ACT On Campus

New Website

2008-03-31T23:10:00.002+13:00

This blog has now been moved to our brand new shiny website:

www.actoncampus.org.nz

Only the most recent posts have been imported for the moment, but we will get all of them, including comments, moved over as soon as possible.

Go take a look at the new blog and website!

Jim Anderton Flip-Flops on BZP!

2008-03-31T23:09:00.000+13:00

ACT on Campus has made this radical change to the home website.

Meanwhile, in Christchurch...

Jim Anderton has apparently turned his Wigrim electorate office in to an illegal party-pills distribution centre on the very day such transactions become against the law.

Go figure.

Is That An Endorsement?

2008-03-31T10:25:00.002+13:00

The Sunday Star Times asked people what one thing they would change to make New Zealand a better place.

I thought this one was interesting:

BOB JONES, 68, property developer, Wellington

Everybody would be better off if we had a Roger Douglas-style 15% flat tax. Everyone would be richer, and everyone would be happier. It works. We’ve seen it in Slovakia they were in desperate straits, banged in a flat tax and the place is jumping. The lower the taxes, the richer the society and the more the government gets. I’d love to see that.

Yep, that's THE Bob Jones.
Is that an endorsement Bob?

Labour Announce Health Vouchers

2008-03-31T02:45:00.003+13:00

Well, surprise, surprise!

Labour announce Health Vouchers

No, don't be silly, not that Labour!

UK Labour now join the Tories and Lib Dems in their adoption of vouchers (those two parties already support Education Vouchers).

Will Helen be taking ideas from UK Labour this election?

Earth Hour 2008

2008-03-29T21:45:00.001+13:00

I hope some readers of this blog have been led here by flyers ACT on Campus have been handing out in Christchurch tonight and looked upon Earth Hour with a critical eye.

If you watched the film on the big screen, Leonardo DiCaprio's 'The 11th Hour' then let me just say this.
1. Don't listen to him, nor Al Gore and his Oscar. Global warming is NOT your fault!
2. There's a film that tells the other side of the story you can view online for free: The Great Global Warming Swindle

Some of the graphs and views we've been handing out are available from the ACT Party website at the following links...
Reflections on the global warming debate
How Big Is Your Carbon Footprint?

This is the defining moral and political cause of our times and we need to get it right.

ACT are unique in seeking a critical and informed response to climate change.

ACT on Campus Canterbury go even further, we say man-made global warming and the carbon emissions taxation initiatives are a swindle! Hopefully we've managed to explain our reaction in person, and why we ask all politicians to ditch this voodoo politics.

Press Release: AoC Canterbury: Earth Hour Rejected!

2008-03-28T14:23:00.005+13:00

WWF's international 'Earth Hour' is an embarrassment to Christchurch and should be cancelled out, according to ACT on Campus Canterbury President, Rick Giles.

"There is no scientific evidence for catastrophic global warming caused by CO2 emissions, the Earth Hour initiative is based on phoney science in an attempt to promote phoney awareness," he adds.

"Our electricity in Christchurch is generated by hydro-power, which has no impact on CO2 anyhow. After Earth Hour, when appliances- especially motors and fluorescent lights- are switched on again, on mass, a terrific drain will result across the grids which will require more electricity to be generated, and often more coal to be consumed, as a direct result of Earth Hour."

"Earth Hour organisers are actually squandering energy resources as well as putting people at an inconvenience in order to express their point of view about global warming."

"Alright then, ACT on Campus will enjoy energy resources and promote the unfettered convenience of full energy use in order to express our point of view about global warming."

ACT on Campus will be in Cathedral Square in Christchurch along side the Earth Hour campaigners. The student activists from Canterbury and Lincoln University will be spreading the word and handing out flyers to educate the people of Christchurch about the global-warming mass hysteria.

They plan to employ flash-lights and spot-lights during Earth Hour, and to engage in random acts of igniting petroleum products in and around Cathedral Square in a public display of enjoyable energy use in the promotion of the pleasure and modern convenience of unfettered energy exploitation.

If anybody has a lawn-mower they can lend the students for the evening (preferably a noisy and smoky one) for display purposes, please contact us at once.

ENDS

Contact:
Rick Giles,
ACT on Campus Canterbury University President
Vice President ACT on Campus, National
Ph- 02102638169
email: bardan@clear.net.nz

Don Brash for ACT?

2008-03-26T14:04:00.001+13:00

The last national elections in 2005 were aweful for the ACT Party, smacking our vote-count to bits and reducing the party to just two members. What happened?

This guy. Previous National Party leader, Don Brash. It was like having an ACT MP leading the Nats, and the electoral result, The Brash Effect, sucked the ground away from the little libertarian party.

He's gone now, out of the leadership and out of the National party. Many of us have been hoping he might return as an ACT MP. On behalf of we hopefuls, Sir Roger Douglas has popped the question and we have our answer...

"When I decided to stand I thought it would be quite nice if someone else of prominence stood with me. Obviously I know Don quite well so I did talk to him. I thought it would be good if we both got in. I can't say what he said, but clearly he didn't say yes, did he?"

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10499865

So much for that one.

I don't know what Brash is doing these days. He is still following politics and has an unexciting but sensible interview in Uni Canterbury's student magazine, Canta, today.

Without the Brash Effect we can expect the votes to come flooding back to the ACT party this election- back to normal.

Update: 28 March: TV3 news story; The story has come out that Rodney Hide has also asked Dr Brash if he's busy this election year and, if not, would he like to hang out with us? At that time Brash also refused, as now. But Rodney is saying on Radio Live that we're not done yet- so don't be too sure. Brash could ACT at any time. We have very persuasive arguments, and Helen Clark and John Key are two of them!

Party Pills in Auckland

2008-03-20T11:46:00.004+13:00

Check it out, Act On Campus is in the news today...

New Zealand Herald: Anderton slams Act cut-price party pill sales "Moves by young Act supporters to boost membership by selling cut-price party pills are "grossly irresponsible", Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton says."

Radio New Zealand News: Party pills used as promotion by young ACT supporters "Young supporters of the ACT party have sold cheap party pills in a campus recruitment drive"

I can blog that many of our members have been contacted by the media today for comment. Important to realise that AoC is not controlled by the main party. But we're going to let Rodney and Garry answer the phone calls on this one!

ACT Conference

2008-03-17T13:14:00.002+13:00

This is just a quick update from the 2008 ACT Conference, photos will be posted soon. There was a good turnout with a wide variety of speakers. By far the biggest factor for me was the overwhelming optimism and excitement that ACTs core supporters now have for the coming months. The consensus is that not only have Clark and Labour long since passed their use by date but that John Key and his centrist cronies offer little in the way of a respite. The only real solution for New Zealand is an ACT supported government.

The main focus of the media thus far has been on Sir Roger Douglas agreeing to stand for ACT. My generation is fortunate enough not to have grown up during the dark ages of wage and price freezes, import licensing and archaic state monopolies. For that we have one person to thank and the knowledge that Sir Roger will be putting his energy and support behind ACTs 2008 campaign is indeed reason to be optimistic.

He is someone who, at 70, could quite justifiably ease himself into retirement, content in the knowledge that he saved our country from ruin, but he is not that sort of person. Like a growing number of New Zealander's he holds little hope for change under either major party. He quite rightly sees ACT as the only party with a real vision for policy change.

Roll on November!

Visit the ACT on Campus web site!

Sir Roger's Visit to Canterbury

2008-03-07T16:33:00.005+13:00

Act On Campus Canterbury did well last night.

As advertised, we had a very special visit from ACT Candidate, party founder, and New Zealand political legend, Sir Roger Douglas.

We made some money, signed up some new, and core, members, made some new friends, created a video, learned a thing or two from a legend.

Pretty good return, that.

The Knight was relaxed and enjoying himself, offered the promised historical insight and view to the future. He was also bluntly candid in fielding many questions from the audience.

I've seen Sir Roger only once before and he struck me as intent and focused. To meet him, I find he doesn't have lazerbeam eyes and an imposing presense, it's more gentle and welcoming. Now I want to see if Ruth Richardson is the same, and I wonder if they both were like that when they gave this country the big sort-out.

Sir Roger's snappy campaigning line is bound to come up again toward this election, but I think we heard it for the first time last night. It is this: 'Vote for National, you get a change in government. Vote for ACT and you get a change in government and a change in policy.'

He's right to tell us that. And common sense tells us the rest! Vote ACT, kids!

Road Trip!

2008-03-06T10:22:00.001+13:00

When: 14-16 March
Where: Waipuna Lodge, 58 Waipuna Road, Panmure, Auckland
Picking up from: Wellington, Palmerston North, Hamilton.
RSVP: Mike Bridge President@actoncampus.org.nz by 11th March.
Conference Cost: $20

ACT is inviting people to its election year conference ‘No Limits to Success’. ACT On Campus is planning a ‘road trip’ from Wellington to Auckland for the weekend.

The conference itself is on the Saturday with ACT On Campus planning a special youth event on the Sunday. The conference has already gained some media attention with ACT’s godfather/prodigal son Roger Douglas confirmed as a speaker. This conference will be and must be a big event. A successful and well attended conference is the best signal we can send to the world that we are to be taken seriously this election. For this to happen we need you to attend.

The trip will be a fun opportunity to meet new, like minded people, hear some inspirational speakers and plan for a great year ahead. For those whose instincts are a little more base there will also be plenty of drinking.

We will most likely be hiring some vehicles for the event and need to know who is able to come. Please RSVP by 11th of March. There will be a small cost for the trip itself, however we will minimise this where possible with ACT On Campus coughing up for much of the cost. The more people we get the cheaper it can be! If you are unsure about whether or not you can afford to come contact us anyway as costs are flexible. Please also let us know whether you have registered for the conference itself as this will need to be done separately.

Those of you from the South Island who want to get to the conference but have not yet booked flights may want to consider flying to Wellington to join us for the trip.

Once again this will be a huge conference and a great opportunity for ACT On Campus members from across the country to meet.

Press Release: AoC Canterbury: Sir Roger talk

2008-03-05T15:32:00.004+13:00

Act on Campus, University of Canterbury

MEDIA RELEASE 5 March 2008

Sir Roger Douglas to speak at University of Canterbury

Sir Roger Douglas will speak on Thursday, March 6th, at the University of Canterbury. The public are warmly invited to the event.

This very special guest of Act On Campus Canterbury will speak about economic, social, and political life prior to the fourth Labour Government. This, the government of Prime Minister David Lange and Finance Minister Roger Douglas, changed the way we live, work, and play in New Zealand forever, setting society on a radically different pathway.

"NZ used to be closed on the weekend." said Scott Carnie, President of Act on Campus Canterbury, "Margarine was a prescription drug. Government owned and ran all the television and radio, the trains and the planes, the telephones and the power stations. We were an isolationist, closed economy, and regulated to the hilt- everything not compulsory was bloody-near prohibited!"

"In order to understand present conditions in New Zealand, including this year's national elections, it is vital to appreciate the historic context. But Sir Roger is also at the leading edge of contemporary current affairs."This talk will be the first of his engagements since returning to active campaigning. This talk is a unique opportunity not to be missed." Carnie said.

Where: C1 lecture theatre, University of Canterbury

When: 5pm - 6pm, 6 March 08

Donation: Gold coin at the door toward student club expenses

Press Contact: Andy Moore, andy@equipbiz.co.nz, 021 1140751

Boscawen in Canta

2008-03-05T10:50:00.004+13:00

Today's University of Canterbury Student Union magazine, Canta, has their political reporter, Hayden Munro, interviewing activist John Boscawen.

John Boscawen, as ACT On Campus well know, has been a leader in the public back-lash against the controversial Electoral Finance Act. This new law, takeing effect from Janurary 1 this year, created serious concerns about free-speech.

Mr Boscawen gets his points over well in the interview. As he says in this interview, Boscawen has essentailly done nothing more than lend extra voice to "the submissions and objections of the NZ Human Rights Commission."

Here's an extract from the final question:

Q: Do you have plans for future opposition to the EFA?

