December 24, 2015 9:00am by David Farrar

A year of criticism

As I have done in previous years, I’ve compiled some of my blog posts where I have criticised, attacked or disagreed with the Government. I am a supporter, but not an uncritical one. When I agree with them, I say so. When I don’t, I say so. This seems difficult for some people to comprehend.

  • 24 September 2014 – criticised the hint by the PM David Seymour would be made a Minister immediately.
  • 30 September 2014 – criticised the PM for his comments on the currency
  • 4 October 2014 – agreed with Sam Morgan’s comments criticising the Govt’s R&D policy
  • 10 October 2014 – attack Steven Joyce’s announcement of funding a golf tournament
  • 12 October 2014 – support a NZTU report attacking the Govt’s corporate welfare spending
  • 14 October 2014 – call on Govt not to rush the anti-terror laws
  • 16 October 2014 – critical that the PMO did not communicate with Judith Collins over her title
  • 31 October 2014 – disagree with Govt ruling out congestion charges or tolls for Auckland
  • 4 November 2014 – said Kim Dotcom should not be deported for not declaring his speeding conviction
  • 12 November 2014 – I call allowing Phillip Smith to escape a clusterf**k and criticise Key’s joke
  • 22 November 2014 – I call on the Govt to cease funding Team NZ
  • 24 November 2014 – I say the case has not been made by the Govt for the emergency surveillance provisions of the Govt’s Foreign Fighters Bill
  • 27 November 2014 – I propose Labour MP David Shearer me made MFAT Chief Executive
  • 27 November 2014 – I oppose the surveillance provisions of the Govt’s Foreign Fighters Bill, in a submission
  • 16 December 2014 – I criticise the Govt for not reining in spending more, as a surplus looks unlikely
  • 23 December 2014 – I call on Govt to walk away from Sky City deal, rather than give taxpayer dollars
  • 7 February 2015 – I disagree with the Govt that the EQC model is working, and call for reform
  • 10 February 2015 – I disagree with the PM on Sky City
  • 11 February 2015 – I promote a petition against the Govt giving money to Sky City
  • 17 February 2015 – I support the Greens on banning animal testing for cosmetics
  • 19 February 2015 – I support a Labour call for an inquiry into petrol margins
  • 2 March 2015 -I criticise the PM’s announcement that changes to MPs pay will be made under urgency
  • 3 March 2015 – I highlight a massive blow out in IRD computer costs
  • 6 March 2015 – I slam a Customs proposal for them to have the power to demand passwords
  • 10 March 2015 – I again criticise the PM for commenting on RB interest rate decisions
  • 10 March 2015 – I reveal that the Govt’s law change to reduce MP pay rises, would have in the past seen them get bigger pay rises
  • 10 March 2015 – I call on the Govt to release BCRs for their proposed Northland bridges
  • 11 March 2015 – I dig at the Govt over their $30 million subsidy to Rio Tinto
  • 19 March 2015 – I criticise the Govt’s proposal to not have full Ecan elections in 2016
  • 23 March 2015 – I again attack the proposal for Customs to be able to demand passwords
  • 25 March 2015 – I criticise the HDC Bill
  • 29 March 2015 – I critically analyse why National lost Northland
  • 20 April 2015 – I attack Nathan Guy’s announcement of an industry dominated group to review overseas betting
  • 22 April 2015 – I’m the first commentator to label the PM’s actions with hair pulling inappropriate and he should apologise
  • 24 April 2015 – I again criticise the Govt over their $30 million subsidy to Rio Tinto
  • 6 May 2015 – I criticise the high proportion of Whanau Ora spent on administration
  • 8 May 2015 – I criticise the Government for warning backbench MPs off attending Falun Gong events
  • 21 May 2015 – I say I can’t support the Budget as there is too much extra spending
  • 7 June 2015 – I praise the performance of Lianne Dalziel
  • 8 June 2015 – I call the Saudi farm deal a form of corporate welfare
  • 9 July 2015 – I say the Government should have full elections for ECan in 2016
  • 15 July 2015 – I slam the attempt by Customs to gain powers to require passwords to devices on travellers
  • 17 August 2015 – I criticise the Government’s Chidl Protection Bill for requiring registered offenders to hand over passwords for the Internet accounts
  • 18 September 2015 – I say the Government should not change the law to stop it having repay underpayments to beneficiaries
  • 24 September 2015 – I oppose the Government saying it will contribute towards pandas
  • 13 October 2015 – I call on the Government to support a bill by Green MP Gareth Hughes
  • 15 October 2015 – I support Labour’s bill to include Under-Secretaries in the OIA
  • 9 November 2015 – I support Phil Twyford’s policy on funding new home infrastructure
  • 26 November 2015 – I slam the Government decision on iPredict as “nuts”
  • 16 December 2015 – I criticise the Government’s excessive use of urgency and bypassing select committees this year