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Many people laud John Key's experience in the business world, and say that the smiling assassin's ability to play hard-ball when required means he will be an excellent prime minister. So why, during talks with the Maori Party, did Key drop a National 'bottom line'…
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National policy on Maori seats (2007): "The Caucus today confirmed that the Maori seats will be abolished, which we anticipate will take place around the time of settlement of historic Treaty claims," says National Party Leader John Key. National policy on Maori seats (Sept 2008); "National…
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National has a press release out blaming Labour for a supposed increase in assaults on police. Now, there are more people and more police than ever before, so all things being equal there will be more assaults, but it would be a concern if the…
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The polls are closing, National dropped 7% and 4% in the Roy Morgan and TV3 polls, respectively, as the full impact of Key's lies on Tranzrail was felt. Word is that National's internal numbers are turning a few more hairs grey, while Labour's are renewing…
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Vote smart is a series of posts on tactical voting for people who support certain parties or live in certain electorates to help you maximise your vote. Today, the Progressives and Wigram: Since the last election, the Progressives have failed to register in half the…
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It's possible to win a battle but, in doing so, lose the war. Like most commentators, I thought Key came off best from the debate on Tuesday. It was a good format for him to parrot his lines, all he had to do is deliver…
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We see this morning that: John Key concedes he has privately indicated to the Maori Party that National's policy to abolish the Maori seats would not stand in the way of doing a deal with the party post-election. What did Mr Key say in that debate again?…
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I have some sympathy for Dr PIta Sharples over the fallout of Mr Key's promises. He's clearly been left high and dry by Mr Key, his would-be coalition partner. According to the Maori Party's chief of staff we now find: ...that Mr Key was clear in the…
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There will be some scheduled maintenance at the hosting company tonight between 10pm and 6am. During that period the site may be offline for some short periods. So if you cannot get the site for a period, then just try again a little time later.…
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With the wit we've come to expect, 08wire has Key up on his many lies during the Tuesday debate. To my surprise, TV One didn't bother doing fact checking even during their tedious hour-long run-down after the debate, whereas we were fact checking live on…
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On September 28, Key released National's policy on the Maori seats. It is unequivocal (if light on the details): "At the conclusion of the settlement of historic Treaty claims, National will begin a constitutional process to abolish the Maori seats. National wishes to see all…
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Lots of comments continue over the leaders debate. One of the bits that made it through the usual dinner time madness in my household was the section on the Springbok tour. It reminded me of this video clip. In it, Key was all over the…
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Good to see so many people coming to the Campaign Hub for materials and info. Apologies for the delay in the events diary this week, so much to do. I've added Youtubes of some great videos and there are new designs for posters and flyers…
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The Maori Party wants the dole abolished to be replaced by work schemes. It's a bad idea but it's not too far from being a good one. Make work schemes are bad in several ways. They distort the market for low-skill work. The State with…
economy election 2008 maori party wages welfare workers' rights
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I have to declare - yes, I am an urban liberal. So I would be embarrassed if a member of my family said this: The National Party's candidate for New Plymouth (Jonathan Young) says homosexuality is a choice and strongly objects to it being seen…
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The Youtube debate was a bit of a let down to me because TV1 chose to play the least penetrating questions, allowing the leaders to pretty much stick to their stock answers. The only question that really broke through the pre-prepared stuff was Shane Taurima's…
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National wants to introduce a 90 Day no work rights period for new employees. Now, in the face of very strong opposition to the policy, they have been forced to scale it back to only workplaces where there are 20 or fewer employees. But big…
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So, you're talking with someone about politics and they say something really dumb and wrong and you know it's wrong but you don't have the arguments and facts at your fingertips to make a decisive point. That's where our election series, The Standard line, comes…
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Labour has made two serious mistakes in their campaign today. One was specifically rejecting a policy to take the minimum wage to $15 an hour and the other was tonight's debate. The first was an easy policy supported by every party other than National and…
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A narrow victory for Key in tonight's TV1/Youtube debate. A forum where he could repeat his tired slogans to his heart's content suited him. No-one could pull him up on his lies, except Clark who, inexplicably, failed to do so. And when Clark spoke, Key…
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Live fact-checking of the debate. Key: The unions supported National's position on Kiwisaver. Lie: The unions do not support National's plan and never have. "We have supported 2+2 arrangements as a starting point but under the current scheme, this attracts the full value of member tax…
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Media coverage of the campaign is coming thick and fast - a helpful reader pointed out this excerpt from TV3 on Key's day yesterday.
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So, you're talking with someone about politics and they say something really dumb and wrong and you know it's wrong but you don't have the arguments and facts at your fingertips to make a decisive point. That's where our election series,The Standard line, comes in.…
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Labour, why do you do this to me? One day you're announcing neo-Keynesian policies to help us through the coming recession, then you stand up for the principle that access to education shouldn't be dependent on the wealth of ones parents, and, then, just when…
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It is still possible to follow the news without encountering politics at every turn - but it's getting harder. And the journalists are sitting alongside the leaders watching every step along the way. So far we see Otago Uni students giving Helen Clark a "rock…
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National's Nick Smith has announced that they would cancel the $1 billion fund to insulate New Zealand houses, which the Greens won as part of the Emissions Trading Scheme. This massive programme would improve energy efficiency, create warmer, healthier homes and would provide useful employment during the downturn. A…
climate change economy election 2008 Environment families greens health housing national tax
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A crusade on illiteracy, surely. Um, I'm not sure we want to entrust these guys with improving language skills. [Update: true to form, the people in the sector don't know what the hell National is talking about. Teachers say National seems to be taking about…
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So, you're one of the 900,000 Kiwis who have so far signed up to Kiwisaver. You know that you get $1000 on signing up, you put in 4% of your gross income, the Government matches that up to $20 a week, and your employer matches…
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OK - they are not my words. I could do it - but then again I really liked what Gordon Campbell wrote: The financial meltdown poses a basic identity problem for National, the instinctive champion of de-regulation and market solutions. That's a bit of a…