Yes, Prime Minister Phil Goff

[Excerpt from chapter one of "Yes Prime Minister, the diaries of Rt Hon James Hacker, Vol 1."]

Jim Hacker, his wife Annie, and his Private Secretary are discussing who is likely to suceed the existing Prime Minister who has announced his/her retirement:

"The first law of politics is Never Believe Anything Until It's Been Officially Denied."


Jim Hacker is asked if he was putting his name forward for election as Prime Minister after convincing one of his opponents to withdraw:

"Me? I have absolutely no ambitions in that direction."


Then, when confronted again after convincing the other opponent to withdraw:

"Me? Our children are approaching an age when Annie and I are thinking of spending more time with each other."


Five days later, Jim Hacker becomes Prime Minister.

Now, compare - http://www.stuff.co.nz/4415369a6160.html

Bike the Trail

In case you're wondering why so many posts today - I did the full 25km of Bike the Trail this morning so I am too tired to get up out of the chair at the moment.

So the more I do at the computer, the less active I can be (while I recover).

Well done to the Hutt City Council

On Thursday morning I found that some ... one had badly tagged the bus stop. And they had also left one tag on the front fence.



I would have a photo of the damage to the bus stop, but within 24 hours of it being tagged (actually, more like 12 hours) the council's contractors had cleaned up and repainted the bus shelter.

And the fence needs to be repainted anyway - the old paint is starting to fade and I think it will begin cracking and peeling in a year or so. I painted over the tag that evening. (I was surprised at the number of people driving by who shouted encouragement at removing the tag!)

All in all, it was a waste of money on buying a spraypaint can and then going to the effort of using it for the wannabe tagger known as "Ska". (At least I think that's what it says.)

England are a rubbish team!

England were rubbish last night - there seemed to be no Plan B, not a single idea to contain New Zealand during it's opening onslaught. After his fantastic last over in Napier, even one over of medium paced yorkers from Luke Wright would have slowed down McCullum and Ryder.

They can't complain about decisions not going their way - it looked to me as though Daniel Flynn got an inside edge when he was given out.

Perhaps England's dual captaincy has robbed the team of the quick tactical changes you need to make in limited overs cricket - the reason New Zealand has punched above it's weight in world cricket has been it's ability to upset stronger teams rhythm, and then go for the jugular when things go New Zealand's way.

England need to learn, and learn quickly - otherwise they'll stay the opposite of New Zealand. Able to win test series, but not win one-day matches.

Dear, oh dear.

Lesson for aspiring politicians number 1:

Don't ever suggest that young people learning about the attocities of the Nazi regime is a gimmick.

Guess who is still breaking the law ...

Just returned from the Petone Fair, where I have been on the Plunket BBQ cooking up sausages and selling raffle tickets - and guess who had parked their car outside their electorate office on Jackson Street. (It wasn't Mahara Okeroa - who is off on a junket to France - but it's his electorate office, too.)

The Greens were also there and some of their signage needs updating - but all the pamphlets they were handing out were okay.

The National Party, who were fully compliant with the EFA, were also out in force with balloons and information - and unlike the Labour balloons, they didn't keep bursting.

Oops ...

As a sometimes Geocacher, this looks like a big "oops" on someones part.

Although I wouldn't call Geocaching a 'computer game'. The most vital component is a GPS, not a computer. You just use a computer to search for the co-ordinates. And unlike most computer games, this one requires you to get off you butt and use your feet.

Shared Equity Loans

Labour has annouced again a shared-equity scheme for the third (or is it the fourth) time.

As a result of it's previous schemes, you can get a shared equity loan through:

BNZ
National Bank
ANZ
Westpac
Kiwibank
PSIS
SBS

Actually, I can't find anyone who offers one. The only page Google found was on the Housing New Zealand site, who announced it would be announced in Budget 2008.

But wasn't it announced in 2004, and 2006, and 2007?

Just who is breaking the law ...

From the Electoral Finance Act:

Section 63:
2. No promoter may, during a regulated period, publish, or cause or permit to be published, any election advertisement unless—
(a) the advertisement contains a statement that sets out the name and address of the promoter of the advertisement;
4. Every promoter is guilty of an illegal practice who wilfully contravenes subsection (2).

Section 143:
Every person who is guilty of any illegal practice is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding—
(b) $10,000 in the case of any other person.

Taken at 7.30pm tonight:


The party logo has no contact name, no contact address - and this vehicle is not owned by any government agency, but by Trevor Mallard. If the car or the signage was funded by Mallard's Parlimentary budget it would have a Parliamentary Crest visible (in proportion with the party logo) and then not be covered by the Electoral Finance Act.

Until it gets some updated sign-writing, Mr Mallard will be breaking a law he voted for every time he drives or leaves it in a place that a voter can see it - as it is now on a public street in Lower Hutt.

If Trevor Mallard takes so little care with legislation that directly effects him, then what care does he take when he voted for laws that effect others?

Let's blame everyone else ...

Anyone who thinks all Somali immigrants are dangerous because one person tried to hijack a plane is nuts. This is the actions of a deranged individual

After all, New Zealand's only suicide bomber was not Muslim, Somali, or poor - Neil Roberts' father was a wealthy businessman - and we don't hold any grudges against the Anarchist movement in New Zealand. (Although we may after we hear about ...)

I agree with Annette ... again

Following the attempted hijack of an Air New Zealand flight this morning, I was pleased to see Police Minister Annette King remind us that incidents on aircraft are rare, and that we're far more likely to be injured by an assailant in the street than on a plane. Her call for a report to re-assess risk rather than a knee-jerk reaction is more reassuring that TV reporters illegally smuggling weapons onto planes to prove some sort of point.

What was not so pleasing, was TVNZs attempt to beat the story into painting the hijack as potentially a Fundamental Islamic motivated event. Until the Police and others establish the motive and intent of the hijackers action, such speculation is just that - speculation. The hijack attempt could be the result of a psycotic episode, or for any other reason.

If the hijacker had been WASPy Anglican would TVNZ have bothered to track down the local vicar?

Nothing sucks ....

... like an electrolux:

I just don't believe it ...

Labour have finally annouced their tax cut plan. And already included an out by saying that they would not borrow, cut services, increase inflation, or let tax cuts increase social inequalities - which sounds like a pretty grudging promise, which will be withdrawn if Cullen gets out the wrong side of bed.

Of course, Labour and Cullen has form when it comes to cancelling promised tax cuts. In 2005, Cullen announce adjustments to tax rates (The infamous 'chewing gum' tax cuts) and cancelled them in 2007.

And in 2000, Labour cancelled the tax cuts promised in the previous budget (presented by National's Bill Birch) and instead introduced a new 39 cent rate on income over $60,000.

And in the past eight years, Labour have introduced many new charges, levies and duties. One of the most ludicrous was increasing the duty on sherry - to combat youth drinking. And my favourite is the way Labour keep adding new taxes onto petrol, each time claiming that the new levy will be the one that will pay for new roads.

Frankly, I don't trust Labour to deliver these tax cuts.