A: I have plans to run a nationwide campaign for the repeal of the Electoral Finance Act. I am working on a plan involving marches, protests and demonstrations throughout New Zealand this year. The first of these occurred at the Green Party's "Picnic for the Planet" on Waiheke Island in Janurary, and there was a silent protest in the public gallery of Parliament last week. The first protest march this year will be held in Auckland on Sunday afternoon March 9. I will be also organising at least two marches in Christchurch, the first within the next two months and the second closer to the election.

Act On Campus members frequently find ourselves sharing Mr Boscawen's concerns, and were glad to have him along as our guest at our national retreat in Janurary. No doubt many of us will be interested in supporting his further efforts.

The ACT Knight in Canterbury

2008-03-04T17:20:00.008+13:00

Thursday, March 6th, the University of Canterbury is visited by Sir Roger Douglas.

This very special guest of Act On Campus Canterbury will speak to us about economic, social, and political life prior to the fourth Labour Government. This, the government of Prime Minister David Lange and Finance Minister Roger Douglas, changed the way we live, work, and play in New Zealand forever, setting society on a radically different pathway.

In order to understand present conditions in New Zealand, including this year's national elections, it is vital to appreciate the historic context. But Sir Roger is also at the leading edge of contemporary current affairs. The talk will be the first of his engagements since returning to active campaigning. This talk is a unique opportunity not to be missed.

Representatives from other clubs, including the Young Nats, Libertarianz, Greens, Labour, etc are also invited along to the talk. Likewise staff from the departments of economics and political science are invited.Gold coin donations to AoC will be collected at the door from the willing non-AoC affiliated guests.

- We look forward to your attending this Thursday, March 6th, 5-6pm, C1 theater

[note- AoC is seeking a larger venue than coms101. Be prepaired to be re-directed, probably to C1 or C3]

Sir Roger Douglas at Canterbury

2008-03-04T14:53:00.005+13:00

That's right.

AoC February

2008-02-27T16:08:00.000+13:00

Not one to re-write history, but I'm retroblogging these images from Act On Campus exploits. Today is March6th but I'm tampering with the date stamp.

Here we have ACT Deputy Leader, Heather Roy, looking a whole lot more attractive than Iain Lees-Galloway (Lees-Galloway is the candidate taking over from Steve Maharey as Labour's Palmerston North Candidate.)

This was at Massy's Palmerston North campus, which generated a great pool of interested people for new Act On Campus members to draw from.

And here's some from Canterbury, where Rodney Hide and I totally nailed Banks Peninsula MP David Carter and his Young Nats helper, Emmy. Nailed them at badminton, that was.

Top: Trent signing up new folk at Lincoln; Scott and I under the wings of Emmy the Nat

Middle: Metiria Turei up from Otago with her Greens. She’s nice, gentle voice. Don’t know about the new haircut. The Greens are cool people, “shame about the politics”; MPs Tim Barnett and Rodney Hide

Bottom: A good shot of the Labour table. Understand they typed up yesterday’s new memberships, printed that out, and added bugger-all to it today. Kinda funny; Libertarianz Ben Morgan and his girl Jess. A hard worker, all on his own and signing up lots of names despite being a hard-talking no-shit tactless (but all in good spirit) typical Libertarianz libertarian. Did I used to talk to people like that?

Otago's a bit quiet.
Expecting some shots to come out of Wellington and Auckland very soon.

ACT On Campus 2008

2008-01-29T20:14:00.000+13:00

Just finished with our annual retreat over the weekend and despite my best attempts have been landed with at least another year with ACT On Campus! When it came to nominations for President I thought I would throw my name in the ring, not realising that I would be the only one to do so.

As with last year my main goals are to increase membership as well as the involvement of our existing members. Being election year I have also made the somewhat ambitious 'pledge' that ACT On Campus will be one of the most energetic and active sections of the party throughout the campaign. When it came to the vote, I'm not sure if anyone has ever felt comfortable voting for themselves, so I decided to cast a vote of no-confidence against myself!

I was voted down.

On a more pleasing note the recently deported (from America) Rick Giles has joined AOC this year and was elected VP. Will be interesting to see if he does an LBJ and arranges for someone to assassinate me.

Campuses are also in the process of electing their own people, I think we can expect a huge presence in O-week across the country.

Altogether a good weekend with too many people to thank. Expect the website to be updated any month now.
Visit the ACT on Campus web site!

Rodney Hide on tax

2007-12-15T12:19:00.003+13:00

Rodney Hide speaks against the Electoral Finance Bill

2007-12-15T12:19:00.001+13:00

Heather Roy for Wellington Central

2007-11-23T08:23:00.000+13:00

As i'm sure most of you are probably already aware, last night ACT unveiled Heather Roy as the candidate for the Wellington Central electorate. The turnout was fantastic, and showed that Heather will have a strong team behind her as she seeks to dislodge Labour from the most politicised electorate in New Zealand. I've added a few photos below; firstly Wellington's ACT Board member Dave Moore announcing Heather as the candidate; second, Heather accepting the nomination; and thirdly, part of the crowd (that's a TVNZ camera in case you're wondering) which included a number of former MPs and a healthy contingent of ACT on Campus people. Underneath the photos is Heather's speech. I'll be uploading some videos over the next day or two (Heather's speech, Richard Prebble's speech etc) so keep an eye out. [New Videos can be found HERE]

Speech to ACT Wellington Candidate Launch; The Museum Hotel, Cable Street, Wellington; 6:30pm, Tuesday, November 22 2007

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for coming along this evening to be a part of our Wellington Central candidate announcement. I'm delighted to be contesting the Wellington Central seat for ACT in 2008 - without a doubt, the most interesting seat in the country.

There's a whiff of change in the political air, and this is likely to be a boisterous election campaign, both nationwide and in this electorate - who else has meetings like the infamous Aro Valley election meeting? I'm looking forward to that.

So it is that, fully prepared for a battle of dirty tricks, I put my name forward to represent an electorate that is effectively a political barometer for the rest of the country.

You might ask what it is that makes me the right person to take up ACT's cause in a high profile seat in a rough and tumble election - I'm sometimes described as 'too nice' for politics, and being nice doesn't bring media coverage.

The fact is that the personality politics of the past decade have been an inevitable consequence of the lack of debate over the real issues facing New Zealand. Labour has become a status-quo Party, and National has openly taken positions that are the same as, or similar to, Labour's. Of late we've witnessed a vacuum around important issues like the lack of economic growth and terrible domestic violence cases - instead, attacks on individual performances have taken priority. In times of genuine crisis such trivia as Trevor Mallard's romantic interests should take up much less attention. The lack of any real debate on New Zealand's future direction allows ideological parties like ACT to prosper as the electorate inevitably looks for fresh new ideas and vision.

I have a heavy personal stake in future policy for New Zealand: I have five children, and want them to be able to pursue their chosen careers without having to leave New Zealand. I want them to travel the world as I did - but I want New Zealand, their home, to be a viable option for them; one that competes favourably with the other opportunities that will come their way.

As I prepare to contest this election it distresses me to think that many parents I talk to seemed resigned to the fact that, if successful, their children will probably leave the country. It is this resigned acceptance of polite decline that I want to tackle. When Mrs Thatcher became British Prime Minister she was determined to arrest Britain's decline and she did. Some might say she grasped the nettle too firmly, but she successfully reversed Britain's relative economic decline. Here in New Zealand the Labour Government of 1984 used the balance of payments crisis to tackle our fundamental problem of excessive State intervention in the economy.

New Zealanders must re-capture a sense of urgency for change - the only alternative is slow relative decline and loss of skills as people leave the country because, in a global economy, people can vote with their feet as well as at the ballot box.

While it's often said that Wellington Central has the most educated population in New Zealand, these 'well educated' are precisely the people whose children are likely to end up in Sydney, London or Los Angeles. I spoke recently to a woman who had four adult children, the closest was in Sydney - so at 60, she was an orphan!
As ACT's Wellington Central candidate you might like to know a little more about Heather Roy the person. Know what has shaped me into the politician standing before you.

I'm 43 and am joined this evening by my husband Duncan, a doctor at Hutt Hospital, and a selection of my children - those who didn't have a better offer tonight!
Looking back, I had a typical Kiwi upbringing: the eldest of six children, born in the small rural town of Palmerston in Otago. I know ACT is castigated as the Party of the rich, but my parents certainly weren't that: my father left school in the Fourth Form and had a number of jobs while I was growing up; my mother was a Plunket nurse before becoming a full-time mother; I shared a bedroom with my two sisters - who perpetually complained that I read too late and that they couldn't get to sleep with the light on. My own daughters often feel that they are cruelly put upon because they share a room. My parents worked hard to provide us with extras like music lessons. I attended the local primary and secondary schools - no choice available but, like most of us, I had some teachers to whom I owe a lot to and others I struggle to remember at all. My most inspiring teacher later went on to become president of the PPTA. Fortunately politics wasn't present in the classroom or, goodness knows, I wouldn't be standing here now. Instead, she has instilled in me a life-long love of literature. My sporting passion was netball and, although not the best player in my senior team, I was proud to have been picked as captain. I confess to having struggled more with the Silver Ferns recent loss to Australia than with the All Blacks World Cup performance. At school I also became an enthusiastic tramper and climber, and remained so until I met my husband.

My career path has been a little unusual in its course. I left school to study Physiotherapy in Dunedin and, as I left, my mother cautioned me against marrying a doctor on account of the long hours they work - I gave Mum's advice the weight accorded by most 18-year-olds. Duncan and I spent three years in the UK where he completed his post-graduate study and I got the very best experience at Stoke-Mandeville Hospital, an international centre of excellence in the treatment of Spinal Injuries. Even there, New Zealand physios were well-regarded for our high-quality training and work ethic - in fact, all Kiwis benefit from this reputation.

We moved back to New Zealand - Timaru - just as the stock market was crashing in 1987. I juggled bringing up small children with a bit of physio work, medical research work and managing my kids' private kindergarten. Then, in 1996 when ACT contested that first MMP election, Duncan and I became politically active - inspired by those values ACT has always promoted: freedom, choice and greater prosperity for all Kiwis. I contested the 1999 election and almost got into Parliament - but that had to wait until 2002.

We became Wellingtonians in 2000, moving from the South Island for my husband's career. This is a move that has worked out well for me. I took to Wellington like a duck to water, working for a time as publicity officer for the New Zealand Portrait Gallery. The first thing that struck me about Wellington is that people drive politely, frequently giving way when not legally required to do so - that doesn't often happen elsewhere. More importantly, I found that Wellingtonians judge you for you - who your parents were doesn't cut much ice, and what school you went to is of peripheral interest.

Wellingtonians were also very tolerant when I stood for the Western Ward of the Wellington City Council in 2001 - a slightly cheeky bid when I'd only lived here for a short time. But, as I campaigned, people were more interested in the fact that I had a good grasp of local issues and that I'd voice their concerns around the Council table; I missed out by just 34 votes. I'd decided when I had children that I would always do one unpaid community activity at any given time - something that has frequently stretched to several voluntary jobs at once. With children attending three different Wellington Central schools - as well as cricket, soccer and running clubs - there's plenty of choice, and any number of fundraising activities to assist with. My major effort over the past seven years has been my role of Gala Convenor for the Karori Normal School Gala. Leading the team of enthusiastic parents to help raise our local school over $40,000 on a Saturday every October is extremely rewarding and great fun. Wellington Central communities of interest are strong and combine to make our city a great place to live.

In keeping with this, last year I fulfilled a long-time dream of joining the New Zealand Army as a territorial soldier. While Territorial's do receive payment, I donate all of mine to the RSA. I belong to 5 Wellington West Coast Taranaki Battalion Group and am a Field Engineer. I enjoy my training weekends enormously - it is very different from my day job and keeps me in touch with 'real kiwis'. I'm frequently asked what it is I learnt from my Basic Training experience. The answer is simple: teamwork, discipline, leadership and pride. Not bad principles to apply to life, and principles I know are valued by the hard-working people of Wellington Central. I immediately felt at home in Wellington with its concentration on education, focus on the arts - as well as sport - culture of promotion on merit, and absence of a thug culture. ACT values are Wellington Central values. People believe in the importance of choice, diversity, a level playing field, taking responsibility, and looking after those less fortunate.

Wellington Central is the electorate in which I live, and the one I want to represent. It is the best educated electorate in New Zealand. While it is the wealthiest, it is income rich, not asset rich.

Under a Labour MP Wellington Central is taken for granted by this Labour-led Government. The result has been an obvious lack of investment in infrastructure. This is also true of the wider Wellington region - with all Labour MPs - barring Labour's supporter Peter Dunne, making up a sea of red - which routinely misses out on important central government investment. As such, Wellington's poor economic performance compared to the nationwide average is no surprise. There was a lot of controversy over the motorway bypass, but it was never intended to stop in the middle of the city - the money ran out just before the 1975 election, when then Works Minister Hugh Watt diverted his remaining budget to Auckland's spaghetti junction (co-incidentally smack bang in the middle of his own marginal electorate). Some things, you might conclude, don't change.

Wellington Central will continue to be overlooked as long as it is taken for granted as a safe Labour seat. If you really want to be noticed, then it is necessary to be a marginal seat. Wellington Central was best served when former ACT Leader Richard Prebble was its local MP - Richard won the seat because he took the people seriously and battled on their behalf.

I intend to do the same - telling people what to do is insulting and patronising; it is listening to them, and campaigning for them, that is important. It is through living in Wellington Central, and listening to people, that has given me a true insight into what Wellingtonians need and want; about what issues are affecting them and what THEY - not the Government - feel is important. Issues like roading - notably inner-city congestion and the ongoing saga of Transmission Gully; infrastructure; the environment; public transport; rates; spending and leadership; crime ... the list goes on.

As part of my Wellington Central campaign, I am also launching a new website, http://www.roy.org.nz/. At this site you will be able to see what I have been doing both in Parliament and around Wellington Central - as well as what I plan to do, and ways in which you can take part. The website also has a brief rundown on my campaign team, giveaways and allows you to let me know what issues you feel are important to the electorate and the region as a whole.

This electorate deserves an MP that is one of the people. Above all, Wellington Central deserves to choose its MP from a fair and broad field. I intend to promote that race by giving Wellington Central voters an enthusiastic and able choice. We in ACT like nothing better than competition.
Ladies and gentlemen: let the competition begin.

Visit the ACT on Campus web site!

ACT Wellington Central Campaign candidate launch

2007-11-22T11:39:00.000+13:00

I'm sure most ACT on Campus people in Wellington have probably heard about this, but if not, you're all invited to ACT's unveiling of our Wellington Central candidate for next year's election. For those of you too young to remember, ACT held the seat from 1996-1999 when boundary changes swung the seat to Marian Hobbs. Next year we intend to put in a strong campaign, and wrest the seat back from Labour. More info below...

INVITATION to
ACT Wellington Central Campaign Launch

ACT will be contesting the Wellington Central constituency next year and campaigning hard to return the seat to our ledger. Join Hon. Richard Prebble, ACT Party President Garry Mallett and Heather Roy MP in unveiling our candidate for the 2008 Election.

The launch will be held in the Senna Room (ground floor) of the Museum Hotel, Cable Street, Wellington at 6.30pm on Thursday 22nd November.

Bring along your friends and help us celebrate over a glass of bubbly the start of ACT's campaign in Wellington Central.

Visit the ACT on Campus web site!

Wellington's Electoral Finance protest march

2007-11-21T20:14:00.000+13:00

Given it was a weekday, I have to say i'm very happy with the turnout for today's protest against the Electoral Finance Bill in Wellington. While we were never going to match the numbers Auckland had over the weekend (over 2000), we had several hundred turn out in the capital today.

TV1 ran the story this evening, and if you'd like to see extended coverage, i've uploaded a few videos I took today to YouTube. Will add another couple over the next day or two.

Marching down Lambton Quay
Entering the grounds of Parliament
David Farrar addressing the crowd
Stephen Franks addressing the crowd
Gordon Copeland addressing the crowd

Also, here's a photo I took of honorary ACT on Campus member Rick Giles. Click to enlarge...

Visit the ACT on Campus web site!

Hear our voices

2007-11-19T19:30:00.000+13:00

Wednesday 21st November will be Wellington's chance to march against the Electoral Finance Bill. Heavily criticised by the Human Rights Commission, the Bill was so poorly drafted the Law Society in an unusual move called for it to be dumped entirely. Unfortunately, the Labour Party, with support from the usual suspects (Winston First, United and the Greens) are set to push this assault on our fundamental right to free speech through Parliament before Christmas.

A protest against this action occurred in a most democratic way on Saturday - more than 2000 Mums, Dads, children and grandparents marched down Auckland's Queen St demanding their Government listen.

Substantial advertising will be taking place in the next couple of days to alert New Zealanders to the dangers of this fascist piece of legislation. You too can have your voice heard by turning up at lunchtime this Wednesday.

Protest March starts at Civic Square,outside Town Hall. Assemble midday.

March commences at 12.30 along Lambton Quay to Parliament grounds.

Speakers: John Boscawen (Organiser), Garth McVicar and Bob McCroskrie.

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Solidarity!

2007-11-17T11:01:00.000+13:00

It's great to hear that a large number of the ACT on Campus folk in Auckland are marching against the Electoral Finance Bill today. The march, organised by John Boscawen (who has also taken the Attorney General to the High Court for his failure to inform the House of the Bill's inconsistency with the Bill of Rights Act) kicked off from the Auckland Town Hall at 10.30 this morning (we expect photos people!!). The Wellington march will be taking place on Wednesday to coincide with Parliament sitting. The Electoral Finance Bill could come up as early as next week so it's important we have a good turnout to show the PM and her poodles that this isn't just a "beltway" issue.

So, get those placards ready and start practising those chants...
"1, 2, 3, 4, we don't want your fascist law"
"The people, united, will never be defeated"

Ok, perhaps not that last one.

UPDATE: 12.30- NewstalkZB and the NZHerald are reporting a crowd of at least 2000 took part in the Auckland march.

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Pub meeting with Heather Roy MP

2007-10-30T08:25:00.000+13:00

All Wellington-based ACT on Campus members and supporters are invited this evening to a Pub meeting with ACT Deputy Leader Heather Roy MP. Here you'll have a chance to catch up on all the Parliamentary goss, find out a bit more about our strategy leading into the all-important election next year, and of course have a few drinks. We'll also be showing people around our new out of Parliament office on the corner of Lambton Quay and Woodward St.

When- From 5.30pm, Tuesday 30 October
Where- Feathers Tavern, Featherston St, Wellington CBD

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Big Day Out- ACT on Campus style

2007-10-12T08:22:00.000+13:00

ACT on Campus Essay winner Cameron Loughlin was in Wellington yesterday, spending a day in and around Parliament and learning more about the role of an MP from ACT leader Rodney Hide.

Following a slightly delayed flight (in Wellington?! Who would have thought!!) and a quick lunch with Rodney, it was off to the Commerce Select Committee to hear submissions on the Regulatory Responsibility Bill.

A quick tour of the ACT Parliamentary offices by ACT's quasi-receptionist was followed by a proper tour of the Parliamentary complex. Question Time was next up, with a good example of why one shouldn't vote National or Labour. While the four MMP parties will happily debate policy, the two older parties are content to get bogged down in personal insults, and who can scream the loudest. Yesterday National was a clear winner on both counts. Whoop-de-doo.

Last on the list of activities lined up by the ACT on Campus team was a meeting with Roger Kerr, head of the Business Roundtable. By all accounts it was the highlight of the day. A quick trip to the iconic Wellington establishment the Backbencher to ended an eventful day, before Cameron flew back to Tauranga in the evening.

Cameron and ACT leader Rodney Hide in the ACT Caucus room

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BZP...washed down with a little dihydrogen monoxide

2007-09-14T11:56:00.000+12:00

Well done to ACT on Campus members Michael Earley and Ben Smith, and Will Seal for catching out National's resident anti-BZP campaigner Jacqui Dean. She isn't the first MP to fall for the dihydrogen monoxide prank. Several years ago Prebble's Rebels (the predecessor of ACT on Campus) fooled the office of Green MP Sue Kedgley, something which the National Party dined out on for weeks. Sweet justice perhaps that one of their own should suffer a similar fate. Of course, such a thing would never happen in ACT's parliamentary offices. For one, the staffers (and MPs) are far too diligent (not to mention intelligent) for such an obvious hoax. Secondly, ACT's policy on dihydrogen monoxide (and other similarly innocuous chemical substances) has always been one of personal choice.

For a perfect example of this, I really can't go past Rodney Hide's speech to the House on the first reading of the Misuse of Drugs (Classification of BZP) Amendment Bill...

RODNEY HIDE (Leader -- ACT): It is very interesting to follow first of all Nandor Tanczos from the Green Party and then Judy Turner from the United Future party. It is interesting to compare the approaches, because within the two approaches I think we see the two extremes on this bill. I have to say that the ACT party stands firmly beside the Green Party’s position. Let me just explain what Judy Turner’s position is. She and her party declared themselves here today to be prohibitionists, because she said that if we knew then what we know now, we would have banned alcohol and tobacco. What I like about Judy Turner and United Future’s position is that they are at least consistent. She says we should do is ban all new things that could hurt us, and once it is assumed by the *State that they are OK and Judy Turner says that they are OK, then people would be allowed to use them. So in Judy Turner’s conception, there would be no alcohol, there would be no tobacco, there would probably be no sugar, there would probably be no ice cream --

Hone Harawira: No rugby.

RODNEY HIDE: -- certainly no rugby, and probably not a lot of fun, because we would have the “fun police” banning anything that might have some element of risk.

R Doug Woolerton: What a load of rubbish this is!

RODNEY HIDE: I could not agree with Doug Woolerton more that this bill is a load of rubbish.

Hon Clayton Cosgrove: Tell that to the mums and dads.

RODNEY HIDE: Well, Mr Clayton Cosgrove says I should tell that to the mums and dads. It is a very instructive thing that Mr Cosgrove came down to this House, as he was going to solve the problem of boy racers with legislation. So we got ourselves all into a fury, and I think it was the ACT party and the Green Party that voted against that, too.
We warned the Minister then that passing legislation would not deal with the problem. Let me tell Mr Cosgrove, Mr Woolerton, and the mums and dads who are listening that we will not solve the drug problem in this Parliament. We will not solve the problem through prohibition. We will not solve the problem by passing laws. Mr Woolerton well knows, I think, that more harm is done by alcohol and tobacco than by party pills. More harm is done, and they are sitting there, banning something because of a perceived problem and because Judy Turner says that the horse has already bolted on alcohol and tobacco. But here is the real problem. Judy Turner went on to say that the Green Party goes on about people getting arrested and she asked whether that was the reason we should not have laws against violence. Actually, we have laws against violence because that is an infringement of other people’s rights. But for people who are taking benzylpiperazine or who are having a cigarette or drinking some alcohol, the damage they are doing is, in the main, to themselves and not to another human being, and there is a fundamental difference between the two.

Hon Member: Have a look at road deaths.

RODNEY HIDE: Well, road deaths are the same. That is why we have road rules, and that is why the ACT party supports road rules. Here is the next point. This Government -- and, indeed, the previous National Government was worse -- could not keep drugs out of our jails. We have people locked up, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, under heavy surveillance, and we cannot keep the drugs out. Yet we are sitting here in Parliament passing a law as though we can somehow keep drugs out of our streets, out of our pubs, and out of our communal places.

Hon Clayton Cosgrove: Live and let live.

