There is good news on the economic front.
According to the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research;
The trans-Tasman income gap will disappear 140 years from now, if the economies of New Zealand and Australia continue to grow at the same average rates for the period 2000-2007.
Ummm. 2148.
On the other hand New Zealand could choose ACT's 20 Point Plan and aim to beat Australia by 2020.....
I know which I prefer.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Key "booed and jeered" by self-delusionists
Yesterday John Key addressed a conference hosted by Every Child Counts, a left-leaning, pro-Labour bunch which Barnardo's Murray Edridge, also present, described as "partisan". Hostile might have been a better descriptor.
Key was apparently booed and jeered for talking about boot camps to address youth offending.
Minister for Social Development, Ruth Dyson, was more warmly received. She responded,
The current youth justice system worked well and "in a way that respects our youth, keeps them out of the adult justice system". She said New Zealand risked losing its comparatively low youth offending level if it changed the approach.
So things are pretty hunky dory down under.
Consider then the following;
2007. Youth Court judge Andrew Becroft
Despite the successful use of diversion since reforms in 1989, its use had fallen markedly in the past two years, Judge Becroft said.
About 38 per cent of all police apprehensions of youth offenders now resulted in diversion, compared to 55 per cent two years ago.
In the same period, those that led to prosecutions in the Youth Court had risen from 17 per cent to 29 per cent.
One reason for that was a rise in violent offending among young people over the same period - but it was not the only factor, he said.
2007. From the Ministry of Social Development;
While there was growth in the young person population, overall offending rates remained static over the same period. In fact, when considered on a per 10,000 of population basis, the ratio of apprehensions to population decreased by over 11%.
However, there were significant increases in violent offending. Apprehensions for violent offending rose by 36.4% over the previous 8 years and charges for violent offending increased by 57.6% between 2000 and 2005. This suggests it is the ferocity, not the frequency of offending which is changing.
2008. Kim Workman National Director of Prison Fellowship and new appointment to the Families Commission;
Yes, there has been a recent rise in the rate of apprehensions for violent offending, particularly serious violent offending. But that increase applies to every age cohort of the population – apart from 10 – 13 year olds.
It is violent offending that society worries about most. Violent youth offending is accelerating.
It sickens me that Ruth Dyson swans about the place talking in self-congratulatory terms about her government and their international standing in respect of crime. It is bull shit. And those people who sit there lapping it up because it affirms their own wonky world view and their modus operandi of denial are just as bad.
Heaven help us if we get another three years of these self-delusionists holding sway.
Key was apparently booed and jeered for talking about boot camps to address youth offending.
Minister for Social Development, Ruth Dyson, was more warmly received. She responded,
The current youth justice system worked well and "in a way that respects our youth, keeps them out of the adult justice system". She said New Zealand risked losing its comparatively low youth offending level if it changed the approach.
So things are pretty hunky dory down under.
Consider then the following;
2007. Youth Court judge Andrew Becroft
Despite the successful use of diversion since reforms in 1989, its use had fallen markedly in the past two years, Judge Becroft said.
About 38 per cent of all police apprehensions of youth offenders now resulted in diversion, compared to 55 per cent two years ago.
In the same period, those that led to prosecutions in the Youth Court had risen from 17 per cent to 29 per cent.
One reason for that was a rise in violent offending among young people over the same period - but it was not the only factor, he said.
2007. From the Ministry of Social Development;
While there was growth in the young person population, overall offending rates remained static over the same period. In fact, when considered on a per 10,000 of population basis, the ratio of apprehensions to population decreased by over 11%.
However, there were significant increases in violent offending. Apprehensions for violent offending rose by 36.4% over the previous 8 years and charges for violent offending increased by 57.6% between 2000 and 2005. This suggests it is the ferocity, not the frequency of offending which is changing.
2008. Kim Workman National Director of Prison Fellowship and new appointment to the Families Commission;
Yes, there has been a recent rise in the rate of apprehensions for violent offending, particularly serious violent offending. But that increase applies to every age cohort of the population – apart from 10 – 13 year olds.
It is violent offending that society worries about most. Violent youth offending is accelerating.
