Don’t mourn, organise
What all good progressives should be doing in these POTUS Trump days.
Politics
Posts on government and governence at national and local level, political parties,politicians, and political participation
Post-Election Recovery Salon
Need a haven from the post-election fall out?
RMA changes back on agenda
A good day to dump bad news. Looks like RMA changes are back on agenda, courtesy of the Maori Party.
Grant Robertson: Future of Work
At the Labour Conference over the weekend, Grant Robertson announced the results of the Future of Work Commission. Ideas for policy to cope with a new age of work.
The media double standard
Andrea Vance has attacked Labour’s Ready to Work policy and claimed that the policy does not add up, despite being told how the figures had been arrived at.
Gate-gate
Somehow Brownlee’s got away with it. Felix Marwick did good work on his OIA, to find out that Gerry Brownlee’s account of events […]
Andrew Little At Labour Conference
Here’s the video of his speech for you to get the full rousing impact.
There is no housing crisis
Paula Bennett has announced a new spend of $300 million to address the non existing housing crisis. But the announcement appears to be little more than a refinancing of Housing Corp and an admission that the Government should have stopped taking Housing Corp dividends years ago.
Deficient newshrub
According to the deficient newshrub on Saturday night there was a distinct lack of support from Labour for the Mt Roskill campaign. In reality 4 buses carrying more than 200 door-knockers including all the Labour MPs other than Little, went to Mt Roskill on Saturday afternoon.
All the best to Michael Wood, who got a great reception on the doorstop.
So sheepgate was Key’s fault
According to Fran O’Sullivan the cause of Sheepgate was Key’s decision to abandon leadership of a business mission in 2010. As to the subsequent scandal – Watkin and Hooton voice the anger we should all be feeling.
The Greens on National’s data collection enforcement and Community Groups
Jan Logie addresses some of the problems with forcing community groups to share confidential information with the government, plus a link to the petition.
Good coverage for Labour’s conference
Good coverage for Labour’s conference, Little’s speech, and the “substantial investigation into the Future of Work”.
Andrew Little speech: Ready for work
Text of Andrew Little’s speech to the 2016 Labour Party Conference.
John Key’s Paradise
This really happened. Contains crimes against music, dance, fashion, and irony. Also some recent headlines from “John Key’s Paradise”…
Grant Robertson Speech: Future of Work Commission results
Text of a speech from Grant Robertson to the 2016 Labour Party Conference concerning the results from the Future of Work Commission.
Re-post: Eva Hartshorn-Sanders for Senior Vice President
Earlier this year the Standard’s authors offered candidates for the upcoming Labour Party internal elections the chance to guest post about why they’re running. We’re reposting them now ahead of tomorrow’s vote.
Re-post: Tane Phillips for Māori Vice President
Earlier this year the Standard’s authors offered candidates for the upcoming Labour Party internal elections the chance to guest post about why they’re running. We’re reposting them now ahead of tomorrow’s vote.
Re-post: Beth Houston for Senior Vice President
Earlier this year the Standard’s authors offered candidates for the upcoming Labour Party internal elections the chance to guest post about why they’re running. We’re reposting them now ahead of tomorrow’s vote.
Go home Roy Morgan, you’re drunk
The latest Roy Morgan poll result and it is evidence that the polling model needs to be reviewed.
Paris agreement in force – now what?
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?
Nationalism or patriotism?
Winston Peters appeals to the former but is the latter now a more important concept?
Another millionaire businessman launches political party
Millionaire economist Gareth Morgan has announced the formation of a new party, the Opportunity Party
Be afraid!
Reports of an unconvincing “domestic terrorism” plot, and of further illegal GCSB spying.
Andrew Little: Winning together
In advance of the Labour Party conference this weekend Andrew Little’s message is that the polls are neck and neck, that Labour is winning on many issues and that if we work together the left can win the next election.
Standing Rock update
The Standing Rock water protection movement continues in the face of increasing state violence.
Post-truth post-ethics
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.
Sheepgate: Government celebrates finding that McCully is not corrupt
The Auditor General’s report into Sheepgate has been released and there has to be questions about the accuracy of what Murray McCully has told Parliament and his ability to fullfil his role as a Minister.
Morgan Foundation on Nats’ planned climate cheat
A useful report from the Morgan Foundation: “…the Government has a plan to cook the books to cover up our growing greenhouse gas emissions.”
Kiwibank is being privatised by stealth
Kiwibank is selling 47% of its shareholding to the New Zealand Super Fund and to the Accident Compensation Corporation. The Government gets a cheque for $200 million which will improve the appearance of its books. Financial sleight of hand?
David Cunliffe announces his retirement from politics
David Cunliffe has announced that he will not be standing for Parliament at the next election.
Nats backsliding on tax haven law changes
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.
Through the Looking Glass.
The culture being addressed will be familiar enough to many here in NZ who deal with Work and Income. Government strategies to address that culture? Well, that’s another story. This isn’t just happening half a world away. It might as well be happening in another universe – back on the sane side of some looking glass NZ has fallen through.
Conservative, honky males in suits
As a government National is no friend to women, and as a party National has structural problems with selecting and supporting women. Stacey Kirk in the SST writes on National’s lack of female depth.
Labour’s Auckland light rail announcement
National is criticising Labour for releasing policy during an election campaign.
Labour wants light rail for Auckland!
Andrew Little has just announced that Labour in Government will accelerate the implementation of light rail in the Auckland Istmus.
Workers’ rights – the Uber ruling
Recent decision in the UK is a victory for workers and their rights.