By-election 'sends message to Rudd'

By-election 'sends message to Rudd'

Nationals candidate Darren Chester triumphed with 63 per cent of the two-party preferred vote in yesterday's poll, against Labor candidate Darren McCubbin's 37 per cent.

"I think it's an extraordinary result that you have a 7 per cent swing against Mr Rudd only seven months after he has won the election, which would be one of the largest swings against a newly elected government, I think, since Federation."

Rather surprising.  Just the other day I read a headline that the Coalition was preparing for the worst.  Whether this reflexes dissatisfaction with the Rudd government or just dissatisfaction with the current economic climate is a subject for debate. 

My assessment of the Rudd govt. is a bit of a mixed bag.  Their efforts to reduce government spending and inflation is commendable.  But their '2020 summit' and EU style Australiasian/South East Asia pact idea is just puffery.  Kevin Rudd's leadership style is also a mixed bag.  One minute he's dramatic and serious and the next he's acting a bit of a clown.

David Farrar said the Liberal leader Brendon Nelson was unelectable.  Granted Brendon does seem an unlikely leader, but that's why I like him.  He seems more genuine that Kevin.  David has declared his allegiance for Malcolm Turnball, which may colour his comments. 

 

Kevin Rudd Brendon Nelson Australian Politics Gippsland by-election

Jim Bolger to chair new rail company

Jim Bolger to chair new rail company

"Full details, including the structure of the company, its name and even the new paint job for the trains, will be announced at the official hand over from Toll to the government in Wellington on Tuesday. ONE News will bring you the story.."

I see it now - the launch of the new train company is going to be a massive public relations effort; photo ops, news paper spreads, the works.  It's actually just the positive news that Labour needs.   The optimistic vision Labour will seek to convey and the fact they've appointed a former National Party prime minister will go someway to drowning out the criticism  Because after all everyone wants rail to be a success.  But the criticism is very valid.  I would probably only use a train perhaps once a year - if that!. 

I don't see how the train company won't just become a black whole for money.

 

Oh my pick for the name will be something like KiwiRail.

 

Tranz rail, Jim Bolger

John Armstrong: Does National have a Cullen in its ranks?

John Armstrong: Does National have a Cullen in its ranks?

"This is the Cullen that the public has tired of and grown to dislike - the quick-tongued, arrogant-sounding smarty pants who was grudgingly slow to get his head around personal tax cuts."

^Well that's certainly the Cullen I've got to know.  But there's no doubt he's an effective operator - just a shame about his ideology.  In fact with Cullen holding so many important portfolios one wonders what the PM actually does. 

But to answer Armstrong's questions - Bill English first springs to mind.  But in terms of being a Mr Fix-it I reckon none other than John Key will fill that role.  It's going to be interesting to watch which National ministers will shine in their up and coming administration.

 

John Key, Bill English, Michael Cullen

Nandor shatters shackles of time

Nandor shatters shackles of time

"Nandor Tanczos left Parliament yesterday, saying he was going away to cleanse his soul and wouldn't need to know the time any more."

^Cleanse his soul... cleanse it with dope perhaps;).

Referring to Question Time: "It's a time when I'm most ashamed of being a member of Parliament," he said.

"You all know what I'm talking about."

That was a reference to the abusive shouting and bad behaviour that go on during question time.

^I agreed. Nandor was/is my favourite green MP. It's easy to disregard him because of his dreadlocks, but he has many positive qualities. He's not from the psychotic far left of the party and advocates negotiating with both sides of the house. He's apparently pretty onto it with IT issues. He also showed good manners in the house - his dislike of shouting matches is something akin to Don Brash.

As a non-dope smoker I respect his principled stand on the issue, and dare I say it, even his right to smoke dope.


Dope, Nandor Tanczos , Greens

We must go for nuclear power, says AWU | NEWS.com.au

We must go for nuclear power, says AWU NEWS.com.au

""If we are going to be a green Labor government, then we have to look at nuclear," Mr Howes told The Australian newspaper."

"Mr Carr and Mr Howes are pushing for Labor to drop its long-standing policy of rejecting nuclear power. "

"Mr Carr said nuclear power was the critical bridge between the carbon era and energy from renewable resources. "

^Not only are the Australians having the nuclear debate, but it's being debated within the Australian Labor party! Over here Helen Clark has completely shut down debate on this issue within her own party & the nation through scare tactics. It's the hallmark of this PM to put short-term political convenience over the long term needs of the country. She'd rather dick around with anti-smacking laws rather than address the shortfalls in our energy strategy. The irony is that if the lights started going out in NZed, or if the price of electricity sky-rocketed more than it has, domestic violence and smacking is bound to increase.

Nuclear, Climate change

Smack referendum next year, says Clark

Smack referendum next year, says Clark - 26 Jun 2008 - Politics: New Zealand Political News
"will inevitably lead to voter confusion, congestion in polling places and put at risk the timing of the parliamentary count." - According to the PM.

Helen Clark is right, I'm might get confused in the polling booth and hold the pen upside down. Or get disorientated and think I'm in the toilet - which could be embarrassing.

Perhaps Helen Clark should accompany me to the polling booth; make sure I tick the right boxes

Dear Leader, Referendum

Espiner on anti-smacking

On the House - stuff.co.nz:

"It’s ironic that National has escaped unscathed despite also voting for it, but that’s another matter."

Yes it is another matter & political junkies like Colin Espiner well know that oppositions don’t set the legislative agenda. The anti-smacking bill was introduced by Sue Bradford with the complete support of the Prime Minister. John Key took a risk by introducing the inconsequential clause & instructing National MPs to vote for it. So I don’t know where Espiner gets off, I suspect he’s playing devils advocate.

Colin Espiner, Anti-smacking, National

NZ1st arrogance....

If any further evidence was needed to prove NZ First's arrogance, then having Peter Brown shout 'Shut up National' across the house pretty much does it.

Peter Brown has a lot of gore telling 55% of New Zealanders to shut-up because if the latest opinion polls are anything to go by that's the percent of NZers who support National.

It's like a mouse roaring at a lion.

NZ First, Peter Brown

Bad polls for Labour = bad for National?

John Armstrong: Denial not a good look for Labour - 24 Jun 2008 - Politics: New Zealand Political News, Analysis and Comment including 2008 election coverage - NZ Herald: "Seeing [bad polls], voters might desert that party for other options, particularly minor party ones which might be able to constrain a National-led Government.
That was National's fate in 2002 when its vote collapsed to just 21 per cent and NZ First and United Future were the beneficiaries."

As much as I want Labour to be annihilated in the up & coming election, I want them to remain competitive for the following reasons:

1. If a National govt. looks certain, some of their vote may break off to minor parties (as what happened to Labour in 2002).
2. Some of Labour’s collapsed vote may go to Winston Peters - & no body wants that!
3. A close election engerises National & Labour's base, brings out the volunteers, & makes for a fun election e.g. 2005.

In saying that I don’t think National voters are in any mood to risk their vote, regardless what happens to Labour.

So, going by my logic, if I pollster rings & asks who am I voting for, I should say Labour – followed by twenty hail marries & a shower to try and get clean again ;).

Polls,Minor parties,National,Labour

How long does it take to orangise for a petition to go on the ballet?

Smacking petition runs out of time - 24 Jun 2008 - Politics: New Zealand Political News, Analysis and Comment including 2008 election coverage - NZ Herald:

"Asked why it could not be held at the same time as the election, which must be held by November 15, she replied: 'Just in terms of sheer organisation, I do not think that is possible'."

Yeah right. All be it for me to doubt the exulted Dear Leader, but how hard can it be to stick a tick box on the ballet with the question; do you want to repeal the anti-smacking law. Hell I'll even do it for her on Microsft Word & I'll insert some wing dings to really impress her.

For the record, I would hesitate ticking that box. The the main reason I'd tick the box is as a one fingered salute to Sue Bradford & Helen Clark, because the way they went about introducing the S59 anti-smacking bill with their holier than thou approach was insulting to most New Zealanders.


Helen Clark, Smacking petition, Dear Leader, Sue Bradford

What's Helen's plan?

On the House - stuff.co.nz:

"remember when Labour fell well behind National during Don Brash’s meteoric rise to popularity after he took over as leader in 2003. Clark quickly realised that Labour’s affirmative action policies for Maori were a major turnoff for voters, and after initially calling Brash a racist she accepted that Labour had got it wrong and changed tack accordingly."

When National rose in the polls under Don Brash, Labour launched their 'listening' tour of NZed. Helen also made her big 'bring it on' speech. Labour at least appeared determined to hold onto power.

Fast forward to 2008 & National is streets ahead in the polls & Labour is just sitting on it's hands. Is Helen keeping the leadership dogs at bay with a promise of a 'neutron bomb' she plans to drop on National? I hope not, but I guess we'll just have to wait & see.

Technorati Tags: Don Brash,Labour,neutron bomb,polls

Happy with sex ... and Bob Brown | NEWS.com.au

Happy with sex ... and Bob Brown NEWS.com.au:

"The proportion of people wanting more sex and nudity had remained at 10 per cent since 2004."

^only ten pecent ;). The result was taken from the latest Trends in Australian Public Opinion report.

Technorati Tags: Aussies,sex,nudity

PM on Mugabe

Ex-pats lament Tsvangirai's stand down - Newstalk ZB:

"'He's intimidated them from even running and it is a disgraceful, horrific thing that's going on there.'"

^ Agreed. Of course Helen's intensified language is not meant as a distraction from Labour's woeful poll results. Though she's done it before; remember the strongly worded protest Helen & Goff made to Israel over their spies using NZed passports. The protest was much stronger than what MFAT adviced because at the time it was politically covenant to do so.

Technorati Tags: Mugabe,Helen Clark,Isreal,spies,MFAT

Inconvenient truth may sink the Electoral Finance Act

Claire Robinson: Inconvenient truth may sink the Electoral Finance Act - 23 Jun 2008 -
Politics: New Zealand Political News, Analysis and Comment including 2008
election coverage - NZ Herald:

"Once it is acknowledged that a party logo is an advertisement, the implications are immense. Every instance of that logo must be accompanied by the name and address of the promoter, and the expenses that went into its creation must be counted against a party's expenditure limit. Think about where you might have seen party logos already this year. On stationery, cars, electorate offices, pens, backdrops at party conferences, banners."

^ no comment necessary. Surely even EFA supporters must now realise the EFA is bad law.

Technorati Tags: Electoral Finance Act,politics,party logo

Blogspot Experiment

Today I transferred my opinion blog to Blogspot from my Windows Live Space to see if I prefer this platform.

http://ninthfloor.spaces.live.com

I'm also experimenting with a new blog name. I've another blog name in the pipeline if I don't like 'BrashTalk'.

I'll probably duel post on Windows Live Space & Blogspot until I decide which one to keep.

As odd as it seems I actually try & stay loyal to Windows Live products. But eventually even I get frustrated with Microsoft products & find something more user friendly. The thing is Microsoft products have some good features but are let down by not giving their customers flexibility like having multiple Spaces under one passport account.

Other times it can be something small. For example I battled to get the Windows Live Toolbar to work for me i.e. open search results in a new tab & the blogging feature. I emailed Microsoft a couple of times & scoured the web for info., but eventually I gave up & use the Google toolbar. And since I'm using the Google toolbar the natural progression is to use Google products.

Unlike many people I'm not cynical about Microsoft at all. So when they start losing customers like me, then they should really be concerned.

Of course in typical Microsoft fashion they'll probably suddenly improve their products (IE8 beta is just around the corner) & I may regret making the change.

Technorati Tags: Windows live spaces,windows live toolbar,google toolbar,microsoft,user friendly,IE8,blogspot

Good column by Fran O'Sullivan....

The fact that Australia's Labor is pursuing big public/private sector partnerships and kept the increase in government spending to a mere 1 per cent in its debut Budget shows how out of step New Zealand's Labour-led Government has become with international norms, leading New Zealand into a cul de sac, he says.

Fran O'Sullivan: Coalition mates need to be ready for National's vision - 21 Jun 2008 - Politics: New Zealand Political News, Analysis and Comment including 2008 election coverage - NZ Herald

National has been branded as Labour-lite many times, and not without reason, so it's good to read English's alternative vision for New Zealand; one that won't be curtailed by Winston Peters.

Technorati Tags: Fran O'Sullivan,Bill English,Winston Peters,Vision

Humorous line of the week......

"I don't mean to be impudent," said one reporter, "but why are you wearing a kilt?"

Sibley explained: "It has to do with genitalia. If you are on the smaller side, then pants are not uncomfortable."

Obama, his gay accuser and the lawyer in a kilt - New Zealand's source for World News on Stuff.co.nz

Dunno what's he talking about.... pants are well comfortable ;).

Technorati Tags: Obama,humour, small dick

Poll: National shoots ahead in Auckland

Labour is slipping further behind in the key battleground of Auckland, with National opening up a lead of 60 per cent compared with Labour on 27 per cent.

Labour voters still prefer Clark - New Zealand, world, sport, business & entertainment news on Stuff.co.nz

And in the same poll:

In a glimmer of good news for the Government, Labour has retaken the lead over National in Wellington

^hello... bureaucrat city.  But National's lead over Labour in Auckland is massive & significant.  There is a view that whoever wins Auckland wins the country.  However this isn't true because National actually won Auckland last election by a narrow margin.

Pacific Islanders as the only ethnic group now favouring Labour over National.

^the very ethnic group that tipped the scales in favour of Labour last election.  I'm puzzled why this group supports Labour to the extent that they do given Philip Field fiasco.  Also Pacific Islanders tend to be very community based, religious & often socially conservative; hardly in keeping with Labour philosophy.  What I sense is that Pacific Islanders are perhaps ignorant to politics & vote the way their church/community leader tells them.  Labour knows this and are continually wooing/bribing the PI leaders.  I think it's a great irony that Labour's electoral success depends on the stereotype of an ethic group.

Why Labour couldn't introduced a tough new crime bill a year ago.....

Her office later explained to me that while it was true the legislation had been written a year ago, Burton had been “busy” that year and unable to find time to table the bill in Parliament. When I asked what he had been doing, they replied “well, the Electoral Finance Act took up a lot of his time”.

On the House - stuff.co.nz

I always thought that with so much time devoted to drafting the Electoral Finance Bill that something had to give....

What's more important; law & order or fiddling with electoral laws for your own benefit..?  Labour have got to assess the reasons why they're seeking power in the first place.  Because by neglecting law & order they're really betraying themselves.

In the house today

Helen Clark & John Key, back from parliamentary recess, appeared to subtly changed their styles. 

Helen Clark was a touch more conciliatory & actually addressed the questions rather than attacking John Key with condescending rubbish. 

John Key, on the other hand, adopted a more aggressive posture with a showmanship delivery. 

It was an improvement for both politicians.  I suspect Helen has been told to dial back her arrogance in Question Time, but she's going to find that hard with Key going on the attack. 

Talking about Honda rolls out new zero-emission car

Quote

Honda rolls out new zero-emission car

"The biggest obstacles standing in the way of wider adoption of fuel cell vehicles are cost and the dearth of hydrogen fuel stations. For the Clarity's release in California, Honda said it received 50,000 applications through its website but could only consider those living near stations in Torrance, Santa Monica and Irvine."

"The small number of hydrogen fuel stations is the "single limiting factor" for fuel cell vehicles".

Helen should substitute her 'carbon neutral' rhetoric with something a little more realistic such as building hydrogen re-fueling station in Auckland, Christchurch, & Wellington. 

Editorial on the Greens

Editorial: Neglect may cost Labour:

A broader Green Party would build some conservation projects on private property rights and recognise the power of market forces to ensure resources are used sustainably. A party of that stamp would draw support from across the spectrum and could contemplate dealings with any government.

