General Debate 05 November 2026

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Cassandra

The midterms: one of the consequences of the blue tsunami is that the 2028 Presidential is now wide open.

The anointment of JD Vance is over. Probably Rubio too. I think DeSantis now comes back and he’ll run against the Pennsylvania Democrat Ossoff. But lots of water yet to flow under the bridge.

Vance blames the Iran war but of course “It’s the economy, stupid”, just like here. It’s also widely recognised as a repudiation of Trump. There are some reports that Hegseth might be the fall guy.

But early days. We’re in for an interesting two years. And perhaps the focus should be on our backyard.
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November 5, 2026 8:02am
- Cassandra
  
  I’ve just read DPF’s take in the post below. Vance is a top contender only because of Trump. I suspect his political career is over. I note we agree on Ossoff.
  
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  November 5, 2026 8:07am
- artemisia
  
  And talking about the economy in our backyard ….
  
  What it’s like to lose your job to AI
  
  How is this different to thousands of other changes due to technology (and other advances) enabling efficiencies and cost savings? Nothing new under the sun, quoth King Solomon, not very recently.
  
  “Workers First general secretary Dennis Maga said … Workers First wanted to see mandatory agreements between employers seeking to introduce AI technology and their staff, to protect their rights at work.”
  
  Might work for taxpayer funded jobs – for now – but good luck with unions telling the private sector. Like those doing robotic fruit harvesting and packing that increasingly uses AI? Or Woolworths shifting roles across the ditch as some AI is rolled out? If more economic even for low wage jobs why wouldn’t they make sensible business decisions?
  
  https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/personal-finance/2346813/what-it-s-like-to-lose-your-job-to-ai
  
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  November 5, 2026 8:07am
  - Benedict Yu
    
    I love how union leaders speak word salad jacinda style
    
    “… to protect their rights at work.”
    
    Does he mean that workers will not be able to be made redundant because of AI? Why not just say that?
    
    These people need to read history. In 1900 40 percent of USA workers were working in agriculture. Now it is 1.8 percent and a vastly larger farm sector producing cheaper food.
    
    Go back to 1900 and read the occupations of people on a New Zealand electoral roll. Farm workers, blacksmiths, cobblers, switchboard operators, labourers.
    
    This is no different. The onus is on these people to tell us exactly how they want to regulate AI. Stop with the word salad.
    
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    November 5, 2026 8:35am
    - greybeard
      
      I presume they also have strong feelings about self-service kiosks at the supermarkets, where 6 or 8 are monitored by just one staff member, instead of having another 6 or 8 manned checkouts.
      
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      November 5, 2026 8:39am
Positan

One has to feel incredibly sorry for all the pitiful souls who took offence at Michael Laws comments. We once brushed-off comments that weren’t to our taste without getting all precious or having an attack of the vapours.

For all the silly women who’ve come over all “unnecessary” and brayed nonsense – further upholding Laws’ outlook – I just shake my head. Poor ickle things.

For Luxon, who touts himself as a “manager” – I thought he’d regard competence around the Cabinet table way above demonstrations of preciousness, but I’m not at all surprised at this – yet another of his own demonstrated shortcomings.

Lord preserve us from all the politically-correct wallies we’ve bred in this country.
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November 5, 2026 8:21am
- mike
  
  Michael Laws is an arsehole who chose an opportune moment to remind voters of his qualities.
  
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  November 5, 2026 8:33am
  - Ghost
    
    But did he actually say it or did Antoinette say it…..
    
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    November 5, 2026 8:39am
  - Positan
    
    Mike, I often wonder about your perception of actualities. Did you actually see Laws’ item — or are you just making your own assumption on the basis of others’ comments?
    I’ve listened to Laws’ reasoning for many months and been impressed with his depth of knowledge and his ability to grasp the deepest elements of whatever upon he’s chosen to pontificate.
    I see no grounds whatsoever for your “arsehole” allegation. I’d be grateful if you’d enlighten us as to how you substantiate such a claim?
    
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    November 5, 2026 8:50am
- Benedict Yu
  
  Sorry you can’t get away with pondering about female politicians “Imagine what she is like post sex.”
  
  He brought this on himself.
  
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  November 5, 2026 8:46am
greybeard

https://www.stuff.co.nz/home-property/361054694/bankrupt-developers-companies-owe-13m-now-one-hook-1m-unpaid-tax

Well this one covers two of my standard gripes: IRD not reacting quickly to unpaid taxes and the common, unsavoury Asian approach to “business” ( read “corruption” ).

Surely there were warning signs galore as he was the sole director and shareholder in all 4 companies ? And what about the due diligence done by the creditor companies – none, by the sound of it.
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November 5, 2026 8:24am
Benedict Yu

Remember Kellie Jay Keen? Riot in Albert Park in 2023.

She is facing criminal charges for posting “offensive” messages about Islam on X.

https://reclaimthenet.org/uk-police-charge-kellie-jay-keen-over-x-posts

Her court appearance is in December.
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November 5, 2026 8:43am

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