RODNEY HIDE: I think that to live and let live is not a bad place to start, I say to Mr Cosgrove. It is better than having a policy of saying that we do not like it, so let us ban it and lock up anyone who disagrees with us. In fact, let us go further, I say to Mr Cosgrove, and say that if anyone even has a political disagreement with us, we should ban that person as well. We could say we will ban the party pills and we will ban political debate because they do not suit us. We could say that any people who disagree, who say that people might have some rights and responsibilities, and who say that they would rather live in a society where people had some choices apart from what the Government chooses, including the choice to make mistakes, should be banned. I am looking at Mr Woolerton. He has made a few.

Hon Clayton Cosgrove Why have laws, then -- why have any laws?

RODNEY HIDE: Is it not a surprising thing that I hear a Minister of the Crown calling across the House: “Why have rules?”.

Hon Clayton Cosgrove: Because many rules don’t stop people doing wrong, do they?

RODNEY HIDE: Let me explain to Mr Cosgrove why we have rules and why we do not legislate for everything. We have rules in order to protect people’s rights and to uphold the rights of citizens in a free State. That is why we have rules, that is why we have a State, that is why we have a court system, and that is why we have police. We do not have rules to stop people in expressing their political views, to stop people taking risks, or to stop people making terribly stupid mistakes, because that is part of being an adult and a responsible human being. We cannot sit here in this House and legislate away all harm, as this Government thinks it can. We cannot actually legislate for good behaviour, but we can legislate in a way that protects people’s basic rights. I have to say that when we go beyond that, then I think that this Parliament overreaches itself. It suggests, somehow, that the Government and this Parliament are the solution to problems that we cannot solve.
Are we going to live in a society that says that this Parliament will decide all risk, that this Parliament will decide what is right and wrong, and that if Parliament has not banned it, it is OK to use -- which is exactly what Judy Turner’s position was. I abhor drugs, actually. I do not understand why anyone would want to take any, as I think that the most wonderful thing in the universe is the human mind because of what it can grasp, comprehend, and conceive. I do not know why anyone would want to be taking drugs and playing with it. But my mind also says to me that we are barking up the wrong tree in thinking somehow that we can pass a law and ban party pills, and that prohibition will somehow work. I find it astonishing that in the year 2007 we have, with Judy Turner, a serious political party that is saying: “Oh well, you know, if we had our time again we would ban alcohol and cigarettes, and we would ban a whole number of things; it is just that at the time we didn’t think of it.” I have to say that that is not the sort of society I think that New Zealanders want to live in. I think that New Zealanders want to live in a society where they do have some freedom, that coming along with that freedom is some responsibility, and that it is not Parliament or Government that decides how they should live, what they should take, and what risks are acceptable to them. I look around this House and, from what I know of members, I know that we all went through a stage of being young once, of experimenting with things, and of taking risks. It is actually called growing up. But do we in this House somehow think that we can pass a law that will stop young people from experimenting and trying different things? What I truly despise about this law is that it wraps up all drugs as being the same, and I think that that is the terrible message this law is sending our young people. But the message I have for the mums and dads of New Zealand, I tell Mr Cosgrove, is that all drugs are not the same, and I fear for young people. I am afraid that I know people who have had the experience where they have tried drugs this Parliament has banned, and have said: “Well, that wasn’t so bad. That didn’t kill me. What Parliament and the Government said about that drug isn’t true.”, and they have gone on to try other drugs. So I believe that we are doing a harm with this legislation -- we are not doing good.

Hon Clayton Cosgrove: Doctors disagree with you.

RODNEY HIDE: Well, it is all right, I tell Mr Cosgrove. This is Parliament and he is allowed to disagree. It is also the case that we are also allowed to explain our view -- to explain why the ACT party is opposing this bill and voting against it. Thank you.

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Students Take On VUWSA Muppets

2007-09-10T21:36:00.000+12:00

Press Release: A-Team

Victoria University students now have a reason to vote in September's Student Association elections.

Twelve Victoria University students today announced their intention to stand as a united ticket for the troubled student association VUWSA, promising a different style of student politics and advocacy.

Led by Presidential candidate Lukas Schroeter, and Vice-Presidential nominees Anna Duggan (Welfare) and Mike Bridge (Education) the A-Team's key policies include:
* A refund – the A-team plans to give a $25 refund to every full time student, to be funded by eliminating unnecessary expenditure.
* Advocacy – the A-Team will be a strong advocate for course quality and will assist individual students' needs.
* Accountability –the A-Team will be demonstrably accountable to all students via a code of ethics and a stricter financial management policy.

“Victoria students deserve better than an executive that is an embarrassment to them and the university” Presidential Candidate Lukas Schroeter said today.

Given the embarrassing antics by the incompetent Muppets of recent years, the A-Team offers Victoria students a real, unified alternative. The A-Team offers an end to irresponsible financial practices, the vandalising of student property, 0900 scandals and unfounded attacks on Salient.

“The A-Team will restore mana to VUWSA's 103 year history. The A-Team is here to serve Victoria students. Above all we will turn VUWSA into an association that students are once again proud to be members of", Lukas concluded.

Visit the A-Team website at www.a-team.org.nz.

ENDS

Clock is ticking!

2007-08-08T15:42:00.000+12:00

Submissions for Rodney Hide's Regulatory Responsibility Bill close on Friday the 10th of August. I would urge those of you who have not already made a submission to do so before the opportunity is lost.
Making a submission is easy. To make an online submission all you need to do is go to www.parliament.govt.nz and follow the links to the select committee submission page.

The Bill is a once in a lifetime opportunity to streamline New Zealand's lawmaking process. All existing and new laws would be subject to reporting requirements ensuring that laws are consistent with basic principles.

Essentially it will not prevent the government from passing stupid laws rather it will require the government to inform the public why they are passing a stupid law. The Bill will ensure that legislation is subject to the same transparent processes that apply to government spending.

The Fiscal Responsibility Act did not prevent the government from running irresponsible defecits, it merely stated that the budget process had to be transparent. The act has effectively turned New Zealand's legacy of bad fiscal management into one of responsible management.

The Regulatory Responsibility Bill is an opportunity to do the same for the way our government passes laws.

Regardless of one's political persuasion, having a government that is open and accountable to its people is a basic expectation. The passing of this Bill will help fulfill this expectation.

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Climate Change Debate

2007-08-05T22:58:00.000+12:00

The youth wings of parties from across the political spectrum took part in the eco-week climate change debate at Victoria University on Thursday. Youth reps from ACT On Campus, the Young Nats, Young Labour and Greens@Vic debated "Why their party has the best solutions to the climate change challenge".
You will almost never hear me say this but both VUWSA and Greens@Vic should be congratulated for organising the event. It is always great when people who have vast differences of opinion are able to debate and discuss issues in a fun and constructive environment.
Needless to say my advocacy of nuclear power, deregulation, the abolition of industrial subsidies and allowing the free market to take care of the rest did not go down especially well with some in the audience. In fact there were even some ACT supporters who cringed at one or two of my points!
The favourite part of the debate for me was when Heather Roy MP was invited to speak. The Young Labour rep objected to an MP being allowed to speak at a Student debate, despite MPs from all parties having been invited (none of the Labour MPs bothered to turn up!). It was put to a vote by the audience and an overwhelming sea of hands voted to listen to Heather, who then gave a brilliant speech.
A fun event and many thanks to those who helped to organise.

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Harry & Hermione

2007-08-01T16:56:00.000+12:00

Chinese readers could not wait for the official release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” the much anticipated seventh and concluding book in the series, a little more than a week ago. And they did not have to.

A book with the same title came out a full 10 days before the official worldwide
English-language release on July 21 — a wholly unauthorized version that bears nothing in common with the instant best seller written by J.K. Rowling.

Very resourceful

Somewhere I have a photocopy from a LAWS 353 coursebook of a journal article dated a few years back which claimed that chinese pirates had already written the final book. In it JRR Tolken's Gandalf the wizard was transposed into the story, and Harry & Hermione pursued a decidedly non-platonic relationship.

Which brings me around to the phenomenon known as 'fan ficton'. Apparently not only pirates sit around to write their own books. Ordinary 'fans' sit around and write alternative endings and books too!

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Stuff Poll (?)

2007-07-27T12:04:00.000+12:00

Hot on the hells of David Benson-Pope's resignation as a cabinet minister, this stuff poll has emerged with the question "Are you glad that David Benson-Pope has resigned from Cabinet?"

The choices "Yes, he made the right decision" and "No, he should have been fired"

What about those that think "No, he shoud have held on" ?

Ah, the media at work.

UPDATE: this video of DBP at Dunedin airport shows an odd way of handling the press.

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We all live a yellow submarine... doo dah... doo dah...

2007-07-27T10:18:00.000+12:00

In a world of shrinking resources and masses of people extremely short of resources surely there are better things that we can do than promote policies such as these to run extremely inefficient public services.

Posts like this...
What is Russel thinking?

Is it more efficient to travel by boat rather than submarine? Which is closer to carbon neturality? The things don't have nuclear weapons do they?

I cannot see why anyone would be envious of someone else having a submarine, anyway. Not a very good way to beat the envy drum methinks. Cars usually work better for that task.

Interesting...

A bit like this article

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Winston R Peters

2007-07-27T10:15:00.000+12:00

On the Right has found that a great video has ended up on YouTube.

You should watch it.

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gggggggggggggggg

2007-07-26T20:57:00.000+12:00

Japan’s Leader Attacked by His Own Party

I have been following DJ Mitchell’s series of posts on getting his car registered [US].

This is funny too. It starts

“In a new wave of shock confessions by members of the Cabinet yesterday, Ruth Kelly admitted that she had once experimented with dropping litter, Alan Johnson revealed that, in his youth, he had told an untruth about chewing gum, and Alistair Darling, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, acknowledged that on two occasions he had giggled inappropriately at school assembly, but hadn't enjoyed it.”

We need more media commentary like that here in NZ!

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The digested read - The Blair Years by Alastair Campbell

2007-07-22T14:25:00.000+12:00

Just brilliant and courtesy of the Guardian

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Ross Parish Essay Competition

2007-07-20T11:28:00.000+12:00

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Stop the press... someone burgled John Key's house two weeks ago!

2007-07-18T18:33:00.000+12:00

Was this story given to the press to make him look Prime Ministerial? Or to highlight a crime problem?

What the press coverage highlighted for me...
- "mansion" (x 20)
- "world class security" (x 20)
- "expensive jewellery and watches."
- "he was a little tardy when it came to putting his valuables into a safe.”
- “Mr Key, who owns six homes in this country...”

Hmm...

UPDATE: This from mccully.co

Riches at Last, Thanks to TVNZ
What will it be? A large sheep station in the South Island? A villa in the South of France? Or maybe a small island in the South Pacific? If it works out really well, possibly all of the above. Yes, this is the vast vista of personal enrichment that now awaits the humble Member for East Coast Bays. All of it courtesy of the nation’s state broadcaster, TVNZ.

It happened like this: the Breakfast programme on TV1 this Wednesday decided to carry, during several bulletins, an item about the recent burglary at the Parnell home of National Party leader John Key. Being the cheapskates they are, the item consisted of a spoken text by the newsreader over wallpaper file footage of Mr Key’s Auckland residence. So far, so good.
The item made reference to the fact that the thieves had taken watches and a collection of jewellery. And then ended by stating that Mr Key blamed drug users for the break-in.

Unfortunately, at these points, the wallpaper pictures TVNZ selected for the purposes of illustration were file pictures of the humble Member for East Coast Bays exiting the iron security gate at the Key Parnell establishment, carrying his customary large briefcase, obviously stuffed to the brim with drugs, watches and Key family jewellery.

It must be noted here that no full frontal picture of said humble Member was displayed. And, being busily employed in his customary menial early morning tasks, said Member did not witness the item himself. But suffice to say, a range of calls from interested parties quickly acquainted him with the fact that he had been so notoriously depicted. The unmistakeably majestic, even regal bearing, apparently an obvious giveaway. A fact compounded by regular previous use of the same footage by TVNZ (taken on the weekend prior to the last National Party leadership change). That was bad enough. A telephone call to said Member from Mr Key himself enquiring as to the prospect of certain watches and jewellery being returned was the clincher.

The defamation experts at the worldwide headquarters of mccully.co were quickly assembled. The verdict was rapid. Phrases like “open and shut,” “lay down misere”, “pants around their ankles” and “small castle in the South of France” rang assertively in the air. But all of this was of little solace to one who has so little interest in worldly possessions or personal comforts and has, instead, devoted himself to the selfless service of the public.

So yes, large monetary penalties must now be extracted. Not for personal gain, you understand, but to ensure that lessons are learned at the headquarters of the state broadcaster. But such material considerations are trifling. Now the formidable minds at the worldwide headquarters are focused upon the much more important question: just what sort of expression of remorse, regret and apology would suffice in such serious circumstances?

All manner of options are currently, as they say, under review: TVNZ being required to fund a lavish apology luncheon at Ponsonby’s Prego restaurant, at which former news editor Bill Ralston might be the designated host, perhaps (usual outside corner table, I think, Bill) . Or even a “Fair Go” item retailing the Corporation’s egregious and unforgivable misdemeanour. Current favourite is a simple, peak hour, to camera apology, read by TVNZ chief executive Rick Ellis, with his knickers on his head. But no final decisions will, of course, be reached, until readers have had their say. Your contributions please.

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Reminder of Act Wellington Regional Conference

2007-07-07T08:15:00.000+12:00

Just a reminder of the ACT Wellington Regional Conference today 11 to 4 at the top of Museum Hotel, Cable Street.
Speakers include peakers: Colin James (political commentator), Richard Prebble, Rodney Hide, Heather Roy, Garry Mallet

If you have forgotten to RSVP, no problems turning up.

Also cothe conference dinner is at the Backbencher - a few tickets are still avaliable. Three course meal and Kerry Prendergast, Mayor of Wellington speaking after dinner. Again no problem if you forgot to register.

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...

2007-07-05T22:01:00.000+12:00

It seems someone likes the environment too much. Herein lies the problem of naming your children after yourself !

Time has a good photo essay of JFK's presidential campaign

A few interesting economics puzzles.

A bizzare article about John Edwards hair

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In on the act

2007-07-03T19:11:00.000+12:00

Following in the heels of the Stuff On the House 'blog' the Herald have hastily got in on the act with their own ‘blog’.

Funny that

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Whoops...

2007-07-02T16:58:00.000+12:00

Newstalk ZB

Prime Minister Helen Clark says Mr Hide approached his office several weeks ago seeking a discussion. She says her response was "her door was always open."

Miss Clark says Mr Hide has explained his party's repositioning and its desire not to be seen as a footstool to the National Party. (emphasis added)

The BBC are reporting that Brown is to present plans to reform the Commons this week. Constitutional issues such as these are of great interest to me. Of more interest is the way they work in reality.

It'll be interesting to see what Mr Brown proposes.

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Question

2007-07-01T14:41:00.000+12:00

If anyone can understand what prompted this rant by Chris Trotter please let me know.

It seems to be one of his more strange pieces.

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Coverage of the beginning of Gordon Brown

2007-06-30T16:42:00.000+12:00

Three stories that sum up the days news -

What does Gordon really, really want?

Brown effect propels Labour to election-winning lead

From The blotter

And today's explosive device -- composed of five or six propane and butane cylinders as well as 33 gallons of gasoline, all rigged to detonate with calls
to two cell phones -- followed Barot's manual and the al Qaeda videos closely. Officials say the cell phones failed to initiate the explosions, even after each phone had been called twice, preventing a shrapnel-filled fireball from launching and killing people in the surrounding area.

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"Mayor Waits for IPhone, Then Leaves Line"

2007-06-30T16:01:00.000+12:00

What a headline!

Mayor John F. Street abruptly ended his wait in line for an iPhone Friday after a passer-by asked him about the city's murder rate. Street, who showed up outside an AT&T store at 3:30 a.m., left shortly after 22-year-old Larry West asked him, "How can you sit here with 200 murders in the city already?"

I have to say this iPhone hype is just too much - people are ringing up people in other countries on their new iPhones to brag about how great they are!

On another note be sure to follow the wash post series on Dick Cheney – it reminds me of that interview with johnkey over at getfrank when he is asked if Mccully was like New Zealand’s Dick Cheney.

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ACT on Campus Shirts

2007-06-29T14:48:00.000+12:00

ACT on Campus has just had its first batch of shirts printed. There are still a few left (M & L in navy blue and yellow).

If you would like to order, they are selling for $23.5 + $3.5 p&p for orders outside of Wellington.

Please send orders to LCSchroeter@yahoo.co.uk

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Ouch

2007-06-29T14:45:00.000+12:00

The Colin Espiner blog

My personal favourite amongst the bitter and twisted speeches was New Zealand First’s deputy leader and classic old duffer Peter Brown, who moaned that the media always got everything wrong and needed to be taken down a peg or two. He went on to argue that because in his youth, when he was loading ships on the wharfs, nobody had ever come and just photographed him, he didn’t see why they should be able to now. The fact that he was then a low-paid private citizen of no interest to anybody and working on private property, and is now a highly paid public citizen working in a public space (although admittedly still of very little interest to anyone) seemed to entirely escape him.

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The changing of the guard

2007-06-28T18:36:00.000+12:00

Or for something more satirical

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Lost

2007-06-28T18:26:00.000+12:00

54 million dollar law suit

This has been held up as an example of the ridiculousness of the american legal system.

You could have asked - what's next? www.republicansforobama.org ?

What a pity the frivolous litigant has been well and truly screwed.

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2007-06-28T18:07:00.000+12:00

Gordon Brown's first speech as Labour Leader

With almost 30 references to Change obviously someone is trying to distance themself from their past.

"For people wanting a stronger democracy, we will meet the challenge of change.
And we will govern for all the people of our country.
This week marks a new start
A chance to renew.
And I say to the people of Britain:
The new government I will lead belongs to you.
I will work hard for you.
I shall always try my utmost.
I am ready to serve. "

I have to say the spin is not as good as it was.

He has alot of work to do.

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I can see why some politicans would like all photography banned

2007-06-28T18:03:00.000+12:00

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The Wisdom Of Paris

2007-06-28T18:01:00.000+12:00

Time are being remotely funny for once.

Though I didn't notice the I at first!

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Fun Police

2007-06-28T17:33:00.000+12:00

Fun police plan to ban party pills.
Freedom lovers plan to keep fighting!

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Look at these headlines

2007-06-28T14:36:00.000+12:00

Vice President Dick Cheney's office refused to cooperate with an agency that oversees classified documents, then tried to abolish the office when it challenged the actions, House oversight committee Chairman Henry Waxman said.

Cheney: Neither Here Nor There?
Cheney Power Grab: Says White House Rules Don't Apply to Him
Dick Cheney says Dick Cheney is above the law
The Cheney Branch of Government
'Angler' For Power
The Method to Cheney's Madness
White House of Mirrors

Which is best?

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ACT On Campus Announces Essay Competition Winner

2007-06-27T23:06:00.001+12:00

ACT On Campus today announced that Tauranga Boys College student Cameron Loughlin has been selected as the winner of its inaugural 'Liberal Thinking' essay competition.

Cameron wrote about how high taxation harms the economy as well as individuals. He will receive an all expenses paid trip to Parliament where he will spend a day with ACT Leader Rodney Hide.

Rodney said, "It is great to see that so many young people are taking an increasingly active role in New Zealand politics. I am looking forward to meeting, and sharing views and perspectives with Cameron."

The 'Liberal Thinking' essay competition received around 70 entries from students across New Zealand . Runner up was Gaylene Hill who will receive an Ipod Nano for her efforts.

The final decision was made by John Ansell; a Wellington based freelance writer, professional speaker and advertiser. John can also lay claim to being the first to dub Wellington's stadium the 'cake tin'.

"The 'Liberal Thinking' competition has been a great opportunity for young people to have their say on the political process that affects them" said ACT On Campus President Mike Bridge. "Politics should be accessible to all young people."

Download the winner's essay (PDF 267kb)
Download the runner up's essay (PDF 173kb)

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Great Video!

2007-06-25T19:04:00.000+12:00

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Progressive Democrats

2007-06-17T21:18:00.000+12:00

The Economist has a brief over-view of Ireland’s newest coalition. Ireland's classical liberal party, the Progressive Democrats are back in government (despite the loss of many seats in the election) with Fianna Fáil and get this - the Greens.

The Greens leader Trevor Sargent is resigning the leadership, after his party members voted for the coalition with the PDs!

Can you imagine that happening with the Greens and Act here (both being the closest parallel's in NZ)?

Also if you’ve got a spare minute check out the Alastair Campbell blog - well worth a read, even if it is only designed to push books!

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"False Science"

2007-06-15T15:17:00.000+12:00

Arguments against travelling overseas or buying foreign food because of the carbon footprint are "idiotic" and not the way to tackle climate change, Helen Clark has said.

The Prime Minister, in Sydney on a week-long tour of Australia, said such arguments about the amount of carbon dioxide emitted through the use of
fossil fuels were "false science".

The Prime Minister is saying that food miles amount to “false science”. She is not however acknowledging that she has no idea whatsoever about what we could do about climate change, if it is even a problem at all. She doesn't know what causes changes in the climate. Do you?

Just one other funny thing in the Washington Times today -

Dick Collins, founder of the Dallas-based anti-Hillary "educational" group Stop Her Now, will fly a giant aerial banner over downtown Dallas this afternoon. The New York Democrat's plane is due to stop and refuel sometime during that period. "We want to make sure Senator Clinton receives a proper Texas welcome," Mr. Collins said. "Our mission is to follow Hillary across the country, exposing her liberal ideology. Senator Clinton makes this easy when she drops into our back yard."

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Tax The Old

2007-06-15T15:00:00.000+12:00

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/taxtheold/

In the UK, The PMs office has what is effectively a copy of e-petition.com. One recent petition reads

“Over 65's own huge houses worth 100 times more than they paid for them. They also tend to stay home all day consuming a disproportionate amount of resources. Double the council tax for this group and pass the savings on to people who are trying to get on the housing ladder”

You can see why petitions are so unpopular!

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Now this is funny.

2007-06-15T14:46:00.000+12:00

Saw this on FOX and just had to post it!

"I Got a Crush...On Obama" By Obama Girl...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKsoXHYICqU

http://www.obamagirl.com

Do you think we will have someone make a music video like this about John Key/Helen Clark anytime soon?
I'm undecided whether that would be good or bad!

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When something's not right it's wrong.

2007-06-14T18:52:00.000+12:00

As part of Tony Blair's farewell tour, the Telegraph have once again taken offence. This time to Tony Blair's comments on the media.

The Torygraph's take is here, admittedly in a highly rhetorical style.

Also check out this video on YouTube. Blast from the past that will be for some no doubt!

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20 years on

2007-06-14T18:42:00.000+12:00

I found this historical picture in this TIME photo essay particularly moving – it depicts two West Berlin Police officers helping an escapee over the wall.

CATO@Liberty have written that Canadian Journalists are aggrieved by Michael Moore’s latest film.

OJ Simpson is criticising the coverage of Paris Hilton's stint in Jail. That article is worth a read.

In the UK, it appears GCSE coursework is set to be modified – there will “controlled assessments” in which students will “still be expected to do some research at home, but writing up their conclusions will be under supervision at school”... so they can get their conclusions elsewhere, but just need to write them “under supervision at school”. Very emblematic. Not very smart.

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BZP Petition presented to Parliament

2007-06-14T13:30:00.000+12:00

To the casual observer, an odd sight descended on the front steps of Parliament today. Of course, to the trained eye (or more accurately, indoctrinated party hack), there is nothing at all strange about two politicians, united by their quest for personal freedom, coming together for a common cause. And so it was the case here, Heather Roy MP accepting on behalf of her Parliamentary colleagues, a Libertarianz/ACT on Campus petition calling on the House to keep BZP and BZP products a restricted (ie R18) substance, rather than banning it completely.

To do the Petition and it's aims justice, I can do no better than citing the words of the Petitioner, Dr Richard Goode-

"One in five New Zealanders has used BZP and they do it because they enjoy it. Banning BZP will deprive these people of a pleasurable, legal pastime," explained Dr. Goode, himself an occasional user of BZP 'party pills'. "Compared to other legal drugs, such as alcohol, tobacco and datura, BZP is a relatively sensible choice."
"Jumped up politicians like Jim Anderton and National's Jacqui Dean are simple killjoys motivated by the haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be having fun. They don't understand that what adults put into their own bodies is their own business - and no-one else's."
"The presentation of the Save BZP Petition will send a clear message to politicians: stop taking our freedoms, and stop treating us like children!"

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Update on the Act On Campus 'Liberal Thinking' Secondary Schools essay competition.

2007-06-13T19:48:00.000+12:00

As you may recall earlier this year Act On Campus launched the 'Liberal Thinking' essay competition

Entries have now closed and all entries have been copied and had personal information replaced with a unique identifier before being distributed to the group of markers. Because of the huge number of entries that have been recieved from all over New Zealand, from coast to coast, and from north to south, the markers will confer to draw up a short-list of the very best entries. These finalist essay's will be passed to the competition judge to select the winner.

And who is this judge? You'll just have to wait and see.

Entrants will recieve communication from Act on Campus in the near future letting them know their entry was recieved and is being considered, along with the revised date for the announcement of the Winners.

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Schedule Free life?

2007-06-12T19:03:00.000+12:00

There is a very interesting post over at Marginal Revolution.

Basically it suggests that it is genius not to keep a schedule. “If you pull it off -- and in many structured jobs, you simply can't -- this simple tip alone can make a huge difference in productivity.”

I disagree. Two reasons – one... very few people’s life is such that they can ‘pull it off ; and if you keep the right schedule; that is scheduled with the right people, in the right place, at the right time your productivity goes through the roof. So the skill is really managing the schedule.

The suggestor of this ‘idea’ (for want of a better word) suggests that “If I do a proper job of implementing this technique, then the people I work closest with and who depend on me the most are able to grab me on a moment's notice to make forward progress on anything they need.”. Invariably that wouldn’t happen – as someone else would have grabbed you first.

But it’s a nice idea.

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GOP survival strategy...google street view... Osama....Yes,Minister

2007-06-12T18:04:00.000+12:00

Fineman has a great article entitled “The Unsilent Treatment”.

Coming from someone always on the cutting edge of cutting people down, Gingrich's bombing run signals a new twist in the GOP's every-man-for-himself '08 survival strategy: it may not be enough to ignore Bush; you may need to attack him to prove your bona fides to the public at large. "It's not so much that he is an embarrassment, it's that there is an exhaustion," says Rich Galen, a GOP analyst who has worked for both of the Bushes and Gingrich. "People are tired of defending him."

Also going back a few weeks there is this article in Newsweek (which seems to have been written by the entire political news staff), about 'Hilary dirt'. The reason I'm mentioning this is that her campaign dismissed two such 'books' launched last week as "old news" and "cash for rehash". I'm going to remember that one!

A tory in the UK has been branded a "pompous oaf" for complaining that the provision of disabled car parks was 'disproportionate' and parking his car in the disabled spaces. Full story here.

Google Street View is great. Here's an article on it. Money could not buy the amount of coverage google are getting for this ‘innovation’. I wonder if it will make it to New Zealand.

ABC report that Thomas Potter of Olmsted Falls, Ohio used an online person search to find Osama Bin Laden. The first listing it turned up for the al Qaeda leader was at the Californian headquarters of FOX.

Potter is now trying to claim the US$25 million reward offered by the US government writing “I would like to know if the reward is tax free and if I could please receive it in cash."

"I am not a 9/11 conspiracy theorist," he says, "I just do not believe a word of the government's 9/11 conspiracy theory" -- Potter made his discovery this Sunday morning, as part of what he calls a years-long research effort to debunk the "official" version of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

This article “Days of Yes, Minister are numbered” by Denis MacShane also had me chuckling. From so many angles.

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Moody Boardroom

2007-05-29T14:01:00.000+12:00

What does this prove?

The Herald has run their annual “Mood of the Boardroom survey”. The findings that they saw fit to publish include only 4 % of CEOs believe Labour will still be in government after the next election and that 84 % “agreed with the proposition that the ‘Government had run out of steam’”. My question is this – so what?

Look at these suggestions for Labour from these CEOs that the Herald chose to publish....

* Move away from bureaucracy and welfare to lower (zero) tax for lower income earners.
* Be more willing to engage with the Opposition to deal with issues of significant importance to New Zealanders.
* Get some talent into the ministries and move out the wasters.
* Stop using global warming and iwi for political purposes.
* Give fewer public sector pay increases, sell more state-owned enterprise, and create clear lines of control for SOEs so they can get on with delivering results.
* Focus on the important issues.
* Take a tougher stand on those who do not contribute to society.
* Spend less, inject more accountability into health and education. Waste less on "politically correct nonsense" and policies demanded by MMP partners.

These pearls of wisdom can be split into 2 categories –
1) Steal this policy from another party [eg “inject more accountability into health and education”]. Despite the fact you have deliberately done the opposite for whatever reason now turn around and steal another parties policy.
2) Empty statements that mean nothing – “Focus on the important issues”, “Waste less on ‘politically correct nonsense’ and policies demanded by MMP partners”. Helpful suggestions. I make the analogy that after losing a race once I was told “If you’d just run a bit faster...”. How enlightening that is. As is telling the government to refuse to govern by refusing to accommodate any policies wanted by other parties.

For National they want them to -

* Be bold, show genuine leadership and courage. Have a sense of vision that encapsulates and plays to our New Zealand sense of identity. Don't expect quick
fixes but set some longer-term strategies
* Make statements of what it stands for and policies that are consistent with them - outline an ambitious vision for New Zealand.
* Show more positive policy options for the future rather than endless negativity about current policy. Engage in fewer petty personal attacks in Parliament and make a more constructive contribution.
* Demonstrate a united and qualified front bench - be active not reactive.

Again .....

One other thing – they might as well name the people they are quoting. I mean -

"The Government has become too cautious in its quest to retain power," said a transport company boss. "

Have a real go to get a fourth term, there is nothing to lose and everything to gain," said an international engineering firm head. "But put up clear policies - don't try and buy the fourth term."

It’s pretty easy to figure out who these people are.

What really is the value of the whole exercise?

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Minister commits suicide

2007-05-28T23:31:00.000+12:00

Time is reporting that Japan’s agriculture minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka has hung himself hours before he was to face questions in Parliament over his claiming US$236,600 in utility fees despite the fact his offices did not get charged utility fees.

Also while I remember, Bryce Edwards has a brilliant post on Chris Trotter.

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Dam

2007-05-28T22:33:00.000+12:00

The Telegraph is reporting that Alastair Campbell’s diaries will have Tony Blair’s profanity’s removed.

These diaries I think are going to be a revolution in Yes, Minister. But from another angle.

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How much toilet paper does Steve Maharey use?

2007-05-26T18:07:00.000+12:00

The BBC is reporting that their Freedom of Information Act (parallels with OIA here) has been used to ask 10 Downing Street “how much toilet paper was used, and a request made to Hampshire Police as to how many eligible bachelors were in the police force”. This gives rise to some ideas for some interesting requests..

One of the economist blogs is linking to an interesting story about Gordon Brown’s stance on foreign policy.

Vicki Woods in the Telegraph writes that ‘One Prime Minister is bad enough’ in regards to the long “handover” period of power.

Hilary Clinton has a new video up on YouTube where she purports to make fun of herself. I don’t rate it. But you make up your own mind.

And for those with too much time on their hands you can read people’s online confessions at Ivescrewedup.com . Amazing what the net is used for these days in'it.

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Maharey backtracks

2007-05-25T10:24:00.000+12:00

The New Zealand Herald is reporting that changes to the NCEA will be announced on Tuesday.

How many years have New Zealand students, teachers & parents had to put up with a system that is now admitted to have not been ready?

We're looking forward to seeing what changes are proposed!

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Junk Science?

2007-05-24T19:33:00.000+12:00

Remember this?

Out of Control has the story of how the ‘scientists’ measured the Wi-Fi signal from 100 times closer than the cellphone antenna.

Whoops.

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Sicko?

2007-05-24T12:09:00.000+12:00

Charlotte Higgins guardian blog has a review of US film-maker Michael Moore’s latest film ‘Sicko’...

Our own dear National Health Service also comes in for lavish praise. There's a articularly comic sequence in which Moore marches round Hammersmith hospital in London searching for the payments section. Eventually he finds the cashier's office: much mock incredulity ensues when he discovers its purpose is not to receive money from patients, but to pay out cash to those of them who cannot afford their travel expenses.

As usual - an interesting perspective he offers. We should look at the facts. In 2005 think-tank Reform published a report on the NHS [Large PDF] which projected a seven billion pound funding gap by 2010 unless the NHS improves it’s productivity. A funding gap means rationing by long waiting lists.

The Tories are running a campaign to fix the NHS.

I can't wait to see this film.

UPDATE: The CATO blog has some interesting comments on this movie too.

In other news...

The Anderson Cooper 360 blog has the story about United States Airforce planes that are used for things like congressional fact finding missions. Imagine if we had a fleet like that in New Zealand for MPs. The media would have a field day!

Here comes the story of a US government funded television channel in the middle east run by people that don’t speak Arbaic. Until recently it has been regularly playing terrorist messages “including an hour-long tirade on the importance of anti-Jewish violence”. Whoops.

FOX News is not impressed with John Edwards again. “..has an example to teach University of California at Davis students how to avoid poverty — charge $55,000 for a speech.”

UK Tories leader David Cameron has a point when he says that their internal argument over grammar schools is a “key test” as to if they are “an aspiring party of government" or a "right-wing debating society".

The New Zealand police have moved to charge Taito Philip Field. All makes the Ingram inquiry (some would say smoke-screen) look rather wasteful. Dragging all this out has been unfair on all involved - including Mr Field.

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Debate?

2007-05-23T14:14:00.000+12:00

The online magazine Slate have used their reader’s suggestions to put together an article on ways to improve presidential debates. Marginal Revolution have their own suggestions – my favourite is to have candidates conduct an orchestra.

If we think back to the 05 election - ignoring the rowdy partisan crowd of some debates, I always found the debates tried to cover too much in too short a time so the debates ended up being a shout-fest showcasing which candidates can talk over their opponent the best.

'Analysis' of each leaders performance was printed and broadcast - due to the format of the debates what was said by the commentators became the only thing that matters.

But is there a better way?

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Rodney Hide & Heather Roy MP's visit Victoria University

2007-05-22T18:21:00.000+12:00

Act MPs Heather Roy and Rodney Hide were at Victoria University's Kelburn campus today for a fleeting visit to talk with students.

Below: Rodney Hide chatting with students in the quad shortly after arriving.

Below: Act on Campus national president Mike Bridge and Heather Roy MP in the quad, discuss with students why act's policies for a fair and prosperous society are relevant to students today.

Right & Below: Rodney Hide in Victoria University's Mount Street Bar and Cafe.

Incidentally today's New Zealand Herald sideswipe provides a timely reminder for secondary school students to get their entries in for the Act on Campus essay competition. Entries close 7 June.

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Meet the Caucus!

2007-05-22T08:37:00.000+12:00

Students at Victoria University are invited to meet MPs Rodney Hide and Heather Roy on campus.

Rodney and Heather will be in the Kelburn campus quad and at the Mount Street Bar and Cafe from 12:30pm-1:30pm today (22nd May).

All are welcome.

Reinventing Mr Brown.

2007-05-21T13:07:00.000+12:00

As we can see in the guardian, Gordon Brown is pushing further and faster to reinvent himself in a break from the past. A sort of New New Labour if you like.

But you can only do that when changing leader. As wee can see in the Sydney Morning Herald Mr Howard is pulling out the consider the consequences of change line. What other options does he have -Could he make a break from the past?

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"How to sneak a tax rise in everything but name"

2007-05-20T19:54:00.000+12:00

In today's SST there is a brilliant article on fiscal drag. Basically as a persons wages rise, they are pushed up the tax brackets.

Today we have a situation where now about three times as many people are paying the top tax rate, since it was introduced by Labour.

Today we have a situation where people that are not ‘rich’ by any means that are forced to pay the top tax rate. New Zealanders understand fairness. They know that is unfair.

Today we have a situation where the government has been swift, sure and wrong by refusing not only to lower personal tax rates, but refusing to adjust the thresholds.

And that is all before we start on the high marginal tax rates that are faced by those faced with ‘assistance’ from the faceless government.

One cannot hide behind ‘social justice’ forever. Even your biggest supporters will lose faith that you haven’t lost touch. You can’t even milk the politics of envy. The Labour monopoly on caring runs out when it becomes clear you have stopped caring. Or never did.

You need to treat old ideas like old ideas, not as if they were brand-new. And do something bold.

And when most of us say that we don't need to be paying so much tax - we should be listened to!

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

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Globalising Journalists

2007-05-19T16:27:00.000+12:00

This novel form of outsourcing is likely to really stir up the journo’s. For example Simon Heffer for instance wouldn't be able to be attacking David Cameron again.

When Tony Blair "changed" Labour 13 years ago, he changed it in the direction the whole country was moving - away from corporatism and towards free enterprise, ownership and technological modernisation. Indeed, this was the way the world was moving. Dave, seeking as ever to fight the last war, wants to take his party counter to the direction the world is moving, away from better education, the pursuit of excellence and the development of the potential of bright children. It is mad. (emphasis added)

Which would be a shame. He runs an interesting argument.

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Taxation?

2007-05-19T15:38:00.000+12:00

"In yet another sign of the liberalizing impact of tax competition, New Zealand lawmakers are lowering the nation’s corporate tax rate and moving toward a
territorial tax regime (the common-sense approach of only taxing income earned inside national borders).

Kiwi officials openly admit that these reforms are driven by a need to compete with other nations, further confirming the need to protect and promote fiscal rivalry from the anti-competition schemes of international bureaucracies such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development."

I am always interested to see how New Zealand government policy moves are reported internationally. In Welfare the plan to move to a Single Core benefit is regularly touted - even though it looks unlikely if the government will ever get there.

And here in the CATO blog as you can see the Business tax cuts are lauded. But the Kiwi Saver scheme that favours the rich, and the lack of lower personal tax rates - in particular the lack of lower marginal tax rates, particularly those that have been long trapping beneficiaries, and those on the WFF scheme; are left out.

Equally in New Zealand media I have seen no suggestions that Australia's recent tax cuts needed to go further.

No suggestion that $18 billion for the 'Future Fund' - a fund to meet unfunded federal superannuation liabilities needs to go.

No suggestion that Core government spending in Australia needs to change.

It's interesting. Australian Treasurer Costello last year set up a quick tax enquiry and used it to claim that Australia is a "low tax country". This really pissed off Peter Hendley, one of the authors of the report. He claims that report actually argues that australia would benefit from a lower top marginal tax rate, and some "radical tax reform" (see page 4 of the Australian - April 13 2006 for the story). But the report was already in on the spin cycle.

ALP leader Kevin Rudd's Budget speech in reply is a very worthwhile read. I wonder how long it will be until a New Zealand Leader gives, or even can give a speech like that.

And all this, Mr Speaker, still depends on ensuring that in this great country of ours, the fair go has a future, and not just a past.

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"McCain Tops Presidential Hopefuls With Most Pets"

2007-05-18T17:27:00.000+12:00

FOX 'News' is carrying the story that McCain has the most pets. Really makes you think about what is important to people in their leader...

One of the Washington Post blog's has a strange story.

U.S. Capitol Police officers today chased away a man who appeared to be running naked through the Hart Senate Office Building.
A Senate aide called police after spotting what looked to be a fully nude man sauntering on the 7th and 8th floors of Hart.
Police sources told The Sleuth that the man was "not arrested" -- because when officers arrived on the scene they found that the alleged nudist wasn't actually naked. He just looked that way in his formfitting, spandex body suit.

Why would you wear a spandex body suit in public??

A pub has also been ordered to change the signs on the entrances to it's bathroom

The men's room sign has large print that reads "Ladies" and smaller text clarifying women shouldn't go in there because it's the men's room. The women's
room has a similar sign.

The TIME blog though has an interesting story suggesting Obama’s ‘gaffe’s’ indicate that he is just not ready. What do you think?

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Some *News

2007-05-17T23:20:00.000+12:00

* Defined quite broadly

I’ve always enjoyed reading the ‘sketches’ that various newspapers in the UK come up with. This one in the telegraph I particularly like. “Gordon’s Easygoing week” - Below is an exert from “Friday”

My aides brought an old woman to me. "Listening is one of my core beliefs," I told her.
She was about to interrupt, so I stopped her, for her own good.
"If you'll just listen for one moment," I said. "You see, I want us to become a listening nation. And not just listening to one another, but listening to me. One thing I learnt at my father's knee was the value of listening. We must build on that belief and encourage our youngsters to fulfil their listening potential. There's simply not enough listening going on these days."

The guardian covers a slight embarrassment for the Tories. Someone posted on webcameron.org.uk - "Are politicians really all just people who were too ugly to be actors or are there any hotties in the house?". The 'Conversation' degenerated from there - It is always a delicate balancing act with comments and websites pushing partiasan rhetoric-fulled propaganda. I've noticed a few such blogs have recently disabled comments.

One thing in the New Zealand Budget today which particularly caught my eye - Cullen cancelled the 'chewing gum' tax cuts as they would be inflationary despite also on the same day announcing huge increases in government spending which will help drive inflation. I wonder what this means in terms of Labour's tactics with regards to the next election.

Only time will tell.

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Labour supports tax cuts...for the rich!

2007-05-17T16:19:00.000+12:00

Helen Clark and Michael Cullen have spent the past seven years discrediting any suggestion of tax relief. Proposals to reduce the tax burden imposed on New Zealanders have been labelled by them as 'tax cuts for the rich'. It seems, according to Labour, that any organisation or political party that would rather let people spend their own money is part of some sinister conspiracy to enslave the poor.

Ironically Labour has now decided to implement exactly the sort of tax policy that they have accused their opponents of championing. Released in today's budget, the 'kiwisaver' scheme provides tax rebates to those who make regular savings contributions to the fund.

Rather than providing New Zealanders with across the board tax relief and trusting people to make their own decisions with their own money Labour has now decided to target those who are fortunate enough to be able to save money. Lets think about this for a moment. Who is able to save money? Can the poor save money? Can Students save money? Is it realistic to suggest that people who struggle to make ends meet at the best of times will really benefit from such an initiative?

Labours budget is targeted at those who are already have enough disposable income to save on a weekly basis. Students, like myself and many I know, who earn barely enough to get by will be subsidizing the rich.

Whilst financial success is something that we should not envy, it is certainly not something that all New Zealanders should be forced to subsidise.

Just in time for the Budget

2007-05-16T23:55:00.000+12:00

As you may aware Gordon Copeland has resigned from United Future to set up his own party. During question time various National MPs made insinuations that Deputy Leader Judy Turner was to follow. Would have been interesting watching Judy Turner and Gordon Copeland sitting together during Question time!

What I found very interesting about all this is this snip-it On Newswire

Peter Dunne says about two weeks ago he received tip-offs that Mr Copeland could be involved in setting up a new political party.

Interesting choice of language! My understanding is that Peter Dunne was in Dunedin, but returned around lunchtime to deal to this. Which begs the question - if he thought something like this might, just might, happen why was he away?

The leaders of Australia's two largest political parties will be meeting with the Dalai Lamai after all.

It emerges that a cellphone signal-jamming helicopter will not be shadowing Mr Bush’s motorcade when he is Sydney for Apec.

Australian Treasurer Peter Costello has also admitted having ambitions to be out of this world.

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Stories we're following

2007-05-15T22:53:00.000+12:00

One story I noticed in passing a while back during the coverage of the UK Local Body elections was this one. In Brentwood a sitting Lib Dem councillor was ousted by an 18 year old still at school.

Later today (what will really be Wednesday NZ time) US Presidential candidates finance reports will come out. Inside the beltway these things are of interest to the MSM, as they provide plenty of ‘tabloid style’ reportable expenditure, plus provide commentators with an indication of how popular a candidate is, based on their fundraising – which of course is strictly limited. In a month or two I plan to post on the financial disclosure regime of the United States. It provides an interesting case study, if nothing else.

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"New York May Give Strippers a License to Grind"

2007-05-14T23:37:00.000+12:00

FOX is reporting that New York state is considering requiring strippers to obtain a permit or face a fine (I wonder how they will enforce that?).

"This is an example of big government trying to put their hands in the dancers' G-strings," said Lonnie Hanover, the spokesman for the Scores chain of strip clubs. "And everyone knows there's no touching — that's not allowed."

That is a serious quote. However here is a spoof.

In other news, the govornator is considering privatising the state lottery, while Michael Cullen is dropping hints that he will signal changes in personal tax rates for next year.

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www.gordonbrownforbritain.com?

2007-05-12T16:51:00.000+12:00

Gordon Brown has launched his ‘bid’ for the Leadership proposing to seek consensus for a written constitution. An interesting start I hope to analyse in more detail, along with the candidates for Deputy Prime Minister when I find the time.

Tony Blair’s resignation speech is online here. The telegraph has a parody of his speech style.

Iain Dale has written a rather bumbly article that argues that David Cameron should not shuffle his caucus until Brown has announced his new cabinet. I disagree with the first three paragraphs, and furthermore don’t see the link between them and the rest of the article. But that’s newspapers for you.

I would like to pick up on this article in the Telegraph –

But time after time, the hard decisions have been ducked, the softer options
taken. Welfare reform, Mr Blair frequently averred, would be the measure of his
premiership.

Yet when Frank Field really did think the unthinkable, he was
fired. Immense sums have been poured into the maw of the public services but
there has been an unforgivable failure to tie investment to reform.

It argues that “Instead of doing many things badly, the new Prime Minister must do a few big things well - for a change.” – a contention that suggests that the Prime Minister has been hopeless in fulfilling his hopes, dreams and vision.

However the article leaves out Brown’s role in all of this – which could be argued was a controlling influence. These themes I will be returning to in a later post.

The Cato Blog has a story of regulation that may surprise some people.

The Australian Treasurer is defending a AU$69 million dollar taxpayer-funded advertising campaign. Hmm.

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The Beginning of the End for Blair

2007-05-11T00:00:00.000+12:00

Tony Blair has just told a crowd in his constituency that he will stand down as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on June 27.

The BBC has quote's of 'reactions' to his resignation, notable Blair quotes over the last decade, and a reasonable guide to the contenders for the Deputy Leadership.

The Guardian's sketch-writer also has an interesting perspective on Blair. Well worth a read!

It is important to remember that Blair said before the previous general election that he would not fight another election [which would have made his fourth], but he would serve the full term starting in 2005 – meaning he would have remained in office until 2010. However last year he changed his position. A show of pragmatism perhaps?

Blair has taken Labour from a party that had thoroughly beaten with four consecutive defeats to one of immense success. It is frequently argued that he shifted the centre so much he spawned Compassionate Cameron. He dumped labour policies that had in the past scared off voters, revamping the party conference – which formerly had been supreme with block voting overriding the leadership. He provided a strong symbol of change by ditching Clause IV from the party Constitution. Most of all he led, an almost unrecognisable labour into multiple election victories (especially amazing considering the longer electoral cycle of the UK).

In the coming days the International media will be bursting with commentary addressing the pertinent questions - What will he be remembered for? Will he be remembered at all?

But equally the media will be full of discussion of Brown, how exactly will he signal that break from the past he so desperately needs?

But more importantly, how long will it take him to fill the “blank canvas” that the pundits always claim a new leader has?

Politics in transition indeed.

Visit the ACT on Campus web site!

Selected International News

2007-05-10T20:02:00.000+12:00

Yesterday Home Rule was restored to Ireland with Ian Paisley of the Democratic Unionist Party taking office as the 2nd First Minister of Northern Ireland in an historic power-sharing arrangement - with Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness assuming office as the 3rd deputy first minister of northern Ireland. Time praises Blair for his patience and determination in working towards this ultimate goal. The Telegraph has more coverage, and The Economist warns that putting Ireland “on the road to prosperity” will require some tough decisions.

A cult is holding an event at the Beverley Hilton Hotel – to protest Paris Hilton. Their leader asks protestors to bring copies of her books and CDs claiming "We're going to be throwing them in huge trash cans and getting them off the face of the Earth”. Meanwhile Paris Hilton is backing a petition on MySpace.com of all places for California’s Governorator to issue a pardon for her prison sentence. She also has told a magazine that her problems with the law are due to cops hitting on her. Her mother is reportedly brainstorming ways to make money out of all of this [With family like this who needs enemies?]. The media is obviously having fun with this story!

Already French President elect Sarkozy is being attacked for taking a private holiday onboard a French businessmen’s plane & yacht [try this article for an account in English]. The UDF’s [Centre/Centre-Left’s] Jean-Louis Bourlanges is claiming that Sarkozy’s choice is of ‘unnecessary ostentatious luxury’. The PCF [French Communist Party] are claiming that this shows a direct bond between business and the president; while the socialist party is claiming that it is a disastrous signal for him to be sending, and that he ‘never said he would be the president of the small poor. He is the president of the CAC 40’ [CAC being the French stock exchange]. The UMP are responding calling the Socialists the masters of blames, insults, & insinuations. It will be interesting to see if the Socialist party continues this line of attack. Or if it has any effect.

The CATO blog has a story The Heckler's Veto in France - that there have been riots with five times as many cars burned than usual [than usual!!], but not from those you would expect. A worthwhile Read. Sarkozy is also being warned “to stop undermining the European Central Bank by blaming it for France’s economic problems”.

An interesting take on Readers Digest ‘Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things’ book.

John Howard was visiting a school when asked by a student why his government is refusing to let Snoop Dogg into Australia. Howard went on to compare ‘Snoop’ to David Irving.

Visit the ACT on Campus web site!

Historic Handover of Power?

2007-05-09T23:57:00.001+12:00

It is widely speculated that tomorrow (Thursday) British Prime Minister Tony Blair will announce his resignation as Labour leader triggering a 50 day countdown to his departure as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

His heir apparent Gordon Brown is set to take up the reins in July. The Telegraph contents that "Mr Brown will be able to offer new faces, new policies and a new approach." That's True. He can.

But will he?

Over the weekend he announced that he will not be using Chequers as his weekend retreat. By doing this he has not only shown a change in style, but also has firmly placed himself into that Prime Ministerial role.

Already John Reid has said he will be stepping down from Cabinet on his own volition when Blair leaves, stressing this will allow Brown flexibility. The Telegraph (naturally) takes a different view of the situation.

On the policy front it is going to be interesting to see what Brown does to reinvent himself and his government. After a decade in power ("a decade of delivery") New Labour is sitting in stark contrast with the resurgent Tories, that propose a "revolution in social responsibility", and that "fair go for all". They appear to be moving to fight the election on new ground - Society, not economics. New Faces, New Policies, New Approach – right?

Brown does not have the luxury of being able to uproot his [governing] party and rebrand it to some kind of New New Labour. He has to make do with what he's got. Which means only one thing is certain – Interesting times ahead in British Politics.

Tony Blair's top three priorities for office were "Education, Education, Education"

What will Mr Brown's be?

Essay Competition Launch

2007-05-04T15:37:00.001+12:00

Today we launched the ACT on Campus 2007 Liberal Thinking essay competition.
The competition is designed to encourage discussion and promote considered thought of political solutions among young people around issues such as;
“Should the state protect people from themselves?”
“What are the best uses for money gained through taxes?”
“When, if ever, should the law discriminate amongst people?”

The competition is open to all New Zealand Secondary students.
The winning student will receive an all expenses paid trip to Wellington, to spend a day with MP Rodney Hide to experience political life first hand.
Their school library will also receive a substantial book voucher.
The runner up will receive an iPod nano.

Organising this competition has been a key milestone for AoC this year. We have been planning it for over a year and have been fundraising for nearly as long. It has taken countless e-mails and telephone calls across the country to organise the minutiae necessary for a successful competition.
We are looking forward to receiving entries from around the country.

Further information is available via:

ACT on Campus Website: http://www.actoncampus.org.nz/essay.html
ACT on Campus President - Mike Bridge: actoncampus@gmail.com

ACT on Campus t-shirts

2007-04-11T13:12:00.000+12:00

Hi folks.

Lukas has asked me to post a quick mention of our brand new ACT on Campus t-shirts...

The shirt details are as follows:
· Shirts cost $23.50
· Postage is $5 – postage is independent of the number of shirts ordered. Postage is not payable if you will be attending AoC meetings in Wellington next semester
· The design will be printed on the front of the shirts in colour
· Shirts come in the following designs AAA-1301, AAA Platinum-1701, GAZIANI-5301, AS-4001 and GAZIANI 5580; these designs can be viewed at: http://www.esponline.co.nz/shirts_aaa.html

To order a shirt please:
E-mail your order to me at LCSchroeter@yahoo.co.uk
Include the following details in your order
The style of shirt
Size
Colour
Number of shirts
Transfer monies payable to 01 0321 0107618 00 – this is the AoC bank account number

Please get your orders/enquiries in asap.

Visit the ACT on Campus web site!

Signing Off

2007-01-24T22:19:00.000+13:00

Although it's a little belated as our new exec. have already been voted in, I wanted to take a quick chance to sign off on a very memorable year as ACT on Campus president.

I stood down as president for two reasons: one, I think every organisation needs a fresh face, and two, I'm off campus now and working fulltime.

There's so many things I've left out and could say, but some highlights of my time on campus include:

Helping to keep the drinking age at 18. This was something AoC had been fighting for for years, and it all culminated in the Keep it 18 campaign.
Attending the 2006 Carnival Against Capitalism and being told that I'm being controlled and ruled over by all of the male species... even if subconsciously.
Being told the same thing by my lecturer in a lecture on political justice.
Billboard jumping at Auckland's busiest intersection.
The 7am leaflet drops fuelled by my best friend, Mr. Red Bull.
The periodic get-togethers, both campus-specific and nationwide.
People mistaking my "Enjoy Capitalism" t-shirt as satire.
Enjoying cigars to protest against the smoking legislation.
The constant debates, both in and out of class.
Rodney in the Quad.
Heather joining the territorials.
Organising (and attending) the 2007 AoC conference. There's nothing quite like seeing living examples of what one aspires to.

...But most of all it's been the people I've worked with. If you don't know already, ACT people are all a little crazy in their own way and refreshingly individualistic... from Mormon libertarians to atheist anarchists, to soon-to-be rockers, farmers, computer programmers, physicists, economists, journalists, lawyers and much more. They've all inspired me in their own unique ways.

And despite being mistaken for a vegetarian socialist, being called "Heather" more times than I could possibly count, and being one of a very small number of libertarians in an relentless sea of statists, I wont give up anytime soon!

I will continue my fight against all attacks on individual and economic freedom, through ACT, ACT on Campus, and any other channel available.

My certainty that capitalism is the most economically sensible AND, more importantly, most just and moral system has been confirmed by my experiences.

Thanks to all those who have supported me, challenged me and fought me.

Best of luck to Mike and Trent, who I am certain will do a fantastic job as president and VP of ACT on Campus.

Ha det bra!

Helen

ACT on Campus Elections '07

2007-01-21T14:07:00.000+13:00

The results of the ACT on Campus elections are in. Congratulations to Mike Bridge of Victoria University who has been elected President, and to Trent Bellingham of Lincoln University, the new Vice President.

Visit the ACT on Campus web site!

ACT on Campus Conference

2007-01-20T00:53:00.000+13:00

The much-heralded ACT on Campus Conference has now commenced up here in Auckland.

Amongst our first activities (after food and drinks) was watching a 1984 debate from Canada that discussed which philosophy – socialism or capitalism - is the more moral.

Unfortunately the pro-socialist argument was off topic and thus particularly weak.

Thus I have a challenge to all those who advocate socialism (and read this blog) – justify it on moral grounds (not economic, or historical) from a philosophical view-point.

Visit the ACT on Campus web site!

The Philosophy of liberty

2007-01-16T21:39:00.000+13:00

Here is a flash animation I stumbled across about 5 mintues ago, it's a great explanation of liberty using clear visual aides and easy to understand plain english, so that even labour supporters can understand the concept ;-). A good watch for anyone considering classical liberal politics, and something that can be passed on to others.

Link:
http://www.libertarian.to/images/animation/PhilosophyOfLiberty-english.swf

Enjoy!

-Nick Martelli
Visit the ACT on Campus web site!

Normal transmissions will resume shortly...

2007-01-11T23:30:00.000+13:00

We're sorry about the recent outage; we had to take the site and blog down for extended maintenance. Normal transmissions have resumed!

Visit the ACT on Campus web site!

ACT on Campus Conference

2006-12-23T15:21:00.000+13:00

What: ACT on Campus annual conference and retreat
When: 19th-21st January, 2007
Where: Remuera, Auckland

The 2007 annual ACT on Campus conference is looking to be an outstanding event.
The conference will take place over the weekend of the 19th-21st of January.

Events include:

BBQ and drinks on Friday (19th) evening, from 7pm onwards
Interactive speeches and workshops on Saturday, including lunch
A Thai banquet dinner on Saturday night, featuring Rodney Hide
A chance to plan for 2007 for ACT on Campus members on Sunday

Speakers include:

David Henderson- property developer- on "Living by my values".
Peter Creswell- infamous blogger and devout capitalist- on "Capitalism and Property Rights".
Emma Gibbs- former ACT board member and scientist extraordinaire.
Ann Marlowe- renowned New York based journalist and writer who has spent a lot of time working in Afghanistan.
Jack Edmonds-student- on "What's wrong with our schools?'

Additionally, workshops on teambuilding and political campaigning will be lead by Francis Denz and Ron Scott.

Please contact me at helen.j.simpson@gmail.com if you would like to register for some or all of the events.
Places are limited so register early.

All welcome!

Visit the ACT on Campus web site!

ACT On Campus Applauds The Keep it 18 Campaign

2006-11-06T15:19:00.000+13:00

Youth wings of parties from across the political spectrum today showed solidarity in their opposition to the Sale of Liquor (Youth Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill. ACT On Campus joined with representatives from the Young Nationals, Young Labour and Young Greens in condemning the Bill.

ACT On Campus opposes the Bill on the grounds of individual responsibility. While a minority of young people are irresponsible with the way they drink, this is no reason to disadvantage the responsible majority who harmlessly enjoy themselves.

ACT On Campus believes the proposed changes will do little to curb youth drinking problems. There is a danger that young people will respond to the changes by drinking in unsupervised surroundings rather than the supervised safety of bars and cafes.

ACT On Campus has circulated a drinking age banner to University Campuses around the country. The banner has been signed by hundreds of students and young people who oppose efforts to raise the drinking age.

The Bill is less about solving problems than it is about appearing to do something. ACT On Campus believes in working with communities and the individuals who are most at risk, rather than penalising an entire section of society.

Congratulations to those who spoke and helped to organise this mornings press conference, especially to Helen Simpson who gave a fantastic speech on behalf of ACT On Campus.

Visit the ACT on Campus web site!

VUWSA Election Results

2006-10-02T19:34:00.000+13:00

I have just been at the VUWSA Election result announcement.
Geoff Hayward has won President.
Full results with number of votes are available at my blog:
http://peteremcc.wordpress.com/2006/10/02/vuwsa-election-results/

Visit the ACT on Campus web site!