It sickens me that Ruth Dyson swans about the place talking in self-congratulatory terms about her government and their international standing in respect of crime. It is bull shit. And those people who sit there lapping it up because it affirms their own wonky world view and their modus operandi of denial are just as bad.
Heaven help us if we get another three years of these self-delusionists holding sway.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
There's just no pleasing some folk
Complaints in private prisons in Victoria, Australia, have risen dramatically. Why?
He [the ombudsman] pointed to private prisons, noting 400% and 100% increases in complaints respectively about Port Phillip prison (rising to 443) and Fulham prison (129) since the 2006 annual report. While rising complaint figures are partly explained by the installation of phones for inmates, Mr Taylor described the increases as "disproportionately high".
I wonder if anyone rang to complain that they had been given phones?
The way to reduce the level of complaints is obvious. Take away the phones.
He [the ombudsman] pointed to private prisons, noting 400% and 100% increases in complaints respectively about Port Phillip prison (rising to 443) and Fulham prison (129) since the 2006 annual report. While rising complaint figures are partly explained by the installation of phones for inmates, Mr Taylor described the increases as "disproportionately high".
I wonder if anyone rang to complain that they had been given phones?
The way to reduce the level of complaints is obvious. Take away the phones.
Nasty nosey-Parker narks
How does a story like this get into the newspapers? In fact, I am not going to repeat it. Suffice to say some individuals personify the worst aspects of this meddling government. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
The other 'bombshell'
Ever wondered what a cross between Julia Roberts and Rachael Hunter might look like? Wonder no more.
And what relevance could my observation possibly have? None at all. But Ms Ede is a rather pleasant distraction from the text .... and adds a touch of class to Mr Glenn's cortege. Gorgeous Georgie appeared to be enjoying the show.
And what relevance could my observation possibly have? None at all. But Ms Ede is a rather pleasant distraction from the text .... and adds a touch of class to Mr Glenn's cortege. Gorgeous Georgie appeared to be enjoying the show.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Families Commission - you're fired!
The Dominion Post came late today. After 5.40am which is when I go to the gate looking for it. So I missed the news that John Key has promised to get rid of the Families Commission.
THANK YOU JOHN
This was ACT policy in 2005 and National have now seen sense and are joining in.
All the Families Commission does is turn out questionable, superfluous, research. I blogged about some of it here.
Looks like Rajen Prasad did something sensible for once and the new head, Jan Pryor, made the right call in keeping her feet in two camps.
Now will Key commit to killing off Kiro's commission?
Update; Oh no. He's retracting it already. For Gods sake, get some balls.
Telethon supports wrong charity
The telethon is back. TV3 is going to host a 24 hour telethon next year. The 'Big Night In' seeks to raise $2 million for the charity that supports New Zealand children living in poverty, KidsCan.Call me churlish but I believe this is the wrong charity. Children living in poverty in New Zealand is too political. There is a big question mark over why children are going without food, shoes and raincoats in what is a generous and pervasive welfare state. And whether someone other than their parents providing these things actually improves the situation or just breeds more dependency and irresponsibility. As a volunteer I am happy to give my time working in homes trying to sort these problems but I am not going to support throwing more money at them.
It is enormously disappointing that a charity like Cancer Kids or Variety - for sick and disabled children - is going to miss out. In fact some of the donations going to the telethon will mean donations do not go to other more deserving charities.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Sole Maori identity has protective factors
Identifying solely as Maori has protective factors for mental health.
More from the Christchurch Health and Development Study;
Results: Those with sole Māori identity had rates of disorder that were 1.28-fold higher than those of non- Māori; those of Māori/other identity had rates of disorder that were 1.57-fold higher than non- Māori. Regression analyses suggested that the elevated rates of mental disorder among Māori were largely explained by their higher exposure to socio-economic disadvantage and childhood adversity. But even after adjustment, being of sole Māori identity was a protective factor that reduced rates of mental disorder among Māori. Conclusions: Risk and protective factors associated with the mental health of young Māori involve an interplay between levels of exposure to social disadvantage/childhood adversity and cultural identity, with secure cultural identity being a factor that may mitigate the effects of exposure to adversity.
So what should the policy response be to this? Blame colonisation, and then what? Call for more wealth redistribution to avoid socioeconomic disadvantage? Call for more cultural emphasis through various institutions? The discouragement of Maori intermarrying or recognising their Pakeha heritage? Seriously, what do we do with this knowledge?
And even more recently released;
CONCLUSIONS: Maori ethnic identification was associated with increased risks of cannabis use and dependence. The higher rate of cannabis use by Maori could be largely attributed to a combination of socioeconomic factors and greater exposure to environmental factors known to influence risk of cannabis use. The higher rates of cannabis use by Maori made a small contribution to higher rates of early school leaving, crime, and unemployment among Maori.
Tell us something we didn't know. Confirming-type research but very useful for those needing proof of assertions. Maori are more likely to be potheads. Pakeha more likely to be pissheads (notwithstanding Maori indulge in episodic hazardous drinking).
What about a radical policy response like, prohibition has failed to reduce the use of cannabis, particularly among Maori. Therefore the prohibition policy is forthwith abandoned.
But I am overlooking that policies not working is no criteria for abandoning them. Not in this country anyway. Carrying on doing what we have always done is easier than changing.
More from the Christchurch Health and Development Study;
Results: Those with sole Māori identity had rates of disorder that were 1.28-fold higher than those of non- Māori; those of Māori/other identity had rates of disorder that were 1.57-fold higher than non- Māori. Regression analyses suggested that the elevated rates of mental disorder among Māori were largely explained by their higher exposure to socio-economic disadvantage and childhood adversity. But even after adjustment, being of sole Māori identity was a protective factor that reduced rates of mental disorder among Māori. Conclusions: Risk and protective factors associated with the mental health of young Māori involve an interplay between levels of exposure to social disadvantage/childhood adversity and cultural identity, with secure cultural identity being a factor that may mitigate the effects of exposure to adversity.
So what should the policy response be to this? Blame colonisation, and then what? Call for more wealth redistribution to avoid socioeconomic disadvantage? Call for more cultural emphasis through various institutions? The discouragement of Maori intermarrying or recognising their Pakeha heritage? Seriously, what do we do with this knowledge?
And even more recently released;
CONCLUSIONS: Maori ethnic identification was associated with increased risks of cannabis use and dependence. The higher rate of cannabis use by Maori could be largely attributed to a combination of socioeconomic factors and greater exposure to environmental factors known to influence risk of cannabis use. The higher rates of cannabis use by Maori made a small contribution to higher rates of early school leaving, crime, and unemployment among Maori.
Tell us something we didn't know. Confirming-type research but very useful for those needing proof of assertions. Maori are more likely to be potheads. Pakeha more likely to be pissheads (notwithstanding Maori indulge in episodic hazardous drinking).
What about a radical policy response like, prohibition has failed to reduce the use of cannabis, particularly among Maori. Therefore the prohibition policy is forthwith abandoned.
But I am overlooking that policies not working is no criteria for abandoning them. Not in this country anyway. Carrying on doing what we have always done is easier than changing.
Murray "We'll keep them honest" Smith
If there is one thing I can't stand it's lying. On the campaign trail around the Hutt one of my fellow candidates is United Future's Murray Smith. Now Murray has been telling audiences he is number three on their list. That is an electable position and he has probably reasoned it would boost his credibility.
The list has just been announced and he is at number six. Almost certainly (on current polling) unelectable. Giving Murray the benefit of the doubt I then assumed that he had been talking about his list placing in 2005. But no. He was six then also.
The real irony is the strategy he has been pushing;
The list has just been announced and he is at number six. Almost certainly (on current polling) unelectable. Giving Murray the benefit of the doubt I then assumed that he had been talking about his list placing in 2005. But no. He was six then also.
The real irony is the strategy he has been pushing;
Sunday, September 07, 2008
The media largely controls the outcome
Deborah Coddington's column reflects her disgust with the current political climate for which I share a smidgen of sympathy. But it is futile to heap more blame on those who would expose and avenge wrong-doings than those who commit them. There is one sentence I want to comment on;
MPs refuse to campaign on important policies, such as health and education, and instead scramble for power on the backs of negative, frenzied attacks.
Having been a politician Deborah would know how difficult it is to get the media to report policy or attend meetings at which they are discussed (although local papers are better than majors at covering candidates) and yet the media is going to have more input into election outcomes than policy. They are controlling the information. Thus smart politicians keep them onside. Winston's continual aggravation of journalists shows a man who refuses to accept this reality and one whose ego will eventually be his downfall.
Egos abound in politics.For the good and for the bad. A lack of one can make it difficult to project and inspire confidence. Too much and the individual loses sight of what it is their party wants to achieve and what the chances are of achieving it.
Deborah finished by saying that for the first time she is feeling apolitical. Can I suggest Deborah that all of the time and energy you put into education policy will be lost if you don't take a deep breath, go into the booth and tick ACT.
Forget the personality stuff and like me, think about what would be an enormous step forward in education choice and the transferral of power from the state to the individual. If National needs ACT after the election the voucher policy has every chance of being a bottom line.
MPs refuse to campaign on important policies, such as health and education, and instead scramble for power on the backs of negative, frenzied attacks.
Having been a politician Deborah would know how difficult it is to get the media to report policy or attend meetings at which they are discussed (although local papers are better than majors at covering candidates) and yet the media is going to have more input into election outcomes than policy. They are controlling the information. Thus smart politicians keep them onside. Winston's continual aggravation of journalists shows a man who refuses to accept this reality and one whose ego will eventually be his downfall.
Egos abound in politics.For the good and for the bad. A lack of one can make it difficult to project and inspire confidence. Too much and the individual loses sight of what it is their party wants to achieve and what the chances are of achieving it.
Deborah finished by saying that for the first time she is feeling apolitical. Can I suggest Deborah that all of the time and energy you put into education policy will be lost if you don't take a deep breath, go into the booth and tick ACT.
Forget the personality stuff and like me, think about what would be an enormous step forward in education choice and the transferral of power from the state to the individual. If National needs ACT after the election the voucher policy has every chance of being a bottom line.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
The Press on ACT and Rodney Hide
Can't find much wrong with this. Rodney's luck has changed. Not because he is getting a fair ride from the media. But because, with a pack of them in tow, he dared to put up an umbrella in Wellington and got away with it!
(Left click on image to read)
(Left click on image to read)
Friday, September 05, 2008
"Nats target school zoning"
Target it for what though? Abolition? A major revamp?
Neither. The answer is "tweaking".
[Anne Tolley] said zoning "certainly won't go altogether" under National, but "I think there is some tweaking we can do".
Archetypal Nat policy. To 'tweak'. Remove the 't' to reveal what their policies really are.
Neither. The answer is "tweaking".
[Anne Tolley] said zoning "certainly won't go altogether" under National, but "I think there is some tweaking we can do".
Archetypal Nat policy. To 'tweak'. Remove the 't' to reveal what their policies really are.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Old dreams die hard
In the United States, as soon as a man has acquired some education and pecuniary resources, he either endeavors to get rich by commerce or industry, or he buys land in the bush and turns pioneer. All that he asks of the state is, not to be disturbed in his toil, and to be secure of his earnings.
— Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America [1835]
— Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America [1835]
Supermarkets check on cheating customers
Wellington supermarket managers are personally door-knocking customers suspected of cheating controversial zoning rules.
Managers say they are accepting fewer customers who live outside their entitlement-to-shop zone, spurring determined customers to trick their way into preferred supermarkets.
Thirty seven Wellington supermarkets were set down to hold ballots for out-of-entitlement-to-shop zone applicants yesterday but the press understands that few, if any, of the supermarkets held ballots because no shopping spaces were available.
"There are people who are absolutely hell-bent on getting around the system," Petone Countdown manager, Joe Blogger said.
"They are basically deceitful."
During the last month, Blogger said he had taken to stopping at the homes of customers to check they were living in the entitlement-to-shop zone, as their applications claimed.
"We're at the point where we're having customers ring us saying did you realise so-and-so who says they are living in the entitlement-to-shop zone is not in the zone. That's starting to happen a bit, it's that jealousness or that sense of fear."
A customer was removed from Petone Countdown last year when it was found that she had forged documents to get into the supermarket.
Some customers temporarily moved to an "address of convenience"or claimed they were about to move into the area, Blogger said.
"We get them to sign an affidavit through their lawyer to say they are living in the house, that it's not just an investment house, "he said.
Silverstream Pack'n'Save acting manager, Jim Journo said the traditional competitive streak over supermarket reputations was moving into convenience stores and dairies.
"We have real estate agents here talk about the Silverstream zone,they might lumber that in with the Trentham zone,"he said.
Silvertream Pak'n'Save will hold a ballot for out-of-entitlement-to-shop applicants on Monday.
Journo did not want to reveal exactly how many out-of-entitlement-to-shop zone applicants were in the ballot, but he agreed scores of would-be customers would be disappointed.
Journo said they had not got to the point of door-knocking suspected cheats, but he knew it was happening.
"We've had people trying to up the system living with Auntie and all sort of nonsense."
A Tawa dairy manager Paul Penner said they usually had two ballots a year but but very few customers from outside the Tawa entitlement-to-shop zone were admitted.
"For us it is just at small shoppers level. We just don't have the places available, really," Penner said.
He said out-of-entitlement-to-shop zone customers tricking their way into dairies was "most definitely" a problem.
"In fact I think it is getting more challenging for dairies, "he said, "Yes, we are getting tougher and tougher on addresses to make sure they are right."
He had not experienced forged documents but said there were customers who stayed with a relative or took a rental address for a very short time,
"Once you've approved the customer than that's it. The onus is on the dairy to prove they have used an address of convenience to gain entry and, crikey, it's not very nice stuff to be going down that road.
Penner said his personal checks on customers were "as diplomatic as possible."
"You might send out a bill and it pops back and you think, whoops, hang on a minute. Or there is a change of phone number and you think, hang on, what's happened here."
(Read further)
Managers say they are accepting fewer customers who live outside their entitlement-to-shop zone, spurring determined customers to trick their way into preferred supermarkets.
Thirty seven Wellington supermarkets were set down to hold ballots for out-of-entitlement-to-shop zone applicants yesterday but the press understands that few, if any, of the supermarkets held ballots because no shopping spaces were available.
"There are people who are absolutely hell-bent on getting around the system," Petone Countdown manager, Joe Blogger said.
"They are basically deceitful."
During the last month, Blogger said he had taken to stopping at the homes of customers to check they were living in the entitlement-to-shop zone, as their applications claimed.
"We're at the point where we're having customers ring us saying did you realise so-and-so who says they are living in the entitlement-to-shop zone is not in the zone. That's starting to happen a bit, it's that jealousness or that sense of fear."
A customer was removed from Petone Countdown last year when it was found that she had forged documents to get into the supermarket.
Some customers temporarily moved to an "address of convenience"or claimed they were about to move into the area, Blogger said.
"We get them to sign an affidavit through their lawyer to say they are living in the house, that it's not just an investment house, "he said.
Silverstream Pack'n'Save acting manager, Jim Journo said the traditional competitive streak over supermarket reputations was moving into convenience stores and dairies.
"We have real estate agents here talk about the Silverstream zone,they might lumber that in with the Trentham zone,"he said.
Silvertream Pak'n'Save will hold a ballot for out-of-entitlement-to-shop applicants on Monday.
Journo did not want to reveal exactly how many out-of-entitlement-to-shop zone applicants were in the ballot, but he agreed scores of would-be customers would be disappointed.
Journo said they had not got to the point of door-knocking suspected cheats, but he knew it was happening.
"We've had people trying to up the system living with Auntie and all sort of nonsense."
A Tawa dairy manager Paul Penner said they usually had two ballots a year but but very few customers from outside the Tawa entitlement-to-shop zone were admitted.
"For us it is just at small shoppers level. We just don't have the places available, really," Penner said.
He said out-of-entitlement-to-shop zone customers tricking their way into dairies was "most definitely" a problem.
"In fact I think it is getting more challenging for dairies, "he said, "Yes, we are getting tougher and tougher on addresses to make sure they are right."
He had not experienced forged documents but said there were customers who stayed with a relative or took a rental address for a very short time,
"Once you've approved the customer than that's it. The onus is on the dairy to prove they have used an address of convenience to gain entry and, crikey, it's not very nice stuff to be going down that road.
Penner said his personal checks on customers were "as diplomatic as possible."
"You might send out a bill and it pops back and you think, whoops, hang on a minute. Or there is a change of phone number and you think, hang on, what's happened here."
(Read further)
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
What Helen should do to Winston
There's a great line in this Radio New Zealand Morning Report interview with Rodney Hide.
Australia - Dob in a child support dodger
My comment below;
Net tightens on child support evaders
The Child Support Agency and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship have boosted efforts to crack down on overseas travel of separated parents who are avoiding their child support responsibilities.
The Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, said today that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies strengthened the CSA’s Departure Prohibition Order (DPO) program.
‘The CSA, with the support of DIAC, has the power to issue international travel bans if a parent persistently fails to meet child support obligations,’ Senator Ludwig said.
‘When a DPO is issued, the affected parent cannot leave Australia until they make satisfactory arrangements to pay their child support debt.’
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said the agreement allows CSA to gain access to DIAC’s movement database to identify the overseas travel patterns of parents who have significant child support debts.
‘This new access complements the data-matching arrangements between the two agencies which have been in place for some time now,’ Senator Evans said.
‘It’s pleasing to be able to further assist the CSA with this important program, as the end result is making sure child support payments get to the children who need them.’
Currently the CSA has 1103 DPOs in place across Australia.
Senator Ludwig said the message to separated parents who owe child support was clear.
‘If you want to travel overseas then you need to sort out your overdue child support payments,’ Senator Ludwig said.
‘During 2007-08, the CSA issued 924 DPOs and as a result collected about $5.7 million in outstanding child support.’
Senator Ludwig called on people who knew of upcoming travel plans of child support defaulters to contact the CSA through the Australian Government Services Fraud Tip-off Line, 13 15 24 so a DPO could be considered.
‘The CSA needs to know the likely date of travel and the city and means of departure so that the process can go more smoothly and children can receive the money they need,’ he said.
If the state insists on replacing fathers with welfare then it will continue to create a huge problem of liable parents who rightly or wrongly don't want to or won't pay. It created this problem in Australia with the Parenting Payment and in NZ with the DPB. Sometimes good men get screwed literally and then figuratively. Get rid of the single parent benefit and the bulk of the problem would disappear as women recalculated where their best interests lay. If there was no DPB I would wholeheartedly support the courts using every measure they could to extract support. But not as matters stand. This is a policy for a conservative, authoritarian party. It's not a good policy for a liberal party. But that's just my opinion.
Net tightens on child support evaders
The Child Support Agency and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship have boosted efforts to crack down on overseas travel of separated parents who are avoiding their child support responsibilities.
The Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, said today that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies strengthened the CSA’s Departure Prohibition Order (DPO) program.
‘The CSA, with the support of DIAC, has the power to issue international travel bans if a parent persistently fails to meet child support obligations,’ Senator Ludwig said.
‘When a DPO is issued, the affected parent cannot leave Australia until they make satisfactory arrangements to pay their child support debt.’
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said the agreement allows CSA to gain access to DIAC’s movement database to identify the overseas travel patterns of parents who have significant child support debts.
‘This new access complements the data-matching arrangements between the two agencies which have been in place for some time now,’ Senator Evans said.
‘It’s pleasing to be able to further assist the CSA with this important program, as the end result is making sure child support payments get to the children who need them.’
Currently the CSA has 1103 DPOs in place across Australia.
Senator Ludwig said the message to separated parents who owe child support was clear.
‘If you want to travel overseas then you need to sort out your overdue child support payments,’ Senator Ludwig said.
‘During 2007-08, the CSA issued 924 DPOs and as a result collected about $5.7 million in outstanding child support.’
Senator Ludwig called on people who knew of upcoming travel plans of child support defaulters to contact the CSA through the Australian Government Services Fraud Tip-off Line, 13 15 24 so a DPO could be considered.
‘The CSA needs to know the likely date of travel and the city and means of departure so that the process can go more smoothly and children can receive the money they need,’ he said.
If the state insists on replacing fathers with welfare then it will continue to create a huge problem of liable parents who rightly or wrongly don't want to or won't pay. It created this problem in Australia with the Parenting Payment and in NZ with the DPB. Sometimes good men get screwed literally and then figuratively. Get rid of the single parent benefit and the bulk of the problem would disappear as women recalculated where their best interests lay. If there was no DPB I would wholeheartedly support the courts using every measure they could to extract support. But not as matters stand. This is a policy for a conservative, authoritarian party. It's not a good policy for a liberal party. But that's just my opinion.
False rape complaints
The business of false rape complaints bothers me. Here is another New Zealand case that has pretty much gone unpunished.
Judge Oke Blaikie said wasting police time and undermining legitimate rape prosecutions was a serious offence.
"People have been sent to prison for doing what you did."
He convicted Little of making a false statement to police, sentencing her to 9 months' supervision for substance abuse.
It would appear there are no statistics about the incidence of false rape claims - surprise, surprise. I have blogged before however about the rising incidence of dishonesty crimes and I suspect they are contained therein.
But some stats out of the US show that the incidence may be reasonably high. Wendy McElroy uncovered a report containing this statement;
"Every year since 1989, in about 25 percent of the sexual assault cases referred to the FBI where results could be obtained, the primary suspect has been excluded by forensic DNA testing. Specifically, FBI officials report that out of roughly 10,000 sexual assault cases since 1989, about 2,000 tests have been inconclusive, about 2,000 tests have excluded the primary suspect, and about 6,000 have "matched" or included the primary suspect.....these percentages have remained constant for 7 years, and the National Institute of Justice's informal survey of private laboratories reveals a strikingly similar 26 percent exclusion rate."
The original report is here.
Something else occurs to me. This incidence is broadly in line with the rate of DNA paternity testing that reveals a man is not the father of a child.
Of course if there are cash rewards for lying or, as the young Dannevirke beneficiary found out, attention without negative consequences, females will continue to behave in ways which can have devastating consequences for men. I suppose radical "all men are rapists" feminists would consider this is collective moral payback ignoring the individual price paid by innocent people.
Judge Oke Blaikie said wasting police time and undermining legitimate rape prosecutions was a serious offence.
"People have been sent to prison for doing what you did."
He convicted Little of making a false statement to police, sentencing her to 9 months' supervision for substance abuse.
It would appear there are no statistics about the incidence of false rape claims - surprise, surprise. I have blogged before however about the rising incidence of dishonesty crimes and I suspect they are contained therein.
But some stats out of the US show that the incidence may be reasonably high. Wendy McElroy uncovered a report containing this statement;
"Every year since 1989, in about 25 percent of the sexual assault cases referred to the FBI where results could be obtained, the primary suspect has been excluded by forensic DNA testing. Specifically, FBI officials report that out of roughly 10,000 sexual assault cases since 1989, about 2,000 tests have been inconclusive, about 2,000 tests have excluded the primary suspect, and about 6,000 have "matched" or included the primary suspect.....these percentages have remained constant for 7 years, and the National Institute of Justice's informal survey of private laboratories reveals a strikingly similar 26 percent exclusion rate."
The original report is here.
Something else occurs to me. This incidence is broadly in line with the rate of DNA paternity testing that reveals a man is not the father of a child.
Of course if there are cash rewards for lying or, as the young Dannevirke beneficiary found out, attention without negative consequences, females will continue to behave in ways which can have devastating consequences for men. I suppose radical "all men are rapists" feminists would consider this is collective moral payback ignoring the individual price paid by innocent people.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Meeting tonight
A very keen ACT member has organised a public meeting (with a focus on truckers) tonight at 7pm at the community room at Naenae's Olympic pool. A member of the trucking fraternity will speak, myself and Rodney Hide. I know there are some local readers of this blog. You are most welcome to attend. This will probably be the last chance to hear Rodney in the Hutt South before the election.
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