politics Archive

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  Open letter to the Speaker re: Question Time - by Russel Norman

  
  
  
  Rt Hon David Carter Speaker of the House of Representatives Parliament Buildings Wellington 20 March 2013 Dear David After sitting through another chaotic question time I feel compelled to write this open letter to you as Speaker. I strongly urge you to revert to the set of rules that Lockwood Smith had developed over the [...] read more
  March 21, 2013 9:24 am - 12 Comments
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  Brain fades to grey - by frog

  
  
  
  Has John Key’s brain joined the exodus to Australia? Who or what is actually running the country? If John Key’s brain was sunning itself in Queensland it would explain a few things starting with how the Prime Minister can’t remember anything that it doesn’t suit him to remember. The latest lapse, over how he voted [...] read more
  October 19, 2012 3:08 pm - 5 Comments
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  Women in politics, in pictures - by Jan Logie

  
  
  
  Women’s Futures Month was inspired by this year’s International Women’s Day theme ‘connecting girls, inspiring futures.’ While Women’s Futures Month events are Christchurch based, Zo and Erin hope to generate widespread discussion on their Facebook page. The panel discussion held last week at Canterbury University featured the Minister of Women’s Affairs Hon Jo Goodhew, Local [...] read more
  March 22, 2012 10:12 am - 4 Comments
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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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  Donald Brash, racism, and political advantage - by David Clendon

  
  
  
  I almost feel sorry for ordinary members and supporters of the Act party.  Most of them base their support on a shared belief in laissez faire free market capitalism; a preference for a small, ‘non-interventionist’ state; and a form of social liberalism that gives primacy to the rights of the individual. That’s not a worldview [...] read more
  July 9, 2011 8:45 am - 56 Comments
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  Are people really apathetic about politics? - by frog

  
  
  
  Politics has a huge impact on everyone’s lives. So why don’t more of us actually get involved? Is it apathy? Are people too stupid, selfish or lazy? Dave Meslin says no. He identifies seven barriers that keep us from taking part in politics, even when we truly care. Fortunately the last barrier he mentions doesn’t [...] read more
  May 30, 2011 7:07 am - 8 Comments
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  Who is Ayn Rand? - by frog

  
  
  
  I’m sure there are a lot of ways to answer that question. We’ve had some heated debate on religion vs science around here recently, so it is with some trepidation that I offer this controversy within the Republican Party in the US on Ayn Rand’s views on religion. The GOP currently has two very strong [...] read more
  May 30, 2011 6:05 am - 64 Comments
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  Blackball Mayday Speech - by Kevin Hague

  
  
  
  While some others were focused on political events elsewhere in the country, I was in Blackball for the annual Mayday celebrations and for the launch of a memorial wheel for those who have lost their lives in West Coast mines in recent years, most notably the Pike River 29. Families had made tiles with the [...] read more
  May 1, 2011 11:59 am - 2 Comments
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  Reading the National Government’s playbook - by Kevin Hague

  
  
  
  It’s a bit of a hobby of mine – trying to infer the content of the advice they have received from Crosby-Textor from the behaviour of the Government. Of course it may not be that it’s just Crosby-Textor’s advice: some might come from Stephen Joyce himself, but you get the idea. Some of it’s obvious, [...] read more
  July 22, 2010 6:00 pm - 7 Comments
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  Environmental conference season highlights clash of values - by Kevin Hague

  
  
  
  Just grabbing a few days’ rest after a full-on three weeks in Parliament, including yet another week of pointless urgency. The weekends have kept me busy too, but much more constructively. I’m not only talking about the great Invercargill march against the Government’s mining plans, but also a whole series of important environmental conferences. The [...] read more
  July 7, 2010 1:33 pm - 7 Comments
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  Metiria grills the PM on mining contradictions - by frog

  
  
  
  Metiria Turei grills the Prime Minister on his government’s confused and contradictory statements about the mining of protected Schedule 4 lands on the conservation estate. Her question was: Does he stand by his statement “Notwithstanding the public consultation process, it is my expectation that the Government will act on at least some of these recommendations [...] read more
  March 18, 2010 1:56 pm - 4 Comments
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  Not Our Heritage to Mine Karangahake - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  On Friday last I hosted a meeting about the effects of mining at the Karangahake Hall near Paeroa. The hall is close to a major historical and recreational area including many artefacts and remnants from the early gold mining days. It is also close to the newest gold mining permit issued for the Coromandel area. [...] read more
  February 23, 2010 2:44 pm - 12 Comments
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  Copenhagen 4: I remain, Your Humble and Obedient Servant - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  A funny thing happened on the way to the Climate Change Forum. Fate allowed me to serve Her Majesty’s Government, once again. In a phantom role, it is true. But it was a privilege, nonetheless. read more
  December 16, 2009 4:01 am - 10 Comments
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  Copenhagen II: Gentlemen (Ladies?), Choose your Weapons - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  The first week of the Copenhagen Conference has not been without its drama.  This will of course be nothing compared to Week 2, but the preliminaries have been fast and furious. The best-known drama has been the leaked ‘Danish draft’.  This has been reported as infuriating the developing world, especially the major emerging economies – [...] read more
  December 14, 2009 10:24 pm - 12 Comments
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  Making Sense of Copenhagen - by Kennedy Graham

  
  
  
  Saturday was our first day at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference.  Jeanette Fitzsimons and I, along with staff member Rick Leckinger, are attending.  It is a remarkable event in itself, as well as being critical in substance. Two quick things to clear up. First, yes we expended carbon getting here, along with the other participants.  [...] read more
  December 14, 2009 12:21 am - 29 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
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  ETS is sure to spur growth – but what kind? - by Jeanette Fitzsimons

  
  
  
  Now here’s a great idea for economic development. Extract lignite, the lowest quality coal, very wet and of low calorific value. Add copious water pollution, coal seam methane and land disturbance from open cast mining. read more
  October 1, 2009 6:45 am - 20 Comments
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  Oil companies declare that CO2 is green - by frog

  
  
  
  Some stupidity is just too good not to share. You only need half a second with this new US television advert to guess who’s behind it. The Guardian has a great article on the video, who’s behind it and why it is so ripe for a spoof. I’m tempted to do one myself! In a [...] read more
  September 30, 2009 5:06 pm - 30 Comments
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  Population and Climate Change - by frog

  
  
  
  As greens, it seems pretty intuitive that runaway population growth is unsustainable. That argument rages in back rooms, but rarely gets much air in the media because it is such a controversial topic. read more
  September 28, 2009 10:37 am - 18 Comments
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  Now we see the hidden costs of the ETS - by Jeanette Fitzsimons

  
  
  
  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 [...] read more
  September 24, 2009 10:32 am - 10 Comments
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  ETS makes us the seventh state - by Jeanette Fitzsimons

  
  
  
  It is clear from the minister’s briefing last night that the main purpose of National’s changes to the ETS is to make us effectively the seventh state of Australia. The bill mimics exactly the bill the Rudd government has been trying (unsuccessfully) to get through the Australian senate. So a bill that has been twice [...] read more
  September 24, 2009 9:17 am - 8 Comments
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  Give me an ‘H’ for Whanganui! - by frog

  
  
  
  The Geographic Board has spoken. Unanimously. Whanganui should get its ‘H’ back, as the original settlers intended. read more
  September 17, 2009 9:23 pm - 62 Comments
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  The ETS, power prices and income compensation - by Jeanette Fitzsimons

  
  
  
  The Maori Party seems to be having difficulty getting the National Party to agree to raising the core benefit to compensate for higher electricity and transport fuel prices under the ETS. read more
  September 16, 2009 12:35 pm - 16 Comments
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  An open letter to Phil Goff, on reading Friday’s Herald - by Jeanette Fitzsimons

  
  
  
  Dear Phil, I am deeply disappointed you are letting Nick Smith’s electioneering define the Labour party, and apologising for that definition. It is hard to see how Labour will ever have an independent identity if it leaps to deny sensible policy whenever National attacks it. Even using their term, “nanny state” fails politics 101 – never repeat your opponent’s terms of abuse. read more
  September 12, 2009 5:17 pm - 180 Comments
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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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  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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  Verde que te quiero verde. Should Marina stand for President? - by frog

  
  
  
  The pressure is coming on in Brazil for the former environment minister, Marina Silva, to stand as the Green Party candidate for President of Brazil. It’s a wonderful debate, with some coming out with unconditional support and others more guarded, worrying about her Christian beliefs.  All signs point towards a political shift in Brazil if [...] read more
  August 21, 2009 9:48 am - 1 Comment
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  Town and Country at Loggerheads - by Jeanette Fitzsimons

  
  
