http://www.stuff.co.nz/vote08/0a28758.html

http://www.stuff.co.nz/vote08/4706819a28477.html

https://www.telecom.co.nz/broadband/select/1,10627,205728-204466,00.html

i could look into it, maybe they have some new Zealand style deals deals, i never…

I raised the issue of Helen and Peter’s strange marriage to Winston...

As well you might!
Helen & Peter marrying Winston is strange indeed.

Read the Lovely Helen, Minister Maid piece in the latest Women's Weekly in the supermarket today – sexy shot of Helen in white trou and a red netty top thing AND tips on diet and exercise to look fabulous at 58 too.

Are you sure that wasn't Robyn Malcolm? :)…

Helen Clark as a vacuous bimbo on the basis of the rather disturbing number of cover shoot/fluff pieces she's done for functionally retarded women's mags.

Read the Lovely Helen, Minister Maid piece in the latest Women's Weekly in the supermarket today – sexy shot of Helen in white trou and…

Paul: I'm off the view that perhaps news outlets should be doing the muckraking and tacpayer-funded researchers could... well, perhaps be doing a damn sight more to increase the quality of policy and debate in Parliament. Crazy notion, I know...

I joined the LRU within months of the National/NZF Coalition…

Three times in nine months, yes, that is.

Meh... not a call I'd be returning, but you're still drawing a rather long bow unless we're going to be typing Helen Clark as a vacuous bimbo on the basis of the rather disturbing number of cover shoot/fluff pieces she's done for…

but giving an interview (and being put on the cover) is a "close association"?

Three times in nine months, yes, that is.

I also have a good opinion of John Key and share your views on Wishart. But I think it is worth pointing out to the former that associating…

Clearly, John Key does not share your sentiments. If you don't like that, I suggest you direct your displeasure at him, not us.

Glad to hear it Craig. So next time Key whines about "personal attacks" and "digging dirt" in reference to perfectly legitimate questions you will be the first to waive the close association with Investigate in his face.

Don: My disdain for Ian Wishart and all his works is well on…

I'm still of the view that the role of all Parliamentary parties, and their staff, is to carefully and thoroughly scrutinise each other including back-stories, when they are relevant, and Key's trading is. IMO.

Paul: I'm off the view that perhaps news outlets should be doing the muckraking and tacpayer-funded…

If anyone thinks it's not as bad, just say so.

I think I took your comments in the manner they were offered in my earlier reply and I'm still of the view that the role of all Parliamentary parties, and their staff, is to carefully and thoroughly scrutinise each other…

I doubt it took that much time to look up the records

Possibly. Would it be better if I'd said __"is that as bad as 'researchers' in the…

Hmmm, is that as bad as 'researchers' in the PM's dept spending a lot of time going thru Key's share dealings of the last 5+ years??

Sorry, but that's just nonsense. The issue relates directly to Key's declarations, his potential conflicts of interest and his actions in the House.…

This is more fun than an after-school get together in Flaxmere…

Is this a chain I see before me?

In the end, Key should be held accountable for what he does or doesn't say.

Glad to hear it Craig. So next time Key whines about "personal attacks" and "digging dirt" in reference to perfectly legitimate questions you will be the first to waive the close association with Investigate in…

This is more fun than an after-school get together in Flaxmere…

end of the fields for a smoke?

Chuck, what I enjoy about PA is that it's refreshingly free of snideness and innuendo.

So long as it doesn't involve Sarah Palin. Perhaps it's okay so long as you don't slander New Zealanders.

What? Me? On a high horse? I believe you're thinking of this picture.

the other thing is that this is our community, and we can exclude if we want to.

chuck, piss off, you dirty, dirty troll

This is more fun than an after-school get together in Flaxmere…

chuck, piss off, you dirty, dirty troll.

And then you popped up.

which turned out to be no rumour.

John, have you any proof? Were you a witness or can you produce one?

Russell seems like double standard. Are you going to warn John Morrison about posting unsubstantiated rumours?

Hmmm, is that as bad as 'researchers' in the PM's dept spending a lot of time going thru Key's share dealings of the last 5+ years??

Or covertly recording candidates at cocktail parties, and "leaking" the results to the media?

