Show us the money John
John Key and National are talking about tax cuts. But when you think about the actual cost of the Christchurch rebuild and tumbling international milk prices you have to question if tax cuts are affordable or even justifiable.
TolleyOil?
NetworkOnNet posts about the Ministry of Education under Tolley bullying good principals though WhaleOil. And also in Education news: this week all 4-7 year olds will be eligible for a free hot school lunch… in the UK.
More Nat lies
National’s been lying about increased teacher numbers, and the state of the economy – and now they’re promising unaffordable tax cuts.
Whaledump twitter account suspended
Whaledump’s account on Twitter has been suspended.
Someone is trying to lock the stable door after the horse has bolted.
Update: @Whaledump2 is providing more dumps and No Right Turn & lprent comment on it.
Thoughts from the crowd on Tuesday night’s debate
I was in the front row of the audience at the Press leader’s debate between David Cunliffe and John Key. While the media in Auckland and Wellington might have called it one way, the people in Christchurch were only presented with one leader who understands the issues in this city, and it wasn’t the Prime Minister.
Open mike 04/09/2014
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 …
Debate tonight: Climate Voter
Climate Voter is streaming a debate between the major parties tonight at 7pm.
Blogging isn’t the problem Mr Key
Dirty politics in Dunedin
No. Not Pete George. Instead Andrew Geddis appears to be up to his neck in the mire of organising “Debating ‘Dirty Politics’: Media, Politics and Law”, at a ‘scholarly’ debate on Friday from 1pm-4pm. It is a long-winded scholarly debate inside work hours. But it will be streamed on youtube and hopefully not only live.
Early Voting starts
Advance votes can now be cast.
Nasty negative Nats
Disgraced ex minister Collins calls Cunliffe a moron. Another John Ansell negative billboard campaign coming. The Nats are nasty as well as dirty. If only there was some positive alternative…
Emerson on Collins Enquiry
Emerson’s cartoon today in the Herald.
National’s campaign train wreck
So far National’s election campaign has been a train wreck. What was meant to be a leisurely walk to the finish line has turned into a limp. David Cunliffe is more than holding his own against John Key. And dirty politics is having a gradual corrosive effect on National’s support.
Nothing to hide, nothing to fear
If John Key has nothing to hide, sure he has nothing to fear from a full government inquiry into Dirty Politics?
Open mike 03/09/2014
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 …
Score draw?
Cunliffe started best, Key got in a zinger and put him off his stride, Cunliffe dominated the second half.
Caption competition
Too good to pass up but keep it civilised …
NRT: The caretaker convention and elections
There was an interesting discussion between Dean Knight and Graeme Edgeler about the caretaker convention and elections. Dean highlighted the fact that Key had a perfect right to call for whatever sort of inquiry prior to an election. Edgeler disputed this, on the basis that the Prime Minister could not be said to enjoy the confidence of the House, because there wasn’t one.
The Press Debate – tonight, livestreamed on Stuff
The second big head-to-head between David Cunliffe and John Key will be livestreamed on Stuff from 7pm tonight.
Puddleglum: We no longer have a Prime Minister
There’s an excellent post at The Political Scientist I want to highlight, plus a few other of today’s Dirty Politics reads…
Spinning the media: commericial imperatives
The main problems with dirty media-blogger connections, as exposed by Dirty Politics lie with the commercial dominance of our news media. Mediawatch focuses on issues raised by the book. Online Standards Authority is not the answer.
Nicky Hager on Democracy – Wellington
Nicky Hager will discuss his recent book “Dirty Politics”, and what needs to be done differently to protect and enhance our democracy. Tuesday 9 September, St Andrew’s Church, 30 The Terrace, Wellington, 5:30-7:30pm. All welcome – registration essential on Fabian Society website.
Whitewash inquiry
I know, let’s put on a production of Hamlet, but leave out the role of the Prince of Denmark.
Open mike 02/09/2014
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 …
Pre-election Factory Farming Debate
WHEN: Wednesday 3rd September 6.30pm
WHERE: St Andrew’s on The Terrace
Participants: Shane Ardern (National), Trevor Mallard (Labour), Mojo Mathers (Greens), Richard Prosser (NZ First) and Miriam Pierard (Internet).
National must be very afraid
The latest Whaledump has a collection of emails that makes no reference to Judith Collins. It makes you wonder if Key did not have the Cathy Odgers email whether he would have sacked Collins.
NRT: More OIA skullduggery from National
Another day, and more evidence the National government is manipulating the OIA process. Judith Collins’ office processed an Official Information Act request in just two days. The problem here isn’t that someone got their response within two days – its that other people didn’t…
Condolences: safety at work
My condolences to those close to the victims of the horrific actions in Ashburton today.
Why Is John Key Not Compelled to Give Evidence Under Oath?
I have today sent an open letter to the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security to ask why Mr Key is not required to attend her inquiry and to give evidence under oath. The letter is attached.
All the way to Key
All credit to Guyon Espiner for another hard-hitting interview with Key on Morning Report today. Espiner tries to get a straight answer from Key over his personal contacts with Slater. Tries and tries and tries, to no avail. It is clear that Key, personally and through his office, is up to his neck in dirty politics.
Black ops – blogger in the House
John Key dropped Winston Peters’ visits to DotCom into an answer to a question in the Houseof Parliament on February 12 2014. Today when pressed by Guyon Espiner whether the information had come to him from Cameron Slater he ducked and dived all over the place but finally had to admit Slater was the source. This episode confirms that Key was part of the black ops campaign, not just his office.
Dirty Filthy Red Herring
Big fish and little fish.
Open mike 01/09/2014
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 …
Labour’s broadcasting policy: public service TV-RNZ
Labour’s broadcasting policy includes setting up a new public service TV channel, to be located with RNZ, incorporating RNZ values. The Greens are open to the idea. NZ First has a similar policy. Laila Harre makes some good points about public broadcasting and industrial relations. [Update: RNZ report; video clip added]
From Twitter
All your trashing the SFO connections. h/t DebsHancock
Well that deteriorated quickly
The Sunday Star Times has reported on the Hotchin – Slater attack on SFO boss Adam Feeley. The email which caused John Key to effectively sack Judith Collins as a Minister was provided by Cathy Odgers. The intent was to put off a SFO/FMA investigation into Hotchin. This is third world stuff.