Open Mike 30/09/2026

Written By: notices and features - Date published: - 81 comments
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81 comments on “Open Mike 30/09/2026”

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

  1. 1

    I wonder how much money OmniHealth siphons out of the public purse each year for their GP services. Pahiatua, Danniverke and Woodville practices have all reported short staffing, despite early audits, staff have been 'found' to avert further emergencies.

    Health New Zealand's central region's director planning, funding and outcome Geoff Gwyn does an Officer Barbrady with 'nothing to see here'

    "Gwyn said he didn't think there was a conflict of interest with Mark Willis being the PHO's board director – which managed contracts for health providers – as well as the chief executive of OmniHealth, which owned Tararua Health Group."

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/1523068/health-nz-reviewing-clinics-owned-by-tararua-health-group-after-six-staff-resign-in-pahiatua

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/1651683/last-remaining-gp-at-horowhenua-s-taitoko-health-clinic-resigns

    I suppose OmniHealth are following Health New Zealand's example. Keep staffing levels at skeleton level and bank the savings in wages.

    Reply
      1. 1.1.1

        OmniHealth is the owner of several GP practices in the Tararua and the Kapiti Coast.

        One of them 'private providers' that enjoy contracts from the state, provide GP and small hospital services and return a profit to shareholders.

        Reply
        1. 1.1.1.1

          An area that badly needs sunlight to put on display what Brown/Seymour/Reti/Levy have effected in 3 years. Another ACT broken election funding promise here plus the ideological meddling across the sector.

          We need a working primary care sector to shield the hospital system and serve the community. It's decline in the coalitions 3 years is there for all to see.

          Reply
  2. 2

    Of the rare Green voter at my work, already 2 have said Greens are great for a more environmentally focused government but they don't want them running Finance.

    I was surprised at the chatter.

    Reply
    1. 2.1

      Is that about the Greens or Swarbrick? What if it were Shaw instead?

      best reason for more conservative or environmentally focused L/G swing voters to voter Green this year is to get Steve Abel back into parliament.

      Reply
      2. 2.2.2

        Stop this at once PfLA – trivial nitpicking at other commenters while we face existential crisis. I hope that isn't too big a word or concept for you to hold up to your mind's eye.

        Chatter is important, it feeds social comms which spread amazingly half-baked ideas. Eg the very able handyman I call on regularly is vehemently anti-vacc – the PTB caused millions to die he says. Sigh! No time for picking at good-hearted others; en avant mon freres, sisters also.

        Reply
    3. 2.3

      The issue is policy wins, or Ministerial wins.

      Thus if Labour talk bottom lines, Greens respond with – then we need portfolios.

      The turnout is greater, if there is hope for some progressive change.

      Here leverage for some policy wins in this portfolio area to fund their policies in other portfolio areas.

      At the moment, most of the money available is going to pay equity (health and housing), what Ministers can do otherwise is develop future programs that are funded in any second term.

      Reply
      1. 2.3.1

        Labour could dump all proposed 4-lane highways arguing that they are a luxury NZ can't afford when we have poverty and health crises.

        Also commit to improving existing road stock

        Reply
        1. 2.3.1.1

          Road transport is funded in large part from fuel tax and RUC, so transport funding won't directly address poverty and health.

          I'm looking forward to seeing the listed transport priorities from both Greens and Labour.

          Reply
          1. 2.3.1.1.1

            Only in a large part.

            Perhaps if we forced NZTA to actually put in and maintain roads solely with fuel tax and RUCs, we'd get a better economic balance. Increasing the RUC to being based on actual loaded wheel weights would give a much clearer economic picture as well.

            Reply
          2. 2.3.1.1.2

            Not sure that that is true of 4 lane highways which seem to be either unfunded or proposed toll roads or ridiculously expensive PPP's under this government. So Look about should rule them out.

            Neither does the RUC fund the environmental effects of burning fossil fuel.

            Reply
    4. 2.4

      “don’t want them running Finance”

      That response shows both ignorance of a wider scope of economics and the effectiveness of right wing propaganda

      Reply
        1. 2.4.1.1

          Richard J Murphy could be talking about New Zealand in his latest video. Only 10 mins run time.

          What happens when neoliberalism's only got fear left to sell?

          Neoliberalism promised us prosperity, security and freedom through markets. Increasingly, it is delivering insecurity instead. So what does it have left to offer? Fear. And that is it.

          We are told to fear government debt. We are told to fear the bond markets. We are told governments must maintain “fiscal credibility”, even when doing so means higher taxes, weaker public services, lower living standards and fewer jobs.

          Martin Wolf’s recent arguments in the Financial Times provide an example of this thinking. But the issue is much bigger than one commentator. It is about an economic ideology that treats satisfying financial markets as more important than meeting human need.

          The argument rests in part on the household analogy: the claim that governments must finance themselves in much the same way as households do. But a currency-issuing government is not a household. That misunderstanding produces profoundly damaging economic policies.

          In this video, I argue that neoliberalism increasingly relies upon fear because its promise of prosperity is failing. When insecurity is already widespread, however, threatening people with more insecurity eventually stops working.

          We need another objective for politics: freedom from fear.

          That means economic security, decent housing, worthwhile work, healthcare, security in old age and protection from climate change.

          Can we build an economy that puts those things before appeasing financial markets? That is the question.

          Reply
          1. 2.4.1.1.1

            So well put.

            Surely the naked truth is becoming apparent to many.

            I have a colleague who wants the Serious Fraud Office/Commerce Commission to take Treasury to task over asset sales. He is posting regularly on Linked In. Leon Dale.

            From his view, Treasury didn't value assets appropriately before they were sold off during the many rounds of privatisation.

            Treasury do seem to be the beating heart of neo-liberalism, so to strike at them would be a metaphorical stake in the heart of the vampire.

            Reply
    5. 2.5

      Well, unfortunately we're a parliamentary system we don't vote for governments, prime ministers, finance ministers or cabinets, we vote for an mp and a party.

      While no minor party so far has ever held the finance or prime minister portfolio, no major party has ever formed government on a party vote barely above 1/4 voters.

      Labour and National are spent political forces, if NZ trusted either of them as economic managers they wouldn't barely be commanding 50% of the vote between them.

      Neither National or Labour should have any expectations of keeping the role of both pm and finance minister in their party if either of them get an election result in the 20's. They are dreaming if they think they’ll keep both roles.

      Reply
      1. 2.5.1

        Splitting the roles in 1996 didn't work, and that's the closest example we've got to go on (all subsequent elections had a major-minor party numbers difference for it not to become an issue).

        But it does add extra spice to this election, because it is entirely possible that the Finance Minister will be out of Parliament, so there would be a vacancy. Saying "I'm keeping Cullen/English etc" is a much stronger line than "I need a new one from whoever's still there in my caucus".

        Seymour/Peters would have seniority over the newbie. They would push for it and Luxon's shown in 2023 that he caves, and that was from a much stronger position.

        (The Greens don't really expect to get it and I doubt it's high on their list of priorities).

        Reply
      2. 2.5.2

        Just a wild thought @Corey. Our democracy is one that welcomes diversity though. No minor parties have been in PM or Finance Minister place, but minor brains are, ones who have managed to stand out as serving the manipulators of the country within the Party in power.

        And a very minor govt we have, but with major manipulators and also woman/wimin -ipulators. We are in the palm of someone's (persons') hands, acting as palm oil to grease advantage in hand-shaking deals.

        Reply
    6. 2.6

      Also a Green voter and I wouldn't want Chloe Swarbrick in charge of Finance either. She's an activist, not a prudent financial manager. It's a problem that no-one of Shaw's calibre has stepped up since he left (or if they have, the membership is currently favouring activists so they don't get high list places).

      Reply
      1. 2.6.1

        that was an intentional move within the party, to go radical and see if that changed things. I've been thinking lately about what a L/G coalition might be like with the Greens in activist mode.

        Swarbrick saying they want x, y, z portfolios is electioneering. Labour say not to Finance, but maybe associate finance if the Greens get enough MPs.

        Maybe it was a mistake to say she wanted finance, I don't know, there seems to be less scaremongering about the Greens in MSM this time?

        Reply
        1. 2.6.1.1

          Just spoke to a National leaning friend who is also unhappy with things now. She said couldn't think of Greens if Chloe in charge of finance. I said come on she would be better than Nicola Willis but I actually agreed. But I get her mixed up with Julie Anne Genter who seemed out of balance so I've thought again and support Chloe but I would like someone with deep financial and countrywide economic experience that suits NZAO and people at this point in time etc.

          Reply
    2. 3.2

      I know. Someone posted the same comment on the facebook page where I sourced it, after I put it here. I was born too late, and susceptible to 21st century scams. Put another way, it seemed so plausible I believed it…

      Kind of glad, in a way, because I felt I was partly finding humour in someone's misfortune and I'm pleased I'm not.