Craig, there's no suggestion the Labour Research Unit had anything…

2) Is there actually an argument here for the Register of Pecuniary Interests being a) more detailed and stringent, 2) having oversight completely independent of Parliament

on the first point i've heard that the register is being overhauled as we speak, and has been in the process for several months.…

as if Labour have a plan or anything.

It struck me that this is a key flaw in your argument ;-)

(but, no, I wouldn't even buy a new car from him. He fair oooozes insincerity IMHO)

[...] or there's something we don't know.

One could imagine Labour has something on Key that they're waiting to dish late in the campaign, with, say, three or four weeks to go; just enough time to let him deny it, show he's lied, and so on.

They've based the campaign…

Is there actually an argument here for the Register of Pecuniary Interests ... having oversight completely independent of Parliament

Interestingly, Gilbert Myles and I spent a lot of time drafting a Bill which would have imposed all sorts of accountability measures on MPs, including an independent Commissioner for Parliamentary Standards…

...Mallard with Clark’s approval made comments about Brash’s private life.

which turned out to be no rumour.

In my remote part of the world any Nat member happily tells you the latest tittle-tattle/nasty rumour about Clark & co. They might not start them but they certainly don't stop them.

Hmmm, is that as bad as 'researchers' in the PM's dept spending a lot of time going thru Key's share dealings of the last 5+ years??

Or covertly recording candidates at cocktail parties, and "leaking" the results to the media?

In the end, Key should be held accountable for what…

Now you know why he's called "Chuck". Sorry.....couldn't resist...

teehee

On an happier note, McCain is surely toast now. Letterman tracks a huge lie as it unfolds.

Heh. Excuse me senator. You seem to have glued your pants around your ankles. Was that intentionally stupid or stupidly intentional?

Sorry for the tangent, but I'll just offer this with no further comment:

Ex New Zealand First MP and High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Brian Donnelly, has passed away at the age of 59. A family member says he died at midday on Thursday after a short illness.

That's…

The allegation you're referring to is baseless and malicious. If you bring any more Wishart slime here I will ban you permanently.

Sigh of relief. Thanks Russell. I just had a sick feeling in my stomach and couldn't think how to deal with it without bringing up my lunch.

Ex New Zealand First MP and High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Brian Donnelly, has passed away at the age of 59.

Suck. He was a good guy, and NZ First's only liberal.

Agreed.

I'm with RB, I'm sick of it all and really disappointed in the PM in not sacking WP when she had the chance. I simply cannot understand why she hangs on and refused to censure him.

Ahem. Welcome to MMP.

Ex New Zealand First MP and High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Brian Donnelly, has passed away at the age of 59.

Suck. He was a good guy, and NZ First's only liberal.

Ex New Zealand First MP and High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, Brian Donnelly, has passed away at the age of 59.

A family member says he died at midday on Thursday after a short illness.

We've a ways to go yet.

Oh yeah. A long long long way to go. Troy Buswell is now the West Australian treasurer.

You can make this stuff up, but why bother when it is provided free of charge by the wide brown land eh?

Not defending it (going so far) but I suspect it *does* have a correlation with the cancerous turn in politics that took place 4 years ago.

Oh, I see... so Don Brash is controlling Helen Clark from beyond the (political) grave? Gee, how about we actually cut all the bullshit…

one day the people of New Zealand will elect good politicians, and they won't like it.

depends what that means....

elect good people to be our politicians? – what's not to like?

elect people who are especially good at being a politician?- yeah, I see your point.

will seem rather easy-going to any ordinary citizen who has faced, say, a tax audit

Section 143B of the Tax Administration Act 1994

Evasion or similar offence

1. A person commits an offence against this Act if the person –
   1. Knowingly does not keep the books and documents required…

Those are both excellent points. Yet they didn't sustain that political damage just six weeks from a general election, did they?

I think a comparison between the smacking law change and support for WP also needs to consider the fact that politicians (often anyway) stand for parliament to change things.…

But, as always, he takes a long time to say not much, and if he gets a laugh from a joke, makes sure to repeat it. Usually twice.

On an happier note, McCain is surely toast now.

