Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: No Red Wedding

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  • Rich of Observationz,

    Why do they persist with that ranking system? Does National do it too?

    It just seems to be a way to create jealousy and division. Surprised no leader has scrapped it - does the party constitution demand it?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Stephen Judd, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    IT only exists because scientists created it for our own needs

    Yes, the success of companies like ISM only emphasises that.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to barnaclebarnes,

    Back at one of the early KiwiFOO’s Cunliffe really impressed with his grasp of the issues. I think he will be good for ICT.

    Specifically, he sat down and listened to a lot of people talk about internet peering – including public servants who had never had the opportunity to speak directly to a minister – and then, at the end, summed up what he’d heard and undertook to act on the knowledge. In truth, there was no simple regulatory solution to the peering issue, and he didn’t promise one, but it made a huge impression that he had clearly understood what was being said. (To be fair, Bill English also gave a good show of being a listening minister at a later camp.)

    He was also impressive the next time he came, as the recently unsuccessful applicant for the post of Leader of the Opposition. If I were strategising, I’d be looking to replicate that kind of roundtable vibe for the rest of the year.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • anth, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    I wouldn’t be too upset to see Science go to a Green MP ….except of course for the couple of odd areas where they seem to utterly abandon science for ideology

    I get the impression that the evidence-backed policy areas are most important to the Green MPs, and therefore also to a majority of the rank-and-file members who voted for them to be high up the list. I pay the most attention to the issues I'm more interested in of course, which may be skewing my perception of this.

    Since Nov 2006 • 77 posts Report

  • Cecelia, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    Bearing in mind The Greens still publically believe in fake medicines

    What fake medicines are those?

    Hibiscus Coast • Since Apr 2008 • 559 posts Report

  • Hebe,

    Earthquake recovery: NZ’s second-biggest city is on its knees after a natural disaster. So the recovery spokesperson is unranked, CDEM goes to the bad student who is out of favour and gets the rats and mice. Meanwhile two mid-ranked spokespeople get responsibility for ‘Auckland issues’. Labour don’t understand the damage this will do to them in Christchurch. Combine that with an emerging new demographic and geographical make-up and National will be very, very happy down here.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report

  • Andrew Geddis,

    Cecelia,,

    What fake medicines are those?

    I suspect the reference was to this part of the Green’s Health policy platform:

    Establish a Complementary Health Care Unit within the Ministry of Health to facilitate the integration of selected complementary health practices and therapies into the public health system.

    Building on statements like this one, from Sue Kedgely,

    The Green party wants to see in New Zealand what already exists in many countries overseas -traditional healthcare like acupuncture and naturopathy recognised and accepted throughout our health system. We want to see natural health practitioners working alongside doctors, using whatever treatment is judged to be the most effective, and natural remedies and treatments offered in public health organisations and hospitals.

    However, I also wonder if the issue isn’t a bit academic, in that it rests on NRT’s claim that the Health portfolio is being freed up for the Greens by leaving it with Annette King, whom he clearly thinks will stand down at the 2014 election. All I’ll say is, we’ve heard that tune before … .

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2007 • 206 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Keir Leslie,

    But Hague's fine on that stuff. He ran a DHB after all

    Having served with Kevin on a national advisory committee and following closely his career since as an MP, I am confident he will be a great Minister of Health.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Andrew Geddis,

    the integration of selected complementary health practices and therapies into the public health system

    I'm not familiar with the policy, but notice the word "selected". Other nations seem to have got their heads around evidence-based healthcare being broader than drugs and surgery.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Cecelia, in reply to Andrew Geddis,

    Scary. I'm a big fan of Turei and Norman and consequently not best pleased to read the above. Don't want taxpayers dollars going towards treatments that just don't work - and I've had three cancers and a number of injuries so I know what I'm talking about:)

    (Can't believe that ACC funds acupuncture.)

    Hibiscus Coast • Since Apr 2008 • 559 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Bill English also gave a good show of being a listening minister at a later camp

    And then acted.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Keir Leslie, in reply to Cecelia,

    Just to note, acupuncture does help with certain medical conditions.

    Since Jul 2008 • 1452 posts Report

  • Andrew Geddis, in reply to Sacha,

    Having served with Kevin on a national advisory committee and following closely his career since as an MP, I am confident he will be a great Minister of Health.

    I don't disagree with you (with the qualification that I don't think Annette King is going anywhere in 2014, so I don't think it's a gimme that Health will be offered up to the Greens in any post-election agreement).

