Daily review 26/07/2023

Written By: notices and features - Date published: - 66 comments
Categories: Daily review

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 …

66 comments on “Daily review 26/07/2023”

Comment numbers have changed to permanent references. Older quoted numbers may no longer identify the same comment.

  2. 2

    Eugenie Sage's members bill to ban mining on conservation land, as was Jacinda Arden's promise in 2017, has been voted down by the Labour party:

    Aotearoa is home to many unique plants and animals that are only found here. If Labour isn’t going to support our bill to protect their habitats and the dramatic landscapes and natural features on public conservation land, they need to front up with a clear alternative plan,” says Green Party conservation spokesperson, Eugenie Sage.

    “In 2017 the Labour Government promised that there would be no new mines on conservation land. My members’ bill, the Crown Minerals (Prohibition of Mining) Amendment Bill would have achieved exactly that. But tonight, Labour chose not to turn their fine words and promises into action. It is clearer than ever that we need more Green MPs sitting around the decision making table pushing the government to do the right thing.

    “Only 50 percent of conservation land (in national parks, nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries) is protected from mining. My bill would have ensured there are no new mines on public conservation land and no new coal mines on any land in Aotearoa. Last term, NZ First was a handbrake on implementing Labour’s promise. That excuse no longer applies, yet Labour has settled for sticking with the status quo.

    https://www.greens.org.nz/labour_must_deliver_on_no_new_mines

    This type of blocking of real action on climate change really is inexcusable. Remember this. This attitude extends to many of the other various crises that afflict our communities. We need those are prepared to take action.

    1. 2.1

      The sweet spot for Labour is that nobody will hold them to account in parliament, I presume. Can you think of anyone who would dare?

      So is Labour shameless or does it have a valid excuse? I suppose they would claim they've honoured Jacinda's promise so the legislation is non-essential. Even if enacted, National could easily repeal it.

  3. 3

    Hot off the press!

    An "anonymous source" has been accused of leaking Labour Caucus information. The person has alleged:

    "We have known about Kiri Allan for two years".

    Two possibilities.

    1)The anonymous source is a Labour MP who has committed the ultimate sin of revealing something said in caucus without [presumably] including any proof of its accuracy. Someone with a grudge?

    2) It is yet another manifestion of dirty politics NAct style.

    How many of us predicted last year this election would be the dirtiest on record?

    1. 3.1

      Meka Whaitiri? Seems like one to hold a grudge, and certainly open to advances from the offices of Chris Bishop and Simian Brown.

        1. 3.1.1.1

          … and David Seymour.

          If you want to make such a serious charge against Te Pāti Māori then it is your duty to provide evidence of them "condoning abuse". There is none but that won't stop you from making it up.

          1. 3.1.1.1.1

            I have not made a serious charge against Te Pati Maori. But I agree with Muttonbird that it is certainly not past the NActs to approach individuals for dirt on their political enemies.

            There's a book called Dirty Politics by Nicky Hager that has been around for nearly ten years. Suggest you read it.

            An apology is in order.

            1. 3.1.1.1.1.1

              Your and muttonbirds comment was out of order.

              Offer some proof or retract.

              I have read Dirty Politics. They call it ratfucking in the USA. I've never seen any proof the labour are above it – actually seen enough, to know they are not.

              1. 3.1.1.1.1.1.1

                If you had concerns about Muttonbird mentioning Meka Whaitiri then direct your spleen at that commenter not me. A hater if there was ever one. Feel sorry for you.

                  1. 3.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1

                    Deflection, deflection, deflection. You accused me of something that did not occur. You're MO will be noted by many. Say sorry and all will be forgiven.

                    1. 3.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1

                      Deflection, oh dear, you really missed the irony…

                      You think Te Pāti Māori members are going to work with act or national, you have not been paying attention. I'd suggest you watch Whakaata Māori – Te Ao with Moana is very good start and will give you some insight.

                      My MO, is that I'm a bastard. That is known. And quite frankly, I can live with it. Having a spine and standing up to bullies and thugs makes me an ass in most eyes, and again I can live with it.

                      Politics for liberals (nat/act are liberals too) is personality politics, I'm not a liberal so I'm not trying to win you or anyone else with over with my personality or approach.

                      Just offering up a fundamentally different world view.

                      So have a great weekend and I'll leave it there. Feel free to write a response, but I won't be responding, as I think we are at cross purposes. Of which I will take responsibility for my part in that.

