Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Reputation and remuneration

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  • Steve Barnes,

    If National were allowed a conscience vote I don't think many of them would know what one was. A conscience that is.
    Key's answer was, as usual, disingenuous. The question was not about the Auckland Region, it was about Sky City.

    David Shearer: Is he aware that Goldman Sachs has estimated—and obviously he is not—that Skycity would make $23 million to $28 million a year of additional profit from the increase in the number of pokie machines; if so, does he regard this and his changes to the Gambling Act as legislation for sale?

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    The question was not about the Auckland Region, it was about Sky City

    And the answer was about the region. Up to journalists and others like us to make the distinction clear when politicians can be trusted to mislead..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • DexterX, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    I thought all Vogon poetry ended with "See if I won't" which seemed rather apt for our Prostetnic, Joyce.

    The Joyce Poetry is from his post Vogonic period where he literally rides in on the Dalek invasion that bought about the demise of hapless, tea-drinking ape like creatures.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Fran O'Sullivan is unimpressed with the government's sly wheeling-dealing.

    It's not too late to walk away from an iniquitous deal which will see SkyCity underwrite the cost of building a new International Convention Centre adjoining its Auckland premises in return for being allowed to expand its casino business.

    Other bidders are in the wings, including an Auckland Council-backed proposal to put the convention centre at its Edge complex. And none of these offers include "cheque-book legislation" with all its ghastly permutations.
    ...

    Yet the Prime Minister claims the expansion of pokie numbers will not materially lead to an expansion of problem gambling. He suggests this is because the casino operator is targeting international clients. He surely can't be serious.
    ...

    Sure the Government can save the taxpayers $200 million or so through this tawdry deal. But what sort of signal does that send to the rest of New Zealand?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Sacha,

    FranO:

    Sure the Government can save the taxpayers $200 million or so through this tawdry deal. But what sort of signal does that send to the rest of New Zealand?

    My comment to FranO's article is something to this effect (it's still in moderation at the time of writing):

    "Quite simple, really. The signal it sends is that to make it big, it's about who you know, rather than what you know. The nouveau riche set have become a law unto themselves, and they're not above shifting the goalposts on those not like them. They're an insult to the genuinely self-made."

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    They're an insult to the genuinely self-made

    Ae. That's my general feeling about the incompetent fools who diminish the true meaning of leadership, entrepreneurship, stewardship and caring.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    I just remembered… I finished my Granny post with:

    “We need Tony Fitzgerald – the QC who exposed Sir Joh – to fly over here and sort things out.”

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic,

    It gets deeper and deeper.
    SkyCity CEO says Lotto is more harmful than pokies. Cue Tui billboard moment. And surprise, surprise, it's also a magnet for launderers and embezzlers.

    And if it's anything to go by, card-carrying libertarians are starting to sing from the same songbook as the Left on the Sky City wheeler-deal.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report

  • DexterX, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    OK, OK - we have assets sales program - most important asset in democracy is democratic process and making up stuff like the law and other stuff in the big house - people can say that for sale - not really - I give it away for free to me "friends".

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6769093/Stop-on-convention-centre-work-ordered

    If settle a deal - settle early - settle before the deal made even better. If people upset by this I say Big Deal loser don't be upset easy. Don't be uneasy - deal very easy. I don't have a problem - I don't have a gambling problem - I come out on top, always.

    Thanking you everybody everywhere.

    Your most beloved First Citizen John Key The First

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel,

    At last something to do in Chchch...
    WHO WILL WIN THE 2011 ROGER AWARD
    For The Worst Transnational Corporation Operating In Aotearoa/New Zealand ?

    All will be revealed on
    FRIDAY APRIL 20, 7.30 p.m. (Tonight!!)
    KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HALL
    28 Bealey Avenue , Christchurch

    The eight finalists are: Adidas, Newmont Waihi Gold, Oceania, New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Ltd/Rio Tinto Alcan NZ Ltd, Sajo Oyang Corporation, Sky City , Telecom and Westpac. There is one finalist for the Accomplice Award – the Government (in its own right and accompanying both Sajo Oyang and Telecom).

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • 3410,

    Ex-cop blows the whistle on the crooked "gaming" industry (and the govt. won't act).

