Launch of Economic and Social Research Aotearoa (ESRA)
There is a new leftie think tank in town. Congratulations to Sue Bradford and her team. We hope to hear plenty more from ESRA!
sue bradford
Shameful tactics on beneficiaries
Why does it take a volunteer organisation like Auckland Action Against Poverty to help people get the benefits that they are entitled to?
Key runs from poverty protestors
The PM running from a yacht club when confronted with protestors against poverty. Pretty fair summary of where this country is at.
AAAP: grass roots action. Well done!
A video by Auckland Action Against Poverty is a record of their work and achievements. Narrated by Sue Bradford, it’s must see viewing for anyone interested in actions against poverty, grassroots campaigning, networking and direct action. Very impressive!
Tales from the precariat: AAAP
Auckland Action Against Poverty did 3 days of advocacy action in New Lynn. Their press releases & videos show the struggles of low income Kiwis to survive in John Key’s corporate-loving NZ. The tales tell of a need for real social security legislation & a more client-friendly WINZ.
New Lynn Impact against poverty – action
Last December I reported on the Auckland Action Against Poverty, Advocacy Activism in Onehunga. There’s another one happening this week in New Lynn – starts tomorrow at 9am outside the WINZ office. [Update:] Press release from AAAP. Tales of despair: from the streets of New Lynn.
War on the poor: flexible super
Dunne’s proposal for flexible superannuation is a U-Turn for Key, while he hides behind it being a Dunne and flexible initiative & good for low income people. Sue Bradford argues against Dunne’s initiative, saying it will benefit those on higher incomes. She prefers better and universal benefits.
The policing of women’s bodies
(Socialist) feminism seems to be on the rise internationally, exposing how threats to “old boys” corporate-aligned power are countered by policing women’s bodies. Sue Bradford highlights the contradiction between Owen Glenn’s paternalistic corporate capitalism and the feminist-aligned participants in his Inquiry. Jan Logie addresses the gender pay gap.
Fight the ‘War on the Poor’: Opposing Bennett’s welfare reforms.
Grant Robertson, in the House yesterday speaking on Paula Bennett’s “Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill” – First Reading, gave an impassioned speech. He said many some great points about social obligations and a mutually beneficial social contract (between the state and beneficiaries. However, will the Labour Party’s policies match up to the rhetoric?
Musings on Mana
David Small offers his views on offers his views on the Mana party effects on left politics in NZ.
Where to now for progressive electoral politics in Aotearoa?
Roy Morgan and Sue Bradford
From the miscellaneous bits of news department – a particularly grim Roy Morgan poll, and the announcement that Sue Bradford is standing for Mana against Paula Bennett in Waitakere.
Mana vs. Maori
Like the American debt limit deal, I always thought that Mana and Maori would find some kind of bloody compromise at the eleventh hour. But they’ve passed the point of no return now.
Bradford and the Greens
Is it just me, or is Sue Bradford working harder, and getting more media coverage than all of the Greens put together? She’s not just campaigning for beneficiaries. Yesterday Bradford came out with a strongly worded attack on the Greens’ positioning for the November election.
Mana up and running
The Mana Party already have a great website that suggests someone who knows what they’re doing is looking after the communications. Well worth taking a quick look.
Key on welfare
Interesting piece by Sue Bradford over at Pundit. If the quote attributed to John Key is for real, it’s a shocker: “If we cancelled welfare to 330,000 people currently on welfare, how many would starve to death? Bugger all.”
New Left Party coming, or is it?
Matt McCarten is doing the dance of the seven veils on the issue of a new Left Party. He and the other players have been denying they have anything planned but, at the same time, have spoken of the need for such a party, as Labour paddles around in circles, and said they might join were such a party to eventuate. I say go for it.
New Left Party?
The rumour mill has been buzzing since a couple of commenters here let slip about Matt McCarten’s run in the Mana by-election. Word around the traps is the campaign will be used to launch a new Left Party with McCarten, Hone Harawira, Sue Bradford and others. It’s an exciting possibility.
Sue Bradford’s valedictory
Some highlights from Sue Bradford’s valedictory speech. We’ll link to the full version once the Greens get it up. Update: Frogblog has a […]
Good on you Sue
Ever since the Greens were elected into Parliament for the first time, Sue Bradford has been one the MPs I have admired the […]
A sad day for the parliamentary Left
Stuff has announced the resignation of Sue Bradford from parliament. Over the years Sue has championed more pro-worker legislation than just about any […]
Reminder: Drinking Liberally Wgtn
Drinking Liberally with Sue Bradford Where: Southern Cross Bar, Abel Smtih St, Wellington When: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 from 5:30pm. That’s tomorrow. Green […]