Conference 2012 – Labour

Written By: lprent - Date published: - 149 comments
Categories: labour - Tags:

Well, I’m at the Labour conference – as media.

Feels somewhat weird after many delegate years. I figure that The Standard needs to start sending someone along to the conferences. So I will ground-break at each of the major ones over the next year.

The remit book looks like the main focus for this year. I haven’t been to many conferences over the last few years.  But there is a noticeably larger group in the crucial age groups that have been lacking – the 30’s. A lot less of the grey heads like myself who have increasingly dominated the heads.

 

148 comments on “Conference 2012 – Labour”

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    1. 1.1

      They will take a while to come out. I am writing notes, but as people are probably aware, I am not a disciplined writer of text (code is a completely different story).

      2. 2.2.2

        Je suis “malade”, I’d say.

        Trevor, what do you want here? Have you any cheap, scarce tickets for sale, or what? I thought you used to be a bit witty and smart, but like many others I am totally turned off your style and personality. Make room for fresh blood, please, Labour needs it, more than you!!!

  4. 4

    In the working group on economic.

    Interesting seeing how well the economic MP’s are working with each other. 3 David’s in particular. Clark, Parker, and Cunliffe – Cunliffe speaking on behalf of Parker. Practicality rather than ideological, but for me – untainted by the TINA of the first conferences I attended.

    Buying back assets, and IFFT IFTT. Interesting that at least one speaker confused a IFFT IFTT with a foreign exchange tax. I think we need to start a education rogramme here.

          2. 4.1.1.1.2

            Yeah, tell me about it.

            IFTT doesn’t even come up on google either. My guess is International Financial Transaction Tax.

              1. 4.1.1.1.2.1.1

                It can be enforced. Any money going through a NZ bank pays a small tax, the same way GST is automatically added.

                It is primarily an isolationist strategy. It makes it more expensive for foreigners to buy NZ assets and for locals to buy or invest overseas.

                It will mostly net the small fries. You and I will pay a little more when we buy on-line from overseas, send money to relations, buy and sell Australian shares, etc.

                One problem the Labour leaders are trying to tackle is the huge trade in our currency. The NZ dollar is the tenth most heavily traded currency in the world. They think if they can slow down the trade the currency will come down in price. John Key would reply that you can’t successfully alter currency prices in global markets where trillions of dollars change hands every DAY in markets all over the world.

                I am loathe to agree with John Key about anything, but on this he is right.

                1. 4.1.1.1.2.1.1.1

                  Depends on the level.
                  If it’s 30%, then yeah it’d hit personal transactions. Not so sure about isolationist – nothing’s stopping an international from making a local holding company so it’s an IFTT-free asset on their international books. They pay IFTT on reconciling with the overseas suppliers, but not too bad.

                  If it’s 0.05%, then it wouldn’t be noticed for personal transactions, but it would still be a filter on speculative cashflows.

                2. 4.1.1.1.2.1.1.2

                  John Key would reply that you can’t successfully alter currency prices in global markets where trillions of dollars change hands every DAY in markets all over the world.

                  I’m pretty sure he would say something like that despite the fact that he’s worked to influence the exchange rate of currencies.

  6. 6

    Great to see you reporting the conference Lynn. You should put “#Labour2012” in the title of each post so they get picked up when they’re tweeted.

  7. 7

    The TPPA is interestingly contentious. Phil Goff speaking against the remit. Not in detail. But that the making the bottom line mandatory. I will blog on this later.

    Interesting, the mandatory part of the remit was voted out. Be interesting what happens on the foor.

        2. 7.1.1.2

          Please please pass all these remits. Prove that Labour is a truly Socialist Party. Stop pussy footing around in the centre.

              1. 7.1.1.2.1.1.1

                Let’s do better. 50% of company boards should be made up of the workers who actually create the economic value of the firm.

                1. 7.1.1.2.1.1.1.1

                  Absolutely. It is done widely in Europe with outstanding results. Workers know a lot of things the company is doing wrong.

                  Some of our union leaders are still in the 1930’s.

          2. 7.1.1.2.2

            Fisiani – have you ever been to a policy conference? Change is the nature of them.

            Not to mention there is limited time. I would expect less than a fifth of them to get to the floor.

            1. 7.1.1.2.2.1

              Lynn, can you or someone else please give a bit of an outline of how the conference works eg what’s the process that decides which remits get to the floor (and does that mean they definitely get voted on?)?

              1. 7.1.1.2.2.1.1

                Most of those remits will make it to the floor, except those considered either double-ups, or constitutionally repugnant – (rare for non-structural reasons considering they are membership based remits).

                Amendments are suggested and debated in each of the policy workshops, I don’t think you can suggest to amend from the floor anymore (surprise amendment), i.e. your amendment has to already be on the list. Most amendments from workshops get sorted into a manageable (and language tidied up) form for the floor (by the NZLP Policy Council – which already has been through the Regional Conference remits).

                Then each remit will come up, and be voted on. Most votes are are accepted unanimously.

              1. 8.2.1.1.1.1.1

                We ought be very much more worried at the moment about America being a pressing ally of Israel. Great start by Obama, he cries in public, but cares not a jot for the slaughtered children of Gaza.

                1. 8.2.1.1.1.1.1.1

                  +1 – winning timing that Israel decide to assassinate a Hamas leader the week after the election.

                  4 more years (of the same old shit!)

                  1. 8.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1

                    “To discard the royal family would be like divorcing our parents.”

                    Yes, sounds a little inbred, but if we are in a marriage…do we get half their assets when we tell those leeches to f-off?

                    1. 8.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1.1

                      inbred?
                      more like incestuous*
                      but if that is Diane’s cup of tea …

                      *there is a law against this. it is not constitutional, but criminal.

                  2. 8.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.2

                    Whose royal family?

                    One third of the population of London is non-white. At the big wedding earlier this tens of thousands lined the parade route . . . all white faces.

                    NZ is not white anymore either. My Maori, Tongan, Thai and other friends know who their royal family is. And they don’t live in Windsor castle.

    3. 8.3

      I care a bloody great deal about a REPUBLIC Lynn!

      A republic is just the “people’s system and state”, not some aged, pre senile royals, travelling on tax payers’ expense and deliver bloody nothing of substance at all, neither to where he comes from, nor to the ones he visits.

      I HATE BLUDGERS, especially the ones at the top!

      1. 8.3.1

        Apparently the room I was in agreed with you. They voted for it. And it was pretty much a younger vs older split (and I would have been on the older side).

        1. 8.3.1.1

          Glad to hear there’s a lot of young/new blood making their voices heard. I am an older person for a Republic & anti-royal bludgers.

  10. 10

    Good on you LPrent.
    I hope you are in full ceremonial costume : a blackened curtain with an unreadable name tag 😀

    2. 10.2

      No problems. I may have mentioned before that I am quite antisocial under the best of circumstances. What I am interested in is the mood of the conference and some information on a few topics. So far when I have asked I have gotten access. Was asking Phil Goff about his view on the TPPA

      Looks like Gower is discussing Cameron Slater and Tamihere not being allowed to attend as media.. That could be worth a post. Sounds like a dumbarse beat up.

      1. 10.2.1

        It was a beat-up, but Tamihere certainly demonstrated why he’d be a walking time-bomb if he was a Labour candidate/MP.

        He wouldn’t last five minutes.

            1. 10.2.1.1.1.1

              Very good. I could not have bettered that. Maybe because I could only think about the stockpile of Tamiflu that the Ministry of Health accumulated in anticipation of swine flu. Roche made a tidy sum out of that?

              1. 10.2.1.1.1.1.1

                The intention was good. Inaction could have had disastrous consequences. Whether John T can be compared? His medicine would be of variable quality.
                There’s a word I’ll check on google.- picaresque. It’s a bit strong but I think can be applied now to a number of people, perhaps JT.

                Of or relating to a genre of usually satiric prose fiction originating in Spain and depicting in realistic, often humorous detail the adventures of a roguish hero of low social degree living by his or her wits in a corrupt society.

      2. 10.2.2

        News was promising something on Tamihere wanting back into Labour, on tonights 6pm news. I just had a shower, so I don’t know if I missed it.

        So they want to stir things up over Tamihere?

        1. 10.2.2.1

          It’s here

          Tamihere is complaining about being excluded from the Labour Party – not just the conference. Ar least, his membership still hasn’t been approved.

          I’m pleased to see that Shearer failed to support him today when asked. Tamihere didn’t do himself any favours by saying the Labour Party is a close knit gang like the Headhunters.

          The report did include something about Shearer – but, really, there are far more significant things going on at the Conference than Tamihere issues.

          1. 10.2.2.1.1

            Yes.

            Looks like the 40-40-20 is the only thing left on the table for leadership from what I hear despite some ardent opposition. The result of the 1980’s TINA. Has to go past the floor, but I gather that it is now either go for that or nothing.

            Somehow I think that the affiliates and members will go for it.

              2. 10.2.2.1.1.1.2

                Separate issue Karol.

                The 40:40:20 is the proportion of votes for MPs:members:affiliates during a leadership contest.

                The trigger for a contest will require either the leader stepping down or a petition by caucus. The original proposal of 2/3 was too high. A significant majority of Caucus could have no faith in the leader and it would not happen.

                NZ Council is suggesting that it be 55% of caucus but I am sure it will be no more than 50%. It may go as low as 40% of caucus having the power to start a leadership contest.

                1. 10.2.2.1.1.1.2.1

                  UK Labour requires 20%. That’s ample.

                  The 20% of caucus who sign the petition know if the leader is not ousted they are dead meat. The leader will relegate them to Siberia.

                  If you can get 20% to sign a challenge, the leader is probably finished. You will NEVER get 40% to sign.

                  Tokenism. It preserves those in power and blunts future attempts at meaningful change.

                  The supposed change to 40:40:20 is also tokenism. The caucus and unions together will have 60%.

                2. 10.2.2.1.1.1.2.2

                  Well, then, Shearer do the dirty deed now, thanks! That is if he has the dignity, sincerity and guts to admit defeat. Or rather live in lala land, pretending all is “sweet”, which is a bit like the ruler that lost touch with his people. I am waiting!!!!!!!!!

                  This conference will just be another big disappointment, I fear.

  12. 12

    The word on the street is that John Tamihere has been banned from attending the Labour party conference.
    Please let it be true.

    1. 12.1

      I love how Fis says “street” instead of the actual source, which is in fact his favourite blog.

      Like, only Fisiani has the internets.

    2. 12.2

      Looks like there was a good reason. Seems like Tamihere was more interested in raising his ratings than he was in the party. But that is no more than I suspected.

      He was neither a delegate nor was he accepted as media. He was merely a useless gatecrasher.

      1. 12.2.1

        That sounds about right – he was stirring up the gay issue. And the problem with our news media is they tend to go for drama and sensationalism over substance.

        1. 12.2.2.1

          Sounds like he was just out to sabotage, and get attention – that Headhunters comment: he surely wouldn’t have said that if he really wanted to be a candidate again?

  13. 13

    The comments on National Radio from caucus members, like Phil Goff and Andrew Little, about the questioning of Shearer leadership, were kinda surreal. They effectively said the whole thing was probably coming from anonymous right wing bloggers!

    1. 13.1

      *sigh* I guess it’s the convenient thing to say when they don’t want to talk about it.

      But this “anonymous” meme makes them look so out of touch with the internet – speaking as someone who has been around Internet forums since about 95/6.

      They don’t seem to realise how attached we can become to our online handles – it’s part of our identity. So dismissing that without responding to the criticisms, seems to me a bit like an ad hominin.

  14. 14

    What is the problem with grey?

    I spent years of hard learning, working, talking, loving, drinking et al to get them. Grey is to be valued. I do not see any negative elements inherent in grey.

    Some people are visionless, conservative, inflexible or whatever from their youth.

    As that great Dubliner GBS said: Youth is wasted on the Young.

    1. 14.1

      There is nothing intrinsically wrong with ‘Grey’ except that, statistically speaking, they are much more likely to represent capitalist interests rather than the interests of…..well actual people.

      1. 14.1.1

        Grey. And I think conservative. And often not interested in debating it. Too old to change what beliefs have got concreted in.

    2. 14.2

      KH. Yes, it is all too easy to slip into ageism. Many older people have learned an awful lot about life (and politics).

    3. 14.3

      Hey I am quite Grey.

      But I have been always amazed at how each year for the last 20 years how the conference got steadily greyer. There were always the mayflies of young labour, but few persisted.

      This looks like a generational transition is taking place. People I saw in young labour years ago have reappeared.

      1. 14.3.1

        That’s wonderful news.

        This is the generation that has grown up with a Neo-Liberal ideology that deliberately isolates the individual and forces them to act self-interestedly. I’ve always been anxious that it would turn them off political engagement.

    1. 15.1

      Yes, I too want to vote Labour (again).
      But the current leadership is making it so difficult.
      I would have been at the conference if it wasn’t for personal matters to attend to this weekend.

      I hope the Labour Party will rediscover and reconnect its soul, head and heart again this weekend.

