Auckland march of solidarity for refugees
A march of solidarity for refugees is planned for today at Auckland.
Open mike 10/10/2015
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Daily Review 09/10/2015
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Auckland Council debates the TPPA
Auckland Council yesterday passed some seemingly non contentious resolutions requesting for the text of the TPPA to be released and seeking a response from the Government about resolutions that had been passed a couple of years earlier. But the resolutions were opposed vigorously by right wing councillors who then complained about the time and expense the debate consumed.
Nats endorse Goff for mayor?
The NBR reckons the Nats are tacitly endorsing Phil Goff for mayor of Auckland.
Obama says “sorry” but…
Will New Zealand (John Key), as a signatory to the Geneva Convention Protocol I, support Medecins sans Frontieres call for an independent fact finding commission into the bombing of their hospital, and the deaths of Doctors and children and 37 injured? Or will he pretend he never got the letter?
More charter school hypocrisy
Turns out the Education Minister overrode Ministry advice to protect National’s pet charter schools from being evaluated on their actual outcomes. Plus a bonus side order of hypocrisy on class sizes.
Open mike 09/10/2015
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Daily Review 08/10/2015
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Even Catherine Isaac thinks Parata has no idea
When Catherine Isaac (wife of Roger Kerr (deceased) of the former Business Round-table and ACT party stalwart) is at odds with Parata, something must be amiss.
Caption Contest
The normal rules apply. Keep it seemly …
Go well Helen Kelly
Helen is standing down from her role as President of the CTU due to health reasons, but will remain active supporting union causes.
Clinton opposes TPP
Associated Press: BREAKING: Hillary Clinton says she opposes Pacific Rim trade deal, breaking with Obama.
Let’s send Renée Rose Annan to Paris to counter Tim Groser
A young Auckland Green, Renée Rose Annan is fundraising to travel to the Paris Conference on climate change.
NRT: An empty strategy
I/S at No Right Turn on the government’s National Statement of Science Investment . (Meant to repost this earlier in the week!)
Gould on the TPP
Bryan Gould on the TPP: “…it is about managed, not free, trade – and trade that is managed in the interests of large, international, and mainly US corporations.”
Open mike 08/10/2015
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Daily Review 07/10/2015
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Greetings E Tū Union
E Tū Union, the amalgamation of the EPMU and the Service and Foodworkers Union has formally launched.
Labour to defy TPP on property ownership?
If this report is accurate it opens an interesting can of worms!
TPP roundup
A roundup of the best analysis of and reaction to the TPP. The gains are minor and delayed, the losses are real. In NZ we don’t have any democratic input into ratification, but the US does, and the deal may fall there.
Open mike 07/10/2015
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Daily Review 06/10/2015
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The (gradual?) decline of American empire
Col. Lawrence Wilkerson was Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell. And he says that the American empire is in decline.
Launch of New Zealand’s largest private sector trade union
Details of the announcement tomorrow of the formation of the largest private sector union in the country.
As expected, TPPA gives a peanut return
In 15 to 25 years, long long after I have retired, and the TPPA is fully realised. It may be worth an extra $260 million per year in possible tariff benefits. By contrast, the China Free Trade Agreement within 5 years was increasing our exports each year by an extra $350 million. But the costs for the TPPA start as soon as it is signed. We may make a profit off it in 10 years. This is not a good deal.
TPPA agreement reached
The TPPA has been agreed to. Dairy access improvement is minimal, there will be a cost hit on Pharmac and every industry but Tobacco will be able to access the investor state dispute resolution procedure.
Open mike 06/10/2015
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Daily Review 05/10/2015
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WINZ dysfunctional
I guess it’s not exactly news that WINZ is dysfunctional, but its interesting to have some actual data on one of the symptoms. Bonus feature – one of the Nats’ worst excuses ever.
Hekia has gone rogue
Hekia Parata has announced that student achievement and not need caused by poverty will be a central part of any future funding system.
TPPA deal close?
The TPPA is said to be close to being concluded with resistance to change in Pharmaceutical rules being provided by Australia, not New Zealand. And John Key says that the deal isn’t a very good deal for Dairy.
Exxon knew
Exxon knew all about global warming and the “hockey stick” all the way back in 1981. Naturally the course of action they decided on was to lie and deny.
Open mike 05/10/2015
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Hide on the Collins challenge
Rodney Hide also reckons that Collins is positioned to challenge Key.
Left wing activism and the humdrum need to maintain jobs and careers
From the commentator formerly known as Ad is this post where he asks the question many of us face, how do we balance jobs and careers with the desire to be left wing activists?