Jian Yang and his residence application
Just before the election news broke that National MP Jian Yang had previously taught in a Chinese University training spies. A recent OIA release of his immigration application raises further issues.
Politics
politicans
So there was a housing crisis after all
The briefing to incoming Housing Minister Phil Twyford shows clearly that a crisis in housing developed under National’s watch.
National reverts to type
Bill English has claimed that it is not the role of National to make Parliament run properly.
She’s back …
National’s Parliamentary list has been announced. The big mover is Judith Collins who has jumped 7 places to number 9 and she is on the front bench.
Jacinda Ardern, Donald Trump and political manners
In terms of style and approach Jacinda Ardern is radically different to Donald Trump.
We have an obligation to act on Manus Island
Jacinda Ardern faces a test of her claim she can handle Australia better than the last two Prime Ministers. How will she react?
Three strikes law to go
Andrew Little has announced that Act’s three strikes for offenders legislation is going to be repealed.
Labour plans to stop overseas purchases of residential properties
Labour has announced plans to prevent foreign residents from buying residential homes in New Zealand.
Trump spins as Manafort is charged
The indictments have been laid and the recriminations are starting. Looks like the Trump Whitehouse is starting to self destruct.
Deary me.
It would seem Labour’s got nuffin when it comes to the TPP.
Who’s in trouble in the USA?
More trouble for Donald Trump as it is expected someone in his camp will shortly be charged with offences by the special prosecutor Robert Mueller.
The repeal of the Hobbit law
Labour has indicated that as a priority it wishes to repeal the Hobbit law, a clumsy attempt in breach of International Law to prevent workers in the film industry from organising collectively and to divert attention from the fact that the National Government had been played by Warner Brothers.
Why is James Shaw our new Minister for Statistics?
Why statistics? Some speculation as to how this fits together with James Shaw’s other portfolios, and what the motivations and goals were taking up what is seemingly a minor ministerial position as part of a confidence and supply agreement.
The new Green Ministers and Undersecretary
An outline of the Green Party positions in the new government, and which Green MPs hold them.
Spare a thought for Steven Joyce
Steven Joyce had a bad day yesterday. His claim that National’s use of one of Eminem’s song was “pretty legal” was shown to be anything but. And he stuck to his claim that there was a $11 billion dollar hole in Labour’s budget, casting doubt either on his honesty or on his competence.
National loses itself
It seems that National’s use of Eminem’s song lose yourself was not so legal.
The new cabinet
Details about how the next Cabinet may be made up are emerging. Winston Peters may regain the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as being Deputy Prime Minister.
This coming digital war
This is the first Labour Government of the digital age. How progressives respond to social media attacks may be crucial to its success.
NZ First: We could and should be doing better
NZ First chose to be inside Cabinet in a full coalition. I’d rather expected that they would choose to be in a confidence and supply agreement as they did with Labour back in 2005. That they decided to take the risk despite their previous experience with National is a stunning level of trust. But they work well with Labour.
Jacinda Ardern’s speech
If you missed it last night – Jacinda Ardern’s first speech as PM elect is everything that we could want and expect. But the take-home line of the drama belongs to Winston Peters.
The next Prime Minister is …
Winston Peters has announced that he will be going into coalition with Labour and Jacinda Ardern will be the next Prime Minister. Let the attacks from the right about how unfair it is that a minority party did not ascend into Government and how MMP needs to be reformed begin. For the rest of us – this is a time of hope…
Today is a win-win with Winston
It appears that Winston is about to announce the decision of the NZ First party about their coalition partner today. For those who seem to think that coalitions should be formed with rapidity, they simply shouldn’t. That is the path to making stupid decisions, and I am yet to hear a single good reason to do it.
A letter to my middle-class, well meaning, professional, liberal friends and family
A post about the responsibility to advocate for change in a visible way.
Peters’ greatest hits
Lloyd Burr at Newshub rounded up 23 of Peters’ most quotable attacks on the Nats and their failed government. Add them to the collection of issues that Peters will have to disown if he goes wrong and picks Right.
Another day
Just watched the “waiting for Winston Peters” live feed from Stuff. It sounds like the NZ First board know what they want and now there will be a bit more negotiation with both major parties to get closer to what the NZF board were after. They are heading back home leaving the politicians to finish up.
Updated: Winston in one-on-one talks with Bill and Jacinda last night. Looks like it is getting serious.
This is the day *
* but delays are possible.
Nats – lousy at government – “brilliant” at opposition
Peters has the opportunity to put an end to this useless government (and turn National into “the opposition from hell”). I think he’s going to ’96 us, but I’d be happy to be proved wrong
IMF: higher taxes for rich will cut inequality and won’t hurt growth
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it now favours higher taxes on the rich and has demolished the myth this might adversely affect […]
Into the Vortex of Confirmation Bias: why we won’t be able to figure out which way Winston will go…
Every morning, as the waiting for Winston to decide continues to fray my fragile psyche, I can look at myself in the mirror, contemplate my own frenzied speculative hopes for an Ardern Prime Ministership, and immediately think of a host of strong social-methodological reasons why all such speculation is futile.
The Nobel Peace Prize
Last week, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). This is a […]
Every body wants to rule the world
D day approaches. What will happen? Will we have a decaying toothless National Government moderated by coalition with New Zealand First or will we have something more exciting?
Last day of talks
It’s the last day of coalition talks (probably). Peters has certainly created big expectations of “change”, but what they will mean in practice is still anyone’s guess.
Politics or Policy?
Policy is everything, Winston Peters said today. This should not be a surprise. Before every election, he has refused to give any hint of Party support preference until after the vote. But he will have thought a lot about what he might want, as it has long been clear that his Party would decide the outcome. So what are his policies?
Prepare for four days of hot air
Expect to see agendas on display, and egos, and reckons, and the occasional gleaned factoid. But don’t expect predictions to be any better than chance.
Why Labour may form the next Government
The prospects of a Labour led Government have improved dramatically following the release of the final election results.
Young on coalition options – an edge to Labour
Audrey Young on the coalition dance: “Labour would probably have an advantage because of the greater policy overlap”, “Keeping deputy leader Paula Bennett out of the first pro-forma courtesy meeting was an appalling decision by English that simply says he was desperate to please Peters at any cost”.