Catalonia
The predictable reactions of regional and world leaders.
Free Education – how to pay for it
I am a New Zealander living in Norway lecturing at NTNU, Norway’s largest University. For the last few months I have been thinking about the challenges of providing free post-secondary education. Norway offers free education for all students including international students.
The new government and the TPPA-11
An update from Professor Jane Kelsey on the TPPA-11, a look at the issues for the new Labour-led government, and reasons why we still need to be concerned.
The new Green Ministers and Undersecretary
An outline of the Green Party positions in the new government, and which Green MPs hold them.
Open Mike 28/10/2017
Open mike is your post.
For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).
Step up to the mike …
Strewth, Aussie Government loses majority
Kiwi of the year nominee and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has been ruled ineligible to hold his seat and the Liberal National Government has lost its majority.
oh fuck
Sorry about the title. But seriously, what other reaction is there?
Overseas land sales, Landcorp land sales, and the environment
Our land needs threefold protection.
No Right Turn: Here’s hoping
Julie Anne Genter as the new Minister for Women is likely to revisit a private members bill that would advance pay equity in NZ.
Open Mike 27/10/2017
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For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).
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Daily Review 26/10/2017
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 …
Who are the most influential in Wellington now?
With the change in Government who will be the new movers and shakers in Wellington and who will have their influence diminished?
Spare a thought for Steven Joyce
Steven Joyce had a bad day yesterday. His claim that National’s use of one of Eminem’s song was “pretty legal” was shown to be anything but. And he stuck to his claim that there was a $11 billion dollar hole in Labour’s budget, casting doubt either on his honesty or on his competence.
Loans to feed kids are income and disqualify benefit, says MSD
Lawyer and journalist Catriona MacLennan explains the details of a case before the High Court this week. Anyone who wants to understand how the Ministry of Social Development and WINZ are utterly failing as a government department needs to read this.
Critiquing A Modest National Party Proposal
Some National supporters are proposing the Governor General direct coalition talks in the future. How would that actually work out?
Open Mike 26/10/2017
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For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).
Step up to the mike …
Daily Review 25/10/2017
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 …
The Great Australian Bight honest Government ad
The Australian Government just released this ad about the Great Australian Bight and it’s surprisingly honest and informative. 
🌎
🐋
National loses itself
It seems that National’s use of Eminem’s song lose yourself was not so legal.
An Introduction: Matthew Whitehead
A brief introduction to a new contributor.
The new cabinet
Details of the new cabinet have been announced.
Better roads rather than fighting to maintain them against trucks.
Truckers don’t own the roadways. We do. If Ken Shirley wants a stricter adherence to user pays, then he should start with his trucking members. In the meantime the best thing we can do for improving the roading network is to get large trucks off of the road – they damage it way too much.
Begone, capitalism! You don’t own me
Do we want to be owned by capitalism and stay in its trap of wage and debt slavery, or do we want to boldly go to post-capitalism, whatever that might be.
Say goodbye to roads of national significance
National’s roads of national significance programme looks to be no more with an early casualty being the East West Link in Auckland, which per kilometre was destined to be the most expensive transport project the world has ever seen.
Open Mike 25/10/2017
Open mike is your post.
For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).
Step up to the mike …
Daily Review 24/10/2017
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 …
Labour Green confidence and supply agreement released
The text of the Labour Green confidence and supply agreement has been reached.
Labour – NZFirst deal details announced
Details of the Labour – NZ First coalition agreement have just been announced.
The new cabinet
Details about how the next Cabinet may be made up are emerging. Winston Peters may regain the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as being Deputy Prime Minister.
A Sugar Coated World
Yum! That would make for generations of ecstatic kids, no?
Open Mike 24/10/2017
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Reflections of a retired blogger
Time for me to step down as a writer here. A closing ramble, proceed at your own risk…
The mess that the new government inherits
This post is too long to read. Its purpose is to serve as reference material, a “one stop” snapshot of where we are as a country. The mess that the new government inherits. The consequences of the nine long wasted years of National. The magnitude of the challenge ahead of us.
Labour Day
Extra sweet this year.
Don Presland obituary
Long time Unionist and Labour supporter Don Presland died last week. Family friend Ad writes about Don’s decades of standing up for workers’ rights and in celebration of the life of a really good man.
Open Mike 23/10/2017
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For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).
Step up to the mike …