You'd think so, but I thought he was toast when he picked Joan of Alaska to be his Vice President and instead his poll numbers went through the roof. I've given up trying to guess how US voters are going to…

One would be: not having a Prime Minister who's happy to legitimise Wishart's rag (see current issue).

That's number 3 interview. Has Investigate become the mouthpiece of National?

On an happier note, McCain is surely toast now. Letterman tracks a huge lie as it unfolds.

Excellent, thanks Don. Letterman actually does it well. I think McCain's misplayed this and Obama's capitalising (will be interesting to see how it plays through on realclearpolitics).

Number 8 (which is probably as far as we need to go)

How many are there? And have they all been asked first? ISTR one minor party where it was news to some of the list candidates that they were running?

Not sure where to go from here.

Concoct, or parrot some dumbarse conspiracy theory.

there are much more important things on which to base a voting decision than this.

One would be: not having a Prime Minister who's happy to legitimise Wishart's rag (see current issue).

On an happier note, McCain is surely toast now. Letterman tracks a huge lie as it unfolds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjkCrfylq-E

This line gets patted out frequently. How valid, though, is it really? Think of the foreign ministers we've had in the past: Goff, McKinnon, Moore, Marshall, Lange, Talboys. You have to go back to Warren Cooper to find a foreign minister who wasn't well respected.

Sure. But it does seem…

To me it seems that Labour is throwing this election away by insanely supporting Winnie when it appears that he is corrupt. I cannot fathom why they are going to such lengths to support him.

Now I have totally run out of parties to vote for ...

I'm not about…

Do you not think that the real reason Labour supports Winston is that Labour is scared Winston goes feral? Ian Wishart repeatedly asked Labour if Peter Davis got out of the US in a hurry on a diplomatic passport.

The allegation you're referring to is baseless and malicious. If…

But, as everyone is saying, why go so far?

Not defending it (going so far) but I suspect it *does* have a correlation with the cancerous turn in politics that took place 4 years ago.

This is where the opposition tried to remove MPs and Ministers time and time again.…

the people setting up the new party or signing the petition or even bombarding talkback radio were not likely to be Labour party voters in the first place.

true. it will be interesting to see how the incumbent government recovers any swing voters who have been adversely influenced by the…

to general shock and amazement, Peters has been a reasonably good foreign affairs minister, especially with respect to our relations with governments in the Pacific, which are very important.

This line gets patted out frequently. How valid, though, is it really? Think of the foreign ministers we've had in the…

for example, i can't see this issue resulting in the establishment of a new political party, or a multi-k signature petition.

True; although the people setting up the new party or signing the petition or even bombarding talkback radio were not likely to be Labour party voters in the first…

I want SOMEONE to start asking some serious questions about the affordability of National's tax cuts.

What, discuss policy? Never!

Apart from cutting tax, there are all the Nats other expensive promises and semi-promises – more cops, more money for the defence force, pork for the telecoms industry (sorry -…

We'd better start checking out the United Future list. "Kelly who?"

Number 3 (possible MP if they boost their vote) is current party president Denise Krum.

Number 4 (ditto) is former national MP Graeme Reeves. I'll do a Hansard on him to see if he said anything stupid during his…

You reckon Che? There are a lot of people who have & had no problem with that bill.

it would be interesting to see polling on the two issues.

for example, i can't see this issue resulting in the establishment of a new political party, or a multi-k signature petition.

but…

Now I have totally run out of parties to vote for ...

One factor which will be having some sway, although it's hard to say how much: to general shock and amazement, Peters has been a reasonably good foreign affairs minister,

Indeed and I feel a little (very little) sorry for the guy – I think if we looked a bit closer…

Do you not think that the real reason Labour supports Winston is that Labour is scared Winston goes feral? Ian Wishart repeatedly asked Labour if Peter Davis…

one could almost argue that they sustained more damage than the current fracas.

You reckon Che? There are a lot of people who have & had no problem with that bill. I'd punt that a lot more people have reservations about the Peters' saga & how Labour have played it.

I wonder…

Thank god, or whoever, this smokescreen is dissipating and we can start looking at what really matters, the election (Our Election, not that other one in that country that's about to go down the gurgler)

And speaking of which, as part of the NRT / In A Strange Land programme…

We'd better start checking out the United Future list. "Kelly who?"

