Hello Are You There

John Banks, he's kept his head down, presumably so National don't lose their ability to pass legislation.  Here's there because the PM, courtesy of some studious looking the other way with his hands over his ears while chanting "la la la I can't hear anything", has not lost confidence in Mr Banks.
It all came back to a question of whether Mr Banks had acted within the law, or not.  Here's Mr Key quoted on Stuff:

Key said he had not spoken directly to Banks but the ACT leader had given ''an absolute and categorical assurance to my office'' that he acted legally.

So, just the legal test, then.


But when it comes to moving people off ACC (and into the caring arms of WINZ), a legal and moral test applies, according to Mr Key.  Have a listen to him on the radio this morning - the section in question is between 2:09 and 2:30 running time.


Now that's as it should be with ACC.  We collectively gave up our right to sue, and in exchange gained an entitlement to ACC.


The standard required of ACC staff, according to Mr Key, is higher than the standard required to hold a ministerial warrant, even though the impact of decisions made by ACC staff affect many fewer people.  Surely Mr Key should have equal or higher standards for himself and his ministers.

Consolidated - Play More Music, 1992

42 Wheels

ACC is, as mickeysavage described it at waitakerenews, is a slow moving but inexorable force.  It will be one of the major contributors to the downfall of the current government and the only real questions are who, or how many, it will take with it.
To recap, the scandal has, to date, taken one minister, the CEO, the chair of the board and several board members.  It has started a number of investigations and today it was the subject of a snap debate in parliament.
The thing to remember (and I think you got it wrong mickey.  Sorry) is that there are no heroes here.  Just victims, and by that I mean "most of the country".  Bronwyn Pullar has the support of some very influential people and does not need the left running defence for her too.  The focus should be on National, their ineffectiveness and their stupid ideas on what to do with ACC.

Hunters & Collectors - The Jaws of Life, 1984

Trouble in the Message Centre

Eric Roy (I'm pretty sure it was him) was Speaker for question time today.  He was better this time than last time, but still pretty hopeless at making ministers answer questions.
Question 10 was exceptionally bad, where Judith Collins was asked what knowledge she had of an item of expenditure and she refused to answer on the grounds it was an operational matter.  Messrs Mallard and Little pointed out that a minister's knowledge, or lack thereof, is not operational, but it was to no avail.
Shabby, Mr Roy.
Incidentally, if I were Labour I would be using Little and Mallard to question Collins at every opportunity.  The parallels with the libel proceedings make Mrs Collins look distinctly uncomfortable.

Blur - Parklife, 1994

What Was That Thing?

Judith Collins will be paying for her own legal expenses, not the taxpayer.
Run that one by me again.
Who pays Mrs Collins' salary and expenses?  I suppose she will do it all in her own time.  And since she only has three ministries to run, she'll have plenty of time, right?
Who pays the salaries of Messrs Little and Mallard?
Where does the funding for Radio NZ come from?
Never mind the bollocks, one way or another, the taxpayer of New Zealand WILL pay for Judith Collins' ego-driven folly.  All of it.
Since John Key lacked either the courage to stop this, or did not have the full backing of his caucus to do so, he should at least stand Mrs Collins down while the action is under way.  After all, it's important.