Parliament Archive

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  Democracy, secrecy, and good process. - by David Clendon

  
  
  
  On Thursday, Keith Locke and I spent a good part of the day in the House going to bat against the government’s ‘secret squirrel’ bill to amend the Police Act that Frog blogged on earlier .  Our objections to the bill were matters both of process and substance.  I want to comment here just on the process, which was appalling, [...] read more
  August 19, 2011 12:24 pm - 5 Comments
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  “Business attire” - by Sue Kedgley

  
  
  
  Intrigued by the Speaker’s ruling today that all women MPs should wear “business attire”, I sought guidance from Google. It appears that directing women to wear “business attire” is code for telling women to dress like men. So what I have deduced from the Speaker’s ruling is it is okay for women MPs to wear [...] read more
  June 7, 2011 5:42 pm - 31 Comments
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  “Greens’ vigilance on Gillard merits praise” – John Armstrong - by frog

  
  
  
  Here’s John Armstrong’s view on Julia Gillard addressing Parliament, as published in the NZ Herald this morning. Greens’ vigilance on Gillard merits praise – John Armstrong The Greens have got some unwarranted stick for blocking Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard from addressing Parliament while it is officially in session. They were right to do so. [...] read more
  February 15, 2011 10:17 am - 8 Comments
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  Prime Minister Gillard very welcome - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  The visit by Australian PM, Julia Gillard, to New Zealand this week has caused some interest and intrigue.  Prime Minister John Key has cited opposition to her speaking in Parliament – and identified the Green Party as opposing. The background to this is the following. Her predecessor, Kevin Rudd, was visiting last year and had [...] read more
  February 14, 2011 5:33 pm - 50 Comments
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  For my Father - by frog

  
  
  
  Metiria just delivered a powerful and tear jerking speech about her father and her journey into politics. Her personal story illustrates the need to build a fairer society in New Zealand for our children and grandchildren. Here are some of the highlights I used the training incentive allowance to help with study costs, I shared [...] read more
  February 8, 2011 4:03 pm - 13 Comments
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  Lignite and IT problems - by frog

  
  
  
  The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has completed a report entitled Lignite and climate change: The high cost of low grade coal. “The plans to increase lignite use are extremely concerning as they would produce huge quantities of carbon dioxide which contributes to climate change – the biggest environmental threat we have ever faced.” The [...] read more
  December 9, 2010 3:48 pm - 2 Comments
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  Latest podcast – this time with transcript - by frog

  
  
  
  Here’s our latest podcast from Parliament, this time about the cross-party friendships Green MPs have struck up across the chamber. Parliament is a strange place, and often the only images we get are of MPs shouting at each other across the chamber during Question Time. But when the gloves are off, how do MPs from [...] read more
  October 26, 2010 3:45 pm - 4 Comments
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  Key should challenge mental health stereotypes, not perpetuate them - by Kevin Hague

  
  
  
  When I was a schoolboy, one of the common schoolyard taunts was to refer to someone as “mental” or “loony”.  Through most of last century, mental illness was a highly stigmatised issue, and people with mental health problems were hidden away from the rest of society, often untreated and/or mistreated, in what were once known [...] read more
  August 4, 2010 11:45 am - 44 Comments
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  A day to remember as Waikato River Settlement Bill passes into law - by David Clendon

  
  
  
  Things must have been fairly quiet in parts of the Waikato yesterday (May 6th).  That’s because an awful lot of ‘the locals’ were in Wellington, filling the galleries and the Grand Hall at Parliament, to witness up close and personal the passing of the Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Bill. It was a remarkable [...] read more
  May 7, 2010 10:32 am - 5 Comments
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  Minister leaves door open for truly smart meters - by David Clendon

  
  
  
  Electricity consumers around the country are having smart meters installed that aren’t really smart, and then have to pay for them through their electricity bill, without getting any of the benefits. read more
  April 22, 2010 10:41 am - 14 Comments
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  Mining protest at Parliament: The first ripple - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  Yesterday I joined what will undoubtedly be the first in a series of protests against the Government’s plans for mining in Schedule 4 land. Conservative media estimates put the numbers at 500, but I reckon it was closer to 1000. Metiria’s speech was a rousing call to action, and she contrasted Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson’s [...] read more
  March 31, 2010 10:47 am - 9 Comments
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  Privatisation in education legislation - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  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, [...] read more
  March 19, 2010 2:46 pm - 18 Comments
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  Podcast: Gareth’s challenge to Parliament - by frog

  
  
  
  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 [...] read more
  March 3, 2010 9:33 am - 3 Comments
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  Here’s how you can watch Jeanette’s valedictory speech live - by frog

  
  
  
  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
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  Send a tribute to Jeanette - by frog

  
  
  
  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 [...] read more
  January 28, 2010 10:01 am - 51 Comments
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  Jeanette steps down from Parliament - by frog

  
  
  
  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 [...] read more
  January 28, 2010 10:00 am - 13 Comments
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  Hugging trees: with a spade, trap and chainsaw - by frog

  
  
  
  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
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  What Would Rod Say? - by frog

  
  
  
  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 [...] read more
  November 6, 2009 5:33 pm - 68 Comments
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  Sue Bradford says goodbye - by frog

  
  
  
  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
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  One week left to submit on flawed ETS - by frog

  
  
  
  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 [...] read more
  October 7, 2009 10:05 am - 19 Comments