Some very interesting revelations in the testimony to the Intelligence and Security Committee. Andrea Vance reports:

New Zealand’s foreign spies are gathering less intelligence than they did seven years ago, the country’s top spook says.

Can we banish the term “top spook” especially as they use it for both the GCSB and SIS directors.

Acting director of the Government Communications Security Bureau Una Jagose has been in the job just ten days, following the resignation of Ian Fletcher. 

Jagose was answering a question from Prime Minister John Key, who was chairing Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee. It is just the second time the committee has been open to the public.

“As I understand it, today we collect less intelligence than we did seven years ago…there hasn’t been any radical shift upwards as has been suggested in the media.”

Ms Jagose is a lawyer, as is SIS Rebecca Kitteridge. The intelligence agencies have not always acted well in the past, but this Government has in fact gone to great lengths to break down the military old boys network that used to run them.

Not only are both entities now run by lawyers, whose primary focus is compliance, they are both women (also a first) and non-military.

Labour’s Andrew Little tried to get to the bottom of whether the agency carries out mass surveillance or collection, and what is meant by “full-take collection”, as referenced in the Snowden documents. 

“It is very difficult to answer the question about what does it mean because it means different things to different people,” Jagose said. “The connotation that I get from those phrases is some indiscriminate, for no purpose, not necessary collection of information for collection’s sake and we do not do that. What we do is lawful and authorised and necessary and proportionate and all of it…subject to independent oversight and you don’t have to take that from me. The public can take that from the systems that are to test that.” 

Now Jagose has only been in the job a few weeks. I can’t imagine she is lying to cover up – plus the Inspector-General can verify that.

Jagose, and Security Intelligence Service director Rebecca Kitteridge, spent time detailing the oversight mechanisms both agencies are subject to.  Jagose says all collection of information by her agency must be done under a warrant. 

“The very collection of information is authorised… so it’s not that we collect information and then seek authorisation for particular target issues. Everything we collect is authorised… the speculation in the public is that there is this wild collection of information for no purpose and then we have a look at it. In fact, collection is done for a purpose, and authorised.”

Labour’s David Shearer questioned if this applied to all foreign intelligence surveillance. “If we have a foreign intelligence target that we want to intercept, or otherwise access their communications, yes that is warranted,” she said. Inadvertently collected material from New Zealanders is destroyed, she said.

The ODT also reports:

The GCSB acting chief, Una Jagose, said the answer to the real tension between her bureau’s need for secrecy and the public’s demand for greater transparency lay the independent oversight of the agency, New Zealand’s foreign intelligence agency.

The post of Inspector General of Intelligence and Security is held by Cheryl Gwyn, a former deputy Solicitor-General.

“She is entitled to and does, come into the bureau at any time and she can look at anything she likes. She can question any of us under oath. She can ask for any document or explanation.”

The job used to be a part-time job held by a retired judge.

It is now full-time, with a full-time deputy and five investigators.

The checks and balances on the intelligence agencies have been greatly increased in the last few years – which is a good thing.

“In our business transparency and openness is not an easy matter. We have to make sure we do not inadvertently increase our vulnerability to people who don’t have New Zealand’s best interests at heart whether that is by revealing courses, methods we use or the targets we have.

“Actually we don’t want the people we are conducting foreign intelligence on or defending computer networks from to know we are looking at them or how we are doing that.

“And actually we don’t even want them to know what we are not capable of because that also gives insights into vulnerabilities.”

If the agency was more open with New Zealanders about what it did and did not do, people who did not have New Zealand’s interests at heart would have an advantage to act against New Zealand’s interests and give them an insight into its vulnerabilities.

“That would make the job of the Government, the bureau, the service a lot harder and possibly impossible.”

Worth remembering that Edward Snowden is holed up in Putin’s Russia, and oone thing you can guarantee is he won’t be revealing one single word of how Russia conducts intelligence gathering.

The Dom Post reports:

The proposed Wellington super-city has been likened to a dictatorship rather than democracy by the mayor of Lower Hutt. …

He pointed out that if Wellington followed Auckland’s lead then more than half the population of this country would be governed by just two councils.

“Democracy is not one single, strident voice. Many people call that a dictatorship.”

So that makes the national parliament a dictatorship?

Chris MacKay, spokesman for opposition group Hands off the Hutt, went slightly further in his estimation of the super-city proposal and compared it to the sort of thing served up in North Korea.

There are reasonable arguments for and against the amalgamation proposal. When someone starts seriously comparing it to North Korea, then it shows how weak and hysterical their arguments are.

I’m on Stewart Island until late Sunday, tramping the Rakiura Track. There will be some pre-timed blog posts, but won’t be online to catch breaking news. See you all Monday.

The Dom Post reports:

Housing New Zealand is to demolish 54 earthquake-prone flats in Epuni, Naenae and Taita. Even the local Labour MP believes it’s a reasonable course of action.

The 18 buildings, most of them in Durham Cres, Cambridge Tce. and Hampton Court, are less than 20 per cent of the new build standard and it would be uneconomic to strengthen them, HNZ’s area manager Stephen Wilson says.

Hutt South MP Trevor Mallard said while he hadn’t seen the corporation’s estimates for earthquake-strengthening and modernising the 18 buildings, “even if fixed up, they are not very good units”.

He was told many of them were built in the era of World War II for American officers and their steep stairways were a “design fault” that made them dangerous for the elderly and young, “who are a significant part of the Housing NZ clientele.

“I think the decision to demolish is the right one.”

They’re also badly placed on their sections, and Mallard said there was potential to house more people there in what are “exceptionally good” locations close to trains, shops, schools and kindergartens.

Local iwi trusts may be interested and Mallard said he was keen to facilitate discussions to get an early decision from them, including exploring joint ventures with developers.

Good to see a Labour MP backing what National is doing – making sure the stock of state houses is fit for today.

The Herald reports:

Author Terry Pratchett has died at the age of 66 after a battle with Alzheimer’s.

The bestselling and much-loved author writer died at home on Thursday, surrounded by his family and with his cat sleeping on his bed, according to a statement which is published in full below.

Pratchett’s Facebook page was updated to say: “It is with immeasurable sadness that we announce that author Sir Terry Pratchett has died.

“The world has lost one of its brightest, sharpest minds. Rest in peace Sir Terry Pratchett.”

Pratchett wrote over 70 books, including 40 as part of the fantasy Discworld series, and sold over 85 million copies in his lifetime.

As soon as news broke of his death broke on Thursday afternoon, his website crashed under the weight of fans wanting to remember the writer.

A very sad loss.

Phil Quin writes in the NZ Herald:

Others say I should take these criticisms inside the tent. In principle, this is correct – but there is a problem. The Labour Party does not tolerate dissent, not just in a cultural or attitudinal sense, but in its rules. Its governing bodies are elected en masse via first past the post. Sector Councils ensure minority groups have a place at the table, but there is tno space whatsoever for minority opinions.

Let’s take Labour’s stance on our contribution to the fight against Isis (Islamic State). I am one of a small number of members who disagree in principle with the party’s stand. This is a legitimate point of view, one shared by centre-left governments and political parties the world over. And yet, in New Zealand Labour, holding such an opinion renders you a sell-out, a secret Tory, an apostate.

What recourse do we have? Because members of the New Zealand Council are elected, clone-like, from the same plurality of members, there is no one capable of advocating on behalf of minority views or looking out for the rights of dissenters. This flows through all the party processes, including candidate selection.

If you are a social conservative or an economic liberal in Labour, you are baasically told you are in the wrong party.

The Herald reports:

What is your stance on the $1.75 billion Puhoi to Wellsford Highway?

Winston Peters: Any expansion of better road services would be welcomed by the North, but it doesn’t even get out of the Auckland City area.

Why doesn’t anyone pull Peters up on his lies?

Wellsford in in the Northland electorate. It is in no way in Auckland. Peters knows this as he has campaigned in Wellsford, yet he keeps repeating this lie.

The Herald reports:

A liquor store worker who was threatened, assaulted, called a “f***ing Indian” and “Indian dog” by his employer has been awarded $45,000 in damages for racial harassment.

Satnam Singh told the Human Rights Tribunal he suffered racial abuse, culminating in a physical assault, while employed for two months at Scorpion Liquor in Mt Roskill.

An Indian national and practicing Sikh, Satnam Singh was also paid less than minimum wage, earning between $6 and $7 an hour.

Disgraceful behaviour and good to see a large damages award.

Store manager Shane Singh and his mother, Raj Devi, who owns the business, did not respond to the claim and took no part in proceedings.

You can’t be absolutely sure, but the surnames suggest the owner and manager are also Indians, which makes the racial abuse somewhat perplexing.

During his two months at Scorpion Liquor, Shane Singh frequently made references to “f***ing Indians”, and referred to Indian students as “Indian dogs”.

He also made comments about Satnam Singh’s long hair, a requirement for his Sikh religion.On one occasion the worker was filmed while cleaning the shop toilet, and told “You f***ing Indians [will] always clean my s*** today and in the future”.

Maybe Shane Singh is not also Indian. He’s a terrible person though, that is for sure.

Stuff reports:

A blind bus passenger was left humiliated and in tears after a bus driver refused to give her a discount because he thought she was faking it.

Megan Johnston, 28, of Newtown, has extreme tunnel vision. She cannot drive and relies on public transport.

She has a NZ Bus blind person’s pass, which entitles her to travel on child or concessionary fares.

When she boarded the No 10 leaving Newtown Park on Tuesday afternoon, with her cane folded under her arm, she never expected to be challenged about her disability.

She had just folded up her cane, which was under her arm, given she gave the driver $2 and presented him with her pass.

“He didn’t take my money and just stared at me and then said, ‘Yeah, you’re not blind, are you?’ which took me aback,” she said.

He then asked other passengers on the bus whether they thought she was blind.

Bad enough to doubt it yourself, but to them ask the passengers to basically vote on whether another passenger is a liar is nasty and humiliating. I don’t think the driver is well suited to a role dealing with the public.

Yahoo reports:

The Deputy Clerk of the Legislative Council was stopped by police allegedly in possession of a baseball bat and a balaclava and police are investigating whether he was tracking the vehicle of his immediate superior, the Clerk of the Legislative Council.

Nigel Lake, one of WA’s most senior parliamentary staff, has been suspended from his $166,216-a-year job after he was arrested by police late on Tuesday, February 17, in Drabble Road, City Beach, allegedly wearing a black hoodie, latex gloves, black tracksuit pants and black shoes.

Mr Lake was on foot and arrested within a kilometre of the home of the Clerk of the Legislative Council, Nigel Pratt.

The staff in the Clerk’s office tend to be some of the most polite, helpful, and non-antagonistic people around. The thought of a Deputy Clerk trying to beat up the Clerk, in NZ, is beyond fanciful.

Mr Lake was deputy clerk of the Council under the previous clerk Malcolm Peacock and acted in his position when Mr Peacock suffered an illness in his final two years in the job.

So maybe resentment he didn’t get the job.

I loved this show.

Thomas Monckton was like a combination of Mr Bean and Jim Carrey. it was great, and he was hilarious.

Mockton plays a pianist who wants to make a triumphant appearance and then perform on the piano. But over the next hour everything that can go wrong does go wrong.

You don’t even see him for the first few minutes as you just see the figure trying to break through the curtain. You’re laughing out loud at the clawing motions you can see.

Then when he finally gets out, watch out for the chandelier, the piano legs, the cover, the lighting – well just about everything.

Monckton doesn’t speak the entire play. His antics and facial expressions are more than enough to keep you amused – along with his somewhat spiky hair.

The sound and lighting combine with great timing to make the show spectacular. And the lighting operator even plays a part more directly in the show – which was one of my favourite parts.

The audience also get involved at various stages.

It is the funniest show I have seen for years. You really don’t stop laughing. It was nice to have such simple uncomplicated physical humour. A great way to unwind after work or at the weekend.

I really can’t imagine anyone, whether aged 10 or 80, not enjoying this show.  It’s been performed in Edinburgh and London and is now back in NZ.

The Southland Times reports:

It may be at the opposite end of the country, but the future of Southland’s political landscape could hinge on the outcome of this month’s Northland by-election.

Invercargill hairdresser-turned NZ First candidate Ria Bond is in line to become the region’s third MP, alongside National’s Sarah Dowie and Todd Barclay.

If NZ First leader Winston Peters is successful in his campaign for the Northland electorate, the former Deputy Prime Minister could resign as a list MP, leaving the next candidate on NZ First’s list to take his seat.

The party gained 11 MPs at the general election, with Bond 12th on their list.

However, Peters said a victory would not automatically signal Bond’s election.

The party’s focus was solely on winning the March 28 by-election, he said.

“That’s something we haven’t spent any time thinking about for obvious reasons.

“If we win it will become an issue and we’ll consider it then, but it won’t be for me to say who comes in – it will be a board decision.”

No it won’t be. Once a list has been finalised, it can not be changed.

The party gets no say in whether Bond becomes an MP, if a vacancy occurs. Their only job is for the secretary to confirm she is still a member (and as she is on their board of directors, she is of course).

Then the decision is purely hers as to whether to accept the seat.

Stuff reports:

A ban on nicotine in e-cigarette products is under fire from a visiting health professional who says it is naïve and doing more harm than good.

University of Queensland professor Wayne Hall is presenting at Thursday’s e-cigarette symposium at the University of Auckland and will join leading experts in calling for the prohibition to be lifted.

Electronic nicotine refills are illegal to sell over the counter but can be legally bought from overseas suppliers for personal use.

Hall said the law created an “absurd situation” where people were resorting to the black market to buy products that contained a less harmful form of nicotine than normal tobacco cigarettes.

“You can buy cigarettes wherever you like but you’re not allowed to buy something that’s probably a great deal safer, at least in the short term,” he said.

“It does seem a pretty silly policy.”

It’s very stupid.

He said the government needed to acknowledge the widespread use of the e-devices by reversing the ban and regulating the nicotine products to ensure their safety. 

“There needs to be a middle ground where there is some form of regulation. 

Absolutely.

The order paper is here.

Oral Questions 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm

1. RON MARK to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements?
2. GRANT ROBERTSON to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement “every Minister believes that the decision that affects them is the one that makes all the difference to the surplus or the deficit”?
3. Dr JIAN YANG to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has he received about the growth outlook for the New Zealand economy?
4. PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister of Transport: How much has been spent in total by the New Zealand Transport Agency on roads in the Northland region under National Land Transport Programmes set by the current Government since it was elected in November 2008?
5. MARAMA FOX to the Minister of Justice: What advice, if any, has she received about Iriheke Pere given that it is over 18 months since he was shot in the back while he was handcuffed and not resisting arrest?
6. DAVID BENNETT to the Minister of Transport: What progress has the Government made on completing the Waikato Expressway Road of National Significance?
7. Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Minister for Climate Change Issues: Is the Government’s objective to increase New Zealand’s net greenhouse gas emissions or is the Government’s objective to decrease New Zealand’s net greenhouse gas emissions?
8. Dr SHANE RETI to the Minister for Economic Development: What reports has he received on GDP growth in New Zealand’s regions?
9. CHRIS HIPKINS to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by her statement that in the event a charter school closes before the end of its contract “we will use the usual commercial instruments available to us to recover costs invested by the Government”; if so, which specific provisions of the contract with Whangaruru School allow for the recovery of funds in the event the school closes?
10. Dr PARMJEET PARMAR to the Minister for Social Development: What recent announcements has she made on steps to protect children?
11. SUE MORONEY to the Minister for ACC: Does she have confidence in the ACC Board?
12. SCOTT SIMPSON to the Minister for Small Business: What steps is this Government taking to support growth for small business?

National: Five patsies on economic growth, Waikato roads, regional GDP growth, small business and protecting children

Labour: Four questions on the surplus, Northland roads, charter schools and ACC

Greens: One questions on climate change

NZ First: One question on does PM stand by all his statements

Maori Party: One question on treatment of Iriheke Pere

Government Bills 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm

New Zealand Flag Referendums Bill – first reading

The bill establishes a process for the holding of a postal referendum on which alternative flag design is preferred by voters, and a second on whether that alternative flag or the current flag is to be the New Zealand flag.”

Introduced: March 2015

The debate can be up to two hours.

Construction Contracts Amendment Bill – committee stage

The bill amends the Construction Contracts Act 2002 to remove most of the distinctions between the treatment of residential and commercial contracts under the Act; extend the scope of the Act to apply to contracts for design, engineering, and quantity surveying work; remove the distinction between enforcement of payment determinations and of those relating to rights and obligations and make the enforcement process more efficient.

Introduced: January 2013

1st reading: June 2013, passed 119-1 with only Brendan Horan against
Select Committee report: March 2013, supported unanimously with amendments
2nd reading: March 2014, passed unanimously

The committee stage has no time limit. If fully debated a rough guide can be up to an hour per part (plus title and schedules) so unlikely to be more than four hours.

There are three SOPs to be voted on – one each by Nick Smith, Clayton Cosgrove and Julie-Anne Genter. They all deal with the issue of retention payments.

Just published the February newsletter. The summary is:

There were two political polls in February – a Roy Morgan and a One News Colmar Brunton.

The average of the public polls has National 18% ahead of Labour in February, down 5% from January. The current seat projection is centre-right 62 seats, centre-left 51 which would see a centre-right Government.

In Australia the Coalition has regained some support but Abbott’s net approval ratings have plummeted 28% in just one month after the spill against him. In NSW the incumbent coalition Government look likely to be re-elected.

In the United States the country mood has been improving in recent months, and Obama’s approval rating for economic management has improved. Clinton remains the dominant Democratic frontrunner while Jeb Bush is slightly ahead of the large pack seeking the Republican nomination. 

In the UK Labour and the Conservatives are tied in the polls. However Labour is forecast to win more seats and to be able to form a Government with the SNP.

In Canada the Conservatives remain ahead of the Liberals in terms of projected seats.

The normal three tables are provided comparing the country direction sentiment, head of government approval and opposition leader approval sentiment for the five countries.

We also carry details of polls in New Zealand on Wellington amalgamation, Islamic state, alcohol advertising and sponsorship plus the normal business and consumer confidence polls.

This newsletter is normally only available by e-mail.  If you would like to receive future issues, please go to http://listserver.actrix.co.nz/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/polling-newsletter to subscribe yourself.

Andrea Vance reports:

Wellington-based MP James Shaw will bid to be the Green Party’s co-leader, after earlier saying it was “highly unlikely” he’d run.

It is understood the first-term MP is planning to make the announcement on Monday, after telling caucus colleagues at a meeting earlier this week.

Last month Shaw said it was too early in his parliamentary career. However, he appears to have had a change of heart after being approached by supportive members, including at a recent policy conference in the Hunua ranges, south of Auckland.

Shaw would not confirm his candidacy, saying only: “I’m thinking about it, and considering it and as I have said before I will make up my mind when nominations open.”

A source indicated Shaw will pitch himself as a fresh face, with new ideas, against front-runner and “status quo” candidate Kevin Hague.

On the back of a disappointing general election result, Shaw is set to argue the party needs new strategies if it wants to increase its vote beyond 10 per cent. But the 41-year-old also needs to win over those in the party who are suspicious of his business background. Like Hague, he is known to favour a bi-partisan approach to politics.

The Greens are fortunate that they will get to choose from four candidates – all offering quite different skills, backgrounds and future directions.

Hague is the front-runner and the likely winner. I blogged here on his strengths. He is the safe choice, and would do better than Norman, in my view.

Shaw is a bigger risk to the Greens, but also offer potentially bigger benefits. I think he is the candidate most likely to grow their vote and smash through the ceiling of 10% they seem to have hit.

The current leadership and strategy of the Greens couldn’t exceed 10% despite Labour hitting an 80 year low of 25%. It is hard to see them doing better by staying on the current path.

Shaw has the ability to change the brand of the Greens as extremists and anti-business. He has the potential to allow the Greens to break through 10%.

Even if Labour wins in 2017, the Greens may still be shut out of Government by NZ First. To avoid that fate they need to grow their vote. Shaw offers them that option.

In Parliament yesterday:

Metiria Turei : Will the Prime Minister vote for the “Feed the Kids Bill ” in Parliament next week, so that all political parties can work with experts to develop the best legislative solution so that all of our kids are being fed at school?

Rt Hon JOHN KEY : No, and no for a very good reason. The vast majority of kids are actually fed by their parents. Their parents, irrespective of their economic circumstances, actually do a very good job of providing breakfast and lunch and the Government would far rather direct those resources, on a targeted basis, to those in need. The Government already supports the breakfast in schools programme. I am advised that 791 schools out of the 2,500 schools approximately in New Zealand take up that programme in some part, and I think the Government has got its target in the right direction.

Metiria Turei : Will he at least commit to his Government working with cross-party agreement to provide food in schools, given that KidsCan says that 23 percent, on average, and up to 90 percent of kids in schools are going without lunch every day?

Rt Hon JOHN KEY : I look forward to the quote from Julie that says that 90 percent of kids going to school, in the approximately 2,550 schools in New Zealand, are going without lunch. I hate to tell the member, but I reckon I have been to way more schools than she ever has. I have been a prolific visitor to schools in the 7 years I have been the Prime Minister. I will tell you what. Of the 500 schools I have been to, if 90 percent of the kids did not have lunch I would be pretty surprised, because I tell you what, I have seen a lot of them munching their way through lots and lots of lunches. If the member wants to come with me to a school, and I will name the school, and 90 percent of the kids do not have lunch, I personally will buy them lunch for the whole year.

So who was right. Was Turei correct that up to 90% of kids in schools are going without lunch every day?

No.

She later facebooked:

Bugger, I was unclear in my question today. I meant to say that Kidscan says about 23% on average and up to 90% of the kids in the schools it works with need lunch everyday. Not 90% of kids in all schools.

So 23% on average of the 449 schools (out of 2,500) that have Kidscan involved. That is around 4% overall.

Whether 10% or 90% its bad enough that our kids need government to help.

Actually it does matter whether it is 4% or 90%.

And the Government does help, as reference above. Bit what Turie wants isn’t the Government to help – but the Government to replace parents as the primary feeder of school children.

Hat Tip: Pete George

Stuff reports:

Owners of the Titirangi site, John Lenihan and Jane Greensmith, have released an open letter stating they will not cut down the trees.

“Over the past few days we have been overwhelmed with the agendas of council, politicians, protesters, and so on.

“We were quite normally private people but now we have been dragged into being public figures.”

“Let the trees stay including the kauri which we have been calling 500, and the rimu called 300. It doesn’t matter how old they are as they now need to stay. Some other trees might have to go – this is the compromise bit, but let’s keep it to a minimum.”

This couple are the ones whose rights have been trampled on. They did nothing wrong, but ended up in the middle.

This is our Plan – Architects call it a design solution;

1. Let the trees stay including the Kauri which we have been calling 500, and the Rimu called 300. It doesn’t matter how old they are as they now need to stay. Some other trees might have to go – this is the compromise bit, but let’s keep it to a minimum.  Trees grow faster than you all think. Our wise elderly neighbor reckons the Kauri “500”  is only 70 years old like him.

The claim to be 500 years old seems dubious.

Hi all, number of senior moments re the General Debate for the last few days….

Stuff reported:

The Brazilian woman who spotted Kiwi fugitive Philip Smith at a Rio hostel says she had a hard time persuading local police to take any interest.

The woman, whose identity is protected, spoke to Seven Sharp on TV ONE.

She was working at the hostel when Smith checked in.

He had fled New Zealand for South America while on temporary release from prison, where he was serving a lengthy jail term for charges including murder.

The woman said she realised later that the man was Smith, after reading a small article about him.

“I was like oh that is the guy who was here.”

She revealed she had a hard time convincing authorities to act, after first spotting the fugitive.

“I went to police station close to the house. [They] said no, not our area so can talk later. But next day guy could escape, so think ‘what can I do?'”

What she did was take a photo of Smith and send it to Brazil’s federal police – who said it wasn’t their area either

Eventually she contacted Interpol, who arrived and arrested Smith as soon as they could.

Amazing. She tried the local police, and also the federal police, and they both did nothing. Most people would give up, but thankfully she went to Interpol, who did them arrange the arrest.

We owe her our thanks.

The woman was invited to visit New Zealand after a campaign by lawyer John Fitchett.

“When the news came that someone in Rio had recognised the photo I thought that’s so rare in a big city, and I thought  New Zealand should say thank you,” he said.

She said she hoped Smith spent the rest of life in prison.

“To do something to a child is a most horrible crime. I have two nephews and they are the love of my life.”

The woman and her mother are due to spend two weeks travelling around New Zealand before she will be awarded with a certificate of appreciation from police. 

Nelson lawyer Fitchett paid for the pair’s flights as a token of thanks for identifying the escaped murderer and paedophile.

Good move by Mr Fitchett.

After requests from the media (and an inadvertent promise by Bill English), the Government now puts up transcripts of the weekly press conference held on Mondays by the Prime Minister.

Quite interesting, and you see how long some of them go on for.

Stuff reports:

Finance Minister Bill English says he still doesn’t know if Solid Energy is viable, raising the prospect of the company collapsing.

The Christchurch-based coalminer is negotiating with a group of banks in a bid to reduce its $320 million debt.

This has delayed the release of its financial results due in late February until it can be certain they “reflect a true and fair picture of the company’s position”.

It followed the Government’s extension of financial support to Solid Energy in 2012, and the company striking a deal with its lenders in late 2013 to effectively write off $75m in debt.

But on Tuesday, English warned that even after 18 months of being regularly briefed on the company’s finances, he was unclear if there was a core business that could be salvaged.

I don’t want my taxes wasted on bailing out state owned companies. I want to choose which companies I invest in, not have the Government do it for me.

We should not own Solid Energy, just like we shouldn’t partially own three power generating companies. They are all commercial enterprises that do not need to be owned by the Government, and present risks to taxpayers if they make bad investment decisions.

The role of Government should be to set the rules for the industry and promote competition – not to own the companies.

The Herald reported:

The Tiwai Point almunium smelter is back to running a profitable operation, though uncertainties about its outlook have left question marks over its intrinsic value, according to majority owner Rio Tinto.

The smelter “is currently profitable as a result of high regional and product premiums and operational cost improvements,” Rio Tinto said in its 2014 annual report, confirming electricity supplier Meridian Energy’s analysis last month that the plant should be running a cash surplus.

Great. Can we have the $30 million back that they gouged out of the taxpayer by claiming they may close due to unprofitability!