Posts by simon g

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  • Hard News: Birth of the Nasty,

    Gareth Ward commented earlier:

    Have just had a look through the Order Paper and the motion to establish the ETS select committee is in there with the suggested terms of reference - nothing about reviewing the science of climate change so that's a good thing at least.

    But Rodney has a rather different view of the terms of reference:

    http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/climate-inquiry-will-look-science-theory-hide-38806

    So what is the review really all about? Who knows. As usual with John Key, we are looking for the Brighter Future in a Rorschach inkblot.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Hard News: Birth of the Nasty,

    But the Maori Party caucus are discussing their position this afternoon, so we might hear today.

    I can't see why they should support either the bill or urgency. It doesn't affect their portfolios, and the gov't will still have the votes. They have no excuse to roll over on this one.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Hard News: Birth of the Nasty,

    Hone Harawira, 29 August 2006:

    "Last week, the Maori Party caucus decided we would not support the 90-Day Employment Probation Bill introduced by National MP, Wayne Mapp, and that we would vote against it when it comes back to the House. ...

    Our decision was based on the following arguments: The Bill would take away workers’ rights, including, the right to be dismissed for a good reason, the right to be paid for work done and the right to redress for bad treatment.

    The most vulnerable would suffer: young people with few skills; the tens of thousands of unemployed who want a job; the many thousands in low-skill jobs with no bargaining strength; and the hundreds of thousands in work who want to change jobs. And of course Maori, who make up a large sector of the unemployed, and the low-skilled workforce would be particularly vulnerable to this legislation. ...

    This Bill is a recipe for the slave days and we’re all better off without it."

    (We should find out this afternoon if those Mana-Enhancing Baubles have worked their charm ...)

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Public Address Word of the Year 2008,

    "fentestic"

    Key is South African? The Herald's unauthorised biography glossed over that part.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Public Address Word of the Year 2008,

    infrastructure

    It's the new answer to every question (previously "tax cuts").

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Hard News: Pomp and Circumstance,

    Prime Ministers who left without choice:

    Clark
    Shipley
    Bolger
    Moore
    Palmer
    Lange (OK, quit not dumped, but hardly happy)
    Muldoon

    (and from this point the memory's shaky, historians take over)

    Back to the future, also leaving without choice:

    Key (2010)
    English (2011)
    Goff (2020)
    President Clark (dies in office, but still re-elected)

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Hard News: Pomp and Circumstance,

    And Judith Collins is not Welfare. She's got Police, Corrections and Veterans Affairs.

    "In an attack on judges who are giving out tough sentences, [Helen] Clark wants to establish an independent sentencing council to set guidelines for judges. You can be certain that any such council will be full of namby pamby Lefties who blame “society” rather than criminals, for crime." (August 2006)

    The Associate Corrections Minister, Dr Pita Sharples, could not be reached for comment.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Hard News: Pomp and Circumstance,

    The Chief Electoral Officer? On the public teat? Vested interest in the system, with its so-called "results"?

    We need more evidence than that ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Hard News: Pomp and Circumstance,

    So while you might not like what is happening, you are now in the minority in this country.

    Yeah! Take that, you lefties and righties!

    Nothing can stop the man from the middle - give me Centrism or give me death!

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Island Life: The Art of the Deal,

    National have helpfully included, along with the signed agreement between the 2 parties, a reminder of the 'First 100 days' promises that John Key has made. These include:

    FIRST ACTIONS ON LAW AND ORDER • Introduce legislation to remove the right of the worst repeat violent offenders to be released on parole. • Introduce legislation to clamp down on criminal gangs and their drug trade. • Introduce legislation to toughen the bail laws to make it harder for criminals awaiting trial to get bail. • Introduce legislation to tackle increasing violent youth crime by bolstering the Youth Court with a range of new interventions and sentences. • Introduce legislation to require DNA testing for every person arrested for an imprisonable offence.

    (See Stuff.co.nz website, PDF)

    Presumably this is mostly Justice rather than Corrections, but they are clearly related. Is the new Associate Minister of Corrections, Pita Sharples, going to vote for this?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

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