      Reply
      2. 3.2.2

        at some point TS will have a stronger moderation approach to AI. In the meantime, a good rule of thumb is to assume something on FB without a source is dodgy until proven otherwise. You can always post an image and say you don't know if it's real but it's a potent comment on National etc. That way we're not just passing the misinformation around.

        Reply
    3. 3.3

      Botany Bay next stop? It's in Australia but we have common origins.

      This history of Australia outlines the willingness to crush other people to gain advantage, showing no humane and 'civilised' behaviours similar to what is currently here and around the world. One example I think is exaggerated, unlikely: under A case of genocide: … However, the British effectively forged a chemical and physical war against the Natives by importing dangerous viruses. Death was obliterating the Native population, with diseases such as "smallpox, syphilis, typhoid, whooping cough, diphtheria, tuberculosis, measles, dysentery, and influenza."… https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2020/6/28/the-british-colonization-of-botany-bay-a-brutal-encounter.

      For browsing – a full history of Botany Bay under Brit rule, and a drawing of a soldier with what looks like a cat'o'nine tails whip. That is a warning sign for us, the changes in this country are not to a higher order of behaviour and respect for all humanity. https://www.gutenberg.net.au/ebooks23/2300091h.html

      (We are already seeing coarse, callous, superior status-oriented thinking here in this country – NZAO. How did ordinary civilised Germans cope with their brutal manipulators during the 1930s? Not at all well as history keeps on revealing. Do we take notice and learn though?)

      Reply
  5. 5

    The automatic captioning that runs below spoken news reports, in this case about Erica Stanford, can produce some laughs when it doesn't quite get it right – this morning I read John Allen described as The Chief Old Woodsman.

    Reply
  6. 6

    I will be keen to see what the percentage is for voter turnout at the election. There is a lot of mistrust about the political system these days, as people lose faith in its ability to deliver even the most basic services.

    Public cynicism is also brought on by the self-serving behaviour of some politicians, the waste of taxpayer funds and public servants who lie to Parliament.

    Reply
    1. 6.1

      Public cynicism is also brought on by the self-serving behaviour of some politicians, the waste of taxpayer funds and public servants who lie to Parliament.

      There is, if not ill will (and there is a lot of that !) towards, ….there is disillusionment…which then leads to apathy. As in : dont vote it only encourages them/why bother they are all the same/ meh I cant be fucked .

      And I have heard variations of all these in many previous elections when trying to engage with people who are literally being fucked over by The System. I have tried many angles as in : If you don't vote how will it ever change?/Look at who is fucking you over, and vote for People who actually care about you. With some success. I find that most of my example People just need to be heard and given an Alternative.

      Its Young People I feel most empathy with. Had nothing…and under NACT1 nothing will be all their Future holds. : (

      Anyway…with time fast running, out the Young are reaching out…

      'Best thing we can do is show up and vote': Students urge peers to have their say

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1654076/best-thing-we-can-do-is-show-up-and-vote-students-urge-peers-to-have-their-say

      Onya, Ethan and All !

      'Imagine if all of us showed up': Young voters urged to enrol

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/1243104/imagine-if-all-of-us-showed-up-young-voters-urged-to-enrol

      Vote Left Nov '26 !

      Reply
      1. 6.1.1

        lprent This format is an example of where the settings for line breaks are wrong – far too spread out and not good for fast comprehension.

        Reply
    2. 6.2

      Wondering too.

      Historically, elections have been won by the swinging voters, who sit right on the centre line but lean one way or another based on how they feel on election day.

      This time, I think there will be people who vote national but have integrity to the point they don't like what they see and, although they can't bear to vote left, they stay home on polling day.

      I think there was a similar group last time of people of the left persuasion who were talked into not voting, but this time it will be nationals turn.

      I'm thinking that, if asked by a polling company, they would still fall in with national, which is why I'm hoping for a bigger swing than is currently apparent.

      It's a hope though, not based on science.

      Reply
  7. 7

    OOPS!

    "A Dutch environmental group claims New Zealand has broken its climate change promises in the free trade agreement with the EU and is lodging the first complaint of its kind through the European Commission.

    The group, Both ENDS, is using the complaints mechanism known as Single Entry Point and said this first climate test could be precedent setting.

    The most extreme consequences could be losing access to the lucrative European market, but the group is seeking compliance rather than the suspension of trade benefits."

    McClay responds with the National Party classic, "We make no apology…we will not be lectured by…"

    "But the Trade Minister is firing back, saying its "not for overseas countries, organisations or lobby groups to tell New Zealand how to meet its obligations"."

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/1655918/nz-accused-of-breaking-climate-change-promise-with-eu-but-todd-mcclay-rejects-claim

    Reply
    1. 7.1

      The legal commitment from New Zealand comes in the form of a 'non-regression' clause in its trade deal, prohibiting it from reducing environmental protections and a section on trade and climate change stating the Parties recognise the importance of "taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts."

      "Urgent action" eh? Well, ACT says NZ needs to repeal the Zero Carbon act, while Luxon reckons "It's a case of slower to go faster."

      But the Trade Minister is firing back, saying its "not for overseas countries, organisations or lobby groups to tell New Zealand how to meet its obligations".

      Did Todd McClay really say that it's not for lobby groups to tell NZ how to meet its obligations? That's beautiful.

      Emma Cook, in The Post, 26 May 2026

      Reply
    3. 7.3

      That article in RNZ leaves out the important link to the court case of Mike Smith against Fonterra and 6 other large corporate polluters. The court case that got stymied by the Coalition.

      Former solicitor-general Una Jagose KC had warned of the impact of a retrospective law to bar Smith’s case against Fonterra and other polluters, saying the Government’s efforts to tamp down climate litigation were doomed to fail – and would only place a target on its own back.

      That was just three weeks ago; now she’s been proven right.

      https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/30/formal-complaint-that-nz-climate-backsliding-breaches-europe-trade-deal/

      One commenter sums it up well:

      I would think this government and their donors would take this as a measure of success. The liability has been successfully shifted from the polluter to the NZ Tazpayer. That was the objective Fonterra and Z Energy were looking to achieve in the now published advice to the minister and it has been delivered. Our greatest welfare queens have got more welfare. Job done.

      https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/30/formal-complaint-that-nz-climate-backsliding-breaches-europe-trade-deal/#comment-692419

      The TPU has been awfully quiet on this and I wonder why – they must be so internally conflicted for them to assume the possum pose.

      Reply
          1. 7.4.1.1.1

            At the bottom of your link:

            Last updated: 12 November 2025

            Always good to check that date to check if the info likely is up-to-date or outdated – some info is more time-sensitive than others.

            Reply
            1. 7.4.1.1.1.1

              You asked as if you had no idea what was being referred to. I supplied a link to the proposed legislative change to inform you.

              If you were actually telling tWig in a roundabout way that the legislative change didn't actually occur then it would be good to just say that.

              Reply
              1. 7.4.1.1.1.1.1

                My memory is getting shoddier by the day, so I do at least some fact-checking before I comment here myself (to distinguish it from a reply). I wasn’t too sure about tWig’s claims – they tend to dump a lot of info (or slop?) here – and rather than doing the fact-checking myself, I asked tWig, as the onus is on them.

                Reply
    6. 7.6

      "A Dutch environmental group claims New Zealand has broken its climate change promises in the free trade agreement with the EU and is lodging the first complaint of its kind through the European Commission…"

      And Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he disagreed "completely".

      "New Zealand's fully compliant with our international obligations and our trading obligations," he said.

      "We take those agreements very seriously, and we make sure we meet our obligations on that."

      You know, the same Luxon that said 'He hadn't heard of Nicky Hagar'.

      The same man that said 'It was only Chris Penk staging a leadership coup'.

      No worries then.

      Reply
    7. 7.7

      It appears that RNZ or somebody else (?) has twisted words and slipped in the word (verb & noun) “claim”. Since this is moving into legal waters, the wording matters.

      Fortunately, some people get it and apply prudent corrections, e.g., our Science Media Centre.

      An official complaint alleges that NZ has broken its climate promises, failing to uphold its legal commitments in the EU-NZ Free Trade Agreement. [my italics]

      https://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2026/09/30/nzs-trade-with-europe-at-risk-from-climate-complaint-expert-reaction/

      It’s telling to read the original press release from the complainant and the wording used therein: https://www.bothends.org/en/Whats-new/Press/Both-ENDS-files-first-climate-complaint-under-EU-trade-enforcement-mechanism-over-New-Zealands-climate-rollbacks/

      Reply
  8. 8

    A couple of days ago a couple of people here reported widespread damaging of Nats' election billboards. Maybe it depends on the location/area.

