Posts by Keith Locke

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  Anniversary of 1959 Tibetan uprising

  
  
  
  Green MP Keith Locke joins the Friends of Tibet protest outside the Chinese Embassy, Wellington NZ This morning I joined the Friends of Tibet protest outside the Chinese Embassy on the 51st anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan people’s uprising against Chinese rule. Of course there was another ‘uprising’ in March 2008, with demonstrations throughout Tibet. Unfortunately, those [...] read more
  March 10, 2010 12:37 pm - 2 Comments
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  No tightening of gun regulations – even post Molenaar

  
  
  
  It is unfortunate that the High Court has knocked back the Police decision to reclassify some rifles with pistol grips as military style semi-automatics (MSSAs). Justice Jill Mahon said legislation was necessary to implement the change. The Greens will support such legislation. In fact, we want it to go further down the road towards registering all [...] read more
  March 3, 2010 12:04 pm - 79 Comments
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  Agreement needs passport safeguard

  
  
  
  It might not all be plain sailing for the ‘up to 200 young New Zealanders’ who will be able to spend one year on a working holiday in Israel following an agreement signed by Murray McCully in Jerusalem last night. We now know that Israel frequently steals the passports of foreigners living in Israel, to use [...] read more
  March 3, 2010 11:44 am - 11 Comments
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  Spooks stay mum

  
  
  
  There is stiff competition among government departments as to who can produce the most vacuous documents. But no-one can beat the SIS and the Government Communications Security Bureau, both of whom tabled their annual reports yesterday. read more
  February 24, 2010 4:36 pm - 14 Comments
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  Balibo movie – a must see

  
  
  
  On Monday I attended an Amnesty International preview screening of Balibo, a stunning drama on the 1975 execution of five Australian TV journalists by Indonesian troops invading East Timor. read more
  February 19, 2010 1:10 pm - 1 Comment
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  Iranian protests

  
  
  
  Iran has shown once again how authoritarian governments are scared for the internet. The regime has just announced it is cutting off access to Google’s email services. read more
  February 15, 2010 4:58 pm - 4 Comments
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  At long last, a bit more openness about the SAS

  
  
  
  I’ve welcomed the government’s move to let us know something about what the SAS is doing in Afghanistan. For eight years we’ve had to rely totally on leaks in the foreign media, or what Kiwi journalists like Jon Stephenson have been able to dig up. For eight years I’ve peppered New Zealand ministers and Defence [...] read more
  January 28, 2010 2:33 pm - 4 Comments
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  Motorway madness continues with money losing Puhoi to Wellsford

  
  
  
  There has been a lot in the news lately about big motorway projects like Waterview being rushed through by the government without proper  community consultation. The latest announcement Stephen Joyce has made is about prioritizing the upgrade of SH1 between Puhoi to Wellsford. The Minister talks a lot about how this project will increase regional connectivity [...] read more
  January 27, 2010 5:44 pm - 19 Comments
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  Popping the balloon of secrecy around Waihopai

  
  
  
  Last weekend’s protest at Waihopai was the usual colourful affair. It began with a march through Blenheim, and speeches from Murray Horton, John Minto and myself. We then adjourned to the spy base itself, up the beautiful Waihopai Valley. More speeches and chants followed by the ceremonial popping of 13 white ballons, each displaying a letter [...] read more
  January 26, 2010 2:29 pm - 53 Comments
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  Bearded Apiata on NZ Army website

  
  
  
  There are two (related) debates raging following the decision of the Herald and other newpapers to publish the photo of VC winner Willie Apiata on active duty in Kabul following a Taliban attack. The Christchurch Press argues this morning that it was just sharing a photo ‘that anyone could see on the internet’. The Press denies [...] read more
  January 25, 2010 12:04 pm - 14 Comments