First Peter Dunne flipped and this week he flopped. Dunne appears to have changed his mind twice now on the controversial GCSB reforms. And there’s a fair amount of condemnation over these U-turns, and speculation about what motivations lie behind it all. Fascinatingly, it’s political journalist Andrea Vance who has penned the most hard-hitting analysis of Dunne’s latest change of heart– see: Dunne GCSB u-turn no surprise. Not only does Vance point out just how little Dunne has won in his negotiations over the GCSB legislation, but she calls into question Dunne’s principles and motives, saying that Dunne’s original flip-flop – when he withdrew support for the GCSB changes – might in retrospect be seen as merely a cynical attempt to ‘rehabilitate his public image’. The latest U-turn, will, according to Vance, ‘cement the view that he is prepared to trade principles for pragmatics to secure his political future. With that in mind, pundits will watch keenly for any signals of electoral accommodations by National in Dunne's Ohariu electorate next year’. [Read more below]
Vance is not the only one unimpressed with both the GCSB reforms and Peter Dunne. Gordon Campbell says that ‘Dunne has re-assumed his usual posture as the government’s reliable footstool’ and the ‘changes that Dunne has won as a pre-condition of his support could hardly be more token’. As for the state of the legislation, Campbell says ‘For a government elected partly on campaigning against Nanny State intrusions, the GCSB Bill is indefensible, in its current form’ – see: On Peter Dunne’s illusory gains on the GCSB Bill.
So what has Dunne really got out of his capitulation on the GCSB reforms? Watch Rebecca Wright’s entertaining 5-minute Campbell Live item, In return for Dunne's GCSB vote. She explains the concessions that Dunne achieved, but also lampoons his U-turn.
The NBR also speculates that the MP has done a deal to ensure his ‘email exchange with reporter Andrea Vance is now less likely to see the light of day’ – see: Swing vote Dunne supports GCSB Bill after changing tune on domestic spying. It is also suggested, however, that Dunne won’t be able to get a ‘cup of tea’ deal with John Key for Ohariu, with ‘a Beehive insider quoted as saying ‘he's already gone to the well once too often’. The NBR article also includes a critique of Dunne’s changes from Tech Liberty’s Thomas Beagle. For further condemnation of both the latest reform changes and of Dunne’s maneuvering, see No Right Turn’s Dunne sells us out.
Dunne has clearly disappointed those in opposition to the Government’s GCSB reforms – which is well conveyed in a heart-felt post on the Daily Blog: Peter Dunne, for a second there, we totally thought you were for real. The writer says that ‘Everybody was getting a soft spot for Peter Dunne. Weren’t we? We were beginning to love him a little. A little bit, right? Admit it…. But this bow-tie of a man has turned out to be ornamental after all. He has confirmed that he is what he always was, and it makes me want to cry’. But is such criticism really fair? United Future blogger Pete George obviously doesn’t think so, and outlines his defence of the MP in Dunne done over while parties piss and pose.
For more on the changes to the proposed reforms, and on why Rodney Harrison of the Law Society says it is still ‘rushed, ill-conceived and downright dangerous legislation’ see Audrey Young’s GCSB changes 'do not address flaws' – QC.
Finally, back in April I offered a visual and satirical take on the GCSB issues, in my blogpost, Images of the GCSB scandal, and I’ve put together an additional 40 cartoons in my blogpost, The Latest GCSB cartoons.
Other recent important or interesting items include the following:
The National Government has been appointing National Party stalwarts to a variety of quangos lately, drawing numerous allegations of ‘cronyism’ – see Isaac Davison’s It's jobs for the mates - Labour slams Nats. Blogger No Right Turn responds to the latest appointment in his post, More cronyism from National.
Interestingly, the Green Party’s chief spin-doctor, Andrew Campbell (@Andr3wCampbell) also took to Twitter to say, ‘Another @NZNationalParty insider gets plumb Govt appointment. Glenda Hughes to head racing board’. But Campbell was then challenged by others on Twitter. First, TV3’s Julian Lee (@JulianLee18) replied, saying ‘very interesting...could you elaborate Mr Campbell? I can't find the connection yet’. And then a leftwing activist ‘Dirtycoffeemug’ (@dirtycoffeemug) asked, ‘Are you saying the Green Party, if part of a govt, won't appoint its friends to positions?’ As yet, Andrew Campbell hasn’t responded.
Naturally David Farrar has responded to the allegations against National – see his blogpost, Jobs for the mates indeed. He outlines a long list of political appointments from the last Labour government, and offers his own criteria for government appointments.
Labour's woes continue according to TV3’s Patrick Gower, who reports on the latest survey results showing a considerable proportion of Labour voters want leader David Shearer to be replaced. Fortunately for Shearer, however, there’s no clear alternative. Gower says, ‘The most popular contender is actually "don't know/someone else" – 50 percent of people had no idea, and 42 percent of Labour voters couldn't choose either’.
Chris Trotter has no uncertainty about getting rid of the Labour leader, with a very forthright blogpost: Cuckoo in the Nest: In the name of God, David Shearer, go! But Trotter’s blog comrade, Martyn Bradbury is worried that if Shearer goes, he might be replaced by someone even worse – see: Labour down in latest Poll – why Shearer may be the best option.
David Shearer is now onto his third Chief of Staff, with the departure yesterday of Alastair Cameron – this is best reported and analysed by Claire Trevett in Shearer shifts gear with new chief of staff. The official line is that Cameron’s ‘voluntary’ departure is about reorganising Shearer’s office for election year, but cynics and critics will see this as either a further factional fight (as Cameron was politically aligned to Grant Robertson) or as a desperate attempt by Shearer to reshuffle the chairs on deck.
Labour ‘staff morale is very low’ according to a post by Danyl Mclauchlan, which also contains a polling chart which shows why this might be – see More noise.
What would Helen Clark do? An insight into the life and politics of the former Labour prime minister screens tonight on TV3 at 9:30pm. ‘Road to Power’ is the first of a two-part documentary on Clark – for further details see Kim Choe’s Doco gives rare insight into Helen Clark.
The latest earthquakes in central New Zealand are reigniting various political issues. Some are asking whether EQC is financially prepared for another big quake – see The Standard’s Key’s multi-billion dollar earthquake bet and Peter Cresswell’s So, is there any reason EQC shouldn’t shut up shop? And Cameron Slater questions whether politicians should be Politicising disaster?
The Government’s proposed industrial relations reforms are a big deal for the union movement. Top employment lawyer Peter Cullen explains why in Expect sparks as unions rally over proposals.
A capital gains tax is increasingly part of political discourse in New Zealand. Thomas Pippos has a good backgrounder on the issue in Capital gains tax an inevitable part of future landscape.
Utopian thinking is out of favour in 2013. Chris Trotter points out that in the 1970s, by contrast, ‘progressivism and utopianism’ were in the ascendancy, even leading to Prime Minister Norman Kirk introducing rural communes – see: Without our dreams, our utopias fade.
The Government got a bad deal on the SkyCity convention centre and shouldn’t be trusted to negotiate with big business again says Gordon Campbell – see: SkyCity deal a political lemon.
Proposals for dealing with inequality from economist Geoff Bertram receive a lengthy and interesting critique from Canterbury University economist Eric Crampton – see: Can consequences this foreseeable really be unintended?
First home house buyers look set to need a much higher deposit to get a bank loan, and John Key says this will help avoid the housing market bubble bursting – see Patrick Gower’s Govt hedges bets on helping first-home buyers.
Could the head office of DOC move to Nelson? What about a gas and oil government department for New Plymouth? John Key is considering such ideas, says Vernon Small in Government savings in the provinces.
John Key is on his way to Korea – New Zealand’s fifth largest trading partner. Jessica Mutch provides some interesting facts about the relationship in Korea – lest we forget, and Adam Bennett has some further information about the trip, including Key’s plans to eat spicy pickled cabbage and play golf with the head of Samsung – see: War commemorations mark start of PM's Korea visit.
Finally, for royalists who want to see which public buildings will be lit up in ‘baby blue’ – see Rebecca Quilliam’s NZ landmarks to be illuminated. Royalists and republicans might also be interested in Tim Watkin’s discussion of New Zealand’s future – see: The princely question: Go republic? Or Keep Marm & Carry On? But for the moment, New Zealand’s head of state can’t be a Catholic, even after new laws get passed – see Kate Shuttleworth’s Prince beats succession law.
Today’s links
GCSB
Andrea Vance (Stuff): Dunne GCSB u-turn no surprise
Gordon Campbell (Scoop): On Peter Dunne’s illusory gains on the GCSB Bill
Audrey Young (Herald): GCSB changes 'do not address flaws' - QC
The Jackal: Peter Dunne shows his true colours
Felix Marwick (Newstalk ZB): GCSB Bill: PM reckons people are on his side
Pete George (Your NZ): Concerns about the GCSB bill and Labour
Mark Hubbard (Life Behind the Iron Drape): Dunne’s Contradictions, Read Melt-Down, Continues – GCSB Cave In.
Anthony Robins (The Standard): So what was Dunne’s price?
Martyn Bradbury (Daily Blog): Peter Dunne has sold NZ out to Big Brother – this will be a genuinely dark day in New Zealand’s history
Pete George (Your NZ): Dunne done over while parties piss and pose
NBR Staff (NBR): Spy bill changes an improvement, but further change needed - InternetNZ
Wellington earthquake
Nicole Pryor (Stuff): Call for tighter rules on fittings after quake
The Press: Editorial: Wellington's quake warning
Southland Times: Editorial: Quake jitters continue
Radio NZ: Greens advocate levy to boost disaster fund
Labour Party
RadioLIVE: Labour, Greens advisers resign
Vernon Small (Stuff): Shearer senior staff shuffles
TVNZ: Senior member of David Shearer's staff quits
Claire Trevett (Herald): More changes in David Shearer's office
Felix Marwick (Newstalk ZB): Staff changes for Shearer's office
Radio NZ: Fran Mold new Labour chief of staff
Ideologically Impure: Latest poll is good/bad for Labour/National/Winston
No Right Turn: The buck stops there
Claire Trevett (Herald): Shearer shifts gear with new chief of staff
Cameron Slater (Whaleoil): Mold returns, cuckoo still in nest
Twisted Hive: Saying goodbye is sometimes best
Dan Satherley (TV3): Staff changes not poll-related – Shearer
David Farrar (Kiwiblog): Shearer onto third chief of staff
Kim Choe (TV3): Doco gives rare insight into Helen Clark
Danyl Mclauchlin (Dim-Post): More noise
Inequality, poverty, employment
Eric Crampton (Offsetting Behaviour): Can consequences this foreseeable really be unintended?
Anti-dismal: Now this is just stupid
Chris Trotter (Stuff): Without our dreams, our utopias fade
Matthew Nolan (Interest): A close look at fairness and points to equality of opportunity rather than eliminating inequality as a better goal
Housing
TVNZ: First home buyers still a priority – Key
Newswire: First-home buyers still a priority – Key
Vernon Small (Stuff): Key expects LVRs to go ahead
Peter Cresswell (Not PC): We Need More Affordable Homes, Prime Minister, Not More Subsidies
Felix Marwick (Newstalk ZB): Labour blames Key for Reserve Bank's changes
Radio NZ: PM thinks loan restrictions will go ahead
James Henderson (The Standard): Key fails first home buyers
Patrick Gower (TV3): Govt hedges bets on helping first-home buyers
Newswire: Shearer scoffs at Key's housing assurance
Radio NZ: Minto launches campaign with pledges on affordable housing
Royal baby
TVNZ: New Zealand celebrates birth of Royal baby
Melissa Wishart (Stuff): Royal baby 'good news in face of quakes'
Tim Watkin (Pundit): The princely question: Go republic? Or Keep Marm & Carry On?
Herald: Baby singlets project in honour of royal baby
Radio NZ: Maori King sends best wishes to royal couple
Kate Shuttleworth (Herald): Prince beats succession law
Hone Harawira
Briar Marbeck (TV3): Harawira refused to move car – police
Stuff: Hone Harawira in court for housing protest
Radio NZ: Harawira defends charges over protest
Matthew Theunissen (Herald): Police smashed Harawira's car window, court told
Matthew Theunissen (Herald): Harawira hearing: Court shown protest footage
TVNZ: Hone Harawira in court for housing protest
Defence defamation case
Kennedy Graham (Frogblog): Afghanistan mon amour: Defamation case spotlights Defence PR spin
Café Pacific: A ‘dirty war’, NZ military cover-up and the vindication of a journalist
RBNZ
TVNZ: Rod Carr appointed Reserve Bank chairman
Brennan McDonald: Rod Carr Becomes RBNZ Chairman Replacing Arthur Grimes
Tobacco plain packaging
Laura McQuillan (Newswire): Plain packaging deterring smokers – study
Peter Wilson and Laura McQuillan (Newswire): Turia backs plain packaging survey
John Key in Korea
Jessica Mutch (TVNZ): Korea - lest we forget
Adam Bennett (Herald): War commemorations mark start of PM's Korea visit
Newswire: Key leaves for Solomons and Seoul
Maori politics
Andrea Fox (Stuff): Tainui's $3b plan sidesteps council red tape
Radio NZ: Time running out for Maori roll option
Felix Marwick (Newstalk ZB): Secrecy surrounding treaty top-ups
Christchurch rebuild
The Press: Insurers helping to transform Chch
Peter Cresswell (Not PC): So, is there any reason EQC shouldn’t shut up shop?
Economy
Radio NZ: Govt puts copyright law review on hold
Caleb Allison (Newstalk ZB): Call for more urgency on copyright law review
Bernard Hickey (Interest): PM Key says central government rethinking its position on regional development
Vernon Small (Stuff): Government savings in the provinces
Michael Daly (Stuff): Call for plan on ageing Kiwis
Radio NZ: Warning NZ could suffer if tax reform derailed
Peter Cullen (Stuff): Expect sparks as unions rally over proposals
Other
Jim Chipp (Stuff): Kedgley to stand for regional council
Radio NZ: Parties criticise treatment of local govt
Max Rashbrooke: Religious voices should not be ‘excluded’ from debate, says departing professor
Radio NZ: Man back in jail for 51st time
David Farrar (Kiwiblog): Jobs for the mates indeed
Felix Marwick (Newstalk ZB): Commissioner dealing with more complaints
David Farrar (Kiwiblog): 51 prison terms by 34
The Handmirror: The Glenn Inquiry and selling out safety
Gordon Campbell (Stuff): SkyCity deal a political lemon
Shomi Yoon (ISO): Women, Politics and Class: a Socialist Analysis for Aotearoa
Mark Hubbard (Life Behind the Iron Drape): Reply to Minister Todd McClay - Animal Testing Under Psychoactive Substances Act.
Isaac Davison (Herald): It's jobs for the mates - Labour slams Nats