Use of weapons

I’ve been thinking about the different ways ministers from the Left and the Right approach governing. I think it goes back to where […]

Benefits, wages and anger

The recent furore about benefit levels has brought a lot of comments along the lines of ” I don’t get it why should […]

Chilling effect

I’m frankly a little surprised at the way the media and The Herald especially has jumped on the attack the victim bandwagon in […]

Wee gripes: spreading ignorance

Tracy Watkins: “productivity as a country – the amount of goods and services each worker produces and the value they add” God. Here’s […]

Wee gripes: doublethink

If you read Kiwiblog or listen to talkback radio (basically the same thing – smart guy baiting reactionaries for his political ends) then […]

Comfortable with bullying

John Key is “comfortable” with his Minister Paul Bennett releasing private information (in breach of the Cabinet Manual, Privacy Commission guidelines, and the […]

In bed with bigotry

Maori Party MP Rahui Katene’s Matariki Public Holiday Bill was before the House last night (I understand National is planning to vote it down […]

Substance matters

Last night, our positive and ambitious National/Act government: Voted against Green MP Metiria Turei’s bill to protect the 111 Maui dolphins left. Voted […]

Horrific and ugly

That’s what Bennett is calling the Right’s attacks on the women she released confidential information about. As if she didn’t know that would […]

Fishy

Here’s one of the solo mothers targeted by Bennett appearing on Checkpoint last evening. She’s angry and eloquent and clearly aware of the […]

Bully State

NZPA reports: An MP from government confidence and supply party ACT today told prison officers who spoke out against private prisons that they […]

Apologists

Picture this: Anchor “and now we go live to whatsherface outside the High Court in Christchurch to tell us the latest in the […]

Straight answers? Short supply.

Here’s Bennett’s answer to Chauvel’s question in the House yesterday: Charles Chauvel: Was the Minister advised that the individuals concerned had given implied […]

Memo to the Herald

Dear nzherald.co.nz, The opinions expressed in the Your Views section of your website are not an accurate reflection of public opinion in New […]

Nick Smith lying with numbers.

Nick Smith is the front-man for this government on climate change, and it appears that he knows absolutely nothing about the numbers. The […]

Coverage round-up: Bully Bennett

Sean Plunkett: Being vocal in a democracy shouldn’t mean you lose your rights and protections under the law. Tracey Watkins: “The Privacy Commissioner […]

Recovery nightmare

‘A nightmare’ scenario. That’s how ANZ chief economist Cameron Bagrie speaking on Morning Report described the outlook for the economy as the recession […]

Beware of unbridled government

‘Beware’ that was Mary Wilson’s conclusion to her interview with Paula Bennett yesterday. The audio is here: Beware of Bully Bennett – Beware […]

Privacy Commission guidelines

Paula Bennett is trying, unsuccessfully, to dig herself out of her hole by arguing that the Privacy Commissioner’s website said the solo mums […]

Bennett must resign

I’m no expert in these things but Paula “bully” Bennett appears to have put herself in breach of the cabinet manual by disclosing […]

Spin cycle

Normally, $9 million in government spending is such a puny amount it’s not worth covering but as Key has nailed his crediblity to […]

Nice try, Roger

Sir Roger Douglas has a go at my post that looks at the GDP per person gap between Australia and New Zealand and concludes […]

Bully Bennett

Stunned. I’m simply stunned. After speaking out against Paula Bennett’s cuts to the Incentives Training Allowance two solo mothers have had their entire […]

Truly ambitious for America

America faces a hell of a lot of problems at the moment, but if there’s one man with the ability to inspire and […]

Our traditional allies

It seems the US want us to commit our elite SAS troops to Afghanistan. I’m not a big fan of the Taliban but […]

What they’re really playing at

Business Roundtable chair Rob McLeod has a piece in today’s Dom Post motivating the case for amending anti-discrimination laws to allow “affirmative action” […]

Productive editorial

Interesting editorial on National’s new Productivity Taskforce in Saturday’s Herald. Australia’s Productivity Commission (independent, highly successful, and enjoying cross-party support) could have served […]