Posts by Paul Williams
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And WTF is Paula Bennett constantly referred to as "The Bolter"?
It's not that misapplied is it Craig. A second term MP who vaults into senior Ministerial positions and the front bench; seems to justify the tag to me.
I hope she does well. I had a few brief interactions with her through student politics and remember her as engaging and smart. But, it's a tough ask to go from the Opposition to the Ministry let alone high-profile spots on the front bench. I don't know who'll line up against her, but she'll surely be the focus for Opposition attention.
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That's probably why they are all starting to run into very large debts.
It will be nice to see if the new government stops telling schools that they have some great programs but they aren't going to give them any money to run them.
Pita Sharples might be keen to look at throwing some dosh towards Te Kotahitanga.
Yamis, I'm not sure I understand the first part of this? I'm guessing from the latter part however, that you've been frustrated by a lack of funding? One of the arguments for bulk funding was that it gave schools more flexibility. I've not looked into it enough but I understood bulk-funded schools nevertheless had to use funding for salaries for actual salaries and not operational expenditure. Perhaps someone can clarify?
__If Kiwiblog ever closed down what on earth would Larry Williams and Leighton Smith do for material for their shows ?__
As a dutiful Media Monitor, I must sadly report that Leighton would not suffer one bit. He seems fonder of drawing material from Not PC.
Gosh... If only the blogosphere did not have so much fringe. It's almost emo.
Matty/Glenn, and I'm still amazed there's an audience for this kind of crap. Kiwiblog is at least a slightly less nutty place, that is if you never read the comments.
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Didn't Alan Peachey enter politics (as a Nat) for the sole purpose of re-instituting bulk funding? Would be interesting to hear his views on Hide vs Tolley.
That's my memory of things. Bulk funding and greater funding for private schools were once the major points of difference between the parties in the compulsory sector. The significance of bulk-funding was, IMO, always a little overplayed. NZ school principals have far more autonomy and personal responsibility than is the case in many other countries including Australia.
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Reading The Hive and Roar Prawn, it is clear how much buy-in Tim Selwyn got for his political blog rankings -- although I'm still not sure exactly what they're measuring.
I'll not pretend any technological insights, but it's clear in the amateur blogosphere, Tumeke's rating carry some weight. Whether they convert to real influence, merit or profit is another matter.
Apparently a few journos are influenced by the 'sphere and the Hive claims to have been behind a number of stories in the MSM. This could be little more than vainglory, however I'd like to know whether the Hive was just another front for the National Party and whether their writers' connections were disclosed to the media?
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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.
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Full list here (I thought for a moment that the gossip about Jonathan Coleman not getting Broadcasting was true):
I have more than a few quibbles with National but again, I give credit to Key for making the most of the talent he has. That said, he may regret giving McCully Foriegn Affairs, he's hardly credible in NZ, let alone on a broader stage.
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Adding to Russell's sporting congratulations, our man Lyndon has just come up with one of his best posts yet (and that's no peanuts).
Maaarrvellous! I envy that kind of talent.
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National uses whichever one it wants to get legislation passed in the background, all the while looking 'reasonable'; most media concentrate on the sniping rather than the legislation; and we look up in three years and suddenly notice that we've, like, privatised the air in public parks or something.
I think you've just alighted on their exact strategy; let the wingnuts compete for column inches and just get on with it (though I'm predicting a pretty modest first-term program if circumstances permit).
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Maiden speeches are often deceptive. Anyone can manufacture a little insight for a one-off and then skulk off to the backbenches to snooze. Or worse, self-immolate; I remember Tuku Morgan's maiden speech being damned impressive and look at his wonderously short political career! No, it's the valedictory speech I enjoy most. Particularly those of MPs who've actually done something.
David, I think your's is a wonderful list, but I worry that new MPs mistake the nature of the occassion. This isn't the culmination of their life's ambition, at least it shouldn't be.
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Lest, I quibble too much, I think it is obvious that John Key and his advisors have shown great skill and purpose in sealing these agreements to govern in just over a week.
Agreed. I remain wary of this government but they deserve credit for quickly and calmly assembling a government. It's a cliche I know, but there's real merit in the swift and trouble-free passing of authority.
In including the Maori Party, they have demonstrated not only tactical nous but a sense of vision. But I can't help but think it's not the Maori Party agreement that we're all going to be talking about.
Similarly agreed. The RNZ Focus on Politics for last week highlights the calmness and consistency of of Turia and Sharples compared with the silliness of Hide. First he's all swagger, bluff and confidence, then suppine and conciliatory and finally just outright nuts suggesting we not pay our Kyoto committments. Every government's got their jesters, but they're not often the Leader.
In this same edition, Key indicates the form of the final agreement will not lock parties into specific targets etc. I understand this approach, and tactically I see the merit, but I'd've thought it very risky for the minor parties that need to claim specific wins. Simply retaining the Maori seats, for the time being, and reviewing the Foreshore and Seabed wouldn't be enough for Maori surely?