Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Birth of the Nasty

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  • 81stcolumn,

    Bugger that came out wrong....it's a conspiracy !When scripting doesn't work in your browser the defailt is to post....

    Nawthshaw • Since Nov 2006 • 790 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Covering real politics rather than the sideshow takes more skills and more time to produce relevant and researched stories. I suspect that is the real issue rather than any lack of popular interest.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    Ben Wilson:

    I see the the parallels though I can a tell Joe's a kiwi by the use of the phrase "dog tucker" - draws blanks stares here.

    So, if this was an Australian blog, what would have been an appropriate phrase - torn apart by ravening drop bears?
    Hey hey, Blinky Bill
    Likes human flesh
    He loves to kill

    Anyway, if ever there was a politician who seemed to presume upon an ongoing honeymoon with the media it was Brash. It's a lesson that Key seems to have learned well.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Shep Cheyenne,

    As one who has never voted National, I'm most impressed with 12month Herceptin on offer and a little backdating, and heartened by what looks like an increase in State Housing and improvement of standards.

    I've had a theory for a while that each Party Lab/Nat does more for their non-constituant voter. Like National & Maori and Labour & Army. This strengthens their stand in the fight for the middle ground but is a rather perverse event.

    The Kiwi saver thing is a bit of a non-issue in my opinion as it's new and was only ever a vote grabbing bribe. The Tax cuts vs acc levy increase cancell each other out, not a big deal.

    90 days sounds interesting, but maybe it's a whipping boy for the Unions to claim a an inch or two in the papers.

    Since Oct 2007 • 927 posts Report Reply

  • andrew llewellyn,

    I do not understand how anyone could look at that graph and declare that because it hasn't been as hot as the hottest year ever, global warming has ceased. The usual horde of climate deniers has, however, piled into to the Guardian's comments section to declare just that.

    Call me crazy, but today I realised I am a Credit Crunch Denier.

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Call me crazy, but today I realised I am a Credit Crunch Denier.

    "I found five bucks down the back of the couch last week. Economy is looking great in my little part of the world! There should be further debate over this whole economic downturn!"

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    Joe I think it was Paul that said that. But from my time in Oz I'd say the phrase would probably be 'dead meat'. Which we also use.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    On the ETS committee, "Steve Pierson" on the Standard claims:

    At the last moment, National has flip-flopped and inserted at the last minute an additional clause to the committee’s terms of reference that questions the science of climate change.

    If true (a big "if", admittedly) that would be the fourth version of their policy on climate change in as many weeks.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    If true (a big "if", admittedly) that would be the fourth version of their policy on climate change in as many weeks.

    If this is true, then it's pathetic and alarming.

    National have been looking composed and competent right up to the point where they actually have to do something, whereupon they've looked like a shambles.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Lyndon Hood,

    If this is true...

    I heard such noises in the reporting of the debate somewhere this morning.

    Also Rodney's triumphant PR yesterday makes more sense (strictly relative) that way.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1115 posts Report Reply

  • Lyndon Hood,

    On the bright side, state house numbers are de-capped. Good that the minister responded to information in his brief, but perhaps he might have checked whether there were shortages before capping the numbers?

    In way it reminds me - one thing I though about Labour's campaigning being needlessly nasty:

    If someone changes their mind about something they used to oppose vehemently, it doesn't make them a liar. But if it happens a lot one can start wondering about their judgment...

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1115 posts Report Reply

  • Lyndon Hood,

    RNZ say the terms have been passed.

    It's not often I'm horrified by the prospect of politicians wanting to talk about science.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1115 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Harris,

    According to the Beehive site, the special committee consists of:

    Hon Peter Dunne (Chair), Craig Foss, Nicky Wagner, Dr Paul Hutchison, Hekia Parata, Hon Rodney Hide, Hon David Parker, Moana Mackey, Charles Chauvel, Jeanette Fitzsimons, and one member of the Māori Party

    and the terms of reference are:

    * identify the central/benchmark projections which are being used as the motivation for international agreements to combat climate change; and consider the uncertainties and risks surrounding those projections
    * hear views from trade and diplomatic experts on the international relations aspects of this issue
    * consider the prospects for an international agreement on climate change post Kyoto 1, and the form such an agreement might take
    * require a high quality, quantified, regulatory impact analysis to be produced to identify the net benefits or costs to New Zealand of any policy action, including international relations and commercial benefits and costs
    * consider the impact on the New Zealand economy and New Zealand households of any climate change policies, having regard to the weak state of the economy, the need to safeguard New Zealand's international competitiveness, the position of trade-exposed industries, and the actions of competing countries
    * examine the relative merits of a mitigation or adaptation approach to climate change for New Zealand
    * consider the case for increasing resources devoted to New Zealand-specific climate change research, examine the relative merits of an emissions trading scheme or a tax on carbon or energy as a New Zealand response to climate change
    * consider the need for any additional regulatory interventions to combat climate change if a price mechanism (an ETS or a tax) is introduced
    * consider the timing of introduction of any New Zealand measures, with particular reference to the outcome of the December 2009 Copenhagen meeting, the position of the United States, and the timetable for decisions and their implementation of the Australian government and report to the House accordingly.

    * Note: Due to an administrative error, the first bullet point above was not included in the Terms of Reference published in the order paper this morning

    Waikanae • Since Jul 2008 • 1343 posts Report Reply

  • Lyndon Hood,

    According to the Beehive site

    ...on Tuesday. The issue here is that someone seems to have changed their mind.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1115 posts Report Reply

  • Jan Farr,

    The current incoming government is suggesting far reaching changes in educational accountability and more testing in schools at a time when other nations are actually seeking to reduce testing in schools.

    With no consultation at all with teachers. We can't say Nicky Hager didn't warn us.

    Carterton • Since Apr 2008 • 395 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    I hope this Climate Change select committee doesn't get asked if they want tea or coffee. They'll take up the whole day arguing about the question, never mind the answer.

    Latest (NZPA, today):

    Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee today officially added to the committee's terms of reference: "Identify the central/benchmark projections which are being used as the motivation for international agreements to combat climate change; and consider the uncertainties and risks surrounding those projections."

    Draft terms, released when National signed up ACT as a support partner in post-election negotiations, included an examination of the scientific claims underpinning climate change theory, but were then dropped in the version tabled in Parliament.

    Select committees are officially masters of their own destiny, but Peter Dunne, who will chair the inquiry, said MPs were not going to start digging into the basic science.

    Today Mr Brownlee indicated National MPs would be taking the same stance.

    "There are those...who say we should start questioning the science. I want to make it abundantly clear that these terms of reference does not allow questioning of the science," Mr Brownlee.

    National wanted an inquiry to look at New Zealand's unique position as developed nation heavily reliant on agriculture.

    Mr Hide, who will sit on the committee, has said as far as he was concerned the committee will get to look at the issue of the science theory behind climate change.

    Climate change sceptic Mr Hide said the reference to central projections, risks and uncertainties could allow examination of the science.

    (emphasis added)

    Don't bother trying to work out what it all means, just wait for the next clarification - now issued daily.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • Jan Farr,

    As one who has never voted National, I'm most impressed with 12month Herceptin on offer

    But have you seen the Auckland Women's Health Council's paper on The Funding Of 12 Months Treatment With Herceptin For Her2 Positive Early Breast Cancer?

    Carterton • Since Apr 2008 • 395 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    Mr Hide, who will sit on the committee, has said as far as he was concerned the committee will get to look at the issue of the science theory behind climate change.

    Submissions on the Celtic pre-Polynesian settlement of NZ will be warmly welcomed.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Don't bother trying to work out what it all means, just wait for the next clarification - now issued daily.

    One suspects it'll mean something different to everyone who stands up in front of the committee.

    It's a waste of time, I just hope it's not a waste of time that ends up doing serious damage.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    the Celtic pre-Polynesian settlement of NZ

    Wasn't that the topic of the rest of the site where I found the photo drivers license stuff recently?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • andrew llewellyn,

    Submissions on the Celtic pre-Polynesian settlement of NZ will be warmly welcomed.

    All your foreshores & seabeds are belong to us.

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    But have you seen the Auckland Women's Health Council's paper on The Funding Of 12 Months Treatment With Herceptin For Her2 Positive Early Breast Cancer?

    Outcome-based rational process: 0
    Craven acceptance of emotive campaign run by drug multinational: 1

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Hosking,

    Don't bother trying to work out what it all means, just wait for the next clarification - now issued daily.

    Very simply (and I say this after 15 years covering select committees, and also with a weary sigh)....although the inquiry will have its own terms of reference, people will make submissions along whatever lines they feel fit.

    Case in point: last year's monetary policy select committee inquiry, which heard from social creditors, gold standard zealots, you name it. Not within the terms of reference, so those kinds of suggestions were ignored when the committee reported.

    It'll be the same with this one. It's nothing special.

    South Roseneath • Since Nov 2006 • 830 posts Report Reply

  • simon g,

    But what if the inquiry had actually been launched in order to satisfy a gold standard zealot, and he was sitting on the committee?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Climate change sceptic Mr Hide said the reference to central projections, risks and uncertainties could allow examination of the science.

    And he's right. Rob's also doubtless right too ...

    That statement is the kind of gibberish you'd expect from a government on the ropes, not one enjoying its first week in Parliament.

    National's transition from successful marketing organisation to actual government looks more awful by the hour.

    BTW: when John Key was asked by bFM today why the draft bills to be rushed through aren't available for MPs to read, he said he didn't know and they should ask Gerry Brownlee ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

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