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While John Key worried today about fine-tuning guarantees for bank deposits, Helen Clark was outlining how a Labour government if re-elected is already planning for the fast and decisive action that will be needed to protect jobs, build skills, and promote the research that will protect…
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Act have run an anti-crime protest outside of Mt Eden today and it was particularly theatrical by the sound of it with lots of coffin lids and whatnot. ACT have never done anything like this before. But the Sensible Sentencing Trust certainly has. I've asked…
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At the Labour party's Wellington launch this afternoon Helen Clark has declared there will be no more spending promises from Labour. This was unexpected and will mean that the focus will now be on National and whether they will follow suit. If they decide to…
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From Agenda Rawdon Christie: Maori make up 7.7% of unemployed compared to 3.9% of the rest of the population. Incompetent: The unemployment rate of Maori is 7.7%, that's different from what Rawdon (reading from teleprompter) said. If Maori only made up 7.7% of unemployed, they…
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When I heard a Chinese national had been approved for citizenship by a minister against the advice of officials and with a letter of recommendation from a Labour MP, after he had apparently donated to the Labour Party, I thought 'seeing as this is coming…
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There's so much to comment on about the policies and parties that matter that we hardly ever get to time to mention ACT. But I couldn't resist this brochure from the zero tolerance liberals: (it says 'not your typical party' in the yellow box) Thoughts:…
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We live on a finite planet. We can't just keep adding 75 million people a year to the human population while also increasing the average resource consumption per person without collapsing the biological systems that support us. Current projections have the world population rising another…
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Many people laud John Key's experience in the business world, and say that the smiling assassin's ability to play hard-ball when required means he will be an excellent prime minister. So why, during talks with the Maori Party, did Key drop a National 'bottom line'…
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National policy on Maori seats (2007): "The Caucus today confirmed that the Maori seats will be abolished, which we anticipate will take place around the time of settlement of historic Treaty claims," says National Party Leader John Key. National policy on Maori seats (Sept 2008); "National…
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National has a press release out blaming Labour for a supposed increase in assaults on police. Now, there are more people and more police than ever before, so all things being equal there will be more assaults, but it would be a concern if the…
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The polls are closing, National dropped 7% and 4% in the Roy Morgan and TV3 polls, respectively, as the full impact of Key's lies on Tranzrail was felt. Word is that National's internal numbers are turning a few more hairs grey, while Labour's are renewing…
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Vote smart is a series of posts on tactical voting for people who support certain parties or live in certain electorates to help you maximise your vote. Today, the Progressives and Wigram: Since the last election, the Progressives have failed to register in half the…
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It's possible to win a battle but, in doing so, lose the war. Like most commentators, I thought Key came off best from the debate on Tuesday. It was a good format for him to parrot his lines, all he had to do is deliver…
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We see this morning that: John Key concedes he has privately indicated to the Maori Party that National's policy to abolish the Maori seats would not stand in the way of doing a deal with the party post-election. What did Mr Key say in that debate again?…
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I have some sympathy for Dr PIta Sharples over the fallout of Mr Key's promises. He's clearly been left high and dry by Mr Key, his would-be coalition partner. According to the Maori Party's chief of staff we now find: ...that Mr Key was clear in the…
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There will be some scheduled maintenance at the hosting company tonight between 10pm and 6am. During that period the site may be offline for some short periods. So if you cannot get the site for a period, then just try again a little time later.…
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With the wit we've come to expect, 08wire has Key up on his many lies during the Tuesday debate. To my surprise, TV One didn't bother doing fact checking even during their tedious hour-long run-down after the debate, whereas we were fact checking live on…
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On September 28, Key released National's policy on the Maori seats. It is unequivocal (if light on the details): "At the conclusion of the settlement of historic Treaty claims, National will begin a constitutional process to abolish the Maori seats. National wishes to see all…
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Lots of comments continue over the leaders debate. One of the bits that made it through the usual dinner time madness in my household was the section on the Springbok tour. It reminded me of this video clip. In it, Key was all over the…
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Good to see so many people coming to the Campaign Hub for materials and info. Apologies for the delay in the events diary this week, so much to do. I've added Youtubes of some great videos and there are new designs for posters and flyers…
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The Maori Party wants the dole abolished to be replaced by work schemes. It's a bad idea but it's not too far from being a good one. Make work schemes are bad in several ways. They distort the market for low-skill work. The State with…
economy election 2008 maori party wages welfare workers' rights
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I have to declare - yes, I am an urban liberal. So I would be embarrassed if a member of my family said this: The National Party's candidate for New Plymouth (Jonathan Young) says homosexuality is a choice and strongly objects to it being seen…
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The Youtube debate was a bit of a let down to me because TV1 chose to play the least penetrating questions, allowing the leaders to pretty much stick to their stock answers. The only question that really broke through the pre-prepared stuff was Shane Taurima's…
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National wants to introduce a 90 Day no work rights period for new employees. Now, in the face of very strong opposition to the policy, they have been forced to scale it back to only workplaces where there are 20 or fewer employees. But big…
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So, you're talking with someone about politics and they say something really dumb and wrong and you know it's wrong but you don't have the arguments and facts at your fingertips to make a decisive point. That's where our election series, The Standard line, comes…
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Labour has made two serious mistakes in their campaign today. One was specifically rejecting a policy to take the minimum wage to $15 an hour and the other was tonight's debate. The first was an easy policy supported by every party other than National and…
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A narrow victory for Key in tonight's TV1/Youtube debate. A forum where he could repeat his tired slogans to his heart's content suited him. No-one could pull him up on his lies, except Clark who, inexplicably, failed to do so. And when Clark spoke, Key…
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Live fact-checking of the debate. Key: The unions supported National's position on Kiwisaver. Lie: The unions do not support National's plan and never have. "We have supported 2+2 arrangements as a starting point but under the current scheme, this attracts the full value of member tax…