The B Team
Govt response to poverty report will tell us all we need to know about Bill English
The 2016 Child Poverty Monitor Technical Report is out today. As usual it paints a bleak picture. What will Bill English’s government do about poverty – evasions, words, or actions? Update: Bill fails.
Open Mike 13/12/2016
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StandWithPike – it’s always “later”
Bill English tells the families he’ll meet them “later”. They’ve waited for justice for six years. It’s always “later”.
Daily Review 12/12/2016
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Caption competition
Time for cross party accord on super
English is not making the same stupid pledge as Key, to let superannuation consume the future. Time for a cross party accord. Take it off the table as a political football and solve the damn problem.
Out with the old – in with the old
Bye John, out with the old. And in with the old. Shortly the Nats will anoint the chosen one, Bill English. A pre-failed leader. Mr 21%. The greedy double dipper. The boring, conservative choice for a boring conservative party.
Whaleoil and Rachinger – the final chapter starts
In the Manakau District Court later this morning the trial of Ben Rachinger on fraud charges related to a admitted solicitation attempt to hack this site by Cameron Slater begins. The trial is set down for 5 days. Unfortunately I won’t be there. However there aren’t any court orders to prevent me from expressing my views and advice on the trial.
Open Mike 12/12/2016
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Stand With Pike: You shall not pass
Newshub has revealed the attempt to seal Pike River mine is now facing both legal, and physical, roadblocks.
Climate change change vs scaremongering
Things are too serious to sanction the doom-merchants.
Nats continue to have a quid each way on tax cuts
Tax cuts – the Nats are continuing to rule them both in and out for the election. Incoherence or deliberate strategy? Either way – Key got away with this kind of bullshit for 8 long years – are we going to let it continue?
The great US climate scientist witch hunt
Donald Trump’s transition team have been quizzing state employees of the Department of Energy about their beliefs and activities in relation to climate change. Is a clear out of those who believe climate change is a reality possible? And why is he refusing to investigate the possibility that Russia affected the Presidential election in his favour?
The Essential Forest-Gardener – the humus factor
Robert Guyton continues his series on life in a Riverton Food Forest.
Open Mike 11/12/2016
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Cabinet reshuffle – Haere ra McCully?
Bill English gets to name his own cabinet on Monday. It will be interesting to see what happens to McCully. In February McCully announced his intention to stand down in East Coast Bays and that he would seek a list place, but only if he remained as Minister of Foreign Affairs after the next election. It’s an ultimatum he may have cause to regret.
Denis Tegg: How earthquake safe are the mine tailings dams at Waihi?
Denis Tegg has identified how a modest earthquake in the Coromandel could cause massive environmental devastation in Waihi if either of two tailings dams are ruptured.
The Political Scientist: Is that all there is?
Puddleglum has perhaps the most accurate description of the Key years and equates it as the equivalent of a Big Mac, perfectly engineered but ultimately deeply dissatisfying.
Open Mike 10/12/2016
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Opinions
“You are not entitled to your opinion. You are only entitled to what you can argue for.”
Daily Review 09/12/2016
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 …
I agree with Josie Pagani, mostly
Josie Pagani has criticised her friend Nick Leggett for switching to National and not sticking to his principles.
Charter schools fiddling their results
Charter schools are fiddling their results. Just another example of the way that education for profit is all about profit, with education hardly getting a look in. All of National’s ideological interventions in education are failures.
Bill English to be elected as National Leader
Video of left wingers responding to the news that Bill English will be National’s next leader.
Open Mike 09/12/2016
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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 08/12/2016
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 …
Collins withdraws and pledges to support English
Judith Collins has withdrawn from the leadership race and pledged support for Bill English.
Caretaker Bill, Cigar Coleman, and Countess Homogenised
What would happen if the EU fell apart?
The EU has had a difficult year and its future looks uncertain. What happens if it goes?
David Shearer resigning?
The Herald has reported that David Shearer is expected to resign, forcing a by election in the new year.
Open Mike 08/12/2016
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Step up to the mike …
Daily Review 07/12/2016
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The Standard is offering to the National Party leadership contenders guest post slots
In the spirit of bi partisanship the Standard wishes to offer the candidates for leadership of the National caucus guest post slots and the ability to answer readers’ questions.
Meanwhile, the Housing Crisis
Bill English and Paula Bennett won’t be thinking about it this week, but Auckland’s Housing Crisis continues to get worse.
Three’s a crowd
The policy wonk, the ambitious change-maker, or the no-bullshit bullshitter – the contenders for National Party Prime Minister set out their stalls yesterday with John Campbell. Just like the Kaikoura quake, their pitches exposed some complex fault-lines. It’ll be a long week in politics.