The Paris agreement is now in force. NZ is committed to reducing its emissions. What, specifically, is this governments plan for doing so? How does support for continued coal mining and oil exploration, the use of phony carbon credits and the like, fit in with reducing emissions?
Reports of an unconvincing “domestic terrorism” plot, and of further illegal GCSB spying.
The McCully / Sheepgate thing is just the latest in a long line of “morally flexible” Nat fiascos. In a world where truth or ethical standards mattered this government would have ended long ago.
A useful report from the Morgan Foundation: “…the Government has a plan to cook the books to cover up our growing greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Nats are backsliding on implementing the law changes brought on by the Panama Papers revelations. If European regulators blacklist us the consequences will be catastrophic.
Hosking’s pro-Nat rants have been compared to “state TV in China” and “Fox News-style comment”.
Now that the local government elections have been completed what is the best that local communities can expect of their elected representatives?
Round 2 of the Presidential debates. Trump is on the ropes, can Clinton land the knockout blow? Certainly, there’s a lot of Republican Party grandees hoping Hillary puts them out of their misery. Seconds out at 2PM, NZ time.
UPDATE: Obama nailed Trump’s real issue a few minutes ago; it’s insecurity. Video in post.
UPDATE 2: LIVE STREAM now in post.
The Chief Prison Inspector’s report on Mount Eden Corrections Facility has now been released and has presented a damning judgment on Serco’s management of the prison.
The Ombudsman is to investigate John Key’s failure to disclose communications with David Farrar and Cameron Slater
It may have been brief and passing but yesterday National lost control of Parliament. And it was all their own fault.
Our National dipshit ministers have decided to start a new growth industry. They importing low-skilled to extract their savings, using them to generate artificial heat in the service economy and to slow wage growth. On the way through they’re also screwing the housing market. Our current net permanent long-term migration is completely unsustainable. Perhaps it is time to vote NZ First?
We have had years of systematic under funding of the police and front-line numbers are falling. None the less police are now expected to attend every burglary. For the sake of this exercise in public perception other areas of police wrok will suffer.
Metro: “The National-led government — with its laissez-faire approach to homelessness, house prices and mass immigration — is sailing into a ferocious storm. A newly critical mainstream media and a resurgent opposition is a powerful mix.”
America is bailing on private prisons because they don’t work. What’s the bet that National is ‘too proud and arrogant’ to follow suit.
When caught abusing new powers the response will be the same as when caught out abusing the old – meh, so sue us.
The damage so far in the Havelock North “gastro” outbreak is one possible death, two older people in intensive care, 18 hospitalised, 50 making their way to the emergency department, 280 notifications, and hundreds of kids staying away from school.
What was the payment for, why did the Nats go ahead with it against all advice, and why won’t they release the letter?
There is one item on the list concerning whether John Key knew about the brewing trade squabble with China regarding the dumping of cheap steel on the local market.
Who will be to blame if untested, undetected, weak steel causes the collapse of a structure?
Having ignored the IRD and other advice, having insulted calls for transparency as “barking mad”, today the Nats’ U-turn on disclosure for foreign trusts is complete.
National is flailing around attempting to divert attention from its failure to do anything meaningful about the homeless crisis.
Essential reading, two pieces highlighting institutional racism today. Someone needs to ask the Maori Party how proud they are to be propping up this government.
2007 Key vs 2016 Key on the housing crisis. Someone is telling lies!
National is now proposing to extinguish private property rights and seize land. Cue political and media outrage? Yeah right.
If you’re an average worker the actions of the National government have reduced the value of your KiwiSaver fund at retirement by about $100K.
Interesting pieces recently on “post-truth” politics. They rightly tear strips off Key and a government that lies and denies reflexively and at all levels, and has been doing so for eight long years.
— Deborah Russell
Inequality in NZ is the worst it’s been in a decade. Key’s response is pathetic. We need to vote to end suck-up economics. We need to be a better country than this.
I/S at No Right Turn writes on the early “resignation” of Ombudsman Ron Paterson – following his highly critical report on the Rebstock “inquiry”.
April Key said our foreign trusts had full disclosure and proposals to increase transparency were “barking mad”. June Key is going to implement “sensible and well-reasoned” proposals to increase disclosure and transparency.
There were many who were concerned that John Shewan was not a good choice for an inquiry into NZ’s tax haven system. Seems we owe Shewan an apology, as initial reaction suggests that he has done a good job.
Rebstock’s report into into leaks from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been absolutely torn apart by the Ombudsman, with multiple serious flaws identified. This morning Key expressed his continuing confidence in Rebstock. Of course.
