ACT Leader to be announced at 12.30
February 16th, 2012 at 12:24 pm by David FarrarACT announce the new Leader of ACT at 12.30. Will supply name when known, but my expectation is it will be John Banks as he is their sole MP. The fact Catherine Isaacs has taken up a role on the charter schools taskforce suggests she won’t be taking up a leadership role.
UPDATE: And as predicted the “new” Leader is John Banks.
Heh, NZ Herald reporter Claire Trevett tweeted the following:
Banks fends off rest of caucus to win coveted and hotly contested job of Act’s leader.
Superb.
Related posts:
- Boscawen to be ACT’s parliamentary leader
- Debranding
- Labour review recommends members vote on leadership
- Jones positioning himself
February 16th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Act has crawled so far up nationals arse that it is beginning to smell.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Anyone know what Rodney Hide is doing these days?
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
Bernard Madoff’s got a bit of time on his hands. I’m sure his business model doesn’t deviate too far from ACT party policy.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Betcha control is exacted from the Act’s Hong Kong branch.
Or at least, it should be………
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Its Banksie.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 12:52 pm
Sorry I spoke too soon, a misleading 3News story. Typical 3News…
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
And if control comes from Hong Kong, does that make Cactus “A2″?
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
You smell a lot like arse yourself griff.
The usual reek of a mindless troll.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 1:13 pm
And there goes the last of Act’s credibility as a socially liberal party.
Does this mean they are seriously looking at a Conservative party merger (or at least cannibalisation of their support base and some of Winston’s). Might make sense if the MMP review moves to eliminate the one electoral seat exemption to the 5% threshold – that would kill the Act party in it’s current form.
Of course the big question is whether this move sees the creation of a true centrist liberal party in NZ (similar to the Free Democrats in Germany)?
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 1:16 pm
ACT is a mere shadow of what it was. It deserves to be buried quickly.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
In case you missed this Kiwibloggers?
What is the view of Kiwibloggers who used to be, or still are ACT Party supporters on the position of former (deposed) Leader of ACT Rodney Hide – who has publicly agreed that ‘one law for all’ should equally apply to John Banks and Don Brash, as former fellow Directors of Huljich Wealth Management (NZ) Ltd?
Do YOU agree with Rodney Hide (and ACT policy) – or not?
PROOF that the former (deposed) Leader of the ACT Party, Rodney Hide, supports ‘ONE LAW FOR ALL” and agrees that one law for all should equally apply to ACT MP for Epsom, John Banks, and former ACT Party Leader Don Brash, who as fellow former Directors of Huljich Wealth Management equally signed registered prospectuses that contained untrue statements:
http://www.radiolive.co.nz/Rodney-Hide-and-Willie-Jackson/tabid/506/articleID/25533/Default.aspx
Rodney Hide was a guest with Willie Jackson on Radio Live, Friday 20 January 2012, from 1 – 3pm.
I rang and asked the following questions:
“Rodney, you were the former Leader of the ACT Party.
Do you believe in ‘one law for all’?”
Rodney Hide’s reply – “Yes”.
“Do you believe that one law for all should equally apply to ACT MP for Epsom, John Banks, and former ACT Party Leader Don Brash, who as fellow former Directors of Huljich Wealth Management equally signed registered prospectuses that contained untrue statements?”
Rodney Hide’s reply – “Yes”.
(This was on approximately the 85th minute of the show – about 15mm from the end using the ‘position slider’).
Penny Bright
Vote:waterpressure@gmail.com
February 16th, 2012 at 1:18 pm
Well if ACT wasnt fucked before today it sure is now.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Is ACT now National Lite?
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
Want to help bury ACT (National “B” Team) quickly Manolo?
You could always print off copies of the following petition which is available on http://www.pennybright4epsom.org.nz and help get signatures?
“That the House conduct an urgent inquiry into the decisions regarding prosecutions relating to the Huljich Kiwisaver Scheme registered prospectuses dated 22 August 2008 and 18 September 2009.”
Copies of the above-mentioned Huljich Kiwisaver Scheme registered prospectuses dated 22 August 2008 and 18 September 2009 are also available for your perusal.
Cheers!
Penny Bright
Vote:waterpressure@gmail.com
February 16th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Murray
Vote:I may have been a touch blunt
Some of the following posts would seem to agree
So far up it smells
February 16th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
The only hope National has of getting a third term are the policies ACT has brought for charter schools and the spending cap because John Key spends money like a drunken sailor. Have to say Claire Travett sounds like a mean bitch. No wonder ACT did not stand a chance of any fair reporting before the election.
Vote:Oh for a fair and balanced media, wouldn’t life be so much better.
February 16th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Is ACT now Labour Lite to the power of 2?
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
Banks say’s he only agrees with 80% of ACTs policies… therefore Act must be 80% National.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 1:52 pm
@rg 1:34 pm
Oh, come on! Blame the media FFS. I mean do you really think the rorting of Parliamentary expenses, taking on Garrett as a candidate and covering up his criminal past, incessant in-fighting, the Roy demotion, Calvert’s idiocy, the Brash coup, the cannabis debacle all had nothing to do with ACT’s demise and impending death.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
toad might be right. Heaven forbid!
Vote:R.I.P. ACT.
February 16th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Banks only agrres with 80% of ACTS policies, the other 20% he has a six hour debate with himself.
Will be a great Monday Morning Caucus,
Banks: as leader I open the meeting, all in favour ?
Banks: aye
Banks: the ayes have it
Banks: right will the secretary read the minutes from last meeting:
Banks: will do
Banks: Mr Chairman
Banks: Yes Mr Banks
Banks: can we take the minutes as being read ?
Banks: Can we vote on all minutes being taken as read , all those in Favour say aye?
Banks: aye
Banks: the ayes have it
Banks: point of order Mr Chairman
Bank: yes Mr Banks
Banks: we have no quorum
Banks: whats a quorum Mr Banks ?
Banks: minimum members at a meeting
Banks: how many is that ?
Banks: Well we havent rewritten the rules since last election, it states three
Banks; Who wants to move that this caucus be adjorned ?
Banks: I will
Banks: all those in favour ?
Banks:aye
Banks; The ayes have it
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
Manolo is right;
Vote:toad is not talking out of his arse for a change.
It may be a long time before we see such an occultation again
February 16th, 2012 at 2:53 pm
Have to agree with Toad, for once.
ACT are toast.
I hope we get a new party prepared to stand up for taxpayer rights soon. Lord knows we need at least one….
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Isn’t what the fearless Key and Labour lite purport to represent?
Vote:Just kidding. The party of yes-men and cowardly minions, National, lost the plot with the current “leadership” took control.
February 16th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
About time this happened. A party with only one MP in parliament should have that person as it’s leader. The next step is for them to merge with the Conservatives; minus Mr Campbell of course.
cheers
David Prosser
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
Whatever the ACT party has become, it has not become the party that promised tax cuts, but delivered something supposedly tax neutral, but was actually borrowing for tax cuts. It’s not the party that increases the minimum wage, so even mouth youth are to expensive to hire. It’s not the party under which NZ police raids NZ citizens under the direction of the FBI. It’s not the party that simply has no clue where to go, except do anything to avoid the other party to be elected (which has the same goal).
And ACT is also not the party under which more kiwis than ever leave, productivity is lower than ever, and the country slides on every economic measurement.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
I’m more optimistic for Act than some here. I think Banks will be positive, he’s a clever politician. He needs to chart a slightly different direction for Act than they have taken before. The Don Brash direction did not get many party votes. This is a party that needs to be: Economically liberal, tough on crime, strong advocates for elimination of Maori law. Being tough on crime and promoting the consignment of the Treaty to history – that can take votes back from New Zealand First.
