Comments on: The travel subsidy for journalists

By: Scorpio

Scorpio — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:11:11 +0000

I come to Kiwiblog because I often learn something I would not have found out any other way. I am also exposed to viewpoints from different people. Not always a pleasant experience.

Thank you David for the hours you put into this venture.

By: Robert Black

Robert Black — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:30:32 +0000

DPF with respect, I don’t know whether it will be healthy for your blogsite in the long run to answer critcism about your posts and decide demerits after you have had a few. As I warned you before, power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. It’s not worth it mate. Take a step back. I totally respect you but objectivity is the name of success in such blogsites. And I do mean it – Merry Xmas! Take it easy.

By: Robert Black

Robert Black — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:01:15 +0000

Ouch. I copped 20 yesterday. Feel your master’s wrath and bear it. Haha.

By: quixote

quixote — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:44:31 +0000

another brilliant article by Farrar,
writer for NAT party,
discerning comments about nothing,
Farrar used to be worth reading,
now he writes journal garbage

[DPF: Then you can fuck off. 30 demerits]

By: OECD rank 22 kiwi

OECD rank 22 kiwi — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:10:44 +0000

Good to see the country can afford to fly a 757 down to Antarctica for no good reason whatsoever.

By: scanner

scanner — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:02:04 +0000

Looks much like a “Circle Jerk”, on their way to the “Old Boys Club” meeting.
Wonder if they got the chance to ask ShonKey if there was to be any more shady deals to be done with the Bro Party.
Sounds like DBF was upset he didn’t get invited.

By: jaba

jaba — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:57:45 +0000

unaha .. I’m outraged opposition MP’s are over there openly compromising our Govts efforts .. who is paying thier expenses for doing SFA

By: RRM

RRM — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:53:45 +0000

Did the journos get anything else apart from the seat on the plane?

If the PM’s plane was going there anyway, then the cost to the taxpayer of giving them a lift was either nil or very close to nil.

Though I doubt I will ever be able to hitch a free ride with the RNZAF…

By: big bruv

big bruv — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:40:15 +0000

The following media representatives accompanied the PM: Audrey Young – NZ Herald Martin Kay – Fairfax Fran Mold – TVNZ Terry Williams TVNZ Scott Campbell – TV3 Matt Smith – TV3 Phil Walter – Getty Images.

Send the bastards a bill.

By: unaha-closp

unaha-closp — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:36:58 +0000

If it is reprehensible that MPs get a 10% to 90% travel subsidy, then where has been the media outrage at this 97.5% travel subsidy?

We weren’t aware, but now that we are letters shall be written, talkback shall be called…

Hardly a day goes by when we don’t see yet another example of gross self serving spending by this National government. Whilst the country plunges deeper into recession, it comes as no surprise that the PM is paying local journalists to fly half way round the world so he can have better coverage of his CHOGM schmoozefest. Isn’t it bad enough that we have to pay for Hone Harawira to fly his flag from the Arc de Triumphe or Rodney Hide to take his mistresses on world tours?

Outraged of Mt Albert

By: krazykiwi (formerly getstaffed)

krazykiwi (formerly getstaffed) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:30:35 +0000

I’d like to know of the media organisation can choose who takes up these tasty jobs, or if their representatives must be ‘approved’ by the government

By: poneke

poneke — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:01:11 +0000

IIRC, journalists who accompanied politicians on the Air Force planes used to have to pay pretty much the equivalent air fare (maybe 90pc of economy) or some such. It must have changed.