Archive for August, 2009

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  ETS: No majority = FAIL - by Jeanette Fitzsimons

  
  
  
  The really interesting question now is, where is National going to get a majority for its amendments to the ETS in the House? Peter Dunne on his own hasn’t got the votes. They need one more party. The Maori Party’s minority report makes it clear they do not support an ETS at all, and if there is going to be one they do not support intensity based allocation. They have a simple principle: the polluter should pay. So National can... read more
  August 31, 2009 10:58 pm - 45 Comments
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  ETS: Four minority reports = FAIL - by Jeanette Fitzsimons

  
  
  
  The long awaited report of the special select committee to review the ETS – yes, that one with the terms of reference that didn’t even mention reviewing the ETS – you know, the one forced on the government by a coalition partner who then mostly didn’t even turn up to occupy their place on it – yes, THAT one – has finally reported. read more
  August 31, 2009 10:50 pm - 42 Comments
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  Green shoots or growing rot? - by frog

  
  
  
  Everyone agrees that we’re in a crisis. Officials and politicians point everywhere and say – Hey look! Green shoots! The worst is over. Others urge us to ignore the green shoots, the worst is yet to come. read more
  August 31, 2009 9:55 am - 22 Comments
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  Looking after the soil - by Russel Norman

  
  
  
  On the weekend after the Crafars sentencing in Hamilton, a $90,000 fine for serious recidivist polluters is a joke really, it’s nice to read about a farmer trying to do the right thing. A piece by Jon Morgan in the Dompost on Thursday was a good antidote to the despair fostered by the Crafars (they [...] read more
  August 29, 2009 6:02 pm - 50 Comments
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  Who causes cyclist’s deathes? (Freakonomics) - by frog

  
  
  
  An analysis of police reports on 2,752 bike-car accidents in Toronto found that clumsy or inattentive driving by motorists was the cause of 90 percent of these crashes. Among the leading causes: running a stop sign or traffic light, turning into a cyclist’s path, or opening a door on a biker. This shouldn’t come as too big a surprise: motorists cause roughly 75 percent of motorcycle crashes too. read more
  August 29, 2009 1:58 pm - 37 Comments
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  Sue’s Truth: The referendum – the aftermath - by Sue Bradford

  
  
  
  The New Zealand Truth has become the Truth Weekender, so the publication both there and here of my regular article there will be a bit later in the week from now on. This week I focus on the aftermath of the child discipline referendum. Last week the result of the child discipline referendum came out. [...] read more
  August 28, 2009 11:55 am - 158 Comments
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  General Debate, August 28, 2009 - by frog

  
  
  
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  August 28, 2009 6:30 am - 68 Comments
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  Old dinosaurs run to a dinosaur non-future. - by Metiria Turei

  
  
  
  Following from Jeanette’s interview on RNZ tonight, I had a (rather fun) radio interview with Larry Williams on Gerry Brownlee’s speech to the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 2009 today. It seems that what Gerry said to the Institute is already being manipultated by his spin doctors, doing their best to disguise the full [...] read more
  August 27, 2009 9:33 pm - 80 Comments
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  Marfell Park questions remain - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  Although the surface assessment of Marfell Park has reassured the local authority, residents and the Green Party are still raising issues about the long term risks of the site. An initial study of the report also raises questions about the adequacy of the covering cap given that the report acknowledges there may well be hotspots remaining. read more
  August 27, 2009 3:02 pm - No Comments
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  Strange saga unfolds around the Minister of Labour - by Sue Bradford

  
  
  
  Earlier this week the Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson gave a truly bizarre reason for not meeting with the executive of the NDU (National Distribution Union): Telecom workers were on strike. Members of the NDU executive have been trying unsuccessfully to meet with the Minister for some time. The reason given for the cancellation of [...] read more
  August 27, 2009 12:54 pm - 25 Comments
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  Microsoft fails; NZOSS steps up; NZ public wins - by Metiria Turei

