Committee review, a boost for ‘nanny state’ legislating to protect workers & against overpaid executives who don’t know what they are talking about.
Crusher is actually a leftie?!?
Thanks Hoom. That’s some major rebranding going on if she is …
She’s repulsive. Not the way she looks, but what she has done, from being a casino lawyer to corrupt dealings in China to collaborating with and even instigating Blubberguts’s brutal campaigns of destruction and mayhem. She has gotten away with it, too—she’ll be back in cabinet eventually, and the likes of Andrew Little will be lecturing people to talk about something else.
Is she getting payed and if she is is moonlighting legal for a poli.
I not to keen on someone I pay to run the country not giving it there full attention. (Sarc sort of)
I suspect that she is not but this in itself creates a problem in that if our newspapers are going to be full of the free stuff then it will be dominated by Government and Corporate sponsored propaganda. For our media to function properly it needs to have paid investigative journalists who do not have to toe the corporate line.
I’m pretty naive when it comes to politics but giving free space to one side seems to be a very steep slippery slope.
” Government and Corporate sponsored propaganda.”
Advertorial content and should be labelled as such, if it has any place at all in so-called news media.
Well it was paid for by someone.
I buy the SST, a hangover from living in countries with great Sunday papers. Today, I saw she is a columnist and has an article all about her which seems to be the beginning of a planned rehabilitation process. I cannot understand how an MP can be a columnist – it is a platform for her. She is repulsive. No more SST for me.
I hear Judith’s got a upcoming column on the importance of deleting evidence.
So, she doesnt have enough to do on her taxpayer salary, that she has the time?
I dont even think former MPs should be columnists let alone current MPS
I think current MPs having a column is a clear conflict of interest on the part of the paper.
I went to purchase a SST today and, as I was walking to the counter to pay for it, saw they had made Judith Collins a columnist. I went and put it back – I will never buy another SST. I don’t believe she should be in Parliament and I’m deeply offended that she is now being given a mainstream media opportunity to further spin her web of toxicity and lies. Bad move SST.
It’s all very “butter wouldn’t melt in the mouth” but the nasty piece of work Collins akshilly is sits glowering a millimetre beneath the surface. SST is obliged to give this one a hand up with gratuitous provision of a platform ?
Collins is a lightweight and pretends she is smarter than she is. I recall her questioning Val Sim during a hearing into the Peter Ellis case and she could not construct a coherent question. Collins of course was a big supporter of Ellis and wanted a wide ranging inquiry into the case. Now you don’t hear boo from her on that issue.
Someone is giving her exposure for a Thatcherian renaissance, post Key. Unlike Joyce and the Prime Minister, she is capable of stringing a few words together.
It might have something to do with this ..
http://www.propertyobserver.com.au/forward-planning/advice-and-hot-topics/38690-how-much-influence-do-overseas-buyers-really-have.html?utm_source=Property+Observer+List&utm_campaign=1a38144c6c-08_December_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a523fbfccb-1a38144c6c-245304489