Nick Smith resigns
March 21st, 2012 at 2:02 pm by David FarrarNick Smith has just announced to the House he has resigned as a Minister of the Crown, and John Key has accepted his resignation.
A sad end to his ministerial career. It’s a stark reminder that Ministers must be like Caesar’s wife – above suspicion, in matters of personal advocacy – especially in your own portfolio area.
Nick has a very solid record of achievement as a Minister in the 4th and 5th National Governments. He should be proud of his achievements in diverse areas. He will be missed as a Minister by his colleagues.
Related posts:
- A manure sculpture of Nick Smith
- The rise and fall of Nick Smith
- Threats against Nick Smith
- Nick Smith found in contempt of court
March 21st, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Now get rid of the ETS.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:11 pm
And the Chch City Council.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:11 pm
Indeed, a sad end to a ministerial career…but, he should have stood down as an MP years ago. He was well past his use-by date. Term limits anyone?
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Why is it the end of his ministerial career? It wasn’t the end of Ruth Dyson’s who got them back in 8 months
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Clamouring for the execution of Nick Smith.
I realise I’m probably in a small minority, but I don’t see anything to cheer about in the downfall of Nick Smith. He’s a real person, obviously fallible but who deserves the baying crowd looking for blood method of execution?
Very ad to see anyone clobbered from all sides in public humiliation
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:16 pm
I also look forward to the demise of his beloved concoction, the ETS tax.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:17 pm
That was a very bravely delivered speech. A real shame. He’s been a good Minister.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:17 pm
I don’t see why he had to resign over the ACC thing, however I am unimpressed with his performance as a whole over ACC and Local Government which has been too ideologically driven in implementing Act party policy.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:19 pm
WTF?! Over-reaction.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:20 pm
Nick Smith resigns his portfolios.
So..
Craig Foss becomes Minister for ACC?
Who becomes Minister for Local Government?
Who becomes ‘Minister for Climate Change’?
Banks? Dunne? Bridges? Upston? Tremain? Goodhew?
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:20 pm
This never deserved resignation, but NS takes his responsibilities seriously. Frankly, he deserves a break. He has been a brilliant MP since 1990 and a diligent MInister. Nothing changes that.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:20 pm
Am with you there, Pete. I have always liked him.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:23 pm
If he then goes on to resign from Parliament, that could be very significant as Labour would have a good chance of winning Nelson, which would give the Maori Party the balance of power. I presume National will put a lot of pressure on him to stay, but it highlights a feature I don’t like about MMP: that it can in fact be bad for your party to win electorate seats on the risk that you might lose them upon vacancy (whereas List MPs just get automatically replaced).
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:24 pm
I forgot Nick Smith ISN’T the ACC minister, it’s Envrionment. My bad. Hard luck for Foss then..
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:27 pm
@ Sam Hill
From the PMs press release
The following Ministers will act in portfolios previously held by Dr Smith:
Vote:Gerry Brownlee in Local Government,
Craig Foss in Climate Change Issues
and Chris Finlayson in Environment.
March 21st, 2012 at 2:32 pm
Like kowtow and Manolo, I would dearly love to see the end of the ETS rort.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:32 pm
had to go. disgraceful conduct
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:33 pm
Cheers Anonymouse.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:39 pm
David, you’ll think this is a partisan comment but it’s not, I don’t think Smith was a particularly good Minister at all. He was the Minister who deregulated the building industry which directly lead to leaky buildings. His record, IMO, is poor.
[DPF: No issue with a statement on performance backed up by a reason]
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Nick has always been a hardworking MP for his constituents in Nelson – if he remains an MP it may be Nelson’s gain, with more time on his hands.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Very sad. He was a great guy. Such a shame he got these rushes of blood to the head.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:45 pm
This “have you stopped beating your wife yet?” poll wording on NZH website at 2.45pm is an outrage.
“Should Nick Smith have resigned, or been sacked by John Key?
A.He should’ve been sacked
Vote:B. He was right to resign ?
March 21st, 2012 at 2:48 pm
> Such a shame he got these rushes of blood to the head.
Which head?
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:52 pm
now the big issue, will he resign from parliament causing a byelection?
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:56 pm
He should have resigned over the ETS and his global warming advocacy. It is indeed sad to see a man go under such circumstances, but sadder still that he even was allowed to wield such an influence believing nonscience.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 2:59 pm
Gone the father, gone the child. Abolish the ETS, now!
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:00 pm
WTF?! Over-reaction.
I must admit, I am struggling to see the storm in this teacup….
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:02 pm
oh quit the hand wringing and violins. The guy exhibited an enormous lack of common sense or intestinal fortitude when he put that letter on the government stamp
Vote:he hasnt quit altogether so theres a very slight chance of redemption
March 21st, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Bevan if you cant see the storm you shouldnt be in a political thread passing comment. Educate yourself man
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:04 pm
@ Nichlemn
Vote:A 7000 + majority and Maryan Street the Labour contender. I doubt the Nats are to concerned about a bi-election.
March 21st, 2012 at 3:10 pm
To all the people bashing Nick for his carbon policies, or calling him unintelligent. First, regardless of your belief or otherwise in global warming, the carbon economy exists/existed when he made his policy. As I understand it NZ had to opt in with something. If we didn’t we going to suffer penalties weren’t we? the guy is also an engineering PHD. He is a very smart guy. He unfortunately as in the past went too far in pursuing something for a constituent.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:12 pm
Well the silly bugger has lost his career – at least for now, if not permanently. I hope to God they dont hound him till he loses his life as well. Its entirely possible given his history, and the mongrels in the media would be delighted rather than chagrinned if – heaven forbid – that were to happen. What a story! What ratings!!
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:15 pm
It’s times like this when we see the truly crummy aspect of politics – in that many people on “your” side are more than happy to collude with the “other” side to see you gone. Strange bedfellows, enemy of my enemy, Baptists and bootleggers, and so forth.
Sadly, I have to say that I’m one of them.
I’m reminded of the (probably apocryphal) story that General Bernard Montgomery was asked whether he would like to enter Parliament after the war and he replied that:
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:15 pm
Another myth peddled by warmists and Kyoto supporters. Just check the situation of countries such as China, India, Canada and the United States.
The ETS is a tax, either way. And NZ does not need more taxes
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:16 pm
What would the opposition’s position be on someone in the government scalping tickets I wonder…different standards I guess
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:19 pm
I’m sure i heard him say he will serve out the full term, so a by-election is not likely. Not sure about next term though. Had he already given any indications of intention to stand aside in 2014?
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:26 pm
Minister for Climate Change Issues. WTF!Get rid of that too.
And talking of wasteful spending and
reining in local govtexpenditure. I understand Nick supports the Colossus of Nelson.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/6492697/Haulashore-Island-sculpture-inappropriate
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Zapper (292) Says:
March 21st, 2012 at 3:16 pm
What would the opposition’s position be on someone in the government scalping tickets I wonder…different standards I guess
completly irrelevant
Vote:try again
March 21st, 2012 at 3:33 pm
E.Campbell 2:11 pm. Term limits. Yes, and hell yes!
cheers
David Prosser
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:34 pm
So RandySavage, what you saying is you can’t explain it either so you’ll just make some dumb arse statement…..
Seriously, from what Ive read this amounts to a whole lot of fuck all. But I do wonder what you think of Mallard for scalping – free pass i suppose….
Fucken lefties.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:37 pm
What would the opposition’s position be on someone in the government scalping tickets I wonder…different standards I guess
Or the use of slave labour
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:42 pm
So, he has resigned. I wonder a minister in the Clark government would have done the same? My guess is they’d just whine and moan, blame the horrible Nats/rich pricks, cry on national TV, then blame their parents for not buying them a train set when they were eight. Do something honourable? Fat chance! Ditto for any future Labour led government.
cheers
David Prosser
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:43 pm
I’m not sure how anyone figures this as an over-reaction. He cannot remain a minister if he cannot properly manage conflicts of interest in respect of his portfolio. Simple really. What the other side gets away with is irrelevant.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Wondering what the corrupt Labour party would do is apparently irrelevant DJP!
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Zapper,
Irrelevant to the question of whether or not Smith should resign. Surely the standards National hold itself to are not dependent upon what the Labour Party does.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Having watched all those drawn out processes by way of which errant Labour MPs have in the past attempted with every means at their disposal to keep their grubby hooks on their parliamentary seats – the objects and pinnacles of their life’s ambitions – and notwithstanding those ungracious and ill-informed comments above – one can only admire Smith’s gutsy and gentlemanly performance in both his standing to be held to account, and tendering his resignation.
The scrapings of political humanity that are the parliamentary Labour Party might watch and learn – none of them would ever be able to emulate it.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:50 pm
well spoken weihana
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:51 pm
Positan. why are you even discussing left and right here? play the ball
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:55 pm
“Nick Smith resigns”
A very good day for the right and a very good day for NZ.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 3:56 pm
National’s pool of talent is deep enough to ensure that Dr Smith’s resignation can be accepted without regret. What a perfect time to dump the ETS & start shaking the crap out of the RMA.
Both pieces of legislation serve as a handbrake to the economy.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Seconded…
As far as I can tell there’s really no question that Smith has actually done anything dodgy or corrupt; the only problem is that he wasn’t seen to be jumping through all the right hoops etc.
So I am interpreting this as NOT an admission of any guilt by Smith, but more a sign that he has had a gutsful of the ministry (for whatever reason) and this circus has been the last straw.
Nick Smith always seems like a sensible pragmatic guy and general GC to me.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:08 pm
Bronwyn Pullar
i can’t seem to find a photo of this delightfull piece of work anywhere.
Don’t see why she should remain anonymous when her money grubbing is at the root of this whole sorry matter. (no pun intended)
Can anyone oblige.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Yesterday I thought his qualifications in his letter were enough. Today I heard a guy on talk back speaking about the reaction of anybody in ACC getting a letter of that type from Nick Smith – and the inescapable thought ‘this is from the boss,’ that changed my mind, and made me reconsider that first of all Nick Smith said the letter wasn’t on his letterhead. I heard a report from a parliamentary reporter regarding the fact that Nick Smith had refused to write a letter despite several requests – then changed his mind, that could be the next part of the story why he ‘changed’ his mind.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:16 pm
Have yet to read the other posts above but Id say JK and BE and SJ have been looking for an opportunity to drop kick Smith for some time.
Hes like that guy or girl that all organisations have who gets up eveyones nose and pisses them off big time. But you gotta find the right time to get rid of them and hope and pray someone or they give you that chance.
And when you get it you gotta do it really right to aviod a cockup.
In this case Smiths crime was turned neatly into a hanging offence by Winston in particular.
I reckon the conversation would have gone
JK to NS Well Nick you know how hard it is for me to do this but for the sake of the Party you gotta go. The Parties bigger than any of us me included. Ive really tried hard to protect you in the last but this time ole son their nothing I can do for you.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:16 pm
For your porn collection you mean, bereal?
Here you go:
http://tinyurl.com/74969of
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:17 pm
Weihana: You make a valid point. However the fact remains that Field – who had done very much worse that Smith is accused of – was protected and defended by Clark and her cohorts right up to the point when he began going feral on Labour. I think the point being made is not that Smith shouldn’t have needed to resign, but that Labour Ministers NEVER did so, whatever they had done.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:21 pm
hmm dont think he did anything that bad.
having said that, im glad national hold people to a higher standard than the shitbags on the left
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:26 pm
RRM
Vote:i assume that photo was straight out of your personal collection dearie.
Which one was you ?
March 21st, 2012 at 4:28 pm
Only up to the point where holding yourself to such high standards means the other lot gets into power, after which they stay in power by ignoring such standards. It’s like warfare; you can ignore the other guy “breaking the rules”, only up to the point where it looks like that will him the war. There’s no point standing on “standards” when doing so means those standards get obliterated when one loses.
Besides, given the number of times during the Clark era that right-wingers on this blog tried to appeal to such standards from partisan hacks like RandySavage, over matters like Field and company, I’ve been looking forward to some karma. If you actually held to higher standards at the time then you have every right to call for Smith to go. But if you did not then your trumpeting calls now will be treated as the cynical, partisan nonsense they are.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Winston’s spit and bile toxic ranting over this has been disgusting to see. And when I think of what that corrupt old shit has done over the years I am amazed he dares to say anything on this matter.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:30 pm
David Garrett,
Which is to Labour’s detriment in the long run surely. Key seems to run a tight ship and having Smith resign should deflate the issue.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:34 pm
RRM,
As far as I can tell there’s really no question that Smith has actually done anything dodgy or corrupt; the only problem is that he wasn’t seen to be jumping through all the right hoops etc.
