I mean, the ABC was reporting that as the LNP's line as to why the mess is Labor's fault; that they had somehow spooked the market by pushing renewables too hard.
Can't remember or find which Liberal Minister trotted this out, but I believe it was Dutton.
If only all protests were treated with the same contempt as Brain Tamaki's march. It's refreshing to hear from those affected by a protest. Which isn't even given the legitimacy of the word "protest" but is instead a "disruption".
If only all protests were treated with the same contempt as Brain Tamaki's march. It's refreshing to hear from those affected by a protest. Which isn't even given the legitimacy of the word "protest" but is instead a "disruption".
Eh, there are legit reasons to protest and i would not want those protesters slandered.
...Tamaki's group can fuck right off (I feel sorry for them, but in the sense of i feel sorry for anything that a parasite has glomed onto, and is sucking dry. And at least parasites are normally some sort of use to the planet, i have no idea what Tamaki is useful for)
FishmanPut your goddamned hand in the goddamned Box of Pain.Registered Userregular
So there's an even lower number of candidates than usual for the NZ local council elections, which are pretty thin at the best of times.
The NZ alt-right and VFF in particular are attempting to use this as an opportunity to stealth into local government this year following the basic QAnon playbook:
There is a shortage of candidates in local body elections. This is a clear path to power for VFF and other conspiracist candidates who wish to excerpt their power over the opinions of the majority of New Zealanders
VFF are organised, pushing candidate information packs, and bringing together teams to support local body candidates. And you’ll notice, their main goal is to prevent the influence of UN agenda locally, which is 100% a conspiracy theory. #nzpol
Low numbers & of those that are standing, a serious proportion of them are Voices For Freedom plants whose core focus is making the country ungovernable, starting w/exploiting local govt.
I know many just roll their eyes at local govt elections, but it's going to be really important this year to
A) Vote
cool smiley) Do a bit of due diligence and make sure you aren't voting in some anti-vaxx no-fluoridation pillock.
C) Maybe think about standing as a candidate? Nominations close Friday noon.
That's unbelievably cool. Your new name is cool guy. Let's have sex.
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lonelyahavaCall me Ahava ~~She/Her~~Move to New ZealandRegistered Userregular
That woman has done more fucking damage than you would think a knitting designer could do.
A note: VFF was founded by a failed politician, a crochet pattern designer, and a knitting pattern designer. And until just over a year ago I worked closely with and considered the knitting designer a mentor.
I think our local elections are pretty well sorted for candidates and those that are standing are the ones that have been in the district for years and are hugely well known and even respected. So no real point in my standing.
FishmanPut your goddamned hand in the goddamned Box of Pain.Registered Userregular
One of the people standing in another ward is a 3-term former councilor who was trespassed from council while he was serving, was not allowed to meet female staff alone, and now has a security escort every time he's inside council buildings as a private citizen.
In what is probably a surprise to no-one, he's also a former soldier / cop who maybe lends too much credence to 'freedoms'.
Sadly, local council being local council, probably no-one even remembers what happened 15 years ago so it's not inconceivable he'll try to rebrand as 'experienced council/law-type able to bring stability to unruly council'.
It is really deeply upsetting that Luxon's going back to the beneficiary bashing well, including saying that people on health and disability related benefits who are under 25 could be targeted by sanctions.
Just... fuck off you entitled little shit stain. Or better yet, let's strip you of all your resources, all your friends and support networks, dump you somewhere, and see how well you live off that fucking benefit.
This is ontop of his recent comment about noone's going to become rich living on the benefit, which is just... You know, i don't think any of us beneficiaries are actually thinking we will, or thinking that "Becoming rich" is something to strive for other than the fact that if i was, it'd insulate me from assholes like you.
I'm so sick of being society's punching bag for daring to have health issues and disabilities instead of being a good little drone.
Locally i'm leaning towards Tory Whanau, though i'm still doing my research. Paul Eagle just seems well, slimy and i do not trust him. Hard to exactly put my finger on why, other than it's the vibe i get. Most of the other candidates have also given strong "Yeah, not backing them" vibes.
Locally i'm leaning towards Tory Whanau, though i'm still doing my research. Paul Eagle just seems well, slimy and i do not trust him. Hard to exactly put my finger on why, other than it's the vibe i get. Most of the other candidates have also given strong "Yeah, not backing them" vibes.
Oh, Paul Eagle is totally slimy.
There's a reason he was ranked below non-sitting candidates - lowest of all sitting MPs - on the party list last election. It's because his own party don't trust him. He's unscrupulously ambitious and would backstab any of them for a chance at glory. He's also more conservative than his party - he's actually closer aligned with National than Labour, but his road to politics is to build on the wider pasifika community, so he's totally capable of compromising his own integrity to make Labour is his party (see: unscrupulously ambitious). Fortunately for most, he's also not the sharpest tool in the shed. But he shakes hands in the community real well.
He's a workplace bully and was Justin Lester's attack dog as Deputy Mayor. But when it comes to voting record and personal views, he and Andy Foster are basically the same person. He's not significantly different; he's basically the same person in a different colour as mayor. Despite the 'Labour' label, he's basically going to be a right-leaning mayor in Red clothing.
Andy Foster is a bad mayor for the same reasons he was a good councilor - as a councilor he didn't enter or build factions, staying a 'lone wolf' from consensus generating, and was good at nitpicking ideas, not bringing them. Which is fine as a critical naysayer, but terrible when your role is setting a vision and building support.
Tory Whanau is the best progressive candidate. She's made a few minor mis-steps in her campaign, but seems fundamentally an actual left-leaning alternative. She seems to be a moderate green, which is to say, we shouldn't get any of the anti-science woo health policies with her. I know less about her than some of the other candidates, but undoubtably will find out more over the campaign period.
Yeah, most of the rest are bad embarrassments. One of them is probably mentally unstable but does this every election; another believes that the council is secretly fostering a plan to eventually euthanise all pet cats and ban people from cat ownership.
Feel free to hit me up for more beltway insider gossip. I can also speak to some ward candidates if you want.
Honestly, the biggest thing that made me think Paul was slimy was the fact that i knew he *used* to have an office in Newtown.
Emphasis on used to, becuase i visit Newtown regualrly (there's a lovely halal butchery there & and an excellent veggie mart, great place to go shopping on a beneficiaries' budget. Also my WINZ office! And hospital, two places i get to visit way more than i'd like) and have seen that it's closed down. And like, you're running for mayor, and you just closed down your office in one of the suburbs that has a big immigrant population and also isnt the highest on socio-economic factors? Aka, people who'd REALLY benefit from access to a politician and the mayor? Not a great look, Paulie boy!
Possibly a weird thing to judge him on, but it was just something that sent alarm bells up for me.
--
Yeah, Wikipedia has poor Donald McDonald labeled as "Perennial Candidate", which is both funny and well, i hope the guy gets some help eventually. Honestly though, running for mayor repeatedly and writing bizarre numerology rants to places probably limits the harm he does to anyone and himself, so it could be far worse.
(and honestly, i would not be agaisnt us banning cats being an outdoor thing! We banned ferrets, and for good reason. We also have an illegal ferret underground now, which is a thing. I love kitties, but they need to be a strictly inside pet in NZ, as much as i enjoy giving them rubs when i meet them in public)
lonelyahavaCall me Ahava ~~She/Her~~Move to New ZealandRegistered Userregular
I really want to build us a catio type thing on our back deck. So I can have my kitty that I want, but they can go out and watch the birds, but not actually eat the birds.
FishmanPut your goddamned hand in the goddamned Box of Pain.Registered Userregular
My favourite local elections fact this year is that one guy in the South Island doing his part to counter low candidate numbers by running for Mayor of Nelson.
Like luxon wants to rail about people getting free rides? Go after this sort of asshole, who's not only getting a free ride from his parents, he's actively making life worse for any number of people. Fuck sake, own 2 homes is already something i would look at seriously askance (but can kinda sorta see an argument for). Owning 51 is just... fucking disgusting. Beyond disgusting.
I really want to build us a catio type thing on our back deck. So I can have my kitty that I want, but they can go out and watch the birds, but not actually eat the birds.
When me and my partner have talked, a Catio is firmly in our plans for any future home we somehow end up owning. I have also insited that we need at a couple of Kune Kune, and at least one dog. Kune Kune are very good, okay? Excellent friend shape. Intellignet, scritable, will have conversations with you, just all around very good (I like to scritch the ones at wellington Zoo when they've graciously decided to be in scritchy range, and have had many an excellent discussion with them while giving them scritchies)
It's a documentary from Stuff regarding the Right Wing in NZ, around misinformation etc. I have not watched it yet as I have not been in a mental space where I can. But my understanding is that there's a need for a lot of CW: white supremacy, police violence, anti-vaxx peoples etc.
I've been told it's a good watch, a harrowing watch. But a necessary one. Also that my former knitting mentor and her 'mum friends' feature since they are the founders of VFF.
Scott Morrison was secretly sworn in as a second minister on several portfolios and used that to make at least one choice over the portfolio that we know of.
NZ: Some potentially good news for buses, with new rules being announced that could let councils run the buses themselves.
I no longer think public>private when it comes to transport. The problems are deeper than just who is running it. Its not a silver bullet. But this is an exciting opportunity and frees councils up to run the buses as they see fit. It also could potentially light a fire under the bus companies, even just the threat of the council making the buses public may encourage companies to run the buses differently.
Scott Morrison was secretly sworn in as a second minister on several portfolios and used that to make at least one choice over the portfolio that we know of.
Scott Morrison was secretly sworn in as a second minister on several portfolios and used that to make at least one choice over the portfolio that we know of.
... What
And the choice he made was to block petroleum exploration? It sounds to me like he did something that appears ridiculously outside of function (and according to that article unprecedentedly illegal?) in order to stop something incredibly stupid/unpopular?
Is the Prime minister allowed to fire the Cabinet?
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-Loki-Don't pee in my mouth and tell me it's raining.Registered Userregular
From what I read he blocked the petroleum exploration because in the area they were u der threat if a bunch of independents.
So less ‘I’m helping the environment’ and more ‘I’m helping myself’.
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FencingsaxIt is difficult to get a man to understand, when his salary depends upon his not understandingGNU Terry PratchettRegistered Userregular
I just don't get how you can be a secret minister and have it mean anything.
At least the executives in the departments within the portfolios would need to know just so that they can send you reports and actually enforce whatever ministerial directions you're giving out.
So you would think the ministers that work with those executives would be told.
Not to mention that some legislative powers would have to be submitted to the senate anyway, in full view of the opposition.
I guess maybe it makes sense if Morrison just simply didn't trust his cabinet to be autonomous and wanted to double check all the information from the portfolios directly.
Just reading over all his colleagues' shoulders.
I just don't get how you can be a secret minister and have it mean anything.
At least the executives in the departments within the portfolios would need to know just so that they can send you reports and actually enforce whatever ministerial directions you're giving out.
So you would think the ministers that work with those executives would be told.
Not to mention that some legislative powers would have to be submitted to the senate anyway, in full view of the opposition.
I guess maybe it makes sense if Morrison just simply didn't trust his cabinet to be autonomous and wanted to double check all the information from the portfolios directly.
Just reading over all his colleagues' shoulders.
Isn't it more likely that the approval for the gas exploration got back to him, he told his minister to change it, and then engaged in whatever the fuck this is to change it himself when the minister refused?
I couldn't begin to guess. Morrison famously hates work or responsibilities, so the only reason I can fathom for him giving himself more is there's some kind of financial incentive. (Or maybe a direct political one, in the case of threatened seats)
I just don't get how you can be a secret minister and have it mean anything.
At least the executives in the departments within the portfolios would need to know just so that they can send you reports and actually enforce whatever ministerial directions you're giving out.
So you would think the ministers that work with those executives would be told.
Not to mention that some legislative powers would have to be submitted to the senate anyway, in full view of the opposition.
I guess maybe it makes sense if Morrison just simply didn't trust his cabinet to be autonomous and wanted to double check all the information from the portfolios directly.
Just reading over all his colleagues' shoulders.
Isn't it more likely that the approval for the gas exploration got back to him, he told his minister to change it, and then engaged in whatever the fuck this is to change it himself when the minister refused?
For that one, then it would need to be politically expedient for both of them, i.e the minister wants to be seen approving the application but thinks that blaming nameless anyone else for it not happening is also fine.
Otherwise the usurped Minister tells everyone that the PM has committed a coup, last year.
And likely attempts to depose him for Dutton.
Simply, I don't see how you can secretly override a minister without them letting you.
-Loki-Don't pee in my mouth and tell me it's raining.Registered Userregular
edited August 2022
Morrison was on 2GB this morning and said it was simply to safeguard the government during Covid.
That would be a fair explanation- having a second minister on a portfolio isn’t a new thing. However:
1. You don’t need to do it in advance. If the minister gets covid, do it then.
2. You absolutely shouldn’t be doing it in secret.
3. You absolutely shouldn’t be overriding the decisions of the current head of the portfolio.
Regarding point 3, he said he never used his power to do anything.
Except we already know that’s a lie, because he killed a deal in the Resources portfolio.
-Loki- on
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AegeriTiny wee bacteriumsPlateau of LengRegistered Userregular
So he was basically planning to declare martial law? Like that's the only reason to do what he did, the way he did it, when he did it.
Fucker was imagining COVID collapsing society necessitating "extreme measures" and establishing his Christian theocracy.
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-Loki-Don't pee in my mouth and tell me it's raining.Registered Userregular
He's now issud a statement saying he only used his power once, over the Resources deal.
Considering he couldn't even keep that lie for one day and needed to make an official statement, I wonder how many other deals he made over other portfolios.
Posts
Can't remember or find which Liberal Minister trotted this out, but I believe it was Dutton.
Eh, there are legit reasons to protest and i would not want those protesters slandered.
...Tamaki's group can fuck right off (I feel sorry for them, but in the sense of i feel sorry for anything that a parasite has glomed onto, and is sucking dry. And at least parasites are normally some sort of use to the planet, i have no idea what Tamaki is useful for)
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I take it the counter protesters did a good job today then?
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The NZ alt-right and VFF in particular are attempting to use this as an opportunity to stealth into local government this year following the basic QAnon playbook:
I know many just roll their eyes at local govt elections, but it's going to be really important this year to
A) Vote
cool smiley) Do a bit of due diligence and make sure you aren't voting in some anti-vaxx no-fluoridation pillock.
C) Maybe think about standing as a candidate? Nominations close Friday noon.
A note: VFF was founded by a failed politician, a crochet pattern designer, and a knitting pattern designer. And until just over a year ago I worked closely with and considered the knitting designer a mentor.
I think our local elections are pretty well sorted for candidates and those that are standing are the ones that have been in the district for years and are hugely well known and even respected. So no real point in my standing.
But fucking VFF.
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In what is probably a surprise to no-one, he's also a former soldier / cop who maybe lends too much credence to 'freedoms'.
Sadly, local council being local council, probably no-one even remembers what happened 15 years ago so it's not inconceivable he'll try to rebrand as 'experienced council/law-type able to bring stability to unruly council'.
I'm not seeing any new faces on the billboards around here.
Although I'm anxious about Leo Molloy running for mayor. That is the exact kind of toxicity that I fear when thinking about democracy
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Just... fuck off you entitled little shit stain. Or better yet, let's strip you of all your resources, all your friends and support networks, dump you somewhere, and see how well you live off that fucking benefit.
This is ontop of his recent comment about noone's going to become rich living on the benefit, which is just... You know, i don't think any of us beneficiaries are actually thinking we will, or thinking that "Becoming rich" is something to strive for other than the fact that if i was, it'd insulate me from assholes like you.
I'm so sick of being society's punching bag for daring to have health issues and disabilities instead of being a good little drone.
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Yeah.
Not that it was a tough choice to *not* vote for him.
but now I need to do a bit more research. Most of my antiracism/intersectionally minded friends seem to be backing Efeso.
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Oh, Paul Eagle is totally slimy.
There's a reason he was ranked below non-sitting candidates - lowest of all sitting MPs - on the party list last election. It's because his own party don't trust him. He's unscrupulously ambitious and would backstab any of them for a chance at glory. He's also more conservative than his party - he's actually closer aligned with National than Labour, but his road to politics is to build on the wider pasifika community, so he's totally capable of compromising his own integrity to make Labour is his party (see: unscrupulously ambitious). Fortunately for most, he's also not the sharpest tool in the shed. But he shakes hands in the community real well.
He's a workplace bully and was Justin Lester's attack dog as Deputy Mayor. But when it comes to voting record and personal views, he and Andy Foster are basically the same person. He's not significantly different; he's basically the same person in a different colour as mayor. Despite the 'Labour' label, he's basically going to be a right-leaning mayor in Red clothing.
Andy Foster is a bad mayor for the same reasons he was a good councilor - as a councilor he didn't enter or build factions, staying a 'lone wolf' from consensus generating, and was good at nitpicking ideas, not bringing them. Which is fine as a critical naysayer, but terrible when your role is setting a vision and building support.
Tory Whanau is the best progressive candidate. She's made a few minor mis-steps in her campaign, but seems fundamentally an actual left-leaning alternative. She seems to be a moderate green, which is to say, we shouldn't get any of the anti-science woo health policies with her. I know less about her than some of the other candidates, but undoubtably will find out more over the campaign period.
Yeah, most of the rest are bad embarrassments. One of them is probably mentally unstable but does this every election; another believes that the council is secretly fostering a plan to eventually euthanise all pet cats and ban people from cat ownership.
Feel free to hit me up for more beltway insider gossip. I can also speak to some ward candidates if you want.
Emphasis on used to, becuase i visit Newtown regualrly (there's a lovely halal butchery there & and an excellent veggie mart, great place to go shopping on a beneficiaries' budget. Also my WINZ office! And hospital, two places i get to visit way more than i'd like) and have seen that it's closed down. And like, you're running for mayor, and you just closed down your office in one of the suburbs that has a big immigrant population and also isnt the highest on socio-economic factors? Aka, people who'd REALLY benefit from access to a politician and the mayor? Not a great look, Paulie boy!
Possibly a weird thing to judge him on, but it was just something that sent alarm bells up for me.
--
Yeah, Wikipedia has poor Donald McDonald labeled as "Perennial Candidate", which is both funny and well, i hope the guy gets some help eventually. Honestly though, running for mayor repeatedly and writing bizarre numerology rants to places probably limits the harm he does to anyone and himself, so it could be far worse.
(and honestly, i would not be agaisnt us banning cats being an outdoor thing! We banned ferrets, and for good reason. We also have an illegal ferret underground now, which is a thing. I love kitties, but they need to be a strictly inside pet in NZ, as much as i enjoy giving them rubs when i meet them in public)
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And also Mayor of Tasman.
Plus Marlborough, Grey, Westland, and Buller.
I have no idea. It probably shouldnt be. However, i give the guy credit for putting in the leg work.
Also, on shit that shouldnt be legal: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/aucklander-jonathan-brownlee-owns-51-properties-by-the-age-of-26/UP7WZQFXEF3EYJNIOG5ONB24BM/ This fucker.
Like luxon wants to rail about people getting free rides? Go after this sort of asshole, who's not only getting a free ride from his parents, he's actively making life worse for any number of people. Fuck sake, own 2 homes is already something i would look at seriously askance (but can kinda sorta see an argument for). Owning 51 is just... fucking disgusting. Beyond disgusting.
