Comments on: Anonymous and trust donations remain legal

By: TIM BARCLAY

TIM BARCLAY — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 20:15:31 +0000

They feel they can tackle this issue by limiting spending but giving themselves free rein on the Government publicity machine. I consider opposition parties should be allowed to spend what the Government spends in a 3 month period leading up to the election. By opposition parities I mean all those who are not in the Ministry.

By: side show bob

side show bob — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 08:10:24 +0000

In a way you have to feel sorry for Selma, the pot is now boiling and someone should tell her to jump out but Selma is a true Liarbour toad and will remain till the meat falls off the bone.
As for our beloved Dear Leader and her merry band of noddies, this country will be nothing but a third world cesspit should we be inflicted with more of their crap after the next election. As a country we seem to take one step forward and four steps backwards.
I guess it should come as no surpise to hear that they now seek to stymie freedom of speech. This government is on a collision course with ordinary hard working Kiwi voter’s but are to stupid to even care, they will all be in the pot with Selma come next election.

By: Porcupine

Porcupine — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 07:26:12 +0000

The worst prime minister NZ has ever had has built her carreer by destroying people, and now she is going to fall. We will remember when she tries to become GG or UN rep…

By: Selma Bouvier

Selma Bouvier — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 06:13:12 +0000

Theres plenty of time for the currency kid to slip up on his own policies confusion.
helen has seen off 4 previous national leaders in her time, and they keep sending even more inexperienced ones for the same old dross to hide behind.
Key is being propped up by the media who need a new face but they will just as quickly pull the rug when the ’speculator’ begins to lose his lustre.

By: Grant

Grant — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 05:18:00 +0000

Selma said:
“And there is a good chance they will be back again thanks to MMP”.
Yep, the only way this sad bunch of misfits could be returned is in association with another sad bunch of misfits. The only truthful thing you’ve posted all day.
G

By: Catwoman

Catwoman — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:34:37 +0000

Gollum has just sent a flyer around Dunedin which starts with “Dear Elector”. It goes on to mention what Labour has done/is doing. It has both the House of Representatives crest and the Labour logo – so it has been paid for by the taxpayer – us!!

This is blatant electioneering – a synonym for “elector” is voter and says what Labour has done, not “the Government”.

How can this total electioneering be paid for from taxpayer funds. Old Maggie has some questions to answer I feel.

By: Inventory2

Inventory2 — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 03:23:20 +0000

Oh goodness – Parlialment is about to have an urgent debate about Benson-Pope – more GOOD NEWS for Labour, eh Selma

By: Inventory2

Inventory2 — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 03:21:34 +0000

One poll, Slema, but not the TV3 one which, according to Dear Leader, is the most reputable – also through the last polling period, Key has been overseas, the Hosue has been in recess, and Labour has been spending more of my tax money on self-serving advertising and shameless self-promotion! The next round of polls will consider Benson-Pope’s bullying, Clark’s back-down on the same issue, Cullen’s meddling with the exchange rate, and the introduction of blatantly political election spending legislation, with the attendant restrictions on free speech. Oh yes, as I listen to Parliament, Hodgson is still trying to defend the indefensible on the Hawkes Bay DHB. Yep, it’s all looking rosy for Labour, I’m sure we can agree.

By: CraigM

CraigM — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 02:27:54 +0000

“Sorry Labs, can’t defend you on this one. Bloody disgraceful.”

Thought you might be a bit upset by this thread. I am prepared to resind, by a few percentage points anyway, my earlier comments regarding your intelligence

As for Selma, one can only conclude dimentia has taken hold. Or drugs.
It is on days like this that you really do get the impression that she is a right winger just baiting the troops , thereby allowing us to vent. It is the only explanantion. Or maybe drugs.

By: Selma Bouvier

Selma Bouvier — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 02:25:55 +0000

Inventory you forget the last opinion poll had labour at 42%.

How good is that.

labour under Helen has been consistantly one of the most popular governments in history in NZ. And there is a good chance they will be back again thanks to MMP

By: helmet

helmet — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 02:17:49 +0000

“Sorry Labs, can’t defend you on this one. Bloody disgraceful.”

I’ll bet they’re really panicking now, whatever will they do?.

By: David Baigent

David Baigent — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:45:04 +0000

Selma, You are wrong with this last line.

“No ones listening”

A great number of people are listening and talking but only a proportion are believing as yet..

Note that coincidentally, no one on the 9th floor is listening to anyone but themselves.

Watch the trend in polls. Watch the penny drop when the “don’t knows” discover that they don’t like it.

Despite her most robust efforts Helen has almost certainly disqualified herself from leadership. Pity, she had a dream start, a good middle run but the sun is setting. (and will not rise again for her.)

By: Socrates

Socrates — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:40:06 +0000

I have a couple of questions regarding the exemption for organisations communications with members as I haven’t read the bill yet.

1: How do they define organisation? Would a church qualify as an organisation?

2: How do they define communication? Would an ad in a newspaper qualify?

IE could the Catholic church / Destiny / EB put a full page ad in the Dompost communicating it’s views on an issue to it’s members and be exempt?

[DPF: Para (g) of Clause 5(2) says "a document published directly by a body corporate or unincorporated to its members". I doubt newspaper ads will be seen as direct.

By: Inventory2

Inventory2 — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:39:43 +0000

Selma said “but go ahead let the mob scream and rant, because thats want they want . No ones listening”

Selma – that’s exactly why this government, which you cheerlead for, is turning in to one of the most unpopular governments in our history. They don’t listen. They don’t care what the public thinks. They are so bloody arrogant! As a business owner, I am heartily sick and tired of being told what’s best for me, of having added costs and workload (KiwiSaver contributions and compliance for example) foisted on me without adequate notice and without any consultation, and having the future of my business, which my wife and I have sweated blood to build up compromised for the sake of political rhetoric. Quite frankly, I’ve had a gutsful, and the sooner the election comes around, the better!! I only hope that Labour can’t muster the numbers to push through legislation that will allow them to purchase another election.

By: Selma Bouvier

Selma Bouvier — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:21:38 +0000

The very first part of DPFs post " left anoymous donations and donations through trusts legal." is clearly wrong anything over $500 has to be disclosed even if its bundled by some one else

but go ahead let the mob scream and rant, because thats want they want . No ones listening

[DPF: Wrong. That is the rules for third parties, not for political parties]

By: Selma Bouvier

Selma Bouvier — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:16:06 +0000

slap yourself fisiani, before you dissapear down your own windpipe.

By: roger nome

roger nome — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:15:23 +0000

Sorry Labs, can’t defend you on this one. Bloody disgraceful.

By: fisiani

fisiani — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:04:22 +0000

Step 1. Give Money to any anti-government party or cause
Step 2. Have your name registered and recorded as a dissenter
Step 3. Say goodbye to ever working in a government associated job when Labour is in power.

The confluence of the Electoral Spending Bill and the attitude of Helen Clark and David Benson-Pope is awesome in its breadth of attack on the fundamentals of freedom that we have held for centuries

By: Nicholas O'Kane

Nicholas O'Kane — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:00:16 +0000

Good post David. The Bill has very numerous flaws, and poses one of the biggest dangers to free speech in our countries history. I go with option 1. It will be interesting to see the response of left wing bloggers who criticised National for anonymous donations from secret trusts but have their own party support unlimited amounts of money through secret trusts.

By: gd

gd — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:41:35 +0000

So much for transperancey and disclosure. Just reinforces that we have a system that protects those who will buy power and influence over the citizen. The current members of the Parliament lack the ability to govern in an open and honest manner. Instead they would be bought off for 20 pieces of silver from the highest bidder.