Parliament Archive

• 

  Privatisation in education legislation

  
  
  
  The word opposition doesn’t always describe Labour’s voting patterns. In fact, Labour have voted with National almost exactly as often as the Maori Party, even though Labour is the official opposition, and the Maori Party is actually part of the Government! [For the political junkies, Labour have voted with National 12 times at first readings, and [...] read more
  March 19, 2010 2:46 pm - 16 Comments
• 

  Podcast: Gareth’s challenge to Parliament

  
  
  
  The Greens’ newest and youngest MP, Gareth Hughes, has taken his seat in Parliament and delivered his maiden speech, laying down a challenge to Parliament to take climate change seriously and to listen to the voices of the new generation he represents. This week we present some highlights from his maiden address. Click to play If you’re having [...] read more
  March 3, 2010 9:33 am - 3 Comments
• 

  Here’s how you can watch Jeanette’s valedictory speech live

  
  
  
  For those who can’t make it to Parliament House, Jeanette Fitzsimons’ last speech is viewable on line in several ways. Look here to choose your preference. Tune in from 5:30 pm today to ensure you don’t miss a word. Yes, the sad day has come, but we’ll see her off in good style! read more
  February 10, 2010 3:17 pm - 24 Comments
• 

  Send a tribute to Jeanette

  
  
  
  I never thought I’d be writing this post. Nevertheless, as I write, Jeanette is in Wellington announcing that she is stepping down as an MP. This post is a place for frogblog readers to send a personal message to Jeanette or recall a favourite memory. If you would like to debate the consequences or your reaction, [...] read more
  January 28, 2010 10:01 am - 51 Comments
• 

  Jeanette steps down from Parliament

  
  
  
  The headline kind of says everything, doesn’t it? It’s heartbreaking news to me, even if Jeanette has signalled since stepping down as co-leader that she would go before the next election. This is the post where we can discuss what it all means. Judging from past events, we will once again have to field all the speculation [...] read more
  January 28, 2010 10:00 am - 13 Comments
• 

  Hugging trees: with a spade, trap and chainsaw

  
  
  
  A Wellington couple, entreprenuerial tree-huggers if you wish, criticise Fed Farmer’s head-in-the-sand attitude on climate change in the Nelson Mail today. They’ve invested in carbon farming a 47ha block of marginal land in Golden Bay. Jonathan Kennett and Bronwen Wall aren’t wringing their hands or seeking emissions subsidy handouts; they’re getting their hands dirty planting [...] read more
  December 2, 2009 1:16 pm - No Comments
• 

  What Would Rod Say?

  
  
  
  This first anniversary of the National-led government is also the fourth anniversary of the death of former Green Party Co-Leader, Rod Donald. With the many retrospectives being written about the “new” government, my thoughts turn today to what Rod might have thought about the developments of the last year. There’s been commentary claiming the government hasn’t [...] read more
  November 6, 2009 5:33 pm - 68 Comments
• 

  Sue Bradford says goodbye

  
  
  
  There is so much I could say and and want to say, but Wednesday was Sue Bradford’s day for a last word. Here is her valedictory speech. Kia kaha Sue! read more
  October 30, 2009 10:32 am - 93 Comments
• 

  One week left to submit on flawed ETS

  
  
  
  I’m using Nick Smith’s own words from last year because they are so suitable. This Government’s ETS legislation is so flawed and so rushed that it will require significant amendments after the election to make it workable. In the meantime, the rushed consultation period is coming to a close, hot on the heels of the urgency [...] read more
  October 7, 2009 10:05 am - 19 Comments
• 

  Now we see the hidden costs of the ETS

  
  
  
  Last night’s briefing on the ETS finally revealed the two missing columns from the curious page of numbers tabled in the House on Tuesday by Nick Smith. That table, to the extent it was comprehensible at all, showed there would be a $415m cost to the taxpayer from now to 2013; a saving between 2013 and [...] read more
  September 24, 2009 10:32 am - 10 Comments