National risks alienating public - ready to fall flat on its ass...
Political commentator Graeme Hunt says the National Party is in a honeymoon period at the moment but risks alienating voters
The National Party is being warned it risks alienating the public. It comes in response to accusations from Phil Goff that political deals the party's doing with the Maori Party, are jeopardising good race relations. Mr Goff made his comments in TVNZ's Q&A programme this morning.
Political commentator Graeme Hunt says the National Party is in a honeymoon period at the moment, with record popularity. He says John Key is using MMP to his advantage, even though he is not a fan of it.
Mr Hunt says that is all very well to achieve harmony, but wonders at what cost, long-term, to public policy. He says issues of tax and fairness are what New Zealanders will weigh up down the track.
Mr Hunt also says the National Party is merely continuing a trend started by Labour, and Mr Goff's claims are "a bit rich". Mr Hunt says if we look at the sweetheart deals Labour entered into in the past 50-odd years to woo the Maori vote, what National is doing is simply continuing that trend.
Acknowledgements:© 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Twenty five cents an hour increase under the rusty lock and Key administration...
Gee Mr John Key,sir! Just think of the effort and stress you endured sitting in your four million dollar home in Auckland, making that decision to increase the average wage by 25 cents an hour.
Come on you worthless cur! You are a chip off the Bolger/Shipley government mould of 1990-99 who averaged a 14% increase in the average wage during those nine years.
Compare that with those "socialists" in the Clark government of 1999-2008 who averaged a 75% increase in the average wage during that memorial nine years.
Remenber Selwyn Toogood's "Money or the bag" radio and TV show a couple of decades ago? Definately the bag in this case!
Come on you worthless cur! You are a chip off the Bolger/Shipley government mould of 1990-99 who averaged a 14% increase in the average wage during those nine years.
Compare that with those "socialists" in the Clark government of 1999-2008 who averaged a 75% increase in the average wage during that memorial nine years.
Remenber Selwyn Toogood's "Money or the bag" radio and TV show a couple of decades ago? Definately the bag in this case!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Claims that worst killers not covered under proposed three strikes legislation...
Claims that worst killers not covered under three strikes law...
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The proposed three-strikes law would have saved murder victims like Urban Hoglin and Heidi Paakkonen back in 1989. A proposed three strikes law would have done nothing to prevent some of New Zealand's most notorious killings, critics say.
The new legislation, to be introduced with the Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill, will see a criminal convicted of a third qualifying offence jailed for the maximum term, without the possibility of parole.
Under the law, a life sentence - imposed for murder and manslaughter - would mean just that.
But none of the country's 20 worst murderers - those handed among the longest jail sentences in New Zealand history - would have been stopped by the proposed legislation, the Weekend Herald has learned.
And that includes four of the worst:
William Bell, who is serving a minimum 30 years for the Mt Wellington triple murders of 2001, double killer Graeme Burton, convicted rapist and murderer Liam Reid, and prison-van killer George Charlie Baker.
The Corrections Department has confirmed none of them - despite extensive criminal histories, including in the case of Burton more than 100 previous convictions - had committed earlier offences that would have put them in the three strikes category.
Acknowledgements: MSN News
t
The proposed three-strikes law would have saved murder victims like Urban Hoglin and Heidi Paakkonen back in 1989. A proposed three strikes law would have done nothing to prevent some of New Zealand's most notorious killings, critics say.
The new legislation, to be introduced with the Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill, will see a criminal convicted of a third qualifying offence jailed for the maximum term, without the possibility of parole.
Under the law, a life sentence - imposed for murder and manslaughter - would mean just that.
But none of the country's 20 worst murderers - those handed among the longest jail sentences in New Zealand history - would have been stopped by the proposed legislation, the Weekend Herald has learned.
And that includes four of the worst:
William Bell, who is serving a minimum 30 years for the Mt Wellington triple murders of 2001, double killer Graeme Burton, convicted rapist and murderer Liam Reid, and prison-van killer George Charlie Baker.
The Corrections Department has confirmed none of them - despite extensive criminal histories, including in the case of Burton more than 100 previous convictions - had committed earlier offences that would have put them in the three strikes category.
Acknowledgements: MSN News
Ratana welcomes Key, but not told about massive increase in unemployment...
Ratana welcomes National with open arms but not sure of who they were welcoming, maybe...
Prime Minister John Key has received a warm welcome at Ratana celebrations, drawing thanks from the movement's leadership
There has been a strong endorsement of the National Party by those at Ratana today.
