Capital Coast DHB problems go back to the 1990's...

Capital Coast DHB problems go back to the 1990's when the former National Party Government commercialised hospitals - the days when cash registers were used to collect patient charges. The days when National tried to Americanise our hospitals and health sevices.

The Wellington Hospital's problems can be seen as commencing during that period. Those inane policies hamstrung many hospitals such as Wellington, Christchurch and Wanganui. It is rather ironic that Wellington Hospital's neighbour, Hutt Valley Health DHB, has become an efficient hospital and health provider during that period - yet both were parners in the old Wellington Hospital Board, which National scrapped in the early 1990's.

The new Health Minister David Cunliffe is on a hiding to nothing in trying to rectify a failure. Better to sack the Board and start over again. Put in a new Chairman and Board, and bring in advisors from Hutt Valley Health on how to run a hospital and administer health services there. I would personally hate to have a life threatening health problem and be admitted to Wellington hospital - there is no guarantee that I would return alive.

The Wellington Coast DHB is a classic case of another former National Government chicken coming home to roost - the chickens are coming home in droves. And National wants to become the Government again. Yeah Right!

Nats to turn New Zealand into a John Key paradise...

Who gives a stuff about the Electoral Finance Bill really? If it stops the National Party and its right wing fellow travellers from being able to "buy" an election, that almost happened last time with the Exclusive Brethren, it will be worth it!

New Zealand can not afford to have a National Party led government: They will make the Bolger/Shipley mob seem like kindergaren teachers. They intend to punish middle New Zealand for keeping them out of power for nine years. Tories believe it's their divine right to rule. Yeah right!

They have privatisation as a main part of their policies - they are telling us that 'borrowing' will be the means to finance their legislative program - do you still believe in Santa Claus?

There is one source of finance they want to get their grubby little figers on - that is the ACC investment fund of around $6 billion dollars. They'll leave two billion for existing claims, privatise ACC itself and use the remaining four billion for their plans to turn New Zealnd into a John Key paradise, and milk the country clean!

KIWI RIVERMAN

KIWI RIVERMAN

Sire's Bloggers Blog: Channel Nine Underhanded?

Sire's Bloggers Blog: Channel Nine Underhanded?

Newspaper reports - New Zealand police terrorist raids...

Welcome to The Courier-Mail.
November 14, 2007 08:30am

NEW Zealand police monitored activists talking of assassinations and blowing up power plants and communications systems before arresting them.

Court papers show that among targets discussed for assassination were main opposition National Party leader John Key and US President George W Bush, while an al-Qaeda manual on terrorist actions was among "about 10" that group members claimed to be using.

Daily newspapers in Wellington and Christchurch published the evidence today from police surveillance cited in an affidavit used in court to gain warrants to arrest the people involved.

The secret evidence was amassed from months of police surveillance of military-style training camps allegedly used to train Maori independence activists, extreme environmentalists and others on weapons use and survival in the bush.

The 16 activists were arrested on suspicion of breaching the nation's arms and anti-terror laws - but police were later prevented by the nation's top legal officer from bringing terrorism charges.

Solicitor General David Collins last week ruled against charges being laid under the Terrorism Suppression Act against 12 of those arrested in the raids.

While police had good reason to investigate the alleged weapons training activity, New Zealand's anti-terror laws were too complex to apply in this instance, he said. He was "unable to authorise the prosecutions" under the terror law.

All 16 of those arrested still face charges under the Arms Act. They have been released on police bail under strict conditions that include surrender of passports and other restrictions on their movements and activities.

New Zealand's Arms Act prohibits private ownership of military-style weapons and requires all gun owners to hold an arms licence to own and use firearms.

Reports said the training camps involved the use of military-style weapons, Molotov cocktails, napalm-based bombs and other explosives.

Police and the Solicitor General immediately condemned publication of the police affidavit.

Deputy Commissioner Rob Pope said they would investigate publication of the material, "and any other publication which could be considered to breach court suppression orders or potentially compromise criminal proceedings."

Council for Civil Liberties chairman Tony Ellis, a senior barrister, warned release of the information could prejudice the fair trials of the 16.

The capital's Dominion Post newspaper said in an editorial it "has not taken lightly the decision" to publish the material.

"We believe we are acting within the law; we also believe we are acting in the public interest," it noted on its front page.

As the papers published the police material, protesters from the small town of Ruatoki, one of the centres for police raids on suspects last month, were travelling in a convoy to Parliament in Wellington to protest the action of the armed anti-terror police.

Private businesses to support government energy policies...

The Energy Minister says lines companies are amongst businesses willing to help low income households improve heating - supporting Government energy policy in action.

The National Party opposition has no credible policies. Private businesses cannot support something that doesn't exist. John Key full of hot air!



A step towards drier and healthier homes for low and middle income families.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority is seeking partners to deliver interest free loans to homeowners for heating solutions.

Energy Minister David Parker says he has already heard from lines companies and other businesses keen to offer their support. He says homeowners who take advantage of the funding can expect to improve their health with less asthma and fewer winter illnesses.

Mr Parker says 39,000 low-income families have already had their homes refitted with insulation and other energy efficiency measures. He says the Government is putting $23 million towards the programme over the next four years.

Just what do the Aussie election results mean for the West...

Just what do the Australian election results mean for the West? What do they mean for Bush's foreign policy initiatives? The Aussie boys will be coming home pretty soon George Junior!

The Australian left of centre Labor Party won the Federal elections by a landslide. Now all the states and the Federal government are all Labor administrations.

The new Australian Prime Minister, 50 year old Queenslander, Kevin Rudd, has stated that Australia will sign the Kyoto protocol, something George Bush opposes, and will be withdrawing Australian combat troops from Iraq.

Mr Rudd is a Mandarin speaking former diplomat. He is also only the second Queenslander to be elected as Australian prime minister. He is expected to forge even closer ties with New Zealand and other friends and allies. He assured George Bush of the centrality of the US alliance in Australia's approach to foreign policy.