The Eastern European “Junket”
I’ve defended parliamentary overseas trips in the past. In fact I advocate them quite strongly as desirable because many of the best ideas in relation to national issues, come from other countries and governments. MPs become better legislators and Ministers by having regular international perspectives.
But the trip detailed by Colin Espiner this morning is a bad look, and hard to defend. Having four out of five attendees retiring this year, and the fifth likely not to survive, significantly reduces the benefits of the trip – the MPs will not be around to use the experience and ideas they gain.
It is true that most other MPs may not want to go, as they will be campaigning. But in that case serious consideration should have been given to cancelling the trip, and instead having an extra one in 2007 or 2009 instead. It really is hard to defend (as Helen Clark is doing) when 80% of them will retire in November. And Clark is wrong to say it is just diplomacy – it has always been about broadening the horizons and experiences of MPs just as much. If it is just diplomacy, the Speaker can attend by herself.
Marian Hobbs doesn’t help the case with this comment:
Hobbs said she was looking forward to the trip.
“I don’t know too much about the purpose. I think it’s about MMP. I’m not sure.”
Like I said, I am normally the last one to “perk bust” MPs – in fact I normally defend them. But again this is hard to defend as value for NZ.
Talking of perk busting, Audrey Young asks where is Rodney Hide when we need him!
March 11th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Where is Rodney? Well … he’s quoted in the Herald!
March 11th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Whether they are outgoing or not is irrelevant, provided that they do the requisite work post the trip and impart their impressions and insights gained on the trip.
On one level, it’s probably not a bad thing that outgoing MPs are on this trip as I would much rather having ongoing MPs involved in their portfolios/electorates.
March 11th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Another golden chance missed by John Key, he could have scored a real hit on the govt by simply telling both Connell and Rich that they are not going.
Instead we see another weak performance from a bumbling left leaning National party leader.
Unless Key stops trying to be everything to everybody and starts getting stuck into this corrupt govt the Labour scum will claw their way back in the Polls and keep the reigns of power after the next election.
March 11th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Well put big bruv. Key has been caught out trying to please everyone and in the end is failing to convince his own constituency that he is up to the job. He is also beginning to convince Labour that they might actually have a chance this year.
March 11th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Talk about missing the boat.
What better place for Key to show he is serious about cutting government expenditure.
Don’t let him become the “man for all reasons”
March 11th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Big Bruv, I agree that Key should tell them they’re not to go, and he may yet. I suspect that they actually signed on without his approval. But even if he were to tell them no, given how useless and, in Rich’s case, borderline-socialist those two NINO (National-In-Name-Only) MPs are, I think they would both disobey him. He has nothing to threaten them with since they’re out already.
March 11th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Pushmepullu
Good…I would hope that they both defy him, as you correctly say they are both socialists in drag anyway so there would be very little downside.
It is time that Key remembered what bloody party he is leading, under Brash (who could be accurately described as a real right winger) the party nearly got over the line, Key’s left leaning style is not offering the voters any real choice.
I can only hope and pray that Hide rediscovers his testicles or Sir Roger Douglas can be convinced that the country needs him back in the house, a strong ACT influence in parliament might be the only way we can deal to the problems facing NZ, Key does not seem to be the man for the job on his current performance.
March 11th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Pathetic and indefensible – stand up Key – the hoi polloi are sick of the rort and this kind of bullshit.
March 11th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I disagree BB. sniping at Key is the lazy flavour of the month/year, though isn’t it? Why not keep a fire lit under it? simply because it takes no real effort? …. Not a good enough reason.
The thing is to pick your battles. This week has seen a Labour-media barrage, most of it chaff or outright xenophobia. Isn’t it better to let the dust settle and not get ediverted from the real issues that face the electorate? Mortgage rates, fuel cost hikes, exodus of kiwis to Oz and the state of the Health and Education systems?
If ‘the right’ use their intellectual freedoms to simply moan at the only credible alternative to Helen and Co, then they are merely parrotting the mean streak that the present lot have successfully hijacked and promoted as ‘positive’ political debate.
March 11th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
You are far too lenient on them DPF.
We the taxpayers had every right to demand to know what value for money we are getting .