The Prime Minister and other National MPs are the first politicians to take part in the event celebrating the birthday of prophet TW Ratana.
During the welcoming speeches at the Ratana Marae, Minister Joe Everitt told John Key Ratana leadership simply wants to thank him and his party for all their work - and drew laughs with this comment:
"In the short time that you have been in power you've done so much more than what others have done for the Maori Party ... oh ... for the Maori people."
He told John Key he recalls giving him a shopping list this time last year of what Ratana followers expected from National.
"That if there were any laws for my Maori people that you are going to change, do make sure that you talk to all the Maori people. You've fulfilled that John - ka pai."
Mr Key told the crowd improving race relations and the mana of the foreshore and seabed are high on the Government's agenda. He says today's visit to Ratana has been a success and he is going home happy. But he never told them of the massive increase in unemployment, did he?
Acknowledgements: © 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB
Prime Minister John Key has received a warm welcome at Ratana celebrations, drawing thanks from the movement's leadership
There has been a strong endorsement of the National Party by those at Ratana today.
The Prime Minister and other National MPs are the first politicians to take part in the event celebrating the birthday of prophet TW Ratana.
During the welcoming speeches at the Ratana Marae, Minister Joe Everitt told John Key Ratana leadership simply wants to thank him and his party for all their work - and drew laughs with this comment:
"In the short time that you have been in power you've done so much more than what others have done for the Maori Party ... oh ... for the Maori people."
He told John Key he recalls giving him a shopping list this time last year of what Ratana followers expected from National.
"That if there were any laws for my Maori people that you are going to change, do make sure that you talk to all the Maori people. You've fulfilled that John - ka pai."
Mr Key told the crowd improving race relations and the mana of the foreshore and seabed are high on the Government's agenda. He says today's visit to Ratana has been a success and he is going home happy. But he never told them of the massive increase in unemployment, did he?
Acknowledgements: © 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Three strikes policy will probably not have much of an impact on crime figures...
Three strikes policy will deter criminals from committing further crimes says Police...
Police Minister Judith Collins admits the proposed three strikes policy is harsh, but believes it is warranted. I doubt if it will have much of an impact on crime figures. It may put more serious criminals behind bars for longer thats all..
Under the deal between the National Party and Act, the judge will have to impose the maximum sentence for the crime when an offender is convicted of a third serious offence. Parole will not be an option when a person is convicted of a second or third serious offence.
Ms Collins says by keeping the worst repeat offenders behind bars for longer and deterring criminals from committing further crimes, New Zealand will be a better and safer place.
"The regime will be harsh, but only for the small number of people in our community that show continued and complete disregard for the law and contempt of society."
Garth McVicar from the Sensible Sentencing Trust welcomes the tougher stance.
"They commit an offence, they get sentenced to a minimum sentence, they get out and they reoffend and they go back in again, so they're just being recycled time and time again. This is going to ensure that they don't get out as quickly and there will be fewer victims as a consequence.
?I realize the naysayers and liberals will be highly critical of this law but in reality this is self inflicted, they have no-one else to blame, they are simply getting their just desserts?.
But Labour's Phil Goff claims the policy will not work.
"This will result in about 12 people a year being locked up. Compare that with 8,500 people already in prison. This isn't going to make a great deal of difference, if any, to public security and safety."
Mr Goff says the existing law already provides judges with the ability to refuse recidivist criminals parole and give them longer sentences.
Acknowledgements: © 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB
Police Minister Judith Collins admits the proposed three strikes policy is harsh, but believes it is warranted. I doubt if it will have much of an impact on crime figures. It may put more serious criminals behind bars for longer thats all..
Under the deal between the National Party and Act, the judge will have to impose the maximum sentence for the crime when an offender is convicted of a third serious offence. Parole will not be an option when a person is convicted of a second or third serious offence.
Ms Collins says by keeping the worst repeat offenders behind bars for longer and deterring criminals from committing further crimes, New Zealand will be a better and safer place.
"The regime will be harsh, but only for the small number of people in our community that show continued and complete disregard for the law and contempt of society."
Garth McVicar from the Sensible Sentencing Trust welcomes the tougher stance.
"They commit an offence, they get sentenced to a minimum sentence, they get out and they reoffend and they go back in again, so they're just being recycled time and time again. This is going to ensure that they don't get out as quickly and there will be fewer victims as a consequence.
?I realize the naysayers and liberals will be highly critical of this law but in reality this is self inflicted, they have no-one else to blame, they are simply getting their just desserts?.
But Labour's Phil Goff claims the policy will not work.
"This will result in about 12 people a year being locked up. Compare that with 8,500 people already in prison. This isn't going to make a great deal of difference, if any, to public security and safety."
Mr Goff says the existing law already provides judges with the ability to refuse recidivist criminals parole and give them longer sentences.
Acknowledgements: © 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB
Monday, January 18, 2010
Three stikes for serious crimes only...
Three strikes and you are out? Yeah right! Just more of that watered down legislation we have come to expect from this watered down government. Just get John Key to give one of his dopey grins and evrything should be alright.
It now applies only to capital type crimes of murder, rapes, serious assaults etc. If it had applied across the board as suggested by right wing election campaigners, new prisons would have to be built to accomodate such criminals.
It now applies only to capital type crimes of murder, rapes, serious assaults etc. If it had applied across the board as suggested by right wing election campaigners, new prisons would have to be built to accomodate such criminals.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Key getting out of touch with electorate...
Key getting out of touch with electorate...
Prime Minister John Key has ruled out a minimum wage increase to $15 this year despite 61 per cent of New Zealanders supporting the hike in a recent survey.
The New Zealand Herald surveyed 2300 people on the issue: 3.5 per cent of respondents said the minimum should be lower than the current $12.50 an hour, 30.5 per cent thought it should remain unchanged, 61 per cent thought it should go up and 5 per cent did not have an opinion.
About 100,000 workers receive the minimum wage, which is reviewed every year and Cabinet is expected to make a decision shortly whether to increase it.
Mr Key said the issue was not on tomorrow's Cabinet agenda but would be discussed "fairly soon".
"The Government has always tried to be fair. We recognise there are about 100,000 people who earn the minimum wage, I think it's important they are able to make ends meet as best possible, but also there's got to be a recognition that where there are increases in wages that they have to be paid for - we don't want to be threatening people's jobs so there's a balancing act here and that's what the Cabinet will consider," he told Newstalk ZB.
"It won't be $15 in this particular round, that would be an increase of $2.50... and that would just be too significant a hike."
Acknowledgements: MSN News
Prime Minister John Key has ruled out a minimum wage increase to $15 this year despite 61 per cent of New Zealanders supporting the hike in a recent survey.
The New Zealand Herald surveyed 2300 people on the issue: 3.5 per cent of respondents said the minimum should be lower than the current $12.50 an hour, 30.5 per cent thought it should remain unchanged, 61 per cent thought it should go up and 5 per cent did not have an opinion.
About 100,000 workers receive the minimum wage, which is reviewed every year and Cabinet is expected to make a decision shortly whether to increase it.
Mr Key said the issue was not on tomorrow's Cabinet agenda but would be discussed "fairly soon".
"The Government has always tried to be fair. We recognise there are about 100,000 people who earn the minimum wage, I think it's important they are able to make ends meet as best possible, but also there's got to be a recognition that where there are increases in wages that they have to be paid for - we don't want to be threatening people's jobs so there's a balancing act here and that's what the Cabinet will consider," he told Newstalk ZB.
"It won't be $15 in this particular round, that would be an increase of $2.50... and that would just be too significant a hike."
Acknowledgements: MSN News
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Destiny Church could lose its status as a charity - the Bishop to call on the Key
Destiny Church has tax issues...
The Charities Commission is preparing a final notice for Destiny Church, reportedly behind schedule with its tax returns.
The National Party at prayer, the Destiny Church, could be at at risk of losing its status as a charity.
Bishop Brian Tamaki is reportedly three months late filling the church's tax return, and the Charities Commission says it is sending a final notice.
New laws require all charities, including those operating as churches, to disclose their accounts.
No doubt the Bishop will be calling on the Key to get some sort of law change.
Acknowledgements: © 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB
The Charities Commission is preparing a final notice for Destiny Church, reportedly behind schedule with its tax returns.
The National Party at prayer, the Destiny Church, could be at at risk of losing its status as a charity.
Bishop Brian Tamaki is reportedly three months late filling the church's tax return, and the Charities Commission says it is sending a final notice.
New laws require all charities, including those operating as churches, to disclose their accounts.
No doubt the Bishop will be calling on the Key to get some sort of law change.
Acknowledgements: © 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB
So Will Wales is in town - big deal...
So Will Wales is in town. Big deal! When his nanna dies the royalty will be history. His brother is military, not royalty in any case. Bring on the republic!
The matter of a republic needs to be debated in the near future because it is in evitable in the course of New Zealand history. Just how will a future president be selected or elected?
Do we need a second house in parliament? That should be discussed as well, probably when the question of retaining MMP comes up in a few years.
AS for the present we will splutter along with a Key and a rusty lock.
The matter of a republic needs to be debated in the near future because it is in evitable in the course of New Zealand history. Just how will a future president be selected or elected?
Do we need a second house in parliament? That should be discussed as well, probably when the question of retaining MMP comes up in a few years.
AS for the present we will splutter along with a Key and a rusty lock.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Cameron Slater in the crap again...
Cameron Slater in the crap again for posting what is illegal information on his Whale Oil blog. Does he expect to get away with this sort of thing? When it comes down to information that could identify a minor, suppression of an indicted person's name is automatic.
A lot of us agree that the law relating to the suppression of an indicted person's name needs reviewing. But not in this situation. A minor's name needs to be and must be protected from being revealed.
So Cameron Slater, what's your problem, mate? Jack your ideas up! You're giving bloggers a bad name!
A lot of us agree that the law relating to the suppression of an indicted person's name needs reviewing. But not in this situation. A minor's name needs to be and must be protected from being revealed.
So Cameron Slater, what's your problem, mate? Jack your ideas up! You're giving bloggers a bad name!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
More cyber monitoring of websites by operators and police in NZ...
More cyber monitoring of online breaches of court-imposed name suppression orders is leading to more monitoring of websites by operators and police...
TradeMe
Authorities are stepping up cyber-monitoring efforts amid online breaches of name suppression.
Last week, the identity of a New Zealand comedian was revealed on a TradeMe message board. The comedian is facing a charge relating to sexual connection with a child aged under twelve. The comedian's name and the TV show involved were revealed.
TradeMe is now cracking down on postings. Trust and safety manager Chris Budge says they swiftly removed the posts.
Police say they are also keeping a closer eye on the internet.
In a separate incident, blogger Cameron Slater has already appeared in court for breaking name-suppression orders online.
Acknowledgements: © 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB
TradeMe
Authorities are stepping up cyber-monitoring efforts amid online breaches of name suppression.
Last week, the identity of a New Zealand comedian was revealed on a TradeMe message board. The comedian is facing a charge relating to sexual connection with a child aged under twelve. The comedian's name and the TV show involved were revealed.
TradeMe is now cracking down on postings. Trust and safety manager Chris Budge says they swiftly removed the posts.
Police say they are also keeping a closer eye on the internet.
In a separate incident, blogger Cameron Slater has already appeared in court for breaking name-suppression orders online.
Acknowledgements: © 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Most likely a jack-up to get rid of the worker...
Most likely a jack-up to get rid of the worker. He should have been dismissed on the basis of his ability to do the job, not because he was a dope user who may have sold a tinnie or two.
A Christchurch firm reckons it has been given a raw deal after being ordered to pay $12,000 to a worker sacked for supplying cannabis to a workmate.
The man was sacked by Saxons Appliances after a message from another employee was found on his phone asking if he was "able to get any stuff". The man denied selling drugs but then admitted admitted previously selling, or giving away, two tinnies he said he had found.
The Employment Relations Authority has ruled he was unfairly dismissed. It has awarded him three months lost wages and six thousand dollars for distress. And he probably was dismissed unfairly.
Acknowledgements: © 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB
A Christchurch firm reckons it has been given a raw deal after being ordered to pay $12,000 to a worker sacked for supplying cannabis to a workmate.
The man was sacked by Saxons Appliances after a message from another employee was found on his phone asking if he was "able to get any stuff". The man denied selling drugs but then admitted admitted previously selling, or giving away, two tinnies he said he had found.
The Employment Relations Authority has ruled he was unfairly dismissed. It has awarded him three months lost wages and six thousand dollars for distress. And he probably was dismissed unfairly.
Acknowledgements: © 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB
Monday, January 4, 2010
NZ blogger remanded for suppression charges...
NZ Blogger bailed for suppression breaches...
An internet blogger has been remanded on bail after appearing in court on five charges for alleged breach of suppression
The blogger charged with breaking name suppression orders has been remanded on bail.
He is facing five charges for allegedly posting clues in the form of pictures identifying people in high profile sex cases. The man has entered no plea.
The Crown says each charge carries a maximum penalty of a one thousand dollar fine.
The blogger is back in court on January the 19th. Of, course we all know who he is, but can't reveal his identity or I will be up on similar charges.
Acknowledgements: © 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB
An internet blogger has been remanded on bail after appearing in court on five charges for alleged breach of suppression
The blogger charged with breaking name suppression orders has been remanded on bail.
He is facing five charges for allegedly posting clues in the form of pictures identifying people in high profile sex cases. The man has entered no plea.
The Crown says each charge carries a maximum penalty of a one thousand dollar fine.
The blogger is back in court on January the 19th. Of, course we all know who he is, but can't reveal his identity or I will be up on similar charges.
Acknowledgements: © 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB
The cybermen are on the march - new cyber monitoring powers have been given to Kiwi police and SIS
The cybermen are on the march - new cyber monitoring powers have been given to Kiwi police and SIS...
New Zealand's cyber spies have finally been given new powers by the National Government. The Security Intelligence Service and the police force have been given new powers to monitor all aspects of New Zealand citizens' online activities.
The measures are extensions of powers the police and SIS have had for decades in surveillance capacities, but have been extended to cover the monitoring of cell phone calls and texts; emails, internet surfing, online shopping, chatting, social networking, blogs and other websites.
While the actual legislation was introduced by the former Labour Government in 2004, all the necessary hardware - spying devices and special software in telephone exchanges, internet companies and even the fibre- optic data networks between towns and cities to enable the cybermen to gain the ability to monitor almost all communications in New Zealand took time to install - last year there were 68 interception warrants issued and 157 people prosecuted under the old system.
It will now be like the SIS planting bugs in every cafe and park in the country.
The old stock reply - if you haven't done anything you have nothing to worry about doesn't wash with me! How would you know if some vindictive person had lodged a malicious complaint with the police or SIS and an investigation was taking place concerning you?
Sure, we know it is a different world since 9/11, but we still live in a democracy and still have civil rights that should be respected by Big Brother. The cybermen will need to be kept on a short leash. Their interception warrants will need to be monitored as well. If they want to monitor any of my blogs, they will need to be fully justified.
New Zealand's cyber spies have finally been given new powers by the National Government. The Security Intelligence Service and the police force have been given new powers to monitor all aspects of New Zealand citizens' online activities.
The measures are extensions of powers the police and SIS have had for decades in surveillance capacities, but have been extended to cover the monitoring of cell phone calls and texts; emails, internet surfing, online shopping, chatting, social networking, blogs and other websites.
While the actual legislation was introduced by the former Labour Government in 2004, all the necessary hardware - spying devices and special software in telephone exchanges, internet companies and even the fibre- optic data networks between towns and cities to enable the cybermen to gain the ability to monitor almost all communications in New Zealand took time to install - last year there were 68 interception warrants issued and 157 people prosecuted under the old system.
It will now be like the SIS planting bugs in every cafe and park in the country.
The old stock reply - if you haven't done anything you have nothing to worry about doesn't wash with me! How would you know if some vindictive person had lodged a malicious complaint with the police or SIS and an investigation was taking place concerning you?
Sure, we know it is a different world since 9/11, but we still live in a democracy and still have civil rights that should be respected by Big Brother. The cybermen will need to be kept on a short leash. Their interception warrants will need to be monitored as well. If they want to monitor any of my blogs, they will need to be fully justified.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Clark and Jackson awards great decision...
While I applauded Labour's decision at the time to scrap titles, I do approve the choices of Helen Clark and Peter Jackson for service to New Zealand and film making respectively. They are both great people in their chosen fields, and great New Zealanders.
Peter will go on and make many more great films as producer or director, and Helen will continue at the United Nations. You may have noted I didn't say Sir Peter, because I find titles an anachronism. Peter Snell and Colin Meads should have recived their awards years ago in any case. Helen wouldn't have accepted being a "Dame" in any case, but in American parlance she was a great dame for sure!
Once John Key is overturned there will be a job for him at the World Bank, and a knighthood too I expect. They'll love his smile, if not his shallowness.
Happy New year Kiwis!
Peter will go on and make many more great films as producer or director, and Helen will continue at the United Nations. You may have noted I didn't say Sir Peter, because I find titles an anachronism. Peter Snell and Colin Meads should have recived their awards years ago in any case. Helen wouldn't have accepted being a "Dame" in any case, but in American parlance she was a great dame for sure!
Once John Key is overturned there will be a job for him at the World Bank, and a knighthood too I expect. They'll love his smile, if not his shallowness.
Happy New year Kiwis!
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