Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Pomp and Circumstance

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  • Caleb D'Anvers,

    I'm a bit of a n00b when it comes to understanding the nuances of party policy, but can somebody explain how an MP from the anti-regulation, pro-business Act party be MP for Consumer Affairs?

    Whaddaya, some kind of anti-formaldehyde-in-children's-pyjamas extremist? Surely everyone in New Zealand has the right to be poisoned by the industrial contaminant of his or her choice, without Nanny State intervening.

    London SE16 • Since Mar 2008 • 482 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Can I please have a big round of applause and a giant "Good Riddance too" for the absence of Lockwood Smith on the front benches. Yee har!

    I can't imagine him being any great shakes as Speaker though.

    Allowing for please-make-it-stop appointments like McCully in Foreign Affairs, I'm surprised at how much I like this Cabinet.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • andrew llewellyn,

    Maurice is there

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report Reply

  • andrew llewellyn,

    I can't imagine him being any great shakes as Speaker though.

    He'll own question time though. "Your starter for three..."

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Beard,

    can somebody explain how an MP from the anti-regulation, pro-business Act party be MP for Consumer Affairs

    But they're the Association of Consumers and Taxpayers, don'tcha know?

    Caveat emptor, and all that. In a free market, companies that sell substandard products will go to the wall as consumers vote with their feet. Because in a free market we all have perfect information, right?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report Reply

  • LegBreak,

    From chairing a kids’ game show to chairing parliament.

    The full circle for Lockwood.

    Looks like a tradition is forming for giving the Foreign Affairs portfolio to someone you need but want to see as little of as possible.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1162 posts Report Reply

  • David Ritchie,

    Ha!

    Question: did Lockwood ever host "W3"? I remember Selwyn Toogood and Peter Hawes, and of course Lockwood was on "It's Academic", but I don't ever remember him on "W3".

    Since Nov 2006 • 166 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    He'll own question time though. "Your starter for three..."

    lol.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Beard,

    He'll own question time though. "Your starter for three..."

    But all questions must start with a W.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Beard,

    I don't ever remember him on "W3"

    That's 'cos you weren't there, man!

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report Reply

  • andrew llewellyn,

    Question: did Lockwood ever host "W3"?

    Tom? Were you on W3 & was Lockwood asking the questions?

    Since Nov 2006 • 2075 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    28 Ministers, plus Lockwood. That's almost one quarter of parliament.

    I'm increasingly in favour of capping Ministerial budgets, or rules, so that they can only have about 20. We have so many associate ministers of wanting to dip my finger into this little thing here. It'd be nice to just have a Minister of doing the actual work occasionally.

    Maybe we should get someone in from the private sector to review it.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Rik,

    After reading comments on previous blogs about National being a party of "rich white men" I am wondering if the new line-up of ministers which includes a goodly proportion of women, a couple of Maori, an Asian and an "openly gay" (according to NZ Herald) mix will do anything to appease?

    Since Jun 2007 • 130 posts Report Reply

  • David Ritchie,

    I'm reading the list of ministers and mentally adding "Garthim Master" to the list of portfolios.

    Since Nov 2006 • 166 posts Report Reply

  • Rik,

    That's almost one quarter of parliament.

    Just out of interest - how does that compare to Labour's last parliament?

    Since Jun 2007 • 130 posts Report Reply

  • Luke Williamson,

    Excuse ignorance and temporary misplaced excitement about absence of Lockwood but does the Speaker get to do anything really important or can I still rejoice over Lockwood not having significant say in this government.

    Warkworth • Since Oct 2007 • 297 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Forgive my terrible lack of Wellington connectedness, but now that The Hive has retired, can anyone tell me who the secret bloggers actually were?

    They do not seem to have lacked for self-importance.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    Tim Groser would have been a much better choice for Foreign Minister, given he's got the Trade portfolio.

    Caleb D'A:

    If this gets anywhere near being passed into law here, we need to be out on the streets trying to bring this lot down. Seriously.

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

  • Russell Brown,

    Excuse ignorance and temporary misplaced excitement about absence of Lockwood but does the Speaker get to do anything really important or can I still rejoice over Lockwood not having significant say in this government.

    It does keep him out of mischief, for sure. He's only running Parliament.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Roger,

    Act's ministerial positions are horrifying. Local government is being done to death in here, but there are other portfolios that are at least as scary

    Really?

    Here in the blog-o-sphear possibly, but almost no comment at all in the general media. Despite the huge impact of local government on the daily lives of communities. Your water, sewage, stormwater, parks, libraries, roads and then regulation of building, food service, alcohol, gambling etc before you even get to RMA matters

    Hamilton • Since Jun 2007 • 179 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    Forgive my terrible lack of Wellington connectedness, but now that The Hive has retired, can anyone tell me who the secret bloggers actually were?

    They do not seem to have lacked for self-importance.

    Well, I could but I've heard only second-hand (plus I wonder about the ethics of outing someone). Still, I've copped a bit of flak from QueenBee and felt justified in asking this same question myself.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    28 Ministers, plus Lockwood. That's almost one quarter of parliament.

    I'm increasingly in favour of capping Ministerial budgets, or rules, so that they can only have about 20.

    How would the public service get supervised? I know they are all consumatte professionals, but the idea of a democracy is that the elected government and parliament controls policy (Officials advise, Ministers decide).

    Of course, right now the PS will probably make much better decisions than the government, but in 3 or 6 years time..

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

  • Rich of Observationz,

    consummate

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

  • Craig Young,

    Why do I have the sinking feeling that Jonno Young (no relation *whatsoever*) is going to be this term's Graeme Lee?

    Craig Y (currently working on another Exclusive Brethren-related article for Gaynz.Com)

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 573 posts Report Reply

  • Luke Williamson,

    cunsummate
    consommé
    consume mate

    Warkworth • Since Oct 2007 • 297 posts Report Reply

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