It is worth remembering that Labour sustained as much political damage through supporting a Green MP's private member's bill.

hear hear.

one could almost argue that they sustained more damage than the current fracas.

Those are both excellent points. Yet they didn't sustain that political damage just six weeks from…

It is worth remembering that Labour sustained as much political damage through supporting a Green MP's private member's bill.

hear hear.

one could almost argue that they sustained more damage than the current fracas.

The plot's got so many holes, it's lace.

CT "exactly, We pile the poo on Winnie and back him into a corner. Labour will stand by him and look bad by association. When the dust starts to settle we out John on the Tranz rail thingy"
Natguy: But Winnies a racebaiting, xenophobe who we kicked out…

It is worth remembering that Labour sustained as much political damage through supporting a Green MP's private member's bill.

I'm grateful you made that point. Labour mightn't always have been as friendly towards the Greens as they could have been, but where there's been a coincidence of interests, they've surely…

Not to me – they're associated by deed now in terms of their actions in the Priviledges Committee and the House. I thought it was all well played by Labour up until those points....

Such as lobbying members of the Committee?

Perhaps Parliamentarians have a different sense of morality

MPs…

I'm with RB, I'm sick of it all and really disappointed in the PM in not sacking WP when she had the chance. I simply cannot understand why she hangs on and refused to censure him.

Oh, I can. You're in politics because you believe you have the best ideas,…

I'm really undecided about who to vote for in 6 weeks time, because Clark…

I think this election maybe all about the unknown , uncontactable and unpolled voter and about how big that group has grown since the last
election, ie literally the people who don't have landlines.

Labour seem to be courting…

It really does beg the question. WHY?!?

The desire to go full term, without a messy last-minute breakup, coupled with the need to retain what may be a crucial ally in post-election coalition negotiations. But even then. I don't see any need to be so vocal about it. They may…

I guess the moral of the story is that if you make rich, powerful enemies you shouldn't engage in illegal and corrupt practices and then pointlessly provoke a war with the national media.

I'm still don't agree Danyl. If he's made rich and powerful enemies by exposing their corruption, shouldn't…

There is no way to downplay the fact that when Mr Key was asked the question, his first instinct appeared to be to deny the truth.

The moral highground is easily obtainable when your opponents are seen as actively endorsing lies and excuse making. Admit…

Labour's tainted by association, not by deed

Not to me – they're associated by deed now in terms of their actions in the Priviledges Committee and the House. I thought it was all well played by Labour up until those points....

Could our politicians be sinking to the level of (gasp) Australian ones?

Heh, get back to me when we sack someone for stripping to his gruts and straddling a colleague's breasts at a party. Yes, that was the NSW Police minister.

We've a ways to go yet.

Perhaps, but that's what annoys me about this; Labour's tainted by association, not by deed. If Peters and Key have both lied the public, it's only electoral calculations that preclude Labour from condemning both...

Nicely put.

Labour's behaviour has been despicable, or strategic, depending on how you view it. I still think Helen's main worry is if they cut NZ1 loose at least…

I guess the moral of the story is that if you…

While his moral "high" ground is absolutely rather low, it still strikes me as being relatively higher than Labour's after the last couple of weeks.

Perhaps, but that's what annoys me about this; Labour's tainted by association, not by deed. If Peters and Key have both lied the public, it's…

He is denuded of his moral high-ground

While his moral "high" ground is absolutely rather low, it still strikes me as being relatively higher than Labour's after the last couple of weeks.

Jesus Christ Danyl... Are you REALLY thanking shadowy people with an agenda paying private investigators to go through someones's dirty linen until they finally find a blue dress with a stain on it?

I think there was a story (or stories) there before anyone started looking. And to be, honest,…

Norman : It was in relation to a gift, actually. One of the points that had to be resolved was whether a gift had in fact occurred. Because one of the [Brian…

National have…

Once could argue for the privileges committee to be replaced by a judge and jury with the power to…

Whoever it was did the country a favor – in addition to lying to the country non-stop for almost a year, Peters convinced…

I'm equally sure his failure to disclose his true shareholding was deliberate – you don't need to be a student of body…