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Frank Macskasy's avatar

To late to have included in my blogpost, but I thi nk Michael Morrah's article in the NZ Herald drescribes pretty much where we are heading.

This is a result of Nicola 'Noboats' Willis' so-called "tough choices":

"MORE THAN 1500 PATIENTS TREATED IN CORRIDORS AT MIDDLEMORE ED IN A MONTH AMID STAFF SHORTAGES

* More than 1500 patients were treated in corridors at Middlemore Hospital’s emergency department in just over a month.

* A report obtained exclusively by the Herald also highlights 43 separate incidents of patient harm due to delayed care and staff shortages.

* The report was escalated to national leaders at Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, but there were delays in acknowledging the issues.

* Clinicians’ efforts to secure funding for additional resources have so far been unsuccessful.

Patients are “suffering” and being put at risk with more than 1500 treated in corridors at Middlemore Hospital’s overcrowded emergency department in the space of just over a month, according to a report obtained exclusively by the Herald.

The report – written by clinicians – highlights an alarming number of serious failures in the 36 days between July 1 and August 5 last year, with staff saying politicians have ignored their plight."

[More]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/more-than-1500-patients-treated-in-corridors-at-middlemore-ed-in-a-month-amid-staff-shortages/2ZADGBWTWZFMNI2BL2EOOMYQCU/

Amidst unaffordable tax cuts and tax breaks for landlords and corporates, this is where Aotearoa is slowly descending: Third World status.

And Nikki 'Noboats' Willis doesn't understand why NZers are escaping to Australia.

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James Wilkes's avatar

Willis calling this a ‘growth’ budget is not only incredulous, it’s complete, utter, bullshit. Sorry, there is no better word for the rubbish just force fed to the nation. Seriously, New Zealanders have enough challenges without being challenged by their own government living in some sort of ‘Nicola in Wonderland’ utopia. This is what happens when entitlement and privilege join forces under the dome of neoliberalism ideology.

Jim Collins once suggested, “The executives who ignited the transformations from good to great did not first figure out where to drive the bus and then get people to take it there. No, they first got the right people on the bus (and the wrong people off the bus) and then figured out where to drive it.” Unfortunately, the ‘mechanics’ driving political systems almost guarantees that can never happen. Instead, having superb leaders enter politics relies almost completely on luck, especially in an MMP system. New Zealand…has not been lucky.

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Frank Macskasy's avatar

Can't add much more to that, James. Especially the ludicrous claim by Ms Noboats Willis thsat this was a "growth budget". If anything, it actually exacerbated the recession.

The scrapping of 33 pay equity agreements will (hopefully!) haunt National at the next election. When a rightwing govt predicates favouring landlords, tobacco companies, and fossil fuel industry over low-paid women - that will be a mill-stone not easily dismissed.

It had "Ruth Richardson" all over it, but slightly more subtle.

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James Wilkes's avatar

It’s certainly not a legacy to be proud of Frank. It is profound cruelty dressed up in faux concern for people and country. The government’s thoughtless, self-centred tenure, includes nothing that future-proofs Aotearoa for future generations. Climate and environment have been ignored in favour of pro-extraction policy. The duty of care to protect the nation’s poorest and most vulnerable has been replaced with sophisticated obfuscation.

Anyone looking at this government’s actions will see straight through their empty promises and lack of delivery. Their commitments are every bit as brittle as their integrity and shattering it takes barely a breath of wind to effect.

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Mac Stevenson's avatar

You are very kind to John Key Frank. Calling him a fibber rather than he lied, he was mendacious, he was light on the truth. Willis clearly attended the same Tory school for budding politicians. Semester 1: Ensuring the movement of wealth from the working class to the rich and lying with a straight face while doing so.

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Keith Simes's avatar

When on the opposition benches many of ‘Noboats’ attacks on Grant Robertson involved reading letters from one of her imaginary friends. In government this malaise has spread - Simeon and Bishop are particularly fond of saying ‘people say…’. So, will the amendments to the RSB prioritise ‘reckons’ over evidence?

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Frank Macskasy's avatar

Just once, I'd luv to see someone (Jack Tame? Susie Ferguson? Corin Dann? Mihingarangi Forbes?) actually question a Minister on such a vague claim.

If any Minister discloses those comments were made in writing, I'll be OIAing the sh*t out of it!

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brenda's avatar

the fact is this mongrel bred lot don't care that people are heading to oz..they don't care about any kiwi who arn't rich and sorted..national really are putting the N in cuts

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Jendr's avatar

Boom tish Brenda!

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McKinleyRd Creatives's avatar

Thanks Frank, I restacked the hell out of this...........and hope people read this. Brilliant perspective. Appreciate the mahi, and your insights....and your wife's proof reading.

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Frank Macskasy's avatar

Thanks, McKinley. Ditto for my wife's work in proofreading! She's my rock! (And not afraid to challenge my views!)

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McKinleyRd Creatives's avatar

I got one just like that! Seriously, excellent writing and perspective. Serious respect.

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Frank Macskasy's avatar

Thank you!

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Jendr's avatar

Thank you Frank.

Great to hear about Marilyn Waring's initiative of a "people's select committee" to examine pay equity changes and gather evidence. Some of you may remember her book Counting For Nothing (1988). Here's a link to the documentary equivalent, Who's Counting directed by Terre Nash (1995): https://www.nfb.ca/film/whos_counting/

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Frank Macskasy's avatar

Thanks for that, Jen. Appreciate the link provided!

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Spercepolnes's avatar

Politicians don't "fib" ... they lie!

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Frank Macskasy's avatar

Lol, I may have been in politics too long. I think I've caught their mealy-mouth virus...

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