Importantly, at the next campaign, they need to campaign on why they are different from National. That’s what the Conservative Party did, and they picked up votes. People who voted Conservative, I would bet, in the main were hoping they would support National, based on concessions based on the policy areas they promoted – no asset sales, the treaty, raising the alcohol age, etc.
ACT needs to point out what areas of policy they differ from the National party, instead of campaigning on propping them up. That was an unwise move, and it had voters asking why they would bother voting for ACT – instead they voted National. Of course it was not helped by all the ructions and spats between MPs, and the break-up and departure of likeable pair, Hide and Roy. Ultimately, however, they marketed themselves as a prop to National, which was stupid, and missed a chance for a new ACT to be elected.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
Ok Manolo – what’s your view on this?
“Open Letter to all ACT Members and Supporters
Thursday, February 16 2012
Dear Member and Supporter
Party Leadership
I have much pleasure in writing to inform you that the ACT board has offered the position of Party Leader to Hon John Banks. John has accepted that offer with humility and honour.
John was very clear with the board that when he put his name forward to be the candidate for Epsom, he did not expect for one moment to become the next Leader of our Party. However his commitment to the regeneration of ACT meant he was willing to take on this role and work with the Board and Party Membership over the next three years to create a strong party going into the 2014 election.
The board has also asked John Boscawen to continue in the role of Deputy Leader for the foreseeable future to help us in the regeneration process. I am delighted to say that John accepted this offer and will remain a source of wisdom for our new Party Leader to draw upon. He will continue to support the Party Treasurer on the new Finance and Revenue Sub-Committee that has been established.
Accomplishments to Date
It is just over two months since the election and much has already been achieved. The team in Wellington is moving quickly to implement the agenda we negotiated in the Confidence and Supply Agreement. While we have been reduced in numbers, we have no intention on being weak in the delivery of key ACT policy objectives.
You will have read in the media that John Banks has promoted Catherine Isaac to lead the charter school project ; we have research going into best practice of charter schools globally; we are working with Treasury on the Regulatory and Spending Cap Bills; the party is organizing its AGM for April 21st; and we have the election of board positions upon us.
To achieve our aggressive agenda, your ongoing support of this party is vital. We will be pushing for two things over the coming month:
1. Membership Renewal – please take the time to renew your membership now. It is simple to do by filling out the forms that are on our website.
2. Funding Drive – we cannot run this party without ongoing financial support from people like you. Please set up an Automatic Payment to the ACT account today, or make a one-off donation online.
John Banks, the Board, and I will work tirelessly to ensure ACT achieves well beyond expectations. But we can’t do it without your support.
I look forward to updating you with more ACT achievements in coming months.
Best regards
Chris Simmons
ACT Party President”
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Penny Bright
Vote:waterpressure@gmail.com
February 16th, 2012 at 4:03 pm
This was my response:
“OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE ACT PARTY – Chris Simmons:
Dear Chris,
Does the ACT Party still support ‘ONE LAW FOR ALL’?
If so, does the ACT Party support ‘ONE LAW FOR ALL’ equally applying to former ACT Party Leader, Don Brash and the ACT MP for Epsom and new ACT Leader John Banks?
Does the ACT Party support ONE LAW FOR ALL equally applying to ACT MP for Epsom, John Banks, (now ACT Party Leader) and former ACT Party Leader Don Brash, who as fellow former Directors of Huljich Wealth Management equally signed registered prospectuses which contained untrue statements?
Former ACT Party Leader Rodney Hide does:
http://www.radiolive.co.nz/Rodney-Hide-and-Willie-Jackson/tabid/506/articleID/25533/Default.aspx
Rodney Hide was a guest with Willie Jackson on Radio Live, Friday 20 January 2012, from 1 – 3pm.
I rang and asked the following questions:
“Rodney, you were the former Leader of the ACT Party.
Do you believe in ‘one law for all’?”
Rodney Hide’s reply – “Yes”.
