Posts by Paul Williams
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Hard News: Fact and fantasy, in reply to llew40,
For what its worth (and I am the son of a coal-miner who votes Labour/Green) I think the PM has done a great job as tourism minister. But I also believe NZ will never be able to compete long-term with other tourism destinations like Thailand on a mass-market basis (as we will not be able to in agriculture), so our tourism future is more viable as a premium market, which infers higher value, and higher protection of what makes it premium.
Agreed. However, Tourism is high impact and low yield (I think this is the point Islander is making). I like the notion of NZ being a high end destination, particularly for Australians (who're damn close and many don't bother). I don't like the probability of an overwhelming number of people crowding out every other 'destination' for next to no economic return or worse.
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Hard News: Fact and fantasy, in reply to Sacha,
You think that's bad? Russell's reply gave me a Greg Johnson earworm.
I've got it now too, love it; Ballgowns & Small Towns... if anyone knows Greg, please tell him he should include Sydney in his 20th anniversary tour!
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Hard News: Fact and fantasy, in reply to BenWilson,
He could and should have said he would do something about it
I recall he did, however limited that was.
(and also, more importantly, he should do something about it).
Agreed.
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Hard News: Fact and fantasy, in reply to Paul Campbell,
I was amazed by Key's "it's just marketing" comment
I made an 'against the trend' comment on this at the time saying something along the lines of "what else could he have done"? The PM's got to be a spokesperson for NZ. I understand the validity of criticising him and his government for not doing more to address the problems, but I can't think what else a PM should do when there is criticism of the country in international media other than to to try to counter it (however valid).
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Hard News: Fact and fantasy, in reply to Russell Brown,
I thought it was clear that I meant Maharey had given short shrift to those lobbying for Joy to lose his job.
Of course, I misread it. Excellent. That's what I'd expect him to do.
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Russell, you say:
Some have even sought to have him sacked from his job at Massey University -- and been given short shrift by [vice] chancellor Steve Maharey
What is this a reference too? In past roles, I've certainly commented that university academics claiming to be the critic and conscience of society ought to limit their commentary to matters on which they can reasonably claim to be expert. In this instance, it's clear that Joy has. I'd hope the VC would defend him, not chastise him.
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Hard News: Triangulated by Fools, in reply to martinb,
having a fired-up membership who know what they want from their party and are-as-mad-as-all-heck isn't one of them
Point well made.
Her failure as a minister is all the more striking because right up until she was promoted she seemed capable and articulate as an MP.
She certainly campaigned well in Mana. Perhaps she should have started with less demanding portfolios? I'm less than impressed by the current Secretary of the Ministry too. Education in NZ is, from my experience and analysis, very differently configured that many other countries, droppoing in a UK bureaucrat is risky (and in related agencies has proved to be unsuccessful too).
Because no one who's a current member, in some sort of good standing, and in possession of the inside word, would ever talk to them on the record.
Agreed, it's typically the disaffected who mostly want to grind axes... actually when is Bassett up I wonder?
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Hard News: Triangulated by Fools, in reply to Rich of Observationz,
It's an issue that vexes many. Labour's had some spectacular failures importing otherwise talented people. I also had a conversation once with another, high profile ex MP from another party, who said it was incredibly tough coming from without (for an Australian example, look at Maxine McKew. Still, without a fair bit of broad experience, I do worry that some MPs lack the necessary experience to make informed decisions and fine judgments.
That said, Hekia Parata's experienced, well qualified and, from some direct experience with her before she entered parliament, very capable, and yet she's a disastrous Minister. Ditto Paula Bennett, she definitely should be a lot better in her portfolio than she is.
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I think Prebble and Tamihere are approached 'cause they provide entertaining comment and 'cause they agree. It often occurs to me to wonder what the more sensible people think, but I suspect they're giving any counsel to Labour in private.
edit: by way of clarification, in no way is the statement above a criticism of anyone or anything said here which are/is uniformly constructive.
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Hard News: Triangulated by Fools, in reply to Joe Wylie,
There was an enormous shakeup in the NZ Labour Party prior to the 84 election, with a number of 'pro-life' candidates driven from the safe seats they'd taken for granted. Nothing like that in the offing under Shearer.
No, but I'm not sure it's warranted either?
Thanks Hilary, for the link to Jordan's very thoughtful piece on what was achieved at the conference. I think his point:
the two main political parties have remained stuck in the past. Labour and National are caught in the old ways of doing things. A small elite at the top in charge; the rest of us there as servants to carry out the wishes of the elite - pawns, all too often, in a game of thrones.
This weekend just gone, Labour started to catch up with New Zealand.Is very well made.
Did I just contradict myself though I wonder?