PM’s public forums
March 31st, 2011 at 10:00 am by David FarrarThe Timaru Herald reports:
“I like Allan Hubbard”.
That’s what Prime Minister John Key told an audience of more than 350 people at a public forum in Timaru’s Caroline Bay Hall last night.
Mr Key spent 90 minutes answering a number of questions, ranging from the earthquakes to the economy to the environment. However, for parts of the meeting he had to weather a barrage of interjections from staunch Allan Hubbard supporters.
Staunch is an under statement. With some of them, you gain the impression that if Mr Hubbard was filmed hacking a dozen pre-schoolers to death with a machete, they’d insist he did nothing wrong.
Mr Key answered questions from all comers at the event, hosted by the Timaru Herald.
He replied to questions from Timaru Herald readers about topics ranging from his renewal of a contract for BMWs, to taxes, the Tuhoi terror raids, asset sales and earthquake recovery.
After the meeting, Mr Key was mobbed by people who wanted to get their picture taken with him.
Key has done at least a couple of these in Christchurch also, hosted by The Press. I think giving citizens the opportunity to hold the Prime Minister to account, is very important. I hope these forums will become a permament feature of politics in New Zealand.
Related posts:
- Well meaning but totally inappropriate
- The Allan Hubbard supporters
- The Hubbard charges
- An online public meeting
March 31st, 2011 at 10:02 am
Those under 5′s were asking for it!
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 10:08 am
“With some of them, you gain the impression that if Mr Hubbard was filmed hacking a dozen pre-schoolers to death with a machete, they’d insist he did nothing wrong.”
Heh, reminds me of this one:
Vote:http://www.theonion.com/articles/media-having-trouble-finding-right-angle-on-obamas,2703/
March 31st, 2011 at 10:08 am
On the radio this morning there were people claiming that Key did not answer the questions asked. He may have talked but may not have answered questions.
To be fair, he is very good at not answering the question asked
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 10:08 am
I can’t imagine Helen Clark fronting up to a potentially hostile audience like this…
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 10:09 am
I wonder if they’d be so happy with Hubbard if there was no government guarantee behind his failed business.
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 10:12 am
“I hope these forums will become a permament feature of politics in New Zealand.”
They were during the first two and a half terms of the Clark Government. Helen held Business, Community and Union forums in every main centre along with Hui in Maori communities.
Most of those happened under the radar of the media, but they were a great opportunity to connect directly with the voters. She would front with a team of Ministers and hold workshops in relevant areas.
Let’s hope the Key government does make it a permanent feature too.
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 10:34 am
I agree Nick, I could not imagine Helen doing this without relying on immense spin and a complete lack of honesty. Andrew, these forums that you speak of – why didn’t these get the same publicity as Johns ones?
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 10:45 am
Inky
That is a remarkable comment. After Brash, Key is one of the most direct politicians we have had in times that I can recall.
You seem to have a pretty short memory levelling that accusation against Key having regard to the nine years of ambiguous, obfuscating and downright dishonest answers to questions from Clark’s government and in particular, the laughable and dismissive way that she and her ministers dealt with parliamentary question time with the full support and cooperation of THE most disgraceful Speaker we have had (certainly in my memory at least).
In fact, the current Speaker’s approach to Ministerial questions is a pretty fair basis of comparison of the contrasting approaches of the Clark and Key governments. I’m not suggesting the current government is perfection in terms of transparency, but the difference the current and former governments is like that between night and day.
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 11:02 am
Agree this is a good thing. But I wonder if Key is setting himself up to fail here. When the polls turn sour, as they eventually will, will he still be announcing election dates 10 months out, still be inclined to hold public meetings when half the crowd comes armed with fruit, veges and other projectiles? if so, good on him. But I wonder if it his willingness to be open now will be used against him.
Or perhaps he has a theory that the polls will not turn against him before he leaves?
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 11:06 am
Local media did cover them – in fact, the Timaru Herald even mentioned the Sth Canty one – http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/267589
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 11:12 am
Of course Key likes Hubbard. If the audience likes icecream, so will John Key. He will be anything you want him to be.A very flexible individual is the PM.
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 11:22 am
Andrew – trouble is the Labour ones seemed to be for the ‘faithful’. They did not want Nat stirrers there. Seems the Timaru Herald one was open (at least) to all subscribers of the paper regardless of political colour.
As I understand it, National party meetings were open to all comers in the past whereas Labour exercised control over attendees. Those were also the days when the Prime Minister’s home phone number was in the phone book. Unfortunately, National has had to move in that direction in more recent times otherwise its meetings would get trashed by protestors.
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 11:27 am
Oh Maggie. It won’t do you any good, all this bile and spleen.
It is his flexibility, amiability and candour we all like so much. He is human, like the rest of us. A man for all seasons.
Just compare him with that group of absurd noddies standing behind Phil Goff in Dunedin. Staged, deceitful posturing.
Key treats us like intelligent adults. Goff and Labour treat us like dumb, wayward kids.
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 11:35 am
peterwn – no they weren’t. Of course the point of the events was to be constructive, but they were in no way only for Labour members or supporters. See the announcement of the Hamilton business forum – http://www.beehive.govt.nz/node/9737 which was attended by over 200 business people from the Tron. Try to find me 200 business leaders who are Labour voters in Hamilton.
[DPF: Looking at the news the two types of meetings are significantly different. One is a public forum hosted by a newspaper where it is all about encouraging the public to ask the PM questions.
The other, while still commendable, is the PM and a group of Ministers discussing Labour Party policy.]
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 11:41 am
Goff is too busy protesting he is the leader to do anything constructive like face up to a hall full of citizens.
Vote:It’s a worry to see Vernon Small in the Dom Post suggesting Grant Robertson as the next education spokesperson. After Chris Carter and Darren Hughes?
Aren’t there any straight family people left in Labour to care for the future of our kids?
March 31st, 2011 at 12:13 pm
Maggie, that is a gross misrepresentation of the reason why Key said he liked Hubbard and the context in which he said it. His point was that the decision to tip Hubbard over was not personal, that in fact he liked Hubbard but had to put such considerations to one side in deciding whether to place Hubbard into statutory management.
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 12:24 pm
What a dick. My best teacher at high school by a mile was the young gay bloke who taught chemistry. The Leprosy isn’t contagious.
Do you think gay MPs want to make homosexuality compulsory?
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 12:32 pm
The investors in Hubbard’s companies would be out of pocket if north island money was not put in to save these stupid people who invested in Hubble.
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 1:03 pm
smttc (27) Says:
March 31st, 2011 at 12:13 pm
Maggie, that is a gross misrepresentation of the reason why Key said he liked Hubbard and the context in which he said it. His point was that the decision to tip Hubbard over was not personal, that in fact he liked Hubbard but had to put such considerations to one side in deciding whether to place Hubbard into statutory management.
Exactly. There were lots of Hubbard supporters in the room and he told them what he knew they wanted to hear. He knew they were upset at the statutory management decision and support Hiubbard. As Key has amply demonstrated he can be a Jew when speaking to Jews or a Christian when addressing Christians. He is the ultimate political chameleon.
[DPF: Oh this is pathethic, even for you. They didn't want to hear the PM thinks Hubbard is a nice man. They wanted the PM to say that Hubbard would be removed from statutory management]
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 2:43 pm
RRM
Vote:I am so relieved to hear it’s not catching.
So why is three gay guys in a row a good idea?
March 31st, 2011 at 3:43 pm
DPF: Oh this is pathethic, even for you. They didn’t want to hear the PM thinks Hubbard is a nice man. They wanted the PM to say that Hubbard would be removed from statutory management]
Oh, thank you, Farrar. Now I know why so many bloggers here indulge in childish name-calling. They get it from you.
Of course, “pathetic”, just means “I don’t agree with you”. Why can’t you just say that, then?
How do you know what they wanted Key to say? Were you there?
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 4:19 pm
It’d be interesting – and it’d also stop all this pointless speculation as to whether he was or wasn’t answering the questions put etc – to video them and put them on the web.
He has a phalanx of staff, advancers etc. Surely one of them could be equipped with a handycam?
As for Clark holding similar meetings, I imagine the difference, from the questioner’s perspective, would be akin to being lowered into a tank of warm water with a slippery goldfish versus being hurled in with a shark… after having been cut first
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Maggie, he didnt call you a name, so you cant accuse him of childish name-calling, you stupid, arse-faced, buggerer of stolen sheep.
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 5:05 pm
Maggie, you got what you deserved for your 11:12am comment. It was childishly insulting, the product of nothing more than political bigotry and an attempt at cleverness that fell somewhat short. Most readers would be prepared to consider reasoned views on the PM’s comments and/or his overall performance, but like me many resent the tiresome attack hound style that you tend to adopt.
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 5:15 pm
John Key likes Alan Hubbard ? Unbelievable. But I guess that’s what he actually said. You really have to question the PMs judgment. Is the charmer becoming a big worry for us ? Sounds like the beginning of the beginning of the end of the national government.
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 10:47 pm
“.. and he told them what he knew that they wanted to hear
“How do you know what they wanted Key to say. Were you there?”"
I sense an inconistancy, if not contradiction, here Maggie? Were you there?
Key stood by the decision concerning the statutory manager. That’s not what they wanted to hear. {No, I was not there but because of connections in days gone by I have followed the fate of the Hubbard financial empire with interest. }
Vote:So far, nothing has changed my view that Key is one of the most upfront and transparent PMs that we have had. Given that his critics have adopted a strategy of concerted personal attacks and mudslinging I think he should be given the credit for maintaining a cheery disposition rather than take on the unfriendly cynicism common to other pollies
March 31st, 2011 at 10:53 pm
Yes, I agree Key is transparent. Anyone with half a brain can see right through him.
Vote:March 31st, 2011 at 11:13 pm
“Anyone with half a brain can see right through him.”
Vote:own goal there luvvie
March 31st, 2011 at 11:52 pm
No, not really. Can you see through him?
Vote:April 1st, 2011 at 2:21 am
No, then again I DO have a complete brain.
Vote:April 1st, 2011 at 4:59 am
I think we are giving Maggie way too much credit. I presumed from her posts that she didn’t even have half a brain.
Vote:April 1st, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Clint receives three hard smacks on his Heine.
Vote:April 3rd, 2011 at 12:49 pm
I wonder if he was asked in future (like in Chch) if he knows what BMX stands for if he would reply “no, but I know what BMW stands for”.
BTW, I’m glad the public really cares about the important issues. Maybe that’s why this country always gets awesome government.
Vote: