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?
Social issues
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Rowing together
The Nation interview on the economy on the weekend was very interesting – leaders of Labour, Greens and New Zealand First all agreeing on the need for New Zealand economy to diversify beyond dairying. It was a very encouraging sign that the time is ripe for change – now I look forward to their combined ideas on what should be done.
Could National lose Whangarei?
National are nervous about losing the safe electorate seat of Whangarei. Something tells me that the NATs will be fighting back hard come 2017.
Caption competition
“The greatest polling error in primary history”
Bernie Sanders has just won the Michigan Democratic primary. Polling guru Nate Silver of 38degrees said that given that Sanders was behind by an average of 21.3% in all polls leading up to the vote, if Sanders won Michigan it would count among “the greatest polling errors in primary history.” It was – why is interesting.
Health law expert on the TPP
We won’t be able to say that we weren’t warned.
How is homophobia still a thing?
The Anglican parish of St Mathew in the City has a proud history of tolerance and liberal thinking and support for LGBTI rights. A couple of boofheads showed up last week and disrupted its Sunday service. What should a liberal do? Updated with photos and video of the individuals involved.
police and african youth
Research has been published showing police having treated African youth unfairly. How can this be so, when they have put in so much effort to engage ethnic communities.
Keep our flag – lest we forget
‘ Lest We Forget There’s a whole lot of talk About changing of our flag. They’ve already spent a ransom On new fangled […]
John Oliver on John Key
“John Key is nothing if not a gigantic clown.”
What a picture’s worth…
Turnout may be very important in the US presidential election – not good news for Hillary though.
The minimum wage is not a living wage
Credit where it’s due for an increase in the minimum wage – but the gap between that and a living wage keeps growing…
Fuster and Cluck ride again?
John Palino has all but announced that he will also stand for the super city Mayoralty and there is a rumour that Simon Lusk will be his campaign manager.
Homosexual law reform happened 30 years ago
Some thoughts on yesterday’s gay pride parade and why National has in the space of 30 years changed from being deeply anti gay rights to being superficially in support.
Glucina Key #ponygate text revealed
Rachel Glucina’s text to John Key sent just after interviewing Amanda Bailey has been revealed.
Twerking For Daddy
As if the second round of booing in a week wasn’t bad enough, John Key got royally trolled by a young BGO attendee on Instagram. Then the Herald bizarrely decided her selfie of the PM with his hand tantalisingly close to her hair was a genuine BGO good news story. But wait! There’s more!!!
Shock Horror media bias exists in New Zealand
Claire Robinson has analysed press use of photos during the 2014 general election campaign and has concluded that the major newspapers exhibited substantial bias in favour of Prime Minister John Key.
Kia Kaha Christchurch
A further earthquake has occurred in Christchurch today.
Open Mike 14/02/2016
Open mike is your post.
For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).
Step up to the mike …
Key’s Bitter Legacy; Gareth Hughes Nails the PM’s Vanity.
The Green’s Gareth Hughes delivered a blistering speech in reply to the PM’s statement to the House. It begs the question ‘what will Key’s lasting legacy be?’. A failed flag referendum? Poverty? Inequality? Corruption? Selfies with AB’s?
As Key’s star fades, the less he seems to have left us to remember him by. What was the point of him anyway?
Northland Fishing Competition
Winston Peters has stitched John Key up again, this time hook, line and sinker. When Key lied in Parliament about the Northland MP’s supposedly leisurely lifestyle, Peters offered a challenge: provide some evidence or donate $100k to charity. Will cowardly Key take the bait?
Daily Review 09/02/2016
Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …
Key booed by rugby crowd
Key went to the rugby on Saturday, but his grandstanding didn’t go as planned.
The Whitehead Report does not exonerate Murray McCully
The Whitehead report into the circumstances surrounding the failed waiver of diplomatic immunity for the Malaysian attache charged with sexual assault charges has been released and blames the incident on an inadvertently worded email. But questions remain about why Murray McCully only took active steps after media broke the story and the effects his reorganisation of MFAT has had on its ability to do its job.
Ongoing Police Surveillance of Protesters
I went to the anti-Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) protests yesterday to take photos. When I arrived I was immediately struck by the level […]
What they don’t tell you about the TPPA
When a government prepares to surrender a share of its sovereignty, you would expect a compelling reason for doing so. No country would accept limits on its law-making power without an equal trade-off, surely? Well, no country except New Zealand. The TPPA places substantial limits on the government’s law-making powers while offering very little in return.
Key’s second waitress bungle
Key’s badly dented “political antennae” took another solid beating yesterday, with his second high-profile bungle involving a waitress.
A tale of two States of the Nation speeches
The State of the Nation speeches provide an interesting start to the political year. John Key’s speech borrowed Labour Green policy that until now the Government has consistently derided and tried to present it as a “kickstart” while Andrew Little’s tertiary education policy announcement has received almost universal support and National is struggling to work out what attack lines to use.
Your Favourite Conspiracy Sucks
The return of the X Files has got me thinking. Just how hard is it to keep a big conspiracy secret? Happily, a British scientist has the answer; it’s bloody hard. More or less impossible, actually, according to his new formula. It seems the truth really is out there.
New Day Rising
Goff and Shearer’s disloyal and self serving support for the TPPA has backfired. They’ve shown that the ABC faction are now a spent force and that Andrew Little has the overwhelming support of caucus. The sun has set on the splitters and there is a new day rising.
Abattoir Blues
The Sheepgate scandal rolls on. PM John Key has just confirmed we will be celebrating the Saudi Arabian government’s recent execution of 47 political opponents by gifting them a portable abattoir.
New Zealand drops down World corruption free index
New Zealand used to be rated as the least corrupt country in the world. Over the past couple of years we have dropped to second and now to fourth. The cynical way that the Government handles OIA requests is the main reason for this occurring.
The great big list of John Key’s big fat lies (UPDATED)
How many more lies will John Key tell today in his so-called State of the Nation address? Virtual chocolate fish to whomever guesses the closest number.
Guest Post … Build Mass Movements continued.
This is a repost of a comment from Incognito on the Building Mass Movements post, with some editing. It’s also linked to one […]
Saudi Arabia and the free trade deal
David Shearer has disagreed with the Greens that New Zealand should suspend negotiations on the free trade agreement with Saudi Arabia until it improves its human rights record.