    ... After leaving the police, Legge worked for a gaming machine trust which gave out poker machine grants. What he saw over the next decade shocked, disgusted and disillusioned him. He tried to brief his local MP, the gaming minister Nathan Guy, on the state of the industry. And then Internal Affairs, the industry watchdog, rang him up. Would he, it asked, become a whistleblower?

    Legge and his wife Liz hand-delivered two bulging ringbinders of documents to the department, packed with incriminating emails (some marked "delete this email forever") to and from his colleagues at the Trusts Charitable Foundation. He also gave Internal Affairs a 9200-word statement.
    ...

    So why, when he supplied Internal Affairs with material on a string of questionable incidents that could have resulted in multiple prosecutions, has nothing happened?

    A fascinating read, if you're interested.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to 3410,

    A fascinating read, if you're interested.

    Very, much appreciated.
    And that requirement to address problem gambling seems to be just too much of a problem.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Joe Wylie,

    problem gambling seems to be just too much of a problem.

    And who needs the Theatre?
    Well just get rid of the old licence conditions before anyone notices the finer details.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to 3410,

    Gaming, the system...

    A fascinating read, if you’re interested.

    indeed, I had some peripheral dealings with some of those gambling charities in Chchch a few years back, I never detected much interest in their helping the wider community, I thought they were a bunch of self important, trough sucking wide boys....

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    It's OK though, we have shares in Sky City

    According to the Companies Office, two government bodies have extensive share-holdings in Sky City. Which raises questions regarding why ACC and NZ Super Fund are investing in a company that, essentially, makes it’s profits from vice and causes considerable social problems and human misery with gambling addiction,...

    And they Do their bit for local Democracy. Apparently it is not corrupt if you bribe both sides, even if one side stays schtum.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic,

    Listening to Prostetnic Vogon Joyce on NatRad this morning, he kept changing the subject when probed.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    Listening to Prostetnic Vogon Joyce on NatRad this morning,

    National MPs are all using the same deflection technique, of constantly wittering on about anything similar (or not) that Labour may have ever done in office, while never addressing the particular question aimed at them and their Government's actions - the "Helen (or whomsoever) did it, so what;s wrong with us doing it" excuse never worked at primary school, and it doesn't work now....

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    constantly wittering on about anything similar (or not) that Labour may have ever done in office,

    This is a point I have been trying to make for months and I just get told that Labour are being ineffective as an opposition. The fact is that National are acting as if they are the opposition and there is only room for one. National's tactics are sly and disingenuous, they are dangerous and careless.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    This is a point I have been trying to make for months and I just get told that Labour are being ineffective as an opposition.

    So I've noticed, but has it occurred to you that might just be the reality that a lot are experiencing? For example, every day I see Lianne Dalziel, Christchurch's lone effective opposition voice, copping it from a vigorous and vindictive National clobbering machine, with effectively zero public support from her colleagues or party central. She's been singled out because she makes a difference, so where are the others, FFS? Where's the silent Megan Woods, or Clayton Cosgrove, who was an effective voice before he was reduced to a list MP, but hasn't been given the once-rumoured role of spokesthingy on EQ issues?

    Finally this week Labour's put a little legal muscle into challenging the crony-enabled pirate antics of insurance companies in the red zones, and while it's more than welcome it's been a dismally inadequate response. Seriously Steve, why is Lianne the only one who doesn't automatically assume the position in the face of Brownlee's pathetic bullying?

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Joe Wylie,

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    Attachment

    Meanwhile, the Colossus of Roads drones on...

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    in the US a-learnin’ ’bout proper politics for a coupla weeks…

    Private Secretary to Speaker Lockwood Smith, Amelia Abplanalp says...

    "It will be really neat for the MPs and parliamentarians that are going to actually get an experience of American politics firsthand. That's always an experience they can bring back and use to contribute in our parliament."

    Hmmm... can't wait.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    National's tactics are sly and disingenuous, they are dangerous and careless.

    Should be piss-easy to draw attention to then.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    Hmmm… can’t wait.

    Vote Machines,
    Pork Barrels,
    Reality Avoidance,
    Fear and Bluster…

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes,

    Shock and Awe...

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

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