Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Media3: PIF, Paralympics, and a journalist goes campaigning

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  • Russell Brown,

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Graham Dunster,

    I think it's great that someone with a profile is prepared to stand up and generate discussion on one of the many repressive government bills travelling through parliament.
    In a similar vein, it would be great to see some journalistic interest in linking the calls for effective subsidisation of the Solid Energy coal mine to the wider (un)employment situation in the country.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2009 • 184 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Graham Dunster,

    calls for effective subsidisation of the Solid Energy coal mine

    That one seems interesting, yes.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Chris Bowden,

    You might want to fact check the presales figures. There seems to be some disagreement as to whether the 5,000 stat is accurate. See http://istwitterwrong.tumblr.com/post/30589859019/are-london-2012-paralympic-ticket-pre-sales-four, for example (apologies for my inability to post user friendly links)

    Auckland • Since Apr 2011 • 27 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Chris Bowden,

    You might want to fact check the presales figures. There seems to be some disagreement as to whether the 5,000 stat is accurate.

    I wondered about that. Thanks.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Paul Williams, in reply to Russell Brown,

    The Herald has a story on Tracey Barnett's campaign.

    The advice from Minister Guy, at the end of the story, is almost laughable. We've not had this problem but we need to be prepared for it. Precisely why? Where's the official advice from Immigration suggesting this is a risk and that we need to manage it?

    Moreover, why this solution - an extreme position, entirely inconsistent with our history and one that we know from Australia does not work and causes immeasurable harm.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Paul Williams,

    one that we know from Australia

    crosby, textor

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Paul Williams, in reply to Sacha,

    crosby, textor

    It's their suggestion to the Key government? Classic head-fake.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Paul Williams,

    nothing like being paid twice for the same diversionary idea

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • DexterX,

    Will the Immigration legislation be as effective as the Anti Terror legislation?
    The Herald article - Immigration Minister Guy - "New Zealand has never had a "mass arrival" of asylum seekers".

    We have a generation/work force leaving as economic refugees seeking asylum in Australia.

    The wider (un) employment situation in this country.

    The changes to industrial law – State Sector Act, the emphasis on best sourcing, the removal of the requirement to conclude collective bargaining, and an option for employers to calculate the cost of partial pay reductions in respect of partial industrial action – will have the effect of reducing wages and increase the rate of worker departure.

    Working people are to be punished further and have the option of banishing themselves to Australia or elsewhere in the pursuit of a brighter future (for themselves).

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • Paul Williams, in reply to Sacha,

    So we should await a contrived concerned citizens group too I suspect.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Paul Williams, in reply to DexterX,

    Working people are to be punished further and have the option of banishing themselves to Australia or elsewhere in the pursuit of a brighter future (for themselves).

    I resemble that remark.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Paul Williams,

    works for big tobacco, I mean small dairy owners

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Angus Robertson,

    The advice from Minister Guy, at the end of the story, is almost laughable. We've not had this problem but we need to be prepared for it. Precisely why?

    Have you seen the boats used for people smuggling?

    The boats are crap, the owners know the boats are going to be confiscated on arrival and so use a least cost possible approach. These boats have difficulty making the sub-100 nm journeys from Indonesia to Australia.

    Its a good idea to get this kind of draconian law in place, because we emphatically do not want people to undertake 3000 + nm boat trips here in unseaworthy tubs.

    Auckland • Since May 2007 • 984 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Angus Robertson,

    Cos Indonesians pay heaps of attention to NZ laws. It's not the tough sea journey that puts them off.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Paul Williams, in reply to Angus Robertson,

    Its a good idea to get this kind of draconian law in place, because we emphatically do not want people to undertake 3000 + nm boat trips here in unseaworthy tubs.

    Angus, if NZ has not had such boats arrive, and I agree your description, why might they now? Perhaps the Minister could release the official advice that quantified the risk and suggested it necessary and essential to amend the legislation?

    You may wish to examine how the "draconian" laws have worked in Australia too.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Ross Mason,

    Deja Vue......1999 Tuariki Delamere.....Who??? Ghosts in the night.....

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=8404

    and nothing like saying it like it is from the good 'ol Libertarianz

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9906/S00015.htm

    The Alexandra II must have sunk.......no...it arrived in Papua New Guinea apparently (see 31) here

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Ross Mason,

    Hmmm...was this part of the act repealed in Nov 1999 after an election?????

    And more here on knowledge before the amendments were put through....They were good these guys!!!

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12062

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report

  • Paul Williams,

    13 years later, Nathan Guy can't even point to a boat? I wonder whether Hekia Parata is calling him saying, "don't rush to get too much media on this Nate".

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic,

    I'd say the real reason for touting a solution looking for a problem is the same as that for drug-testing beneficiaries - Divide, Divert, Dehumanise. Bonus points if the "ghost boat people" happen to be Muslims.

    Woomera on the Waitemata? Tui Billboard Moment.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Ross Mason,

    Thank you Ross. Those are useful links

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Dean Papa,

    "We are better than that". Heh. Sorry, but that whole thing sounds like an exercise in self-congratulation and narcissism to me. If we really are so much better that that then perhaps we should be letting in a lot more refugees than the paltry numbers we do at present? What about a campaign for that, instead of worrying about a law that will very likely never need to be implemented in the first place? A law which, if it were to discourage just one boat from making what would be a near suicidal journey, would be worth any damage that might be done to NZ's precious self image as a unique and special nation.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2011 • 31 posts Report

  • Paul Williams, in reply to Dean Papa,

    If we really are so much better that that then perhaps we should be letting in a lot more refugees than the paltry numbers we do at present?

    I had a quick look at UNHCR data and it looks like we've gone from circa 4,000 in 2000 to circa 2,000 last year. I think you have a point.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Dean Papa,

    "We are better than that". Heh. Sorry, but that whole thing sounds like an exercise in self-congratulation and narcissism to me.

    Perhaps the sentiment of the caller to Sydneys then 2BL, disgusted at Defence Minister Peter Reith's opportunistic beating up of the children overboard myth, would be more appropriate: "What the hell is WRONG with us?"

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark,

    Oh bugger. There isn't going to be enough time to come to this as well as Late. And I know 3 of the panellists!

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

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