Its all too easy. We get low or no value for money from every central and local government activity.
It all adds up. My beef is that at least 20% of all public expenditure is wasted and this is a prime example.
Where is the value to the taxpayer. As Peter Blake used to say Will it make the boat go faster.
Frankly Im disappointed with JK and the Nats Looks like they will be in the pig bucket swilling away.
Good governance is about demonstrating careful use of public funds.
Junkets aint good governance
March 11th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
We all know it’s a junket and they all know it’s a junket. The problem for the politicians is that as all of the parties have participated in such junkets either previously of about to none of them can dare criticise it out of fear of being called hypocrites.
I tend to agree with Big Bruv on this and one step further that with Key’s lack of action on this instead of separating himself and National from stench of Labours and Co’s corruption all it has done is bound them all together. Now the people have the opportunity to really start and question whether a change to National is really worth it as at the end of the day they’re just as bad as Labour.
At this rate I’ll be surprised if Labour aren’t level pegging National by the next 2-3 polls.
March 11th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
I agree with almost all above. This was a heaven sent opportunity for John KEY to display leadership and commitment to end Goverment Waste. Instead he endorsed it ,and the expectation must now me that there will be little difference if National is elected except that thankfully the dreadful Klark and her coven will be evicted from the ninth floor. There was the opportunity to attack Liabor on their stupid carbon emission policy, the junket shows Klark does not seriously believe in it and it is only a tool to entrench political dominance over the proletariat. As for Rodney Jekyll and HIDE why would anyone bother voting for Act the Liberal Party now.,,The bludgers grabbing the chance to swill together in the gravy trough deserve the company of each other but one would have thought that in order to display the racially and politically correct composition of Parliament , DOVER would have been given the chance of a last hurrah too.
March 11th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Lee
The problem with picking your battles is that it only gets through to those of us who are interested in politics, for Key to really reach the majority of the voters he needs to be reminding the people that this govt is corrupt on a daily basis.
He also needs to offer a REAL alternative, my Mrs is a classic example of this, she HATES politics with a passion and I suspect she would not vote at all if I did not drag her down to the polling booth however even she was starting to ask questions about Clark a few weeks ago, when people like her start to think Clark is corrupt then things MIGHT change.
The only way to ensure that change is to offer a genuine alternative, Key cannot afford to take his foot off the gas for one day.
March 11th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Part of the problem is that Key would not have known who the attendees from other parties were until the final party was announced.
It goes a bit deeper though and I would venture to suggest that if the Speaker had any integrity, she would have declined to lead the “study tour” in the light of her stated intention to retiire and Key should have either nominated no-one or nominated someone who is going to stand again rather than allowing the names of people who have already announced their intention to be out of Parliament after the election.
Equally whoever allowed Marion Hobbs name to go in deserves criticism given that she is going a step further and is fleeing the country after Parliament rises for the election. Any bets on a side trip for teaching interviews or apartment hunting while in Europe?
Lots of lovely airpoints dollars though!
March 11th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Lee you are missing the boat too
The battles are lined up one after the other. This is election year. The days of picking your battle are gone.
Key should have told them not to go and even better if they still went.
Then he could say that these aren’t the type of people that he wants around him to help govern this country.
He wants people who will serve this country justly and be fairly rewarded.
March 11th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Im afraid JK is starting to lose the point of differnce with the Socialists and become a “me too”
He needs to highlight the gaps not close them .
Middle NZ wants to see a change Maybe the Nats should use the 72 Kirk slogan “Time for a Change” After 4 terms of Nats under Holyoake it sure worked a treat for the Socialists
March 11th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
big bruv, is right on. I heard Key defend this undefendable perk. He has missed a good chance to show National is a party principle. Let us just hope Connell has finally learned to keep his mouth shut. His big mouth got him in trouble before his comment about brash. The one I remember most is about throwing a cat in the fireplace. I presume he was joking but it is a dumb comment to make as an MP.
He should be one of the last MPs who should be sent to represent New Zealand.
March 11th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Yes they do equally deserve to be criticised however they won’t be as most of us already know that this government is corrupt and deep down we ever expect this sort of action from them. What we don’t expect is to find that main opposition to them is just as bad and unfortunately Key has allowed this comparison to occur.
March 11th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
The thing is, I agree it is a junket. I also agree that Key did not take the stand I would have. But I think there is a nice little sideline in ‘key-bashing’ which rightly or wrongly is hijacking actual political debate, and this agenda has been successfully set by the Left from the VDS to ‘rich prick’ remarks in the highest court in the land. I’m just not buying into it.
Not today anyway.
If you think that Key is the credible alternative,to Helen it is surely more or equally relevant to focus on Wilson’s involvement in the junket, and Clark’s signing off on it . But no. .Instead it is about Key. Why?
Why is it that this issue is sudenly all about Key? Because the left are running the debate along lines they decided would profit them best, even before they set up the VDS. You people are just being taken in like sheep. If the election is that important to you all why are you just running with the left’s perverted narrative?
March 11th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Key is playing the long game. He knows that these events are regulars and by not opposing this he won’t get offside with back benchers who will want to have this opportunity in the future. Why pick a fight you don’t need to have?
March 11th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Hobbs says, “ a last hurrah will be lovely.” Where is Muldoon when you need him. This is another own goal by John Key, who is a big let down for the people of New Zealand. Both Labour and National might as well join together, because they’re both huge cop-outs for a heavily burdened taxpaying society. This diabolical scenario rubs the salt into the wounds of the constituent and the winner on the day will be the airlines that cart plane loads of kiwis across the ditch to settle and raise their families.
March 11th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
If the backbenchers motivation is based on free junkets then good bloody riddence to them.
March 11th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Come on,
they have months left of their job, do you want them sitting on their asses all day long doing nothing..
oh hang on that’s what national has been doing to Brian Connell.
I’d rather have the buggers working than doing nothing, oh that’s right National doesn’t.
Brian Connell Brian Connell Brian Connell Brian Connell Brian Connell Brian Connell Brian Connell say’s WHAT?
What I didn’t hear you Brian.
What? You aren’t allowed to say anything, and how long have you been on the taxpayers gravy train? How long, can’t hear you.
Get a little realistic here people, you’ve gagged this guy for ages, your hard earned tax payers money has been wasting away with a gagged MP.
March 11th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Dad, back to planet earth. They aren’t going overseas to live, they are going on a junket!
there is a difference, but you know that, you just love the sound of one hand clapping in your head.
March 11th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
“Key is playing the long game.” Yeah right, looks like socialism is the only game in town !!
March 11th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Besides which, I could think of a lot more pleasurable ways to spend two weeks than to travel right around the world and back, no matter which class you travel in, that is boring and relatively hard work.
Good luck to them, who knows there might even be a trade door opened, I see we are one of the countries with the highest overseas purchasing power now.
March 11th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
The only door opened will be on the mini bar.
March 11th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
so skeptical for one so young
March 11th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
If you are going to sell a product ahead of your competitors then you gotta haver a point of difference Its marketing 101.
Alas the Nats are slowly but surely giving up all their points of difference
So the punters will shrug their shoulders and say Whats the point We are just going to get more of the same
No change.
JKs gotta start marking out the points otherwise it will be too late and the election will be uopn him with no time for the punters to inwardly digest the messages.
Dont under estimate the Socialists to bounce back in the polls and their Green Red friends.
If the Soicalists get back to 35/37 and the Greens to 8/10 and the Maoris take all their seats thern its all over for JK and the Nats
March 11th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Lee
You make some interesting points, I do agree that there is an element of Key bashing orchestrated by the socialist scum and followed in particular by our lazy and stupid media but there is also a fairly solid core of National supporters who are frustrated by Key’s me too approach.
I was a member of the National party until Key was conned into letting Klark off the hook over the anti smacking bill, his performance since then has not led me to renew my membership.
Don’t get me wrong I want Klark and her corrupt govt out of power more than most but I do get annoyed when Key misses golden opportunities to attack the govt and ensure her demise, as I said before he cannot assume that the average punter is smart enough to work out just how bad this govt is or take the time find out how corrupt they are.
March 11th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Paul I’m neither young or skeptical
These people on both sides of the fence know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.
Our parliment will be a better place with their end of year departure
March 11th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
People should grow up. Since when is an overseas trip necessarily a perk. I am sure the MPs will equip themselves well, they are representing their country.
March 11th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I understand they are going to Auschwitz. There is a prime example of the ultimate abuse of power. I wonder if Margaret Wilson will appreciate the irony!
March 11th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
bwakile, coming from a left perspective, I would rate Ms Rich as one of the most able MPs out there and she will be a huge loss to National. Your words belittle her without due respect.
On the other hand
Brian Connell Brian Connell Brian Connell Brian Connell Brian Connell Brian Connell Brian Connell
Did what and say what over the last 2 years????
Oh that’s right National aren’t letting him say anything – now that’s an abuse of power. Not a list MP but an actual seat holding MP, muzzled not by the people in the democratic way, but by a party. Hmmm so abusive of power for a party that hasn’t held the benches of power since the last millennium.
March 11th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
keys’ ‘justifications’ for ‘untouchable’ connell to go..
is..um..!..well..!..words fail me..!
and he comes out of this whole shabby affair..looking the worst..
phil(whoar.co.nz)
March 11th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
As much as I hate to say it Philu you’re right.
Not however because his actions are worse than anybody else’s but rather the people are use to this self benefiting and corrupt sort of behaviour from labour and co however they expect more from Key and National because they’re meant to be better and therefore hold them to a higher standard.
March 11th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Paul I agree Rich was a good MP
We have paid her to do a job.
Why should we now spend hard earned taxpayers money to send her on a holiday.
I agree with you about Connell as well but you can add his name to a long list of MP’s, mostly from your side of the fence.
March 11th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I just watched the news tonight, Key has some major problems ahead.
It seems our useless weak media have been got at by Klark and co, perhaps they have had the hard word put on them or perhaps it is just their natural pinko tendencies showing through but the Nat’s and Key had better get used to being portrayed as slippery and indecisive.
Of course it does not help when he bumbles his way through interviews or does the worst possible thing ANY MP could do when faced with a difficult question…he bloody answers it.
Key needs a media coaching session right now, all he has to do is look at the evil bitch Clark or Winston, when faced with a difficult question they simply avoid it or give an answer that attacks the opposition.
Make no mistake, unless the Nat’s leadership start to change things NOW the game is over, we cannot afford to let the filthy socialist scum set the agenda or get a sniff, once the bastards start to climb in the polls again the media will forgive and forget all of the problems facing Klark and Labour and focus on the leadership of the Nat’s, if that happens then I will hold John key and the entire National party responsible for the inevitable economic and social devastation that will follow a fourth term Labour govt.
March 11th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Paul
I will concede Connell to you, while I am on the subject can you tell me what this lot have been doing for the last 2 & 1/2 years.
Chadwick, Street, Tizard (holding Klarks handbag does not count, nor does tucking her in at night) Ririnui, Laban, Okeroa, Barnett. Moroney, Choudray, Fairbrother, Fenton, Gallagher, Hartley, Hereora, Hobbs, Mackey, Pettis, Pillay, Soper, Swain and Yates.
March 11th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I’m offended that those socialist pigs (and I include Rich in that group) are planning to visit Auschwitz.
What do those that supported the EFB hope to achieve by visting this sacred memorial?
March 11th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
i agree with big bruv that national will lose..again..
key and the other hollow-men..
won’t be able to withstand much scrutiny..
and as the meltdown will really be pumping by then/election-time..
mortgagee-sales by the yard..and many of the newly/bubble-rich..now broke..
and families losing their homes as the international/local paradigm unravels..
saying..”look at me..!..i made millions in/from skimming the money-market..as a ‘currency-trader’,,’
will look less and less a ‘selling-point’..
and more and more..has the odour..of a dead albatross around his kneck..
and will surely be seen as totally inadequate qualifications to lead the country through..
..what will be..a time of great travail…
phil(whoar.co.nz)
March 11th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Philu have another puff.
When the mortgage/property issues come home to roost there is only one party that will be blamed and that will be Labour. How could National be blamed? they haven’t had the Treasury benches.
