Backbenches tonight
June 2nd, 2010 at 1:41 pm by David FarrarTONIGHT ON BACK BENCHES: Watch Wallace Chapman, Damian Christie, the Back Benches Panel and special guests go head to head over the week’s hottest topics!
HADEN FUMBLES: Rugby World Cup Ambassador Andy Haden keeps his role despite being under fire for describing the Crusaders recruitment policies as, “Once they’ve recruited three, that’s it. That’s their ceiling. Three darkies-no more.” Do we have a problem with race? Are we a racist nation? Apparently, Helen Clark thinks so according to actor, Sir Ian McKellen. How much further do we need to go for equality?
TOOTH ACHES: Trips to the Dentist can cause more pain in the pocket than in the mouth. Do we ignore our oral health? Is going to the dentist too expensive? Is it time for the Government to provide assistance for dental care for adults, too? And do we need to make sure all of our water is Fluoridated?
WHALE TALES: Peter Bethune is on trial in Japan accused of charges related to the incident between his powerboat, the Ady Gil, and a Japanese Whaling ship. And on Wednesday, Greenpeace is delivering a petition to Parliament in support of Saving the Whales. What should be our official position be on Whaling? And can the Government do anything to help Peter Bethune in his defence?
Join us for a night of LIVE pub politics from the Backbencher Pub: Wednesday, 2ND of June. Our Panel: ACT MP John Boscawen, Progressive Party Leader Jim Anderton, Labour MP David Shearer, and National MP Nicky Wagner.
We film LIVE so come to the Backbenchers Pub across the street from Parliament from 7:30pm to be part of the discussion or tune into TVNZ 7 at 9:10pm to watch the programme. TVNZ 7 is now available on Freeviewch. 7) or on the SKY Platform (ch. 97). Or you can watch online at TVNZ.CO.NZ/BACK-BENCHES (
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June 2nd, 2010 at 2:11 pm
It would be good just to see if David Shearer has leadership quantities.
Vote:That should be a topic for the panel… who should be Labours next Leader.
If not Nicky is easy on the eyes.
June 2nd, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Bethune’s trial doesn’t involve to the incident with his powerboat, actually. That hasn’t been discussed by prosecution during his trial, although he has talked about it in his defence (his precious boat, that he took to the harsh Antarctic environment despite warnings from authorities including in relation to the dangers of collisions! who’d have thunk it)
Bethune admitted the facts of 4 of the 5 charges laid against him, so there’s little the government can do in his defence.
While the government is not able to do much for Bethune, for other New Zealanders the government should look to ensure that Kiwis are raised with enough good sense to not blindly believe the propaganda of extremist organizations such as Sea Shepherd (Bethune said during his trial that he was told by SS that butyric acid is harmless, and so at the time he had no problems smashing glass bottles of it on the other vessel crewed by fellow human beings). He also described Paul Watson as “Great Leader”. Bet the judge will have loved that.
Whatever position the government takes with respect to whaling, it should be taken with clear recognition that the W in “IWC” stands for Whaling. Realistically there is a limit to how “anti-whaling” New Zealand can be so long as it is a member of the International Whaling Commission. But remaining a member of the IWC is also the best path for New Zealand to take in order to obstruct international whaling activities (despite this obstruction being against the spirit of the whaling convention, as is the “moratorium” and “southern ocean sanctuary”).
That is, this is the best approach at least at the current time – until the whaling nations quit the IWC for an alternative organization.
Vote:June 2nd, 2010 at 3:40 pm
Oh yes – the other curious thing was that Bethune said at his trial that he didn’t think he would join SS in their activities in the southern ocean next season.
A strange thing to say, considering that he’s facing the possibility of up to 15 years in jail.
This too was probably not missed by the judge, who may be looking for signs of remorse for the actions he took.
Vote:June 2nd, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Well technically Paul Watson is a great leader if people are willing to risk life and limb to battle whalers in the Antartic.
I had a letter from McCully and the Government have no intention of doing anything to aid Pete Bethune whatsoever, they’re far too busy selling NZ’s oil, minerals, banks. So much to do, so little time.
Vote: