Panama Papers: NZ is a tax haven
The Panama Papers show that NZ operates a tax haven. Key’s denials don’t hold up, particularly in the light of at least two three prior warnings that his government has received.
Politics
politicans
Building a government in waiting
Good to see Andrew Little working on the practical politics of building a government in waiting.
NRT: Our fearmongering Prime Minister
I/S at No Right Turn on the “jihadi brides” lie. “This sort of shit is why we cannot trust our spies, or the Ministers who “oversee” them…”
NZ Tax Haven Inc – of the 1%, by the 1%, for the 1%
A huge leak of confidential documents which reveals how the rich and powerful use tax havens to hide their wealth suggests that New Zealand plays its part.
Time for progress on drug law
Welcome signs of new realism on drugs. Sadly, it’s the sort of progress only a right-wing government can propose.
Flogging off Kiwibank
Flogging off Kiwibank is not an option.
The sock puppets, the media and the UBI
Labour’s discussion of a possible UBI is still generating debate.
Angry politics
Is our political culture getting more angry and aggressive? If so, why?
Job cuts and the future of work
Two headline job losses today underline the importance of Labour’s Future of Work.
Key wants to turn New Zealand into a haven for the 1%
Fran O’Sullivan has spilt the beans. John Key thinks that overseas terrorism and by implication climate change are good for the New Zealand economy and that the country should not do anything about overseas corporates paying low tax rates because investment will occur. And he wants New Zealand to become a haven for people overseas fleeing from terrorism and climate change. But only if they are wealthy.
Tough couple of weeks for Key
Almost enough to make me feel sorry for the man.
Hickey on the UBI
Bernard Hickey makes some excellent points on the Unconditional Basic Income / Guaranteed Minimum Income.
Garner on Key vs Clark
Attracting a fair bit of comment this morning – Duncan Garner on Key, Clark, and the nature of their legacies.
What the flag vote means
Here are some reckons, for what they’re worth.
Meet the new flag…
… same as the old flag.
Key didn’t take the country with him.
Now let’s get back to the real issues.
Flag distraction result today
Bragging rights I guess to whomever best predicts the outcome.
The media treatment of Labour’s UBI discussion paper
John Key and an array of National sock puppets have misrepresented Labour’s UBI proposal as party policy and as being very expensive when it is not party policy and when a variety of different potential forms have been raised for discussion.
Why are we paying Key’s legal expenses for him?
Key backed down on using taxpayer money for his payout to Ambrose – but he is still using it to cover his legal expenses in the case. Why?
Teapot tapes – Key backs down over Parliamentary Services payment
John Key’s office has announced that he will now pay the agreed damages from private sources.
Which hat John?
The teapot payout shows that, while Key is keen on distinguishing between his various hats when he’s trying to dodge responsibility, he is just as keen on ignoring the differences if it lets him dip into public money.
Glasses and Brick Walls (& woods and trees).
The thing about not having great sight is that sometimes you don’t really see things coming.
Exclusive: Tea Pot Tapes released
Now that the Key tea pot tapes defamation case has been settled and John Key has accepted that Bradley Ambrose accidentally recorded the content of Key’s discussion with John Banks the original tape can now be released …
Key settles Ambrose defamation case – with public money
Key has made a payout in the Bradley Ambrose defamation case over the “teapot tapes”.
Dom Post – Key, Kitteridge and Finlayson can’t be trusted
The weekend Dominion Post editorial doesn’t pull any punches.
Can We Trust Winston Peters?
Recent polling makes it clear that neither National or Labour can win power without the support of NZ First. So should the left be worried that Winston Peters will take his party back over to the blue team?
Guest Post: Government’s multi billion dollar lies
Amakiwi analyses why foreign corporations are hurting New Zealand’s economy and questions why they should be allowed the estimate their profitability.
National tricky on climate change aid
TVOne has discovered that National’s preposed climate change aid spend announced at COP21 would result in a reduction in the amount spent compared to previous years.
A measure of justice for Nicky Hager
The Police’s return yesterday of Nicky Hager’s data, equipment and belongings is – too little and too late – a measure of justice for Hager. But the process doesn’t end there, and open questions remain.
National admits the ETS is broken
Paula Bennett has conceded that the Emissions Trading Scheme is not working and that the two for one scheme which halves the cost of carbon credits for major polluters will be phased out. But when?
Nats refuse to apologise for targeting Muslim community
The Nats are refusing to aplogise to the Muslim community for the distress and offense caused by the “jihadi brides” lie. Apologies are for Key’s pet attack blogger, not for innocent communities that have been exploited for political gain.
Fear is a Man’s Best Friend
It’s been an intense day or two for Andrew Little. But he’s still feeling better than John Key. Why? Because Key’s got the fear.
Andrew Little on the farming crisis
Andrew Little’s speech in Parliament yesterday on the dairy crisis.
Interest rates and banks
Yesterday Andrew Little criticised the banks’ failure to pass on the cut in Official Cash Rate (OCR) to we the people via mortgage / interest rate cuts. Naturally the political right went ballistic.
Key fiddles while dairy industry burns
The dairy crisis is escalating with a further drop in prices occurring overnight. And John Key has chosen to defend the Government’s handling of the crisis by attacking Andrew Little. He would be better off explaining what his Government is doing to address what is becoming a crisis.
Key is on top of the dairy crisis
Or not.
Safe As Milk
Labour is calling for an urgent summit of the dairy industry players to avoid the looming bankruptcy of one in ten farmers. National’s response? Crisis, what crisis?