I’m not sure how widespread it is for government ministers to refuse attendance at public meetings when they are asked to front for unpopular policies but in the case of Minister of Social Housing Amy Adams it is certainly true.
She has an unpopular policy (selling 2,500 Christchurch state houses) and she is refusing to attend any public meeting where she will face questioning critical of the policy.
Her latest refusal was of an invitation to front on Wednesday evening alongside other political parties at a Christchurch election forum on housing.
We are in the middle of an election campaign and one might think a minister would feel honour bound to attend and present their policy alongside other candidates – not so Adams.
Selling state houses might go down well on the farm (or in Adam’s case one of her many farms) but it doesn’t go down well in cities where people live closer to the social problems created by 30 years of neo-liberal economics.
It seems the minister lacks the courage to justify the policy to any gatherings other than closed-door meetings with well-heeled National Party supporters.
It is unfair on voters, and fundamentally undemocratic, that the minister insists on remaining in her National Party echo chamber where no-one will challenge or criticise the policy.
As well as a failure of courage it’s also an effort to stifle public debate on a critical issue. No minister – no media coverage – nothing to see here – move on.
Are other ministers fronting up around the country or are they avoiding controversy?
(One exception might be Minister of Foreign Affairs Gerry Brownlee who is notorious for refusing to front public meetings in Christchurch. However he has made three appearances at public events in recent weeks raising speculation that National’s polling in his electorate is showing he has some work to do against serious challenges from Labour’s Anthony Rimell and independent candidate Raf Manji (who want to become another Peter Dunne in parliament))
One might think the media would hunt these no-show ministers down but not at all – they reserve that for solo parents (particularly Maori women) who give false information to WINZ to enable them to do the best for their children.
The privileged offspring of wealthy farming families are exempt.
I’m sure you wont see many faces from National from now as they are relying on their master propagandist SS Joyce to cover their arse.
Good for us as this morning Labour’s Grant Roberston had SS Joyce on the ropes and made him look punch drunk & stupid, ha ha ha.
Subject: FW: BEST DEBATE BY LABOUR/NATIONAL ROBERSTON V’s – SS JOYCE -SINCE THE 2017 DEBATE BEGUN; A MUST WATCH.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/338857/watch-live-finance-debate-national-vs-labour
TO; Grant Robertson; – ‘labour shadow Finance.’
Subject; Radio NZ Labour/National finance debate.
7/9/2017
Grant;
Congratulations Grant Robertson on your effort on morning report Radio NZ show today.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/338857/watch-live-finance-debate-national-vs-labour
Though we couldn’t hear all your responses (due to the voluminous over-bearing interjections of Steven Joyce), we all agree you was simply brilliant with your presentation.
Keep it up please.
Seems like a running theme for the Nats this time around. Maggie Barry was a conspicuous no-show at the North Shore candidates debate in Devonport a few weeks ago. Given the amount of ill will towards her and her party in the room I’m not surprised she chickened out.
Yet more exposure of National’s duplicity and a compliant media. Thank you John.
That last sentence is a good dig.
No show no go amy adams who I noticed is looking worse for wears on tv must be all the lying wearing her down aye John?
National ministers can’t handle forums where their supporters haven’t already been bussed in before hand. Ministers that are truly interested in their charges would have the courage of their convictions.
Or maybe she had a “prior engagement”??
I dont know how many farms Amy Adams owns but I have read that she wns 6 houses. Isn’t that obscene coming from the Minister for Social Housing?
Well said John, this rabble need to get the boot !
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