Herald poll
Another data point from the poll mill.
Forget worm farms the Health and Safety Reform Bill proposes secret trials
The Government has snuck into the Health and Safety Reform Bill a provision that allows for withholding from the parties to court proceedings of classified security information and for decisions affecting their rights to be made on the basis of information they have no access to. This was not in the original bill and you have to wonder why such a contentious provision has been introduced so late.
In face of share market meltdown, Govt’s options limited
John Key says New Zealand has options in the face of a share market meltdown and is not like Greece (well that’s a relief). Simon Louisson asks how real are John Key’s options? Thanks to this Government’s profligate past spending, including irresponsible tax cuts, our options have narrowed drastically.
National Ltd™’s Shane Reti Caught Out In Another Lie
Shane Reti lied about the process of ratifying the TPP. In a Press Release to the Northern Advocate, Reti states “. . . the agreement comes before parliament and opposition parties and select committees for debate and modifications . . .”
Open mike 26/08/2015
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 25/08/2015
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: Climate change: Absolute madness
I/S at No Right Turn: “the government is spending tens of millions of dollars a year paying these companies to destroy the world. It is absolute madness”.
The cost of Joyce’s vanity
Another entry in the ongoing story of Steven Joyce’s ego-ministry – $600K for a web site.
TPP – dooming our grandchildren to poverty
… up to 45% of current jobs will cease to exist.
Those abused in state care deserve apology
The report of the Confidential Listening and Assistance Service highlights a shameful chapter in NZ history. What possible reason could there be for the government not to apologise directly to the victims?
The world’s stock markets: I see Red
China’s sharemarket plunge has affected the rest of the world as stock exchange after stock exchange has posted losses. It appears clear that predictions of a Chinese sharemarket bubble market are correct and now that the Chinese Government is no longer propping up share prices they are crashing.
Open mike 25/08/2015
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“Wall St braces for a brutal open after China rout”
Wall St opens for trading in a few hours. When websites like MarketWatch start headlining using words like “brutal”, “rout”, “panics” and “carnage” you know it’s time to grab the popcorn and buckle in for what might potentially (and finally) be the start of GFC 2 proper.
Daily Review 24/08/2015
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.
Serco has yet more explaining to do
New allegations that at least one Serco prison guard was active involved in Mt Eden’s “fight club”. In some ways the public mess that Serco has made of Mt Eden has done us all a favour
Hard left Corbyn receives public backing from 41 leading economists
Jeremy Corbyn announces the potential renationalisation of privatised state assets, with minimal compensation. While 41 leading economists back his anti-austerity stance. This is what left wing leadership and courage looks like.
National scared of farmers?
As the worm turns, the Nats are all over the place on health and safety. Andrew Little suggests that National is “terrified of the farming lobby”. Something sure has to explain the fact that they ended up fronting this crock.
Open mike 24/08/2015
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Rob Salmond’s argument – too simplistic and wrong in its assumptions
As Mike Smith’s post last night relates, Rob Salmond makes the case that a properly left wing Labour Party is always going to lose. Screw that. More like a Tory Labour doesn’t deserve to win.
Would the last journalist to leave The Herald please turn out the lights
The Herald is shedding journalists. Dita De Boni will be particularly missed.
Open mike 23/08/2015
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The Centre of Attention
In a post on Public Address titled “In defence of the centre” Rob Salmond uses a Guardian article by George Monbiot to pose the question “whether the old political orthodoxy of ‘move to the middle’ is, long term, a death-knell for left-leaning parties.” It’s good that Salmond’s raised the question; it’s certainly a matter for debate.
Like Solid Energy, hubris behind Landcorp’s predicament
Solid Energy was this month placed in Voluntary Administration following its financial collapse. Landcorp may not be in quite the same pit as the coal miner, but negative cash-flow and rising debt likely mean it has breached banking covenants. It may be forced to sell good assets at the bottom of the market. Simon Louisson questions why?
NRT: Exposing dirty politics
I/S at No Right Turn on the OIA into communications between Key and Glucina.
A Takahe is not a Pukeko
The Department of Conservation let some volunteers from Deerstalkers onto Motutapu with shotguns to shoot Pukeko to make more room for endangered Takehe. But four Takehe were killed by stray shot gun pellets. DOC is now talking about prosecuting the Deerstalkers. Time for them to accept blame for allowing such a stupid thing to occur. And the Government for compromising DOC’s ability to function by starving it of resources.
Charter $chools
Today’s Herald has an excellent piece on charter schools – School cash flows to owners’ pockets. What a surprise!
Health and safety categories – ludicrous and venal
A small sample of the reaction to National’s “health” and “safety” nonsense.
Open mike 22/08/2015
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Daily Review 21/08/2015
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.
July 2015 the warmest month ever
July was hot hot hot. Meanwhile, let’s keep focussing on economic growth and more exports (and not making the middle classes too nervous that life is going to change radically, one way or another).
Zero integrity on zero hours
If you thought the Nats promising to sort out zero hours contracts was too good to be true — you were right.
Weekend social 21/08/2015
Weekend social is for non political chat. What’s on for the weekend, gigs, film or book reviews, sports, or whatever. No politics, no […]
Signs of a society under stress
The signs are all around us.
Government braces for expected worm farm mini golf fatality onslaught
Apparently worm farms and mini golf ranges are dangerous places. And worm farmers playing mini golf are in grave peril.
Greek PM calls new election
A bold move by an administration in an impossible position.
Open mike 21/08/2015
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 …