Shearer promotes me to PM
May 2nd, 2012 at 11:00 am by David Farrar3 News reports:
David Shearer went for the Prime Minister’s jugular when he brought up a past quote, in an attempt to prove John Key’s hypocrisy for not sacking John Banks.
But he missed by a mile – it turns out the quote was from National-leaning blogger David Farrar.
Mr Key had never uttered the words and David Shearer had to return to the House last night to apologise.
This is first I knew of this. Looking at Hansard it seems the exchange was:
David Shearer: Does he stand by another of his statements: “The issue has never been one of legality as much as ethics. The criminal code is the bare minimum standards for society. For MPs we expect behaviour well beyond that.”, and if so, how is he applying that standard to John Banks?
That quote is indeed mine.
Then later:
DAVID SHEARER (Leader of the Opposition): I seek leave of the House to make a personal explanation to clarify a question that I made earlier in the day.
The ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Lindsay Tisch): Leave is sought for the honourable Leader of the Opposition to make a statement. Is there any objection to that course of action? There is none.
DAVID SHEARER: During question time I attributed a quote to John Key in one of my questions. In fact, that quote was actually made by David Farrar, and I would like to apologise to them both.
I think the PM would be more offended by the mix-up than me!
Mr Mallard this morning told RadioLIVE he was to blame.
“It’s a terrible mistake and I take responsibility for that,” says Mr Mallard, who still managed to get in a dig at the Prime Minister.
“We confused David Farrar with the Prime Minister – they both say the same things all the time, and the quotes got shuffled.
Yes, it annoys me also when the PM steals my lines 
I should point out that Labour happily quote me in the House when I do say things critical of the Government.
Tags: David Shearer, DPF, Hansard, John Key, Trevor Mallard
May 2nd, 2012 at 11:09 am
Now we know the reason for Shifty Shearer’s twitching whenever he speaks.
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 11:10 am
David Farrar: living in the heads of Labour.
Rent free.
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 11:12 am
Oh dear.
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 11:15 am
Who taught them to read? Like most of their lot their wires are crossed. Everything arse about face.
Oh well
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 11:18 am
You must be doing something right…?
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 11:24 am
Gee, I wonder why the Dimwitted Duck made his leader look bad? Again.
No conspiracy there at all. Nope, none at all…
Nothing quite like making your boss look like a complete fucktard.
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 11:28 am
They don’t like to quote Whaleoil as much as they quote you. Labour hate to acknowledge that Whaleoil even exists. Why to they left like to quote you so much?
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 11:31 am
Maybe Shearer should learn not to parrot the duck.
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 11:34 am
Actually it’s quite a good quote in itself.
Vote:In accordance it’s time for Banks to pack his soapbox and go.
Mainly because of him being ‘less straightforward.
May 2nd, 2012 at 11:40 am
So; it begs the question. Did Mallard make a genuine cock-up, or was this simply an opportunity to make his leader look like a twat?
Personally, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Simon Lusk was involved in some way as well; he seems to be the 2012 version of Machiavelli if Mallard is to be believed
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 11:41 am
Hang on. Mallard admits he was wrong and apologises? Are you sure that is a direct quote?
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 11:42 am
Let’s hear about Len Brown’s anonymous donations (nearly $500,000 worth!) before we rush to judgement on John Banks because if obeying the ‘letter of the law’ isn’t enough for Banks then it’s not enough for Len Brown either.
Of course it just bears out my belief that there should be no rules about campaign donations at all. They achieve little and just make work for bureaucrats – and mischiefmakers. We know that donations rarely if ever influence policy or people and so what if they do? Politicians will always be judged on their decisions however those decisions are arrived at and a strongly-lobbied-for decision might be the best possible one in any case. As always when you try to tie everything up in rules there are always loopholes.
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 11:44 am
Letting Mallard do research for you is like letting Rod Petricevic manage your money for you…
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 11:47 am
@ Lloyd; or leaving Phil Ure to look after your stash…
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 11:53 am
Maybe DPF is Mallard’s “top level National informant”. DPF is widely known to be in every political conspiracy going so no surprise if he planted this faux pas.
It’s obviously deliberate sabotage, Mallard has far to much experience to make silly mistakes that would embarrass himself, his party or his leader. I wouldn’t be surprisd if DPF hocked off tickets to Mallard assuring him he could make a quick buck in auction.
And has DPF been a closet promoter of lycra bike shorts as the ultimate in sex appeal apparel?
DPFs party is pushing for closer ties with China so New Zealand can get use of their alphabet, he needs that many characters for his expanding conspiracy acronym.
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 11:57 am
Obligatory.
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 11:58 am
Thanks Pete; the thought of DPF in lycra bike shorts has put me off food for the rest of the day…
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 12:16 pm
But seriously folks…The very best chance Labour had this term – in fact probably since Rodney’s trip to Europe – to embarrass the hell out of the Nats and they score an embarrassing own goal…and enhance the reputation of our gracious host at the same time! Do the yoof call this “an epic fail” ?
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 12:22 pm
How many cockups has Mallard made now? With the number of lives that man has, he’s more of a cat than a duck.
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 12:25 pm
Aww sorry leader, did I make you look like a complete dickhead… oops.
Vote:May 2nd, 2012 at 12:42 pm
Please please can somebody advise me whether Dorcom donated to Len’s election campaign ????
Vote:Or was it anonymous too.
Banks is a prat who should go.
May 2nd, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Own goals the flavour of the day, Key got a good one in about the lack of a COS with Nash’s departure. Couldn’t duck that one.
Vote: