Archive
Peter Mazany: We don’t Need No Edukashun!
From the NZ Herald, on 26 April, Peter Mazany makes his case for running a Charter School;
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Acknowledgement: NZ Herald – Peter Mazany: Charter schools ‘vital’ for some students
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This op-ed piece sounds more like a self-promotional advertisement than anything truly news-worthy,
“Our company Schoolsims NZ has submitted an application to start a Partnership School/Kura Hourua.
I and some of my colleagues have taught or have positions at tertiary institutions in New Zealand. I have received prizes for my work when teaching at the University of Auckland as the most distinguished teacher and as the MBA teacher of the year. I do not and will never have a teaching degree and without the partnership schools initiative, this opportunity to start a school and prove the value of our teaching and learning methods would never have been available. I am sure that some of the other applicants are in the same position.
We are working with about 50 schools and provide them with an effective form of simulation-based learning for NCEA accounting with a large computer-based component.
Our target is to double the effectiveness of teaching and learning in half the time and half the cost over a range of standards in NCEA accounting, business studies, and maths.”
Of particular mirth/derision, is Mazany’s statement,
“I do not and will never have a teaching degree…”
He sounds positively proud of the fact he has no formal training/education in teaching!?
One wonders if he’ll be de-motivating his Charter School students to likewise not seek further, higher education?
Why should children in Mazany’s Charter Schools seek higher education? Aftrer all, Mazany has set himself up as a role model.
But more chilling was this statement in his promo;
“Our method can produce huge benefits in results, efficiency, flexibility, speed and cost.”
One can imagine the outcome of a regime that focuses on “results, efficiency, flexibility, speed and cost“,
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This is education for our children. “Results, efficiency, flexibility, speed and cost” sounds more like an assembly line for pre-programmed automatons.
It will be a primary issue for an incoming Labour-Green government to remove all funding from Charter Schools and to eliminate this bastardised, dumbed-down, profit-generating version of “education” from our society.
As an aside, I wonder if Mazany paid NZ Herald to publish what is, in effect, an advertorial.
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Hat-Tip
“Burnt out Teacher”, Man expanding business seeks wealthy partner(-ship school)
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John Armstrong, bloggers, and the free market
NZ Herald “chief political commentator” seems to have taken issue with bloggers. Well, two bloggers, mostly,
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Armstrong’s bizarre comments were… well, bizarre.
Personally, I put it down to an unholy mixture of jet-lag*; long nights; too much/too little caffeine; mid-life crisis; with a fair whack of frustration. Something has obviously crawled up his bits.
In fact, his comments in his column (above) were not just downright unprofessional, but suggestive of poor health. Comments like,
“Here is a blunt message for a couple of old-school Aro Valley-style socialists…”
“Get off our backs.’
“Stop behaving like a pair of tut-tutting old dowagers gossiping in the salons.’
“In short, stop making blinkered, cheap-shot accusations of the kind you made this week…”
And those were in just the first paragraph. After that, it was all downhill.
The tirade was directed at two gentlemen, Gordon Campbell and Bryce Edwards. Both responded in their own ways, and style,
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All three are worth reading.
All three speak volumes about the state of journalism in this country.
Firstly; John Armstrong represents the Old Guard of the Fourth Estate; conservative; part of The Establishment; close to government. In fact, how close to government was exemplified by this extraordinary statement from opinion piece above,
“The rapidly growing influence of Edwards’ blog was initially down to its being an exhaustive wrap-up of all of the day’s political news. It is now starting to develop a much more political dynamic that is unlikely to please National.”
With an admission like that, you begin to realise why someone like Armstrong would be so belligerent to the likes of Campbell and Bryce, who are hardly Establishment-types.
Since when was it ever the concern of a journalist whether what s/he wrote was ” unlikely to please National “?!
A journalist is not put on this Earth to “please National” (or Labour). They are here to tell us what’s going on – regardless of whether or not National (or Labour) are “displeased”.
That one remark validates every criticism every made of the NZ Herald that it is a clandestine mouthpiece for the National Party. There is no other way it can be interpreted.
Secondly; whilst Armstrong represents the Old Guard of journalism, Campbell and Bryce are part of the New Wave of Media. In large part, this involves the latest advent of mass-media, the internet. But the internet is simply the tool – it is an attitudinal sea-change that best encapsulates what Bryce and Campbell represent.
When Rogernomics engulfed this country, it introduced the concept of the “free market” and “choice” to our economy. Some of it benefitted our nation – much of it did not. Thousands who lost their jobs will attest to that.
But the liberalisation and de-regulation of New Zealand was not simply something applied to our economy. It reached into, and affected every part, of our society.
MMP, for example, did to the electoral/political system was the removal of tariffs did to the importation of consumer products; it gave the Voter/consumer a greater choice in who to vote for.
That same liberalisation encouraged the de-regulation of the Media. It was no longer the province of card-carrying journos, feature writers, and freelancers. Suddenly, anyone could get “in on the game”. The internet did for citizen journalists, bloggers, and non-establishment commentators what the typewriter and paid salaries did for mainstream journos.
The richest irony here is that John Armstrong is a cheerleader for the de-regulated free market – the same de-regulated free market that has pissed him off by letting everyone in on his turf.
Right about now, Armstrong should understand what it felt like when our shops were flooded with cheap clothing and shoes from Fiji, China, and India – whilst New Zealand seamstresses and shoemakers were forced out of business.
Or how Labour and National politicans felt when MMP changed our political landscape and Parliament was flooded with Greens, NZ Firsters, Alliance, ACT, etc.
The de-regulated free market is such a wonderful thing – until it’s your arse that is bitten.
Painful eh, John?
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Addendum
Armstrong complains about the tough nature of his job – especially accompanying John Key and his entourage to the APEC conconference in *Vladivostok last week.
Perhaps instead of writing travelogue pieces (see: Curse of Russky Island strikes ) he might have considered writing about Key’s pursuit of a Free Trade Agreement with Russia. This might have been a worthy topic, considering that Russia appears to have an unhealthy, close relationship with the Russian Mafia. (See related blogpost: A FTA deal with Russia?! That’s a big “NYET” Comrade Key! )
Even the Guardian and Washington Post felt the situation warranted some decent investigative journalism. (See: The farce of Russian elections , Russia’s presidential election: rigging is a delicate art, Putin’s government moves to quash public dissent )
But we got none of that (unless I’ve missed it).
A story of a sovereign state that appears to have close connections to gangsters would seem to be much more of a story than interesting scenery in Vladivostok. That might’ve made an interesting story for Armstrong to pursue – especially if we’re going to be cosying up to our Russian cuzzies with a FTA.
Newsworthy, I would have thought.
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Sources
Bloggers don’t let the facts get in the way
Gordon Campbell on journalism, and John Armstrong
Political round-up: Blogging backlash
Curse of Russky Island strikes
Who owns what: for an answer, start here
Previous related blogpost
A FTA deal with Russia?! That’s a big “NYET” Comrade Key!
Tracey Watkins on John Key – Surprised?!
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Nat’s support plummets in yet another poll
- Neil Watts, Blogger, Fearfactsexposed
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But Fairfax subscribers denied the leading news, again. 
Little wonder Fairfax Media are struggling financially and virtually giving their publications away to attract subscribers.
Consistently failing to provide their readers with the news – if the news is damaging to their friends in the National Party – means that Fairfax Media’s credibility as a news provider is poor, and declining.
While less partisan news media jumped immediately on the third poll in a month showing National’s support crumbling, Fairfax avoided the story, as they have done with other polls that are unfavourable to their mates on the Right.
While this highly newsworthy story led the political news on TV last night, as well as on the New Zealand Herald website and Radio New Zealand, Fairfax once again applied the eerie Orwellian denial they have used in the past when a news item doesn’t suit their political agenda.
Predictably, when stuff.co.nz finally got around to mentioning the poll just before 9am today – some 15 hours after their rivals – it was only to provide readers with the National Party’s spin on the results, with a piece heavily dominated by John Key’s response.
As usual, the Opposition were completely sidelined from Fairfax’s story, and more importantly, the major implications of the latest poll – that Labour and the Greens could form a centre-Left government with a combination of support partners - were completely avoided. This angle is so obvious to any real journalist, that Fairfax again show their desire to provide propaganda over news, by avoiding it all together. As I noted here three weeks ago, after they avoided reporting on another negative poll for National, this illustrates exactly why such powerful, biased media corporations are a very real danger to our democracy. By stifling the debate, controlling the message, and starving the Opposition of comment, media organisations like Fairfax can and do have a frightening influence on our freedom.
Remember how their brainfart polls told readers over and over how the National Party were going to romp back into the Beehive last year? In detailed analysis of the reasons why New Zealanders didn’t vote, it was found that “a large proportion of non-voters cited the polls predicting the National Party’s victory, and decided the election was a foregone conclusion. The percentage of non-voters who said this was a factor was far higher in 2011 than in 2008″, according to The New Zealand Herald.
Critics at the time – myself included – noted the flawed methodology of these polls, and suggested that they were designed more to influence rather than inform voters. The resulting election turnout was the lowest in 120 years, with the supposably invincible National Party pushed much closer than the polls had suggested. Funny that, when their chums in the National Party are riding high in the polls, stuff.co.nz and the Dom Post can’t find a font big enough, but when the news is bad…well, it just ain’t news. Orwellian, Fairfaxian, call that what you will
Following a week where their political editor was heavily criticised for providing the Prime Minister with a series of glowing PR pieces as she escorted him around Europe, and where the most damaging elements of a number of issues were avoided, this is not a good look for Fairfax. Last week, they effectively ran the spin for John Key on the class size backdown, painting Key as “a leader who listens”, complete with a leading survey. They neglected to mention that the “listening leader” is ignoring New Zealanders over asset sales, and dodged figures picked up by other media showing that power prices would rise significantly once the assets were privatised. As if all of this isn’t damning enough for Fairfax’s credibility, another survey showed that 50% of stuff respondents favoured the Nazi solution of eugenics to tackle the problem of breeding “ferals”; is this a clear sign of Rightwing propaganda in action?
Had enough of this international corporation providing propaganda disguised as news? Please share this blog [Fearfactsexposed], join us on Facebook , and tell your friends to boycott everything that this National Party spin corporation publish. Only a strong public backlash will make Fairfax Media take notice, so let’s bloody have one!
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Fearfactsexposed: Jet-setting Key accompanied by Fairfax political editor, again
NZ Herald: Poll: Labour could form Government
Fairfax: Key not fazed by poll results
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Acknowledgement
Reprinted from the blog, Fearfactsexposed, with kind permission.
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Jobs, jobs, everywhere – but not a one for me?
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Every so often, we see media articles like this recent ‘Herald‘ report,
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The story presents a picture of lazy, unprepared, unwilling unemployed – the usual cliched stereotype so beloved by the right wing who begrudge spending their taxes on a social welfare net (but at the same time prefer to live in a First World society without beggars lining the streets like some Third World, poverty-stricken nation).
The story refers to unemployment at 6.7% – and fails to mention that in December 2007, unemployment stood at 3.4% – placing us fifth fifth among twentyseven OECD nations, behind Norway, The Netherlands, South Korea and Denmark.
In fact, contrast the above story with this one from the Herald, four years ago,
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The two headings could not be more contrasting – polar-opposites, in fact,
The miracle of full employment
Monday April 7, 2008
Jobless unprepared for realities of workforce
Sunday May 27, 2012
A further scrutiny of the first story reveals the following;
- A grand-total of four employers were interviewed
- Two of the four offered minimum wage, two did not specify the rate offered
- The jobs are not specified whether full time, part time, or casual
- One employer admits that some employees had walked out, but she does not disclose why
Too many questions are left unanswered.
Reading between the lines, though, one gets the impression that we are not being given the full story.
After all, even on $13.50 an hour, the gross wage is $540 for a 40 hour week.
Contrast that to $229.01 a week (gross) unemployment benefit for someone 25 and over.
The minimum wage is barely livable – but still vastly preferable to the dole. Our Rest Homes are staffed by hundreds of hard-working, dedicated people earning $13.61 – just eleven cents above the dole,
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Rest home work is hard and stressful – and yet we have people willing to put up with the pressures and do the work necessary to look after our aged and infirm.
Which then poses questions as to why the four employers in the top article are unable to attract and retain staff?
In this bloggers experience, employers who find it hard to attract and/or retain staff generally have “issues” with their managagement style; working conditions; pay and hours; and other related matters.
To further drive home some simple truths, these media reports should serve to dispel the nasty and manipulative myths surrounding those who are jobless,
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1000 apply for 150 K Mart jobs – Otago Daily Times – 11 June 1997
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Lazy journalists who write inept stories without due diligence in research, and offering balance, add nothing to the sum total of human knowledge. Nor even a wee bit of insight as to what is really happening in our communities.
It’s easy-peasy to write a story that reinforces preconceived prejudices against a minority in society. No real talent required.
When politicians do it, it’s because they are utterly clueless and have no plan or policy to address unemployment. “Bene-bashing” is the de-fault setting of right-wing politicians who have no other options except to shift blame for poor economic activity onto the heads of welfare recipients. (Because as we all know, the unemployed, solo-mums, widows, invalids, etc, are the ones who actually govern this country. Right?)
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But we expect better from journalists who are charged with asking questions; probing behind official lines; and holding our elected representatives to account.
Not assisting politicians’ to avoid responsibility.
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Media
Jobless unprepared for realities of workforce
The miracle of full employment
Unemployment rate lifts to 6.7pc
Reference
WINZ: Unemployment Benefit (as at 1 April 2012)
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20 May: End of the Week Bouquets, Brickbats, & Epic Fails
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- End of the Week Bouquets, Brickbats, & Epic Fails -
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“Think Tank“
TV3′s current affairs “chat” show, “Think Tank” is hosted by John Tamihere, on Sunday mornings. This half hour programme discusses critical issues confronting our nation, but in a low-key, constructive manner. There are no flashy graphics; no distracting backgrounds; and the guests are encouraged to offer their views without being talked over by other guests or the host.
The only slight criticism? that this excellent show is “ghettoised” on Sunday mornings (alongside TVs’s “The Nation” and TVNZ’s “Q+A”).
It would be a radical moment in our media history if “Think Tank” (as well as “Q+A” and “The Nation”) were re-scheduled for prime-time evening viewing. The public might actually be exposed to intelligent viewing for a change.
Shayne Currie (Editor, New Zealand Herald)
Who tweeted (@ShayneCurrieNZH), ‘We wouldn’t want to be populist now would we Mr Key‘, after Dear Leader whinged on Newstalk ZB that “the media are in a more aggressive and hostile mood towards us” . Key singled out the Sunday Star Times and NZ Herald for special criticism.
Nice one, Shayne. Sometimes it takes a gentle reminder for politicians to understand that the Herald is not Pravda, nor is Sunday Star Times New Zealand’s own Izveztia.
AFFCO workers
Locked out by their employers, the Talley Brothers – millionaire businessmen – who are hell-bent on driving down staff’s wages and destroying the Meatworkers Union.
The AFFCO meatworkers are ordinary New Zealanders – they could be any one of us – who have been harrassed and persecuted by the Talleys.
In a display of sheer courage that our ANZAC forebears would be proud of, the workers have faced up to the bullies who are their employers.
These brave men and women should be hailed as true Kiwi battlers.
An incoming Labour-led government should not forget the AFFCO workers when they next review employment legislation.
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Paula Bennett (National MP
For planning to force welfare recipients to immunise their children for no other reason than they are receiving welfare assistance from the State. This has to be the worst case of State coercion since military conscription.
If National wants everyone immunised, by law, then make it compulsory for everyone. Yeah, right! There would be rioting in the streets, and this rotten government would fall within a week.
But it’s fairly obvious that Key, Bennett, and their misguided mates are exploiting the vulnerability of New Zealanders who happen to be on welfare, for their own political ends.
This country’s economy is in dire straits; we are stagnating; unemployment is on the up; and kids are starving and going through pig-slop buckets to get a feed. Plus on top of that numerous scandals and dodgy deals, and National is desperate to focus public attention elsewhere.
In the 1930s, the nazi government used gypsies and jews as scapegoats. We can’t use jews – Israel would kick Key’s sorry arse to the curb. And we don’t have gypsies.
But we do have welfare beneficiaries, and the public doesn’t mind if they’re ‘bashed’ around a bit.They are the 1930s “jews” of our society.
This is shameful. For a New Zealand government to demonise a sector of the population in such a cynical manner is unforgivable.
Pita Sharples (Maori Party)
For citing that there had been a number of gains for Maori the upcoming budget, such as “funding for treatment of cancer, funding for tackling rheumatic fever…”
Yes, Mr Sharples – but at the expense of raising prescription charges from $3 to $5, which will hurt welfare beneficiaries, superannuitants, and low income earners the hardest. Many of whom already have to make hard choices whether to pay the rent and electricity bill, or cut back on food, medicines, etc.
Many of those low-income earners are the Maori Party’s constituents.
By any definition, that is not a “gain”, Mr Sharples. This is robbing Pita to pay Paul.
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ACT Party
For not distancing itself from racist bigot, Louis Crimp, and returning his $125,520 donation. Is ACT so desperate for funds that it willingly accepts money from a person who believes,
“I don’t give a stuff what I’m called. You have to look at the facts and figures. This is the problem with New Zealanders. Most of them dislike the Maoris intensely – I won’t say hate – but they don’t like to say so.”
At what point does a Party draw a line and refuse to accept financial support because the donor is just so repugnant?
Act’s president, Chris Simmons, said he disagreed with Mr Crimp but respected his right to have a view,
“One of the beauties of the Act Party is we believe everyone should have their say.”
That may be, Mr Simmons. But by accepting a racist’s money, you are giving tacit approval to their abhorrent prejudice.
It’s called tarred by association.
Think about it.
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And for the final category, the Epic Fail of the Week,
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Businessman and bigot. Unfortunately, he may not be alone is holding such racist views.
We have a long way to go, in this country.
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Dear Leader: I’m so Ronery…
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In the last week, John Key has shown tell-tale signs that he’s losing it. At the very least, he appears to be somewhat frazzled and it is this blogger’s contention that the pressure and stress from the last few months are beginning to take their toll on Dear Leader.
More importantly, there is a definite chill in the air. The media and the public are not quite as adoring as they were during National’s previous term in office.
How else to explain this incident, a week ago on 10 May, when Key was doing one of his repetitious Smile & Wave photo-ops at the Holy Family School in Porirua East,
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Two things jump out at the reader straight away,
- Look at the expression on Key’s face. Unless the camera caught him at an awkward moment, his face appears to be expressing a feeling of… disdain? Discomfort? As if he didn’t really want to be there?
- When the Prime Minister asks a group of children if they have dreamed of being the Prime Minister – and then retorts with, “Frankly, the way it’s going at the moment you can have the job” - that is a man who is not in a Good Place.
Aside from indicating that something is obviously ‘bugging’ Dear Leader, that comment was utterly inappropriate. You don’t ‘shoot down‘ children’s bright-eyed, youthful enthusiasm with such a cynical come-back. If John Key has a problem with his job, he needs to address it – not take his stress out on a bunch of kids, who, judging by the image above, were excited to see him.
His comment, a day earlier, on a radio show, seemed to further illustrate his growing frustration. When he was questioned about the Sky City piokies-for-concention-centre deal, his annoyance was obvious,
“ I’m out there trying to promote a convention centre which we don’t put any money in and all I get is grief. OK? That’s what I get is grief. “
Wow! Talk about ‘wired‘. To quote our American cuzzies, “Dude! You need to chill!”
One further thing that comment reveals is that John Key doesn’t seem to get it. He doesn’t seem to comprehend community concerns with problem gambling and the fact that pokie machines are heavily implicated as the worst possible form of gambling. They certainly appear to be the most profitable, despite declining numbers.
For good reason. Problem gamblem affects not just one individual, it can tear apart families and impact severely on businesses where gamblers may be working. Company embezzlment is often motivated by the culprits’ addiction and uncontrolled access to gambling machines.
People have lost their family home due to a gambling addict in their midst.
That is why Key is “getting grief”.
And he should expect more of the same.
That was followed, five days later by an extraordinary ‘whinge’ on NewstalkZB, with rightwing radio talkback host, Leighton Smith. When Smith questioned Key on the media’s increased willingness to be more critical when scrutinising National, Key tore into the media,
” The second point is that… what is true, is the media are in a more aggressive and hostile mood towards us…
… despite contrary to their opinions, I’m not that bent out of shape about that. “
Strangely, he then ‘channelled’ Helen Clark, and referred to a comment she made to him about her term as Prime Minister. As if Key was trying to use Clark’s standing as some kind of attempt to legitimise or justify his own performance.
” Helen Clark came up to me at the swearing in of the Government in 2011 and said to me, ‘I remember what it was like, the first term was sort of okay, the second term was disastrous and the third term was diabolical.”
He also referred specifically to the NZ Herald and Sunday Star Times, saying,
“ The Herald has turned more tabloid – that is an absolute statement of fact. It was trying to lift circulation, especially casual sales at dairies, and had brought over David Fisher (from the Herald on Sunday) as “an investigative journalist, so-called“. “
Hear: John Key with Leighton Smith (P1)
By that afternoon, Key resorted to form and denied he had ever made those critical comments. When questioned by journalists, who referred to his remarks naming the Herald and Sunday Star Times, Key grinned his usual vacuous grin and responded,
“… Don’t think I did. (Journalist interjecting; “Yeah, you did“) Not specifically. Just said their headlines were wrong…”
Key said a damned sight more than just “their headlines were wrong“!
Snapped, Dear Leader. That was an outright lie.
See: Key bemoans ‘hostile’ media (video)
See: Key bemoans ‘hostile’ media (report)
The pressure is now on John Key and National. They sleep-walked through their first three years in office, despite unemployment rising; growing debt that would’ve made Muldoon blush; a stagnating economy; and thousands more Kiwis voting with their feet and leaving the country.
As this Facebook User described the event,
” Not content with having New Zealand’s so-called journalists follow him around like lost puppies eager to lick up whatever verbal vomit he puked their way during his first term, our venerable leader expressed his exasperation that some of the pups have grown into wolves and now seem intent on going for his jugular.
Well i say good job- it’s about time the media in this country got real where Key is concerned and started to ask some serious questions about his background, his motives and his real agenda for this country and whether that agenda is going to be to the great detriment of the vast majority of New Zealanders.
Did Mr Key think he could just carry on running the country as though policy, legislation and inter-party deals were just another series of currency trades?Perhaps he thinks the media should just stand idly by and provide tacit approval for his backroom deals with big business donors and cronies- because for a while there they did- without question. Maybe the increasingly wonky John Key thought we’d all just turn a blind eye to his massive hypocrisy over the John Banks donation scandal and his inability to comprehend the ethical considerations raised by Banks actions and their incompatibility with his position as a Cabinet Minister. Not to mention the morally bankrupt deal that gifted the unpopular Banks the Epsom seat in the first place. “ - Newstalkzb is a Right-wing Propaganda Machine
Now, in their second term, the public are expecting a heckuva lot more than bashing solo-mothers and raising charges on prescription medicines. “Reforming” welfare is not going to create any meaningful new jobs (does 150 extra staff for WINZ really count?).
Especially when Paula Bennett herself admitted on 29 April, on TVNZ’s Q+A,
“ No. There’s not a job for everyone that would want one right now, or else we wouldn’t have the unemployment figures that we do. “
See: Q+A: Paula Bennett interview
Not enough jobs for everyone. But plenty of money to throw around on welfare “reforms”, hiring more WINZ staff, and giving solo-mothers free contraception (which seems a bit of a case of slamming the barn door shut after the baby has bolted…).
Here’s a thought – job creation!! Damn, I bet no one in National has come up with this bold new idea! (Holy Common Sense, Batman, I’m a fricken genius!)
If John Key is stressed now, six months into his second term, he has no idea what’s in store for him. As a Green co-leader said, Key needs to toughen up. Whinging to rightwing talkback hosts and venting at schoolkids is not a meaningful response to the critical problems faced by this country.
If John Key has a problem with understanding this – call a snap election, and be done with it. Let the people decide his fate.
Who knows – he might not have to worry about being PM any longer.
He might even get a decent nights’ sleep.
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Additional
You can have my job, John Key tells kids
Key backs off comments on ‘Herald’ in media gripe
Other Blogposts
Fearfactsexposed: Key attacks media for doing its job
Kiwipolitico: Whining John
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The radio station, the newspaper columnist, and Dear Leader
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In another of her mouthpiece columns for the official Party Line, NZ Herald columnist (and National Party fan), Fran O’Sullivan wrote a glowing report on how jolly well John Key was doing,
“ Finally, the PM is putting a stamp on his Government as he lifts its tempo and gets some serious purchase on major issues.
So far Key is making reasonable headway as he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Cabinet ministers while they unveil pre-Budget announcements on hot issues, such as Paula Bennett’s on welfare reform. “
However, two comments stood out in Ms O’Sullivan’s cheerleading piece. One raised this blogger’s hackles – the other seemed totally at variance with reality.
The hackle-raising bit;
“ What is on the TPP table from the US perspective is a “gold standard 21st century deal” which is more focused on complex economic integration issues which impact on national sovereignty.
There will be much more water under the TPP bridge before a deal is cemented. And Key will have to deploy considerable salesmanship to make those tradeoffs (if the deal is done) palatable to New Zealanders. “
Pardon?!
“Palatable to New Zealanders” ?!?!
What – pray tell – is Ms O’Sullivan referring to? What inside-info is she privy to, that us lesser mortals are not aware of?
One thing that we do know is that John Key has absolutely no hesitation in doing back-room deals which he may believe “benefits the country” – but in the long-term would create a social/economic mess for a future government to deal with.
Let’s be clear: Key is a creature of the financial world where quick, short-term gains are the order of the day – and devil take the hindmost. And never mind the consequences.
That is how the global financial crisis came about; very shrewd, clever, highly educated men and women – doing dumb, irresponsible things.
The question that begs to be asked – and answered – what “unpalatable” things is Key contemplating? What the hell is he up to???
And what will it cost us?
Next – the bit that seems “at variance with reality”,
“ But Key has more than held his own on television programmes such as Campbell Live or on Radio NZ’s Morning Report against critical news presenters trying to expose chinks in his political spin. “
Now, this blogger might be wrong, but when, precisely, did John Key last front to be interviewed or answer questions on Radio NZ? Not just ‘Morning Report’ – but any part of Radio NZ?
Every time Key has been invited to speak on Radio NZ (aside from last year’s election campaign), he has refused point blank.
If Ms O’Sullivan is aware of something that this blogger has missed, then so be it. We would stand corrected.
In the meantime, the perception is that Dear Leader is “gun shy” of Radio NZ. His Smile & Wave persona doesn’t work quite so well on radio – especially when the interviewer is a professional. Not a right wing lackey and mouthpiece, such as Leighton Smith on NewstalkZB.
Perhaps Key is aware that not only is his media “honeymoon” well and truly over – but divorce proceedings have begun.
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Related blogposts
Doing ‘the business’ with John Key – Here’s How (Part # Rua)
Doing ‘the business’ with John Key – Here’s How
Reference
Key gets serious over NZ’s major issues
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Citizen A – 17 May 2012 – Online now!
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Citizen A
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- 17 May 2012 -
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- Phoebe Fletcher & Phil Twyford -
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Issue 1: John Key attacks the media and then says he didn’t attack the media, legitimate concerns about the fourth estate or the need to get prescription cost increases, union bashing and Teacher basing out of the headlines?
Issue 2: Paula Bennett has announced a new board of business people to evaluate welfare reforms. What do we pay Paula for and why are they only business people?
Issue 3: Did the revelations in the Sunday Star Times last weekend of how involved John Key was with the ‘financial services hub’ idea concern anyone else?
Citizen A broadcasts 7pm Thursday Triangle TV
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Acknowledgement (republished with kind permission)
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Lies, Boards, and Aucklandports (#rima)
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Last night…
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In the NZ Herald, Port chairman Richard Pearson said,
“Judge Travis had encouraged the company to return to mediation and it would do so in good faith. The only thing that has changed is that the judge has encouraged the parties to have one more crack at mediation. That is it.”
One could practically hear a collective sigh of relief from the citizens of Auckland; port workers would be back at work; and POAL would return to mediation.
Brilliant!
Common sense prevails!
People were practically dancing in the streets!!
But then, by this morning, an industrial “atomic bomb” was detonated,
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It should be noted that, as in the case of a Union required by law to give two weeks notice of a strike, an employer must also give two weeks notice of any intention to lock-out workers. No ifs, no buts, no maybes; that’s the law.
It is one thing for POAL to issue a two weeks notice to port workers. That is lawful (though not terribly wise).
It is also another thing for an employer to lock-out workers immediatly, as seems to be happening. That is illegal. It is just as illegal as a strike without notice, as happened recently in Wellington.
It is also hardly a sign of good faith bargaining, as Labour Party employment issues spokeswoman Darien Fenton said today,
“Any good faith bargaining was impossible with a lockout notice looming. That action is in defiance of an agreement reached just yesterday with the Employment Court that good faith negotiations would resume with the Maritime Union.”
On this issue, it appears that POAL management have mis-calculated. The Union has every right to seek legal remedies through the Courts, and indications are, that the Maritime Union will do so.
This incident should give considerable cause for concern to the Auckland Council. It has been more and more apparent recently that POAL management are practically out of control, and are pursuing an agenda of their own.
That agenda became more apparent with the shock revelations uncovered by the NZ Herald that a POAL manager is also a director of another company – and has been recruiting non-union contract-labour to work on the ports,
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This is no longer an industrial dispute – this has the odour of conflict of interests at best, or corruption at worst.
The Auckland Council has every right to be concerned.
Someone may be planning to personally profit from the dispute and de-unionisation of Ports of Auckland.
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The Green Party’s media statement on this issue sums matters up perfectly,
“Auckland Mayor Len Brown must step into the ports dispute now that workers have been locked out, the Green Party says.
The Maritime Union says Ports of Auckland has illegally issued striking workers a lockout notice, a day after the parties were convinced by a judge to head back to mediation.
“The Ports of Auckland’s decision to lock out the union workers is in direct defiance of the settlement reached between Ports of Auckland and the Maritime Union in the Employment Court,” Greens industrial relations spokeswoman Denise Roche said.
This lockout notice is yet another example of the bad faith bargaining by the Ports of Auckland management.”” – Source
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The Employment Relations Act 2000 is quite specific in stating that an employer cannot replace striking workers,
“ 97. Performance of duties of striking or locked out employees
(1) This section applies if there is a lockout or lawful strike.
(2) An employer may employ or engage another person to perform the work of a striking or locked out employee only in accordance with subsection (3) or subsection (4).
(3) An employer may employ another person to perform the work of a striking or locked out employee if the person—
(a) is already employed by the employer at the time the strike or lockout commences; and
(b) is not employed principally for the purpose of performing the work of a striking or locked out employee; and
(c) agrees to perform the work.
(4) An employer may employ or engage another person to perform the work of a striking or locked out employee if—
(a) there are reasonable grounds for believing it is necessary for the work to be performed for reasons of safety or health; and
(b) the person is employed or engaged to perform the work only to the extent necessary for reasons of safety or health.
(5) A person who performs the work of a striking or locked out employee in accordance with subsection (3) or subsection (4) must not perform that work for any longer than the duration of the strike or lockout.
(6) An employer who fails to comply with this section is liable to a penalty imposed by the Authority under this Act in respect of each person who performs the work concerned.”
It would appear that by hiring new port workers, the POAL are clearly breaking the law. It remains to be seen if management can flout the law with impunity. If so, why shouldn’t Unions?
Perhaps the previous Labour Government did not go far enough, when they enacted the Employment Relations Act to replace the odious and largely discredited Employment Contracts Act.
Perhaps it it time to remove the law preventing other Unions from supporting those who are on strike.
After all, the right to strike – to withdraw one’s labour - is a fundamental human right. The West openly supported the Polish Solidarity Free Trade Union movement in the 1980s – especially the right to strike.
If employers such as AFFCO, POAL, et al, are prepared to lock-out workers in a methodical agenda to smash unionisation of their workers – then obviously the law is ineffectual.
When a new Labour-led government takes office, this blogger will be making representations on the following issues;
- That the Employment Relations Act be strengthened,
- That Unions be free to give industrial support to fellow striking Unions,
- That representatives from the Labour Department and other Third Parties be permitted to attend industrial negotiations, as impartial observers,
- And that City Councils and other local bodies are given more direct control over Council Controlled Organisations CCOs) than they do at present
This will be a matter of urgency for a new incoming Labour-led Government. Union-busting cannot be allowed in this country.
Anyone in doubt as to POAL’s duplicity may wish to listen to this interview earlier today,
Radio NZ: Listen to more from Richard Pearson on Checkpoint
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Additional
Ports negotiator alleged to have sought workers
Other Blog Posts
Chris Trotter: Only People Power Can Save Our Ports
Tumeke: PoA u-turn over manufactured crisis
No Right Turn: Psychopathic management in action
Socialist Aotearoa: There is Blood in the water
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Lies, Boards, and Aucklandports (#Rua)
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Full Page advertisement in NZ Herald – three days in a row!
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If anyone remains in doubt that there is a Class War against Auckland port workers, by Ports of Auckland Ltd (POAL), then doubt-no-more.
For three days in a row, POAL has purchased full page advertisements in the NZ Herald – one one of the most expensive forms of newspaper advertising in the country.
This is on top of their factually dodgy “Fact Sheet” which contains at least one outright lie; Lies, Boards, and Aucklandports.
One wonder how the Board and CEO (Tony Gibson) can get away spending tens of thousands of dollars of company money on these adverts? This is revenue from POAL that should either have been used to upgrade the company; pay the workers’ salaries; or paid to Auckland City Council as a dividend.
Is this legal?
Is it acceptable use of company money?
And what does Auckland City Council and Len Brown have to say about POAL money being used in this manner?
I’ve stated this before, and will repeat it again; POAL CEO Tony Gibson and Board, are out of control.
Auckland City Council must reign in this rogue management – or sack them and appoint a new Board of Directors, and new CEO.
And if Auckland City Council and Len Brown decide that the Board and CEO must be relieved of their duties – then no ‘golden parachute‘!
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1. Sack the Board and CEO of Ports of Auckland Ltd!
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2. Appoint a new Board and CEO of Ports of Auckland Ltd!
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3. Reinstate the sacked maritime workers!
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4. Engage in meaningful negotiations!
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5. Len Brown: End this farce now!
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Additional
Ports of Auckland protest action reaches Sydney
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Unfortunate Outrage?
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It seems that practically any criticism of our Dear Leader, these days, elicits a critical response from certain quarters. Robyn Malcolm’s remarks at the opening of the Greens’ campaign have been described by the NZ Herald, as “vitriolic”,
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The NZ Herald article carries on with similar comments,
“But fronting the campaign opening in Wellington, Malcolm savaged Mr Key’s performance.” – Ibid
Robyn Malcolm’s comments consisted of the following,
“”We have a leader who seems to be more interested in talking about his cats on the radio, being seen at the rugby and getting on the cover of the Woman’s Weekly. I thought that was my job…”
“We ended up voting in a Government who’ve revealed their total lack of interest in leading us into the 21st century with any innovation, courage, or social integrity, despite what a nice guy he [Mr Key] seems to be…”
“An unshakeable and abiding love of fossil fuels … and an inability to follow through on promises of any kind, but will make anything up for a Hollywood mogul should they happen to come down this way…” ” – Ibid
Ms Malcolm’s comments are critical, certainly. Hard-hitting, probably.
But “vitriolic“? And “savaging“?
These are subjective interpretations – opinion – not impartial reporting. To some people, Ms Malcolm’s remarks would be harsh. To others, they would be fair comment. The determination of how we, the public, might feel about her statements should be left up to us to determine – not prompted by a media report.
Gordon McLauchlan, on Jim Mora’s Radio NZ afternoon panel, made precisely the same pertinent observations and criticised the Herald’s slanted reporting of this event.
One wonders how it came to pass in this country, that an ordinary citizen can be vilified in such a manner by the press, for daring to criticise our elected representatives. This sort of thing was more common in my parents’ country-of-birth, prior to the collapse of the Soviet empire.
As an aside; I heard most of Ms Malcolm’s speech on the radio. I was driving at the time, so wasn’t paying much attention. What I can recall is that she was certainly critical of John Key and his love-affair with photo-opportunities – but certainly did not sound anywhere near “vitiriolic”. Quite the opposite, I considered her words and tone to be quite measured and reasonable.
If anyone has been “savaged” – it is Robyn Malcolm by the unreasonable editorialising in the Herald’s article. The tone and wording of that article is truly, vitriolic.
What is just as bad, is the outrageous hypocrisy shown by Auckland City Councillor, Cameron Brewer, who joined in the hysterical condemnation of Ms Malcolm. Brewer was reported in the same newspaper (NZ Herald) as saying,
“Given Robyn Malcolm is clearly so anti the Government and the Prime Minister, she is far too partisan to front this all-important public consultation and plan . Her personal politics will really colour this council and the plan itself. It is just not appropriate in local government to employ someone whose politics are so pointed to be fronting a public consultation campaign.” Source
Brewer has demanded that Ms Malcolm be replaced because of her perceived partisanship, saying,
“The mayor now needs to urgently reconsider whether she is the best ambassador to launch the plan.” – Ibid
Is this the same Cameron Brewer who recently considered seeking the candidacy for the National Party in the Tamaki electorate?
Why yes, I believe it is.
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So, let’s be quite clear about what Cameron Brewer is saying;
- Voicing comments that are anti-government and critical of John Key makes it “inappropriate” for Robyn Malcolm to be connected with an Auckland City Council project because she could be seen as “partisan”, is not acceptable.
- Supporting the current government and intending to stand as one of their candidates, whilst being a member of the same Auckland City Council, is not partisan and is acceptable.
My parents came from an Eastern European country that, prior to 1989, had been ruled by the local Communist Party. The power and influence of the Party reached into all areas of public life.
For example, if, as a teenager, you wanted to go to University then you had to be a member of the youth wing of the Party, the “Young Communists”. If you wanted a good job, you had to be a full member, in good standing, of the Communist Party.
I think we know where I’m coming from on this issue.
In essence, for Brewer to accept Robyn Malcolm as the representative of Auckland’s Waste Management and Minimisation Plan, she must be a card-carrying, Key-cuddling, member of the National Party.
Thank you, Comrade Brewer, for showing us how little you value political diversity of opinion.
Will you be following up with a One-Party state and Gulag prisons for dissidents such as Ms Malcolm?
And me next, I suppose?
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New Poll Should Have National Very, Very, VERY Worried!
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A new poll out today in the NZ Herald should have National’s strategists very worried. Instead of the unfeasibly high 50%+ results that others polls have been showing – this Herald “Mood of the Nation” poll appears to mirror a recent Horizon Poll.
The results:
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NZ Herald “Mood of the Nation“- 9 November 2011 |
Horizon Poll- 20 October 2011 |
2008 General Election Results- 8 November 2008 |
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National |
43.00% |
36.80% |
44.93% |
Labour |
31.00% |
25.70% |
33.99% |
Greens |
14.00% |
11.60% |
6.72% |
ACT |
(not stated) |
3.40% |
3.65% |
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In both polls, the gap between National and Labour is between 11.1% (NZ Herald) and 12% (Horizon). The Greens would fill that gap nicely, becoming essential to form a coalition.
Wild cards: the Maori Party and Mana Party.
Not likely to retain seats in Parliament: ACT and Peter Dunne.
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+++ Updates +++
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Additional reading
Horizon Poll: Don’t know voters and minor parties will determine who governs
NZ Herald: Mood of the Nation: Labour winning battle for youth
New Zealand general election, 2008
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It’s official: Political Dissent Discouraged in NZ!
Government Minister to political dissenters: “Pull your Head in!”
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Steven Joyce
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The government has ordered Auckland University to cease political protest action. Government minister, Steven Joyce yesterday decreed that “my general advice to NZUSA (NZ Union of Students’ Associations) on the cost of living for students is to keep your heads down”.
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As usual, the full force of the State was brought in to “control” the situation,
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PROTEST: Police on standby at Auckland University after students took over the business building.
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Joyce further added, “I think most New Zealanders think students are reasonably well looked after at this point in time”.
“Mr Joyce said university students had 75 per cent of the tuition subsidised on average and benefited from interest-free student loans.” Source
This is true: university students currently have much of their tuition fees subsidised by the State. And their student loans are interest free.
However, the Minister for Tertiary Education forgot to reveal to the NZ Herald that he recieved a free tertiary education. No student fees. No student debt. It was all paid for by the tax-payer.
So, it seems rather curious that Mr Joyce, who benefitted from a free, tax-payer funded, tertiary education, with no debt incurred from his tuition – can order fee-paying students to cease all political dissent.
Another case of a Baby Boomer telling Gen X to “do as I say, not as I do”?
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Source for information
- Steven Joyce, born: 1963.
- After completing a zoology degree at Massey University, Steven started his first radio station, Energy FM, in his home town of New Plymouth, at age 21 (1984).
- Student Loan system is started: 1992.
Additional reading
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Sloppy Journalism 101
How to be a sloppy journalist…
NZ Herald journalist Derek Cheng writes about National’s planned “welfare reforms” on 14 August. Mr Cheng writes,
“The Government will limit how 16 and 17-year-old beneficiaries and 18-year-old teen parents can spend the state’s money to ensure they are not buying items such as alcohol or cigarettes…”
Mr Cheng continues in the same vein, a little later on,
“* money for basic living costs like food and groceries will be loaded onto a payment card that can only be used to buy certain goods and cannot be used to buy things like alcohol and cigarettes…”
That’s all very well and good… but it’s already illegal for 16 and 17 year olds to purchase alcohol and tobacco products.
Why has Mr Cheng not pointed this out in his article?
National’s policy release has been barely challenged by the mainstream media (MSS) and sounds as if 16 and 17 year olds are freely purchasing tobacco and liquor in this country. They may well be. But it is not dependent on whether or not under 18s are beneficiaries.
In fact, it could be argued that 16 and 17 year olds on a Living Alone Allowance are less likely to be able to afford expensive cigarettes and booze.
The Independent Youth Benefit rate (as at 1 April 2011) is $167.83 per week – NETT.
That’s right folks, that’s what this is all about: $167.83 a week. Out of that, a young person living independently has to pay board, food, clothing, transport, power, phone, and other outgoings.
That doesn’t leave much for boozing and fagging much, does it?
Yet, Mr Cheng ignores all this and simply parrots National Party policy, without any critical analysis whatsoever.
This is simply unacceptable. It brings to mind government-owned newspapers such as “Pravda” and “Izveztia” from the now-defunct Soviet Union. These newspapers were nothing more than mouthpieces for the Soviet Communist Party. they had as much to do with critical, investigative reporting – as Vegans have to raising cattle and lamb for supermarkets.
Perhaps the Herald should re-brand as “The New Zealand Government Herald“? Or simply, “The State Mouthpiece“?
Because that is what it seems to be evolving into.
As usual, the three Golden Rules to apply to the MSS are,
- Don’t believe everything you read, see, and hear.
- What am I not being told?
- Will it sell advertising?
