Wee Todd Barclay may have a wee problem
Clutha Southland National MP’s employee dispute has escalated with a police inquiry into the possible secret recording of a staff member being conducted.
Norman on the economy
Russel Norman was right in 2014 when he said that the Nats were daft to gamble on oil and bulk milk production, and he’s right again now to draw attention to the failures. We need a green economy!
Open mike 12/03/2016
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Daily Review 11/03/2016
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Leggett does a runner
Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett says he will announce his decision about running for Mayor of Wellington at a launch later this month. It sounds like he has already made up his mind about what he is running for; the real question is what is he running from?
The Gun Club
In the wake of the shooting of four police officers in Kawerau, it’s time NZ had a cold, hard look at our gun culture. We need an inquiry that addresses both legal and illegal gun ownership. But there’s a related matter that also needs looking at …
Iain Lees-Galloway on the end of zero hour contracts
Iain Lees-Galloway’s speech celebrating the end of zero hour contracts with a special thanks to the Unite Union, the Council of Trade Unions, the Greens and New Zealand First, Marama Fox, even Peter Dunne, and even Michael Woodhouse.
Economic anger and political madness
History clearly shows us that when people are economically stressed they turn to extreme action and extreme leaders. Economist Jared Bernstein argues that the Trump ascendancy is another example of this.
Open mike 11/03/2016
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Daily Review 10/03/2016
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RB snaps awake, jolts markets
Simon Louisson on the Reserve Bank’s surprise announcement to reduce the official cash rate by 25 points.
TPP to criminalise ordinary viewers
A lot of people out there couldn’t give a stuff about the TPP because they don’t see it affecting them. This might change their minds.
Intergenerational theft
The Guardian has an excellent piece on “the 30-year economic betrayal dragging down Generation Y’s income”.
Nats think “pretty legal” is good enough…
… but the courts may beg to differ.
Open mike 10/03/2016
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“The greatest polling error in primary history”
Bernie Sanders has just won the Michigan Democratic primary. Polling guru Nate Silver of 38degrees said that given that Sanders was behind by an average of 21.3% in all polls leading up to the vote, if Sanders won Michigan it would count among “the greatest polling errors in primary history.” It was – why is interesting.
Daily Review 09/03/2016
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New report on GCSB spying powers
A Government-ordered review of NZ’s spy agencies has just been released. Key wants Labour’s support for increased power to spy on Kiwis.
Health law expert on the TPP
We won’t be able to say that we weren’t warned.
Imperator Fish: John needs this too
Imperator Fish argues for a change in the New Zealand flag, sort of.
Health Ministry lost the plot and heads should roll
The Health Ministry committed to spending $18m that they didn’t have on upgrading their own offices, and tried to claw the money back from the underfunded DHBs trying to deliver health care to NZ. And that seems to be just fine with Minister Coleman.
Government plans RMA power grab
The Government is planning to allow the relevant Minister to change District Plans by regulation or to allow National Policy Statements to change district plans and to prevent submissions being received unless evidence contained is provided by a professional adviser with expertise.
Open mike 09/03/2016
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Daily Review 08/03/2016
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Fonterra faces liquidity issues as rivers of “white oil” dry up
Pundits, most residing in the National Party, just three years ago predicted the economy would surf high on “rivers of white oil” flowing from the dairy industry, but they now have cow pats splattered on their faces as Fonterra today announced another payout downgrade and signalled liquidity pressures.
Labour and Lees-Galloway secure end to zero hours contracts
Labour has forced the Government to back down on plans to entrench zero hour contracts.
How is homophobia still a thing?
The Anglican parish of St Mathew in the City has a proud history of tolerance and liberal thinking and support for LGBTI rights. A couple of boofheads showed up last week and disrupted its Sunday service. What should a liberal do? Updated with photos and video of the individuals involved.
Todd Barclay imploding in Clutha-Southland
High profile electorate resignations, a Parliamentary Services investigation, talk of a selection challenge – Todd Barclay has made a real mess of the gift of Clutha-Southland. What a surprise.
Victoria University Chancellor Neville Jordan spits the dummy
The spoof article appeared in the 21 February issue of Victoria University’s Salient – and poor ole Sir Neville couldn’t handle the jandle so lost the plot and spat the dummy.
Routine incompetence
Is this the least competent NZ government ever?
Open mike 08/03/2016
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Daily Review 07/03/2016
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 …
NRT: A waiting list by another name
I/S at No Right Turn on hospital waiting lists – and those that don’t even make it on them.
The All Powerful Labour Party
Apparently the Labour Party is so all powerful and persuasive that roughly 2/3 of the electorate is under its spell. That bodes well for the next election!
Stacey Kirk’s Stuff Up
Fairfax journalist Stacey Kirk has published a vicious smear against a group of cancer sufferers. Is this the nastiest lie ever published in the NZ media?
police and african youth
Research has been published showing police having treated African youth unfairly. How can this be so, when they have put in so much effort to engage ethnic communities.