When me and my partner have talked, a Catio is firmly in our plans for any future home we somehow end up owning. I have also insited that we need at a couple of Kune Kune, and at least one dog. Kune Kune are very good, okay? Excellent friend shape. Intellignet, scritable, will have conversations with you, just all around very good (I like to scritch the ones at wellington Zoo when they've graciously decided to be in scritchy range, and have had many an excellent discussion with them while giving them scritchies)
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and yeah, that Brownlee fellow made my eyes cross in red the other day.
So I dunno if any/all y'all have seen the Stuff piece that came out the other day but
https://interactives.stuff.co.nz/2022/08/circuit/fire-and-fury-disinformation-in-new-zealand/
It's a documentary from Stuff regarding the Right Wing in NZ, around misinformation etc. I have not watched it yet as I have not been in a mental space where I can. But my understanding is that there's a need for a lot of CW: white supremacy, police violence, anti-vaxx peoples etc.
I've been told it's a good watch, a harrowing watch. But a necessary one. Also that my former knitting mentor and her 'mum friends' feature since they are the founders of VFF.
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Yes, this is why you have the kune kune so you can scritch and pet them when times get tough, and thus feel better.
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Scott Morrison was secretly sworn in as a second minister on several portfolios and used that to make at least one choice over the portfolio that we know of.
I no longer think public>private when it comes to transport. The problems are deeper than just who is running it. Its not a silver bullet. But this is an exciting opportunity and frees councils up to run the buses as they see fit. It also could potentially light a fire under the bus companies, even just the threat of the council making the buses public may encourage companies to run the buses differently.
... What
(Or at least that's when it hit ABC I guess)
But that story is amazing.
Can't believe the governor-general was like 'yep, we had the secret swearing ins' and didn't think anything of it.
And the choice he made was to block petroleum exploration? It sounds to me like he did something that appears ridiculously outside of function (and according to that article unprecedentedly illegal?) in order to stop something incredibly stupid/unpopular?
Is the Prime minister allowed to fire the Cabinet?
So less ‘I’m helping the environment’ and more ‘I’m helping myself’.
Oh, I figured it was to save at least a couple of seats, but still.
At least the executives in the departments within the portfolios would need to know just so that they can send you reports and actually enforce whatever ministerial directions you're giving out.
So you would think the ministers that work with those executives would be told.
Not to mention that some legislative powers would have to be submitted to the senate anyway, in full view of the opposition.
I guess maybe it makes sense if Morrison just simply didn't trust his cabinet to be autonomous and wanted to double check all the information from the portfolios directly.
Just reading over all his colleagues' shoulders.
Isn't it more likely that the approval for the gas exploration got back to him, he told his minister to change it, and then engaged in whatever the fuck this is to change it himself when the minister refused?
For that one, then it would need to be politically expedient for both of them, i.e the minister wants to be seen approving the application but thinks that blaming nameless anyone else for it not happening is also fine.
Otherwise the usurped Minister tells everyone that the PM has committed a coup, last year.
And likely attempts to depose him for Dutton.
Simply, I don't see how you can secretly override a minister without them letting you.
That would be a fair explanation- having a second minister on a portfolio isn’t a new thing. However:
1. You don’t need to do it in advance. If the minister gets covid, do it then.
2. You absolutely shouldn’t be doing it in secret.
3. You absolutely shouldn’t be overriding the decisions of the current head of the portfolio.
Regarding point 3, he said he never used his power to do anything.
Except we already know that’s a lie, because he killed a deal in the Resources portfolio.
Wait, five more portfolios?
You want to shore up redundancy for Covid, you double up with other people, so that there's a capacity to deal with losses.
There's only one reason to transfer all the authority to yourself.
Fucker wanted to be king.
PSN / Xbox / NNID: Fodder185
Fucker was imagining COVID collapsing society necessitating "extreme measures" and establishing his Christian theocracy.
Considering he couldn't even keep that lie for one day and needed to make an official statement, I wonder how many other deals he made over other portfolios.