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Mando404

28 comments · +574 / −435 · rank #6281 of 40,276

Brilliant - as per usual the National party seem to be devoid of the facts and instead make up challenges.To be clear: supplementary questions allowances are based on a quota system (from the number of seats the party holds). The Speaker has the right to remove or allow additional supplementaries. And the summary of all of this is:National are currently 22 questions ahead of their quota based upon Mallard awarding them additional questions. So even if National didnt look petty in this protest, they would also look ridiculous complaining about a system that, if anything, has been kind to them.

+150−33

Speaking as one of those consultants, this is absolutely the right thing to do. Over the last 8 years there were routinely jobs or projects tendered that shouldve been carried out by regular staff - at 1/3rd the cost and the organisation would retain the IP at the end. I would regularly come across people who had been contractors for 3+ years and when I asked the agency why they are paying this they simply didnt have room in the headcount despite requesting it multiple times

+23−3

Seriously, of all things you want to pick on for government misspending its the pittance of Maori Language week? How about the various corporate subsidies that exist - I mean I guarantee that the cost of govt. Support of irrigation programs for marginal land far outweighs any dollar we have ever spent on the Maori language

+25−7

Look, I get that it doesnt make good headlines but still: none of the parties moved outside of the margin of error. Absolutely nothing may have changed party wise.The only thing which has changed is Collins as a leader of National. Thats literally the only thing that this poll says.

+18−4

Ehm.... assuming that you mean they paid $600 this week combined, and that their income is roughly equal, that means you have a combined income between them of $150k. To pay $300 per week in tax you need to earn $75k pa. If you have a household income of 150k then I doubt you struggle heating that much.

+16−7

The Government will spend $1.1m over 4 years on the board, and will review its progress next June.They will help make decisions about which interventions work best for individuals and will oversee trials to collect evidence Social Development Minister Paula Bennett said.Its necessary to listen to the best voices and to look at the evidence - then make an informed decision added Prime Minister John KeyJust for the many claiming that Labour cant do anything without a working group. If youd like me to add Bill Englishs comments welcoming the 2008 Tax working group or Simons transport panel then Im happy to add those too.

+6−1

The whole issue is that only two microphones are on during the yelling of various members - the PMs and the Speakers. And judging by recordings Ive watched in the past the Speakers isnt even turned on all the time (a couple of times Carter started speaking and silence came out)So the likely answer is we will never know unless mics in that part of the room were on.

+4−0

Just one more time, for the record: National are claiming that because of the impartiality of the speaker they cannot be a reasonable opposition to the Government.First, based upon the supplementary question quota system, National already have been gifted 22 more questions than they shouldve had.Second, the Greens also handed over their questions to National, meaning that for the first time in modern parliamentary history they are also receiving the majority of the primary questions. The deck of cards is stacked in the oppositions favour and yet they are still complaining its unfair?Finally, Brownlies letter grossly misrepresents the Speakers actions. When asked by the press about what was said, the Speaker confirmed that was what he heard. Yet Brownlie has accused the Speaker of promoting the story.If I get asked if I heard something in a meeting and I said yes, I think its a stretch to say that I am somehow promoting the publicity of what was said.

+9−7

They did it at that point for couples because it is just a bit higher than the combined incomes of two top level teachers/nurses/policeofficers. Basically its because that couple may be saving for a house, buy it and then have kids - and I think we can all agree that those professions should have access to these homes (And before someone asks about why they are striking then, the top a union teacher can ever earn - I.e. with 30 years experience - is just over 80k)

+4−3

Accept, and yes - Labour took this for years under the previous speakers. I really recommend looking up the infamous Zip it Sweetie - on that occasion National were foolish enough to say the statement directly into a microphone. When point of order was called (by Mallard actually) the Speaker claimed multiple times not to have heard the statement despite it being clear for all to hear (seriously the video is incredibly clear). When the National member said the line Zip it Sweetie again, the National speaker said that it was not offensive and that the Minister did not need to withdraw the statement.I think any reasonable, impartial speaker in that situation wouldve at least asked for the withdrawal of the statement (not even an apology). And the speaker hasnt accused anyone of anything - he got asked did he hear x and he answered.

+3−3

Okay, I think we all need to just take a moment to appreciate facts. The Naughty Child comment was to a Labour member from the speaker, it was part of a statement that said the member will not turn away from me like a naughty child and if all of that wasnt enough Mallard offered an apology later.Contrast that to National who wont even own up to their language. Also, not the Government making a big deal out of this - its the public who have just seen the National party awkwardly decide that name calling is the best they have.

+1−3

If people (or the Uni) had issue with the cover then as Critic has noted a complaint to the NZ Press Council shouldve been made. Or, let me put it another way: would we all somehow be okay with every Supermarket in the country dumping every copy of a Newspaper because they considered something on the cover to be objectionable?

+7−11

I see our usual suspects have come out to back Simon up. Heres a simple guide for you:Would Simon have said a male politician was Distracted shortly after the birth of his child? Would that have been the go to statement for Simon? I suspect not.

+25−31

Would be nice if we could see the same analysis completed on Nationals first term so that we could at least compare the two numbers. A strategic review of the tax system is necessary - particularly in light of the challenges posed by the current economic and fiscal environmentThat was Bill English welcoming his Tax Working Group in 2009We need to listen to the best opinions, understand the facts and then make a decision Paula Bennett welcoming the review of MSD in 2009You use a working group when you either dont know the answer or you want someone else to confirm what you already know. Ill give Labour the benefit of the doubt and say its the second reason here. When asked which of those reasons applied to John Keys review of state care in 2010, Collins responded the firstThat was Judith Collins earlier this yearAnd this was a two minute search.

+15−36

The past has consequences which still impact today. How is that such a hard concept to understand?The whole stop living in the past argument is great for those who have done well - nice to whitewash history and then claim its all equal now. Fundamentally the reason why these discussions are happening isnt your new buzzword separatism its because the experience of modern NZ is significantly governed by if youre Maori or Pakeha. Maori make up 13% of the population. Yet 3% of lawyers, less than that of doctors. Maori make up more than half of those in prison, and when they commit a crime they are more likely to receive a prison sentence and more likely to receive a longer prison sentence. These negative statistics are repeated across education, healthcare, access to jobs etc.You cannot strip a group of their wealth and then 3/4 generations not expect that to still have consequences.

+3−39

In sum: despite the fact that people like me have a massively disproportionate voice (head of every company, country etc) I feel under attack by the dismissive term male, pale and staleTherefore I will put every dismissive term for the other sides in a blender and come up with this. So-called liberals social justice warrior and my personal favourite decide for myself what gender I wanted to assume and to alter my sexual identity at willBecause belittling those struggling with gender identity makes you a real man right?

+33−86