Wherever you find right-wing governments, you find an erosion of workers' rights and wages. The situation in England is much the same as here: Over half of all families in poverty are also in work. That’s why we need a living wage Earlier this year…
The site had a strange problem with a database solid state drive last night while restarting after doing operating system upgrades. This morning it was completely offline and causing problems with the other drives in the array. I took the entire database raid array offline this morning because…
Open mike is your post. The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike…
Weekend social is for non political chat. What's on for the weekend, gigs, film or book reviews, sports, or whatever. No politics, no aggro, why can't we all just get along?
"How can you tell when a politician is lying? His lips are moving." It's an old joke (and sexist to boot), but it is governments like this one that give such jokes legs. Take waiting lists for elective surgery, in this piece from 2013: Four…
There are protests against the TPPA nation wide on Saturday. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION: KIWIS FIGHT BACK! On 8 November 2014 Kiwis will kickstart the global day of action against the TPPA. TPPA poses an enormous threat to NZ’s ability to regulate for itself, and…
As a working scientist I would like to thank Dita De Boni for this piece in yesterday's Herald: Govt loath to let facts come between friends National Party loves ‘helpful’ science, but turns nasty if findings irk its mates I know John Key is an…
Open mike is your post. The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike…
From I/S at No Right Turn. Betrayal at Pike River Since the Pike River explosion in 2010, John Key has given repeated, personal assurances that his government will do whatever it takes to recover the bodies. In November 2010 he said it was "an absolute priority".…
Losing an election is always a difficult thing. But the pain becomes acute when you are confronted with the first defeat of a measure that in a more perfect would would succeed. If you need an example the almost inevitable defeat of Sue Moroney's paid…
On the other side of the world the Million Mask March is underway. Protesters gather around the world for Million Mask March Demonstrations in more than 400 cities were planned to coincide with Guy Fawkes Day... You can follow events on Twitter. https://twitter.com/RT_com/status/530066534547615744
Governments have always used external threats (real or not) to expand their powers. Supposedly "small government" types seem the most keen to grab more powers, for some strange reason. So now we're going through another round. From RNZ this morning: Law changes to tackle IS…
Open mike is your post. The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike…
Metiria Turei delivered a very strong speech in response to Key's ministerial statement on national security. The video of Key's statement is here. The text of Turei's speech is here. Some extracts: Mr Speaker The Green Party stands for peace and freedom. Peace is the…
Key's much heralded speech on terrorism / ISIS was very much as expected. The Herald: Key reveals 80 Kiwis linked to Islamic State In a major speech on national security in Wellington this morning, Mr Key said agencies had a watch list of between 30…
John Campbell has done excellent work on highlighting child poverty. Last night he had a segment on Metiria Turei's "Feed the Kids Bill". The first reading of the Bill is scheduled to be debated in the House today (as far as can be predicted at…
Yesterday One News featured a climate change denialist crank in a broadcast segment and on its news site. It prompted a strong reaction from many, including this from Hot topic: TVNZ PUSHES LEYLAND’S CLIMATE LIES In an appalling lapse of editorial judgement, TVNZ has given…
Surprise surprise. The Herald is reporting that Chief Executive remuneration for the recently partially privatised power companies has surged post float. The chief executives have done very well. New Mighty River CEO Fraser Whineray appears to have received a modest improvement although it is not immediately clear…
Reposted from No Right Turn. John Key's latest answer to the housing crisis: bigger subsidies for private landlords! But we already know that subsidies to private landlords simply result in rent increases, while doing nothing to solve the fundamental problem of housing supply. But Key…
Like most of their policy, the Nats' sudden decision to sell off a significant chunk of our state housing asset is a poorly thought out shambles. Two great pieces on this yesterday. Tim Watkins at Pundit: When is an asset sale not an asset sale?…
Open mike is your post. The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike…
Email from the Greens... Kia ora I need your help urgently. My Feed the Kids Bill, which will ensure our most vulnerable kids get fed at school, could be voted on tomorrow night. We only haveone day left to convince John Key and the National Party…
Sounds good doesn't is? Boris backs call for Kiwi freedom in UK London Mayor and parliamentary hopeful Boris Johnson is backing a report by a British think-tank which calls for New Zealanders and Australians to freely live and work in Britain. Neat! Who wouldn't want…
Bryan Gould is an interesting chap. Rhodes Scholar, British Labour MP, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waikato, author of many books, occasional writer for The Herald, and author here at The Standard. Most recently, Bryan has been in the news because he is convenor of…
Open mike is your post. The Standard is not a conspiracy – just a welcome outlet for the expression of views. Leaders that command respect will not be undermined by this. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike…
Reposted from ImperatorFish, who despite his current difficulties kindly allows us to syndicate his posts. I don’t usually ask for help, but this is different. I have made a lot of enemies, and some of them are determined to destroy me. My truth-telling has often made…
Reposted from Polity. Prime Minister John Key, in his capacity as Prime Minister, promised no asset sales this term in the run up to the last election. But now: The government owns lots of houses. They are a government "asset." The government intends to give…
The IPCC has released further findings on the extent of climate change and has set out clearly what is required to minimise the damage. From Radio New Zealand: The world's top scientists have given their clearest warning yet of the severe and irreversible effects of…
$9 Million for a referendum on asset sales? Total waste of money said John Key. $26 million for two referenda on changing the flag? Totally worth it says John Key. (And it probably is worth to him too, as a distraction poverty, rising house prices,…