The Government-Auckland relationship
The Sky City National Convention Centre fire brings the Government Auckland relationship to a very sharp edge. It was tense before. It’s worse now.
Politics
political parties
Dog whistling Housing Corp tenants
National has announced that it will put an end to a “state house for life” if it gets into power next year. But its rationale is not only cruel but based on a faulty understanding of the local reality.
Farmers given a chance. I think National will screw it up for them.
One of the less endearing traits of National is their ability to screw almost anything up for short-term advantage regardless how it impacts long-term. Usually this comes from the results of in-fighting within the party. The agricultural emissions deal is likely to get caught again.
Sneaky Simon somersaults on support for Terrorism Bill
National has welched on a promise to support the Terrorism Suppression (Control Orders) Bill so that it can play politics with law and order issues.
Zero Carbon Bill reported back
The Zero Carbon Bill has been reported back largely unchanged. But National has a series of talking points that suggest it will not cooperate with the passage of the bill into law.
NZ First Youth drags party screaming and kicking into 20th century
At New Zealand First’s weekend conference the party’s youth wing has forced the party to rethink its ultra conservative view on pill testing services being offered at festivals.
Reality kicks in for US trolls.
It has been an interesting few days looking at political reality kicking in on politics and the net in the UK and the […]
Why unions won’t give up on Fair Pay Agreements
The CTU has launched a campaign to raise awareness about a discussion paper released by the Government on fair pay agreements amongst media comment that government support may not be secure.
Burning down the house
Why is it that conservative politicians throughout the world engage in rhetorical attacks on laws that in many situations actually serve important purposes?
One News Colmar Brunton Poll Oct 2019
The October TV One/Colmar Brunton poll is out. Like yesterday’s devastating TV3 poll result showing National not waving, but drowning, today’s poll confirms that NZ is still heading toward an historic Labour/Green Government, despite the Tories flirting with numbers in the high fifties.
UPDATE: Some weirdness with the numbers: they add up to 101% and 47% does not actually give National 60 seats, so the ‘Poll Says National Can Govern’ headlines are a wee bit optimistic. TRP.
Newshub: poll shows Labour/Green could govern alone
Is less spin and more analysis too much to ask?
Dunedin’s Aaron Hawkins
Dunedin is going to be a very interesting test of politics and opportunity over this coming three years for this new mayor.
John Key 2.0
Chris Luxon has announced he will be seeking National’s nomination for the Botany seat next year. john Key is pleased. But Jami Lee-Ross is not … Update: Nor is Matthew Hooton …
National’s extreme gang rhetoric
National has engaged in some extreme rhetoric concerning gangs which is not reality based.
About the $7.5 billion surplus
The announcement of a $7.5 billion surplus for the last fiscal year combined with a $5.5 billion surplus the year before proves once and for all that Steven Joyce’s claim of a $11.5 billion deficit in Labour’s costings was bollocks.
National’s plans to torment poor people leaked
National’s plans to torment poor people for political gain have been leaked.
The Government’s Economic Development Plan
Last week the government launched its Economic Development Plan, arguably late but with lots of useful initiatives.
Still not sure what anything National says means?
Gerry Brownlee clarifies.
National’s faux outrage
The National Party has described as “censorship at the extreme” a rule in Parliament’s standing orders the latest version of which was enacted under the last National Government. Updated with Simon Bridges opposing the relaxation of the rule in 2017
Civilian offers a bleak look at our future.
The Civilian ‘reports’ in “Trump repeatedly asked Ardern if New Zealand gives asylum very often”. Oh shit! We need to reverse National’s large donation policy and proactively and preemptively pass a law against bolthole refugees.
The Greens on the need for rental law changes
Marama Davidson: renting has to be a valid way of life.
National’s rhetoric problem
National has displayed a concerning level of rhetoric this week involving a misrepresentation of the GDP figures and the attacking of a board appointee who cannot respond.
Where is the Government on oil reliance?
Even though New Zealand is one of the most oil-reliant countries on earth, the Government has a disturbing lack of a plan for security of supply.
The strange case of Oravida and the rupturing of the Ruakaka jet fuel line
An independent inquiry has concluded that an Oravida associated company was most likely responsible for the rupturing of a jet fuel line in 2017.
An unfortunate rush to judgment by the media?
A release of information from Labour Council member Simon Mitchell has raised issues about what members of the Labour Party knew about recent sexual abuse allegations and when.
How This Government Can Still Win
Some suggestions on how Labour can retain power at the next election.
National’s double standard
National has a rather murky past when it comes to dealing with issues relating to the behaviour of its Members of Parliament.
National advertisements ruled misleading
National has recently had two different advertisements ruled misleading by the Advertising Standards Authority.
Accused Labour Party Staffer Resigns
A second resignation has swiftly followed that of Labour Party President Nigel Haworth. The person from the Labour Party Parliamentary team accused of sexual assault has today quit his job.
Trump it up
Found on facebook and featuring the work of an anonymous genius …
The biggest loser
Boris Johnson has lost a sixth Parliamentary vote in six days as Britain lurches into a constitutional crisis.
Boris’s big gamble
Boris Johnson has threatened a general election if Parliament opposes his self imposed hard deadlines on Brexit.
National gather fuel for their political dumpster fires
Not so much Zero Carbon as Zero Shits. While National look set to monkey-wrench our climate legislation, we can remember that the real power in addressing the climate crisis lies outside of parliament.
Crims gangs and extremists
National has chosen for political reasons to oppose the Government’s proposed gun law changes designed to address weaknesses shown up by the Christchurch terrorist attack.
Ross leaks again
Jami Lee Ross has released details showing National avoided restrictions against overseas donations by a New Zealand incorporated company being used to make the donation.
National are lighting political dumpster fires while the Amazon burns
New Zealand’s poster boys for late stage capitalism’s dying throes are fools of the highest order.