A partial list of current scandals
For those of you who are keeping score at home.
Politics
political parties
#Sheepgate the cabinet papers
The Sheepgate cabinet papers have now been released and show no sign of a legal dispute between the Saudi Sheep farmer and the Government, let alone one that required a payment of $4 million dollars. And there are concerning reports that three quarters of the ewes on the “model farm” have died.
The Government’s Auckland Housing policy fiasco grows
The Herald has reported that, contrary to John Key’s assurances that the Government did not have to do so, one of the pieces of land set aside for the Government’s affordable housing partnership with private developers has already been offered to iwi under right of first refusal.
Smith embarrassed as Iwi propose legal proceedings over Auckland housing
Ngati Whatua and Waikato-Tainui have announced that they will seek a declaration from the High Court on their rights to participate in the constructing of social housing on Crown land in Auckland. Their proposal that the Crown joins with them in making a joint application is a good one. Surely Nick Smith will agree to this.
Costly government
This is the true irony of National governments. Their entire platform is one of “fiscal responsibility” and “good economic management” yet time and time again they spend money the way I did when I was a teenager: false economies and short-term wish fulfilment.
Heartless government
A few stories of recent weeks which show exactly what kind of government we have.
Labour. Horse. Water.
Sometimes…often…I just can’t get my head around people who make obvious and simple things kinda difficult and fraught.
#Sheepgate – it was the official’s fault
National is appearing to be changing tack and trying to now blame a junior official rather than the Labour Party for the failure to complete the Gulf Free Trade Agreement. And the promised release of the relevant cabinet papers proving it was all Labour’s fault has still not occurred.
Nick Smith on housing then and now
In 2013 Nick Smith promised an effective housing WOF. Yesterday he said “People dying in winter of pneumonia and other illnesses is not new.” Has National ever kept a constructive sounding social policy promise?
Is this progress?
Richard Harman has broken a story about the formation of a Blairite third way think tank within the Labour Party. Those involved include Stuart Nash, Phil Quin, Josie Pagani and Nick Legget.
Relationships Aotearoa to close today
Relationships Aotearoa is closing its doors today, as a result of ineptitude and indifference on the part of the Government. Claimed safeguards are looking incredibly shaky. Only three of the five organisations touted to take up the work are prepared to do so. And MSD has caused upset to the Privacy Commissioner by misrepresenting his views.
We need to ACT on the innumeracy of MPs
After a mere 5 years, some numerically and legally challenged current and ex-MP have been demonstrating their inability to understand their Three Strikes stupidity. They seem to think that people who have probably been in court or banged up in prison for violent offences have had time to go to court three times. FFS: these dickheads need mandatory remedial maths.
The shame of poverty in NZ
According to the Ministry of Social Development child poverty is worse in NZ than in any European country. According to the Child Poverty Action Group new figures are going to show an increase in poverty. According to the coroner a damp unhealthy state house contributed to the death of a child. Welcome to the “brighter future”.
O’Brien on health and safety
Tova O’Brien has written an excellent piece on squabbles within National over health and safety legislation, calling it a disgrace and a power-play by the Collins faction.
Sheepgate and National’s last defence: Labour does it too
John Key yesterday went on the attack and implied that Labour did something about Sheepgate in 2007. What it was he did not say but the implication was that Labour did it too. A brief review of dirty politics shows that this is alway’s National’s desperate last line of defence. Update: Labour tried to table in Parliament the Cabinet Paper that John Key talked about yesterday and National refused leave …
Herald supports Greens on climate change
Even an anonymous editorial in The Herald supports The Greens’ proposal for discussions with National on climate change. Key needs to acknowledge the facts, get some guts, and stop playing politics with the issue.
NZLP Review of Election 2014; the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
The NZ Labour party’s review of election 2015 makes for interesting reading. It’s honest, straightforward and heartening. There is much to be learned from the last election campaign and it looks like the membership have got their points across to the review team. Good work, Labour!
Sheepgate: the McCully mess
The media have joined opposition demands that Murray McCully’s actions in relation to sheepgate are investigated. If John Key really expects high standards from his ministers this is the least that should be done. Update: And a claimed “independent audit” of the tender process was conducted by none other than MFAT.
Shaw interview – we have a crony capitalist state
New Greens co-leader James Shaw on: climate change, ruling out coalition with National, creeping crony capitalism, and more…
The stupidest idea this Government has had yet
One News has reported that the Government is on the verge of introducing Social Bonds whereby investors in social services will be rewarded if targets are met.
Peter Talley is now a knight
The Queens Birthday Honours List has been announced with Peter Talley’s contribution to philanthropy being rewarded with appointment as a Knights Companion.
Labour and the Greens
Some thoughts on how Labour and the Greens need to manage relations in the hope that they can form a future progressive Government.
New Greens male co-leader: James Shaw
The new male co-leader of the Green Party is James Shaw.
New Greens co-leader elected today
The Green Party are livestreaming parts of their annual conference today, including the announcement of their new male co-leader at 2pm.
Money for nothing and the sheep are for free
The legal suit offered as part justification for the Government paying $11 million to a Saudi businessman was apparently “off the table” at the time that Cabinet agreed to the payment. So why was the payment made? And why didn’t Murray McCully tell this to Cabinet or to Parliament earlier?
All our eggs in the dairy basket
This government has been artificiality buoyed by a diary boom, now the bust leaves us highly exposed.
Sheepgate
It has emerged that the New Zealand Government has paid money to a Saudi businessman allegedly to settle a legal dispute that does not exist but more probably to persuade the Saudi Government to enter into a free trade agreement. Update – and maybe there was a threat of legal action but because of the actions of National, not Labour.
In Praise of Key
Hardly a comprehensive take, but in the interest of stating some obvious stuff…
Some Nats growing a spine on health and safety?
Helen Kelly and the CTU have done a great job raising the issues of workplace health and safety. Have they even got the attention of some Nats? Apparently there are delays to proposed changes as some in caucus resist.
Petition: Raise the age of child protection
Currently, child protection law means a young person leaves CYFS care at 17, but other state support, like housing and student allowances, doesn’t start until age 18.
Sky City redux – the house still wins
Sky City has managed to persuade the Government to allow it to build a cheaper building while retaining the same valuable gambling regulatory concessions. Update: and the Government appears to have made further contractual concessions to Sky City.
Fixed Term Parliaments
An argument in favour of New Zealand adopting Fixed Term Parliaments Act legislation.
Government incompetence threatens Relationships Aotearoa
Government incompetence, drastic cuts in funding and a refusal to provide a helping hand is likely to cause the closure of Relationships Aotearoa, a charitable entity that has existed in one form or another since 1949.
Political Strategy for a Progressive Majority
Sir Michael Cullen discussed political strategy at the “Destination- Next Progressive Majority” seminars held recently by the Fabian Society in Auckland and Wellington. He started by sharing what he used to say to his students when they were facing a test – “never forget to state the obvious.” For a progressive majority that means “get more votes than the others” – he had some good ideas how.
Is Maurice Williamson jumping ship?
Rumours are surfacing that Maurice Williamson wanted to jump ship to Act but was turned down.
Superannuation and Government forecasts
National has again refused to consider doing anything about the future of Superannuation. Yet its policies of increasing Crown debt, stopping contributions to the Cullen Fund and attacking Kiwisaver have made a discussion about the future of superannuation more important than ever.