It Came From the North
How Corbyn gets taken out.
Politics
politicans
What other countries are doing about climate change
There is hope that the cumulative effect of all the international pledges for the Paris climate change conference may buy the world some time to prevent runaway global warming. Some countries are pledging to becoming carbon neutral. New Zealand’s pledge is pathetically weak in comparison.
Groser don’t go
Greenpeace, 350 Aotearoa and the Coal Action Network have jointly urged John Key not to send Tim Groser to Paris for the climate change talks because the Government’s policies and proposed response will embarrass New Zealand and damage its international reputation.
From out of the Shadows
Goff has attempted to throw a fire-cracker into the notion of the National Party leadership and caucus being one big happy family. Is this the Labour Party’s way of sowing seeds of discontent without tainting the image of their leader? It is NOT Dirty Politics by any normal understanding of that term as captured in the book of the same name. Is this Goff’s role now? To box from the shadows?
Goff: Collins planning her move
Goff: “Judith’s column this week is the opening shot in her campaign to succeed John Key as National’s leader.”
Nats and reproductive rights
The Nats are obsessed with the reproductive rights of those they deem “unfit”. Once again they are floating the idea of compulsory controls.
Green Politics
Think the Green Party have just sold out and will do a deal with National next election? Think again…
The political machinations of the flag debate
The Green’s agreement with National to allow for Red Peak to be a referendum candidate potentially helps John Key out of a major difficulty and raises issues about the state of the Labour-Green relationship.
Auckland Council Mayoral candidates – Mark Thomas
Mark Thomas who has close ties with the National Party has announced that he is going to run for the Auckland Mayoralty next year.
Paula Bennett’s loopy rules do not actually exist
The Government has admitted that at least some of the loopy rules mentioned by Paula Bennett in support of the Loopy Rules review do not actually exist.
Folding on the TPP
As last ditch efforts to pass the TPP continue, Key is softening us up to sign a bad deal. Coincidentally, two articles yesterday highlight the risks to NZ.
Pandas for everyone
John Key is trying to divert attention away from the numerous problems the country is facing by talking about pandas.
Fact checking Key on government performance
A year after the last election John Key lists his government’s achievements. It’s a pretty desperate effort.
Twelve long months
Twelve months on from the last election and that brighter future we were promised has not happened.
The Nation: On Paddy Gower being impatient
The Nation has been putting highlights up on Youtube. The one that caught my attention was Paddy Gower not listening, and redefining his question partway through. Eventually Andrew Little had to force the ever interrupting Paddy Gower to stop and listen to the answer.
Herald gets it wrong on flag referendum
The Herald editorial this morning suggests that Andrew Little is handling the flag referendum poorly but makes some stunningly simple mistakes that undermines its conclusions.
The strip mining of Housing Corp is accelerated
Not only is Housing Corp planning to pay a $118 million dividend to the Crown this year but hidden away in its accounts is the payment of a further capital contribution of $336 million. Talk about strip mining …
Hot hotter hottest
Plenty of distractions in the political circus at the moment, but meanwhile…
The Attack
And they’re off!
Young on Little
While Labour leaders are in the spotlight, a good piece on Andrew Little by Audrey Young in the weekend.
Key and Abbott are prepared to sacrifice the Pacific
Climate change induced sea level increases poses a huge threat to most Pacific Islands. They are seeking support for a goal of limiting temperature increases to no more than 1.5 degrees. Australia and New Zealand are insisting on sticking to a goal of no more than 2 degrees even though this will likely mean that many Islands will disappear.
Refugee crisis a taste of things to come
The current refugee crisis is but a taste of the climate refugee crisis to come. But it according to Key it’s fine, because it won’t be a problem in the next year or two.
Breaking News – Russell Norman resigning from Parliament
Russell Norman has announced that he is resigning from Parliament to become Executive Director of Greenpeace.
Andrew Little – Our values and interests on the world stage
Text of a speech delivered today by Andrew Little to Whanganui Grey Power where he talks about New Zealand’s tradition of standing up for our values and interests on the world stage.
Tony Abbott and the Syrian refugee crisis
In the UK, in Australia and in New Zealand conservative governments have initially refused to accept more refugees then in a matter of days they have changed their view. At the same time they have announced increased support for refugees they have announced military action against ISIS. Makes you wonder if this is based on Crosby Textor advice.
The strip mining of Housing Corporation
At a time where the need for social housing has possibly never been greater the Housing Corporation is to pay the Government a dividend of $118 million, the third largest in the Corporation’s history.
Lost the Plot
Winston’s solution to war and refugees.
Body on Key’s moral compass
The left like Red Peak flag coz Nazis
According to Cameron Slater the left support the Red Peak flag coz the Nazis used to brand political prisoners with a red triangle that looks like an upside down red flag.
Geddis on Key’s guts
Andrew Geddis on Key’s bravado when it comes to sending other people to fight in a war, and his prevarication when it comes to helping war’s victims.
National’s refugee backdown
In both England and New Zealand conservative Prime Ministers are looking to urgently backtrack from recent refusals to do anything further for refugees.
Labour plans emergency bill to increase refugee numbers
Labour plans to seek leave to introduce an emergency bill into Parliament on Tuesday to increase the number of refugees the country can receive.
Greens’ climate discussion paper
The Greens are attempting something remarkable, a plan that is economically credible, but set in the context of realistic environmental constraints. Did they succeed?
“Get some Guts!”
Who’s willing to help those suffering in Iraq & Syria now, Prime Minister?
Market forces
Rosemary Macleod on the flag and market forces. Danyl Mclauchlan on the refugee disaster, market forces, and Key. Is this our New Zealand?
How much does New Zealand spend on refugees?
The Government is under increasing pressure to increase the number of refugees that it takes. Amnesty International’s proposal to double the number could be met by less than the cost of a flag referendum.