          2. 3.1.1.1.2

            Mate, aspersions about MW are likely wrong, but are made because of the waka jumping – and have nothing to do with TPM.

                    2. 3.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.2

                      First he was a communist, then he was just a cornered rat.

                      Some advice if want to do the revolting French peasant raging against the regime and also provide a good "stir up". just consider yourself a stirrer in chief, a master of the house, Ratatouille is an option for those who want a meatless dish.

      2. 3.1.2

        If you mean Whaitiri as the source, it can't be. The leak came from a current Labour MP about what happened at the most recent caucus meeting, on Tuesday.

        1. 3.2.1.1

          Can't find your 1News link – but here's the Post with what looks like the same story.

          https://www.thepost.co.nz/a/politics/350042179/emotional-labour-mp-raises-kiri-allan-concerns

          It looks to me as though there are 2 people involved (though this might be journalistic legerdemain – and the source is both the one quoted and the leaker).

          One first term MP who was "visibly emotional" and quoted as saying “We can't pretend that we haven't known about this for two years.” (it's not exactly clear in the context what "this" is)

          And another MP who has leaked the story.

          It seems likely that any one-term MP who was challenging the caucus in such frank terms – is probably one who has already decided to leave parliament – and wants to clear the decks before they go.

          The leaker is more subtle. Reasons for leaking are more to do with undermining opponents (or people you see as opponents) within the caucus – there is little need for this if you're already leaving.

          The National caucus leaked like a sieve prior to Luxon. And no one was calling it dirty politics.

          1. 3.2.1.1.1

            I heard this story on Checkpoint. The leaker's reference (in the above link) to Kiri yelling at her caucus colleagues for two years seems surprising – along with the inference that they were supposed to tolerate it.

            Likely to be a follow-up tomorrow, I suspect. A first-term MP, apparently unimpressed with Labour political culture condoning abuse.

            1. 3.2.1.1.1.1

              A first-term MP, apparently unimpressed with Labour political culture condoning abuse.

              If you want to make such a serious charge against Labour then it is your duty to provide evidence of them "condoning abuse". There is none but that won't stop you from making it up.

              1. 3.2.1.1.1.1.1

                No need to invent anything. It suffices to quote Andrea Vance:

                The MP told the meeting they had been “bullied and yelled at” by Allan but thought it “was the price to pay to get decent policy through.” https://www.thepost.co.nz/a/politics/350042179/emotional-labour-mp-raises-kiri-allan-concerns

                I presume the first termer got disillusioned by Labour's culture of cover-up. They probably went to parliament to represent Labour under the delusion that Labour were decent people. Discovering the truth was traumatic.

                1. 3.2.1.1.1.1.1.1

                  Oh, the alleged words of an

                  "emotional" first term MP" disillusioned by Labour's culture cover-up"?

                  You can read the mind of an anonymous leaker? And the author of the story is a former now defunct 'News of the World' journo trained in the art of tabloid fodder.

                    1. 3.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1

                      Not the first time media have spread a lie

                      https://www.1news.co.nz/2020/06/23/tale-of-homeless-man-sneaking-into-managed-isolation-hotel-may-be-urban-myth-dr-bloomfield/

                      Note the word 'claim"

                      "It's an anonymous source that has leaked, supposedly leaked something," Sepuloni said.

                      https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/07/26/claims-labour-caucus-is-leaking-in-wake-of-kiri-allans-fall/

                      In regard to the chauffeur story in your link @3.2.1.1 that is another media beatup.

                      "A Government spokesperson said no “formal issues” were raised with Allan related to her use of ministerial transport and stressed that the emails related “to the organisation of travel by her office, not her interactions with drivers”.

                      "The concern around bookings was raised back in 2021, the year in which the Minister was undergoing treatment for cancer…"

                      "Bookings are made by staff, not ministers"

          2. 3.2.1.1.2

            It was described by Deputy PM, Carmel Sepuloni on TV1 as "an anonymous source" which suggests they do not know who the person is or whether 'the leaker' was indeed a member of their caucus. There was no mention of a second person being involved but in politics nothing is surprising.

            1. 3.2.1.1.2.1

              All that means is that Sepuloni doesn't know the source. Unsurprising if it's a caucus leak – they wouldn't exactly go telling the Deputy PM that they were the anonymous leaker.

              The article I leaked to strongly implied that the leaker and the person taking caucus to task for 'knowing about this for two years' – were separate people.

              As I said, this could be journalistic ledgerdemain – but there is no intrinsic reason for them to be the same – the motivations look quite different.

              2. 3.2.1.1.2.1.2

                'implied' there is no proof that the claims are true though and the article you linked to contained another media beat-up by way of the chauffeur,

                1. 3.2.1.1.2.1.2.1

                  Please note that 'implied' in my comment related to the existence of two people involved in this story (rather than one). Not whether or not the story was true.

                  And, no. There *can't* be any proof that the claims are true.
                  This is a leak from someone present at the caucus. By definition, there can't be proof. That didn't seem to stop TS chewing over every leak that came from the National caucus pre-Luxon.

                  You can, of course, assume that the journalist made the story up entirely. However, occam's razor says that it's much more likely that there was indeed a leaker.

                  1. 3.2.1.1.2.1.2.1.1

                    So, since there is no proof, you don’t know. The 'claims' could have come from outside of the Labour Party though. As mentioned previously, it would not be the first time that the media have spread a lie.

                    "One National MP reflected on the caucus meeting saying, "It was a bit rich getting a lecture in loyalty and unity when those two [Collins and Brownlee] leaked so much in the past".

                    "Judith has been disloyal to everyone"

                    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/still-leaking-details-of-national-party-leadership-caucus-meeting-revealed.html

                    1. 3.2.1.1.2.1.2.1.1.1

                      Well, yes, every comment you make is reinforcing the point that all caucuses leak, when things aren't going well for them.

                      And, that you're perfectly happy to comment on leaks that come from the 'other' (however you define it) side, without requiring some arbitrary (and unachievable) standard of proof.

    3. 3.3

      Kiri had been the author of her own misfortune. That’s not dirty politics. Irrespective of what political party is in power. It’s unacceptable for a cabinet minister to, crash their state provided car, test positive for alcohol, and get arrested all in one night.

      The rest is par for the course, there has been talk about her behaviour, directed at public servants, now it appears she may have bullied junior Labour Party MP’s as well. it’s normal for those who have been on the receiving end of a bully to take delight in the bullies downfall.

      That said, it’s over she’s left Parliament. I just hope that the bloke who’s vehicle was damaged gets it fixed with out being out of pocket.

  4. 4

    Here's something Labour will be dead keen to ignore: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/494515/nz-economy-270m-poorer-due-to-multinationals-exporting-earnings-think-tank-says

    The global Tax Justice Network's report said multinationals shifted about $2.5 billion earned in New Zealand overseas last year, and in doing so the country missed out on about $270 million in taxes.

    The chairperson of Tax Justice Aotearoa, an affiliate of the network, Glenn Barclay, said… "It is time for the government, whoever wins the election, to take a stand on international tax abuse."

    I predict Labour will pretend this hasn't happened. The PM lacks sufficient spine to combat the capitalists.

      1. 4.1.1

        I agree the improved performance of the department is absolutely spiffing, but strangely it seems to have absolutely nothing to do with the cited report. 🙄

        1. 4.1.1.1

          The report you cite is trivial at a few hundred million tax take compared to the multi-billion improvement in the actual tax performance of the government.

          Why you come on here with your tiresome weak bullshit I seriously don't know.

          2. 4.1.1.1.2

            You're just not using your brain properly. Any tax rip-off scheme operated successfully by global capitalism is tax-payer money that the govt loses. That means less ability of the state to provide for the resilience infrastructure spending that is essential now.

            I understand that the congenital inability of Labour folk to connect cause and effect is endemic, but they do have the potential to get over that. To retain their voter support, doing so will be necessary for them. It's actually in our national interest that they do…

    2. 4.2

      It requires global accord to make real change (as to the way corporates do their accounting)

      What any party can do (in this area) is bring in progressive taxation on companies, which allows us to place a higher tax on banks and supermarkets than we do on local smaller developing businesses.

      1. 4.2.1

        Paywalled.

        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/government-mulled-google-facebook-big-tech-tax-to-help-news-media-companies/LTGMUFKI2JHYRB3ZCVPYDRRWFA/

        Labour in UK position explains something about the problem taxing US based corporations (note the later story about their energy policy).

        https://www.nationalworld.com/news/politics/labour-will-no-longer-increase-tax-on-us-tech-giants-two-weeks-after-visiting-googles-uk-hq-4200229

        Parker representing Labour's position 2017-`

        https://www.newsroom.co.nz/budget-google-is-not-paying-fair-share-of-tax-says-government

        I wonder if Hipkins discussed with Albanese, managing their American corporate problem, before the meeting with the man from Foggybottom.

  6. 6

    So, there is a "rumour" an "anonymous rumour" Try harder. There are real things happening… don't feed the trolls and the mill.

  8. 8

    Meanwhile, in the realm of celebrity … there are plans to transmit across media culture the feminist/empowerment anthems of Taylor Swift, and make them part of meta-feminism (which is only going to confuse the meaning of the term further), according to this Herald article at least.

    The Sun reports that Swift has even held a meeting with Succession writer Alice Birch to chat about a possible new “meta-feminist” TV show.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/taylor-swift-could-be-turning-her-hit-break-up-songs-into-a-tv-series/VMGAETVIQ5C3HMP322GMLVPIHA/

    One wonders if a woman (or all women) with the capability to succession to inheritance will be accompanied by Swift anthems as her (their) theme music.

    https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=metafeminism

    The chance of these two stories being published on the same day in the same place, makes one wonder, what really happens in media caucuses?

    1. 8.1

      I certainly prefer the reflective catharsis of Swift's "It's me, my, I'm the problem it's me"

      to the astonishing unrepentant egoism of Cyrus's "I can buy myself flowers. Write my name in the sand, Talk to myself for hours, Say things you don't understand"

      1. 8.1.1

        Is there really a difference between dwelling on oneself as the problem and communing with oneself?

        The only difference is identifying guilt with self.

        Maybe it's a Christian differentation.

  9. 9

    Meanwhile the world burns.

    I am sure there will be mention of it between ZB mouth in print, the remnant of the Roundtable intellectual class before they also go the way of Garth, or their NZ Initiative X generation replacements, Prebble and Soper, or at least a story about the fine of some Swede.

    But maybe not, this is the classless medium that published an editorial in 2005, that voters must prevent a Labour-Green coalition government. It's love of Kiwi iwi politics and an across the board tax cut fully on display. It's last hymn to its love affair with National's 1990's ECA precariat regime.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2023/07/climate-change-role-in-heatwaves-sweeping-across-world-overwhelming-scientists-say.html

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/300935783/study-finds-climate-change-fingerprints-on-july-heat-waves-in-europe-china-and-america

    Now its why John loves Chris, birds of a feather, with the businessman MaX factor. He knows Luxon will one day be his neighbour in Hawaii.

    Or as the anti-snob/patriot puts it, you know why they wanted me to host Traitor.

    1. 11.1

      Good on Gareth Hughes telling it like it is. From the link:

      This difficult job is then all played out in the full glare of the media, attacked constantly by bad faith actors in a toxic social media environment.

      It's draining having to be constantly “on guard” and parsing how every word or phrase could be interpreted. Even taking your dog to work can result in ridiculous headlines. The abuse particularly Māori and female politicians receive online is shocking.

      It doesn't need to be like that and once upon a time it wasn't like that.

      I can remember Warren Freer, former cabinet minister and longtime MP for Mt Albert telling his local committee that all the ballyhoo we see in the debating chamber does not extend to the rest of parliamentary life. He said some of the best friends he made came from the National benches and they stayed friends long after they left parliament.

      The extent of the toxic atmosphere seems to me to be a combination of the cynical 'gotcha' journalistic attitude that exists today together with the advent of social media where misinformation and disinformation flourishes with no consequence.

      1. 11.1.1

        I think the paragraph about Warren Freer is still largely the case – this episode of Gone By Lunchtime (Spinoff political pundit podcast) has Kiri Allan, Erica Stanford and Chloe Swarbrick in a live event as a five-year follow-up to the three of them writing Parliamentary diaries for The Spinoff in 2017. There was a lot of friendly camaraderie in that, and they were clear that outside the debating chamber, there are still good working relationships and friendships in and around Parliament (including the three of them).

        1. 11.1.1.1

          I agree Craig H. There is still respect and friendship particularly among the women in parliament – or most of them. That has been notable just in the last few days. But there is still an enhanced toxic atmosphere elsewhere. The main culprits don't need to be named. They are obvious to anyone who goes looking. And of course they are being aided and abetted by the tabloid media hell bent on destroying this government as much for the fun of it as anything.

          1. 11.1.1.1.1

            to Anne at 11.1.1.1: in regard to the main culprits being 'obvious to anyone who goes looking '. The culprits you mention , by their disgusting behaviour , must now be plainly obvious to many more than before their innate nastiness was released.

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