“Do you believe that one law for all should equally apply to ACT MP for Epsom, John Banks, and former ACT Party Leader Don Brash, who as fellow former Directors of Huljich Wealth Management equally signed registered prospectuses that contained untrue statements?”
Rodney Hide’s reply – “Yes”.
(This was on approximately the 85th minute of the show – about 15mm from the end – which can be located using the ‘sliding positioner’)
It deeply concerns me that (now) ACT Leader, John Banks, is the Minister for Regulatory Reform, but not one ‘regulatory’ body which I have contacted, has effectively, in my considered opinion, done their job and applied ‘ONE LAW FOR ALL’ to John Banks and Don Brash, who as fellow former Directors of Huljich Wealth Management equally signed registered prospectuses that contained untrue statements.
Only fellow former Director Peter Huljich was ever charged.
I have formally requested, in writing, that the Finance Markets Authority (FMA), the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the NZ Police charge John Banks and Don Brash, who as fellow former Directors of Huljich Wealth Management equally signed registered prospectuses that contained untrue statements.
All the above-mentioned ‘regulatory’ bodies have refused to do so.
In my considered opinion, this is a form of corrupt practice, and John Banks (and Don Brash) have effectively been politically protected because currently John Banks holds the balance of power, particularly regarding the ‘mixed ownership’ (PRIVATISATION) of state-owned assets, which is not currently supported by Maori Party MPs.
(For more information, please refer to http://www.pennybright4epsom.org.nz )
I look forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely,
Penny Bright”
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
Oh nooo! Someone threw up all over DPF’s blog again…
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
Penny
Vote:You do not understand what the term “one law for all” as originally used actually means.
You do not understand the Securities Act.
You do not understand criminal law.
You do not understand the facts of the Huljich proceedings.
You do not understand what Rodney hide was saying.
You refuse point blank to respond to requests for facts to support your views because you know that you have not got any.
Your arguments are based on prejudice, ingrained bigotry, conspiracy theories boarding on paranoia and irrational thought.
You are being intellectually dishonest.
February 16th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Jesus wept! Yet again we are subjected to hijacking by the Blog Blight.
AHOY PENNY: Why don’t you spend your time doing something productive – such as learning how to read an Annual Report?
Your credibility meter is still stuck on zero.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
I’m surprised that toad is commenting about ACT.
ACT contested and won an electorate seat. The Gweens = nah.
An ACT MP has a Ministerial portfolio. The Gweens = none.
The ACT MP is part of government. The Gweens = spend all day trying to be relevant.
And yet toad wants to smack ACT?
Pffttttt
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
So Elaycee – do YOU believe in ‘ONE LAW FOR ALL’ – or not?
Do YOU Elaycee, believe that one law for all should equally apply to ACT MP for Epsom, John Banks, and former ACT Party Leader Don Brash, who as fellow former Directors of Huljich Wealth Management equally signed registered prospectuses that contained untrue statements?
Rodney Hide does.
How about YOU?
Let’s check out YOUR ‘credibility meter’ – shall we?
Penny Bright
Vote:waterpressure@gmail.com
February 16th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
“Griff (1,442) Says:
February 16th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Act has crawled so far up nationals arse that it is beginning to smell”.
What do you mean? ACT is Nationals arse.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 6:10 pm
Penny:
ONE LAW FOR ALL – INCLUDING YOU.
How credible is a “public watchdog” who advocates breaking the law, and then won’t answer questions about it?
How credible is a self-proclaimed “public watchdog” who:
- advocates STEALING of power from the Auckland City Council?
- advocates STEALING water which you have not paid for (and indeed, demonstrate to others how to do it)?
- claims to be against rates increases, yet ignores the fact that if EVERYBODY did what you advocated, and didn’t pay their water bill, and then proceeded to STEAL the water, the infrastructure used to provide that water will still have to be paid for and maintained? Just where do you think the money will come from?
Do you REALLY believe in “ONE LAW FOR ALL”?
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
AHOY PENNY: Have you completed your course on reading and understanding Annual Reports yet? Or are you still waving a placard at Body Odour Central? Or did you smuggle your laptop into your nice room (without a view) behind bars?
Can we now expect you to tell the truth about director remunerations at the POA? Or will you maintain old habits and keep telling lies?
Your credibility meter is still stuck on zero.
About that of a three dollar bill / a 12 cent coin / a 911 conspiracy theory / a hypocrite who advocates lawbreaking and then bleats loudly and bursts into tears when the inevitable arrest comes.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 6:50 pm
Banks…. I unsubscribed from the ACT newsletter when I received this update.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 7:09 pm
ACT’s dead…Banks INC lives…like a zombie.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 7:16 pm
Burt, I did exactly the same. Fired back and email requesting to be dropped from the distribution list.
Vote:ACT is dead.
February 16th, 2012 at 8:41 pm
So Elaycee – is that a ‘NO – I don’t believe in ONE LAW FOR ALL’?
Penny Bright
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 8:49 pm
AHOY PENNY:
Did you catch graham’s comment at 6.10pm?
Penny:
“ONE LAW FOR ALL – INCLUDING YOU.
How credible is a “public watchdog” who advocates breaking the law, and then won’t answer questions about it?
How credible is a self-proclaimed “public watchdog” who:
- advocates STEALING of power from the Auckland City Council?
- advocates STEALING water which you have not paid for (and indeed, demonstrate to others how to do it)?
- claims to be against rates increases, yet ignores the fact that if EVERYBODY did what you advocated, and didn’t pay their water bill, and then proceeded to STEAL the water, the infrastructure used to provide that water will still have to be paid for and maintained? Just where do you think the money will come from?
Do you REALLY believe in “ONE LAW FOR ALL”?”
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Water loon – I believe in one law for all, you clearly don’t, as several coments have pointed out, you were intending to steal power from the council. But more importantly – and I think this is where you keep going wrong – I believe that the one law is WHAT THE ACTUAL LAW SAYS, not some lunactic ideologically motivated misinterpretation that an ignorant hypocrite has invented for the purpose of attacking someone they don’t like. That’s not law, that’s madness. Outside your crazed solipsistic bubble, external reality exists. The law is what it is, no matter how hard you close your eyes and wish it means something else, it doesn’t.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 11:30 pm
John Banks has publicly stated he opposes Asset Sales I guess this means John Key’s Asset Sales Program is stuffed.
Unless of course the owner of the ACT Party Alan Gibbs want it to through, I guess it who is controlling the cheque book.
Smoke and Mirrors going on here folks.
Vote:February 16th, 2012 at 11:47 pm
rakuraku – do you have some link for your claim that John Banks publicly opposes asset sales? It doesn’t come up anywhere when I search for it.
Vote:February 17th, 2012 at 5:26 am
The most pleasing outcome of the last election was the demise of the ACT party. Now the dead end mob have really reached a deadend. They will not be missed.
Vote:February 17th, 2012 at 8:17 am
@maggie – Oz TV coverage of the election must have been tuned into an election somewhere else, rather than the one held here in November.
The most pleasing (and predictable) outcome of the last election was the total rejection of the Labour Party. Yes, your beloved Labour Party. What was it… 24% of the vote? Not flash. The election confirmed that voters didn’t want to return to social engineering (as controlled by dear leader) and that they preferred John Key and the policies he placed in front of the electorate. Including the partial sale of some state assets.
Woo hoo….
But I agree – ACT was smacked. BUT at least they won an electorate seat (which is more than can be said for Winston’s outfit and the Gweens). And ACT is at the Cabinet table. And ACT can help formulate policy. Whereas the Gweens / Winston / Labour can only sit on the sidelines for another three years and try to remain relevant. And (in the case of Winston’s team) remain sober.
Whether ACT will survive is yet to be seen. Whether Banks is the right person to lead them is yet to be seen. But at least ACT is sitting on the side of the House where they can make a difference.
Vote:February 17th, 2012 at 8:37 am
Elaycee
Vote:Just a slight point of clarrification for you ACT were gifted their seat by a desperate National no mates. I think you are being a bit hopeful if you don’t think act is a corpse on life support.
February 17th, 2012 at 8:48 am
@Mark – yup – agree they were gifted the seat. Its called MMP. And whether they’re still around (alive?) after the next election is yet to be seen. Whether Banks is able to breathe life into ACT is also debatable.
But we should all be grateful Banks won Epsom because the alternative would have been a ragtag bunch of desperados and social engineers on the government benches – a mix of Liabore / Gweens / Mana / Winston’s outfit / etc.
That’s the stuff of which nightmares are made.
Vote:February 17th, 2012 at 8:52 am
Without being seen to support Penny,
Nookin @ 4.52pm
You do not understand the premise nor the reason why the Companies Act was rewritten and in force in 1993, and neither why the Securities Act exists neither
Vote:February 17th, 2012 at 8:54 am
@Elaycee
ACT contested and won an electorate seat. The Gweens = nah.
They didn’t need to win an electorate (and didn’t campaign for any) because they had 11% of the popular vote (247,000 vs 24,000 votes). Act only has representation in parliament via a loophole in MMP because John Key told his candidate not to campaign for electorate vote.
“An ACT MP has a Ministerial portfolio. The Gweens = none.
The ACT MP is part of government. The Gweens = spend all day trying to be relevant.”
The Greens are not ministers in a National led government, quelle surprise! The Act party was conspiciously absent from the ministerial benches for the whole of Labours terms. It is called being an opposition party.
I realise you may like the Act party and dislike the Greens – but you are fighting an uphill battle if you are trying to argue that the Act party are politically more successful than the Greens. Maybe a few years ago, but these days the Greens are the third largest political force in the country and Act is a dead man walking…
Vote:February 17th, 2012 at 9:02 am
Rat
Which particular part of the premise, the 1993 Act and the Securities legislation have I misconstrued in the context of the specific issue in this case, namely, Penny’s assertion Brash and Banks were clearly guilty, there was no defence available to them because, according to Penny, guilt automatically follows as soon as the prospectus is signed regardless of fault and the failure to prosecute can only mean corruption?
Vote:February 17th, 2012 at 1:19 pm
Act is National lite as Jim Anderson was Labour lite
Vote:February 17th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Elaycee, the most pleasing parts of the election results were that, despite the best efforts of the National Party’s news media, the Greens polled well (taking a lot of Labour votes) and the Nats failed to gain an overall majority.
Labour got what it deserved. Unlike some here I do not worship unconditionally at any party’s feet. I think for myself. Some of you pricks should try it sometime.
Vote:February 17th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
Banks is still the only ACT MP to deliver actual policy changes on core ACT policy. All this bullshit about labels and positioning, and Banks’ past as a moralising Muldoonist is just that: Bullshit. I think ACT is a waste of time anyway, but if people insist on playing 1% politics, I suggest they stick with Banks and see what he actually delivers over three years before throwing their toys out of the cot and forming another useless third party which marginalises good policy in NZ political discourse.
Vote:February 17th, 2012 at 2:32 pm
Jeez Maggie – the Queensland floods have drowned your brain:
“…the National Party’s news media?”
Yeah Right – the total opposite is the case here. If you were here during the lead up to the election, you’d have seen it for yourself. And clearly you didn’t see / read about the total beat up over the illegally obtained tapes of a conversation between Banks and Key either – it was a disgrace. But the media spun it to such a degree that even the venal Peters was able to slink his way back into Parliament.
The media here was (and still is) biased to anything left. In fact, National was returned (and Banks was elected to Epsom) despite the media’s best efforts. But they sure gave it their best shot.
Vote: