Fact: Nats cut wages last time they were in power
For anyone who still doesn’t want to believe that National cut incomes for most Kiwis last time they were in power (and would […]
Will the real National policy please stand up?
A reader noticed a difference between National’s workplace policy as quoted by us and as quoted elsewhere. We and some others have: “Continue […]
Nats painted into a corner
John Key has announced Working for Families would be kept unchanged by a National-led government. That’s the same Working for Families that National […]
For the people
A sage comment from our reader, Bill, got me thinking. He said “If political news was even given the same modest in-depth coverage […]
Hunt for the real John Key proves fruitless
So, what have we learnt from the 18,000 words on John Key the Herald published with so much fanfare over the last two […]
I despair
Our national political debate is in a sad sad state. Agenda is meant to be our premier political interview and analysis TV show. […]
The Standard Week: 18-25 July
The big story of the week is National’s work rights policy that does nothing to further workers’ rights and actually undermines them in […]
Seeking better work rights
Seek has released analysis of the pay-rates offered by employers advertising on its site. It’s not a perfect measure and the figures are […]
Like McDonalds, the same all over the world
This is from 2005 in Britain but we saw the same script played out here last month: When SpinWatch asked Tory central press […]
Reaction roundup: Nats’ work rights policy
Democratic, voluntary organisations of workers: Finsec: “Within the current framework, many workers have been able to achieve real wage increases like the 5% […]
Pride in your work
Some of our rightwing commentators are rejecting the argument that National’s ‘workplace policy’ strips workers of their rights. Problem is, every workers’ rights […]
Take the money and run
I just read Gordon Campbell’s latest Scoop column about the omnibus tax bill and quickly followed it with Frog’s piece on the matter […]
Finance companies – a graphic explanation
With the collapse of Hanover Finance, the 25th finance company to go under, Hanover co-owner Mark Hotchin has declared ‘the finance companies’ model […]
Between the lines: Nats’ work rights policy
You know you’re in for a treat when a political party’s ‘policy’ (I still refuse to consider half a dozen bullet points a […]
Bollard cuts the OCR
The Reserve Bank has dropped the Official Cash Rate from 8.25% to 8%. Inflation is well outside the Bank’s 1-3% target range but […]
Open up the trusts
Bob Jones confirmed on Morning Report that he gave $25,000 in 2005 to New Zealand First. The money was to be funnelled to […]
EMA Kiwisaver campaign in breach of EFA?
The Employers and Manufacturers Association’s advertising campaign to defend the ability of employers to make workers pay their own Kiwisaver employer contribution while […]
Previewing National’s employment policy
Word around the traps is that National is going to be releasing its industrial relations policy this afternoon. My prediction is the policy […]
Drinking Liberally – Auckland
WHAT: Regular event for Drinking Liberally’s Auckland City chapter WHEN: 7:30pm, Wed 23 July (TONIGHT) WHERE: London Bar, corner Queen and Wellesley Streets, […]
Between the lines: Nats’ outdoor rec policy
The ‘policies’ National is releasing are nothing more than bullet points but we know from a number of slips that these vague one-pagers […]
Landlords: youse are better off renting
The graphic to the left was produced by the Property Investors’ Federation and was printed unquestioned in the Herald yesterday. The PIF uses the figures […]
The Peters saga, a summary
1 – In 2005, Owen Glenn paid $100,000 towards a legal defence fund for a case in Peters’ name. 2 – Peters was […]
Personality cult
Some of our friends on the National Party end of the blogosphere have developed a rather odd habit over the years of referring to […]
The War on P
National Party strategist and Dominion Post columnist Richard Long declared war on “P” today. The “P’” word that is. Privatisation. Labour and the […]
Unauthorised, unimpressive, unquestioning
I’ve finally got through part 1 of the Herald’s deification of John Key and it’s surprising how boring and mediocre he comes across. […]
Chasing Peters, it’s easier than examining policy
For my part, I don’t see the big deal in all this Peters donation stuff. Transparency in election funding is important (and it’s […]
Kiwis love their rail
A poll on TV1 shows that Kiwis overwhelmingly support the Government move to bring rail back into public ownership. Despite a question that […]
Will you vote for higher levies?
If National wins the election, it will privatise the Work Account of ACC (and maybe other ‘profitable’ accounts). We know that this may […]
Taxing choices
There are four options open to National regarding the tax expectations it will deliver large tax cuts ($20+ per person a week = […]
Would Nats introduce work-for-the-dole?
Judith Collins, who has made it her mission in life to attack benefits at every turn, has been meeting with Mission Australia, the […]
Oram’s Ides of March
Rod Oram can nearly always be relied upon for insightful analysis that takes debate a step further. In the SSTimes today he asks: […]
So what is a subprime then?
The phrase “subprime” seems to have become part of our universal vocabulary – reflecting global uncertainty, events beyond our control, and financial complexities. […]
Painting a portrait of Mr Key
I read with interest the NZ Herald’s “In Search of John Key“. I know at least some commentors on this blog have questioned […]
False idol
We’ve said this before but, seeing as BNZ chief economist Tony Alexander is in the Herald this morning saying ‘the October 1 tax […]
Culture of secrecy
It’s 4.45 on a Friday afternoon and National has just released its Outdoor Recreation policy. It’s another one page wonder, only this time […]
The Standard Week: July 11-18
Finally, policy. National has two policies which, by all rights, ought to be election losers: the 90 day no rights policy and the […]