Nurses ask us to vote for our health
You could vote for three more years of “brighter future”. Or you could listen to the nurses.
Politics
Posts on government and governence at national and local level, political parties,politicians, and political participation
Avoid big plans and win
To win the 2017 election Labour does not need a broad suite of policies, rather it needs to make sure that it is asking the right questions.
Land of the long white wash
In ruling out an inquiry Bill English insults both our intelligence and our integrity. Next stop the International Criminal Court? (Alas the title is not mine, take a bow Finlay MacDonald.)
Pity the RWNJ (for they are going to be spinning in pain)
If you are one of the right wing nut jobs that read this site, then Horizon puts out some truly scary polls. But if you aren’t an idiot and actually take the time to read material before criticizing it (unlike Hooton on ‘Hit and Run’) then this points to a tight election as is usual under MMP. But with all of the swing in the direction of a Labour led coalition. But I am sure the simpleton spinners will have another explanation.
Mana Māori truce didn’t last long
“A poisonous and destructive cancer” – that’s not something you say to your allies.
Conflict of interest what conflict of interest?
The lobbying body for fishing industry and Nathan Guy who is the responsible minister think there is no conflict of interest in the lobbying body inheriting huge powers previously held by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
The NZDF will never clear its name – and neither will Bill English
It’s likely that some time this week Bill English will announce that there will be no inquiry into operation Burnham. The NZDF will lose any opportunity to clear its name. Fronting up to the truth, whatever it may be, is better than the perception of a shabby coverup.
Update: And there it is – no inquiry.
Green Party announces its initial party list
The Green Party has released its indicative party list for consideration by the party membership.
The Auckland Labour list conference of 2017
Some impressions from the Auckland Labour list conference.
The neoliberal revolution
Thirty years old today – the longest April Fool’s joke in history?
RNZ poll of polls
RNZ: “Labour and the Green Party have closed the gap slightly on National in the latest Poll of Polls”.
Former Defence Minister Wayne Mapp: “As a nation we owe it to ourselves to find out”
Mapp: “Part of protecting their reputation is also finding out what happened, particularly if there is an allegation that civilian casualties may have been accidentally caused. In that way we both honour the soldiers, and also demonstrate to the Afghans that we hold ourselves to the highest ideals of respect of life, even in circumstances of military conflict.”
National’s policing problem
National is facing increasing public concern about the ability of the police to do its job properly.
Dirty Politics done in the Netsafe style.
I just got sent a notice of complaint from Netsafe under the HDCA (Harmful Digital Communications Act). It appears to me that Netsafe still either hasn’t read the act or that they are cooperating with the perpetrators of Dirty Politics. Either way, I don’t have time to deal with people who don’t put in the information required by the act for me and the unknown author to make a decision. Updated
Trumping Idiocy
If you are absolutely determined to be one of the idiot legion who’re forever squirreling their heads deeper into sand, then don’t read this post.
Hit and Run developments
It appears that the questioned NZDF attack took place at the location claimed by the force, but hit the villages named by the book (coordinates used by various parties are off by 2km).
Isn’t that convenient
A full report into the Havelock North water crisis has been delayed until (surprise!) after the election.
Motels are not state houses
It’s almost as if deliberately running down state housing stock doesn’t make the need for homes magically go away – who could possibly have predicted that?
Another reason for water pricing
The Government will be embarassed by another example of a corporation planning to extract ten billion litres of fresh water a year essentially at no cost which has arisen.
Down the Gurgler.
Getting sick, tired and angry of this malarkey.
What does National do about English?
John Key has claimed that the transfer of power from himself to Bill English was flawless and designed to ensure continuation of National’s rule. Based on the last couple of opinion poll results he should reconsider his optimism.
NZDF credibility on the line
There were several significant developments on Hit and Run and the NZDF over the weekend. Which version of the NZDF story is it that Bill English backs 100%?
Marama Fox on working with a Labour/Green government
Marama Fox opens the way for the Māori Party to work with Labour and the Greens.
Clifton: Nat MPs getting nervous
English is down 6% in the latest Colmar Brunton. Jane Clifton sees Nat MPs getting nervous. “For the Nats, having so long taken a fourth term as read, the possibility that their own leader may soon be less secure in his job than Labour’s will be a toughie.”
When right-wing hacks confess the damage that they do
Some right-wing hacks (like Glenn Beck) are recanting their rants and apologising for the damage that they’ve done. I reckon a few more should follow their brave lead.
Jam tomorrow
It’s too hard! We’ll do it later! Auckland airport rail is just the latest example.
More thoughts on the Labour-Greens Budget Responsibility Rules
The Labour-Green Budget Responsibility Rules announcement this week ought to dispel the notion that Labour and the Greens cannot work together.
Impossible to refuse an inquiry
Bill English should stop being evasive and just get on with an inquiry into the fiasco outlined in Hit and Run. The latest developments make any other outcome ridiculous. The longer English delays the worse he looks.
Labour Green fiscal framework
As widely reported this morning, Labour and the Greens have set out an agreed fiscal framework. Smart politics.
This Government’s citizenship priorities
Environmental activist Michael Tavares request for an exceptional circumstances grant of citizenship has been refused by this Government whereas right wing libertarian Peter Thiel’s request for an exceptional circumstances grant of citizenship was granted. Why the difference?
A tale of two valedictory speeches
Compare and contrast Helen Clark’s and John Key’s valedictory speeches.
Wayne Mapp does not deny civilian deaths in botched raid
Good on you Wayne. Hit just got real.
Oil prospecting on the shores of Lake Te Anau?
The Nats are buying another fight with NZ’s nature lovers. Last time they tried something like this 50,000 marched in Auckland and they were forced to back down.
Hit and Run – time for an inquiry
Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson’s book Hit and Run makes a compelling case for the Government to conduct a full inquiry to see if New Zealand forces were complicit in the killing of innocent men and women and if there was a cover up.
Reid poll
The latest Newshub / Reid poll shows nothing dramatic on the party preference, but has talking points for both left and right on the (largely nonsense) preferred PM question.