Protecting their overlords
September 27th, 2012 at 10:00 am by David FarrarKate Chapman at Stuff reports:
Labour wants trade unions excluded from a potential lobbying register and blames the MP who drafted the plan for including them in the first place.
Green MP Holly Walker’s member’s bill would require those who lobby politicians to be registered and adhere to a code of ethics.
It passed its first reading with unanimous support from all parties, but Labour has since put forward an amendment that would exclude trade unions.
The unions are major backers of the Labour Party.
More than just backers. They
- get to write industrial relations and other policies
- have an influential role in list ranking
- are major funders
- can tip electorate selections to a preferred candidate
- will soon have 20% of the vote for future leaders
- provide a major source of campaign workers
So it is no surprise Labour are desperate to exclude them.
Labour MP Trevor Mallard said the bill was a “bad piece of work” and should have been tidied up before going to select committee.
It would currently capture a union official who rang him to help with a constituent’s housing problem, or a foodbank that wanted assistance getting a client welfare entitlements, he said.
It would also capture an employer that rang him on the same issues. Is Trevor proposing an exemption for businesses? Of course not.
The exemptions should be on what types of activities count as lobbying, not on protecting your union overlords.
Related posts:
- Read between the lines
- Shearer on the union exemption
- Labour trying jobs for the boys again
- Sinister Overseas Influence in NZ
September 27th, 2012 at 10:14 am
The difference between business and unions –
One steals money and abuses workers. The other creates jobs and builds the economy.
Vote:September 27th, 2012 at 10:16 am
Perhaps Sargeant Schultz Dotcom should take over as leader of the Labour Party.
He too can “Know Nothing”.
Vote:September 27th, 2012 at 10:18 am
The proposed legislation can only be good if the thug Mallard is against it.
Vote:The morally-bankrupt socialist MP is disqualified to opine on these matters.
September 27th, 2012 at 10:20 am
I concur Manolo.
Vote:Unfit for his position in the gravy train.
September 27th, 2012 at 10:31 am
Which people having problems with housing would go to their union rep???
Vote:September 27th, 2012 at 10:38 am
Awesome bill! This will require Penny Bright to adhere to a code of ethics!
No more STEALING water, no more encouraging others to STEAL water, no more squatting on public land, no more harrassing people who have been tried and found not to have committed a crime under NZ law, no moreSTEALING electricity, no more VANDALISING AND DEFACING the billboards of her opponents during a campaign where she is standing for public office.
The joy!
Vote:September 27th, 2012 at 10:39 am
And they write Labours education policy, and I’m sure they have the beneficiaries union write their benefit policy too.
There is no way in hell that the unions should get an exemption from this bill. This idea is worse than what Labour attempted to do with the EFA.
Vote:Unions need to be exposed for what they really are, rather than the current image of doing no wrong. They are no different to business groupings.
September 27th, 2012 at 10:40 am
It is ALL or nothing.
That we are even debating this proposal by a silly, over “educated”,red melon bint, is a sad reflection on our political system.
Vote it down – at the first opportunity. No Select Committee crap (and it is crap!) , DPF. That would give it status it does not deserve.
Vote:September 27th, 2012 at 10:48 am
what about the people who buy concert tickets off trev? they are still allowed to call under this new law?
Vote:September 27th, 2012 at 10:51 am
What flipper said – all or nothing.
I have also blogged on this today. It would be a very good strategic move by National to support the Bill, and especially to vote against Labour’s but-unions-are-a-special-case amendment at the Committee Stage. It would be great to have a debate where Labour members have to come up with reasons for extending a special privilege to their trade union mates/overlords, but not to anyone else; Hansard would become a treasure trove for bloggers!
But I’d love to know what Darien Fenton thinks, given that the SFWU (or which she was general secretary) spent $237k in 2005 supporting Labour; the year in which Ms Fenton entered Parliament via the Labour list. It contributed to a $218k loss for the SFWU that year, and was over $160k more than was budgeted. There’s a link on my post which has all the details of the SFWU’s support of Labour that year. But the 2005 example shows exactly why it is essential that Labour’s attempt to tilt the playing field in their favour is defeated.
Vote:September 27th, 2012 at 10:54 am
None so blind as those who will not see.
Vote:September 27th, 2012 at 10:58 am
Why does the Left always want to place controls on us when we exercise our democratic rights. First Labour, now the Greens.
I want to be able to speak freely to MPs and I want others, corporates, unions, individuals, to be able to as well without having to put their name on a list for our modern stasi to pore over.
The bill should be dumped after the Nats have inflicted the maximum embarrassment on the totalitarian Left! They could have some terrific fun and keep us all entertained while Shearer, Fenton etc squirm.
Vote:September 27th, 2012 at 10:59 am
What else should we expect from the 2 faced arsehole Socialist Party. One rule for them. Another rule for everyone else
Vote:September 27th, 2012 at 11:02 am
BTW I want to know who lobbies MPs so I can follow the money and see how much political favours cost.
Dont think it happens in NZ? Then your a blind stupid moron.
The only reason NZ score so well on the international rating is that our cons are smarter than their cons.
Think Taito Field Think Shane Jomes. Think John Banks. And these are only the ones we got to know about.
Vote:September 27th, 2012 at 11:17 am
Peter Dunne lays into Labour on this:
Has Labour been exposed by Greens with this bill?
Vote:September 27th, 2012 at 11:31 am
“Has Labour been exposed by Greens with this bill?”
Absolutely Pete; and a bloody good show that they have too.
Vote:September 27th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
As a union member and officer I completely agree with Dunne. There should be no special exemption for unions.
Vote:September 27th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
Very rich words from a former minister of “principle-free” Labour’s Helen Clark.
As much as I despise the socialists, I believe the whorish Dunne would be well advised to avoid lecturing on principles, a subject unknown and alien to him.
Vote:September 27th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
Reason #4,685 as to why they are called Liarbore.
“The liar’s punishment is, not in the least that he is not believed, but that he cannot believe anyone else.” – George Bernard-Shaw. And doesn’t just that sum up Liarbore’s attitude about everyone else who doesn’t agree with them?
“Clinton lied. A man might forget where he parks or where he lives, but he never forgets oral sex, no matter how bad it is.”
― Barbara Bush
“I always say the truth is best even when we find it unpleasant. Any rat in a sewer can lie. It’s how rats are. It’s what makes them rats. But a human doesn’t run and hide in dark places, because he’s something more. Lying is the most personal act of cowardice there is.”
― Nancy Farmer, The House of the Scorpion
“The liar was the hottest to defend his veracity, the coward his courage, the ill-bred his gentlemanliness, and the cad his honor”
― Margaret Mitchell, Gone With the Wind
“…even a tiny bit of deceit is dishonorable when it’s used for selfish or cowardly reasons.
- Mr. Penderwick”
― Jeanne Birdsall, The Penderwicks on Gardam Street
“A liar only uses the truth when they want their lies to sound truthful.”
Vote:― Al David
September 27th, 2012 at 6:50 pm
And, the one that seems to be the the socialists favourite:
‘If you must tell a lie tell a big one’
Vote:-Unattributed, but possibly A Hitler
September 27th, 2012 at 7:37 pm
May as well have all lobbying (and donations) disclosed.
Vote:Don’t think labour would surprise anyone by disclosing union lobbying. Would be more surprising to see them disclosing meetings with the business roundtable.
September 28th, 2012 at 4:39 am
It would currently capture a union official who rang him to help with a constituent’s housing problem
Nobody with a job should have a housing problem, let alone one requiring the intervention of an MP.
Vote: