Thanks Frank for another of your well researched and most topical posts. My mantra has become worst PM ever and worst Govt ever. As an octogenarian I've had lots to compare with and this lot beat Douglas/Prebble and Ruth Richardson because they lie so well and the MSM swallows every lie they spout.
Indeed, Mac. I've lived through those periods as well. It just seems to get worse; things go backwards; and the same BS seems regurgitated every decade or so.
Desite being asked the same question multiple times, he simply deflected to proving a different answer. Like Winston Peters, but without the bellicosity.
Thanks, Linda. It appears to be the modus operandi of this government; enraging one community at a time.
The last National government receiving this much oppobrium was the Shipley-led administration. Cuts to health services, while advocating spending millions to shifting the Beehive (https://buildingtoday.co.nz/2011/07/01/the-contentious-beehive/), made them utterly unpopular.
I think sending Bishop down south to unannounce the hospital was designed to hinder any leadership hopes he has - Luxon has this corporate cunning and making his potential challenger the face of health austerity in Dunedin is one step, Willis will be the next one thrown under a bus, or a ferry
Oh indeed. Bishop was the "hit man" for this job. That may prove to be a two-edged sword for Luxon. Sufre it may be a "dirty job" for Bishop - but it also builds his political experience and amplifies his public image.
Having said that, Luxon's media-minders have trained him well to stick to talking points irrespective of what question is asked of him. His appearance on "Morning Report" today was a master class in how to evade a question.
Reading Monbiot on the Atlas Network opened my eyes to why this government is pushing Tobacco, Alcohol, Fossil fuels, Seabed mining, Guns, Speed, War & other nasties.
Massive cuts; demolishing public services; privatising public assets; sacking civil servants; sweeping away constraints on corporations; destroying regs that protect workers, vulnerable people & the living world; supporting landlords against tenants
“In the UK and around the world, environmental defenders are being attacked with ever more extreme laws. Who designs these laws? Corporate lobbyists. Who demands they are imposed? The billionaire media. -Monbiot.
NZ Coalition Govt: ACT, David Seymour, Luxon, Peters, NZ Taxpayers Union, The NZ Initiative, NZ Centre For Political Research & Hobsons Pledge are just some of the groups coached, supported & funded by the #AtlasNetwork of oligarchs & corporations:
Thanks Frank for another of your well researched and most topical posts. My mantra has become worst PM ever and worst Govt ever. As an octogenarian I've had lots to compare with and this lot beat Douglas/Prebble and Ruth Richardson because they lie so well and the MSM swallows every lie they spout.
Indeed, Mac. I've lived through those periods as well. It just seems to get worse; things go backwards; and the same BS seems regurgitated every decade or so.
With Luxon, he doesn't even hide his contempt, as evidenced by his interview this morning on RNZ's "Morning Report": https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/529508/christopher-luxon-hasn-t-seen-advice-on-heated-tobacco-tax-cut
Desite being asked the same question multiple times, he simply deflected to proving a different answer. Like Winston Peters, but without the bellicosity.
thank you Frank; it is bewildering and downright enraging.
Thanks, Linda. It appears to be the modus operandi of this government; enraging one community at a time.
The last National government receiving this much oppobrium was the Shipley-led administration. Cuts to health services, while advocating spending millions to shifting the Beehive (https://buildingtoday.co.nz/2011/07/01/the-contentious-beehive/), made them utterly unpopular.
The citizens of Titahi Bay may be next on the list to have their patience tested. https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/350429323/porirua-16m-shared-path-and-coastline-project-grinds-halt
I think sending Bishop down south to unannounce the hospital was designed to hinder any leadership hopes he has - Luxon has this corporate cunning and making his potential challenger the face of health austerity in Dunedin is one step, Willis will be the next one thrown under a bus, or a ferry
Oh indeed. Bishop was the "hit man" for this job. That may prove to be a two-edged sword for Luxon. Sufre it may be a "dirty job" for Bishop - but it also builds his political experience and amplifies his public image.
Having said that, Luxon's media-minders have trained him well to stick to talking points irrespective of what question is asked of him. His appearance on "Morning Report" today was a master class in how to evade a question.
Unfortunately the public absolutely DO NOT have long memories.
I just can't.... This govt. What a bunch of grifters they are
Thank you Frank the original book of promises that will not be kept was and still is published by the current government .
Keep up the great work I look forward too reading more of your wise observations .
Thanks, Levi,
So many things to document, so little time...
Spot on!
Reading Monbiot on the Atlas Network opened my eyes to why this government is pushing Tobacco, Alcohol, Fossil fuels, Seabed mining, Guns, Speed, War & other nasties.
Massive cuts; demolishing public services; privatising public assets; sacking civil servants; sweeping away constraints on corporations; destroying regs that protect workers, vulnerable people & the living world; supporting landlords against tenants
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/jan/06/rishi-sunak-javier-milei-donald-trump-atlas-network
And others on the subject:
Tapatahi
https://www.tapatahi.nz/p/atlas-how-a-right-wing-global-network?utm_medium=web
Astroturfing Nz: understanding how a right wing network is building global influence:
https://www.astroturfing.nz/understanding-atlas-how-a-right-wing-network-is-building-global-influence/
1News Doco : “Trick or Treaty”- Atlas Network in NZ & Australia #nzpol #auspol
https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/12/22/trick-or-treaty-indigenous-rights-referendums-and-the-treaty-of-waitangi/
Meet the Shadowy Network Vilifying Climate Protestors. Rupert Murdoch gets a mention here:
https://www.desmog.com/2023/09/12/atlas-network-vilifying-climate-protestors/
“In the UK and around the world, environmental defenders are being attacked with ever more extreme laws. Who designs these laws? Corporate lobbyists. Who demands they are imposed? The billionaire media. -Monbiot.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/feb/02/plutocrats-powerful-laws-uk-rich-corporations
NZ Coalition Govt: ACT, David Seymour, Luxon, Peters, NZ Taxpayers Union, The NZ Initiative, NZ Centre For Political Research & Hobsons Pledge are just some of the groups coached, supported & funded by the #AtlasNetwork of oligarchs & corporations:
Read this:
https://www.desmog.com/atlas-economic-research-foundation/
What has this NZGovt done for you so far:
https://open.substack.com/pub/mountaintui/p/what-has-the-government-done-for?r=8o1ui&utm_medium=ios
Mountain Tui Substack is well worth a follow
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/11/05/govt-to-introduce-controversial-treaty-principles-bill-this-thursday/