    Other nations seem to have got their heads around evidence-based healthcare being broader than drugs and surgery.

    The problem, I suspect, will be around what exactly constitutes "evidence-based healthcare". But seeing as we don't know what the policy actually means (and I suspect it was written this way so as to satisfy everyone), we could box around the issue forever.

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2007 • 206 posts Report

  • Cecelia, in reply to Keir Leslie,

    More than placebo?

    Hibiscus Coast • Since Apr 2008 • 559 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Andrew Geddis,

    .. and I for one would rather get more sleep :)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Andrew Geddis, in reply to Keir Leslie,

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2007 • 206 posts Report

  • Cecelia, in reply to Sacha,

    evidence-based healthcare being broader than drugs and surgery

    Which "complementary" treatments are evidence-based?

    Sorry to be picky but this is my bete noir.

    Hibiscus Coast • Since Apr 2008 • 559 posts Report

  • Islander, in reply to Keir Leslie,

    Just to note, acupuncture does help with certain medical conditions.

    I have no medical expertise but- 3 sisters who have worked over decades in various nursing fields. And a GP s-i-l who does not hesitate to recommend a consult with an acupuncture -qualified- practitioner, with certain clients. As do my sisters.

    I go by the experienced -AND qualified!- people - who will use acupuncture for some of their paitients.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Deborah,

    Storm, by Tim Minchin

    My favourite verse:

    And try as hard as I like,
    A small crack appears
    In my diplomacy-dike.
    “By definition”, I begin
    “Alternative Medicine”, I continue
    “Has either not been proved to work,
    Or been proved not to work.
    You know what they call “alternative medicine”
    That's been proved to work?
    Medicine.”

    New Lynn • Since Nov 2006 • 1447 posts Report

  • Raymond A Francis, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    Often wondered the something myself and wondered just who drives it as it seems a sure way to discord etc
    Yes, National have it and it is driven by the seating positions in Parliament, not sure if the Greens bother as it is not their style. they didn’t use to have Whips rather musterers which I feel has a nice NZ flavour

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

  • Lilith __, in reply to Keir Leslie,

    Just to note, acupuncture does help with certain medical conditions.

    +1 to that.
    I'd also note that "alternative" technically covers physiotherapy and osteopathy, both of which have tangible benefits for injuries and overuse etc etc.

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report

  • anth, in reply to Andrew Geddis,

    statements like this one, from Sue Kedgely

    I'm not sure that things said by someone who retired at the last election are a good predictor for the policies they'll push after the next election.

    we don’t know what the policy actually means (and I suspect it was written this way so as to satisfy everyone)

    Yeah, there are some Green policies which seem important to them and which have plenty of detail, and others which they don't seem to be really trying with.

    Since Nov 2006 • 77 posts Report

  • NBH,

    Deborah, that track is Minchin being a Dawkins-level ignorant dick. Speaking as someone who a) has worked in this area in the past, b) has just started a PhD specifically on EBP/EBM, and c) is an actual person with an actual chronic health condition requiring daily management, the area is a hell of a lot more complicated than glib, inaccurate lines like that.

    Sacha, was that the NHC/PHAC? I was in the Secretariat for part of his term there and became incredibly impressed with Kevin during that time. I think he's probably the best-informed MP in his particular portfolio area in the history of the NZ Parliament (seriously: Aids foundation, Funding Authority, ministerial Advisory Committee, multiple DHB positions... - he's essentially occupied every position you can in the system) and he's become something of a personal hero since then.

    Wellington • Since Oct 2008 • 97 posts Report

  • Keir Leslie, in reply to Andrew Geddis,

    Or yes: the NICE in the UK appears to disagree. It’s not as simple as “acupuncture doesn’t work”. (To be clear: acupuncture theory is unscientific nonsense. But it might still work. I don’t know. It’s not clear. There appears to be the possibility it does work.)

    And this?

    All good doctors are empathetic and patient-centered.

    Is both question begging and pretty insufferable, and let’s be totally blunt contradicted by the massively dickish

    No doubt acupuncture will continue to exist on the “High Streets” where they can be tolerated as a voluntary self-imposed tax on the gullible (as long as they do not make unjustified claims).

    Since Jul 2008 • 1452 posts Report

  • Cecelia, in reply to Deborah,

    Great stuff:)

    Hibiscus Coast • Since Apr 2008 • 559 posts Report

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