    The photo for this article is of a collection of billboards in Mt Eden. The only billboard that has been damaged is the Labour one. It's managed to be disconnected from its mount a couple of times and now has some creases across it.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361040270/sick-political-fighting-tell-us-one-problem-you-want-next-government-fix
    PS: On the poll with the article, I couldn’t choose between cost of living or health service as most in need of fixing.

    Reply
  9. 9

    Our rates are going up faster & higher because central government forces this upon local councils. And it’s not just the heinous fast-track legislation that enables Shane Jones’ creepy mate to extract more money.

    https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/09/16/contentious-housing-case-puts-fast-track-on-trial/

    The tax debate and eternal quibbling about fake fiscal holes and borrowing balloons – the usual RW fear-mongering slop – are only one side of the coin, so to speak, and we should look closer to home and our fixed outgoings to know what’s causing the acute pain in and of our current cost-of-living crisis.

    If Luxon wants to find the real culprit when it comes to council waste, he should just look at his own cabinet table.

    https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/30-09-2026/no-one-is-wasting-more-ratepayer-cash-than-the-government

    Reply
    1. 10.1

      For the (broad) left Mt Albert is win-win-win.

      If it stays Labour, fine. If it goes Green (unlikely), great. If it goes Opportunity that's a major shock, but still one that hurts the Right.

      If Melissa Lee wins it then she replaces Willis or Bishop, Goldsmith, etc. National's nightmare.

      Reply
      1. 10.1.1

        Incredibly unlikely that it will go to National. It's a Labour stalwart electorate. Even in the 2023 election, in the midst of a massive turn against Labour, Helen White held it (albeit by only 18 votes). There is no way that Lee is going to take it based off the current National polling.

        With TOPs current polling, Wong would be looking at it as a sheet anchor to protect against the 5% threshold. But I don't see it as a likely outcome.

        It's remotely possible that there would be a three-way split between White, Menendez-March and Wong – and let Lee sneak through the middle – but I don't see it as a likely outcome. I think Mt Albert is going to solidly vote Labour for the electorate vote (regardless of what they do for their party vote).

        Reply
    2. 10.2

      Mt Albert is a blue riband Labour seat that demands a high performance Labour candidate to keep it that way. Helen White is an also-ran backbencher who when it comes to campaign charisma and political smarts… well let's just say she ain't no Mamdani. Mamdani's socks have probably got more politcal nous than White.

      Both the Opportunity party and Greens have more energetic candidates and Melissa Lee has the big brand cash to splash.

      The problem though is wider that Helen White. It is Labours penchant for selecting dull, mid level technocrats from academia and NGOs as candidates. They've got no fire in their belly and like Chris Hipkins, no one has a fucking clue on what hill they'll hoist their banner and die on.

      White won by 18 votes last election and has been politically moribund for the last three years. If the parliamentary Labour party was an accountable organisation instead of a mutual glee club for a certain section of the liberal middle class who need a reliably good salary to buttress their socialism she would have been deep sixed by now and replaced by, say, Max Harris who was given a shit electorate and is fighting a splendid action with all the doomed pluck of HMS Glowworm.

      I’ll probably end up giving her my electorate vote, but it will the most reluctant one I have done for a while.

      Reply
      2. 10.2.2

        A good stir-fry Sanctuary. Great comments with added ginger. You have hit the nail on the head, and am sure that your aim is so true you went nowhere near your thumb. I hope you aren't right but fear that you are, so is there anyone out there listening Labour? with some of Body's fire in their rear (see below).

        I further fear that the old joke applies; person falls over cliff, grabs sturdy bush and cries, 'Help, is anyone there?' And God answers, 'Yes, I will be there for you, just believe and all will be well'. There is silence for a full minute and the voice is heard again, 'Is anyone else there?'

        Reply
    3. 10.3

      I'm pretty startled to see that "Actua" Lee is still trying (and allowed by her party) to give politics another go, considering how emphatically she was dumped from Cabinet. This would have been a good seat for the Nats to blood an up-and-coming youngster, with the promise of a more winnable one in '29.

      Reply
  11. 11

    Those overseas kiwis entitled to vote (been in/visited NZ in past 3 years) are enrolling earlier, and at higher numbers.
    'Offshore voter enrolments are rising – currently 104,164 – up a whopping 60% compared to the same point in the 2023 election cycle, according to the latest electoral commission data. The commission told the Guardian this is the “highest number” of enrolments it has seen in recent elections.'
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/30/new-zealand-election-voters-abroad-influence-result

    Reply
  12. 12

    Just heard a number on Norway’s fund.

    Man. Just as well all those financial geniuses in National stopped paying into that Cullen fund.

    And they stopped something similar with the Dancing Cossacks.

    I wonder what the Fonterra-ites will do with their Mainland payout. A brand built on monopoly and the promise of doing something today for tomorrow.

    Reply
    1. 12.1

      Labour and National funding of the NZSF.

      Initial Funding Phase (2002–2009)

      Labour

      2002: $600 million

      2003: $1.200 billion

      2004: $1.879 billion

      2005: $2.107 billion

      2006: $2.337 billion

      2007: $2.049 billion

      2008: $2.104 billion

      2009: $2.243 billion

      National

      Suspension Phase (2010–2017)

      2010: $250 million (Contributions halted in July 2009; this represents residual processing)

      2011 to 2017: $0 (Suspension period)

      Resumed Funding Phase (2018–2026)

      Labour

      2018: $500 million

      2019: $1.000 billion

      2020: $1.460 billion

      2021: $2.120 billion

      2022: $2.420 billion

      2023: $2.558 billion

      2024: $1.614 billion

      National

      2025: $879 million

      2026: $0 (The calculated $61 million contribution for this period was fully diverted to the Elevate NZ Venture Fund, resulting in zero net capital contribution to the core NZSF).

      This is Labour's work

      Reply
    2. 12.2

      Yeah I'd be more pissed if I lived un the UK they started doing the same thing with their oil revenue before the torys sunk it, right wing governments have never been any use.

      Reply
  13. 13

    Astonishing, implausible?

    The Minister for MFAT and leader of NZFirst says he has no idea about the consequences for New Zealand if there is withdrawal from the Paris Agreement (signed by a National led government in 2016).

    Yet this is his party policy. And that of ACT.

    Presumably he cannot ask his own ministry, because it is not proposed for consideration by the current National led government.

    Will ACT and NZF require any future government they are part of, to at least do some work in this area. So they can get educated?

    https://www.tickaroo.com/e/GXAdLkvRa13BL83h

    Reply
    1. 13.1

      Astonishing, implausible?

      Incompetent but true to form.

      It’s all about the populist nutter narrative, not (inconvenient) facts and evidence.

      Reply
  14. 14

    Napkins Willis

    *the one who costed the plan to afford the landlord taxation adjustment (and then was cut off at the knees by NZF objection to allowing foreigners to buy property and fund it via a stamp duty)

    *the one who did not fund pay equity, so was saved by an ACT Minister from having to do so (a broken promise).

    She is now saying that Labour has to show how it can find billions for its policies (see above).

    Nicky Napkins Willis there is a $4B surplus in the 2028-2029 budget. This is now available for government to meet past promises of pay equity.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics/1660459/national-claims-gap-between-labour-s-spending-promises-and-revenue-intentions-has-grown

    Reply
  15. 15

    Since the Proscription of Palestine Action in the UK, thousands have been arrested for holding pieces of paper with the words 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action' and now face terrorism charges.

    Many of those arrested are pensioners, and a majority are women. This has to be the most bizarre cause for street demonstration arrests in the UK ever, and a warning how far democracy is slipping in the UK. (Under a Labour Government – shameful)

    We are likely to find out what Taylor Swift has been up to in the news tonight, but it's nearly 100% certain none of this will be covered.

    Novara Media's Harriet Williamson discusses the arrests outside the Labour Party Convention in Liverpool, this clip covers the last 12 minutes of a 25 min report

    https://youtu.be/JLvQHNMLq7Y?t=126

    Reply
  16. 16

    Winston First talking up the Cullen Fund and railing against "neoliberal rubbish" – good for him. If he hadn't ruled out working with Labour (and vice versa), then the condemnation might seem like a 'bauble hedge' to remain relevant if TOP leave the CoC hanging.

    Don't panic Mr Peters smiley

    Call to raise age of superannuation to cut down on debt [careful now RNZ, 30 Sept 2026]
    "Here's the real point – what they're admitting is that they can't run a high-performing or medium-performing economy, and therefore nothing is affordable in such an environment. And Mr Rennie and Treasury were saying that four decades ago, and they're back saying the same neoliberal rubbish again." [- Winston Peters]


    Guy Body cartoon, 5 November 2023

    Reply

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