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A reader alerted us to this petition that was presented by National's Paul Hutchison to Parliament on Tuesday: Petition of Nathan James Ngatai and 1050 others Requesting that the House of Representatives ensure that legislation is passed to make public displays of nudity and profanity…
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Did you see Brain Rudman's article in the Herald yesterday? The quote says it all: It just reminds you what an absurd debate this is. Still at least we're not arguing over whether 'working dogs' should be microchipped any more.
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It's great news that Phil Goff is urging a rethink of the way monetary policy is conducted in New Zealand. For too long interest rates (and hence inflation, unemployment, and house prices) have been the blunt tools of monetary policy. And for too long workers,…
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A couple of days ago I raised (again) the question of why we don't see more experts, scientists and academics contributing to public debate. Well here's one example where they are doing so: Docs say emissions trading scheme will hurt Kids Senior doctors today said…
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Topics of interest, announcements, general discussion. The usual rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Over to you...
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Well I missed it. We rolled past the 4000th post at the end of October. A bit unexpected, it was too early by my reckoning and I wasn't looking for it. We're now at post 4154 so well on the way for the next milestone.…
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This is Nick Smith in Parliament yesterday, replying to a question on Treasury's re-calibrated $50 billion costs of Nationals ETS Bill: Hon Dr NICK SMITH: That number is a fantasyland number. Let me tell the member why. The member opposite wants to give great credence…
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In Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story (which is excellent, btw) he refers to two 2005 Citigroup memos about ‘plutonomy' economies and political structures designed with the primary purpose of further enriching the rich. They're stunning, not only for their frank admission that capitalism favours…
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Have you noticed how many spelling mistakes there are in the Herald these days? James at Editing the Herald has: I've had quite a few emails over the past few days with spelling or grammar errors from either the print edition or the website, peaking,…
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As Irish has already noted, Fran O'Sullivan has savaged John Key's record on employment and said that Paula Bennett is "too busy puffing her own achievements to pay much heed" to warnings on the dire long term-effects of high youth unemployment. What caught my eye was her quote from…
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For the first time ever I wholeheartedly agree with Fran O'Sullivan's column. In today's Herald she writes about the government's inaction over youth unemployment and what it will mean in terms of a lost generation. The percentage of young people who can't find jobs snowballed…
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Nice Mr Key may be feeling the strain a bit. He's starting to sound quite snippy: Meanwhile, Key has also slammed Treasury predictions that the proposed changes to the ETS would add $50 billion to the price tag of the scheme. "The numbers from Treasury…
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If you had told me a year ago that, just a third of a way through its term, this government would have lost a minister in secret circumstances, had a minister openly acknowledge that the Prime Minister "doesn't do anything", muddled its way through legislative…
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It looks like the government's sleight of hand on ACC is about to pay off. Having put up a clearly outrageous proposal to hike motorbike levies and thus made it the focus of anger over the ACC changes the government is now signaling they will…
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Yesterday John Key indicated that he might be willing to dismantle PHARMAC if it gets us a better free trade deal with the US*. We're lucky to have a few great institutions in New Zealand that deliver for everyone at a lower cost than other…
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Topics of interest, announcements, general discussion. The usual rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Over to you...
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Gagged The Law Commission yesterday released a report on 'Suppressing Names and Evidence'. It's timely given that Vince Siemer was arrested just last week for stating on his website that the judge in the Oct 15 'terror case' has ruled that [lprent: gagged - see…
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The new head of Greenpeace, South African Kumi Naidoo, has pledged under his leadership that the organisation's core focus will be the effect of climate change on the world's poorest people. This is great news. I have always been critical of the way many (really…
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The next Auckland Drinking Liberally features Labour Party leader Phil Goff discussing his political values and the challenges facing the Sixth Labour Government He'll discuss what drives him as a politician and what values underpin his political beliefs. Phil will also talk about what challenges…
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Just got away from the bikoi at Parliament. What a sight. At least 6,000 people they reckon. The lawn and half the forecourt covered. Tui flying overhead joining in the fun. The bikers know are they being treated unfairly and National is using their levy…
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The continuing wave of lockouts continues to go unremarked by the government, the opposition and the media. Over the past few months there has hardly been a week, when one, or even two, and sometimes even three lockouts have been going on around the country.…
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John Key's residency for the rich scheme has attracted the interest of 12,000 people thus far. Yes, NZ residency is for sale at the measly investment of NZ$500,000 and a few low-paid jobs. The Herald notes: Thousands of wealthy foreigners are lining up to move…
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The government's handling of the ETS is a total shambles at every level. Even their fans at The Herald are pointing out the elephants in the room: Another sorry chapter in emissions farce It is rare that all-party select committees of Parliament cannot agree on…
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We've talked a lot about the negative effects of unemployment on the unemployed and their communities (depression, crime, family breakup, poor health, poor educational outcomes for children etc) but there's another group that benefits from fewer people being on benefits - people with jobs. Check…
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With all his usual wit, James of Editing the Herald proposes a spike of the so-called 'March for Democracy' in Auckland this week. The full post is well worth reading but here's the meat: Democracy's greatest heroes, from Thomas Jefferson to Tony Blair, appeared to me…
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Topics of interest, announcements, general discussion. The usual rules apply (see the link to Policy in the banner). Over to you...
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The Maori Party says it will support John Key's emissions trading scheme in exchange for a lucrative deal for the wealthiest Maori. According to TV3: Five of New Zealand's richest iwi, who have already signed multi-million-dollar treaty settlements, will gain millions more in the deal.…
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A month ago, I wrote that National's moves to gut the Emissions Trading Scheme would increase government debt by $73 billion by 2050. A Treasury report said that National's ETS changes to subsidise polluters would see government debt 6-8% of GDP higher than it otherwise would be.…
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The Finance and Expenditure Committee has released its report on John Key's Emissions Trading Scheme. ACT, Labour, and the Greens refused to support the changes which will see taxpayers subsidising big business. We were unable to reach agreement on whether to recommend that the Climate…
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Over the weekend r0b reckoned the shambles of the Key government would start to really hurt. I was sceptical. Winning the next election for the left is going to bloody hard. But Key's cracks are showing. As the ever thoughtful Colin James noted in his…