How does Labour keep the momentum?
Labour have bounced back well from the disastrous election result. But how do they keep up the momentum?
Open mike 02/02/2015
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Queensland and Northland
The conventional wisdom re the Queensland election late last year was ”that converting (Labor’s) current tally of nine seats into the 45 needed for a majority will be a bridge or more too far.” Anastascia Palaszczuk was obviously not conventional but was wise enough to dare to win on community issues. A community-issue based campaign in Northland could also spring a surprise here.
North of 2
The international energy agency’s (IEA) view on climate change is that we are “on track for a 3.5°C rise by 2040” (i.e. 4.2°C relative to pre-industrial).
Fatih Birol – IEA chief economist said (3 years ago)
When I look at this data, the trend is perfectly in line with a temperature increase of 6 degrees Celsius, which would have devastating consequences for the planet….we have 5 years to change the energy system – or have it changed
Charity is illegal in Florida
Little’s leadership
Two positive pieces in The Herald today on Andrew Little’s leadership.
Open mike 01/02/2015
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The Queensland State Election
The Queensland State election is on today. At the last election Labor was reduced to 7 out of 89 seats as punishment for its privatisation program. But the current Government has been that bad that the Premier may lose his seat and a resurgence by Labor looks likely. Update remarkably a change of government is on the cards …
PM’s science award winners on the sell-off
“The Government’s continuing attempts to divest itself of state housing overlook the enormous benefits to society which these homes produce in alleviating severe housing shortages. They were built up by successive generations of New Zealanders, and to “sell them off” under the pretence of efficiency is a disservice to all of us, whether we’re homeowners or renters.”
Eleanor Catton responds
The final word in this week’s debate about freedom of expression should be left to Eleanor Catton.
Open mike 31/01/2015
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The Northland by-election
A by-election is imminent – so how does Labour win in a safe National seat?
Weekend social 30/01/2015
Weekend social is for non political chat. What’s on for the weekend, gigs, film or book reviews, sports, or whatever. No politics, no […]
National MP Mike Sabin resigns
UPDATED: Northland MP Mike Sabin has resigned.
Green Party announcement – Russel Norman to stand down as leader
Twitter has gone berserk about an announced Green Party press conference for 11 am today. Initial speculation is that a Green MP may be standing down. Update: One News has tweeted Russell Norman has resigned as leader. Update: Russel’s Norman’s statement added.
Questions on Key’s housing sell-off
Key’s state house asset sale policy doesn’t make sense at any level, and the questions are piling up…
Open mike 30/01/2015
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NRT: An untenable position
I/S at No Right Turn on the Mike Sabin situation. “For the sake of propriety and the integrity of our justice system, Sabin must be stood down”…
Forgetting what the game is for
The Herald’s coverage of yesterday’s speeches gives us the opposite extremes of journalism. But the headline slot goes to the superficialities of the game, and spinning for their man Key at all costs.
John Key’s housing announcement
John Key’s housing announcement contained very little new information. Work has been put in for the past couple of years in developing the policy. The net effect will be that the Government will have more money for other capital projects not related to emergency housing. It will keep its fingers crossed that charities can pick up the slack. And the risk is that not one new house will be constructed at a time of intense need.
Open mike 29/01/2015
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Taxpayers Union Press Release on Eleanor Catton
The Taxpayers Union has responded to Eleanor Catton’s comment that New Zealand is dominated by money hungry politicans who do not care about culture by demanding she pay back funding used on her six month residency. Way to prove her point boys.
Imperator Fish: A clarification
Sexist right-wingers are lining up to abuse Eleanor Catton for speaking her mind. The odious Sean Plunket is the worst, calling Catton a “hua” (sounds like and sometimes defined as “whore”). Imperator Fish responds…
Labour’s plan vs National’s plan
The choice is clear.
Polity: Key deluded on housing progress
Rob Salmond at Polity on Key – “Is he deluded, or is he being deliberately misleading?”…
investing in social cohesion
experiences of solidarity and support can be found across the planet. they aren’t particularly hard to find, these many instances of kindness and humanity. so why does it feel like we live in a world that is incredibly hostile?
Andrew Little State of the Nation in 2015
The speech notes from Andrew Little’s State of the Nation speech delivered this morning
Open mike 28/01/2015
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Eleanor Catton on NZ
Award winning author Eleanor Catton has expressed her disappointment and anger with politics in general and the government in particular.
Polity: Crampton on online GST
Rob Salmond has a bite at Eric Campton’s rather ideologically naive ideas about balancing up the GST playing ground between local and overseas retailers. Rather than not doing anything about it as Eric suggests and leaving local retailers flailing. Why not just make it simple as local collection of GST?
can we just ignore it?
somebody says something stupid about muslims. then it has to be picked up by every media organisation who rush around for comments. of course they’ll find some muslims who will be angry and upset, given the serious stupidity of the comments. then the media report how OUTRAGED those muslims are, as well as interviewing the original culprit to give more air to his views.
Greece to reclaim its future?
Greece has voted to reclaim its future from the banks.
Open mike 27/01/2015
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Trump or Palin for the US Presidency?
Donald Trump and Sarah Palin are reported to be considering runs for the Republican nomination for the United States Presidency.
Solving the Housing Crisis – Facts or Ideology?
The scale of the housing affordability crisis, particularly in Auckland, is now unmistakable. Not only do individual families suffer as home ownership increasingly […]
Monbiot on state media and the corporate elite
George Monbiot wrote recently on how Canadian and United Kingdom public media reporting on corporate news are hopelessly pro business and lacking in any sort of balance. And how the volume of articles concerning environmental issues is declining. Is it the same in New Zealand?