Open Mike 07/07/25

Written By: notices and features - Date published: - 15 comments
Categories: open mike


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15 comments on “Open Mike 07/07/25”

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  1. 1

    Huzzah. More icecream and movies?

    Watch live: FamilyBoost changes announced, Nicola Willis says thousands will benefit

    The Finance Minister promised to review the scheme which provides rebates for early childhood education, after government figures showed just 249 families had consistently claimed the full amount – well short of the 21,000 families initially estimated.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/566156/watch-live-familyboost-changes-announced-nicola-willis-says-thousands-will-benefit

    249.…..and 21,000. Nicki No Clues.

  2. 2

    https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australia-urgently-needs-a-national-security-strategy/

    “Our adversaries operate according to comprehensive strategic frameworks; our responses should be equally systematic and forward-looking. Australia needs cohesion and clarity about its interests, vulnerabilities and ambitions. A modern Australian national security strategy should clearly define our national interests and values in the contemporary strategic environment. It must outline traditional and non-traditional threats while integrating defence, foreign policy, intelligence, economic security and social cohesion into a unified framework.”

    Yes, it’s about Australia, but the same arguments would apply here. But do we have the political will and nous to implement this depth of thinking?

      2. 2.1.2

        It was entertaining and educational, currently only has 400 something views which is disappointing given this is the most important geopolitical subject for NZ at the moment.

  3. 3

    Unsure if the marlborough floods got much comment or coverage here, been some days since I last checked. Without wanting to sound too twisted or preachy, should not come as a surprise for anyone unless you have your head buried in the sand or are dumb enough to believe conspiracy theories sold to you.

    The planet is warming, human activity is by far the fundamental driver of this, climate events are becoming more unstable, extreme and violent.

    Any farmer in marlborough who denies this or wants to delay action on reducing climate gases is deluded. If they think they "cannot afford" it now, wait 20, 30, 40 years and see what they can afford then, if farming is even viable for some by then. See what their kids and grandkids can afford. The likes of geoundswell will ensure there is no farming in 50 years.

    22 months of opportunity to drive down Greenhouse gas emissons, especially planning for industry, wasted under this COC government.

  4. 4

    Front-page news in today's print edition of the Post is Dame Patsy Reddy's appointment as Climate Change Commissioner. (No online version yet that I can dig up.)

    Headlined "I'm not a scientist, and I don't plan to be."

    In other words, a nice, tame, untroublesome choice by and for the CoCs.

    (An inside story in the same paper – likewise not yet online – tells how "Shame" Jones wants to change the law to stop those pesky lawyers from fighting bottom trawling.)

    1. 4.1

      Sigh Dame Patsy.. the ongoing churn through of NZs director class. Not sure if she was C- or D+ during the demise of nz rugby. Not that I care… hate the game..too much violence, concussion and conceited boomer fans+ casual and not so casual racism.

      [Despite your recent warning (https://thestandard.org.nz/state-run-food-stores-anyone/#comment-2037578) you continue with your diversion trolling. Take a month off to reflect on your behaviour here – Incognito]

    2. 4.2

      From Obtrectators comment…

      "I'm not a scientist, and I don't plan to be."

      In other words, a nice, tame, untroublesome choice by and for the CoCs.

      Coming in after Dr Rod Carr? I sincerely hope Dame Patsy..is no patsy…

      The formidable inaugural commissioner, Dr Rod Carr, went out in a blaze of headlines in December, making a series of impassioned pleas for stronger climate action that culminated in him accusing fossil fuel promoters of a “crime against humanity”.

      Dame Patsy whose journey towards a concern with climate suggests a relatively recent conversion…..

      As the appointee of a government that has made clear its number one priority is economic growth ‒ and a person whose many past directorships have included sitting on the board of an oil explorer, Southern Petroleum ‒ it may be no surprise that Reddy’s credentials for the role have been queried by some.

      Auckland-based specialist publication Carbon News questioned in a headline whether her appointment could be labelled “Trumpian”, quoting policy experts as suggesting it might even mark a first step by the Government towards dismantling the commission.

      https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360746911/why-youll-be-hearing-less-new-climate-change-commissioner

      We shall see?

  5. 5

    Re the Erin Patterson case in Oz, I wondered if the accused intended not to kill but to cause illness.

    However, under NZ law that sort of recklessness still amounts to murder if there is a likelihood of death. I guess Oz law is the same.

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