The end of the battle
December 18th, 2007 at 10:34 am by David FarrarI started blogging on the proposed changes to the Electoral Act on 6 December 2006. Ironically it was a post about how National had agreed to lend bi-partisan support to Helen Clark’s moves to reform the Electoral Act.
And this really highlights the magnitude of Labour’s incompetence on this issue. National was nervous about being seen to defend secret trusts, anonymous donations and parallel campaigns by the Brethren. They did not want electoral reform to be a controversial issue.
All Labour had to do a year ago was sit down with National, and other parties, and agree on some basic principles, publish them for public comment, and then introduce a law based on that. It would have flown through.
My 2nd post in March was to express concern at secret negotiations on the EFB and that changes should only be made with bipartisan support or an election commitment. My concern was truly justified.
Then in April I commented on the leaked Cabinet paper. And while I took issue with a couple of self serving aspects (protecting Owen Glenn’s donation) I blogged support for most of the proposals.
Then the Herald got hold of further details such as state funding of parties and extending the 90 day period and I started to go negative.
Then there was nothing for three months as Labour continued with secret negotiations instead of having a public policy process. They are the only ones to blame for the law being passed a week before Christmas.
And then we saw in July their desire to screw maximum advantage for themselves and the outright incompetence of Mark
Anyway since December 2006, I have made a total of 192 posts on the subject of the changes to the Electoral Act. There are also 26 posts from early 2006 detailing Labour’s corrupt behaviour in the 2005 election where they defied the Chief Electoral Office and over-spent deliberately, bring the category total to 218. This will be No 219.
The word count is somewhat horrific but I have published over 91,000 words on the Electoral Finance Bill. Now some of that is cut and paste but still a scary amount of words.
But it has been worth it. Sadly the bill is about to pass, but those who support it have suffered for it, and hopefully will suffer next year for it. And also many of the improvements to the EFB are due to the strength of the opposition.
I believe the blogs have played a pretty significant role. Just one example is the submission of the Human Rights Commission. This was not picked up by any media outlet as the media traditionally only cover submitters when they appear orally. It was blogs which went through the 700 or so submissions, started writing about them, and then had the media follow through with stories.
The same happened with some articles on the bill. A couple of legal opinions strongly attacking the EFB were scanned in and placed on blogs. Now these opinions had been public for several days already but not reported. But once they got published on blogs, the media within hours had stories about them.
So it has been a battle well worth waging, and while today’s third reading marks the end of that battle as a loss for those against the Electoral Finance Bill, there is an old saying about winning a battle and losing the war, and those parties voting for the Electoral Finance Bill may yet discover that.
Related posts:
- The battle against the Electoral Finance Bill goes legal
- Free Speech Coalition saddened by passage of Electoral Finance Bill
- NZ First on Electoral Reform
- A u-turn in 24 hours
December 18th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Absolutely shocking. And people seriously wonder why people are leaving NZ in droves. How the people of NZ even gave Labour the opportunity to pass this is beyond me.
This must mean that National are going to spurn once and for all United and NZF in 08? Surely?
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 10:43 am
Just goes to show Helen’s arrogance. How dare she not listen to you and Whale. Or the rest of everybody for that matter. I can only hope the subject stays well alive all the way upto the election.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 10:44 am
The “battle” may be lost. The “war” however is another story.
Labour has struck out in desperation, without forethought to the ultimate effect of this bill.
What will happen when a person appears in the dock for disagreeing with the government?
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 10:47 am
It could happen sooner than you think. Tim Shadbolt and John Boscowan are both fighting for the right to be the first prosecuted under the EFB. The war, as has been so rightly said here, is far from over.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 10:51 am
The battle is over – the war will not be decided until November 2008.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 10:52 am
When a Bill has opponents ranging from either extremes, ie National and The Maori party, Boscowan and Shadboult, New Zealand First members and New Zealand First MP’s
. You know you have it wrong.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 11:01 am
DPF, do you know of anyone who intends to deliberatly break this law in 2008 and then get prosecuted in order to attract publicity?
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 11:12 am
NickC
Yep, me.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Whaleoil
I’m contemplating a full page in the Dom about three weeks out from the election.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Whaleoil , you could try and get prosecuted for assaulting some one during a national election meeting, someone who had a right to free speech.
Vote:It cost your mate Gerry nearly $8500 last time, but then again you cant even read the instructions on global roaming so dont hold out much hope on you getting that right.
December 18th, 2007 at 11:17 am
Interesting aside re. “power” of blogging. I recall many years ago a discussion about whether blogging could shape MSM/public opinion in this country (I think it was after the CBS doctored Bush military reports where destroyed in hours by US bloggers). The general consensus was to the negative of maybe although there had been one minor success with Pam Corkery’s jokes about 9/11 getting her the push.
Increasingly, however, blogs are becoming a powerful tool in reaching readers both directly and, when the story warrants, through the msm. Perhaps one example is that the media now feel the need to quote The Standard to “balance” a quote from, for example, this Blog.
Have blogs come of age?
On the substantive point – today will be a shameful day in our history unless some of the minor parties grow the testicular fortitude to stand up for what they claim to believe in. One almost expects this kind of carry on from Labour and Winston First will do what ever they are told (although I notice Ron Mark is keeping a low profile). Any shred of credibility the Deputy Head Hall Monitor and his “common sense” approach to politics had must now be gone and the Greens have shown that for all the talk about the Environment and Human Rights they are just as statist and hard left as we on the right always accused them of being.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 11:18 am
Burt the court case ‘might come up ‘ in 2009, and you get community service, cleaning up the streets of fast food wrappers . ha ha
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 11:24 am
GWW bite me.
Interesting that despite my supposed non-reading of the global roaming charges Vodafone settled for a figure somewhat smaller than the original bill.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 11:25 am
GWW
I won’t be prosecuted, I’ll become a Labour party member and claim immunity from prosecution !
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 11:31 am
burt said “I won’t be prosecuted, I’ll become a Labour party member and claim immunity from prosecution !”
Hey burt – what a great suggestion. Join the Labour party, and any legal problems you might have just go away – I love it! Better still, join the Labour party, then vote the bastards out!!!
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 11:36 am
In other words:
This dangerous treason lurking in our way
Vote:To hinder our beginnings. We doubt not now
But every rub is smoothed on our way.
Then forth, dear countrymen! Let us deliver
Our puissance into the hand of God,
Putting it straight in expedition.
Cheerly to sea! The signs of war advance!
No king of Zealand, if not king of Clark!
December 18th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Well done DPF. You’ve kept this critical issue on various radars when it otherwise may have slid into obscurity.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 11:42 am
The battle is lost, but what a huge blessing in disguise for the right.
Today marks the beginning of the end for the four parties that have colluded to perpetrate this outrage.
Labour, NZ First, the Greens and UnitedFuture: the public will have their vengeance.
What does it say about Labour under Helen Clark when her predecessor, Mike Moore, says this in the DomPost this morning:
‘The public has woken up to the serious issue of the Government legislating to stop dissent, something I wrote about many months ago and was rubbished for. The Electoral Finance Bill is wrong in substance, despite suggestions to the contrary. It has no parallel anywhere in the free world.’
This from a former Labour PM!
A lot of words have been written. Now we need to clarify the issue for the public in as few words as possible:
Labour stole the last election. Now they, NZ First, the Greens and UnitedFuture are broke.
They are broke because they broke the law.
What goes round comes round. Even honest long-time Labour voters can see that.
That’s why Labour, NZ First, the Greens and UnitedFuture will be smashed in 2008.
Helen Clark will see this coming when her poll numbers hit the late 20s and National’s the high-50s as a result of the reaction to today’s treachery.
After a few of these polls Clark will jump ship for the UN.
Like many a dictator, she will deprive us of the pleasure of seeing her concede defeat, but we can’t have everything.
The Electoral Finance Act is a gift that’s going to keep on giving for the right.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 11:45 am
GWW,
how’s you good mate Trevor, DPB and Pete.
Gerry had his day in court, will we see the rest of the corrupt incomptent Liarbour party in the dock shortly?
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 11:47 am
Helen might jump ship, but who would step up to replace her?
The only high ranking labour party members who might, are simply not electable. Cullen couldn’t, Mallard has burnt his bridges.
Goff could, but won’t. He’s too smart for that.
The fact is Helen has her fingers in so many portfolio’s she cannot back down and relinquish the leadership.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 11:51 am
Well done David and thanks. It’s true that we may have lost the battle but the force has become very weak on the dark side their evil doings are in plan sight for all to see. Their day of jugdement draws closer, may the voter show no mercy.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Well done DPF. The bill bought me to this blog and I have been here ever since. A wealth of information and debate here.
Please keep it up _b
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Most newspapers have all sorts of hot air turn up on their desks everyday pleading to have their say as opinion.
Its the silly season from now till february so they get their chance but no one gives a stuff.
But I see a few are allready getting new uniforms designed
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Agree with krazykiwi – DPF deserves a lot of credit for his persistence – that man deserves a DB!
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Thanks David.
Bravo Zulu for your continued efforts in unravelling this confused and vindictive diatribe masquerading as democratic legislation for me.
I await the final act today, followed by the GG rubber stamping. Only then will the full ramifications be unleashed on those who support it.
I hang my head in shame that our elected government could stoop so low.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Comment from the 2000 election
The large hoardings which say “Hi Helen, Hi Jim, Hi Taxes” in really big letters have no logo to identify whom they are promoting. But, for the record, the “J.J. Grant” whose name appears at the bottom in really small letters is campaign manager for the National Party.
Even then NP was misleading the public
Vote:Dont have the courage of promoting thier own policies because they know they are unelectable if that was on the billboards
December 18th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
ghostwhowalks Says:
December 18th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Comment from the 2000 election
The large hoardings which say “Hi Helen, Hi Jim, Hi Taxes”
Well GWW, with a 10 billion dollar govt surplus I would say they have a point.
Which brings me to another point. You disagree with the use of these billboards, but continuing “structural” government surpluses would indicate that the sentiments expressed were correct.
The EFB seeks to limit this sort of campaign, regardless of the veracity of the information expressed.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
“the beginning of the end”
If evoking the words of Winston Churchill is the order of the day lets continue.
To those who have spent their time and money opposing the EFB:
If the NZ democracy should endure for 1000 years men will say this was their finest hour!
Never in the history of political conflict, has so much been owed by so many to so few!
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Thank god that is over!
Can we get back to discussing anti-smacking legislation now?
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
“Never in the history of political conflict, has so much been owed by so many to so few!”
I think he was talking about the NZ tax system.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
DPF says
…I blogged support for most of the proposals….
Most of the proposals ???
Vote:Now he tells all those who want to die in ditch for liberty and the big spenders
December 18th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
GWW, he did, but the proposals were different to what came out later.
Go back and read it you slimey toad.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Much as I despise both United Future and Peter Dunne, I have seen no evidence to suggest that Ohariu-Belmont is at risk of being lost by the encumbant in 2008, which is what would be required for UFNZ to be turfed out of Parliament – but very, very happy to be convinced otherwise.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Well, I beg to differ.
I do not think that we lost this battle at all. I think this is a victory for free expression against the snide manipulations of the spin-machine and the spin-parrots.
If this were a battle, the enemy has overextended itself, overstretched its lines of supply, and now waits, in ill-repair waiting for superior numbers to gradually destroy its ability to fight back.
Like El Alamein.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
You’re right Lee
Vote:The battle for public opinion has been decisively won!
What we have left is a wounded government, devoid of any mandate, limping through to its electoral execution in Nov 2008.
December 18th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
I too arrived just in time to contribute in a small way to this debate via a comment by Craig Ranapia [thanks CR] on another blog. Being a raw novice at blogging I quickly found the debate stimulating, of late however the comments coming from the Left have indicated confusion and dsperation. It will be intriguing to hear the gloating after this Bill is passed today from people who are facing certain failure in the coming months, the word “kamakaze“ comes to mind.
Well done dpf. you have been and will continue to be an inspiration to free speech.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
As a Kiwi living in Australia, with a Kiwi partner and a Kiwi child and a Kiwi sibling living in Australia, neither I nor any of my family will consider returning to New Zealand while this abomination of a law is in effect.
I probably speak for a lot of ex-pat Kiwis in this regard.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Just remembered something from my schoolboy Latin – I knew it would come in handy one day!!
Today is a Pyrrhic victory for Labour!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrrhic_victory
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Enough said here David, you have done a stellar job. Thank you!
I just said to a friend that DPF is our “knight on the right”
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Tim Shadbolt is delivering a king hit to the Government right now – should be a lead story in tonight’s news. And everyone should tune in to Parliament TV this afternoon for speeches after question time in opposition to the EFB from
John Key
Bill English
Chris Finlayson
Then, there’s the adjournment debate, in which John Key and Bill English will be raising the roof, I’m sure.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
As Winston (the other one ) said This is not the beginning of the endThis is the end of the beginning, Come the New Year and there will be much more discussion which will grow up to the actual election period. The MSM will report on the issue because this and other blog contributors will be pushing the envelope either deliberately or accidentially.
Watch the fallout when the citizens see people they perceive to be good honest and upstanding arrested and charged with some turning themselves in to the Police and insisting on being charged even to the point of having their briefs with them to tell the Police the section of the Act that must be followed.
Hopefully enough to clog up the Courts.
The back lash against the Socialists and their poddles will be wonderous to behold.
Even Crazy Clark wont ne able to ignore it But the great thing will be it will all be too late for her.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
“After a few of these polls Clark will jump ship for the UN.”
Assuming, of course, that her appointment isn’t vetoed by the US.
Also, assuming that a National Govt doesn’t undermine her appointment, just as she tried to undermine Tim Grosser’s position as a WTO negotiator.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
There must be those on the left in the house, who, having seen the latest polls and have listened to the debates, must be seriously wondering what the hell is happening here. The decision by some to hitch their wagons to this donkey of a bill must be giving some of those who would support this bill the willies as they wonder if the PM has so misread the public that the backlash from this bill will not be able to be recovered from.
However, Labour must proceed with this bill. They have painted themselves into a corner they cannot get out of. If they cave and kill the bill, National will have won a huge victory. If the bill is passed against public sentiment, National will have won a huge victory.
When the bill is passed, the reactions of those who have supported it’s passage in Parliament will be worth watching. I remember the applause for the passing of the repeal of section59. Such a display today will be the final slap in the face for the electorate, and I hope it still smarts come november.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
yep slightlyrighty – the likes of Hawkins, Duynhoven and O’Connor haven’t taken calls in this debate, and Goff’s profile has been pretty low as well. Maybe Helen has to factor in friendly fire as well as that from the enemy!
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
They will hang together or hang seperately.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
I keep warning you, we’d better organise an exit poll system for the next election because these people’s success in stacking public bodies is so great, they could well expect to get away with a blatantly rigged ballott.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
PhilBest I agree, and whats more Liarbour probably feel all is going according to plan.
As with the last two electoral cycles all the bad stuff has been done in the middle year and now they have nearly a full year of buying, cheating and theiving votes to retain power.
The war is a long way from being won. The public memory is far too short and generaly driven by ‘whats in it for me?’.
Vote:December 18th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
DUNNE finally wakes up,
According to reports, halfway through the 3rd reading Dunne has said UF will now vote against the bill,
Vote: