Tuesday I received the following figures released under the Official Information Act. 62,500 DPB beneficiaries owe money to WINZ.
Across all working age beneficiaries the percentage of people in debt to WINZ is fifty one (155,000). For DPB recipients however, the percentage rises to fifty nine. The mean amount owed is $502.
In the 2004/05 year, thirty seven percent of the newly established debt was due to grants. The balance was made up of debt established by Benefit Control and Data Matching (23 percent) and overpayments established by WINZ (40 percent).
Two thirds of those owing money were female. Forty eight percent were Maori or Pacific Island. Only seventeen percent had some other kind of income aside from a benefit and over 6,000 people were not making any repayments.
The really worrying aspect of this situation is this debt is only part of the picture. Like non-beneficiaries, many of these people will have money owing on creditcards, on hire purchase agreements, to loan sharks, etc.
Not only is being on a benefit a lifestyle for many, so is being in debt.
(These figures were current at November 30, 2005.)
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Sue Bradford - apologist for shirkers
The first reading of Wayne Mapp's Private Member's Bill "Employment Relations (Probationary Employment) Amendment Bill" happens tonight. It would see the introduction of a three month probationary period for new employees. This move would encourage businesses to take on staff. The anti-business Greens naturally oppose it. According to Sue Bradford;
"If Dr Mapp's bill goes through, employees will be sacked at will during the first three months on the job. Even worse, once sacked, they become liable for a stand down of up to 13 weeks from Work and Income once they register back in the benefit system. People will be scared to start jobs and scared to change them."
She has just handed another reason to layabouts why they should stay on the dole. By the way, no stand down period applies to the DPB so she will have to find another excuse for single parents, especially those 46,000 with school-age children only, not to take a job.
Maori Party reject expansion of legal aid
The speeches are coming thick and fast from Hone Harawira. And they are always so interesting. Here he is speaking to a bill which will see an expansion of eligibility to legal aid.
"By 2010, Maori will be the most imprisoned people per capita in the world. So yes, Mr Speaker, like it or not, the way things are going, Maori are going to need Legal Aid like never before. So when the Maori Party looks at this Legal Services Amendment Bill, we ask the questions do so with one focus - how will this Bill change things for Maori?"
Hone says he doesn't want Maori represented by the legal "bunnies" the legal aid system turns out. He doesn't want Maori represented in courts that are, "mono-cultural, and their language and procedures deny Maori access to justice."
In fact what he wants is an entirely separate justice system.
And so the Maori Party will oppose the bill because, "It deals with individual rights while continuing to deny Maori their collective whanau, hapu and iwi rights and in fact their human right to the same measure of justice enjoyed by all other citizens in Aotearoa."
"By 2010, Maori will be the most imprisoned people per capita in the world. So yes, Mr Speaker, like it or not, the way things are going, Maori are going to need Legal Aid like never before. So when the Maori Party looks at this Legal Services Amendment Bill, we ask the questions do so with one focus - how will this Bill change things for Maori?"
Hone says he doesn't want Maori represented by the legal "bunnies" the legal aid system turns out. He doesn't want Maori represented in courts that are, "mono-cultural, and their language and procedures deny Maori access to justice."
In fact what he wants is an entirely separate justice system.
And so the Maori Party will oppose the bill because, "It deals with individual rights while continuing to deny Maori their collective whanau, hapu and iwi rights and in fact their human right to the same measure of justice enjoyed by all other citizens in Aotearoa."
It's raining women - or is it?
There has been talk about a surplus of women, especially in the 30-34 age group.
Demographer, Paul Callister has been researching this;
Callister said it was difficult to pinpoint exact reasons for the surplus of women but said men – particularly young men, Maori and Pacific Islanders – failing to fill in census or statistical forms was one major reason.
So I interpret this as meaning that the surplus on paper doesn't necessarily equate to a surplus in practice. (Perhaps some of these are the same "young men" that don't fill in birth certificates either.)
Demographer, Paul Callister has been researching this;
Callister said it was difficult to pinpoint exact reasons for the surplus of women but said men – particularly young men, Maori and Pacific Islanders – failing to fill in census or statistical forms was one major reason.
So I interpret this as meaning that the surplus on paper doesn't necessarily equate to a surplus in practice. (Perhaps some of these are the same "young men" that don't fill in birth certificates either.)
Fathers not named
About 7 per cent of New Zealand children have no named father on their birth certificate.
In many cases the children know their father, but they are not named on the certificate to avoid paying child support.
So says the NZ Herald. Children are usually defined as people under 15, after which they become youths. There are around 900,000 so some 63,000 don't have a father named on their birth certificate. Perhaps they should fill in the space with "taxpayer".
In many cases the children know their father, but they are not named on the certificate to avoid paying child support.
So says the NZ Herald. Children are usually defined as people under 15, after which they become youths. There are around 900,000 so some 63,000 don't have a father named on their birth certificate. Perhaps they should fill in the space with "taxpayer".
Do it or we will make you
Back in 2001 the radio industry was told to lift their quota of NZ product or else. I well remember the debate having got involved in a tit-for-tat with Mike Chunn (Head of Australian Performing Rights Association) through the letters page of the Evening Post. He was slagging programmers as "prejudiced and lazy" and was right behind the Minister's quota push.
It's a fine line between the threat of compulsion and compulsion itself. So I say again, the logic is very mangey. Because radio stations did what they were told under threat of complusion the argument has been twisted to, NZers must have wanted it after all. Now look where Maharey wants to go;
Mr Maharey said he would consult the Radio Broadcasting Association and the music industry to decide where to go next with the code.
He said radio in Australia and countries of a similar size to New Zealand, such as Ireland, had up to 50 per cent local music.
It's a fine line between the threat of compulsion and compulsion itself. So I say again, the logic is very mangey. Because radio stations did what they were told under threat of complusion the argument has been twisted to, NZers must have wanted it after all. Now look where Maharey wants to go;
Mr Maharey said he would consult the Radio Broadcasting Association and the music industry to decide where to go next with the code.
He said radio in Australia and countries of a similar size to New Zealand, such as Ireland, had up to 50 per cent local music.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Mandatory and mediocre
One in five songs played on the radio are now NZ-made.
Thankfully not on the station the kids and I listen to, Hauraki. (Unless they have a whole programme devoted to such stuff of which I am unaware). If you are into 60's, 70's and eighties music there is just oodles of great stuff, only a tiny percentage of which was made by NZ artists. The state imposition of a local quota, innocuously called a "Code of Practice", is outrageous.
"This is a fantastic result for the music industry, and it demonstrates what we've known all along - that New Zealanders want to tune into more of their own music," Steve Maharey said.
What kind of logic is that? Making people have it proves they wanted it?
Private radio stations should be free to play whatever music they want to, not music deemed mandatory by the Minister. Butt out, Maharey.
Thankfully not on the station the kids and I listen to, Hauraki. (Unless they have a whole programme devoted to such stuff of which I am unaware). If you are into 60's, 70's and eighties music there is just oodles of great stuff, only a tiny percentage of which was made by NZ artists. The state imposition of a local quota, innocuously called a "Code of Practice", is outrageous.
"This is a fantastic result for the music industry, and it demonstrates what we've known all along - that New Zealanders want to tune into more of their own music," Steve Maharey said.
What kind of logic is that? Making people have it proves they wanted it?
Private radio stations should be free to play whatever music they want to, not music deemed mandatory by the Minister. Butt out, Maharey.
Thanks - again - Minister
Here Benson-Pope is preening himself with some good news for beneficiaries. From April 1st an increase of 3.16 percent, which reflects the rise in the cost of living, will appear in beneficiary pay packets.Umm. In December 2005 Mr Benson-Pope received a rise of 6.5 percent and it was backdated to July. Nice.
Of course, this is a government which believes in progressivity - in more ways than one.
Holidays for some
Tax Holiday Widened - Parliament is set to make more generous a tax holiday designed to attract skilled people to New Zealand, conscious that Australia plans similar enticements.
What about retaining skilled people???
What about retaining skilled people???
Footpath art
James Jenkins sent me a dozen or so amazing pieces of footpath art. I'll post some of them over the next few days. Do you know what city they come from James?
Helen not important enough for Bono?
According to Stuff U2 announced they will be picking up their tour in November. Bono also admitted he would seek a meeting with Prime Minister John Howard when he returns to Australia about increasing its foreign aid to poor nations.
Waiting on Labour, UF, Greens, Maori.
Good to see National and ACT supporting Barbara Stewart's private member's bill (to select committee) to reduce the number of MPs. She needs more than that though. Big govt man, Jim Anderton opposes it.
Monday, March 13, 2006
More sledgehammer ideas
Shocking video to stop baby shaking. Sorry, but I find this idea objectionable. According to the NZ Herald;
All new parents could be shown a graphic video showing the effects of severe shaking on a baby's body and brain, in an effort to cut child abuse.
It involves parents watching a video, reading a brochure and signing a "commitment statement" before they leave the hospital after giving birth.
We are all to be treated like idiots because a few people are. And what about all the potential shakers who won't see the video. The next "step-parent", the older sibling, the babysitter? What about home-births?
Listen, for a "normal" mother, just watching your newborn having the compulsory heel prick to extract some blood for the national database is harrowing enough.
All new parents could be shown a graphic video showing the effects of severe shaking on a baby's body and brain, in an effort to cut child abuse.
It involves parents watching a video, reading a brochure and signing a "commitment statement" before they leave the hospital after giving birth.
We are all to be treated like idiots because a few people are. And what about all the potential shakers who won't see the video. The next "step-parent", the older sibling, the babysitter? What about home-births?
Listen, for a "normal" mother, just watching your newborn having the compulsory heel prick to extract some blood for the national database is harrowing enough.
Corporate tax rate only the half of it
The TTC (Total Tax Contribution) for business is explained here.
"The World Bank put the TTC in the UK at 52.9 per cent compared with just 21.5 per cent in the US and 34.6 per cent in Japan." How on earth is Britain supposed to remain competitive, and an attractive place to do business in while this is going on?
Anyone aware of similar calculations done for NZ? I figure we would be closer to the UK than the US.
"The World Bank put the TTC in the UK at 52.9 per cent compared with just 21.5 per cent in the US and 34.6 per cent in Japan." How on earth is Britain supposed to remain competitive, and an attractive place to do business in while this is going on?
Anyone aware of similar calculations done for NZ? I figure we would be closer to the UK than the US.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
It's the avacado's fault
Avocado-lovers warned over knife accidents. These sorts of stories must be read with some sense of bemusement by more people than me. Surely.Personally I find pumpkins and butternuts far more troublesome. But I have developed a technique whereby, having lodged the knife firmly into the outer skin, I pick up the entire thing and, using both arms, slam it back down on the cutting board. This eliminates any risk of cutting yourself. However it could result in being hit in the head by half a flying pumpkin. Of course, it wouldn't be my fault......
LibDems - The Right in ascendency
Britain's Liberal Democrats, the third largest party in Parliament, are a funny bunch. They don't seem to know whether they are to the left or right of Labour. But after some dirty tussling over leadership, Sir Menzies (Ming) Campbell, backed by the right wing, has been appointed.
In 2004, a number of leading Liberal Democrats produced The Orange Book: Reclaiming Liberalism....In a series of 10 essays, the Orange Book came down firmly in favour of ...calling for the party to refashion itself as the champion of “free market” capitalism....David Laws, the party spokesman for work and pensions, argued for abolishing the state-run National Health Service and replacing it with an insurance scheme embracing the private sector....Clegg has made clear he intends to drive forward the policies of “tough liberalism” by sharpening up the party’s line on crime and rebutting claims that it is “soft” on law and order....David Laws, unveiled plans to remove welfare benefits from lone mothers.
Radical? Well not quite. Laws wants lone parents to support themselves when, wait for it, their youngest turns twelve. And in the May 2005 general election, the Liberal Democrats called for an increase in taxes on the rich to finance health and education. They do oppose ID cards and the war in Iraq.
It always surprises me how many political parties seem to tackle each issue in isolation without any underlying and guiding principle. A quick look at their website tells you diddly squat about what they actually stand for. Yet they win seats. Proof that the public vote for people - not policies, philosophies or principles.
In 2004, a number of leading Liberal Democrats produced The Orange Book: Reclaiming Liberalism....In a series of 10 essays, the Orange Book came down firmly in favour of ...calling for the party to refashion itself as the champion of “free market” capitalism....David Laws, the party spokesman for work and pensions, argued for abolishing the state-run National Health Service and replacing it with an insurance scheme embracing the private sector....Clegg has made clear he intends to drive forward the policies of “tough liberalism” by sharpening up the party’s line on crime and rebutting claims that it is “soft” on law and order....David Laws, unveiled plans to remove welfare benefits from lone mothers.
Radical? Well not quite. Laws wants lone parents to support themselves when, wait for it, their youngest turns twelve. And in the May 2005 general election, the Liberal Democrats called for an increase in taxes on the rich to finance health and education. They do oppose ID cards and the war in Iraq.
It always surprises me how many political parties seem to tackle each issue in isolation without any underlying and guiding principle. A quick look at their website tells you diddly squat about what they actually stand for. Yet they win seats. Proof that the public vote for people - not policies, philosophies or principles.
Message to stay-at-home mums.
The collective way many people want us to look at life really is loathsome. From today's Sunday Star Times we learn that at least one judge is prepared to stand against this rubbish, to the ire of the editor. A married couple split after many years. They have considerable assets. The judge orders a fifty/fifty split which gives them $4.5 million each. The wife isn't happy with this. She puts in a claim for 70 percent of their assets or a further $1.7 million on the basis her future earning potential has been corroded because she stayed at home with the kids. Judge observes that she had ample opportunity to return to work once the children were settled at school. She chose to stay home. The judge turns her down.
So the editor construes this as a message to (or from, take your pick) society that we do not value at-home mothers. Balderdash.
In reality we are individuals making our own value judgments about our families. There is no collective right or wrong way. Each couple, and their children, will be different and each will have contributed in different and unequal ways. It is quite adequate for the law, in a case like this, to uphold a fifty/fifty split.
My personal observation is that many men work very hard and have far more constraint on their time than their partners. Stay-at-home mums have a great deal of freedom and choice, particularly in the case of those with high household incomes. Staying at home with the kids is a privilege. It isn't a sacrifice. Above all it is a choice. Having made your bed, expect to lie in it.
So the editor construes this as a message to (or from, take your pick) society that we do not value at-home mothers. Balderdash.
In reality we are individuals making our own value judgments about our families. There is no collective right or wrong way. Each couple, and their children, will be different and each will have contributed in different and unequal ways. It is quite adequate for the law, in a case like this, to uphold a fifty/fifty split.
My personal observation is that many men work very hard and have far more constraint on their time than their partners. Stay-at-home mums have a great deal of freedom and choice, particularly in the case of those with high household incomes. Staying at home with the kids is a privilege. It isn't a sacrifice. Above all it is a choice. Having made your bed, expect to lie in it.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
NZ women sent to Sydney for abortions
The Waitemata Health board is paying for women with pregnancies advanced to 18 - 21 weeks to go to Sydney for abortions. NZ nurses and sometimes doctors are refusing to perform these abortions but the Health board is legally bound to provide them.
The question that springs into my mind is, why do these women leave it so long?
There will be cases of fetal abnormalities only detectable at a later stage and the decision to abort must be heartbreaking. But I find it hard to believe that others didn't know until 4 or 5 months, although when you read the occasional story about a woman getting right to the birth unaware of the pregnancy maybe it's more feasible than I think.
Then there is the bigger question of whether tax-payers, which is the case here, should have to fund abortions at all....
The question that springs into my mind is, why do these women leave it so long?
There will be cases of fetal abnormalities only detectable at a later stage and the decision to abort must be heartbreaking. But I find it hard to believe that others didn't know until 4 or 5 months, although when you read the occasional story about a woman getting right to the birth unaware of the pregnancy maybe it's more feasible than I think.
Then there is the bigger question of whether tax-payers, which is the case here, should have to fund abortions at all....
Why Blacks disproportionately affected by AIDS
This theory from Ronald Bailey of Reason;
..... two researchers found that the increase of AIDS among American blacks closely tracked the rise in incarceration rates of black men over the past two decades. The researchers point out that about one out of 12 black men are in jail or prison, compared with one in 100 white men. And if current trends continue, a third of all black males born today will spend some time in prison.
Prisoners become infected with HIV through sex and intravenous drug use. Data on the prevalence of sexual activity in prison vary, but one conservative estimate found that 20 percent of male prisoners experience some type of sexual assault and 7 percent are raped.
....Until recently, prison wardens and the state and federal legislators have largely looked away, not wanting to deal with the crude and brutal facts of prisoner sex. Their inaction has incubated a public health crisis. Of course, the most effective way to prevent HIV infections among prisoners would be for correctional officer and administrators to put a stop to sexual intercourse and oral sex in their institutions. But since inmates tend to be young, violent, testosterone-fueled men, that is much easier said than done.
....Shockingly, many corrections officials oppose testing inmates for HIV infection when they are initially locked up because their budget-strapped institutions would then be obligated to pay for their treatment. One result is the tragic rise in infection rates among African-Americans.
....Government scientists did not create the HIV virus, but a conspiracy of inaction and silence among government officials is worsening the AIDS epidemic among black Americans.
..... two researchers found that the increase of AIDS among American blacks closely tracked the rise in incarceration rates of black men over the past two decades. The researchers point out that about one out of 12 black men are in jail or prison, compared with one in 100 white men. And if current trends continue, a third of all black males born today will spend some time in prison.
Prisoners become infected with HIV through sex and intravenous drug use. Data on the prevalence of sexual activity in prison vary, but one conservative estimate found that 20 percent of male prisoners experience some type of sexual assault and 7 percent are raped.
....Until recently, prison wardens and the state and federal legislators have largely looked away, not wanting to deal with the crude and brutal facts of prisoner sex. Their inaction has incubated a public health crisis. Of course, the most effective way to prevent HIV infections among prisoners would be for correctional officer and administrators to put a stop to sexual intercourse and oral sex in their institutions. But since inmates tend to be young, violent, testosterone-fueled men, that is much easier said than done.
....Shockingly, many corrections officials oppose testing inmates for HIV infection when they are initially locked up because their budget-strapped institutions would then be obligated to pay for their treatment. One result is the tragic rise in infection rates among African-Americans.
....Government scientists did not create the HIV virus, but a conspiracy of inaction and silence among government officials is worsening the AIDS epidemic among black Americans.
Anti-Americanism - take that
An old American gentleman on his way to a walking holiday in the French Alps, arrived in Paris by plane.
At French customs he fumbled for his passport.
"You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically.
The old gent admitted that he had been to France before.
"Then, you should know enough to have your passport ready for inspection," snapped the irate official.
The American said, "The last time I came to France I did not have to show my passport."
"Impossible old man!" the official replied. "You Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France!"
The old American gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he calmly stated: "I assure you, young man, that when I came ashore at Omaha Beach in Normandy on D-Day in 1944, there were no Frenchmen anywhere on that beach."
At French customs he fumbled for his passport.
"You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically.
The old gent admitted that he had been to France before.
"Then, you should know enough to have your passport ready for inspection," snapped the irate official.
The American said, "The last time I came to France I did not have to show my passport."
"Impossible old man!" the official replied. "You Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France!"
The old American gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he calmly stated: "I assure you, young man, that when I came ashore at Omaha Beach in Normandy on D-Day in 1944, there were no Frenchmen anywhere on that beach."
Ripping off the system
Social service agencies are questioning why families who earn more than $70,000 a year are still living in state housing while more than 11,000 people are languishing on the waiting list.
This situation is endemic to having state housing. Either we accept it as a feature of the system or we scrap state housing altogether.
This situation is endemic to having state housing. Either we accept it as a feature of the system or we scrap state housing altogether.
CYF is dysfunctional
I am really worried about the bind we find ourselves in. CYF is dysfunctional. A Cabinet paper released on Thursday describes how and,in some part, why. Of particular note is, "Many problems were created by those drawing up policy not understanding what happened on the front line".
CYF is dysfunctional, and always will be, because it reflects the dysfunctionality of the people it deals with. What the policy-makers and public don't understand is there are tragedies waiting to happen that no amount of intervention will stop. Then the social worker is blamed, almost to the point of having caused the problem. Of course social workers sometimes ignore process and rules. They use their own judgement and they have individual views about what action will deliver the best outcome. They don't have crystal balls.
But because they have the power to remove a child they are distrusted and consequently mislead by 'clients'. CYF case workers are not popular. Other organisations often get better results because they are trusted. The government knows this and want to capitalise on it. There is a move afoot to farm out cases to private organisations.
But what do you know? The last thing some of those private organisations want is state money. If they become agents of the state they end up with CYF-like problems. Other organisations see the development and want to get on that gravy train quick smart. Despite their good intentions they will become corrupted by the bottomless tax-payer pocket.
One way forward (an interim progression) is for government to pay a private agency, whose sole job is to get people off welfare. They only get paid on results. Similar schemes have worked in the US.
Let the private charities that can do the intimate social work successfully, stay free of government money and all the attendent bureaucratic obligations. Let CYF remain the strong arm of the law which gets the kids out when the private sector calls them in.
And, of course, stop encouraging the wrong people to breed. If society can't stomach getting rid of the DPB altogether make it strictly temporary.
CYF is dysfunctional, and always will be, because it reflects the dysfunctionality of the people it deals with. What the policy-makers and public don't understand is there are tragedies waiting to happen that no amount of intervention will stop. Then the social worker is blamed, almost to the point of having caused the problem. Of course social workers sometimes ignore process and rules. They use their own judgement and they have individual views about what action will deliver the best outcome. They don't have crystal balls.
But because they have the power to remove a child they are distrusted and consequently mislead by 'clients'. CYF case workers are not popular. Other organisations often get better results because they are trusted. The government knows this and want to capitalise on it. There is a move afoot to farm out cases to private organisations.
But what do you know? The last thing some of those private organisations want is state money. If they become agents of the state they end up with CYF-like problems. Other organisations see the development and want to get on that gravy train quick smart. Despite their good intentions they will become corrupted by the bottomless tax-payer pocket.
One way forward (an interim progression) is for government to pay a private agency, whose sole job is to get people off welfare. They only get paid on results. Similar schemes have worked in the US.
Let the private charities that can do the intimate social work successfully, stay free of government money and all the attendent bureaucratic obligations. Let CYF remain the strong arm of the law which gets the kids out when the private sector calls them in.
And, of course, stop encouraging the wrong people to breed. If society can't stomach getting rid of the DPB altogether make it strictly temporary.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Plain English
Bill English's newsletter is worth a read this week. He talks about the "extravagantly stupid Building Act", and the seemingly crazy business of the working overstayers evicted today.
"The staff concerned had been refused work permits and are now overstayers. But why were they refused work permits? It's almost impossible to get staff for hospitality jobs in Queenstown, and all sorts of non-New Zealanders are getting work permits to fill the gap. Takaro is isolated and its requirements specialised, and they just can't get any suitable staff.
Takaro is setting out to establish itself as part of the "spa industry", where high net wealth individuals pay large amounts of money to spend time on health and wellness. We need this tourism business and more like it. So did these immigrants break all the rules, or is it a case of bureaucratic bumbling? I want some answers."
During the election campaign I stood in for the Mana candidate at a Porirua College meeting. Bill English stood in for Chris Finlayson. I was impressed with his easy manner with the students. Trumped Winnie Laban. He's smart and one of National's best.
Thanks for that, Minister
"Over the next two weeks more than half a million households will be encouraged to check whether they are entitled to tax relief under the Working for Families package.
An estimated 85,000 middle-income New Zealand families will become eligible for Family Assistance tax credits for the first time as part of Working for Families from 1 April.
Working for Families information brochures will be sent to 535,000 households outlining the new increased income limits. "
"We want to make sure families who are eligible know about the changes, which is why we're getting the information to their door," Minister for Social Development and Employment David Benson-Pope said.
Let's see. 450,000 households will get material for their recycling bins. The other 85,000 will find out how to give the government a dollar and get back 80 cents. And we will all be able to savour the privilege of keeping Benson Pope in his ministerial lifestyle. Doesn't it give you a warm glow?
An estimated 85,000 middle-income New Zealand families will become eligible for Family Assistance tax credits for the first time as part of Working for Families from 1 April.
Working for Families information brochures will be sent to 535,000 households outlining the new increased income limits. "
"We want to make sure families who are eligible know about the changes, which is why we're getting the information to their door," Minister for Social Development and Employment David Benson-Pope said.
Let's see. 450,000 households will get material for their recycling bins. The other 85,000 will find out how to give the government a dollar and get back 80 cents. And we will all be able to savour the privilege of keeping Benson Pope in his ministerial lifestyle. Doesn't it give you a warm glow?
Could it happen here?
This is a ticket given to a British motorist who gave a speed camera the one finger salute. He was, by the way, under the speed limit. This story about police priorities sounds glaringly familiar. So be warned!
Super Nannies
The UK government intends to send Super Nannies into the homes of the most anti-social families.
These social workers, with extra health or other specialised skills, will be with the family early in the morning and late at night, ensuring the children are fed, dressed, sent to school and layabout parents get jobs. At night they will make sure children are washed and put to bed and not roaming the streets.
Antisocial families are currently monitored by up to 10 different local authority agencies — allowing those determined not to change their ways to play different bodies off against each other.
Under the plans, such families will be put under the full-time supervision of a single case worker, who will only move on when there is evidence that households are responding.
This may be a good thing and I'll tell you why. The social worker is going to have the sole responsibility for getting routine, structure and just some semblance of normality into these homes. He or she is going to find out that the main barrier to achieving this is her employer, in another guise. In the case of the UK, the Dept of Work and Pensions. As long as the "layabout" parent keeps collecting their dole or lone parenting payment without sanctions changing any other behaviour patterns will be nigh on impossible. I speak from experience.
While many different authorities were involved, no single one had to take the responsibility for making a difference. So, as an alternative to the status quo I would support this. Finding anybody who wants to do the job is another matter.
These social workers, with extra health or other specialised skills, will be with the family early in the morning and late at night, ensuring the children are fed, dressed, sent to school and layabout parents get jobs. At night they will make sure children are washed and put to bed and not roaming the streets.
Antisocial families are currently monitored by up to 10 different local authority agencies — allowing those determined not to change their ways to play different bodies off against each other.
Under the plans, such families will be put under the full-time supervision of a single case worker, who will only move on when there is evidence that households are responding.
This may be a good thing and I'll tell you why. The social worker is going to have the sole responsibility for getting routine, structure and just some semblance of normality into these homes. He or she is going to find out that the main barrier to achieving this is her employer, in another guise. In the case of the UK, the Dept of Work and Pensions. As long as the "layabout" parent keeps collecting their dole or lone parenting payment without sanctions changing any other behaviour patterns will be nigh on impossible. I speak from experience.
While many different authorities were involved, no single one had to take the responsibility for making a difference. So, as an alternative to the status quo I would support this. Finding anybody who wants to do the job is another matter.
On the button
The greatest threat to the future of our nation -- to our freedom -- is not foreign military aggression … but the growing dependence of the people on a paternalistic government. A nation is no stronger than its people and the best measure of their strength is how they accept responsibility. There will never be a great society unless the materialism of the welfare state is replaced by individual initiative and responsibility.
— Charles B. Shuman
— Charles B. Shuman
Announcement
I've been thinking. As we now have a Maori Party whose sole reason for existing is the paramouncy of being Maori, I am officially starting the Blonde Party based on the paramouncy of being Blonde. Brunettes and Redheads are welcome to join. I don't know what the point of that would be but being Blonde, I don't need one. 
If you feel Blonde, you are. Just wanting to be Blonde is silly and patronising enough to qualify you. I undertake to release a policy every time the Maori Party does. As they are trail-blazing the way for parties based on skin colour and I am trail-blazing the way for parties based on hair colour, I will follow their lead. If I can't come up with a Blonde policy I'll find a Blonde joke. You probably won't notice the difference.
For instance, the Maori Party say Maori should get their Kiwi super savings earlier than anyone else because Maori don't live as long. So the Blonde Party says that Blondes should also get their Kiwi super savings early because low IQ is linked to lower life expectancy. Makes perfect sense.
I am already planning our first campaign which is to lobby Statistics NZ to include a question about hair colour in the 2011 Census. The state needs to plan for the Blonde demographic.
Would you like to join?
Update: I am going to headhunt Sue Kedgley. I just heard her on the radio saying "it was incredulous" that the Wellington region had allocated only 6 pecent of its transport budget to public transport. She knows some big words and with a command of english like that she would project exactly the image we want.
If you feel Blonde, you are. Just wanting to be Blonde is silly and patronising enough to qualify you. I undertake to release a policy every time the Maori Party does. As they are trail-blazing the way for parties based on skin colour and I am trail-blazing the way for parties based on hair colour, I will follow their lead. If I can't come up with a Blonde policy I'll find a Blonde joke. You probably won't notice the difference.For instance, the Maori Party say Maori should get their Kiwi super savings earlier than anyone else because Maori don't live as long. So the Blonde Party says that Blondes should also get their Kiwi super savings early because low IQ is linked to lower life expectancy. Makes perfect sense.
I am already planning our first campaign which is to lobby Statistics NZ to include a question about hair colour in the 2011 Census. The state needs to plan for the Blonde demographic.
Would you like to join?
Update: I am going to headhunt Sue Kedgley. I just heard her on the radio saying "it was incredulous" that the Wellington region had allocated only 6 pecent of its transport budget to public transport. She knows some big words and with a command of english like that she would project exactly the image we want.
State knows best
Parents and teachers are angry that the government has refused to appoint parents or teachers to the Correspondence School board.
According to the DomPost the Education Minister Steve Maharey announced a new-look board this week that did not include any staff memebers or parents.
The existing board had been appointed by the government two years ago as an interim measure.....parents and staff had hoped the new board would include representatives.
A senior staff member said education had suffered under the Government-appointed board. "There are still kids who haven't got work this year...."
Parent Angela McIntyre said it was disgraceful parents had not been given the opportunity to be on the board like face-to-face schools.
But Mr Maharey said parents and staff had been kept well-informed and a skills-based board was appropriate.
Defending this on National Radio yesterday he apprently said that the parents and teachers get copies of minutes from the meetings.
Let them eat cake.
According to the DomPost the Education Minister Steve Maharey announced a new-look board this week that did not include any staff memebers or parents.
The existing board had been appointed by the government two years ago as an interim measure.....parents and staff had hoped the new board would include representatives.
A senior staff member said education had suffered under the Government-appointed board. "There are still kids who haven't got work this year...."
Parent Angela McIntyre said it was disgraceful parents had not been given the opportunity to be on the board like face-to-face schools.
But Mr Maharey said parents and staff had been kept well-informed and a skills-based board was appropriate.
Defending this on National Radio yesterday he apprently said that the parents and teachers get copies of minutes from the meetings.
Let them eat cake.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Jeepers
Only a few weeks ago drivers were barred from working on buses because they'd slept with their underage girlfriend many moons ago. Meanwhile we have a guy who killed his wife and kids by slitting their throats going into people's homes as a Census collector.
Area manager Judy Cartwright said Te Huia had been doing a great job and she was comfortable with him knocking on doors. "He's been suffering for what he did for 13 years. How long does he have to be crucified for?"
Asked if she intended to continue employing him, she replied: "Absolutely. I have no reason to take him off. There?s never been any discussion about that."
But last night Statistics New Zealand released a statement saying Te Huia had resigned that afternoon.
"It emerged today that the collector had failed to disclose information material to his employment," said Government statistician Brian Pink.
This Census operation has certainly already produced some very interesting revelations.
Area manager Judy Cartwright said Te Huia had been doing a great job and she was comfortable with him knocking on doors. "He's been suffering for what he did for 13 years. How long does he have to be crucified for?"
Asked if she intended to continue employing him, she replied: "Absolutely. I have no reason to take him off. There?s never been any discussion about that."
But last night Statistics New Zealand released a statement saying Te Huia had resigned that afternoon.
"It emerged today that the collector had failed to disclose information material to his employment," said Government statistician Brian Pink.
This Census operation has certainly already produced some very interesting revelations.
From welfare waffle to education waffle
880 (2006). Allan Peachey to the Minister of Education (22 February 2006): What does the Minister understand his Ministry to mean when it refers to teachers working together in “professional practice communities”?
Hon Steve Maharey (Minister of Education) replied: In a community of professional teaching practice, teachers:
· seek opportunities to model, observe, coach, critique and reflect, and use action research approaches;
· take a school based approach over time that fosters collaboration and collegial support;
· value ongoing guidance and support from within and outside the school.
This waffle is a perfect example of how our education system fails. What I want from the education system is that my children learn how to think (not to be confused with what to think) and how to communicate.
Advice for Sue Bradford et al.
I will be e-mailing the following article to Sue Bradford. It is easy to understand and draws on factual evidence.
MINIMUM WAGE, MINIMUM SENSE
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
After humiliation at the polls in November, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger now advocates raising the state minimum wage from its current $6.75 an hour to $7.75 by July 2007, says David Henderson of the Hoover Institution. While Democrats support the idea of helping poorer families, researchers claim artificial wage rates adversely affect lower income people.
Consider the findings of various economists:
* Only 20 percent of the workers potentially affected by an earlier one dollar increase in California's minimum wage were supporting a family on a single minimum-wage income. The other 80 percent were teenagers or adult children living with their parents, adults living alone or dual earners in a married couple.
* Increases in minimum wages actually redistribute income among poor families by giving wage increases to some and putting others out of work. They estimate the 1996 and 1997 federal minimum-wage increase amplified the proportion of poor families by one-half to one percentage point.
* People in their late 20s worked less and earned less the longer they were exposed to a high minimum wage, presumably because the minimum wage destroyed job opportunities early in their work life.
Also:
* A comprehensive survey of studies of the minimum-wage increase found that a 10 percent increase in the minimum wage reduces employment of young workers by one percent to two percent.
* If this estimate holds for California, Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposed 15 percent increase would destroy 1.5 to 3 percent of young Californians' jobs -- about 35,000 to 70,000 jobs.
MINIMUM WAGE, MINIMUM SENSE
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
After humiliation at the polls in November, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger now advocates raising the state minimum wage from its current $6.75 an hour to $7.75 by July 2007, says David Henderson of the Hoover Institution. While Democrats support the idea of helping poorer families, researchers claim artificial wage rates adversely affect lower income people.
Consider the findings of various economists:
* Only 20 percent of the workers potentially affected by an earlier one dollar increase in California's minimum wage were supporting a family on a single minimum-wage income. The other 80 percent were teenagers or adult children living with their parents, adults living alone or dual earners in a married couple.
* Increases in minimum wages actually redistribute income among poor families by giving wage increases to some and putting others out of work. They estimate the 1996 and 1997 federal minimum-wage increase amplified the proportion of poor families by one-half to one percentage point.
* People in their late 20s worked less and earned less the longer they were exposed to a high minimum wage, presumably because the minimum wage destroyed job opportunities early in their work life.
Also:
* A comprehensive survey of studies of the minimum-wage increase found that a 10 percent increase in the minimum wage reduces employment of young workers by one percent to two percent.
* If this estimate holds for California, Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposed 15 percent increase would destroy 1.5 to 3 percent of young Californians' jobs -- about 35,000 to 70,000 jobs.
Cart before the horse
This judge is talking sense in as much as he identifies the first three years of an at-risk child's life being the core of many future problems.
Retired family court judge, Graeme MacCormick says,"It is from disadvantaged children, those not given a good start in life, that most of our young and not so young criminal offenders come.
"We cannot afford more police, more court staff, more judges, more prisons, more accident and emergency and mental health workers, more wasted lives, than we already have."
But a national at-risk register? I don't trust the state to get anything right in respect of registers, follow-up and intervention. Go back a step further and ask, why do we encourage people who couldn't look after a kitten, let alone a child, to have babies? It seems senseless to continue to do this and then bang those babies onto an at-risk register as soon as they arrive, assuring ourselves that is enough.
Retired family court judge, Graeme MacCormick says,"It is from disadvantaged children, those not given a good start in life, that most of our young and not so young criminal offenders come.
"We cannot afford more police, more court staff, more judges, more prisons, more accident and emergency and mental health workers, more wasted lives, than we already have."
But a national at-risk register? I don't trust the state to get anything right in respect of registers, follow-up and intervention. Go back a step further and ask, why do we encourage people who couldn't look after a kitten, let alone a child, to have babies? It seems senseless to continue to do this and then bang those babies onto an at-risk register as soon as they arrive, assuring ourselves that is enough.
Your home is not your castle
Census takers go on to people's properties. Over the space of a week or so nobody knows when they will turn up. In Kapiti three Census takers have been bitten by dogs. One a ridgeback-mastiff cross which bit a man on the arm, the second a labrador which bit a woman on both legs, and the third was unspecified but the collector received minor bites on her elbow.
Get this. The Census area manager says,"We have contacted the police and Kapiti dog ranger and requested that the offending dogs be destroyed."
The dog ranger says,"We will be checking to make sure dog owners adhere to common law, which states quite clearly that every home has to have dog free access."
Quite clearly nobody can have a dog for the purpose of security or deterrence. Anybody who cannot afford or doesn't want to fence from their gate to their front door can't have a dog - not even a miniature poodle. This edict is another abuse of property rights.
Get this. The Census area manager says,"We have contacted the police and Kapiti dog ranger and requested that the offending dogs be destroyed."
The dog ranger says,"We will be checking to make sure dog owners adhere to common law, which states quite clearly that every home has to have dog free access."
Quite clearly nobody can have a dog for the purpose of security or deterrence. Anybody who cannot afford or doesn't want to fence from their gate to their front door can't have a dog - not even a miniature poodle. This edict is another abuse of property rights.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Why so long?
It is marvellous how quickly one can correspond with e-mail. I was thinking about a book I read, of correspondence between Peter Buck and Sir Apirana Ngata, when days and weeks would interrupt the conversation.
But only yesterday my main bitch with the Whangamata controversy was that, which ever way the final decision went, it should never have taken 11 years. Over such a long period the resentments and division build. The eventual ruling is then much harder to come to terms with and get over.
We whinge about lack of access to broadband and how it is holding us back. Heck. Speedier technology can't combat the stultifying and stifling processes we have put in place to prevent development.
But only yesterday my main bitch with the Whangamata controversy was that, which ever way the final decision went, it should never have taken 11 years. Over such a long period the resentments and division build. The eventual ruling is then much harder to come to terms with and get over.
We whinge about lack of access to broadband and how it is holding us back. Heck. Speedier technology can't combat the stultifying and stifling processes we have put in place to prevent development.
Future of Freedom Foundation
This has to be the best logo and their website address is also really succinct at www.fff.org
You can subscribe to their daily e-mail which always contains an interesting quote. This is today's;
According to a new poll, only one in four Americans can name two of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment. But more than half of Americans can name at least two of the characters on The Simpsons. Hey, if they ran the Constitution on TV eight times a day, we'd know it.
— Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Kimmel Live
Expect shortages
Think for a moment about the implications of this snippet;
Midwife Shortage - Three leading obstetricians in Auckland say they are worried negative publicity about midwives will add to a serious and growing shortage in the profession.
So we can look forward to similar shortages of politicians, police, prostitutes, professional rugby players, gang members, catholic priests, newspaper editors, bloggers.....
Midwife Shortage - Three leading obstetricians in Auckland say they are worried negative publicity about midwives will add to a serious and growing shortage in the profession.
So we can look forward to similar shortages of politicians, police, prostitutes, professional rugby players, gang members, catholic priests, newspaper editors, bloggers.....
Another tax hike
The Press leads today with the news that Christchurch rates are about to take a 9.9 percent hike.
Christchurch homeowners face the largest rates rise in at least 20 years, with more financial pain feared.
Last month, the council decided on about $1.5 million of cost-cutting measures, including the possible closure of some suburban swimming pools and libraries. It also endorsed increased fees, notably in the cost of parking in the central city.
Cr Helen Broughton said the rates rise was too high, but she could not say where further cuts should be made.
She could look here. In December the salary of the Chief Executive was raised to $351,000 and a bonus of 8 percent paid. What was the bonus for? Keeping the ratepayer happy?
Christchurch homeowners face the largest rates rise in at least 20 years, with more financial pain feared.
Last month, the council decided on about $1.5 million of cost-cutting measures, including the possible closure of some suburban swimming pools and libraries. It also endorsed increased fees, notably in the cost of parking in the central city.
Cr Helen Broughton said the rates rise was too high, but she could not say where further cuts should be made.
She could look here. In December the salary of the Chief Executive was raised to $351,000 and a bonus of 8 percent paid. What was the bonus for? Keeping the ratepayer happy?
The symbolism of steak
Victoria University senior psychology lecturer Marc Wilson, an omnivore, and PhD student Michael Allen, a vegetarian, say meat is symbolic.
"Why do people eat meat? Partly, it's a way of expressing dominance or masculinity . . . Really masculine men eat more meat," Dr Wilson said.
National Party supporters and men who saw the world in a hierarchical way tended to eat more meat than Labour Party supporters and women – who saw the world in a more interconnected, less structured way, the researchers found.
Perhaps there is also the small matter of the price of a piece of steak....
"Why do people eat meat? Partly, it's a way of expressing dominance or masculinity . . . Really masculine men eat more meat," Dr Wilson said.
National Party supporters and men who saw the world in a hierarchical way tended to eat more meat than Labour Party supporters and women – who saw the world in a more interconnected, less structured way, the researchers found.
Perhaps there is also the small matter of the price of a piece of steak....
OECD gravitates towards "enemies of liberty"
I thought the OECD was going soft. This news from the Independent Institute confirms it.
THE OECD DRIFT
For about half of its life, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) attempted to defend and promote economic liberty in the West. As Independent Institute Research Fellow Pierre Lemieux explains,however, in the past
two decades the OECD has drifted toward government intervention.
Beginning in the 1980s, the OECD began advocating "fair competition" and a "global playing field," rather than free trade. Since the 1990s, it has also pushed both "socially responsible" corporate governance, which puts the alleged claims of so-called community "stake holders" on par with the claims of stockholders, and "sustainable development," which asserts presumptuously that long-run development requires the government to prevent private developers from acting against their own rational self-interest.
Although the OECD still does some good work (Lemieux lauds its country surveys and research on comparative health-care systems), the recent selection of Angel Gurria of Mexico to head the OECD in June, rather than the market-oriented classical liberal candidate Alain Madelin of France, bodes poorly for the organization -- and for the future of economic liberty.
Writes Lemieux: "Alain Madelin believes that the OECD will be more and more carried into the world governance movement, which, he explains, is where the enemies of liberty have refocused their fight. He adds, pessimistically, 'It is the end of the OECD.'"
THE OECD DRIFT
For about half of its life, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) attempted to defend and promote economic liberty in the West. As Independent Institute Research Fellow Pierre Lemieux explains,however, in the past
two decades the OECD has drifted toward government intervention.
Beginning in the 1980s, the OECD began advocating "fair competition" and a "global playing field," rather than free trade. Since the 1990s, it has also pushed both "socially responsible" corporate governance, which puts the alleged claims of so-called community "stake holders" on par with the claims of stockholders, and "sustainable development," which asserts presumptuously that long-run development requires the government to prevent private developers from acting against their own rational self-interest.
Although the OECD still does some good work (Lemieux lauds its country surveys and research on comparative health-care systems), the recent selection of Angel Gurria of Mexico to head the OECD in June, rather than the market-oriented classical liberal candidate Alain Madelin of France, bodes poorly for the organization -- and for the future of economic liberty.
Writes Lemieux: "Alain Madelin believes that the OECD will be more and more carried into the world governance movement, which, he explains, is where the enemies of liberty have refocused their fight. He adds, pessimistically, 'It is the end of the OECD.'"
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Can seven violent deaths go unreported?
According to Human Rights Commissioner, Joy Liddicoat, quoting the National Collective of Women's Refuges, seven women have been killed in domestic violence incidents this year alone. In trying to verify this I checked the Sensible Sentencing website.
It has recorded 9 murders this year. But none of them were women. Seven were men in either their late twenties or early thirties. The other two were a three year-old boy and a 14 month-old baby girl.
What am I missing here? There is no mention of this fact at the Women's Refuge website
I've searched "woman killed in domestic incident nz 2006" to no avail and I've searched the Police press releases, also to no avail.
According to Stop Violence Against Women historically a woman is killed by a partner or ex every five weeks or around 11 women a year. So if seven have been lost already something is seriously awry (as though it isn't anyway.)
I can only conclude that these seven deaths slipped completely beneath the media's radar.
UPDATE: Now it's in the newspaper so it must be true.
It has recorded 9 murders this year. But none of them were women. Seven were men in either their late twenties or early thirties. The other two were a three year-old boy and a 14 month-old baby girl.
What am I missing here? There is no mention of this fact at the Women's Refuge website
I've searched "woman killed in domestic incident nz 2006" to no avail and I've searched the Police press releases, also to no avail.
According to Stop Violence Against Women historically a woman is killed by a partner or ex every five weeks or around 11 women a year. So if seven have been lost already something is seriously awry (as though it isn't anyway.)
I can only conclude that these seven deaths slipped completely beneath the media's radar.
UPDATE: Now it's in the newspaper so it must be true.
Prison Population Projections
Prison population projections have just been released.
No surprises that further increase is expected. But why the predictable seasonal fluctuations?
You Will Comply
This is nauseating stuff from collectivist compulsionists. A UK real estate agent painted his shop the wrong colour and was forced to pay three thousand punds in fines and legal fees. Check the link to see just what a dreadful shade of yellow he chose.
But look what this woman had to say;
Councillor Irene Ratcliffe, from Derbyshire Dales District Council, said the issue was not really the colour.
"It isn't about the colour - it is about complying and I believe we have to enforce it as we have to live together as a community."
But look what this woman had to say;
Councillor Irene Ratcliffe, from Derbyshire Dales District Council, said the issue was not really the colour.
"It isn't about the colour - it is about complying and I believe we have to enforce it as we have to live together as a community."
Drugs and heartache
Methadone programmes allow registered heroin addicts to collect a daily supply of methadone from their local pharmacy. The methadone is usaully taken at the pharmacy. But in the case of days when the pharmacy is not open "takaways" are given. A programme operates in New Zealand but there is a queue to get on it.
What the programme offers is a chance to get clean by taking a reducing dose legally. It allows the addict to disassociate him or herself from criminal activity. It allows people to hold down a job.
In Scotland a two-year-old boy recently died from swallowing methadone stored at home. His two siblings are now in care. All three should have been in care.
"Drug and methadone dependency have reached epidemic proportions, with our social services left to pick up the pieces of government policy that lacks the will to tackle the issue head-on."
Some 20,000 drug addicts - nearly a third of the Scottish total - are on a methadone treatment programme. Figures from the General Register Office for Scotland show there were 80 methadone-related deaths in 2004, compared with 225 for heroin. The figures for 2003 were 87 and 175 respectively.
These figures don't tell us a lot about whether the programme is succeeding because the methadone-related deaths may not relate to people on the programme. The methadone may have been illegally obtained or sold by somebody on the programme.
In NZ there appears to be three outcomes of the programme. People actually get clean; the methadone becomes a crutch but it is still a better crutch than heroin; others continue to be involved in criminal activities which eventually catch up with them.
The Howard Penal Reform league says;
International research clearly demonstrates the short and long-term benefits of placing those with opioid dependence on methadone programmes as soon as addiction is apparent and help sought. Rapid access to treatment is shown to be beneficial even when initial or interim treatment is not comprehensive and involves less than optimal doses.
The risks with methadone programmes are real. But on balance the risks associated with an addiction to illegal heroin are worse. We need more legality. We need to get more people more quickly onto these programmes - not fewer.
What the programme offers is a chance to get clean by taking a reducing dose legally. It allows the addict to disassociate him or herself from criminal activity. It allows people to hold down a job.
In Scotland a two-year-old boy recently died from swallowing methadone stored at home. His two siblings are now in care. All three should have been in care.
"Drug and methadone dependency have reached epidemic proportions, with our social services left to pick up the pieces of government policy that lacks the will to tackle the issue head-on."
Some 20,000 drug addicts - nearly a third of the Scottish total - are on a methadone treatment programme. Figures from the General Register Office for Scotland show there were 80 methadone-related deaths in 2004, compared with 225 for heroin. The figures for 2003 were 87 and 175 respectively.
These figures don't tell us a lot about whether the programme is succeeding because the methadone-related deaths may not relate to people on the programme. The methadone may have been illegally obtained or sold by somebody on the programme.
In NZ there appears to be three outcomes of the programme. People actually get clean; the methadone becomes a crutch but it is still a better crutch than heroin; others continue to be involved in criminal activities which eventually catch up with them.
The Howard Penal Reform league says;
International research clearly demonstrates the short and long-term benefits of placing those with opioid dependence on methadone programmes as soon as addiction is apparent and help sought. Rapid access to treatment is shown to be beneficial even when initial or interim treatment is not comprehensive and involves less than optimal doses.
The risks with methadone programmes are real. But on balance the risks associated with an addiction to illegal heroin are worse. We need more legality. We need to get more people more quickly onto these programmes - not fewer.
Monday, March 06, 2006
"State teachers go private for own"
One of the problems facing parents in my electorate is the vast size of the major state secondary school. It has a roll of 1800. Many parents have no choice but to send their children to this school even when it doesn't suit their child's needs. Fortunately we could afford to 'pay twice' to get one child into an independent school with a small roll. The people who work there have their own children enrolled - unlike many teachers in the UK state system, who have been sharing their contempt for state schools and intentions to avoid them if at all possible;
STATE school teachers have admitted they are planning to educate their children in independent schools rather than send them to the comprehensives allocated by their local councils.
Teachers contributing to an education website last week complained of being made to “lump it” with “bottom of the league” schools where drugs and bullying were rife.
Alan Smithers, professor of education at Buckingham University, said he was concerned by the entries on the TES website, which is mainly used by state school teachers.
“Teachers know the school system best,” said Smithers. “If they are thinking it is not good enough for their children, that is an indication that something must be seriously wrong.”
STATE school teachers have admitted they are planning to educate their children in independent schools rather than send them to the comprehensives allocated by their local councils.
Teachers contributing to an education website last week complained of being made to “lump it” with “bottom of the league” schools where drugs and bullying were rife.
Alan Smithers, professor of education at Buckingham University, said he was concerned by the entries on the TES website, which is mainly used by state school teachers.
“Teachers know the school system best,” said Smithers. “If they are thinking it is not good enough for their children, that is an indication that something must be seriously wrong.”
The role of a government
There can be no doubt what National Finance spokesman, John Key, thinks the role of government is. This is from a speech delivered to the West Harbour Rotary Club today;"At a national level, if we can generate more income in the future, we have more ability, collectively, to do things - to improve our public services and to strengthen our national institutions.
Health and education services are usually the first things people think about as benefiting from a stronger economy. I agree, but I also look further than that. I'm always impressed, for example, with the Australian Institute of Sport, and by the constant stream of gold medal winners and world champions who come out of it. Australia can afford a facility like this because it is a much wealthier country than we are. The quality of a national institution like this is reflected back again in a strong sense of national pride.
In a similar vein, I made the point last year in a speech that part of the reason we should strive to have a prosperous economy is so we can fund and enjoy things like our Symphony Orchestra."
Crisis? What crisis?
What can this story possibly be about;
....found the extent of the crisis....lack of time as the major problem...."This is a major concern to us" ....the same tragic story kicks in....too male-dominated ....unfriendly to female....lack a family atmosphere....the decline was even greater....there are many barriers....here are a number of issues which need to be addressed for the long-term good....expectations of an inclusive, socially interactive environment were quickly shattered....
So what is this crisis?
....found the extent of the crisis....lack of time as the major problem...."This is a major concern to us" ....the same tragic story kicks in....too male-dominated ....unfriendly to female....lack a family atmosphere....the decline was even greater....there are many barriers....here are a number of issues which need to be addressed for the long-term good....expectations of an inclusive, socially interactive environment were quickly shattered....
So what is this crisis?
The Public Health System
Contrast these two stories.
Spending rises but surgery falls at city hospitals
Health spending has risen from about $6.6 billion a year when Labour took office to about $10 billion. But most of the extra spending has gone into rolling out the Primary Health Organisations.
Doctors warn no more care after hours
A South Island doctors' group representing 460 GPs is threatening to withdraw from providing after-hours care if workforce and funding problems are not fixed.
Is this as good as it gets?
Spending rises but surgery falls at city hospitals
Health spending has risen from about $6.6 billion a year when Labour took office to about $10 billion. But most of the extra spending has gone into rolling out the Primary Health Organisations.
Doctors warn no more care after hours
A South Island doctors' group representing 460 GPs is threatening to withdraw from providing after-hours care if workforce and funding problems are not fixed.
Is this as good as it gets?
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Rachealle Namana
I knew Namana was out. I'd looked her up on Garth McVicar's database some time ago. What happened to Lillybing changed my life because I reached the point when I no longer wanted to pay for people to live dissolute, destructive and deviant lifestyles and make the lives of children in their care utter misery. Somehow it made me complicit. Let's not forget what happened (the italicised passages are the words of Pamela Stirling writing for the Listener in 2001).
One depositions witness said Lillybing had arrived at the kohanga reo that day with "shit running down her legs", bare feet "pinky purple" with cold and a snotty face. Other children teased Lilly bing because she smelt. The witness said she retched when she tried to change Lillybing's nappy.
Lillybing was not much more than a baby. A small 23 month-old constantly left in the care of her Aunty, Rachealle Namana, who had four children of her own. Namana resented being put upon. She was called on to breastfeed Lillybing when the biological mother was unable. Lillybing would be left with Namana, without nappies, which is why the toilet-training episode apparently occurred.
There was evidence that Namana hit Lillybing each time she fell from a little wooden platform in front of the adult-sized toilet during a toilet training session that started at around 8pm. It was after 11pm, said the thirteen year-old withness, crying through much of her evidence, that she found Lillybing alone on the toilet, clinging with her arms and legs 'to stop her falling in'.
But Namana was defrauding WINZ. "My sister left for Australia and I kept the benefit."
By Namana's own account she was getting an extra $400 a fortnight. Namana chainsmokes and there is money for alcohol. Namana claims only to go to the pub at lunchtime to put a $2 bet on the TAB, but at the Royal Oak her unborn child was known as "Jack"; short for Jack Daniels. Ask her about drinking during pregnancy and she says she only discovered she was pregnant at seven months. 'I was on the injection; it saves money on tampons.'
There was money for drugs and there was money for band equipment. The partner had a band called FUBAR, which stands for Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition. The first word Lillybing said most clearly was "f...".
On the day Lillybing died there was a birthday celebration for Namana and Hemopo's 8 year-old. Her present? A Sky cartoon channel subscription.
But Lillybing is the child who a health worker described in depositions as a 'woebegone little thing' and looking as though she 'never had enough cuddles'.
She fell over all the time. A bruise on her forehead was mistreated with a boiling cloth. Vaginal injuries and bleeding were ignored. At some stage on the day of her death Namana shook her violently causing a major cerebral injury. The Crown says she had also suffered some severe abdominal bruises at about the same time.
When Lillybing lay dead on the couch Namana had driven to her stepmother's house looking for a driver so she could "get on the piss".
Nothing has changed.
Hinewaoriki Rerenoa Merekara Karaitiana - Matiaha 7 Aug 1998 - 23rd July 2000
Privatisation of welfare - not
Saw the following on the Adam Smith blog.
Was I hallucinating when I heard British Gas are to offer a lump sum rebate for the aged or disadvantaged? I called BG. Sure – At the last monstrous price increase they agreed with government to offer a means tested benefit. They promise to mail details but it may just have been a dream. BG seemed unclear if this benefit is to be subsidized by the Government or by their shareholders. Can you believe that utilities are offering competing means tested benefits? Does this signal progressive privatization of welfare?
This isn't "welfare privatisation". Utility companies are not there to provide welfare. Privatising welfare would be about welfare agencies providing welfare services operating on voluntarily donated money. Like World Vision.
You see, thanks to the state, welfare has wrongly become synonomous with just the provision of money. It is much more.
Was I hallucinating when I heard British Gas are to offer a lump sum rebate for the aged or disadvantaged? I called BG. Sure – At the last monstrous price increase they agreed with government to offer a means tested benefit. They promise to mail details but it may just have been a dream. BG seemed unclear if this benefit is to be subsidized by the Government or by their shareholders. Can you believe that utilities are offering competing means tested benefits? Does this signal progressive privatization of welfare?
This isn't "welfare privatisation". Utility companies are not there to provide welfare. Privatising welfare would be about welfare agencies providing welfare services operating on voluntarily donated money. Like World Vision.
You see, thanks to the state, welfare has wrongly become synonomous with just the provision of money. It is much more.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Hanging and judging...
Unlike David Benson-Pope I have been selected for hanging and final judging....
....at least my entry into the 2006 National Bienniel Portrait Competition has.
....at least my entry into the 2006 National Bienniel Portrait Competition has.
Till divorce do us part
The median age for men divorcing is 43 years; for women it's 40.4 years
The median age of bridegrooms is 32.3 years; for brides it's 30.2
I guess that means that for marriages which end in divorce the median length is about 10 years. Wonder what happened to the seven year itch?
In 2004 for every divorce granted two marriages took place.
In 1971 for every divorce granted, eight marriages took place. Interestingly divorces filed for and granted on the basis of adultery were more commonly filed by men (877 to 661) and the same for desertion (324 to 235). The median length of a marriage which ended in divorce was between thirteen and fourteen years.
The median age of bridegrooms is 32.3 years; for brides it's 30.2
I guess that means that for marriages which end in divorce the median length is about 10 years. Wonder what happened to the seven year itch?
In 2004 for every divorce granted two marriages took place.
In 1971 for every divorce granted, eight marriages took place. Interestingly divorces filed for and granted on the basis of adultery were more commonly filed by men (877 to 661) and the same for desertion (324 to 235). The median length of a marriage which ended in divorce was between thirteen and fourteen years.
Female parliamentary representation
Where would you expect NZ to rank? Have a guess and then check this remarkably up-to-date link
Friday, March 03, 2006
Had anything nicked from your car lately?
This editorial from the Hawkes Bay Today caught my eye. It begins;
How crazy our society has become when Napier is subjected to a car break-in epidemic, yet it is the naughty citizens who dare to leave their possessions in their cars who are being scolded by the police.
I well remember working in Liverpool in the late 80's and being agressively rounded-on by passersby when returning to my car. I'd left my handbag on the seat. They had stopped a ne'er-do-well from breaking in but I was the target of their anger.
New Zealand now has that level of crime. The editorial sheds some light on why.
Some offenders who have been eventually caught have committed up to 200 previous break-ins. That is a risk of half a percent, well worth taking, especially when the punishment for the few who are caught is inconsequential.
Juvenile offenders face little more than family group conferences or, at the extreme end of the scale, are placed in a secure house, which often proves to be anything but. Even those who can't hide behind their age don't really have much to fear. From the age of 17, thieves face being fined (generally around $400), or periodic detention and community service.
With a laptop computer and accessories worth upwards of $1500, stealing from cars can be a low-risk and lucrative career option.
But you see, good citizens, the justice system can't be held to account. It is all your fault. If you insist on having valuables in your car then you are as good as aiding and abetting criminals. Desist.
How crazy our society has become when Napier is subjected to a car break-in epidemic, yet it is the naughty citizens who dare to leave their possessions in their cars who are being scolded by the police.
I well remember working in Liverpool in the late 80's and being agressively rounded-on by passersby when returning to my car. I'd left my handbag on the seat. They had stopped a ne'er-do-well from breaking in but I was the target of their anger.
New Zealand now has that level of crime. The editorial sheds some light on why.
Some offenders who have been eventually caught have committed up to 200 previous break-ins. That is a risk of half a percent, well worth taking, especially when the punishment for the few who are caught is inconsequential.
Juvenile offenders face little more than family group conferences or, at the extreme end of the scale, are placed in a secure house, which often proves to be anything but. Even those who can't hide behind their age don't really have much to fear. From the age of 17, thieves face being fined (generally around $400), or periodic detention and community service.
With a laptop computer and accessories worth upwards of $1500, stealing from cars can be a low-risk and lucrative career option.
But you see, good citizens, the justice system can't be held to account. It is all your fault. If you insist on having valuables in your car then you are as good as aiding and abetting criminals. Desist.
Why Mommy Is A Democrat
I once tried my hand at writing and illustrating a children's book. It was modelled on our dog whose nose was put very much out-of-joint when his position of first was supplanted by a newborn human. The publisher rejected it. Here's another that should have been given the thumbs down.
Here's what Reason had to say;
Why Mommy Is a Democrat, available online at littledemocrats.net, advertises itself as "a different kind of children's book," and that it is—a really bad kind that manages to insult the intelligence even of late-term fetuses. It pairs amateurish drawings of what appears to be a single-mother squirrel and her two offspring with mindless platitudes that ascribe all that is good and decent to the party of West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd.
"Democrats make sure we are nice to people who are different, just like Mommy does," explains one lesson. "Democrats make sure sick people are able to see a doctor, just like Mommy does," says another. "Democrats make sure we all share our toys," threatens a third. You don't need to be Phyllis Schlafly to wonder just where the hell the daddy squirrel has gone to in this scenario, which reads like a Republican parody of Democratic devotion to an oddly feminized nanny state.
To be fair Reason also had a pop at a Republican book, "Help! Mom! There are Liberals Under My Bed!"
Two boys' parents refuse to buy them a swing set ("Mom and Dad always told them that having everything given to them would not make them feel good about themselves"), they decide to start a lemonade stand to earn the money. Before they do, they have a nightmare in which they become small business owners in "a very strange place called Liberaland." Once the boys' lemonade business is booming, "Mayor Leach" (get it?) comes around and squeezes them with a 50 percent tax. Next up is "Mr. Fussman" of the "Liberaland Civil Liberties Union" (haw haw haw!), who is offended by the picture of Jesus the brothers hang on their stand and demands they replace with it a picture of a big toe. Before you know it, a Hillaryesque "Congresswoman Clunkton" is demanding the boys force broccoli on all customers, and so on, until at last the lemonade stand is seized by the state and run into the ground.
Luckily, the boys wake up and their long, nationalized lemonade nightmare is revealed simply as a bad dream.
The second sounds more fun. Reason's beef was with sermonising on politics to kids who, in America apparently, have less and less free time to wile away aimlessly. Very funny article.
Here's what Reason had to say;
Why Mommy Is a Democrat, available online at littledemocrats.net, advertises itself as "a different kind of children's book," and that it is—a really bad kind that manages to insult the intelligence even of late-term fetuses. It pairs amateurish drawings of what appears to be a single-mother squirrel and her two offspring with mindless platitudes that ascribe all that is good and decent to the party of West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd.
"Democrats make sure we are nice to people who are different, just like Mommy does," explains one lesson. "Democrats make sure sick people are able to see a doctor, just like Mommy does," says another. "Democrats make sure we all share our toys," threatens a third. You don't need to be Phyllis Schlafly to wonder just where the hell the daddy squirrel has gone to in this scenario, which reads like a Republican parody of Democratic devotion to an oddly feminized nanny state.
To be fair Reason also had a pop at a Republican book, "Help! Mom! There are Liberals Under My Bed!"
Two boys' parents refuse to buy them a swing set ("Mom and Dad always told them that having everything given to them would not make them feel good about themselves"), they decide to start a lemonade stand to earn the money. Before they do, they have a nightmare in which they become small business owners in "a very strange place called Liberaland." Once the boys' lemonade business is booming, "Mayor Leach" (get it?) comes around and squeezes them with a 50 percent tax. Next up is "Mr. Fussman" of the "Liberaland Civil Liberties Union" (haw haw haw!), who is offended by the picture of Jesus the brothers hang on their stand and demands they replace with it a picture of a big toe. Before you know it, a Hillaryesque "Congresswoman Clunkton" is demanding the boys force broccoli on all customers, and so on, until at last the lemonade stand is seized by the state and run into the ground.
Luckily, the boys wake up and their long, nationalized lemonade nightmare is revealed simply as a bad dream.
The second sounds more fun. Reason's beef was with sermonising on politics to kids who, in America apparently, have less and less free time to wile away aimlessly. Very funny article.
Bring Maori "savings" entitlement forward
That's what Hone Harawira called for yesterday in his speech addressing the KiwiSaver Bill;
"Mr Speaker, one of the key concerns we have with this Bill, is that quite simply, it discriminates against Maori.
The facts are that Maori just do not live past 65. What that means is that while Maori, like everyone else, will be encouraged to join the Kiwisaver scheme, less than 4% of Maori will actually live long enough to derive any benefits.
That Mr Speaker, is simple discrimination.....Give those with a lower life expectancy the entitlement at an earlier age."
The problems with this are glaringly obvious. Adjusting for varying life expectancy would mean allowing males to qualify earlier. Is that also Maori Party policy? Probably not. This isn't the sexist party. It's the racist party.
"Mr Speaker, one of the key concerns we have with this Bill, is that quite simply, it discriminates against Maori.
The facts are that Maori just do not live past 65. What that means is that while Maori, like everyone else, will be encouraged to join the Kiwisaver scheme, less than 4% of Maori will actually live long enough to derive any benefits.
That Mr Speaker, is simple discrimination.....Give those with a lower life expectancy the entitlement at an earlier age."
The problems with this are glaringly obvious. Adjusting for varying life expectancy would mean allowing males to qualify earlier. Is that also Maori Party policy? Probably not. This isn't the sexist party. It's the racist party.
Is this some kind of joke?
Have I gone mad or is it the rest of the world? I read this with utter disbelief. Let me say that on occasion I have shared a drink bottle with my kids. If we hike the nearby hills we go as lightly as possible. My God, What was I thinking of??
Phrases such as bugger and sheep-shagger are acceptable – but apparently there is no place on the telly for an advertisement showing a father and son swigging fruit juice from the same bottle.
The Advertising Standards Complaints Board says the Keri fruit juice advertisement should be taken off air – because it is socially irresponsible. The ruling follows several decisions reflecting the growing number of complaints demanding that advertisers be more socially responsible.
The board acknowledged yesterday that the advert probably would have been acceptable a few years ago – but said society had moved on.
Moved on?? To what?
Trev vs Treasury
Economic Development Minister, Trevor Mallard follows Michael Cullen's policy of rejecting Treasury advice.The NZ Herald reports; The Government will keep funding large-budget films despite the Treasury's reservations about the assistance scheme and a report that shows its economic impact could in the "worst case" result in a $38 million net loss....
....Treasury officials said there was not sufficient robust evidence to support the view that there were large spillover benefits to the economy to justify the subsidy programme.
The finding that the grant could have a negative economic impact raised doubts about its effectiveness, the Treasury said.
But Mr Mallard said yesterday that in his view the overall benefits outweighed the costs of the grant.
So the scheme will continue in accordance with Trev's view. I sometimes wonder what Treasury is for.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Still-life
Finished my competition portrait so thought I'd have a change and try some still-lifes. This involves stopping direct daylight coming in and setting up an arrangement with a constant artificial light source. Then paint what you see. It's fun because in a darkened room it is quite difficult to discern colour variation so you end up with some quite interesting effects. After a couple of hours....
Nannying hasn't improved matters
For the year ended 30 June 2005, ACC spent $39.8 million on Injury Prevention. The budget for the year ended 30 June 2006 is $46.7 million, which includes discounts for employers who are able to meet and maintain good health and safety management systems and performance.
ACC undertakes Injury Prevention programmes in five main focus areas. These areas are listed below with examples of particular programmes carried out in each area.
· Safer Communities - Alcohol and Drug-related harm, Family violence, Suicide prevention.
· Safer Homes – Slips, Trips and Falls, Child Safety for New Parents.
· Safer Workplaces - Safer industries programme, ACC partnership programme, Workplace safety management practices.
· Safer Sports – ACC Sportsmart, Sideline concussion, “the 11” prevention programme for soccer injuries, Snow safety programme, Water safety.
· Safer Road Use - Down with speed, Young driver training, Drink drive initiatives such as support for the NZ Police’s “Booze Bus” programme.
Now for the $46.7 million question.
Is it working?
The population has increased by 7 percent yet the number of accidents has increased by 15 percent. Don't tell me. We aren't spending enough.
(Info courtesy of PQs put by Dr Paul Hutchison.)
ACC undertakes Injury Prevention programmes in five main focus areas. These areas are listed below with examples of particular programmes carried out in each area.
· Safer Communities - Alcohol and Drug-related harm, Family violence, Suicide prevention.
· Safer Homes – Slips, Trips and Falls, Child Safety for New Parents.
· Safer Workplaces - Safer industries programme, ACC partnership programme, Workplace safety management practices.
· Safer Sports – ACC Sportsmart, Sideline concussion, “the 11” prevention programme for soccer injuries, Snow safety programme, Water safety.
· Safer Road Use - Down with speed, Young driver training, Drink drive initiatives such as support for the NZ Police’s “Booze Bus” programme.
Now for the $46.7 million question.
Is it working?
The population has increased by 7 percent yet the number of accidents has increased by 15 percent. Don't tell me. We aren't spending enough.
(Info courtesy of PQs put by Dr Paul Hutchison.)
Joan Rivers
Joan Rivers is soon coming to NZ and has been doing some publicity interviews. She really is gorgeous. Paul Holmes was gushing all over her this morning. "I've loved you for years," he drools.
"That's the trouble," she drawls."Where were you when I was young? I've only got two eggs left."
Overdue recognition
Good on the DomPost who swing in behind their Tuesday columnist, Michael Bassett with this editorial today;Michael Bassett's critics – and he has a few – at least cannot accuse the one-time Labour Cabinet minister and Dominion Post columnist of cowardice, this newspaper writes in an editorial. This week, he bravely tackled the delicate issue of "careless breeding" by people who he believes should not keep having children they cannot afford.
More haggling over poverty levels
Debate over true poverty levels in the US heats up again. The left claim high and climbing poverty levels to stave off further welfare reform. Here the Census Bureau has made lower poverty estimates by including non-cash assistance. The level drops even further when calculations based on rent-sharing are included. "Poverty" is notoriously difficult to measure and official statistics should always be taken with a grain of salt. It is very easy for governments to boast great gains in the war on poverty by simple jiggery-pokery.
Fertility problems
Mention fertility problems and most people think about aging would-be mums who may left it too late. Here a Canadian newspaper looks at the national problem of low and possibly reducing fertility rates. NZ, by the way, is just below replacement level at 2.01. Canada's rate is 1.5
By the year 2015, for the first time in the history of Canadian population statistics, there will be more people over the age of 65 than under the age of 15. Even the normally staid national bureau of record-keeping, Statistics Canada, declared, "This would be an unprecedented situation in Canada," when it announced late last year the critical turning point in a population projections report.
These projections, which were shaped by various growth scenarios, predicted fertility rates ranging from a low of 1.3 babies per woman to a high of 1.7 babies per woman. That puts Canada in line with the growing roster of nations beset by declining fertility: France, 1.9; Australia, 1.7; Germany, 1.3; Italy and Spain, 1.2, Japan, 1.2; Korea, 1.1.
Only the United States is conspicuous among its industrialized neighbours for a fertility rate that continues to remain above what is known as replacement level, with 2.01 babies per woman. The main reason for this difference seems to be in the fertility rate among women aged 24-29, which has been cut almost in half in Canada and many of the other nations with declining fertility, but which remains virtually unchanged in the U.S., where more traditional values prevail, says demographer Alain Belanger, the demographer behind Statistics Canada's latest projections.
Traditional values? The reason that NZ and the US have higher rates is the higher rates of birth to minorities. They have bigger families and higher proportions of young women.
In 2001, non-Hispanic whites had an average of 1.9 births per woman, compared with 2.0 births among Asian Americans, 2.1 births among American Indians, 2.2 births among non-Hispanic blacks, and 3.2 births among Hispanics.
The comparatively high rate in New Zealand reflects the higher fertility rates of Māori (2.65 births per woman in 2004) and Pacific women (2.94 in 2000–2002). The non-Maori fertility rate is 1.86
By the year 2015, for the first time in the history of Canadian population statistics, there will be more people over the age of 65 than under the age of 15. Even the normally staid national bureau of record-keeping, Statistics Canada, declared, "This would be an unprecedented situation in Canada," when it announced late last year the critical turning point in a population projections report.
These projections, which were shaped by various growth scenarios, predicted fertility rates ranging from a low of 1.3 babies per woman to a high of 1.7 babies per woman. That puts Canada in line with the growing roster of nations beset by declining fertility: France, 1.9; Australia, 1.7; Germany, 1.3; Italy and Spain, 1.2, Japan, 1.2; Korea, 1.1.
Only the United States is conspicuous among its industrialized neighbours for a fertility rate that continues to remain above what is known as replacement level, with 2.01 babies per woman. The main reason for this difference seems to be in the fertility rate among women aged 24-29, which has been cut almost in half in Canada and many of the other nations with declining fertility, but which remains virtually unchanged in the U.S., where more traditional values prevail, says demographer Alain Belanger, the demographer behind Statistics Canada's latest projections.
Traditional values? The reason that NZ and the US have higher rates is the higher rates of birth to minorities. They have bigger families and higher proportions of young women.
In 2001, non-Hispanic whites had an average of 1.9 births per woman, compared with 2.0 births among Asian Americans, 2.1 births among American Indians, 2.2 births among non-Hispanic blacks, and 3.2 births among Hispanics.
The comparatively high rate in New Zealand reflects the higher fertility rates of Māori (2.65 births per woman in 2004) and Pacific women (2.94 in 2000–2002). The non-Maori fertility rate is 1.86
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Maori Party view on fiscal policy
If there is something postive to be said about Maori Party finance spokesman Hone Harawira it's that he is bringing some much-needed plain speaking to Parliament. But putting aside the style, the content is pretty awful.
"Government is planning to spend an extra thirteen billion dollars over the next four years but for some reason it can’t find the money to help the 250,000 poorest kids in Aotearoa."
The govt will spend around 11 billion on these kids and their families over the next four years. The more govt spends, the less responsibility their parents will assume.
"In terms of income and growth, we note that the country has a 3.8% growth rate, but that sixty percent of Maoridom still has an annual income of less than $20,000. And in fact, at the time of the election, the average income for Tai Tokerau Maori was less than $13,000."
Any tribe claiming an average income of $13,000 either isn't declaring their whole income or hasn't worked out what they can get from WINZ. Maori income is largely low due to their over-representation in the benefit system. 94,000 and their dependants are on a benefit.
"And then, at the other end of our population, we note that government is expecting to have nearly ten billion in the superannuation fund by 30 June, but for some reason there is still a massive difference in life expectancy between Maori and Pākehā. And while every Maori taxpayer, like everybody else, will be expected to contribute to that super fund, very few Maori will actually get to receive the benefits of it."
The Maori economy pays $2.4 billion in tax annually and receives $2.3 billion in cash benefits alone. Who is paying for their health, education etc?
There is more from Hone in today's Budget Policy Statement speech. Essentially it is about saving money by collectively stamping out undesirable and costly activities; including crime and smoking, but not benefit reliance.
NB As a proponent of individual rights I really don't want to write about Maori in collective terms but any response to the Maori Party requires me to.
"Government is planning to spend an extra thirteen billion dollars over the next four years but for some reason it can’t find the money to help the 250,000 poorest kids in Aotearoa."
The govt will spend around 11 billion on these kids and their families over the next four years. The more govt spends, the less responsibility their parents will assume.
"In terms of income and growth, we note that the country has a 3.8% growth rate, but that sixty percent of Maoridom still has an annual income of less than $20,000. And in fact, at the time of the election, the average income for Tai Tokerau Maori was less than $13,000."
Any tribe claiming an average income of $13,000 either isn't declaring their whole income or hasn't worked out what they can get from WINZ. Maori income is largely low due to their over-representation in the benefit system. 94,000 and their dependants are on a benefit.
"And then, at the other end of our population, we note that government is expecting to have nearly ten billion in the superannuation fund by 30 June, but for some reason there is still a massive difference in life expectancy between Maori and Pākehā. And while every Maori taxpayer, like everybody else, will be expected to contribute to that super fund, very few Maori will actually get to receive the benefits of it."
The Maori economy pays $2.4 billion in tax annually and receives $2.3 billion in cash benefits alone. Who is paying for their health, education etc?
There is more from Hone in today's Budget Policy Statement speech. Essentially it is about saving money by collectively stamping out undesirable and costly activities; including crime and smoking, but not benefit reliance.
NB As a proponent of individual rights I really don't want to write about Maori in collective terms but any response to the Maori Party requires me to.
The great fiction of the welfare state
Frederic Bastiat put it simply, "Government is the great fiction through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else."Here Thomas Sowell puts a bit more flesh on it in "Something for nothing?";
People who think that they are getting something for nothing, by having government provide what they would otherwise have to buy in the private market, are not only kidding themselves by ignoring the taxes that government has to take from them in order to give them the appearance of something for nothing. They are also ignoring the strings that are going to be attached to their own money when it comes back to them in government benefits.
That is not even counting the fact that government programs are usually less efficient than similar services provided by private enterprises.
Yet the illusion of something for nothing has kept the welfare state going — and expanding. If there is something for sale in the marketplace for ten dollars and you would not pay more than five dollars for it, some politician can always offer to get it for you free — as a newly discovered "basic right," or at least at a "reasonable" or "affordable" price.
Suppose that the "reasonable" or "affordable" price is three dollars. How do you suppose the government can produce something for three dollars that private industry cannot produce for less than ten dollars? Greater efficiency in government? Give me a break!
The fact that you pay only three dollars at the cash register means nothing. If it costs the government twelve dollars to produce and distribute what you are getting for three dollars, then the government is going to have to get another nine dollars in taxes to cover the difference.
One way or another, you are going to end up paying twelve dollars for something you were unwilling to buy for ten dollars or even six dollars. But so long as you think you are getting something for nothing, the politicians' shell game has worked and the welfare state can continue to expand.
Unbundling confiscation
The clamouring for Telecom regulation makes me uneasy but it's a call difficult to argue against. Bruce Sheppard, Shareholders Association Chairman, has an opinion piece, "Unbundling is confiscation by another name", in the DomPost this morning. Unfortunately it's not on-line. He charges that the Ministry Of Economic Development are actually working against the national interest in pressuring Telecom to invest more in the face of unbundling. He argues that shareholders will, rather than invest more, look to divest themselves of existing assets."Now the big issue. All first-world countries have two common features and if either one of them is taken away they relatively quickly descend into third-world status."
"The first is a functioning democratic process and the second is a robust rule of law that respects personal and property rights."
"Unbundling a private asset in the name of 'national interest' is, in effect, chipping away at the second foundation of any successful economy and in terms of international investment confidence, may do more harm to the national good than the short-term price advantages created for the telecommunications industry through the illusion of competition."
You'd have to say this Labour government has already done plenty of "chipping away" for lesser perceived benefit.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
What a girl needs...
If you are unable to read this document it is a list of what the DPB Action Group wants. Let me summarise;
- reverse the 1991 benefit cuts which "devastated the social fabric of New Zealand.....government attacks on our livelihoods constitute violence against women and children."
- value the work done by sole mothers because "it is society's responsibility to support mothers and children."
- provide 100 percent free high quality childcare because "childcare is society's responsibility ...(and) stressed out mothers with young children need a break."
Next page to follow shortly.
What a girl wants...
- pay for our study and training choices because "many sole mothers are prevented from raeching their potential".
- reduce abatement rates and abolish secondary tax which "keeps us in a poverty trap".
- abolish work-testing which "denies us the right to seek employment appropriate to our family's circumstances.
- stop scapegoating us and support our civil rights
- women do two thirds of the world's work and get five percent of the income
- in solidarity with mothers of Venuzela and Argentina and Iraq we demand adequate support for single heads of households.
- it is time society values our work and takes care of our needs.
Imprisonment for drug offences
According to the LA Times article, posted yesterday;
The huge increases in federal and state prison populations during the 1980s and '90s (from 139 per 100,000 residents in 1980 to 482 per 100,000 in 2003) were mainly for drug convictions. In 1980, 580,900 Americans were arrested on drug charges. By 2003, that figure had ballooned to 1,678,200. We're making more arrests for drug offenses than for murder, manslaughter, forcible rape and aggravated assault combined. Feel safer?
I got to thinking about this overnight. NZ has the second highest imprisonment rate in the western world at 178 per 100,000. So how many people do we lock up for drug convictions? From 2003;
In the US;
Percent of sentenced
State inmates
1995 2002
Total 100 % 100 %
Violent 47 51
Property 23 20
Drug 22 21
Public-order 9 7
So although the percentage of people locked up for drug offences in the States is much higher than here, 21 percent as opposed to 9 percent, it is something of a myth that the high American prison rate of 486 per 100,000 in 2004 is solely due to drug offences (although many of the violent offences stem from the war on drugs). It might also be suggested that the percentage of non-violent drug offenders is higher in the States than in NZ.
Interesting that NZ separates "sex" crimes out from "violent".
The huge increases in federal and state prison populations during the 1980s and '90s (from 139 per 100,000 residents in 1980 to 482 per 100,000 in 2003) were mainly for drug convictions. In 1980, 580,900 Americans were arrested on drug charges. By 2003, that figure had ballooned to 1,678,200. We're making more arrests for drug offenses than for murder, manslaughter, forcible rape and aggravated assault combined. Feel safer?
I got to thinking about this overnight. NZ has the second highest imprisonment rate in the western world at 178 per 100,000. So how many people do we lock up for drug convictions? From 2003;
In the US;
Percent of sentenced
State inmates
1995 2002
Total 100 % 100 %
Violent 47 51
Property 23 20
Drug 22 21
Public-order 9 7
So although the percentage of people locked up for drug offences in the States is much higher than here, 21 percent as opposed to 9 percent, it is something of a myth that the high American prison rate of 486 per 100,000 in 2004 is solely due to drug offences (although many of the violent offences stem from the war on drugs). It might also be suggested that the percentage of non-violent drug offenders is higher in the States than in NZ.
Interesting that NZ separates "sex" crimes out from "violent".
Monday, February 27, 2006
End the war on drugs
A former Seattle police chief argues for an end to the war on drugs. He porposes an alternative model with "no apologies" to libertarians for taxation and regulation;
The demand for illicit drugs is as strong as the nation's thirst for bootleg booze during Prohibition. It's a demand that simply will not dwindle or dry up. Whether to find God, heighten sexual arousal, relieve physical pain, drown one's sorrows or simply feel good, people throughout the millenniums have turned to mood- and mind-altering substances.
They're not about to stop, no matter what their government says or does. It's time to accept drug use as a right of adult Americans, treat drug abuse as a public health problem and end the madness of an unwinnable war.
The demand for illicit drugs is as strong as the nation's thirst for bootleg booze during Prohibition. It's a demand that simply will not dwindle or dry up. Whether to find God, heighten sexual arousal, relieve physical pain, drown one's sorrows or simply feel good, people throughout the millenniums have turned to mood- and mind-altering substances.
They're not about to stop, no matter what their government says or does. It's time to accept drug use as a right of adult Americans, treat drug abuse as a public health problem and end the madness of an unwinnable war.
How extremists damage causes
"An article by the pastor of a Wanganui church sent widely around New Zealand has alleged that Green MP Sue Bradford is "under the control of Satan" because she is advocating the repeal of section 59 of the Crimes Act."
Of course, who is giving this article all the publicity? Sue Bradford. She headlines her press release with;
"Accusations of Satanism show nature of pro s59'ers."
I oppose the removal of section 59 because it puts power in the hands of CYF and the police as opposed to the court. A point that seems to get overlooked in the hysteria which, when it suits Bradford, she will further inflame to her advantage.
Of course, who is giving this article all the publicity? Sue Bradford. She headlines her press release with;
"Accusations of Satanism show nature of pro s59'ers."
I oppose the removal of section 59 because it puts power in the hands of CYF and the police as opposed to the court. A point that seems to get overlooked in the hysteria which, when it suits Bradford, she will further inflame to her advantage.
Savage Youth Crimes
"Juvenile offenders seem to be becoming harder and more sophisticated and our short-term institutions have become over filled with a disturbing influx of remand cases," Minister of Social Welfare, Mr King.
Who???
Mr Norm King was Social Welfare Minister in the Labour cabinet of 1973.
33 years on and we have the Principal Family Court judge, Andrew Beecroft, warning that serious crime by young people is becoming more savage.
I don't post this as an example of, the more things change the more they stay the same.
Mr King's comments came on the eve of the introduction of a new Child Welfare Bill which sought to keep keep young people out of court except where is was absolutely necessary to otherwise.
Didn't work, did it.
Who???
Mr Norm King was Social Welfare Minister in the Labour cabinet of 1973.
33 years on and we have the Principal Family Court judge, Andrew Beecroft, warning that serious crime by young people is becoming more savage.
I don't post this as an example of, the more things change the more they stay the same.
Mr King's comments came on the eve of the introduction of a new Child Welfare Bill which sought to keep keep young people out of court except where is was absolutely necessary to otherwise.
Didn't work, did it.
How we measure up
Some up-to-date figures from the US as they relaunch their welfare to work requirements;
Based on federal figures, 4.45 million men, women and children - or about 1.9 million families - are enrolled in the $16.7 billion welfare program called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The money includes cash payments to families, as well as subsidies for transportation to work, child care or job training.
Working on a straight per capita basis the US has 1.5 percent of its population on TANF. Doing a direct comprison with the DPB our figure is 6.8 percent.
Based on federal figures, 4.45 million men, women and children - or about 1.9 million families - are enrolled in the $16.7 billion welfare program called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The money includes cash payments to families, as well as subsidies for transportation to work, child care or job training.
Working on a straight per capita basis the US has 1.5 percent of its population on TANF. Doing a direct comprison with the DPB our figure is 6.8 percent.
What a lot of tosh
Political Commentator Graeme Hunt says Mr Benson-Pope has already come out relatively clean after one inquiry and it might be time to let the matter go.
He says National is clutching at straws by demanding the MPs removal and it is just another example of MMP allowing nasty allegations that have no substance, to be thrown around from both sides of the house.
What has this controversy got to do with MMP?
He says National is clutching at straws by demanding the MPs removal and it is just another example of MMP allowing nasty allegations that have no substance, to be thrown around from both sides of the house.
What has this controversy got to do with MMP?
Not a dying business
Idle undertakers fear business is dying away. The already grim job of funeral directors is getting tougher as a lack of deaths causes a slump in business.
Oh Dear. Well, why not introduce Minimum Funeral Fee legislation?
Seriously, this is an industry which will just have to hold its breath for a wee while. With our ageing population they have boom times ahead. Undertaking has a big future.
Oh Dear. Well, why not introduce Minimum Funeral Fee legislation?
Seriously, this is an industry which will just have to hold its breath for a wee while. With our ageing population they have boom times ahead. Undertaking has a big future.
Wellington - the subsidised city.
Leading the DomPost business pages today is a report about a survey which shows the majority of Wellington businesses approve of the rise in the minimum wage and the abolition of youth rates. This is at odds with a survey done in Auckland. Why would that be? You may recall that Wellington's economic growth is outstripping other regions. That's primarily due to the growth in the civil sector.
Business New Zealand chief executive Phil O'Reilly said the Wellington respondents were more likely than the Auckland ones to be involved in the domestic sector as retailers and small manufacturers, rather than in the exporting sector.
Considering the nature of the respondents' businesses, it was possible some would think an increase in the minimum wage would mean more spending, which could benefit them, particularly if they were retailers and small manufacturers.
It is also possible that those already paying over the minimum wage want their competitors forced to follow suit. There's the key word. FORCE. Notice that force is always used against the productive. We don't force people to get jobs but we force employers to pay those who do whatever arbitrary figure the govt wants to put on it.
Good on those employers who pay the extra. But why embrace turning choice into edict?
This morning Wellington is absolutely positively socialist.
Business New Zealand chief executive Phil O'Reilly said the Wellington respondents were more likely than the Auckland ones to be involved in the domestic sector as retailers and small manufacturers, rather than in the exporting sector.
Considering the nature of the respondents' businesses, it was possible some would think an increase in the minimum wage would mean more spending, which could benefit them, particularly if they were retailers and small manufacturers.
It is also possible that those already paying over the minimum wage want their competitors forced to follow suit. There's the key word. FORCE. Notice that force is always used against the productive. We don't force people to get jobs but we force employers to pay those who do whatever arbitrary figure the govt wants to put on it.
Good on those employers who pay the extra. But why embrace turning choice into edict?
This morning Wellington is absolutely positively socialist.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Aborigines choosing welfare
Many supporters of the welfare state deny that people choose welfare over work, even when evidence is as conclusive as this;
The Australian reports;
AUSTRALIA'S peak indigenous land management body wants the welfare rules for Aborigines tightened, after revealing more than 40 per cent of its workforce is white because Aborigines are refusing regular paid work.
The Indigenous Land Corporation, a taxpayer-funded body charged with buying land and businesses to support indigenous entrepreneurs, has put forward a "get to work" plan after years of frustration at trying to recruit and retain workers from Aboriginal communities.
The situation is so dire the ILC has had to recruit backpackers to run some of its eight cattle properties and tourist resorts, which are intended to provide work opportunities and hope for indigenous Australians.
Reminds me of the situation here with backpackers getting special work permits to pick the fruit local beneficiaries won't. Crazy.
The Australian reports;
AUSTRALIA'S peak indigenous land management body wants the welfare rules for Aborigines tightened, after revealing more than 40 per cent of its workforce is white because Aborigines are refusing regular paid work.
The Indigenous Land Corporation, a taxpayer-funded body charged with buying land and businesses to support indigenous entrepreneurs, has put forward a "get to work" plan after years of frustration at trying to recruit and retain workers from Aboriginal communities.
The situation is so dire the ILC has had to recruit backpackers to run some of its eight cattle properties and tourist resorts, which are intended to provide work opportunities and hope for indigenous Australians.
Reminds me of the situation here with backpackers getting special work permits to pick the fruit local beneficiaries won't. Crazy.
From the pen of Theodore Dalrymple
Dalrymple is technically a very , very good writer. But his stuff is dark. This is an excerpt from a piece entitled, "The Frivolity of Evil". Read the whole thing if you can stand it. It is, I gather, Dalrymple's parting serve to Britain which he left in disgust after 14 years as a prison and slum hospital doctor. To be fair, I am sure there are other parts of the world just as bad. By the way, I think he is wrong about "libertarians on the Right". As he points out himself, the market is not the same as the welfare state. You may disagree.
...... a man aged 25 came into our ward, in need of an operation to remove foil-wrapped packets of cocaine that he had swallowed in order to evade being caught by the police in possession of them. (Had a packet burst, he would have died immediately.) As it happened, he had just left his latest girlfriend—one week after she had given birth to their child. They weren't getting along, he said; he needed his space. Of the child, he thought not for an instant.
I asked him whether he had any other children.
"Four," he replied.
"How many mothers?"
"Three."
"Do you see any of your children?"
He shook his head. It is supposedly the duty of the doctor not to pass judgment on how his patients have elected to live, but I think I may have raised my eyebrows slightly. At any rate, the patient caught a whiff of my disapproval.
"I know," he said. "I know. Don't tell me."
These words were a complete confession of guilt. I have had hundreds of conversations with men who have abandoned their children in this fashion, and they all know perfectly well what the consequences are for the mother and, more important, for the children. They all know that they are condemning their children to lives of brutality, poverty, abuse, and hopelessness. They tell me so themselves. And yet they do it over and over again, to such an extent that I should guess that nearly a quarter of British children are now brought up this way.
The result is a rising tide of neglect, cruelty, sadism, and joyous malignity that staggers and appalls me. I am more horrified after 14 years than the day I started.....
....The state, guided by the apparently generous and humane philosophy that no child, whatever its origins, should suffer deprivation, gives assistance to any child, or rather the mother of any child, once it has come into being. In matters of public housing, it is actually advantageous for a mother to put herself at a disadvantage, to be a single mother, without support from the fathers of the children and dependent on the state for income. She is then a priority; she won't pay local taxes, rent, or utility bills.
As for the men, the state absolves them of all responsibility for their children. The state is now father to the child. The biological father is therefore free to use whatever income he has as pocket money, for entertainment and little treats. He is thereby reduced to the status of a child, though a spoiled child with the physical capabilities of a man: petulant, demanding, querulous, self-centered, and violent if he doesn't get his own way. The violence escalates and becomes a habit. A spoiled brat becomes an evil tyrant.
But if the welfare state is a necessary condition for the spread of evil, it is not sufficient. After all, the British welfare state is neither the most extensive nor the most generous in the world, and yet our rates of social pathology—public drunkenness, drug-taking, teenage pregnancy, venereal disease, hooliganism, criminality—are the highest in the world. Something more was necessary to produce this result.
Here we enter the realm of culture and ideas. For it is necessary not only to believe that it is economically feasible to behave in the irresponsible and egotistical fashion that I have described, but also to believe that it is morally permissible to do so. And this idea has been peddled by the intellectual elite in Britain for many years, more assiduously than anywhere else, to the extent that it is now taken for granted. There has been a long march not only through the institutions but through the minds of the young. When young people want to praise themselves, they describe themselves as "nonjudgmental." For them, the highest form of morality is amorality.
There has been an unholy alliance between those on the Left, who believe that man is endowed with rights but no duties, and libertarians on the Right, who believe that consumer choice is the answer to all social questions, an idea eagerly adopted by the Left in precisely those areas where it does not apply. Thus people have a right to bring forth children any way they like, and the children, of course, have the right not to be deprived of anything, at least anything material. How men and women associate and have children is merely a matter of consumer choice, of no more moral consequence than the choice between dark and milk chocolate, and the state must not discriminate among different forms of association and child rearing, even if such non-discrimination has the same effect as British and French neutrality during the Spanish Civil War.
The consequences to the children and to society do not enter into the matter: for in any case it is the function of the state to ameliorate by redistributive taxation the material effects of individual irresponsibility, and to ameliorate the emotional, educational, and spiritual effects by an army of social workers, psychologists, educators, counselors, and the like, who have themselves come to form a powerful vested interest of dependence on the government.
...... a man aged 25 came into our ward, in need of an operation to remove foil-wrapped packets of cocaine that he had swallowed in order to evade being caught by the police in possession of them. (Had a packet burst, he would have died immediately.) As it happened, he had just left his latest girlfriend—one week after she had given birth to their child. They weren't getting along, he said; he needed his space. Of the child, he thought not for an instant.
I asked him whether he had any other children.
"Four," he replied.
"How many mothers?"
"Three."
"Do you see any of your children?"
He shook his head. It is supposedly the duty of the doctor not to pass judgment on how his patients have elected to live, but I think I may have raised my eyebrows slightly. At any rate, the patient caught a whiff of my disapproval.
"I know," he said. "I know. Don't tell me."
These words were a complete confession of guilt. I have had hundreds of conversations with men who have abandoned their children in this fashion, and they all know perfectly well what the consequences are for the mother and, more important, for the children. They all know that they are condemning their children to lives of brutality, poverty, abuse, and hopelessness. They tell me so themselves. And yet they do it over and over again, to such an extent that I should guess that nearly a quarter of British children are now brought up this way.
The result is a rising tide of neglect, cruelty, sadism, and joyous malignity that staggers and appalls me. I am more horrified after 14 years than the day I started.....
....The state, guided by the apparently generous and humane philosophy that no child, whatever its origins, should suffer deprivation, gives assistance to any child, or rather the mother of any child, once it has come into being. In matters of public housing, it is actually advantageous for a mother to put herself at a disadvantage, to be a single mother, without support from the fathers of the children and dependent on the state for income. She is then a priority; she won't pay local taxes, rent, or utility bills.
As for the men, the state absolves them of all responsibility for their children. The state is now father to the child. The biological father is therefore free to use whatever income he has as pocket money, for entertainment and little treats. He is thereby reduced to the status of a child, though a spoiled child with the physical capabilities of a man: petulant, demanding, querulous, self-centered, and violent if he doesn't get his own way. The violence escalates and becomes a habit. A spoiled brat becomes an evil tyrant.
But if the welfare state is a necessary condition for the spread of evil, it is not sufficient. After all, the British welfare state is neither the most extensive nor the most generous in the world, and yet our rates of social pathology—public drunkenness, drug-taking, teenage pregnancy, venereal disease, hooliganism, criminality—are the highest in the world. Something more was necessary to produce this result.
Here we enter the realm of culture and ideas. For it is necessary not only to believe that it is economically feasible to behave in the irresponsible and egotistical fashion that I have described, but also to believe that it is morally permissible to do so. And this idea has been peddled by the intellectual elite in Britain for many years, more assiduously than anywhere else, to the extent that it is now taken for granted. There has been a long march not only through the institutions but through the minds of the young. When young people want to praise themselves, they describe themselves as "nonjudgmental." For them, the highest form of morality is amorality.
There has been an unholy alliance between those on the Left, who believe that man is endowed with rights but no duties, and libertarians on the Right, who believe that consumer choice is the answer to all social questions, an idea eagerly adopted by the Left in precisely those areas where it does not apply. Thus people have a right to bring forth children any way they like, and the children, of course, have the right not to be deprived of anything, at least anything material. How men and women associate and have children is merely a matter of consumer choice, of no more moral consequence than the choice between dark and milk chocolate, and the state must not discriminate among different forms of association and child rearing, even if such non-discrimination has the same effect as British and French neutrality during the Spanish Civil War.
The consequences to the children and to society do not enter into the matter: for in any case it is the function of the state to ameliorate by redistributive taxation the material effects of individual irresponsibility, and to ameliorate the emotional, educational, and spiritual effects by an army of social workers, psychologists, educators, counselors, and the like, who have themselves come to form a powerful vested interest of dependence on the government.
Who will replace David Benson-Pope?
These are the Associate Ministers for Social Development and Employment;
# Parekura Horomia - Associate Minister
# Ruth Dyson - Associate Minister
# Luamanuvao Winnie Laban - Associate Minister
# Mahara Okeroa - Associate Minister
Would one of these people step into his shoes? It would be most appropriate to have a Maori or Pacific Minister for Social Welfare. But Dyson is the most experienced. I'll put my money on her. When she and Judith Collins square off, things will get interesting.
# Parekura Horomia - Associate Minister
# Ruth Dyson - Associate Minister
# Luamanuvao Winnie Laban - Associate Minister
# Mahara Okeroa - Associate Minister
Would one of these people step into his shoes? It would be most appropriate to have a Maori or Pacific Minister for Social Welfare. But Dyson is the most experienced. I'll put my money on her. When she and Judith Collins square off, things will get interesting.
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