But avoiding corruption is not only about avoiding actual corruption but the perception of it as well. If we ignore this conflict of interest it’s the thin end of the wedge and next time the Minister in charge may not be as trustworthy.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:34 pm
I am overjoyed at this news. Nick Smith has always been in the wrong party, and he has set the cause of freedom back in his time in parliament. I can’t think of one positive thing he has contributed to National, other than keeping them in government in 1993 by winning his seat.
Personally, I wish him well and I am glad he gets to spend more time with his family. He seems to be a decent person. But our government is well rid of him.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:40 pm
I’m of the opinion that whether or not a Minister resigns is quite contextual. Helen Clark couldn’t afford Philip Field’s resignation, but Dover Samuels and Ruth Dyson were expendable at different times. A resignation is usually only in order if it is also politically convenient for the Prime Minister. I don’t think this is different between parties at all really.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:45 pm
A few days ago in his blog, Whale Oil said Bronwyn Pullar had already received a seven-figure payout from her private insurer, and which she placed in a blind Trust, before embarking on a claim with the ACC.
I’m puzzled why this has not been picked up and reported by the media as I am sure it would assist many people reach their own conclusions about the merit of her activities.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:50 pm
An eye for an eye. Given the crap smith has dished to others including Peters then his friends became limited.
Don’t forget he deregulated the building industry including allowing untreated pine to be used to build the frames of many houses with the utterly inevitable result that they are rotting and falling down as we speak. Much, much more to come on that particular problem
He may have qualified as a PHD in engineering but that doesn’t mean he has any bloody brains.
He has proven that to be true by his actions.
He is also a supported of the RMA which you will recall he was going to change after the 2008 election. We are still waiting for meaningful change, meanwhile another 51000 Kiwi’s have left for aussie this last year when they could no longer wait for Govt. and Councils etc to make those changes.
So actually good riddance and for NZ’s sake I hope they give the RMA and the Council Bill to Joyce so we get some real action.
Plenty above have commented on the ETS which was and is an outrage against the population. And if anyone here wants to argue otherwise they can let me know and they can pay my ets tax share.
It would not surprise me at all if the Brash emails had a smithtag.
I guess Dr Brash will consider this a bit of justice done.
I think there is a diplomatic post in Afghanistan that McCully needs to fill. They need engineers with PhD’s.
Vote:To sum up Smith. He is a zealot with more brains than common sense. Pleased he is gone. Long overdue.
March 21st, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Disgraceful behaviour from Shearer on this one. Guy is unfit to be PM
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Not sorry that Smith has resigned but am sorry that he has resigned over this non-event.
I would far rather he had been fired for being the ignorant, arrogant, incompetent, totally unlikeable little shit who pushed through the disgraceful ETS crap.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:54 pm
I am sad to see him go and see no reason why he should. He is passionate about the things he believes in. I don’t agree with his Global Warming nonsense but I think he was starting to question it himself. His new proposals on Local Government are excellent, long overdue, and may put an end to the socialist local body politicians who are spending on luxury projects like drunken sailors increasing rates and borrowing to excess while installing their town clerks as the highest paid individuals in their towns. It will take a strong experienced minister to get the reforms through without dilution. Gerry could do it but he probably has too much on his plate already.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Chris2
Perhaps you shouldn’t believe everything you read.
For a start, any payment from a private insurer (presuming an ‘income protection’ claim) is usually offset against ACC payments.
Secondly, if the so called seven figure payment was for ‘severe head injury’ under a trauma type policy then that is quite separate from anything ACC might consider and probably has no bearing on ACC’s deliberations. It is a one off payment, very much like a death claim.
For a trauma claim to generate a claim of more than one million dollars (seven figures) for a, say, forty-five year old non smoking female would have required annual premiums which were pretty solid.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Ahhhh…
So Young Nicky has gone from Cabinet. Let’s suggest a score card – points out of 10.
As local MP, prepared to stand his ground for his constituents- 9
As Minister for ACC – 3-
As Minister for ETS/Environment (well, depending on perceptions) – 1
As Minister for Local Government – 7+
As Minister reviewing RMA – 3-
(He got sandbagged by the ‘crats)
As the fellow from “The Office the Hon Dr Nick Smith” writing a letter for a friend – 1
It is amazing that when an aspiring individual is seeking confirmation as a candidate they want to be everyone’s friend. Nothing is too much trouble.
Similarly, when elected as an MP they look after constituernts and supporters (workers on their behalf). This especially so in GE years.
But then, when they become Miniusters it is like the transformation from a lowly priest to a Cardinal. They tell all functionaries that they MUST be referred to as “The Hon…”.
It is rather like their use of “phuds”. From silly Lockwood to Nicky. They persist in this nonsense.
A PhD is meaninglesdss unless it is quoted in relation to a narrowe field of expertise. Nicky’s PhD was iandslips (and not a top ranking result by all accounts). So the continued use of the “DR” rubbish is just that.
It would help their image if these overly self important folk put their feet on the ground.
Still, for all that, there have been far worse MPs than Nick Smith. Say, 7 from 10 overall.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 4:57 pm
MT_Tinman – I honestly don’t care about the reason. He could have left the seat up on the Beehive toilet for all I care. As long as he is no longer there around the cabinet table promoting his Statist bullshit every day.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 5:04 pm
@Nostalgia-NZ 4:13 pm
I think you might be getting to the root of the matter there, Nostalgia-NZ. At least he didn’t stage the Clinton defence.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 5:06 pm
Weihana (1,687) Says: Irrelevant to the question of whether or not Smith should resign. Surely the standards National hold itself to are not dependent upon what the Labour Party does.
Well said! And as Dime said (so eloquently) “im glad national hold people to a higher standard than the shitbags on the left”.
Nasska (3,006) Says: What a perfect time to dump the ETS & start shaking the crap out of the RMA.
Yes please! Maybe Key can use this as an excuse. However, Christopher Finlayson, who is taking over seems to be even more to the left than Nick Smith.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 5:18 pm
Just listened to WRP being interviewed on the electric wireless over all this.
When are we going to be rid of this odious midget?
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Yes Andy…
Vote:And the “chicken little’ will not have a meeting with anyone unless he has someone present “to take notes”.
Mnnnn….
March 21st, 2012 at 5:33 pm
I am
Vote:Sorry this happened but I have never been that impressed with smiths political skills. His media presentation is just awful. And I could see disaster ahead on the local go rennet reforms. I condemn boags involvement on this. If she is that hit politically she should have protected Smith. But that woman would not have the first damn clue about that.
March 21st, 2012 at 5:35 pm
Let us make no mistake.
There is one sick cow at the centre of this whole matter.
Nick Smith did wrong and he has paid a high price. But.
What sort of a ‘ xxxxx ‘ is this Bronwyn Pullar ? Who is this xxx ?
How does this non entity have so much pull that she can engage, Pansy Wong, Michele Boag,
and Nick Smith et al in her money grubbing crusade to get some money out of ACC ?
What has this cow got that gives her so much pull ?
That is the question that will prove to be the big story here.
i notice that photos of this princess have now been deleted off the internet.
can some savvy correspondent retrieve one and link to it ?
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Resignations by Labour ministers:
Ruth Dyson
Philida Bunkle
Marion Hobbs
Lianne Dalziel
John Tamihere
David Benson-Pope
Dover Samuels had to be pushed. Labour’s lack of action over Field were a disgrace.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 5:51 pm
Toad
While you are loving the demise of Smith (as am I) you might want to take a moment to think that you have just lost one of the few Nat’s who was dumb enough to believe the climate change bullshit.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 5:55 pm
Given nick is responsible for causing the leaky buildings crisis and for the ets I will be pleased to see him go.
To me it seems a politician is judged by the number of laws they introduce rather than the benefit of the laws themselves.
For example nicks policies haves caused great damage and people say he is a good politician. Helen Clark and Michael Cullen also did great damage to nz yet people rave about how good they were. Despite leaving the country in economic ruin which key is still trying to repair.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Hey Thrash mate.
Credit where credit is due.
David Benson-Pope could hang a prodigious weight off a pin through his scrotum.
He had the record at the sickko deviant club he belonged to in Dunedin.
Now surely that has to count in his favour.
He doesn’t deserve to be ranked with a thief like Phillida or a liar like Lianne, or a pishead like Ruth, or a forgetfull
bumbler like Marion.
C’mon, give Dave a fair go.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Quite so. IIRC Smith was defending some kind of claim from a company with forestry interests when, not more than a few weeks before the Smith had the ETS passed, this claim was suddenly dropped. Might have been nothing more than coincidence, but the perception was very squiffy
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 6:36 pm
beral: do you know this for a fact?? I actually felt sorry for the bastard at the end…remember how he was so harried he twitched constantly like someone with Parkinsons? Mate, I can tell you…being the fox to the medias hound is no picnic…
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 6:42 pm
@big bruv 5:51 pm
Point taken, but we can’t tolerate a corrupt Minister, whatever his or her political views. And Smith was largely over-ridden by his colleagues re climate change anyway.
My pick for the Minister to replace him longer-term in the Climate Change portfolio would be Amy Adams. She is intelligent, appears to consider evidence rather than follow an ideological line, and, above all, represents one of the electorates that will be worst affected by the increasing droughts and floods that climate change will bring to the east coast of both islands over the next few decades.
Tolley’s electorate fits my latter criterion too, but she is too thick to comprehend anything about the evidence regarding climate change. David Carter’s electorate does too, but he would be too conflicted by his other portfolio “responsibilities”, like free water for Canterbury farmers at the expense of the ecology of the region.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 6:45 pm
toad
Yes its refreshing that rather than spin up an inquiry with such narrow terms as to exonerate Smith that he’s actually resigned. No deny, delay and denigrate while 18 months of toothless process occurs…..
Where were the Green’s on this point of not tolerating a corrupt minister when Labour were last in power toad ?
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 6:47 pm
“The following Ministers will act in portfolios previously held by Dr Smith:
Gerry Brownlee in Local Government,
Craig Foss in Climate Change Issues
and Chris Finlayson in Environment.”
That doesn’t seem very ecologically sound.
350kg of Ministers to replace an 85kg Minister.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 6:52 pm
Johnboy
350kg of ministers to replace an 85kg minister who was only guilty of trying to help people.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 7:02 pm
What? Like the evidence that it’s been much hotter in the past with lower C02 levels? Like the fact there’s been no statistically significant warming for more than a decade? Like the fact that bogus/corrupt statistical methods were used to construct the famour hockey stick? Yeah, I guess she’s too thick for these facts, and the 1000′s of others that are too inconvenient for the alarmists.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 7:07 pm
@David:
Ever heard Ronald Reagan’s maxim “the government should be afraid of the people”?
That’s why I don’t feel sorry for Benson-Pope
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 7:16 pm
David Garrett
Well at least i can say, with a straight face that i wasn’t personally present when Dave BP got the record.
But i did read it and i noted that Dave sucked up the report and didn’t sue so i assumed it was kosher.
i forget his nick name at his club offhand but do recall that he sat, naked, at a school desk and seemed to love being
humiliated. Kinda like he was accused of by his school students.
Sort of added up for me.
But Hey
Whats wrong with that ?
He wasn’t a pisshead like Ruth,, he wasn’t a liar like Lianne , he knew where he lived unlike Marion, he didn’t steal unlike Phillida.
At least he achieved sumsing. We gotta face it.
Vote:If you can hang a weight like that off a pin through your scrote, you can’t be all bad.
March 21st, 2012 at 7:26 pm
bereal’s fascination with others’ sexual behaviour continues…
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 7:31 pm
bereal
Wasn’t it ‘panty slut boy’ ?
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 7:31 pm
Or was it ‘Benson-Peep’
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 7:33 pm
We can view Nick Smith as a useful idiot that the Nats used to keep the ETS scam going at as low a level as possible, while it was politically expedient to do so. Now that he is gone, will they find another useful idiot, or someone with a bit of scientific knowledge and some courage to change course? Oh wait.. it will be another Nat politician, so not much hope of change. Still, the warmists have been so well beaten by the sceptics in the scientific debate by now, that you would think that even the thickest and most venal politicians would be sniffing an opportunity to take advantage of the shift. How anyone with technical training and at least a rudimentary understanding of the scientific method can continue to be taken in by the dangerous AGW scam and its attendant watermelons and ticket-clippers, must rank as one of the great mysteries of our time.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 7:35 pm
“being
humiliated. Kinda like.”
So THAT’S why Helen and David were such good friends.
Often wondered!
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 7:40 pm
So where’s Shearer been in all of this? Missing in action … again…
Irrespective of the rhyme or reason behind Nick Smith’s fall from grace, it’s a sad indictment on the calibre of parliamentary opposition when they rely on Chicken Little and Mrs Jan Trotman, pensioner of St Mary’s Bay, to do the dirty work.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 7:44 pm
That’s MR. Jan Trotman to you joe!
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 8:06 pm
Toad
Still got nothing on Tolley aye?….Still have to revert to abuse when discussing her?
Mind you, perhaps I should bow to your greater knowledge when it comes to ‘thick’ female MP’s, the Greens have plenty of moronic shelia MP’s.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 8:21 pm
Good on Smith for walking. Without doubt he had to go – really, really bad error of judgement. But at least by resigning he emerges with a degree of integrity.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 8:30 pm
“The following Ministers will act in portfolios previously held by Dr Smith:
Gerry Brownlee in Local Government,”
Guess the Christchurch City Council will bite the dust pretty soon,
must be a pathetic talent pool in the National Cabinet then if the best they can come up with for Loca Government is Brownlee
Vote:LOL
March 21st, 2012 at 8:31 pm
“but she is too thick to comprehend anything about the evidence regarding climate change. ”
So is anyone with half a brain because the evidence is doctored.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 8:41 pm
Let’s all kick the man when he is down. The looney left are wetting themselves over this and forgetting about Labours list of shame when Clark and co were screwing the country. A foolish man but at least he did not hang on to the bitter end with his leader covering for him as happened Pre 2008
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 9:02 pm
Any chance Nick Smith might repay the long suffering, ever generous (to the “right” people) NZ taxpayers for his personal legal defences:
Vote:- $209,000 for the Osmose case he lost
- $50,000 for the Contempt of Court case he lost
March 21st, 2012 at 9:06 pm
Joseph Carpenter: Perhaps the day after your mate McCarten pays the PAYE he is holding which he deducted from “the workers” and never paid to the IRD…or is he just planning to die and leave someone else to sort it?
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 9:12 pm
Nick will probably pay it all back just after the defecting students front up with the hundreds of millions they have screwed us taxpayers in student loan defaults Joseph.
Which will of course happen just after all the useless dole, sickness and dpb bludgers arrive at their respective WINZ offices with the cheques for all the gazzillions the few workers left in NZ have been forking out to them.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 9:22 pm
Johnboy and Mr Garret glad to see you both think two wrongs make a right and everyone is entitled to shit on the taxpayer. Thanks for clarifying your position and exposing your stinking hypocrisy when you complain about other MP’s like Winston Peters who only scored the lesser sum of $158,000 off the taxpayer for his own personal gain.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 10:04 pm
You’re right RF… people need to concentrate on the real issues. Sure Field was outed seven years ago and has been in jail for ages but what is Helen Clark’s personal opinion on his sentence? That’s what is most relevant to today’s leadership
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 10:25 pm
Er Daigotsu, let’s try not to have selective memory, shall we. Let’s recall precisely what Hulun did and was and what a stark, stark contrast actions like Smith’s and Key’s have been, by comparison to such utter and total darkness and frank bleak evil, that were the Hulun years…
6 “The Prime Minister Has No Recollection Of The Pot”
10 Finding The Rough In The Diamonds
17 Helen’s Journey To The Dark Side
32 The Rise And Fall Of Howard Broad
68 Parkergate: The Untold Story
94 The Artful Dodger
123 Hoist On Your Own Petard
146 Labour’s Mafia Connections
170 The Whipping-boy
179 Crossfire: The Political Assassination Of Madeleine Setchell
186 Purple Heather
203 “A Determined Little Devil Of A Child”
208 The Elephant In The Room
237 Crocodile Tears: Playing The Victim Card
248 The Peter Davis Incident
268 The Velvet Revolution
276 The Bold And The Dutiful: Clark’s Powerbase
296 The Power Of One
307 The Rise Of Queen Helen
Isn’t she awful, Daigotsu. Of course she is. Compared to her, Smith is a veritable saint, isn’t he. To conclude otherwise, you’d have to be mental, wouldn’t you.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 10:57 pm
Leaping Jimmy
Please, be gentle with them. They fought so long and hard defending those things that they have actually struck them from their memory.
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 11:18 pm
Daigotsu
The real issues is being dealt with.
That being that the same people who defended all sorts of shit under Labour now celebrate in victory of the scalping. Lets, not dwell on that though and I guess we won’t dwell on what Smith has just done next time Winston holds up a NO sign and Labour stand by him.
That’s the real point here – cheer as much as you like but have a thought for all the sad partisan hacks out there who are cheering as well. Do you really think they have a leg to stand on?
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 11:21 pm
Daigotsu
Haven’t the Labour party never commented on the Taito Field convictions, barely acknowledged them if I remember correctly. I wonder why that is?
Vote:March 21st, 2012 at 11:47 pm
You’re right burt, it is f acuking disgrace
Kudos to DPF for not letting the issue go, I just wish these other lazy buggers weren’t so determined to give Labour a pass
Leaping Jimmy no idea what you’re on about there mate, wasn’t The Velvet Revolution in Czecho in 1989? But yes, Helen is and was awful. That’s kinda my point
Vote:March 22nd, 2012 at 7:35 am
While i have little sympathy for Smith and the predicament he made for himself it seems that the culture at ACC hasn’t changed forever and the focus and their bad management that he instigated and was supposed to have fixed has come back to haunt him. Anyone and I mean everyone who is or has been self employed and have had to deal with ACC and even some employed people all have issues with ACC. The stories are legend as we all know.
Well its seems ACC decided that it was payback time for Smith and the rest of us ACC levy payers.
Like Labour apparatchiks there appears to be lies and more lies surrounding this issue.
If ever there was a reason to get this off the taxpayers back,now would be the time.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6616118/The-friend-and-activist-linked-to-Smiths-demise
A corporation report for ACC Minister Judith Collins last week alleged Ms Pullar threatened to go to the media and withhold the data involved in the mass privacy breach if she was not given a guaranteed two-year benefit.
ACC did not talk to Ms Pullar or Ms Boag before publishing its report. It has since made a complaint to police about the alleged threats.
Ms Pullar says ACC has lied in that report. She claims she did not ask for a guaranteed two-year benefit and made no threats about going to the media at the meeting.
“I did not threaten ACC to get my own way in any way.”
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She gave ACC a document detailing 45 privacy and protocol breaches at the end of the meeting, and the managers were asked to address the issues, she said.
Maybe Crusher Collins will kick some sorry arses right out of that outfit.
Vote:March 22nd, 2012 at 7:50 am
If Pullar put as much time and energy into “recovering” from a 10 year-old bicycle accident, as she has in using every political contact she can find to put the screws on ACC, well she would have been back in gainful fulltime employment long ago.
It’s curious that she can devote her energies to this, but can not apparently earn a living. Or maybe she regards her pursuit of the ACC as “earning a living”.
And now she will be squirming with the NZ Herald’s front-page picture of her. No more faceless anonymity for her.
Vote:March 22nd, 2012 at 9:12 am
Hooray
The media have shown themselves to be back in control – then can now continue to eviscerate tall poppy John Key.
The media in control now allows Labour (Shearer or Robertson) to do nothing – the media will ensure that National do not win the next Parliament – it will be I believe a Robertson led coalition with Norman as Deputy PM – he has also said he wants Finance. The Greens will get everything they want – or no coalition ?? yea
Wow – what will the media do then – God help New Zealand, a real banana republic at last, with the media in control.
Vote:March 22nd, 2012 at 9:33 am
Phil Goff’s hypocrisy
Michael Woodhouse raised the issue of Darren Hughes when Goff said Key should have acted much quicker in the case of Nick Smith. Goff replied that the police investigation proved Hughes did nothing wrong. Aside from the fact that Goff demonstrates he know little about the law it shows that Labour thinks that anything an MP or Minister does is okay as long as they do not break the law. I might add or that Goff or no Labour MP has condemned the criminal action that Field was convicted and jailed for.
Vote:March 22nd, 2012 at 11:10 am
“A 7000 + majority and Maryan Street the Labour contender. I doubt the Nats are to concerned about a bi-election.”
Right, but most of that majority is tied up in Nick Smith’s personal brand, rather than National’s.
Case in point: 2002-Labour received 15,000 party votes in Nelson, National just 6,000. Yet Nick Smith still retained Nelson.
Vote:March 22nd, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Thats another thing I have Nick to thank for….. ACC denied my claim of a torn knee ligament which occurred while I was playing sport.
My knee twisted and I tore my ACL — went straight to hospital as I could not walk .
ACC sent me a letter to say there is not enough evidence that my injury was caused by playing sports. Despite this being an instantaneous event requiring immediate hospital care.
It dumbfounds me how they can say a torn ligament is not a sporting injury.
Vote: