GCSB Bill opposition heats up
The stop the GCSB Bill meeting in Auckland last night was well attended and had a series of high quality presentations made. A series of protests are planned for this weekend. Momentum is building …
Social issues
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A king is born: Long Live Inequality!
UK children born on the same day as the new prince will get a silver penny: but their lives will be vastly different. Left foot Forward spells out the inequalities between these new born. John Key gushes over the new prince, while his government slashes, burns and fuels inequalities.
Winston Peters, King Maker
Winston Peters may be the king maker after the next election. No wonder that John Key has started to court the person he said as a matter of principle he would never have in his Government.
John Key: These are my principles …
… and if you don’t like them, I have others. Key once said he’d never have Peters in any government he led, now he’s reconsidering. Peters is playing hard to get, and Gower tries to be part of the story as usual, promoting 3 News’ own poll.
Don’t let them be sidelined: Surveillance Bills
Let’s not sideline the GCSB and related surveillance Bills. It’s about democracy, and against further consolidation of the power of the international, “neoliberal” corporate elites. Nation wide demos this Saturday; public meeting in Auckland this Thursday evening. Phil Goff resists, but bends a little too far. [Update] Protest poster
On the Labour leadership
Over the last few weeks Labour has been in a state of agitation as the party, the affiliates and even the caucus have come to the realisation that the Shearer project has failed.
1938 10
A Sunday feature – each week a random section scanned from a copy of The Standard, September 15th, 1938. Find out more here.
Tale Two – The Death of Shane Frater. Killed 1 May 2009 – Struck by Flying Debris.
I have collected up the available documentation on the men killed in the forest since 2008. I am going to try, using the […]
John Key, Crosby & corporate lobbyists
Joining the dots: David Cameron is under fire for his links with lobbyists for big tobacco & big oil, via his link with Lynton Crosby. John Key, with links to Crosby Textor, has also bowed to big tobacco. Networks of Influence.
Len is standing again
Len Brown has announced that he will again seek Auckland Super City’s mayoralty. I know this will provoke a mixture of views but style wise I think he is great and substance wise he has had successes but should have done more with MUNZ, the living wage project and Sky City.
Broken Deal Already
NZ signed a new trade agreement with Taiwan this week. For the first time the reference to labour standards is squarely in the […]
Truth no longer matters
A significant proportion of the media is now heavily invested in the narrative that David Shearer is about to be rolled as Labour leader. As Matt McCarten puts it today “Truth no longer matters” and “civil society is poorer for it”.
1938 9
A Sunday feature – each week a random section scanned from a copy of The Standard, September 15th, 1938. Find out more here.
Robert Wade in Christchurch
Robert Wade will speak on “Inequality and the We st” in Christchurch tomorrow Friday – 4pm in Lecture Hall A3, Arts Centre, University Drive, Christchurch. His lectures in Auckland and Dunedin have been packed – had to move the venue in Dunedin and could have filled it twice over in Auckland. He is speaking in conjunction with the launch of Max Rashbrooke-edited book “Inequality; A New Zealand Crisis” produced by Bridget Williams Books. All welcome.
No one was there to meet them – no one went to help them.
I am doing a speech on health and safety tomorrow. Been thinking about Pike. Bernie Monk rang yesterday. Bridges is in Gisborne Herald […]
GCSB – independent inquiry needed
A full, independent inquiry of the GCSB is needed , as argued by the Green & Labour Parties, and politics lecturer Damien Rogers. NZ First & Dunne – don’t support Key’s dodgy law changes! Key is masking political motives with spin and secrecy. [update] Campbell Live tonight – must see viewing.
John Key – Economic Miracle Maker
Our wonderful leader John Key is able to sell our assets, spend all the money and then some on his favourite projects, pay down debt and maintain our credit rating all at the one time. If you believe this there is a bridge that I would like to show you …
Snowden on US-NZ intelligence
Just up on Stuff, an article about Edward Snowden making links between US and NZ intelligence services, as well as between other “5 Eyes” participants. Does he have specific evidence that the system “insulates” political leaders from backlash? And Key?
Is the Government bailing out Solid Energy using the Future Investment Fund or not?
The Government is planning to spend up to $100 million from the sale of one SOE, Mighty River Power, to prop up another SOE, Solid Energy. And the Prime Minister thinks one day that it definitely isn’t and the next day it may but it probably won’t and it is all too complex. Confused?
Pike River Compensation must be paid
Judge Jane Farish has ordered Pike River to pay $110,000 compensation for each of the families who suffered the loss of a loved one. But the various parties are not committing as yet to making sure that the compensation is paid. Justice demands that every cent is paid.
Do you like Pina Colada
Four stories this week in the MSM could be pulled together and used as a case study for a number of NZ’s economic and social failings in my view.
1938 8
A Sunday feature – each week a random section scanned from a copy of The Standard, September 15th, 1938. Find out more here.
Bob Parker is gone …
Bob Parker has announced that he is not going to seek re-election to Christchurch’s Mayoralty. Given that the Council has lost the power to issue Building Consents, that its Chief Executive is on Gardening Leave and that insurance for its building consents has been withdrawn this is not surprising. There clearly is something wrong with the City’s governance. And you have to wonder why it took the Government so long to respond.
The big issues: GCSB, Dotcom
Bill English diverts attention from questions about Key’s prior knowledge of Dotcom, saying it is not a BIG ISSUE. Trustworthiness, undermining democracy, misuse of GCSB surveillance in collaboration with foreign powers, blurring commercial cyber-security with national security – just some of the BIG ISSUES covered in the GCSB hearings.
The flat patch
I’ve been having a look at the Roy Morgan trend. Oddly, I don’t see this Labour ‘flat patch’ that people are claiming is happening. What is happening is that the Greens are trending slightly down (as it usually does mid-term) and Labour isn’t rising fast enough to offset that. We’re still some way off the safe-zone for Labour+Greens, and the question is whether we’ll get there.
Outlawing Begging
Ironically during the week of Auckland’s big sleep out there has been a proposal to change Auckland Council’s by laws to provide for […]
The tale of Michael Stevens – killed 27 May 2008 – hit by falling tree
I have collected up the available documentation on the men killed in the forest since 2008. I am going to try, using the […]
Moral mandates
Key is clearly getting nervous about the implosion of his possible electoral partners in 2014. He’s running the “largest party has a moral mandate to govern line” again. It’s destabilising, and it’s rubbish, here’s why…
John Key’s disdain for democracy
Norman criticises John Key for showing complete disdain for democracy at yesterday’s public hearing on the GCSB Bill. Kim Dotcom is expected to provide a challenge today. Paul Buchanan is critical and argues for a full inquiry. Gordon Campbell proposes some questions. [update]: TV3 Livestream 3.30 pm [update] Dotcom -Key knew about him prior to GCSB spying on him TV3.
Sharples packs it in
Sharples has resigned as Maori Party co-leader. Leaving politics next year. Flavell will become co-leader, I guess. The government’s getting shaky. Sharples can stay on as a minister but will he? Will Flavell be willing to stick with the National coalition? Add Dunne’s anger over the emails, Key’s dismissive treatment of him at post-Cab Banks’ trial, and Labour’s ‘flat patch’… things are getting snappy.
Maori Party finished?
Gotta love the reporting of the Ikaroa-Rawhiti by election. This was a boring, predictable win for Labour, a big upset win for Mana, and probably the death knell of the Maori Party.
Update: Native Affairs has unconfirmed reports that Sharples has stood down as leader of the Maori Party.
1938 7
A Sunday feature – each week a random section scanned from a copy of The Standard, September 15th, 1938. Find out more here.
Congratulations Meka Whaitiri
Labour has a strong new addition to its caucus – Meka Whaitiri beat two strong candidate fields, first in her selection and then in today’s by-election. Her percentage of the votes cast was higher than Parekura’s in his first go in 1999 – I’m picking he knew what he was doing when he encouraged her to put her name forward.
Your country needs you
Slippery John Key continues with the theft of the common weal, while the Kiwis with the least powerful voices are being neglected. Labour MPs, it’s time to get over your personality politics, your divisions and careerist maneuverings, and step up.
Ikaroa-Rawhiti by-election
Comments on this post have now been enabled for a discussion of the outcome!
John Key re-announces Len’s plan
So John Key has today re-announced the Auckland plan, albeit delayed. So the Central Rail Link is on. There’ll be a 2nd Harbour […]