      The country needs them to before the current lot in government continue to undermine our society and economy.

      1. 15.1.1

        Going by Shearer’s latest, we might just as well leave Key in office (which I certainly do not want!) Shearer wishes to take on Key concerning the economy. He is not particularly interested in social sorrows. If the problems of society are properly addressed, the economy will soon be looking up.

  16. 16

    Jacinda Arden is up.

    She is attempting bribery. Everyone who says something nice to the media will get one less letter from the head office asking for money.

    Hey what do I get?

      1. 17.1.1

        I made a small donation to TS last week.
        If your skin can grow thicker and your responses more potent, I would donate some more 🙂

  18. 18

    David Shearer up.

    “Becoming a more transparent democratic party.”

    The emphasis in the speech is definitely on the reform of the party so far.

    The organisation of the Obama campaign has obviously made a real impact on thinking. I will (cynically) believe it when I see that attitude express into actual organisation.

    2. 18.2

      Let’s hope Shearer talking about transparent and democratic party won’t end up like John Key talking about jobs and higher standards for the country.

  21. 21

    Higlights of David Shearer’s Speech:

    New Zealand is better under Labour.
    The Democrats won last week by organising from the bottom up. We will take their ideas.
    We will also take ideas from the Australian Labour Party.
    1,000 a week leaving for Australia. Many people feel that under national things are going backwards.
    The shine is coming off National.
    A common theme do disappointment. A sense of being let down by National.

    1. 21.1

      Good précis. I’m afraid that I am far more interested in the organizational stuff. Shades of being a organizer activist for decades.

      Damn I need to turn prediction off. Keeps rewriting my typing.

      1. 21.1.1

        Do you think they realise that organising from the ground up often requires blogging? they may want to rethink the dark rooms and generally disparaging comments then…

        1. 21.1.1.1

          David Shearer CANNOT organize the way Obama did because he is an elitist.

          In his guts he hates the idea that the party and country should be run by anyone other than “the right sort of people.”

          If he was not an elitist, he would have the leader elected ONLY by the members. He would support binding referendums. He would not have taken the leadership last year when he saw Cunliffe was the people’s favorite.

        2. 21.1.1.2

          I do wonder if it’s sunk in to Labour’s thinking that there are a lot of different ways to be grassroots, and the kind of grassroots movement you get from engaging young/disengaged/marginalized groups online is very different from engaging low-paid workers in union halls.

          It’s pretty basic audience/channel/message planning.

      2. 21.1.2

        lprent: I am starting to feel sorry for you there, being “media” now. So the agenda is “wait until the gloss and paint drops off National and Key” to win the next election?!

        What a bloody cheapskate, useless cop-out! If that is a “strategy” and “organisation”, I will organise the next coup d’etat in Mainland China tomorrow!

  23. 23

    Len Brown:

    A cracker. An understandable focus on Auckland: but makes it relevant to wider domestic concerns and world issues.

    Kids are asking for hope. We need leadership that will give them that hope.

    Auckland Council strategies are delivering a great city.

    The Rail strategy is critical and Len is grateful for Labour support.

    2m population by 2030. We need 30,000 houses a year.

    Len wants to know what the Abour Policy is for Housing.

    More Pools, Libraries and Parks.

    And NOT selling Assets like Airport and Port.

      1. 23.1.1

        Isn’t the Airport already a mixed ownership model? In fact, from what I can see, the Auckland City Council only own 22.5% of the Airport, so isn’t this worse than what National are proposing for the power companies?

    2. 23.2

      Libraries, no surely not, they are so yesterday. Only the other day a letter to the editor of the Waikato Times pointed out they need to be scrapped.

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/opinion/letters/7931657/Letter-Get-rid-of-libraries

      ‘Public libraries are becoming the repository of deadbeats and the dispossessed.

      Why should homeowners (read ratepayers) cater for them.

      Libraries are no longer a needed public service. Time has moved on. Access to knowledge has changed and it now costs a fraction of what it used to.’

      All you need to know is on Google. Any questions?

      Just as well a library for the sprawl suburbs in the north of Hamilton is on hold more or less indefinitely.

        1. 25.1.1.1

          (Hah, I am good. Blowing my own trumpet)

          Oh that Disney stuff.
          Labour praying for a miracle now ..

          Here are the lyrics after the Youtube clip ..

