The freedom that’s not free
the battle we don’t see
and though we fight it every day we
don’t know the reason why
There’s only a slight feel
something’s not quite real
if we could see the things they’re doing
we’d probably have to cry.
I’ve written quite a bit recently on the less than stellar performance of the coalition, in the brief time they’ve been in power. How I can’t recall a new government generating so much sadness and anger, during what should’ve been their honeymoon period.
Most governments, even those involving Winston, usually last at least a couple of years before things look shaky. It takes a while to see that far from being back on track, the wheels are actually coming off.
It’s not been going well. But more than the juvenile behaviour of their septuagenarian deputy, the leaks, or the unpopular policies that seem like dividends to lobbyists, the thing that has struck me is the level of protest taking place already.
Be it opposing the government’s attacks on Māoridom, their lacklustre response to the ongoing killing in Gaza, the resignations of senior civil servants, or the cancellation of laws providing workers with better rights. It seems like there has been almost constant protest.
Forget the Winter of Discontent, this is the honeymoon of great disappointment.
Yesterday was no different, with protests in both Auckland and Wellington against the cancellation of Smokefree measures. Once again many good people took the time to get out on the streets and say - actually this is not ok, this is not the future we want for Aotearoa, you’ve got this wrong!
In response Health Minister, Dr Shane Reti, refused to say if he had an obligation to protect Māori health under the Treaty.
Labour's Health Spokesperson, Dr Ayesha Verrall, said he could have his licence to practice revoked. “It's an absolutely fundamental commitment that you will uphold the health of people. I'm aware that is a matter doctors are raising with the Medical Council.”
The money we live for
the time that we sell more
take the precious things for granted
then it’s time to say goodbye
We’re selling ourselves short
and buying a big rort
and if we don’t do what we oughta
no one else will see the lie.
Following yesterday’s debacle in the house, with Winston acting less than Prime Ministerially, Big Daddy Luxon returned and was ready to say things to his people. Unfortunately someone noticed that the words he was saying might not exactly, or even vaguely, match reality.
In the first question yesterday afternoon the following exchange took place:
Marama Davidson: Does he agree with the Climate Change Commission that "Weakening action on climate policy during times of adverse economic conditions—which climate change is only likely to exacerbate—is not sustainable and will greatly compromise [Aotearoa New Zealand's] ability to meet [emissions budgets and the 2050 target]"?
Christopher Luxon: We're not weakening our actions on climate change; we're just going about it a different way.
Chlöe Swarbrick: That's a demonstrable lie.
Now being called a liar in parliament is something that MPs are quite touchy about. Deputy Deputy PM, David Seymour, raised a Point of Order saying to the Speaker, “That's quite a serious accusation to make of any member, and I wonder what your view is and how you're going to enforce such rules?”
After much kerfuffle in the house Chlöe responded, “speaking to the point of order, my point was that it is demonstrable.”
Later adding, “If the inference is that therefore the minister or the prime minister are a liar, that wasn't the statement that I was making. But I was pointing out that it is demonstrable on the evidence that the undertakings from this government are completely contrary to our climate commitments.”
The concerns being raised were very much over the alleged allegation, and certainly not the veracity of the Prime Minister’s statement. Which was clearly, demonstrably even, a great steaming pile of such dishonesty that I was surprised Luxon’s mate in the “Upper Room” hadn’t struck him down immediately.
Get real Christopher, every related change you’re planning weakens our actions on climate change. Own it man, like Shane Jones did in his Trumpian declaration of war on the environment.
It was good of Chlöe to clarify that she wasn’t calling the Prime Minister a liar per se. She was simply pointing out that the words coming out of his mouth could easily be shown to be not true. There is a subtle difference. Now watch as, if you can believe it, Gerry Brownlee dances on the head of a pin. Good god, that’s not a tutu is it?
Have you read all the things they say that he said?
how we might have it rough until we are dead
but if we just follow meekly
do the stuff that we’re told
our reward’s waiting for us
covered in gold.
To top off another day of no fairy dust from the coalition, they announced that they’re cancelling the building of the new Cook Strait ferries. I wondered at the news, is that even optional for us as a country? Don’t we kind of need them?
Another thing people need from this government, with the current fleet nearing its end of life, being cancelled. Presumably to pay for these bloody tax cuts.
How typical of National, not wanting to spend any more than the minimum possible. Which inevitably costs more, when the existing system fails, than it would have had the work been done when it should’ve.
Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor said, “This will come as a particular shock to the Picton community who are most directly affected by this decision. The town has been very engaged in the new ferries project and have been a great supporter of it.”
Wellington Regional harbourmaster Grant Nalder said, “From my point of view, that’s a concern over continuing safety of the service with the elder ships. I don’t know whether this was a surprise to all those involved but I’m sure there’s some thinking going on about the future of the ferry fleet.”
Of course once again Nicola Willis tried to blame everything on the previous government, who had been undertaking the work.
I certainly appreciate that these things come with hefty price tags, but this smacks of a Finance Minister who didn’t do her homework properly, or wouldn’t admit that her sums didn’t add up.
This is what National always do. Talk a big game about being the party of infrastructure while in opposition, and then spend as little as possible on it when in government. Seemingly without concern for the possible impacts, or the additional costs down the line.
Then of course Labour get back in and we start all over again with National complaining about the state of things.
National, creating tomorrow’s infrastructure deficit, today.
‘Cause we can always ask forgiveness
from the man up in the sky.
On Tuesday local bluesman, and your fellow reader, Darren Watson, released his latest single, “Man In The Sky”. If you’d like to buy it, or gift it, you can do so here.
Thanks again Nick for pining the day’s events exactly. In addition, with all National’s supposed support of businesses- how many rely on the ferries for getting products between the island, from house removal and trucking firms, merchandise for retail and food supplies, quite apart from international and domestic tourism? Quite apart from connecting friends and family. Try flying a large family and all their stuff! This is short term thinking of the worst kind and rather than uniting NZ, an unreliable and unsafe way of connecting us. This year has shown how problematic things are with the ferries. But sure let’s spend the 3 billion repaying landlords for interestt deductibility
The public protests must continue so that the media and the coal-ition cannot pretend they are acting for the good of us all. A few astroturf organisations created a huge discontent over the previous government’s term so real people with real reasons should be able to ‘trump’ that.
A thought about the ferries: extreme capitalism cannot think beyond the next financial year - short term profits are everything so the future really doesn’t matter. This is why they don’t have to justify crumbling infrastructure, dying smokers and the destruction of the planet itself… Incidentally the books look good if you can sell some stuff!