  
  
  
  Talks between the government and Microsoft fell apart. The government was trying to get a bulk deal from Microsoft, and remove the need for each government agency to enter negotiations individually. Unfortunately Microsoft walked away. SSC spokesperson Marian Mortensen says government looks for three things in its negotiations: value for money, fitness for purpose and [...] read more
  August 27, 2009 8:03 am - 51 Comments
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  Stumbling and bumbling over ACC - by frog

  
  
  
  What a shambles the Government’s proposed changes to ACC’s clinical pathway for sexual abuse survivors is becoming. Without any consultation with the professional bodies representing psychotherapists or counsellors, ACC announced changes last week that would have required sex abuse survivors to relate their trauma to up to three different health professionals before they would receive [...] read more
  August 26, 2009 1:31 pm - 2 Comments
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  Test drive the new Tesla Model S - by frog

  
  
  
  I confess, I haven’t owned a car in almost eight years. I was weaned from my V8 days decades ago, but my head has been turned by a simple four door sedan. It’s the Tesla Model S. It’s electric. It’s cool. The Model S can make the sprint from zero to 60 mph in 5.6 [...] read more
  August 25, 2009 7:59 pm - 70 Comments
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  General Debate, August 25, 2009 - by frog

  
  
  
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  August 25, 2009 6:31 am - 163 Comments
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  Govt has Biz Roundtable on speed dial for advice - by frog

  
  
  
  During the Clark-Cullen years there was at least an attempt when setting up advisory boards and review panels to get a range of voices – not that the Clark-Cullen administrations would then necessarily utilise the advice given. In 2000 for example the Labour-Alliance Government picked Rob McLeod – then just a member of the Business [...] read more
  August 24, 2009 5:08 pm - 3 Comments
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  Climate Science Coalition spokesman endorses 65% cull of dairy herd - by frog

  
  
  
  I was shocked to learn a few moments ago that Owen McShane, the darling of the Climate Science Coalition, not only endorses low intensity grazing, he believes that the Green’s plan doesn’t go far enough. [Ok, maybe he didn't endorse it. maybe he implied it, or suggested it. Regardless, he seeks to mislead by his [...] read more
  August 24, 2009 12:09 pm - 44 Comments
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  Cyclists frock up for a safe climate - by frog

  
  
  
  On an awesomely clear Saturday in Wellington, around 150 cyclists gathered on the waterfront to show their support for the 350.org campaign and better cycling infrastructure, and to celebrate having fun on bikes while saving the planet. Cyclists of all persuasions showed up, from glamourous frocks on bikes through to the lycra set, families with [...] read more
  August 24, 2009 11:58 am - No Comments
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  Nick Smith: incompetent, negligent, or something else? - by frog

  
  
  
  It’s a very serious question which I don’t take lightly, but I am beginning to wonder why the media aren’t asking this question when it comes to the Minister’s handling of the Climate Change portfolio. Probably the most vexing issue is the Minister’s cynical use of a flawed NZIER/Infometrics report, which he commissioned, in order [...] read more
  August 24, 2009 6:46 am - 40 Comments
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  Sober Sunday reading - by frog

  
  
  
  Kim Knight at the Sunday Star Times provides welcome investigative journalism today in a story and major feature on the origin of the massive amount of palm kernel expeller (PKE) that New Zealand imports for supplementary feed on dairy farms. She writes: It looks like Armageddon. It’s just a palm plantation. Palm oil is a [...] read more
  August 23, 2009 10:32 am - 57 Comments
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  Methane is already seeping from Arctic seabed - by frog

  
  
  
  This is now no longer a potential threat, but a proven reality. As the Arctic warms, methane hydrates long frozen beneath the surface are beginning to melt. Is this the tipping point? Probably not. But it does indicate that the possibility is not science fiction scaremongering, but science fact. The BBC reports: As temperatures rise, [...] read more
  August 22, 2009 7:26 am - 21 Comments