  
  There was a stark contrast between the Napier consultation meeting on our climate change target, and those in the major cities. We’re now reaping the consequences of several years of misinformation being fed to the farming community about climate science and it is driving the deepest town-country divide I have seen in my lifetime. Auckland [...] read more
  July 20, 2009 9:04 am - 127 Comments
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  Fitch is sending New Zealand a message - by Jeanette Fitzsimons

  
  
  
  It is hardly surprising Fitch has signalled a credit watch on account of our current account deficit. The Greens have been pointing out the seriousness of our overseas deficit for many years. There is not much compassion in international circles for people who have been living beyond their means for many years and expecting others [...] read more
  July 17, 2009 5:57 pm - 72 Comments
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  Scotland agrees world’s toughest 2020 climate goal - by frog

  
  
  
  Reuters reports that Scotland has pushed Germany into second place with the world’s most ambitious greenhouse gas reduction target: Scottish lawmakers Wednesday backed a binding goal to cut greenhouse gases by 42 percent by 2020 from 1990 levels, edging Germany into second place in a ranking of the most ambitious developed world targets. “At least [...] read more
  June 29, 2009 6:07 pm - 17 Comments
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  Gratitude for a climate change denier - by Jeanette Fitzsimons

  
  
  
  Thank goodness for climate change denier Senator Fielding of Australia. Didn’t think you’d ever hear me say that, did you? Senator Fielding is the one vote Rudd didn’t have yesterday to pass their “Carbon Reduction Plan” – or Emissions Trading Scheme in our language. And that is a good thing, because the proposal was so [...] read more
  June 24, 2009 1:19 pm - 29 Comments
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  Climate science – another missing link is found - by frog

  
  
  
  It is the primary cry of the deniers and the false sceptics – “There is no definitive link between atmospheric carbon dioxide and global temperature.” (I leave the genuine, scientific sceptics out – those who play a constructive role in challenging the science.) Last Friday, the new edition of Nature contained an article on just [...] read more
  June 20, 2009 2:19 pm - 117 Comments
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  From little things, big things grow… - by frog

  
  
  
  There was a recurring riff behind National’s opposition to two very different Bills on Members’ Day Wednesday. One commonality was that both Bills were voted down by National, Act and United Future, and supported by Greens, Labour, Progressives and Maori Parties. But the riff I want to highlight is the idea that the problem is [...] read more
  June 19, 2009 11:33 am - 7 Comments
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  When are subsidies sustainable? - by frog

  
  
  
  That is not a trick question, nor an economics one. The National-led government has decided that a biofuel subsidy is preferable to a sales obligation, no doubt on ideological grounds rather than economic grounds. We now have the Biodiesel Subsidy Scheme, which pays biodiesel producers in New Zealand up to 42.5 cents per litre to [...] read more
  June 16, 2009 2:10 pm - 15 Comments
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  Enviroschools and the Budget – Sabotaging Success - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  Two weeks I went to a hui of environmental educators working with the Enviroschools programme throughout the country. They were so vibrant and so excited about their ever expanding programmes throughout kura kaupapa and many other schools throughout Aotaeraoa. They were also focused on their “regeneration” project which involves students who have left school but [...] read more
  June 4, 2009 2:36 pm - 55 Comments
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  Weaving and Moroccan Cooking Are Not Useful? - by Catherine Delahunty

  
  
  
  The Minister of Education has seen fit to cut money in the Budget for adult and community education funding except for courses related to literacy and numeracy. Programmes offered through secondary schools are set to disappear after an 80% cut. She picked out weaving, salsa dancing and Moroccan courses provided by community education programmes as [...] read more
  June 3, 2009 3:06 pm - 57 Comments
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  Insulating the Budget - by frog

  
  
  
  Well, it’s happened again. Budget stuff has leaked from Wellington, stealing the thunder of Greens and Tories alike ahead of tomorrow’s announcement. No one is immune, and all sorts of theories can develop about who may gain an advantage by leaking such stuff. First of all, after a thorough hop around the corridors of power, [...] read more
  May 27, 2009 5:43 pm - 23 Comments
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  The JAFA Roll - by frog

  
  
  
  This little gem was sent to Russel by Joe Bell of Golden Bay, and is used with his permission. I think the idea has merit and is worthy of some debate here. The intention of a Presidential-style mayor and elite council for Auckland is scary. Imagine instead an alternative model of inclusive ‘bottom up’ governance [...] read more
  May 26, 2009 10:21 am - 4 Comments