Comments on: Hooton on Goff and ETS

By: s.russell

s.russell — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:47:08 +0000

A deal between National and Labour over an ETS would be a win for New Zealand because it would provide stability and predictability for business. That is more important that getting a win for any politician.

That said, a deal would be an even bigger win for Key than for Goff – it would almost make him a non-politician (and most people would far prefer to vote for a non-politician than a politician).

I think the perception might be that Goff had been forced to agree because he was in such a weak position.

By: bchapman

bchapman — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:35:18 +0000

Its National policy to support an ETS, thats what they campaigned on last election. Next APEC meeting would be interesting if we ditched the ETS.

By: MajorBloodnok

MajorBloodnok — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:12:24 +0000

To pursue the ETS would be to repeat the mistake of the Anti-Smacking referendum and Boscowen private members bill.

The ETS is a catastrophic waste of money for zero benefit.

If Phil Goff were to contribute to NZ’s downfall by supporting the ETS, it would an even greater tragedy.

By: bruceh

bruceh — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:02:46 +0000

Since ACT and Maori Party issued minority dissenting reports on Nick Smith’s brain dead ETS proposal the PM has pursued Labour’s votes to get it into place. Hopefully Hooton’s pointing out an additional unintended political consequence of the PM’s current intent will get his attention. Something needs to, because rational argument isn’t.

By: side show bob

side show bob — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:25:48 +0000

Philin is stuck between a rock and a hard place. If he turns dog on the Nats ETS plans claiming they will bankrupt the country the Melons will spit the dummy. If he says the Nats haven’t gone far enough in their emissions plans, the general population will be more aware of the damage this will do come 2011, then calling for greater penalties will go down like a shower of shit to the voters. He’s stuffed.

By: NeilM

NeilM — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:44:23 +0000

as much as I think Labour should actually engage with what the Obama admin is saying, and suspect that somewhere there still lurks anti-Vietnam demo fantasies, I doubt they’ll be encroaching too far into the Green’s craziness. From the Green’s website -

“And on this 8th anniversary of 9/11, what has changed? ”Progressive” Obama follows in the footsteps of George II, while Kiwis discover their government has been secretly supporting the US in Afghanistan with spies for years.”

scare quotes even.

By: Gooner

Gooner — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:33:29 +0000

And by continually questioning on Afghanistan and all that Keith-Locke-stuff Labour continually encroaches into the Greens area thereby reducing their voice and profile and that’s Labour’s only coalition partner. Silly.

I also think the ETS is a big opportunity for Goff but Key, seeing Goff on 7% or whatever it is, will not want to give him any opportunity.

By: MT_Tinman

MT_Tinman — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:26:40 +0000

Leave Phil and his mates alone.

They’re doing a great job.

By: NeilM

NeilM — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:17:42 +0000

“The thought that Labour would turn down President Obama’s request for assistance from the SAS, after lending them to President Bush on three previous occasions is farcical. Of course they would have.”

well yes the theory is Labour are just opposing what ever National does just for the sake of it but they have maintained this very odd position for a while now.

Neither Goff nor Shearer show any evidence they’re familiar with anything Obama or his foreign policy team have said on Afghanistan. Which doesn’t bode well for Labour developing foreign policy.

But then they took no notice of how Obama ran his campaign against McCain so it’s not surprising they’re not paying attention now. And having no ideas they’ve reverted to the sort of foreign policy they had as students.

By: Paulus

Paulus — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:17:18 +0000

Don’t Labour realise that they are still living their “Past Glories” of their so called social revolution.

If they don’t get over such as the Springbok tour I cannot see them ever becoming a useful opposition, and certainly not under Goofy who dwells on the past ……………………”when I…………………..”

By: tvb

tvb — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:06:29 +0000

If Goff revealed that NZ has sent spies to Afghanistan then he has committed a security blunder. What NZer will be safe in the hands of the Taliban armed with that information. “You are spies” they will say and shoot the NZers unlucky enough to get caught. Thank -you Phil Goff.