Anyone see Close Up about the doctor shortage. Cunnlife has been using the wrong figures as doctors still stay registered when then leave the country to work overseas. He says the number of doctors in NZ has steadily been increasing, when in fact the total number of registered doctors has been.
March 11th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Raider
I did see that, again Sainsbury let Cunnlife off the hook.
If Key is not going to be roasted by our pinko media then he needs to learn to deal with difficult questions in the same manner.
March 11th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Perhaps people would be happier if the following was followed, and the taxpayer was saved a few dollars. My suggestion – Margaret Wilson, Marion Hobbs and Brian Connell be given one-way tickets!
March 11th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Phul
Sadly you miss the point again, you have to understand the motivation behind people like me wanting to see the demise of the left.
I want to see Clark and all those who support her out of the house for many reasons, one of those reasons is that I want a right wing govt that will deal to the likes of you.
By your own admission you have had a tax payer funded holiday for the last nine or so years, when we do get a real right wing got the likes of you will be forced to get a job, personally I would see you taxed at a higher rate until you had paid back every cent you stole from me and all the other tax payers.
Think about that while you smoke another of your joints……BTW, When the Nat’s do take power you can kiss goodbye to your ridiculous idea of “medical” marijuana, it ain’t gonna happen in your lifetime.
March 11th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Iv2
We could all chip in and buy them kayaks as a farewell gift.
March 11th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Probably already been posted … but
did you see margaret wilson turning the limo around and facing her back to the entire country tonight on the news, rather than answer some questions that are quite legitimately asked? DISGRACEFUL
March 11th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
“I’m offended that those socialist pigs (and I include Rich in that group) are planning to visit Auschwitz.
What do those that supported the EFB hope to achieve by visting this sacred memorial?”
Comparing the EFB to genocide. Classy.
March 11th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Mr Shrivelled.
The reason why the Jewsih people ended up in the camps is because no one spoke out on their behalf and the countries they lived in were ruled by fascist dictators.
What Labour has done to free speech is similar to the very early 1920′s in Germany.
Those Pinko’s also deride Israel so I see little point in the nice photo opportunity at Auschwitz.
You go to Auschwitz to learn and remember, not some poli’s photo call.
March 11th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
ARGGGGGGGGGGG
Do NOT look at Parliamentary TV, Hobbs is in the speakers chair, I nearly lost my dinner.
March 11th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
ha ha should be fun
March 11th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Key probably supported it, hoping that Wilson would be going while parliament was still sitting.
March 11th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Southern Raider.
Wow, are you witty. How did you come up with Mr Shrivelled? It’s a good thing my name isn’t already a piss-take or you might look childish.
I stand by my original point…..classy.
March 11th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
“..BTW, When the Nat’s do take power you can kiss goodbye to your ridiculous idea of “medical” marijuana, it ain’t gonna happen in your lifetime..”
mm!!..yet another reason not to vote national..!
phil(whoar.co.nz)
March 11th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
The trip will not be a total waste. Connell could meet with other cat haters and Hobbs could check out the sex toys and see how they compare with the ones in sex shops that she has visited in New Zealand.
March 11th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
“Hobbs could check out the sex toys and see how they compare with the ones in sex shops that she has visited in New Zealand.”
what’s your point? Do you have something against sex Chuck?
March 11th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
pushmepullu wrote:
Look, I’ll stand up for Key against unfair attacks, but you’re defending the indefensible. Every member of that delegation — apart from Margaret Wilson — required leave from their respective party leaders to be absent from the House. Key, Clark and Peters are on the record saying they granted that leave, because everyone else was “too busy” getting ready for the election campaign. I’m sure the electors of Rakaia and Wellington Central will be pleased to know they don’t really matter in the great scheme of things.
March 11th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Chucky Bird – Your such a wunderfull human being. Could we describe you as the Graham Caphill of the Right, slings mud and dirty little sneers at others to hide thier own perversions.
So what are you Chucky, gay, queer, sex feind.
At least Hobbs has the integrity to define who she is. Chucky Bird – what are you other than a homophobic jerk.
March 11th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Do you know how fun this is clicking the thumbs up or thumbs down button, it’s almost like Tetris
March 12th, 2008 at 5:34 am
Yup Paul, DPF put that particular gizmo there just for people like you. Enjoy.
March 12th, 2008 at 6:32 am
Lee: If you think that Key is the credible alternative,to Helen it is surely more or equally relevant to focus on Wilson’s involvement in the junket, and Clark’s signing off on it . But no. .Instead it is about Key. Why?
This. Some of the right is so busy destroying itself and eating it’s leader – even if he isn’t perfect – that they’re setting us up for another Labour led government. No wonder so many of you comment at the Standard
March 12th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Hmmmm, Slippery John was looking tired and drawn on breakfast telly this morning, (mind you he had to endure a cajoling and patronising lecture from the self-important Paul Henry) and he made yet another glaring error of fact yesterday over the new science fund.
Meanwhile, I listened to Helen Clark on NatRad – she seemed undiminished in enthusiasm, and in full command of the details around Labour policy.
John Key does not look like he has a good grasp of detail.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Toms
You might be able to tell us, does Cullen have the numbers yet?
March 12th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Well Bigbruv Dr. Cullen’s fine stewardship of the economy over the past near decade (record low unemployment, record growth, the Cullen Fund, KiwiSaver and real help for working kiwi families through WFF) would indicate he does, indeed, have all the numbers he needs to continue as an outstanding finance minister and deputy PM.
I am curious as to how long the likes of Murray McNasty, Tony Rialled and Judith Cruelollins and their puppet masters like the Talley Brothers will put up with Slippery John’s lazy inability to have detailed policy knowledge and media responses at his fingertips?
March 12th, 2008 at 8:41 am
toms
That is genuinely funny….
Dr Kullen’s “fine stewardship” has seen us squander the best economic conditions in living memory, even the biggest Labour toady cannot say with hand on heart that the recent economic conditions have anything to do with the actions of this corrupt govt.
If you are unsure what REAL growth and economic management looks like have a gander across the Tasman.
Now, can you answer the question if you don’t mind, does Kullen have the numbers to roll Klark yet?
BTW..speaking of slippery, what did you make of Comrade Wilson doing a runner when faced with reasonable questions from the press?
March 12th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Yeah it is – but I was most amused that the very post you say this in sits at -7
March 12th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Toms,
I always laugh when the left trumpet “low unemployment” as an achievement of the Labour Govt. They dont understand that the reason we have low unemployment is NOT because of a buoyant economy. Its because most of the people who are needed here for those jobs have left! Thats why we have vacancies.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:15 am
I have no problem with people buy sex toys any more than I have people flying business class to Europe. However, I do not think it is part of an MPs job to check out sex shops as part of their job of looking at small business as Hobbs did. These businesses are legal. I have no problem with that but they do not need government support of any kind.
It would be nice if the retards on this blog could debate issues rather than attack other bloggers who view things different than themselves
March 12th, 2008 at 11:03 am
At least one party is condemning this junket
M P’s Junket Shows Lack of Conscience-Kiwi Party
The public anger over the retiring M P’s trips to Europe shows
a lack of conscience and accountability says Larry Baldock, leader of
the recently launched Kiwi Party.
Mr Baldock said the weak explanations by the Speaker of the
House Margaret Wilson and the two leaders of Labour and National
amounted to a lot of weak justification and a lack of accountability.
“There’s an important issue here and that’s about expenditure
of public money – taxpayer money,” he said. In some years the speaker’s trip
can be a useful exercise in developing relationships with other nations that
can have a flow on effect for New Zealand. Sending retiring M P’s in an
election year is as much an insult to the host nations as it is to the
taxpayers of our own country.
Explanations by the Speaker, Clark and Key and others of
consideration of it being election year presumably with possible
public reaction, smacked of political expediency and a disregard for
taxpayer money.
“All of the M P’s and the leaders of parties should reflect,
they are not leaders of the country, but merely public servants
funded from the public purse. There is very important matters of
principle at stake here,” he said.
Ends.
Contact
Larry Baldock
Leader / The Kiwi Party
March 12th, 2008 at 11:05 am
The one thing no one seems to have commented on is how insulting sending retiring MP’s to potential markets is to the hosts, it seems to me that this is just a poorly thought out & poorly executed trip which demonstrates arrogance ( We are so important we can send retiring MP’s to these potential markets ), self interest ( I want my MP’s getting re-elected not helping NZ trade – John Key ), yet another bout of self inflicted stupidity ( HC being smarmy ).
Seems to me not a single politician came out of this one looking good & certainly not one eloquently described why it was actually an intelligent idea to treat Eastern Europe so shabbily let alone why they can treat an electorate with such distain that we don’t deserve decent explanations of such trips as this, how about growing up & explaining things openly & clearly.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:11 am
so chucky..you are an ‘advertisment’ for the kiwi party..?
(what a feckin lame-name..eh?..they should be indicted for lack of imagination/intelligence..)
i’m sure baldock will be ‘dead chuffed’ at getting an endorsement from the likes of you..eh..?
join the kiwi party..!..get to meet the author of the ‘chucky-comments’..!
(btw..who the fuck is gary baldock..?..when he’s at home..?..)
phil(whoar.co.nz)
March 12th, 2008 at 11:58 am
philu, congratulations. Your post is half readable. You can find more about the Kiwi Party and Larry Baldock at
http://thekiwiparty.org.nz/web/index.php?option=com_contact&catid=12&Itemid=3
It would be nice if those on the left would leard to debate issues instead of childish name calling.
Do you approved of the carbon footprint your dope smoking mate will leave on his junket to South Africa?
March 12th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Pascal thnx nice to see someone understood what I was inferring.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Chuck says
“It would be nice if the retards on this blog could debate issues rather than attack other bloggers who view things different than themselves”
does anyone need me to point out the irony in this quote???
March 12th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I really do yearn for the outlook of this country…
Key stated words to the affect this morning, “that because they had been conducting these junkets for the last 20 odd years, it was ok to continue with them”. I could not believe the flippancy of Key’s comments.(Give me the cash instead, and I’ll invest it into business and create employment and export opportuntities for this country)
Some fiscal advice for Mr.Key…..Look after your pennies and the pounds will look after themselves. (But guess that rule dosen’t apply… when you’re dealing with other people’s money)
March 12th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
ROW, Wonder if we could persuade our polish friends to give our visiting MPs a practical demonstration of the gas chambers whilst they are viewing them?
March 12th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Hasn’t anyone picked up on the irony of this whole affair.
According to you folk come the end of the year, this country will be rid of it’s evil lesbian feminist environmentalist socialist overlords and the so called tax(free?) economic nrivana promised by the right will usher in a new dawn in freedoms (the right to beat your kids etc).
So a trip to (anyone getting the irony yet – anyone anyone) to Eastern Europe to see how Post Socialist countries have handled the transition to free western styled economic democracies, this is surely a good thing.
I mean we’ve had nearly a whole decade of (what do you guys call it) helengrad, surely we need to see how they have handled the transition and report back to parliament immediately.
So it took a dumb ass socialist to see the irony in you guys opposing this trip.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Paul
The first part of your last sentence I totally agree with, the rest as usual is rubbish.
Why is it that your lot cannot bring themselves to admit this trip is anything but a jaunt?
Is it compulsory for all Labourites to stick the brain in neutral?, is thinking for yourself not encouraged?
March 12th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Hang on, according to our dear friend at the free congress foundation, the Socialists invented Political Correctness which responsible for critical thinking, which in turn is responsible for the degredation of decent western societies, in which the role of the gays, blacks, women and the environment have been elevated above that of the corner stone of western democracy, the family unit.
So to be a socialist is to be PC and thus by its very definition a thinker, one willing to attack the feeble foundations of western society.
I’m not stating either way if this is or isn’t a good thing, you are making that assumption, including the wild one that I am a labourite, am I to assume that you are from some far right extremist group?
March 12th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
freewanker,
I take extreme offense to your comments by the way.
March 12th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Paul +0 Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
freewanker,
I take extreme offense to your comments by the way.
“Seriously folks – HOW FREAKING OLD ARE YOU PEOPLE? What’s with the name calling?” (Pauls comment from another thread–Listener on HBDHB)
Hi Paul so how in your sad little socialist brain if you take such offense at name calling do you convert freethinker into freewanker?