Posts by Hilary Stace
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Access: Privacy and the right to consent…, in reply to Sacha,
Thanks for posting that so speedily, Sacha. Minister Tolley's response on RNZ shows she still doesn't get it.
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Another privacy breach does not inspire any confidence in MSD data security http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/328235/msd-'shut-down'-it-portal-over-privacy-breach
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Access: Privacy and the right to consent…, in reply to Sacha,
Yes she mentioned that too. She has an understated style in that public service way but she expressed quiet rage in her slides.
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I went to a talk on this new policy at the Fabians in Wellington by Brenda Pilott, formerly of MSD and the PSA. She now works in the community sector. She has OIA'd the official papers.
I learnt many things: that there is no clear line between collecting this data and how it will lead to measurable better outcomes for anyone; that the Minister and the PM are personally pushing the implementation of this policy, and it has already appeared in contracts such as the Social Workers in Schools contract (which work with some of the most complex families in NZ, so who would be signing over consent for whom?). Apparently those using the services and thus handing over data will have to do it via the horrifically complicated RealMe system, and then someone (who is not clear) in MSD will check the veracity of the identity and data and send it back if there are any problems. If people agree to releasing some of their data but not the rest it is not clear what will happen.
So there are a lot on unanswered questions. It is clear this is an ideological answer to an unclear problem by politicians in a hurry and without concerns for ethics. But we know it is likely a trap for those who are poorer as the private details of those who can afford to pay for such services will not be collected.
The good news is that all political parties apart from National are opposed to this policy so there is a solution via voting on 23 September.
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I have just read ‘A fort of nine towers’ by Qais Akbar Omar which is an autobiographical account of a boy growing up in Afghanistan from the time of the Russians until the post 9/11 American era. It is fascinating and horrific but helps the reader understand why accountability is so important.
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The Ministry of Education did a major recontracting of taxi services just a few years ago. It took months. Now they are doing it again. I'm sure there will be some cost cutting in there too. When you consider how long some kids spend in taxis each day and how vulnerable many of them are, I hope there is some serious and intensive training for the new drivers including in different impairment conditions.
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Speaker: 2017: My mother and her hundred…, in reply to Sacha,
Could be a whole new protest genre.
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Today we are celebrating my late mother's 100 year birthday and wondering what haiku she could have crafted from current global events.
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Ashley is still in a horrible place indefinitely. One day when someone finds a suitable house and section, and appropriate support, he might be transitioned out. I witnessed but don't understand why this small movement is such a cause for media celebration today. Will save the partying until he really has a life.
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At a public meeting after the publication of Dirty Politics, Nicky Hager predicted that John Key would get bored with politics and walk away. He was right there, too.