General Debate 23 June 2026

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General Debate

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Cassandra

Damian Grant re the Defence Capability Plan released by Judith Collins: “It isn’t a plan. It is a public relations document. We do not take defence seriously. We are relying on obscurity, hope, along with the tyranny of distance, and prefer others do the dying and pray the good guys prevail. We are following Ireland’s strategy, not Switzerland’s, to avoid falling prey to any east Asian crocodiles.”

Grant goes on to lambast Luxon and the Nats’ hypocrisy.

I’ve long felt that Luxon is a competent manager but a hopeless politician. But we’re stuck with him for now and will have to rely on others to steer the Coalition to a more responsible policy.

We live in dangerous times. NZ must pay its share.
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June 23, 2026 8:12am
- pdm
  
  Cass I think we have a good man in Chris Penk on the job at the moment.
  
  The big problem would be if he is not there after the Election.
  
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  June 23, 2026 8:17am
Gravelroad

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360994940/riding-gravy-train-why-our-politicians-are-no-longer-us
This is just straight out one-sided electioneering propaganda.
Read the comments though. There is credible pushback.
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June 23, 2026 8:14am
- greybeard
  
  [ Mod – not really “debate” ]
  
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  June 23, 2026 8:17am
Cassandra

Trump may ask Iran for a new peace deal after the midterm elections a member of Mr Trump’s inner circle has told the UK’s Telegraph.
.
The US president needed to secure an agreement to address surging inflation and protect vulnerable Republican seats when Americans vote on 3 November.

After the election Trump will “renegotiate” ie the war might well resume.

Makes sense in some ways – Trump will not want to be remembered as a loser – but he also won’t want a Democratic successor.
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June 23, 2026 8:15am
greybeard

I have just heard Hosking interviewing Ardie Savea, the new ABs’ captain.
Good grief, talk about dull as dishwater ! Hardly inspiring.
I couldn’t help but compare his delivery with Kirifi’s speech and comments after the SRP final. Kirifi was articulate, energised, intelligent – considering his obvious playing ability , why he was omitted from the squad is a mystery.
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June 23, 2026 8:15am
- pdm
  
  Savea was always going to be like that.
  
  I think Kirifi’s problem is he is too small for the modern game.
  
  No mention of Finau missing out – he was probably the Chiefs best forward on Saturday but he has never measured up in an All Black Jersey.
  
  Why? I think he was overawed by being in the Black jersey.
  
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  June 23, 2026 8:21am
- artemisia
  
  I really don’t understand why Moana Pasifika continued operating long after they knew they could not meet their financial obligations. Media items mentioned up to 80 staff, including the squad (about half the number), impacted. One item mentioned 4 marketing staff. Maybe those numbers are quite usual, but competent financial management is still a thing. Isn’t it?
  
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  June 23, 2026 8:29am
  - pdm
    
    Obviously the marketing staff weren’t too flash at their jobs arty otherwise Sponsors and Donors would have been queuing up with bags of dosh for the club (is it a club?) to keep it going.
    
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    June 23, 2026 8:54am
Cassandra

The big news this morning is Starmer’s resignation. Burnham will be sworn in as an MP later today I imagine and then off to see KC3 after that.
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June 23, 2026 8:30am
- Nikola Donatello
  
  How can he see the King today without being leader of the Labour Party? Doesn’t he have to he elected leader?
  
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  June 23, 2026 8:51am
- Nukuleka
  
  Are you implying that the UK has become something of a banana republic, Cassandra? Not quite descended to that as yet. Burnham may have staged something of a coup but even he has to go through the formal process of an election to become Leader of the Labour Party before he can form a government and head to Buckingham Palace to get the royal warrant from Charles to become PM. Starmer has indicated he will likely remain PM till September.
  
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  June 23, 2026 8:58am
  - Cassandra
    
    I read that he’d resigned. The September plan is off apparently. He won’t see the King today. One estimate is three weeks. I guess Starmer stays as a caretaker until then.
    
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    June 23, 2026 9:20am
- cmm (semi-retired edition)
  
  The Muslim King is probably at prayers.
  
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  June 23, 2026 9:06am
- lastmanstanding
  
  Starmer is staying on until they have an election contest under Labour rules. The plan is Burnham will replace Starmer after the summer recess. He will be the 7th PM in 10 years. He is hard Left and has much support in the Party. He will take the country further to the Left. Higher taxes more borrowing more benefits more illegal immigrants. There will be a flight of capital. The Right is split between the Conservatives Reform and Restore none of whom want to work with each other. Labour will win the next election in 2029 and will keep on winning while the 3 Right wing parties dont unite. UK has FPP not MMP. I dont see a good future for hard working taxpayers.
  
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  June 23, 2026 9:10am

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