Another Review Of Bain's Compensation Bid

The Government today announced a fresh review of David Bain's bid for compensation.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced the establishment of a working group to review Bain's case.

A Day In The Life Of Steven Joyce

7:13 am

The days when I have to travel to Wellington are always the longest ones. I have to get up well before dawn and get myself to the airport, while my family are still asleep in their beds. The taxi driver I usually use knows my routine, and we often don't even exchange a word. But this morning I had a new driver. He asked me where I was headed. The question threw me, but a bit of quick thinking and I had my answer. "We'll stay right here, thanks," I said. "I'm not prepared to just throw government money at this problem in the hope that we'll make it to the airport."

The Wrong Legacy

The news media have been having a busy time lately writing obituaries in anticipation of Sir Paul Holmes' demise.   When teams of journalists are not producing Holmes-deathwatch copy, they have their eyes on that big German guy with all the internet businesses and legal troubles. If Kim Dotcom says or tweets anything, you can bet it will end up in the news.

Is National Really Hands-Off Then?

In David Shearer's speech on Sunday he made much of National's "hands-off" approach to governing the country, comparing it to Labour's preference for a more interventionist "hands-on" approach.

There has been some debate about what the terms "hands-on" and "hands-off" really mean, and it appears that some within National don't like it when people use the term "hands-off" to describe National's style of government.

Housing Crisis Forces Young Couples Out Of Inner City

More evidence has emerged about the difficulties facing people trying to enter the property market for the first time.

An international  housing affordability survey has found that Auckland real estate is severely unaffordable by international standards.

Gareth Morgan Proposes Solution To Grave Problem

This is not a picture of Gareth Morgan

Millionaire philanthropist Gareth Morgan has launched a new environmental campaign, and he has a new target in his sights.

Earlier this week the Wellington economist sparked controversy when he called for the eradication of all household cats, claiming that they were sadists responsible for the destruction of much of our native wildlife.

Morgan has also launched a strong attack on long-suffering fans of the Wellington Phoenix football team, a team he is a part-owner of.

When Out Means In

John Key's Reshuffle Analysed

Prime Minister John Key today announced a reshuffle of his Cabinet, as well as a number of changes in the organisation of some government ministries.

The changes will come into effect on 31 January.

A Good Question

Right Thinking: Fight The Facts

Hard-hitting conservative columnist Dr Frank Shizenhausen returns after a long break

People have been jumping all over Garth McVicar, head of the Sensible Sentencing Trust, after he claimed in a select committee submission that gay marriage would lead to more crime.

It's shocking the way a good man like McVicar can't even make an argument entirely devoid of evidence, without the usual suspects trying to shut him down.

But the Sensible Sentencing Trust has a valid point about crime increasing if homosexuals are permitted to marry.

Almost There

I'm over half-way towards my target of eating four bits of toast for breakfast today. I've been training hard, and with a little more effort I should be able to finish the job.

A Labour Membership Vote Seems Unlikely

Could it be true? Could Labour Party leader David Shearer really be about to call for a general party membership vote on his leadership?

Eddie at The Standard says it is going to happen.

Falling Over

When you're a busy person, sometimes you don't get time to reflect upon the decisions you make. It's even worse if you're the prime minister of a country. Everything you do has major consequences, but you're swamped with work so you hardly ever get a chance to consider the broader implications of your actions.

A New Privacy Policy

In my quest to become New Zealand's most trusted brand, I am always looking for ways to improve things. 

I have decided to implement a privacy policy for this site, so my valued readers can have confidence in my dealings with their most intimate and personal information. 

IMPERATOR FISH PRIVACY POLICY

Who Should We Blame For the Black Caps?

David Shearer's many faults are clear for all to see. He is too soft and nice for politics. His treatment of David Cunliffe also shows him to be far too nasty, arrogant and power-crazed to hold office. He is too right-wing, too left-wing, too centrist, and a neoliberal to boot. His policy proposals are both too timid and too radical. He is weak and has allowed himself to be dominated by a few in caucus, even as he ruthlessly dispatched to the back-benches a caucus member who challenged him. Labour's rise in the polls in recent months is a mere accident, because everyone who reads the blogs knows Shearer's not up to the job. And those people who write the blogs sure know a thing or two, don't they?

The Post I Never Posted

I spent hours and hours writing a blogpost attacking Labour's various failings, and explaining why the February caucus vote would be a defeat for David Shearer, no matter how it went. I concluded in my post that the party was doomed under its current leader, that just about everything everyone had said on The Standard was spot on, and that the polls showing Labour gains were deceptive because John Key would humble David Shearer during the 2014 election campaign. I argued that history showed that a seasoned incumbent would always destroy a wet-between-the-ears newbie during a leadership debate. We all remember what Helen Clark did to an inexperienced John Key in 2008, and how as a result Labour won an unprecedented fourth term in office, don't we?

New Zealand Cricket: Ten Reasons To Be Positive

A casual observer of the New Zealand men's cricket team might be forgiven for thinking that things were about as bad as they could possibly be.

The sacking of Ross Taylor, and Jesse Ryder's lack of desire to return to the national team, would appear to point to problems at the top.

My 2013 Resolutions

I haven't been blogging much lately, so I suppose that means I must be having a relaxing holiday. I've barely looked at a computer screen for two weeks, unless the Kindle counts.

But never fear, because I've been making plans, and with a new year comes a list of resolutions: things I can improve on, things I can do better. Because I am willing share everything but my bed with you, let me tell you what my resolutions are.

Because I'm Lazy Part VIII

I'm still on a blogging break, so here's something else I wrote last year.

Police To Investigate Taping During Press Conference

Police have launched an investigation into alleged covert journalist recordings, following an incident at a press conference yesterday.

Because I'm Lazy Part VII

Still no sign of a return to proper blogging. So here's another post from 2012

Jesus Said: My Book Plan

A new column from The Christ on life, the afterlife, and politics. 

I may be the Messiah, but nobody's perfect. Like most of you mere foolish mortals, I also get pissed off when someone steals my limelight.

That's why I'm struggling to feel any sympathy for the plight of embattled Auckland mayor Len Brown. He's been pretending to be me for far too long.

Because I'm Lazy Part VI

Another day of doing not much, so here's another retread from 2012.

Dick Fritter's Salute to John Key

It was another masterful display in the House yesterday, as the Prime Minister ran rings around the Opposition yet again.