          Many nights we prayed
          With no proof anyone could hear
          In our hearts a hope for a song
          We barely understood
          Now we are not afraid
          Although we know there’s much to fear
          We were moving mountains
          Long before we knew we could, whoa, yes
          There can be miracles
          When you believe
          Though hope is frail
          It’s hard to kill
          Who knows what miracles
          You can achieve
          When you believe somehow you will
          You will when you believe
          [Mmmmmmmmmyeah]
          Mmmyeah
          In this time of fear
          When prayer so often proves in vain
          Hope seems like the summer bird
          Too swiftly flown away
          Yet now I’m standing here
          My hearts so full, I can’t explain
          Seeking faith and speakin words
          I never thought I’d say
          There can be miracles
          When you believe (When you believe)
          Though hope is frail
          It’s hard to kill (Mmm)
          Who knows what miracles
          You can achieve (You can achieve)
          When you believe somehow you will
          You will when you believe
          [Hey]
          [Ooh]
          They don’t always happen when you ask
          And it’s easy to give in to your fears
          But when you’re blinded by your pain
          Can’t see the way, get through the rain
          A small but still, resilient voice
          Says love is very near, oh [Oh]
          There can be miracles (Miracles)
          When you believe (Boy, when you believe, yeah) [Though hope is frail]
          Though hope is frail [Its hard]
          It’s hard to kill (Hard to kill, oh, yeah)
          Who knows what miracles
          You can achieve (You can achieve, oh)
          When you believe somehow you will (Somehow, somehow, somehow)
          Somehow you will (I know, I know, know)
          You will when you believe [When you]
          (Ohoh)
          [You will when you]
          (You will when you believe)
          [Oohoohooh]
          [Oh… oh]
          [When you believe]
          [When you believe]

            1. 25.1.1.1.1.1

              Cunliffe’s recent speeches have stressed the need for us to work together (business, labor, government) to develop modern industries for the green technology age.

              Building more houses won’t do it. Nor will the Nat’s more milk and mines.

  26. 26

    Well, I hope they are serious about transformation and organising from the bottom up. Does that mean they HAVE been listening to the members? And maybe one or two Standartisa Labour members?

    2. 26.2

      No, they have NOT been listening.

      That’s why they came up with 40% members; 40% caucus; and 20% affiliates to elect the leader.

      Under that formula a caucus vote is worth 1,647 more than my vote.

      Supposedly a central Labour party policy is democracy. There is only ONE definition of democracy:

      “One person, one vote.”

      To David Shearer and Grant Robertson and the policy council: What part of that sentence do you NOT understand?

  28. 28

    Prof Haworth says National are “A do nothing, sit on their backside government”

    He says “Benign neglect can no longe be tolerated”

    (I wish some of his points had been up on PowerPoint. I hope his speech is posted up on Red Alert and the Standard?)

  29. 29

    Dr Judy McGregor giving a smart entertaining and serious speech on women in our society.

    https://alumnionline.massey.ac.nz/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=440

    Extract:
    Since 2003 she has been the Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner at the Human Rights Commission, focusing on pay equity, ageism in the workplace and extending equal employment opportunities in the public and private sectors.

    She has worked with human rights institutions in Jordan, Palestine, Malaysia and with journalists in the Pacific Rim to develop media and communications strategies around human rights issues. In 2006 she was awarded the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to journalism.
  31. 31

    A good opening evening, followed by a few drinks accompanied by some Top-class jazz.

    I heard the Affiliates session went well today: plenty of good speeches in favour of more open democracy: Tolich and the two usual suspects from the leadership spoke against! And the usual suspects did not win…

    The two special guests, Judy McGregor and Nigel Haworth, were fantastic. Inspired guest selection HO!

    The Mayor of Auckland, the hosting city, is an old school mate of Shearer’s. As a De La Salle Club player, Len played against Shearer and Shearer says Len was a full-on mouthy competitor.
    Tonight Len out-played and out-mouthed Shearer again. Len went well beyond normal local government and Super-city scope to sharply highlight housing, employment and youth issues very very effectively.

    Len upstaged “my mate” David!

    Naughty Len.

  32. 32

    It is “amazing”, how guys like Len Brown come out with the “people talk” every time there is an election or a conference going. Does he really mean what he says, or does he think we are all thick as planks?

    His silence on the Ports of Auckland industrial dispute is NOT forgotten by me, nor have I heard him say anything about the new looming industrial dispute there.

    Len, I would have thought more of you a few years back, but to me, you are as hollow as a disemboweled animal stuffed for decoration for a dedicated, habitual, old fashioned hunter.

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