MAFS Botany
The Botany by-election is an opportunity for National to woo a future party leader. There’s an obvious candidate if the Tories have the nerve to propose.
Economy
Posts on the economy, work, business, income, and labour
Jami-Lee Ross Doubles Down; Resigns From Parliament
Jami-Lee Ross is to resign from Parliament amid further claims about unlawful activity from Tory leader Simon Bridges. Ross says he will stand in the Botany by-election. Ross also says he will lay a complaint against Bridges with the Police.
Retail Fuel politics
New Zealand is now getting truckie protests about fuel prices reminiscent of the first term of the Helen Clark government. This is no doubt the start of many protests to come from truckie and consumer alike.
For a Better New Zealand?
A new political party has emerged with what could be loosely described as a stunning website.
Light rail in Auckland
There has been some push back against the Government’s light rail proposal for Dominion Road from some unlikely sources. But they are concentrating on what is best for airport users, not what is best for the city as a whole.
Concert Woes.
Compensation for not getting to see someone in concert? $12 000. Compensation for being imprisoned in a big bloody compound and shot at by snipers if you go anywhere near the perimeter fence? Nothing. But…
Another reminder that climate change is happening
Hurricane Michael is exactly the sort of weather event that climate change scientists predicted would occur because of climate change.
Alternative Trade Strategy hui
Information concerning a hui scheduled for October 19 and 20 at Auckland University to set out what an alternative and progressive trade strategy should look like.
Grant Robertson is a financial genius
Remember the $11.5 billion hole that Stephen Joyce and National said Labour was going to leave the country with? Well the 2017/18 financial books have been completed and released and the Government’s surplus was $2.4 billion greater than forecast.
Second Kremlin Killer Unmasked, Putin Untroubled
We know the real names of the Russian spies who bungled the Salisbury novichok poisoning. Will it make a difference to the Kremlin’s plans?
Carbon Truths
An antidote to half truths, misleading statements and outright lies.
Do we have cheaper fuel or do we trash the planet?
On the day that the IPCC has confirmed that the world is running out of time to do something to try and preserve what we have National and associated entities have complained that fuel prices are too high.
Petrol, Zero Carbon, and 15,000 Submissions
Get ready, according to the AA, for petrol at $3 a liter for Christmas.
At least Labour wants to save the planet
The Government is consulting on changes to the Crown Minerals (Petroleum) Amendment Bill to prevent further offshore drilling permits being issued. Locally the right are saying it will make things worse. And in the US of A the Trump administration has conceded that out of control climate change is inevitable.
It’s America Again
It would fit the karma of a leftie universe if the United States was now suffering from its political choices. But it’s the reverse: the United States economy is roaring and President Trump is starting to be rewarded for delivering what he promised.
Banksy piece sells at auction for record price, then shreds itself
A Banksy piece has shredded itself shortly after being sold for a record price.
Bigot’s Billboard
Anti-Vaxxers are targeting South Auckland families in their latest bid to spread the virus of ignorance. You can help needle the pricks. The Standard shows you how.
UPDATE: The billboard is coming down!
Trump laughed at for waving his toad at UN
What can one say about Trump’s daft bragging at the UN, that raised a chorus of laughter at what he was saying. Clearly his toad is out of control.
How Patriarchy Works; A Newshub Special Investigation
A schoolgirl correctly identified exactly what caused the stink at Carterton South school. Why wasn’t she listened to?
Wellington bus debacle deeply damaging to Govt’s transport policy
Wellington has been the poster city for public transport in Aotearoa, but the debacle of introducing the hated hub system to Wellington’s bus system not only threatens that status but has wide implications for the success of government’s policy of favouring public transport over cars. Intervention is needed.
Just because you’re crass and politically stupid, Mr Bridges!
The most dumbarse thing I have seen Simon Bridges quoted on was in an article about climate change issues saying that Jacinda Ardern should promote for more international tourism. After vast increases in visitors, we’re close to our current tourism capacity and we want to burn more carbon to get more tourists? WTF?
National will be gutted – Moodys gives New Zealand an Aaa credit rating
National’s chicken little the sky is falling mantra about New Zealand’s economy has been dealt a large hole by Moody’s confirming New Zealand’s Aaa AAA credit rating.
National forgets it apologised for Housing Corp meth hysteria
Three months ago National apoligised for getting dud advice and evicting hundreds of state house tenants where miniscule amounts of methamphetamine were discovered. This week National backed off from that very proper apology.
Tax Working Group report depressing reading
The Tax Working Group says the gaping holes in our tax system make it unfair and undermine its integrity, but the prospect of the electorate embracing even its limited recommendations on taxing capital gains make for depressing contemplation.
GDP figures expose business confidence survey nonsense
ANZ Bank’s Outlook business confidence survey has been forecasting gloom and doom for the economy ever since the surprise election result turfed out the National Party. Today’s GDP data showed the economy has actually been pumping along faster than the Reserve Bank believes is good for it.
Will there be a Brexit?
In short, I think not.
Quite a day or two then!
A quick smorgasbord of reported news from Syria, to China and Sweden, to antisemitism and (hidden behind the links) an interview with (hopefully) the first woman who will serve as President of the USA.
Updated
Someone tell the business sector, Kiwis like this Government
A recent survey conducted by IPSOS shows New Zealanders are feeling more positive about the Labour-NZ First coalition government than they were the previous one.
Beyond Left and Right?
Does an understanding of class politics define being left? And if we’re not reading books by Marx and Lenin any more, will the revolution be digitalised?
Prime Minister Ardern’s Coalition Reset Speech
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is due to give a big speech today. I’m hoping for something that gives some kind of plan, common purpose, and sense of direction.
They got bailed out and we got sold out
Ros Wynne Jones in the Daily Mirror excoriates the excesses of the Banking system and wonders why the rest of us tolerate bankers’ behaviour.
Coalition Problems? Tell ’em they’re Dreaming!
Oh dear. The Winston Peters led governing coalition has completely collapsed and thank God Simon Bridges is there to pick up the pieces. I warned you this would happen! And look! Over there … the sky is falling. Falling, I tells ya!
What does it take for bosses not to get their bonus?
Why is it that all risk lies with the shareholders? Why does poor performance by a company not result in CEO and top management bonuses being clawed back?
Fonterra’s loss
Fonterra has just reported an after tax loss of $196 million for the 2018 year. It’s never had an annual loss in its history.
Business NZ runs bogus poll
Business NZ has admitted that a poll that it ran was fundamentally flawed but has threatened to go to the ILO about Labour’s rather modest proposed changes to Industrial Relations law. And Radio New Zealand has reported on an industrial dispute involving Sistema plastics where union workers are working 60 hour working weeks without overtime pay on not much more than the minimum wage.
The Global Financial Crisis 10 Years On
Ten years ago this week massive financial businesses in the United States started collapsing. How has the world recovered from this?