I bet Dime couldn’t give one example of Dunne flip-flopping. In fact, that’s a challenge. Find us evidence of Dunne explicity saying one thing and then changing his policy completely to ‘maintain that 200k’.

As an aside, this is why citizens initiated referenda cannot be binding (especially not on matters to do with the budget) because the government’s options become too constrained, or they are forced into a position which leads only to detriment for the economy (such as huge taxes on companies and high-earners).

How are you sure about that? Sure, polls show a majority prefer no asset sales, but they didn’t feel strongly enough against them to vote less for National – their vote increased.

The numbers, and I suspect the depth of feeling, are quite a bit softer than against the anti-smacking legislation.

In two and a half years when a few assets have been part sold and the sky hasn’t fallen in the number who would switch their vote on it may not be many. Especially if Labour have wasted another rebuild term.

Meeting with Hon Peter Dunne (Revenue Minister) was good. Very reasonable man who seems to “get” what our sector’s trying to do

@Gazza_R Yup. He understands that the software taxation thing would act as a handbrake on innovation and is committed to seeing it through

http://electionresults.org.nz/electionresults_2011/electorate-35.html

National polled a resounding 18,764 party votes, substantially more than anyone else, therefore the conclusion is the electorate supports National’s asset sale programme.
I haven’t added the balance of votes for all the others because it is irrelevant.

isnt that like being the least smelling turd?

sorry pete, i like ya but youll never convince me on Dunne. Hes all about maintaining that 200k

I don’t believe he would have done ‘changed his mind’ and it was a party position anyway, not just his. And I (and a lot of other people including politicians across the house) regard him as one of the more honourable politicans.

His party was on the line? no offence but his party is like you and 7 other dudes.

Also – its not like the guy is so honorable he wouldnt change his mind if labour had won.

“i have thought long and hard about this. its been an agonising decision but i think im better in government than out. i will offer confidence and supply and in exchange i will be the revenue minister. the union party do see some things differently to labour but im sure we can work together in the interest of this great county. also, my income will stay the same. a sweet 200k a year”

And barely scraped in – possibly thanks to Dunne.

It’s quite a job selection process with much more negative attention (and lack of attention) than most. And he had a lot more pressure than just about everyone else – his seat, his career and his party all on the line, and he fronted up and said he couldn’t back Labour’s policies.

If you consider the alternative, if he’d said he’d just go with the best offer and ended up being the 61st vote for a cobbled together Labour led coalition, some of his critics here would be throwing the same old crap but with a lot more venom.

Very brave of him! National were only polling at 50%.

When was Dunne last in opposition?

When did his income last go down?

I doubt it, it’s just countering the convolutions of the opposition, who try to rubbish Dunne for doing a U-turn since the election (he hasn’t) and in the next breath try to pressure him into doing a U-turn.

Apart from the usual niggly knockers Dunne has a reputation for being straight and reliable.

Discussing the nature of being a one-man parliamentary caucus from a vibrant and engaged Party. The challenge of being incorrectly labelled an “Independent MP’ and how policy is formulated and displayed by UnitedFuture.

[DPF: Jesus Christ, why can't people debate issues without trying to psych-analyse motives here. It is a coward's way of avoiding a debate on the issues.

For the record I do not have one iota of doubt that Peter will be good to his word]