General Debate 5 March 2014

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RRM

Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Judith Collins is giving her husband’s products the NZ Govt seal of approval in CHINA at our expense and that’s just fine. Meanwhile Mojo Mathers goes to Masterton to speak to the NZ public and somehow that’s a flagrant waste of taxpayers’ money.

The double standard is striking and can only be explained by party allegiance.

This is exactly why I didn’t immediately join the Taxpayers Union.

I wondered whether it would actually stay true to its stated objectives, or would it just be a partisan National Party lap dog.

I guess I have my answer now. It’s a pretty disappointing one.
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March 5, 2014 8:02am
big bruv

Has Len Brown resigned yet?

Has Matt McCarten paid his taxes yet?
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March 5, 2014 8:09am
Bovver

That’s alright RRM, you go have a good cry. Explain again how your spin as product approval in China is at the NZ taxpayers expense.
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March 5, 2014 8:10am
big bruv

Nothing to see here, move along please.
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March 5, 2014 8:14am
igm

RRM: You are a typical left-wing envious loser. What in hell is wrong with some help marketing a NZ product; after all, your ilk reap dividends, via benefits, State houses, children’s school breakfasts, etc. Where does this money come from?
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March 5, 2014 8:16am
KiwiGreg

LOL RRM you hit a nerve! It’s not a good look for Collins but she almost certainly didnt approve the use of her name by the company.
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March 5, 2014 8:20am
RRM

Bovver: She was in China on Min. of Justice business therefore at our expense.

Somehow found time to “drop in on” Hubby’s Shanghai office and make a show of drinking a glass of the product in front of the assembled congregation, signifying… nothing at all! Yeah right.

When I’m travelling on business, I’m getting paid, so I’m working. The whole time. I’m not making social calls. I’m especially not making social calls that further my personal projects. So where is the Taxpayer Union on this?
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March 5, 2014 8:23am
igm

I have heard some pathetic left-wing rhetoric, but Hughes’ protector King, this morning gained top honours in these stakes on NewstalkZB. Would by any chance she be related to Lecher Len? . . . she has similar traits, in more ways than one.
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March 5, 2014 8:23am
peterwn

Judith allegedly ‘may have’ breached the Cabinet Manual – the accusers are not sure and TVNZ did not want to spoil a good story by getting a comment from a constitutional expert (not the Palmer clan!).

Now as far as I can see the Cabinet Manual deals with the Prime Minister’s and Cabinet’s expectations of ministers and also prescribes the procedures and processes that should normally be followed when dealing with Cabinet (eg form of submission and associated reports when seeking Cabinet approval for something). Cabinet is free to ignore, amend or even re-write the Cabinet Manual as it chooses. If a minister allegedly breaches the Manual, this would be a matter for the Prime Minister to sort out, he or she may think there is no issue and just carry on. Neither the Privileges Committee nor the courts are responsible for enforcing the Manual in this regard.

Judith’s incident is just one storm in a milk glass was public (at least in China) and any personal benefit would be trivial. The Cabinet Manual clause is designed to cover significant cases of corruption done in secret, not trivia.

There is one exception to the above – the Cabinet Manual outlines the role and limitations of caretaker governments and a caretaker administration needs to abide by this.

Anyone got any other views on the role and status of the Cabinet Manual?
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March 5, 2014 8:25am
stigie

That photo of Trevor Mallard on your blog site PG with him looking damn sad and down in the dumps.

What was that all about ? Could it be that he knows that his extended time at the trough is almost up !!~
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March 5, 2014 8:31am
RF

igm. 8.23am. The old tusker King was gabbling again on Mike Hoskings show this morning. Please god let her stay as she is one of Nationals secret weapons. Her theme was that everyone was picking on poor wee David and then threw in Goof & Shearer receiving the same treatment. Cry me a river.
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March 5, 2014 8:33am
flipper

As I said a few mins ago on another KB thread…( RRM take note)…..

flipper (3,173 comments) says:

March 5th, 2014 at 8:02 am

I am no fan of the Auckland tax lawyer, but on this issue she has been done wrong by the left wing trolls and left wing MSmedia seeking to “balance” their news shows..

If she did not endorse the products sold by Oravida while in China – or any other New Zealand company – I would have added that to my list of criticisms.

The issue is total bullshit, and the fact that Oravida donated to National is irrelevant because companies donate to most political parties. (Hell even John Todd’s dynasty gave the stupid red melons money and they are no friends of the oil industry).

If this breaches some esoteric Cabinet manual (which has no statutory or regulatory standing) rule then the manual needs amendment – before lunchtime.

The issue has served one useful purpose : It has enabled idiots like rossie69 and the psycho one to waste time and diverted them from attempting to defend the indefensible Cunners/McCarten party.
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March 5, 2014 8:34am
igm

RRM: Like ross69, the only business you know anything about would be collecting taxpayers’ benefits. I doubt that you could even prepare and complete a GST return.
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March 5, 2014 8:35am
Harriet

It’s easy to be an idealist living in the university bubble while the tax payers are putting money into your education and bank account.

When that ends, for most, so does the idealism. The rest are employed by Big Academia government,where the idealists replenish the retireing servants.
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March 5, 2014 8:36am
Elaycee

@RRM: I think you’ve forgotten a few important points:

According to all reports, one of the main objectives of the China trip was to remove any lingering smell from the Fonterra debacle. The PM made this clear on the eve of his departure. So, too, did hard left broadcaster Barry Soper. So when Collins stopped off on her way to the airport and drank a glass of milk at Oravida, she was supporting another NZ (dairy) product – an action I would ‘expect’ from any competent Minister of the Crown.

The case of Mojo Mathers, however, is totally different. She wanted to do an interview on a low rent / very low audience radio station based in Masterton and said she had to travel there so she could lip read the questions. So the trip involved air travel / use of car etc so she could be there in person. In the case of Mathers, I believe she grandstands – because I doubt the trip would have been made if she was paying for it personally.

I have a profoundly deaf mate who has said Mathers could have ‘lip read’ any questions put to her if she was interviewed via Skype. Because that’s how my mate converses with friends around NZ (and abroad). Not hard.

So, on one hand we have a Minister of the Crown stopping off on the way to the airport and endorsing a NZ dairy product (at the end of a high level, Ministerial) trip that was aimed at putting out any residual ‘Fonterra’ fires) and on the other hand we have a total WOFTAM by a grandstanding MP.

Can you not see the difference?
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March 5, 2014 8:36am
flipper

Peterwn…
That pretty much sums it.
It is not worth ,much other than as paper outside the Executive Branch.
See my comment above.
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March 5, 2014 8:37am
mjw

RRM – I agree with. I would have liked to support the taxpayer union, but was a bit uncertain how it would play out. My fears have been justified.
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March 5, 2014 8:38am
Keeping Stock

Well done Cameron Slater. How is David Cunliffe going to explain this away?

http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2014/03/much-labours-ict-policy-dotcom-write/
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March 5, 2014 8:40am
Harriet

“……When I’m travelling on business, I’m getting paid, so I’m working. The whole time. I’m not making social calls. I’m especially not making social calls that further my personal projects. So where is the Taxpayer Union on this?….”

40minutes @ say $300 per hour.

And you ask where the taxpayer union is on this?

Your’re joking right RRM ?
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March 5, 2014 8:43am
thedavincimode

RRM

I’m not sure that she actually went there specifically to promote the product 😉

I agree with KiwiGreg up to a point. But her husband is an independent director who is, presumably, receiving directors fees like the other directors which ordinarily would be fixed and not linked to performance (as in the case of, say management). They have no pecuniary interest in the company. The options would have been to refuse any Ministerial visit (not just Collins – all Ministers including the PM given the Ministerial connection) which would have the effect of penalising the company relative to other exporters merely by virtue of Collins’ husband being a director. Alternatively, her husband needed to resign as a director. I think this is very close to the line but as KiwiGreg says, she didn’t authorise that statement and has asked that it be removed. It isn’t, for example, anything like interfering in Health Board contracts when you are a Minister and your husband is a director and shareholder in a contracting party who stands to benefit.

But with the benefit of hindsight from this and the Fonterra shambles, it illustrates that they need to think more carefully about the ground rules for Government representatives doing this sort of thing generally. For example, what happens when a Government representative is perceived to be promoting the product and it turns out to be unsafe? Government gets egg on face as well as the exporter.
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March 5, 2014 8:44am
RRM

igm – shows what you know 🙂

Harriet – well $800 is enough to get the TU out of bed when the left is spending it…?
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March 5, 2014 8:44am
Paulus

Good to see that the Roman Catholic, who lost a High Court case last year on the subject, is till trying to interfere with the Anglican Churches decision on the Christchurch Cathedral rebuild, by introducing an overseas person, of possible suspect history to pay to rebuild.
Bloody Jim Anderton – mind your own business – keep your mate out of it, she should be concentrating on the Mayoralty.
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March 5, 2014 8:46am
Scott Chris

Personally I applaud Collins for being efficient whilst I condemn Mathers for wasting jetfuel, and in doing so contravening her own moral code.
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March 5, 2014 8:53am
All_on_Red

RRM,
For me it’s not so much the waste of money by Mathers but the hypocrisy. The Greens bang on about technology being used to avoid burning fossil fuels and yet she eschews that to travel all that way. And offsetting does not avoid the fact that if she used Skype the travel was not necessary.
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March 5, 2014 8:57am
Keeping Stock

So: if Kim Dotcom helped to write Labour’s ICT policy, is he or someone acting on his behalf one of the anonymous donors to David Cunliffe’s leadership war chest? And is that why David Cunliffe appointed himself to the ICT spokesmanship, then sent Clare Curran to Coatesville?

And will we get any answers out of Greg Presland? Such fun 😀
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March 5, 2014 8:59am
Pete George

Murray McCully has emphatically stated that he has not had any intention of giving up his East Coast Bays electorate to Colin Craig. So where did that story come from? Just Craig trying to talk himself into it?

Were National ever going to help Craig?

Does this explain why Craig seems to be going all out on his defamation case against Russel Norman? A new strategy?
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March 5, 2014 9:01am
Pete George

It’s interesting to see ‘Zetetic’ pushing the Collins/Orvida story at The Standard.
http://thestandard.org.nz/collins-and-oravida/

And the visit to the Orvida office was in October last year? Funny it suddenly became a story yesterday.
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March 5, 2014 9:06am
Harriet

Mccarten/Cunliffe/Norman are that desperate that they might give a strike or two to tax evaders.

Their voters would fucken lap that up with ‘child poverty’ ‘wealth disparity’ and ‘low income families’ being such a serious matter. This is an easy sell to the lo-fos!

Afterall, Wussle says tax evasion is far worse than burglary. He DID say that y’know! 😎

The pay-off is that everyone else who lays in between and who rip people off can then join them in jail. 😎
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March 5, 2014 9:11am
twofish

The Cunlist, drawn from ever-multiplying sources
_____________

• Sinking ship promises removal of sunken ship – We will make the Rena’s owner pay through any means possible

• 50,000 kids living in poverty today will get $60 a week if they are born after April 1, 2016
 • Cunliffe’s leader-election trust fund is so transparent you can Banks on it.

• Oops – need to give the money back to two of them – wealthy business persons too embarrassed to be linked to me.
 • You can’t have a Royal Visit too close to the Election, so the 2014 Election will now be in 2015.
 • Our man-ban for a 50-50 balance of Labour members would only be illegal if we advertise it … like in a … er, um … Election.
 • 36 wells were drilled in the EEZ between 1999 and 2008 with no legislation in place to protect the environment, but “Shit, we were really thinking about it”, and if only we had time …

• And Len Brown isn’t really a Labour man, he’s just Left – well, no he’s not even left, because he says he not going anywhere.

• Selwyn Pellett (owner of “independent” Scoop News) … so that’s a sccop … for someone else.

• Could consider defying deportation law … Well, Winston went and groveled to Kim Dotcom, so why not us?

• “Common man” – lives in NZ’s most expensive street in a $2.5m mansion, then claims it is a do-up.

• Along with Greens, sabotaged electricity share market [nationalization?] to give the Government only a partial return on partial sales.

• On communications: communicate you policy to the enemy – ICT spokeswoman Clare Curran’s staff accidentally emailed the documents to Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams. [It included proposals such as a fixed monthly allocation of broadband for every citizen, something babies can spend their $60 a week on – is this written by Kim Dotcom? – a Digital Bill of Rights, and a levy on telecommunications companies or internet service providers to fund New Zealand digital content.]

• What’s my view on the Christchurch Cathedral? I don’t know. Jim is not talking to us after we hired Matt.

Kī tōnu taku waka topaki i te tuna
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March 5, 2014 9:15am
Manolo

AGW has hit the Niagara Falls: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2572681/Niagara-Falls-comes-frozen-halt-AGAIN-subfreezing-temperatures-freeze-millions-gallons-water-normally-flow-Falls.html
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March 5, 2014 9:18am
Bovver

I believe it’s called deflecting PG, trying to take some of the heat off poor DC who is now too afraid to front on Red Radio.
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March 5, 2014 9:44am
Keeping Stock

David Cunliffe’s not going to like what the poll alongside this story is telling him…

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9789728/Cunliffes-worst-day
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March 5, 2014 9:45am
Bovver

Or this one

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/john-armstrong-on-politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502865&objectid=11213986

Perception is everything in politics, he is losing the plot.
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March 5, 2014 9:53am
OneTrack

mjw/RRM – ” I would have liked to support the taxpayer union”

I find that hard to believe. All I can see is an attempt to bash the Taxpayers Union because you disagree with the concept of an independent organisation pointing out wasteful spending.

Re The poor, deaf girl. The great NZ Herald are on mjw and RRMs side as well, and when they heard about the Masterton trip, they eagerly rang the TU to get a sound bite “Heh we can get Jordan to say he doesn’t think travelling to Masterton from the south island for a half hour radio show is a good use of taxpayers money, and then we can show how heartless he is. We’ll get those neolibs”.

OK, we get the message. Deaf people are special and cannot be criticised.
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March 5, 2014 10:02am
Pete George

There could be more to the Mojo goes to Masterton – particularly who initiated the story. Masterton apparently has a Labour friendly editor, and three Labour MPs visited Masterton last Saturday (the story was published on Sunday. Robertsom, Hipkins, Mallard.

The Mojo story and a Masterton coincidence
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March 5, 2014 10:14am
Andrei

Best laugh I’ve had in ages
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March 5, 2014 10:15am
dime

“When I’m travelling on business, I’m getting paid, so I’m working. The whole time. I’m not making social calls. I’m especially not making social calls that further my personal projects. So where is the Taxpayer Union on this?”

Really? your job must suck RRM.

When Dime travels, quite often he is out drinking a ton of piss in the evenings.

“So where is the Taxpayer Union on this?”

so you want them to point out the cost of visiting a factory while in shanghai?

PRESS RELEASE:

JUDITH COLLINS WASTES TAX PAYER MONEY

While in Shanghai, Collins had her driver take her to a factory.

The driver and vehicle were costing $500 a day. We calculate the cost of the trip to the office was 30 bucks.
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March 5, 2014 10:23am
stephieboy

Climate Change crock of the week : the effect of climate change on Ski businesses with severe weather extremes. This is understood to be caused by a warming North Pole affecting the Jet stream , bringing instability and unpredictable severe weather patterns such as this ski resort.
Note many Ski resorts in North America having to invests thousands in Snow making machines.
The effects therefore at the Niagra falls comes as no surprise

http://climatecrocks.com/2014/03/04/climate-change-tough-on-michigan-ski-towns/
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March 5, 2014 10:24am
stephieboy

Andrei, since you appear to be pro Putin what do you think Pres Obama should exactly do.?
The Russians recently fired an ICBM into central Asia.
Significance,?
Do you think behind Ukrainiann aspirations and resentments etc is the bitter memory and history of the Holodomor.?

,
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March 5, 2014 11:01am
grumpyoldhori

Was DPF suggesting that if only Reagan was president the Russians would not dare go into the Crimea ?
When the Russians shot down a South Korean airliner Reagan did what ?

As for people who believe airstrikes by the yanks would work, are you completely mad, any airfield that the yank f-22s took off from would get a large dose of cruise missiles.
Unlike the normal countries the yanks attack the Russians can hit back.
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March 5, 2014 11:09am
mandk

@ Keeping Stock,
The 9.2% who think Cunliffe is doing a good job are all National supporters.
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March 5, 2014 11:17am
Andrei

Do you think behind Ukrainiann aspirations and resentments etc is the memory and history of the Hodomor.?

No – because

(1) the ~~Hodomor~~ Holodomor has been sold as a genocide against Ukrainians but in fact was one of a number of famines that occurred across the Soviet Union in the early thirties

(2) Ground zero for the opposition movement is in Galicia which of course was part of Poland back then.

Its a genuine bad memory from a bad time but people who use it to stir up ethnic antagonism are rogues and scoundrels as all who stir up ethnic rivalries are
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March 5, 2014 11:21am
Keeping Stock

Dead right mandk – I think he’s doing such a good job as Leader of the Opposition, he should be given the job in perpetuity 😀
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March 5, 2014 11:21am
bhudson

There could be more to the Mojo goes to Masterton – particularly who initiated the story.

I suspect the world has moved on. There is no more mileage in this for anyone.
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March 5, 2014 11:28am
Manolo

An article that should be read by the Luddite Norman: http://www.spectator.co.uk/australia/australia-leading-article/9143322/breaking-windows/
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March 5, 2014 11:29am
stephieboy

Andre , your absolutely and totally wrong about the man made famine in the Ukraine 1932-33. Modern Historian Robert Conquest has written extensively about the subject and leaves no doubt that it was artificial and part of Stalin’s, not only collectivization policy ,but Moscow’s determination to ruthlessly any nationalistic or ethnic aspirations within the Soviet Union.
Repeat ,the Famine of of 132-3 was a deliberate act of Stalin and state policy to enforce collectivization and crush Ukrainian Natioanl aspirations Millions upon millions were starved to death

http://www.amazon.com/The-Harvest-Sorrow-Collectivization-Terror-Famine/dp/0195051807

Note also the fate meted out to the Crimean Tatars a about t the same time. Half a million were forcibly removed from the Crimea by Stalin. Interestingly the Ukrainian Govt has allowed them to return to the Crimea ,their traditional homeland.

http://www.iccrimea.org/scholarly/jopohl.html
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March 5, 2014 11:49am
Manolo

Another true parasite fails: http://entertainment.msn.co.nz/article.aspx?id=8809086
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March 5, 2014 11:57am
SPC

“The Russian military says it has test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile, as tension continues over Ukraine’s Crimea region.”

You know what happened the last time someone said there are people to the south of my capital who are also Korean and then fired off a missile. Maybe Dennis Rodman can visit the Kremlin and then be a go between Putin and the tall Ukrainian, before someone’s uncle dies.

More considered comments can be made, but this seems an appropriate first reaction, to the look we are prepared to demonstrate that we and our concerns must taken seriously.
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March 5, 2014 11:59am
stigie

Now he is pissing people off over at the Strandard…. No surprises there !~

“..Time to roll another free smoke….”

..indeed..!..isn’t is always that ‘time’..?

..and ‘free’..?..eh..?..

..on one level..maybe..

(and really..being as piss-weak as you are..i wd really advise you go near nothing more addictive than nicotine..(which is pretty much everything else..)..eh..?

..(and as for ‘the science’ ‘proving’ yr whinge..?

..snigger/snort..!..eh..?..

..you mean that article you linked to from ‘smokers’-weekly’..?..)

..phillip ure..
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March 5, 2014 12:07pm
Pete George

I suspect the world has moved on. There is no more mileage in this for anyone.

Don’t bet on it – this will keep being used to bash the TU and National with. For example today at The Standard:

Taxpayers Union attacks Prince George

This one is a bit corny but ACT, Jamie Whyte and John Key are targeted. And it’s unlikely to be the end of it.
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March 5, 2014 12:15pm
mandk

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/9792676/The-damage-bare-hands-can-do

What exactly does someone have to do before they get sent to prison nowadays?

The judge said that the sentence should not be seen as a slap on the wrist with a wet bus ticket, but that is precisely how it will be seen.
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March 5, 2014 12:17pm
Pete George

Meanwhile mickysavage shows that he still has a sense of humour after a challenging day yesterday.

Craig launches defamation case against Key

In a letter to Mr Key, Craig’s lawyers alleged the statement “harms his reputation in that it says that he is weak and thin skinned and implies that he believes Elvis is alive and that the moon landing was faked.”

In a later move Craig said announced that the claim would be split into two parts as a strategic move. ”The cynic might say I’m just wanting to cherry-pick. There is an element of that in the strategy of it all. But his comments were absolutely wrong and they’re no less wrong because we’re putting a quarter of the case on hold.”

Mr Craig said including Mr Key’s comment about Elvis being alive in the claim would be costly and time-consuming because National would seek the thousands of emails and documents Mr Craig held in relation to the issue.

No Elvises were harmed in the writing of that post.
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March 5, 2014 12:19pm
dime

“Meanwhile mickysavage shows that he still has a sense of humour”

Ive never seen anything but bitterness displayed by that clown.
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March 5, 2014 12:21pm
SPC

The smartest move Putin could make now would be to say that if Crimea was part of Russia, Russia would allow the continued migration of Tartars back to Crimea from Central Asia.
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March 5, 2014 12:27pm
Pete George

Waikato Times editorial:

Ms Mathers’ $550 journey to the Wairarapa is a spit in the bucket. There are bigger rat-holes out there, much more worthy of the yapping from self-appointed watchdogs who claim to be politically independent in promoting the interests of taxpayers.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/opinion/9785618/Bigger-fish-to-fry-than-Mathers

And so it will go on.
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March 5, 2014 12:29pm
gump

@Andrei

“Its a genuine bad memory from a bad time but people who use it to stir up ethnic antagonism are rogues and scoundrels as all who stir up ethnic rivalries are”

——————–

The Vatican is one of thirteen states that officially recognise the Holodomor as a genocide.

Doe the Catholic Church count in your list of rogues and soundrels?

And just so we are clear on this – you do realise that Pope Francis wrote a book that acknowledges the Holodomor as one of the three major genocides in the twentieth century?
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March 5, 2014 12:29pm
ShawnLH

At the risk of being down voted into purgatory, I think RRM has a fair point. I don’t think politicians should promote specific companies while on taxpayer funded government business.
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March 5, 2014 12:38pm
Andrei

Note also the fate meted out to the Crimean Tatars a about t the same time. Half a million were forcibly removed from the Crimea by Stalin.

Wrong again, they were moved during WW2 because they collaborated or appeared to have collaborated with the Germans.
As you may know, probably don’t there was a major battle for Crimea during the second world war which lasted many months and cost a great many lives, particularly among Russians who according to historical revisionists on 21st century blogs didn’t live there yet, despite having been there for more than 200 years

Same thing happened to the Ingush, Chechens and other Caucasians as well as in Kalmykia even though the Wehrmacht never got that far.

Of course Stalin was a Georgian, well his mother was Ossetian and his protege Khrushchev was an Ukrainian – this period of history is sometimes known as Stalin’s Terror and nobody was immune from it

Another thing that happened during those years was the demolishing of Russian Orthodox Churches, including of course the great Church of Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow……
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March 5, 2014 12:40pm
ShawnLH

It looks like Putin has blinked. Recent statements from the Kremlin and the head of the Russian navy in Crimea suggest they are backing off from any military invasion. Putin’s not much of a strongman if Obama can face him down.
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March 5, 2014 12:44pm
Manolo

The petty crim and lifelong bludger Ure is creating havoc at The sub-Standard.
Some snippets about him follow:

Phillis, you didn’t Stop, you simply Swapped, addictions that is, based upon the availability of supply and your personal finances you are in fact as much a filthy Junky as you were when you were pinging the shit up your arm via a needle.

i didn’t know that they give out arts degrees for bullshit Phillis, a degree in the arts majoring in bullshit, ha ha ha, what an Ure-head…

“te reo speakers will know the word ‘ure’ means penis/power” I’d agree with that. Phil you really are a penis.

Apparently, the “delicate” Lynn Prentice loves and tolerates him. Thank God KB got rid of the bastard!
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March 5, 2014 12:46pm
cha

Next..

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/russia-tries-to-keep-moldova-from-getting-close-to-eu-a-956597.html

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BhvjCP0IcAAtLvu.jpg:large
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March 5, 2014 12:48pm
ShawnLH

“te reo speakers will know the word ‘ure’ means penis/power”

Oh dear, Phil actually said that? He really is not playing with a full deck.
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March 5, 2014 12:50pm
stigie

Dont speak too soon Manolo, he may just be banned from the Strandard shortly, and

might find his way back to Kiwiblog….Wont that be fun and games…eh…?
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March 5, 2014 1:02pm
Gulag1917

Geo-political shift
“a new alliance – one that includes Russia, China, Germany, Japan, and possibly Australia. Geographically this is plausible; from a technology, commodity, labor, and market standpoint, this is immensely reasonable; geo-politically, one of the main desires is a check on the US position in the world”
http://bionicmosquito.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/one-of-many-possible-worlds.html
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March 5, 2014 1:08pm
stephieboy

Andrei , there is no evidence that the Crimean Tatars as a nation collaborated with the Nazis Yes there were some elements who collaborated but many, many more fought alongside the Red Army.
Collaboration with the Nazis was a highly contentious issue and a variety of Nationalities were implicated and accused , including Cossacks and Russians elements themselves.
There were no appeals , investigations or hearings just a broad stroke tar brush blaming and stigmatizing a whole nation..
Yes the Russians have been present in the Crimea for 200 years or so but the Tatars go much, much beyond that.
Russian Orthodox Cathedrals were abolished but isn’t i great to see most of these restored post 1991 .
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March 5, 2014 1:26pm
Gulag1917

Spy agency slow to put fixes in place
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11213992
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8jphxpi1ro
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March 5, 2014 1:36pm
cha

Nice:
/

Vova, who would doubt that you’ll be in front. All rear settle Narov. Kabaeva hide yourself under her skirt)))

http://youtu.be/-0vTuWhMULw

https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPR/status/440987986193182720/photo/1
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March 5, 2014 1:46pm
stephieboy

This fascinating interview with the son of Nikita Krushchev , Sergie is a timely reminder how cool heads need to prevail in the Ukrainian Crises and not the boots in all approach of Fox News, the Tea Party and their fan base here ,

http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2587905/ukraine-commentator-professor-sergie-khruschev
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March 5, 2014 3:15pm
twofish

Cunlist continued as it will –

roughly from Whale Oil –

During the maiden voyage of the Titanic in 1912 Cunliffe was in charge of observing for obstacles.
‘Look, I’ll admit it was an oversight, but we have systems in place now to ensure that sort of thing won’t happen again.’

Memos also show that Cunliffe was responsible for admitting a large wooden horse inside the gates of Troy, leading to the overthrow and destruction of the city.
‘It was an inadvertent mistake to allow the (Green) Greek forces inside the city gates, and unfortunately the smouldering pile of rubble we were left with no longer fully represented the values that I would have liked the city to have.’

When asked for a comment on these matters Grant Robertson was keen to point out that he had no such mistakes to hide. ‘Finally, a lifetime of never having done anything is paying off!’

• Meanwhile, late last night Labour’s chief press secretary Simon Cunliffe confirmed that the email [Labour’s Internet policy written by Kim Dotcom, the large German with a 72 page Court of East Virginia Grand Jury indictment against him] sent in error, actually came not from Curran’s office, but from that of the Labour leader.

• And there is the “little old Christchurch man with the highly accurate memory, fuck him, who would remind us of the Tweet Cunliffe made last Election Day to “Get out and vote for Labour” illegal as it was. What has changed?

Does Matt McCarten at the moment fell like Chicken Little?
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March 5, 2014 4:10pm
cha

Charming.
/

This man is defending Ukraine from fascism.calls me a prostitute,says go back to Jews and gays who sent you here pic.twitter.com/gSlax0LfFl

https://twitter.com/antelava/statuses/440842693959487489
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March 5, 2014 4:16pm
you reap what you sow

LOL…….If Putin was PM of kiwi land he would be invading Australia to stop the OZ exploitation of Kiwis. At least that would be the line, of course it would be nothing to do with their resources!!!
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March 5, 2014 4:20pm
tom hunter

… the boots in all approach of Fox News, the Tea Party and their fan base here

Some days ago on a Ukrainian thread I posted some links about this and finished with the following comment:

The Google search for “tea party opposition to Syria attack” generates another 8 million hits like these, so there’s no excuse for repeating the ignorant claim that they’re pro-war.

While there’s still no excuse, it’s obvious that come people have a learning disability, so here it is again:

From the Left: Antiwar.com: Progressives, Tea Party United to Oppose Syria War

The Tea Party has been at least as successful in the House, if not moreso, and is also fueling opposition to the war in the Senate, usually more sensitive to the demands of party leadership and less to the American voters.

They even managed to convince Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R – KY) away from supporting the war, warning him that he could face a dangerous primary battle in 2014 if he supports the war …

… and the Right:

The virtually unanimous sentiment of Tea Party activists appears to be leading public opinion throughout the country in its opposition to American military attacks on Syria …

Idiot.
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March 5, 2014 4:41pm
kowtow

Here ya go ,German anti carbon govt policy destroying power companies.

http://www.dw.de/german-utility-company-rwe-posts-worst-results-in-over-60-years/a-17471228
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March 5, 2014 5:30pm
twofish

How it works –

Cunliffe, in the American-style primary run-off against Shane Jones and the other guy, sets up a trust fund for donations, swearing under Labour rules to keep contributor’s names anonymous [eat yer heart out John Banks], but defying Standing Orders of Parliament, now gets found out and but solves the whole problem by paying money back to the two of the five, who are apparently to so ashamed or too devious to have their names revealed.

Fixed.

Fuck, NO ! …

The money was spent, Cunliffe won the leadership – fucking shonkey as the American-style primary run-off was, with the three nutbars running around the nation spouting policy that was not approved by the annual Labour conference – but, it is done.
Giving the money back, post-use, doesn’t undo the process which offends under Standing Orders.
So where is the Parliamentary come back?
Does Cunliffe think we are all fucking stupid, and when will the Speaker catch up?
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March 5, 2014 5:31pm
igm

On NewstalkZB with Mike this morning, King was slithering around trying to blame National for the demise and sale of Railways. Labour closed workshops, Labour sold Rail, and National signed the sale off as Labour were dumped by the electorate before the sale was closed. Does she not remember the impassioned speech of Russell Marshall? “If East Town Workshops Close I Will Resign”, and like all swill snouting Labourites, he stayed at the taxpayers’ trough. This pathetic Labour trough snouter King has been there too long, being as big liar as Cunliffe.
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March 5, 2014 5:33pm
Manolo

If this guy were a New Zealasnder he would be a proud member of the teacher’s union and Labour Party: http://news.msn.co.nz/worldnews/8809595/teacher-caught-masturbating-in-front-of-students

A teacher has been charged with public indecency, risk of injury to a minor and breach of the peace after being caught masturbating in front of children.
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March 5, 2014 6:01pm
Viking2

http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/65894-rena-piece-awaiting-lift.html
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March 5, 2014 6:01pm
big bruv

Twitter is on fire, strong rumours that something is brewing with the Labour leadership.
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March 5, 2014 6:10pm
Pete George

Nothing major, just another wee Cunliffe trust that he was a bit lax in declaring.
2 2
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March 5, 2014 6:25pm
duggledog

Ha ha Big Bruv, that will make, what, leader #5 for Key to see off? As I keep saying: Labour = dog tucker.

National governs alone 2014. Go to the country JK.
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March 5, 2014 6:29pm
big bruv

I note that Micky Savage has been very quiet over at the Standard today.

I do so enjoy watching Labour self destruct.
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March 5, 2014 6:36pm
Pete George

bb – did you know that he was named in 3 News tonight as being responsible for advising Cunliffe he didn’t need to disclose the trust?

Ah, yes, you do know that.
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March 5, 2014 6:38pm
nickb

What a shambles….trouble at the Manor of W Mitty of Herne Bay
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March 5, 2014 6:51pm
nasska

I OWE MY PARENTS EVERYTHING…

My Parents taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE…
“If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside… I just finished cleaning”.

My Parents taught me RELIGION…
“You better pray that stain comes out of the carpet”.

My Parents taught me about TIME TRAVEL…
“If you don’t straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week!”

My Parents taught me LOGIC…
“Because I said so, that’s why”.

My Parents taught me MORE LOGIC…
“If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you’re not going to the store with me”.

My Parents taught me FORESIGHT…
“Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident”.

My Parents taught me IRONY…
“Keep crying, and I’ll give you something to cry about”.

My Parents taught me about the science of OSMOSIS…
“Shut your mouth and eat your supper”.

My Parents taught me about CONTORTIONISM…
“Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!”

My Parents taught me about STAMINA…
“You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone”.

My Parents taught me about WEATHER…
“This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it”.

My Parents taught me about HYPOCRISY…
“If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times. Don’t exaggerate!”

My Parents taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE…
“I brought you into this world, and I can take you out”.

My Parents taught me about BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION…
“Stop acting like your father!”

My Parents taught me about ENVY…
“There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do”.

My Parents taught me about ANTICIPATION…
“Just wait until we get home”.

My Parents taught me about RECEIVING…
“You are going to get it when you get home!”

My Parents taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE…
“If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way”.

My Parents taught me ESP…
“Put your sweater on; don’t you think I know when you are cold?”

My Parents taught me HUMOUR…
“When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me”.

My Parents taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT…
“If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up”.

My Parents taught me GENETICS…
“You’re just like your father”.

My Parents taught me about my ROOTS…
“Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?”

My Parents taught me WISDOM…
“When you get to be my age, you’ll understand”.

My Parents taught me about JUSTICE…
“One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!”
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March 5, 2014 8:00pm
RF

I know I am a simple lad however I need to clarify the silent Ts reason to live in his current castle. I understood his wife is breast feeding their youngest child and has to be close to her office to allow this. Is it true that he is 10 years old. Please correct me if I am wrong.
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March 5, 2014 8:15pm
Left Right and Centre

I watched these poor CHCH bastards suffering floods in their houses on TV3 and I’ve got all the sympathy in the world for them.

I’ll tell you what though – looking at some of them – at least they’re not starving to death. Some of them look very healthy. A bit like livestock being fattened up to feed the third world with poor quality cheap cuts.

I wonder if you gave some of these people a choice of either floods or a weight loss plan of an hour a day medium cardio and 80% kilojoule energy intake of a person in their healthy weight range – I think a lot would take the flood water option.
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March 5, 2014 9:24pm
Harriet

My parents taught me to tell the TRUTH….

You gay hillbilly prog commie drunk fucktard. 😎
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March 5, 2014 9:27pm
nasska

…..”You gay hillbilly prog commie drunk fucktard”…..

Not so. I gave up the grog fourteen years ago. 🙂
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March 5, 2014 9:43pm
Johnboy

I’ve made up for you nasska! 🙂
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March 5, 2014 9:50pm
OECD rank 22 kiwi

Informative article on the Ukraine situation.

What Putin Really Wants
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March 5, 2014 10:21pm
publicwatchdog

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11214451

But Mr Key this afternoon said his office yesterday sought clarification from the Cabinet Office to ensure she hadn’t broken the rules.

“They unequivocally came back and said no there’s no breach.”
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Who is ‘they’ Prime Minister?

Where’s a copy of that advice?
__________________________________________________________________________

http://cabinetmanual.cabinetoffice.govt.nz/2.50

Conduct, public duty, and personal interests

General

2.50 To protect the integrity of the decision-making process of executive government and to maintain public trust in the Executive, Ministers and Parliamentary Under-Secretaries must conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to their office. Accordingly, the guidance in paragraphs 2.52 – 2.96:

explains the standards of personal conduct expected of Ministers;
assists Ministers to identify those personal interests that might be seen to influence their decision making;
sets out options for managing conflicts of interest where necessary.

2.51The guidance on conduct, public duty, and personal interests applies to all Ministers (inside and outside Cabinet) and Parliamentary Under-Secretaries. References to Ministers in this guidance include Parliamentary Under-Secretaries.

Conduct of Ministers
2.52A Minister of the Crown, while holding a ministerial warrant, acts in a number of different capacities:

in a ministerial capacity, making decisions, and determining and promoting policy within particular portfolios;
in a political capacity as a member of Parliament, representing a constituency or particular community of interest;
in a personal capacity.

2.53 In all these roles and at all times, Ministers are expected to act lawfully and to behave in a way that upholds, and is seen to uphold, the highest ethical standards. Ultimately, Ministers are accountable to the Prime Minister for their behaviour.

2.54 Holding ministerial office is regarded as a full-time occupation and is remunerated as such. Accordingly:

accepting additional payment for doing anything that could be regarded as a ministerial function is not permissible;

accepting payment for any other activities requires the prior approval of the Prime Minister.

Register of Pecuniary Interests of Members of Parliament

2.55 All members of Parliament are required to disclose certain assets and interests in an annual Register of Pecuniary Interests of Members of Parliament. This register, administered by the Registrar of Pecuniary Interests of Members of Parliament, is designed to promote accountability and transparency by identifying personal financial interests that might influence members of Parliament. The detailed requirements are set out in appendix B of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives (the Standing Orders) and in the explanatory notes on members’ financial interests in the “MPs and parties” section on Parliament’s website, http://www.parliament.nz. See also paragraphs 2.78 – 2.85 on gifts.

Ministers’ interests

2.56 Additional requirements apply to Ministers’ interests. Conflicts of interest may arise between Ministers’ personal interests and their public duty because of the influence and power that Ministers exercise, and the information to which they have access, both in the individual performance of their portfolio responsibilities and as members of the Executive.

2.57 Ministers are responsible for ensuring that no conflict exists or appears to exist between their personal interests and their public duty. Ministers must conduct themselves at all times in the knowledge that their role is a public one; appearances and propriety can be as important as an actual conflict of interest. Ministers should avoid situations in which they or those close to them gain remuneration or other advantage from information acquired only by reason of their office.

………………………..
__________________________________________________________________________

Penny Bright
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March 5, 2014 10:26pm
Johnboy

Who was first?

Sloppy seconds for me! 🙂
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March 5, 2014 10:30pm
Jack5

More evidence of how piss-weak and confused NZ has become.

A killer (and recidivist criminal to boot) is being treated in prison for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Prison alone is his sufficient treatment!

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503450&objectid=11214214
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March 6, 2014 12:32am
Manolo

A litigious society beyond absurdity: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/03/05/new-jersey-teen-sues-parents-for-support-claiming-was-kicked-out-home/
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March 6, 2014 6:18am
Viking2

The funding debate we need to have.
Big Bold and get it out there.

Years overdue.

Making all ~~Aucklanders~~ citizens pay a council income tax may help elderly people in affluent areas who can’t afford their rates, mayor Len Brown says.

The current system is “inherently unfair” on people living on fixed incomes and paying high rates because of the value of their properties in areas like Devonport-Takapuna, Brown says.

Introducing an income-related tax for local council services that everyone pays is an option, he says.

Only property owners pay rates but the council is spending money on infrastructure and services for everyone, Brown says.

He believes the only way to mitigate the rates burden as property prices rise is to rethink how local government is funded.

Brown won’t express a view on what alternative might work saying he is “quite open minded”.

Options could include funding through income tax, GST, user pays charges, or bed taxes from hotel.
========================

and From Brown no less.

This needs to be debated. all ratepayers are paying for many others who use the council provided facilities and services but contribute nothing to the Council.

I guess we shouldn’t wait for the Nats. to talk about it though.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9796451/Browns-bold-tax-plan
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March 6, 2014 6:57am

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