The Green Party needs to move out of left field and become a central player.

If I were to start my own political party, it would be a right-leaning environmental party.  It would encourage ethical buying i.e. the purchase of products which have an ethical objective e.g. carbon neutral, free range eggs, or made in NZed.  Either way it gives the individual the power to decide through the market.

It would give incentives for private individuals to restore environments with native flora using sound ecological principles.  I.e. Kahikatea corridor to allow for movement of native species.  Wetland restoration to purify water etc. 

It would rather put a billion dollars towards cleaning up our environment & helping to save the kiwi than give it to Russia through an emissions trading scheme. 

It would trust NZers to contribute their own money toward environmental causes therefore would advocate the lowest possible tax. 

It would promote and incentivise clean technology which includes nuclear.  It would develop a strategy for introduction of hydrogen cars - nuclear energy is the only efficient way to extract hydrogen from water (electrolysis).  Damming a river to power our cars would be ridiculous.

Just a few ideas .

Don Brash: `I've been hiding too long' - Focus - Sunday Star-Times

 

Don Brash: `I've been hiding too long' (+pics) - Focus - Sunday Star-Times

Dr Brash is my favourite modern politician, so I was eager to read the Sunday Star Times interview with him, the first since he retired from the National Party leadership. 

The interview was a frank & candid reflection on his time in politics.  He revealed his ambitious ideas to scrap the minimum wage, scrap the top tax bracket & cut back on NZ super.  Now if that wasn't enough to put lefties into a tail spin, I don't know what would! 

For the record I actually don't agree with everything he has said, which shows my more moderate standpoint.  For example I don't agree with scrapping the minimum wage.  The labour market isn't competitive enough for employees to demand high wages.  Also young employees often don't know they're being screwed. 

Brash also talked about his regret he didn't unilaterally make some policy decisions, which is a little concerning.  He reckons that if he ran as a conviction politician he may have done better. 

Now I really respect Don & his views, but he sounds frustrated with the process. 

If Don was given a free-hand to run the country would things be better? Absolutely. Probably markedly better.  But you still have to go through the process, as painful as it is.  Of course Brash understands that.  The political process both hinders and helps us.  It hinders us by making it hard to push through tough decisions like cutting backing NZ super (which is inevitable as the population is aging).  But it helps us in the sense that if Keith Lock became leader of the Labour party, most of his communist ideals would have to be left at the door.  I'm pretty sure Clark has toned herself down in order to be Labour leader.

Ultimately I think a Prime Minister Brash is a missed opportunity.  Even constrained by the moderate Nats, he would've reduced the level of government, and returned more responsibility to individuals.  But my main reason for for wanting a PM Brash are his personal attributes.

Former deputy governor Richard Lang on Dr Brash:

His personality was quiet, introverted, retiring.  He was very confident in his own understanding, but never pushy.  Don was polite an sensitive and did not put people down; at times he was a little too generous.  But he had absolute integrity; there was never the slightest doubt that when he said something he meant it.  He was never two-faced.  He dealt with facts not personalities, really got angry, never sarcastic.  If he disagreed with you, he'd sit you down and discuss it in a rational way.  In that way he was enjoyable to work with.

^now doesn't that sound a long way from Helen Clark!

Poll reveals Aussies have little stomach for Climate Change policy

 

Rudd Government slips in opinion poll | NEWS.com.au

The poll also reveals that despite climate change being a key factor in last year's election, most voters do not support a small rise in petrol prices to help combat environmental issues.
The majority of respondents (63 per cent) said they would not support a small rise in the price of petrol if the money raised was used to tackle climate change and increase spending on things like public transport and renewable energy such as solar power.

^what a surprise.  Everyone wants to do something about climate change, but no one wants to pay for it.  Now watch as Aussie Labor slowly backs away from real climate change policy, just as NZed Labour have.  Especially now given the current economic climate.

The left are responsible for whipping up hysteria over climate change, yet do bugger all in power.