Garrett should resign from Parliament

I am pleased David Garrett has left ACT, because it was the right thing to do. What he should now do is resign from Parliament, and not just because his political career is over. But while Rodney Hide told Garrett that he has no future in ACT, he doesn’t want him to leave Parliament. That’s because ACT will get Hilary Calvert who is next on the list. With Roy and Douglas, they`ll roll Hide as I mentioned yesterday.

Hide may well be wanting to do his best for Epsom. I don’t think Hide will be calling on Garrett to resign from Parliament. He’s not that principled.

Read more...

So, what would happen?

Referring to this story, what would happen if Rodney Hide was to resign from Parliament, and Winston Peters was to win the subsequent by-election as NZ First leader?

Read more...

Maori Party release statement on Harawira

The Maori Party has released a statement today, making it clear that it wants this business with Harawira cleared up, with him continuing as a Maori Party MP. A meeting will be held on Thursday and there`ll be no further comment until then.

These recent incidents are inconsistent with the standards of behaviour, the kaupapa and tikanga that our party is based on. We have asked Mr Harawira to consider a number of actions which we hope will address the offence that has been caused. Our intention is to resolve the current controversies concerning Mr Harawira, a creative, talented, intelligent and energetic person who has the potential to be a very effective politician for the Māori people and for the Nation.

Meanwhile Rodney Hide has released this unprecedented apology over his recent actions. Will Harawira do likewise? Only if he is told to, perhaps. He will be told to. Furthermore, as the electorate is the group that has the final say on whether Harawira remains an MP, the Maori Party will go to the electorate recommeding his retention and an apology. He will not be punished, just told to apologise, even though he is not sorry.

Read more...

Act leader confirms he will speak about his ministerial role for $45 a head

Rodney Hide has admitted charging $45 a head to hear him speak on local government is fine, but also admitted that ACT was also wrong to prominately advertise him as local government minister, particularly as local government officials were invited as they were interested in hearing what the minister had to say, not what "Act is up to".

Hide has now revealed why he is to talk about local government:

"They've asked me to speak about local government," he said. "That's what I do".

Hide is correct. It is what he does - but he does it as minister of local government, not as ACT party leader. As ACT party spokesperson on local government, he is just that: a spokesperson.

Read more...

ACT party leader wants to charge money to talk about his ministerial role

post updated
Labour is up in arms about Rodney Hide's fundraiser for his party. ACT has advertised a meeting [PDF]where Rodney Hide is going to present his views on a certain topic. The meeting was organised by the local ACT fundraising co-ordinator and the charge is $45 per head.Nothing wrong with that, parties need money.

Yet the topic is local government - and Hide is the Minister of local government. Those attending will want hear what the Minister says, not what the ACT party leader says. Particularly the local government representatives, who have complained to the minister about local government matters, and whose local authority is being investigated by the minister. These representatives have been specifically invited to the meeting by ACT because ACT knows that they want to hear what the Minister has to say. So why did Hide tell reporters this:

I'm not charging as a minister, I'm actually going along to speak as party leader.

So why target, with invitations, those with an interest in Hide's role as a minister? In our democracy, advice and discussion with government ministers are free of charge. So is the $45 charge ethical? Or is it fine for a minister to travel to the meeting as a minster to purportedly speak as a party leader about his ministeral portfolio - provided those attending pay a fee to his political party for the privilege?

Read more...

It's all about Rodney, isn't it

Had to laugh when I saw this headline Super city to include Rodney. Rodney Hide said we have listened and we have acted. What rot.

Read more...