It’s hard not to see the contradictions in National Party policies and statements.
Last week on Q&A with Jack Tame, Paul Goldsmith - the Minister who wants Te Reo Māori gone - told Maiki Sherman that National was getting tougher on crime by for example, fining shoplifters of up to $1000 under a new infringement system.
When asked why people were stealing food e.g. water and meat, Goldsmith claimed - without any evidence whatsoever - that there is a black market for supermarket food in NZ, and most of the crimes are committed by organised crime.
Later, he relented, admitting times are tough and that’s why food was being stolen, but still insisted that fining people on the spot was the right answer.
I wondered what he expected the compliance costs to be, or how he felt this would help the root causes.
This morning, Christopher Luxon is back from a week of leave in Hawaii.1
Luxon told Newstalk ZB’s Heather du Plessis-Allan that he had spent the time “reading, catching up on sleep and spending time with his wife.”
How lovely that must have been for Luxon while Tasman experienced the most devastating flood it has seen in decades.
A gilded life next to the hassle and convenience of bottom feeders and indeed, reality.
Luxon appeared on Morning Talk as well, where he parried questions from Corin Dann.
One of them related to urgings from consumer groups that say gentailers in the privatised electricity market are squashing competition - leading to soaring power prices.
This of course comes off years of reports into problems from the privatised electricity sector.
David Williams from Newsroom, for example, has reported on how gentailers’ spending on renewables “fell off a cliff” after they were listed.
In other words, these profit seeking, partially privatised meteorites began to prioritise dividends over long term investment and the health and future of the energy sector - my words.2
In the interview, Luxon refused to acknowledge the calls, or the years of evidence, insisting the main answer was repealing the oil and gas ban - which he said his government would do “this quarter”.
The Prime Minister also responded to the Tasman floods - with devastating damage - by praising those on the ground, but also making it clear that the government cannot be responsible for bailing out any homes or property in climate risk areas over time.
Take a moment to consider how the Prime Minister of New Zealand took a week’s of leave without notice - while the “dangerous” Regulatory Standards Bill hearings are in progress3 and devastating floods wrecked the country.
And after that, consider Luxon’s words when asked about the recommendation from a recent report4 to stop helping any property owners from 2045.
Luxon:
The government won't be able to keep bailing people out in this way…..
We know that we've got areas where we've got to put in place what we call climate adaptation work, right?
And we're trying to build much more resilient infrastructure….
This is on the same day that National’s Chris Penk is proposing to remove 1800 plus buildings around the country from earthquake resilience work because it’s too expensive.
It comes on the back of one of the most anti-climate governments that we have seen in modern NZ history - that is actively contributing to climate events that are increasingly serious and damaging.
Don’t take my word for it.
CNBC report from a couple of days ago -
“New Zealand takes a page from Trump's climate playbook, rolling back over 35 climate policies, weakening emissions rules, and removing agriculture from its flagship carbon trading scheme…
Not only has agriculture been removed from the ETS, but the government is also adopting an ‘accounting trick’ to change the way methane emissions are being measured. Known as GWP (Global Warming Potential-star), this method will allegedly downplay methane’s short-term impact, which is 28–34 times more potent than CO₂ over a 100-year period.”
Yes - New Zealand is adapting many Trump Administration policies, and that’s something I’ve been highlighting for a while.
A US media organisation familiar with our government is also likely to notice.
But not is only the Luxon Coalition govermment worsening climate policies and impacts, it’s directly responsible for fast-tracking housing on flood prone lands right now. i.e. In the very places Luxon says governments should not be responsible for very soon.
For example, Chris Bishop donor Winton Property Development in South Auckland approved for fast-track after all other authorities rejected it - and now fast-tracking housing in Tasman’s Mapua flood plains, where homeowners already struggle to find insurance.
Contradictions and inconsistencies abound under this right wing Coalition government.
But what I felt when I heard Luxon this morning was a man too keen on PR and marketing, too comfortable with ad-libs and diversions, too subsumed in his own arrogance and a narrow, un-admirable skillset to care.
Peoples’ lives are at stake, livelihoods and homes too. So are the events on our planet, backed by indisputable science.
The left wing parties must form a focus - not to compete with each other, but to use the latent strengths within each, to fight for a future where the National and right wing parties lose their dominance and position.
Like we see in the USA, the battle should not be one of self-criticism and in-fighting, but one of valiance and honour to help save Aotearoa New Zealand from a Trump-like future - before it is too late.
Dear readers,
I’ve kept Mountain Tūī paywall free for many months now - but will look at a different model over the coming period. Thank you for all your support and patronage.
As a once off, here is a special for pensioners, students or those who cannot afford my regular subscription- 35% off for life. That’s $65 a year / $5.42 a month. It expires in a week.
There is also a 25% lifetime offer for everyone else.
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Ngā mihi nui,
Tūī
More Videos & News from the RSB Select Committee
Thomas Coughlan reports that David Seymour has threatened to walk away from the Coalition if his “dangerous” RSB is not passed. He also suggests NZ First is wavering, although the proof can only be in the pudding.
Recommend to keep writing to NZ First as well as consider how dangerous this bill really is. I recommend the second video from Youth Aotearoa and the Health Coalition Aotearoa: “This bill is crazy”
Cheers,
Mountain Tūī
Apparently, Luxon was in Hawaii - he omitted this detail in the interview, but it’s an annual Hawaii holiday he takes. And the RSB Select Committee scheduled during this week.
We’ve also seen reports demonstrating that the privatisation of the energy sector is destroying the manufacturing industry. Courtesy: Edward Miller
Select Committee only allowed 0.027 of submitters to be heard - rushing them through and only allowing 5 minutes of time, while Select Committee members stayed at home - i.e. without even bothering to turn up at Parliament
