Inquiry will miss the main issue which keeps us at risk
The most worrying aspect of the commission of inquiry into the Christchurch shootings is that the terms of reference give too much room for our security agencies – the SIS and GCSB – to hide.
Setting the Agenda
Political analysis and commentary shaping the progressive debate in Aotearoa New Zealand, focused on power, policy, and accountability.
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Phil Twyford the privatiser of state assets
I used to feel a bit sorry for Minister of Housing Phil Twyford being blamed for failing to deliver something he can’t control – the market price for housing. When Labour was elected the market had already driven prices to the unaffordable level for the vast majority.But when he started taking Housing NZ land that should be used for more state housing to achieve that goal he became another privatiser of state assets.
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Add ‘Trade for All’ to the list of government sell-outs
Some have asked why my radio silence over recent months. Simple. Once it became clear that I could have zero influence on this government’s trade and investment policy, I have been working where I can make a difference. There are other governments, international institutions, and influencers who are genuinely rethinking the current rule-book and resisting moves to make it even worse.
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Dave Macpherson: Same mental health system, with the same creaking around the edges
The problem to date is that, apart from a literal handful of pilot/trials, no new initiatives have yet started as a result of these findings, and the Government itself has three times delayed the release of its statement as to what it will be doing, now tieing that in with the upcoming budget. And the thing about budgets is that they do not get things started immediately – very often the earliest implementation of budget initiatives happens the next financial year (after April 1) or, if you’re lucky, in the new calendar year.
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Fragile, finite ….fucked?
The underwhelming decision on climate change follows the disappointments of the non-binding marijuana referendum, timid welfare responses, the jettison of a recommended capital-gains based redistributive tax system, labour reform limitations, and KiwiBuild’s failure to deliver affordable homes, I’m too cynical to expect much improvement in frameworks to protect endangered species from extraction, waste or exploitation.
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Open letter to Winston Peters
We are appalled the government appears to be considering an even closer relationship with Israel despite the ongoing theft of Palestinian land, the ongoing brutal Israeli military occupation of the West Bank and the siege of Gaza while Israel continues to thumb its nose at international law and United Nations resolutions.
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Unite Union accuses Immigration Minister of breaking promise to Chinese construction workers
Unite Union has accused Immigration New Zealand of doing nothing to help a group of 50 Chinese workers brought to New Zealand by National Personnel Limited and their agent Peter Li.
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Dave Macpherson – Media Information: Waikato DHB Board members Gill & Macpherson release letter to Health Minister regarding his intention to sack Board
The Minister of Health requested submissions by May 3rd from Waikato DHB regarding his intention to replace the Board with a Commissioner.On April 30th the two elected Board members who have not offered their resignations, Mary Anne Gill and Dave Macpherson, sent the Minister the attached letter as their submission.Gill and Macpherson received acknowledgement of receipt of their letter from the Minister’s office some days ago.
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I am not a conspiracy theorist but……
Releasing the Welfare Expert Advisory Group report at 2pm Friday (3rd May) just before the weekend at a far-flung West Auckland venue miles from the train station was a masterstroke of political strategy.
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Dr Liz Gordon – The Bob and Dave roadshow
This is not good enough. Ratepayers need to see a proper, complete, financial accounting of the Henderson saga, and of what it has cost, from first to last. There is a new Council now, a different Mayor and new policies. I would like to see the Christchurch City Council do a public reckoning to its ratepayers of what this iniquitous and shambolic deal cost us, first and last.