Shadbolt campaign funded by Hollow Men

Written By: - Date published: 7:02 pm, January 18th, 2008 - 96 comments
Categories: election funding - Tags: , , , , ,

shadbolt-210.jpg

Remember how I asked who was funding Tim Shadbolt’s campaign to “bring down the government”? Turns out the Southland Times was interested too and they’ve found out his move to deliberately break electoral law is being propped up by the Talley brothers, who appear to have a bit of a history of that themselves.

Now the Talleys have a fine tradition of backing National (including offering Don Brash a million dollars and South Island use of a private helicopter for the 2005 election campaign) and are well known right-wing political activists. Most recently the Talleys have been behind a campaign to take the ACC to court – it turns out they got a cut-price ACC deal in exchange for covering all injury costs themselves. One of their workers got shot at their Wairoa plant and now they think the taxpayer should foot the bill – National has championed the company’s attempt to escape their contractual obligation.

It’s also interesting to note that Peter Talley was the guest speaker at National’s Canterbury Westland regional conference in 2004 and that they have a reputation as aggressive and anti-worker employers. After losing a case of sexual discrimination against one of their female workers Andrew Talley’s response was:

There are jobs – pole dancing being one and fish filleting being another – that have a higher predominance of either men or women. The decision is a joke.

So let’s have a look at this: we’ve got a bunch of extremely wealthy right-wing businessmen who think they are above contract law and have a very close relationship with the National Party and they’re funding an “independent” campaign by Tim Shadbolt to bring the government down. That stinks more than a Talley’s fish factory and when a veteran politician like Shadbolt claims he had no idea the Talleys were in the Hollow Men (note: he didn’t say he had no idea they were National Party activists) then he’s being more than a little bit slippery.

Tim mate – you should have learned by now that when you lie down with dogs you catch fleas.

[Kudos to Southland Times reporter Phil McCarthy for doing some real journalism – it’s nice to see someone asking some awkward questions rather than just recycling press releases]

96 comments on “Shadbolt campaign funded by Hollow Men ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. the sprout 1
    18 January 2008 at 7:10 pm

    well done Phil McCarthy – let’s see what the rest of the msm do with it…

  2. Daveo 2
    18 January 2008 at 7:10 pm

    It’s a sad indictment on the media that some guy from the Southland Times to actually follow the money. That should be the first rule of journalism, but again they’ve let us down. This should have been out weeks ago when Shadbolt was being feted by the media as the saviour of education, democracy and little Johnny Key.

  4. Dark Watcher 4
    18 January 2008 at 7:58 pm

    What business is it of yours if some wealthy businessmen choose to use their money to bring down this corrupt government? So what if they were in the hollow men? It’s called freedom of choice, but then you socialists wouldn’t know what that means.

  5. illuminatedtiger 5
    18 January 2008 at 8:01 pm

    Is this the same Talley that told a bunch of school children that animals shouldn’t have rights and that he wants to “kill and eat” them?

  6. westmere 6
    18 January 2008 at 8:05 pm

    “Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt yesterday said he was not aware of Friends of SIT supporters the Talley brothers’ alleged links to the National Party.”

    ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

  7. illuminatedtiger 7
    18 January 2008 at 8:06 pm

    Can the man be any more stupid?

  8. gobsmacked 8
    18 January 2008 at 8:10 pm

    For the benefit of any naive souls who think Shadbolt had never heard of the Talleys until last month:

    http://www.nzfarmersweekly.co.nz/article/3220.html

  9. IrishBill 9
    18 January 2008 at 8:17 pm

    “It’s called freedom of choice, but then you socialists wouldn’t know what that means.”

    Sure we do watcher. In fact, by providing people with information like this we provide more freedom of choice. Now people are free to choose to support a campaign backed by the Talley brothers or not. If Shadbolt had his way people would not be free to make that choice as they would not have been informed. Just think of us as consumer watchdogs.

  10. IrishBill 10
    18 January 2008 at 8:21 pm

    “For the benefit of any naive souls who think Shadbolt had never heard of the Talleys until last month:”

    Oh dear.

  11. Phil 11
    18 January 2008 at 8:21 pm

    Wait a second, are you seriously trying to tell us that a gang-related shooting is a workplace accident… You’ve got to be fucking kidding, right?
    I cannot understand why ACC aren’t being persecuted in public for that.

  12. Tane 12
    18 January 2008 at 8:29 pm

    Phil, the Talleys agreed to take responsibility for all injuries on their premises regardless of fault in exchange for reduced ACC levies:

    “In 2000 AFFCO entered an agreement with ACC that explicitly stated they would be responsible for any injury that occurred on their premises, whether or not they were at fault. In return Affco paid reduced ACC levies. The agreement also allowed for certain high cost claims to be handed back to ACC, with AFFCO being liable to pay the first $1 million, much like an excess on a common insurance policy” said Dr Keith McLea, General Manager Levy and Scheme Management, ACC.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0712/S00203.htm

    They were happy to get a discount from the taxpayer when it suited them, and as soon as it didn’t they changed tack. If anyone should be persecuted it’s the Talleys for trying to perpetuate this rort on the public, and the Nats for shamelessly backing them.

  13. Policy Parrot 13
    18 January 2008 at 8:34 pm

    The Talley’s plants in regional New Zealand dominate the economies of the small towns of which they are a part of.

    Yet almost every former employee I have met (and I know a lot as I am originally from Motueka) despises their employee relations directive, and typically look back on that period of employment if not the worst, one of the in their working lives.

    I’m also not aware of many major community projects in the Tasman region (Nelson-GB/Motueka) or initiatives of which they are a part. The worst part is that Peter and Michael’s father was an immigrant from Eastern Europe, and yet they feel no sense of gratitude towards the community or country. Maybe philantropy simply isn’t part of their make-up.

  14. IrishBill 14
    18 January 2008 at 8:36 pm

    Phil – I’d imagine you’ll find it is covered by the contract Talley agreed to. in fact it appears their own board of directers agreed to it:

    “Affco’s board of directors made the decision to give Mr Storey work-related cover.”

    And their own spokesperson says:

    “There has always been a difference between law and common sense, and in this case the law flies in the face of common sense,”

    Form what I can see Talleys entered into a legal contract, made a bad decision and got burned and now they’ve gone crying to the courts about it. Perhaps they should take some personal responsibility for their own business decisions and stop trying to get a handout from the taxpayer.

    If this was a contract between Talleys and a private provider would you feel the same sense of outrage?

  15. gobsmacked 15
    18 January 2008 at 8:40 pm

    The facts behind the Affco/ACC myth-story were outlined in the Herald on Sunday by David Fisher, but the story is not online. Spin seems to have won the day, sadly.

    See Russell Brown’s piece in Hard News:

    http://www.publicaddress.net/default,hardnews,215.sm

  16. IrishBill 16
    18 January 2008 at 8:48 pm

    Damn! I wish I’d seen that Public Address story, it would’ve saved me a lot of googling!

  17. Barnsley Bill 17
    18 January 2008 at 8:53 pm

    PROBABLY being propped up!
    Irish Bill, you are probably a dickhead. However my use of the word probably (much like yours) does not make it a statement of fact.
    He said , she said blah blah blah….
    It is a terrible thing to see sad lefties turn on one of their own.

  18. IrishBill 18
    18 January 2008 at 8:59 pm

    Bill, good to see you are back posting here. I used the word “probably” because Shadbolt obviously danced his way around the questions but didn’t do a very good job of it the quote:

    “When I got interested in the issue I pledged confidentiality and I’ve got to stick to that. I’m not prepared to say (how much money the Talleys gave).

    Show it’s highly likely as does the fact that he’s previously claimed they are supporters of the campaign.

    Actually Bill, now that I read the quotes again I think you’re probably right – consider that “probably” gone.

  19. gobsmacked 19
    18 January 2008 at 9:05 pm

    “he said, she said”??

    Actually, Shadbolt said:

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/thepress/4327453a19756.html

  20. Pingo 20
    18 January 2008 at 9:31 pm

    Get fucking real – that’s not real journalism. Let’s look at the story:

    “Mr Hager’s book claims Nelson businessmen Michael and Peter Talley, who have business interests in Southland, offered Don Brash $1 million to help get the National Party elected in the 2005 election. The book alleges Dr Brash entertained the idea but it was never taken up.

    The Talleys have said the claim is rubbish, and when contacted this week by The Southland Times, Michael Talley reiterated this and said his family was not aligned to any political party.”

    The limp lefty journo got his info from reading the Hollow Men! What a fucking joke. So because Nicky Hager reckons the Talleys might have offered Brash a mill, and Talleys have said they support the Southern Institute of Technology, therefore they want to bring down the Government?

    You guys couldn’t find your arse with both hands, let alone a decent facts-based argument. Dickheads.

  21. dad4justice 21
    18 January 2008 at 9:41 pm

    Michael and Peter Talley have exception lawyers .

  22. the sprout 22
    18 January 2008 at 9:51 pm

    are they the ones they used for their ACC exception?

  23. gobsmacked 23
    18 January 2008 at 10:03 pm

    The Talleys’ involvement with National is not in doubt. It is not a “claim”, but a fact, with detailed, documented evidence. Read Chapter 15.

  24. James Kearney 24
    18 January 2008 at 10:12 pm

    Pingo you sound like the kind of fool who can’t tell when he’s being spun a line. It’s people like you that allow right-wing politicians to get away with their crap because they know you’ll believe it. That doesn’t make you special, it makes you a tool.

    The Hollow Men has documentary evidence of Brash saying the Talleys’ laywer Nick Davidson had brought him an offer of $1 million to help get National elected. He told his advisor Brian Sinclair: “They are saying that they can find a million dollars to encourage us to do certain things”, such as hiring campaign consultants. Sinclair replied: “Yes, they say they can source the million they have spoken of all by themselves.” It was then suggested by the Talleys that a front company called Vto be created so the money could be funnelled through it to avoid electoral law. (Pages 243-246).

    There’s also evidence of Peter Talley giving National strategy advice at a regional conference (see the link in this post), as well as his racist tactics of targeting immigration and focusing on the Maori seats.

    The Talleys are proven liars with strong National party connections. You shouldn’t let them take you for a fool.

  25. Barnsley Bill 25
    18 January 2008 at 10:32 pm

    Nicky Hager……… Impartial………. Not
    You should get him posting here ladies. He would fit in very well with the rest of you numptys at the axis of stupid.
    He has a lot in common with many of you, never had a job. Adds no value.

  26. Tane 26
    18 January 2008 at 10:34 pm

    Bill, it’s primary source material. Your opinion of Nicky Hager doesn’t matter – it’s indisputable evidence.

  27. Barnsley Bill 27
    18 January 2008 at 10:41 pm

    Primary source material…. That nobody has seen or is allowed to be seen. purportedly genuine correspondence that was supposedly stolen, THAT IS NOT INDISPUTABLE EVIDENCE.
    Can I assume from your forthright defense of hager that you agree with everything he says and has written.

  28. Tane 28
    18 January 2008 at 11:01 pm

    Bill that’s pretty weak. No one, not even Brash, has been able to deny the accuracy of the emails. Nor has anyone taken a case, despite the large number of wealthy interests with access to vast legal resources who were exposed by the book.

    And of course I don’t agree with everything Nicky’s ever written, but I’m not so blind as to refuse to believe the documented evidence in his book.

    Just saw you’ve done a post on us on your website Bill, good to know we’ve got you talking.
    http://barnsleybill.blogspot.com/2008/01/axis-of-stupid-unmasked.html

    Did you set up the Robinsod parody blog you linked to?
    http://robinslob.blogspot.com/
    You give him far too much credit.

  29. outofbed 29
    18 January 2008 at 11:05 pm

    remind me again why Brash resigned

  30. Barnsley Bill 30
    18 January 2008 at 11:10 pm

    not me.
    Remind me again what your hero Hager thought of your beloved EFA.

  31. Tane 31
    18 January 2008 at 11:16 pm

    He gave a submission supporting it.

    http://www.thestandard.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/hager.pdf

    But this isn’t a debate about the EFA, so let’s keep it on topic eh?

  32. Barnsley Bill 32
    18 January 2008 at 11:23 pm

    You brought hager into the discussion. And you have not read it if you claim he supported it.
    Furthermore NOBODY has seen the emails, including Helen’s police force who declined the request to investigate the alleged theft.
    Too busy NOT doing things like arresting and charging your mate Len Richards with an assault everybody in the country with a TV witnessed.
    It is a bloody tragedy what that Woman has done to this country

  33. outofbed 33
    18 January 2008 at 11:37 pm

    “It is a bloody tragedy what that Woman has done to this country”
    Bloody economic Growth
    Bloody Unemployment rate one of the lowest in the OECD
    Bloody not following Oz into Iraq

    Bill , Like it or like it not. NZ is doing really quite well at the moment, There are of course areas that need work
    but overall things are pretty good.

  34. Tane 34
    18 January 2008 at 11:40 pm

    Bill, read it again, and look at his written submission:
    http://www.parliament.nz/NR/rdonlyres/1361AFAC-9530-4E40-9D6C-CB60F43799F6/65014/NickyHager1.pdf

    The rest of your comment isn’t worth addressing.

  35. gobsmacked 35
    19 January 2008 at 12:08 am

    Bill: “NOBODY has seen the emails …”

    This is false. They were seen and used as a source for stories even before the 2005 election, a year before Hager’s book was published e.g. Ruth Laugesen in the Sunday Star-Times:

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0508/S00226.htm

  36. deemac 36
    19 January 2008 at 12:28 am

    why does anyone bother responding to these lame rightwing posts that are just abuse and/or rehash points that have been demonstrated to be false dozens of times? It’s just tedious and I read this blog for news I won’t get elsewhere, not to read ravings from idiots who don’t back down even when their claims have been utterly discredited.

  37. Jum 37
    19 January 2008 at 2:24 am

    Barnsley Bill

    Our Prime Minister, Helen Clark has been leading our country for eight years, so I presume what she has done to our country only really affects 0-8 year olds, because we all know that the first seven years of a person’s life determines their adult outcomes.

    Adults, on the other hand will already have formed their beliefs and will have judged any changes according to their individual makeup.

    Even then, if you hold our Prime Minister responsible for any tweens getting into trouble, you would then have to hold responsible the parents, the financial marketers who have brainwashed Kiwis into thinking they can have it all NOW, the previous money driven governments with a huge preponderance of mennnnnnnnnnnnnn, et cetera.

    I assume you are over eight so please consider carefully what you feel personally aggrieved about, because we need to consider you as a person fashioned from many sources and why you as a person hate the Prime Minister so much, when there are so many other people, men and women, who consider she has brought back the very soul of New Zealand from disasters wrought upon Kiwis by Douglas and Richardson and strengthened New Zealanders against what will be a difficult future, considering current international issues.

    Please list what our Prime Minister is responsible for, according to YOU BB. I’m interested to know. When you do that, please also explain when it occurred, why YOU think it occurred and how YOU would have done it better.

    I also noticed your post talking about ‘having Nicky Hager on this blog site ‘ladies’. Did you mean this as an insult to the males on this site because you think that ‘ladies’ are somehow inferior? Is this part of the reason you hate the Prime Minister so much?

  38. dad4justice 38
    19 January 2008 at 7:34 am

    Jum
    Helen Klark is going to be exposed for what she really is and the back lash for Labour will take decades to fix, because many voters will be disgusted when the truth is revealed .
    Honesty is always the best policy, as that way you got nothing than can surface and cause impending doom. I am glad I am not in her shoes !!

  39. James Kearney 39
    19 January 2008 at 9:10 am

    Jum let’s not indulge Barnsley Bill and Dad4Justice on this one. They’re not interested in talking about the issue here, they just want to bang on about how much they hate Helen Clark. They’re ill-informed psychos and I don’t think we should let them change the subject.

  40. lemsip 40
    19 January 2008 at 9:16 am

    “when there are so many other people, men and women, who consider she has brought back the very soul of New Zealand from disasters wrought upon Kiwis by Douglas and Richardson and strengthened New Zealanders against what will be a difficult future, considering current international issues”

    Funnily enough she has never been able to claim to lead a majority supported government. Hmmm

    Also, according to your argument we really can’t attribute much to the government since there are so many influences on human behaviour and social outcomes. Makes me wonder how YOU can imply the government is so great and villify those who might take issue with that statement.

  41. James Kearney 41
    19 January 2008 at 9:21 am

    Jum. Lemsip’s last comment is why you don’t indulge these freaks. They don’t want to talk about their hero Shadbolt’s martyrdom campaign being funded by the Hollow Men, they just want a place to relieve their obsessive hatred of Helen Clark.

    Doesn’t it bother you Lemsip that Shadbolt’s campaign against the Electoral Finance Act is being backed by the very people who corrupted our electoral laws in the first place? Don’t you see a vested interest here for weaker, more corruptable electoral law on the part of the Talleys? And are these really the kind of people you want pulling the strings on the right?

  42. lemsip 42
    19 January 2008 at 10:11 am

    James where did I say Shadbolt was my hero? How did I support any of his actions? How did I display hatred of Helen Clark?

  43. Billy 43
    19 January 2008 at 11:01 am

    “…the very people who corrupted our electoral laws in the first place?” Who was that again?

    http://www.oag.govt.nz/2006/election-spending

    As for the Affco thing, it seems more than a bit weird to me that an employer should be responsible for an inury suffered in their carpark as a result of a gang shooting. Seems like a pretty dumb contract to have entered into. Wouldn’t mind seeing what it said. Would ACC have been liable if the contract had not been signed?

  44. Tane 44
    19 January 2008 at 11:20 am

    Billy that link is a pathetic attempt at distraction. This thread is about Tim Shadbolt’s dodgy dealings with Talleys, not National, Labour, the Greens, NZ First and United Future’s run-in with the auditor-general. Try to stay on topic.

    And the AFFCO situation is a simple case of contract law. They knew what they were getting into, and it didn’t work out for them. It turned out to be a bad business decision and now they’re trying to load the cost onto the taxpayer. They have no case, as they’ve admitted themselves, so they’ve resorted to PR. And it looks like National’s willing to back their secret donors against the taxpayer. I’m don’t know why you seem to think any of this is worth defending.

  45. Billy 45
    19 January 2008 at 11:44 am

    Morning Tane,

    I hardly started the “you tried to steal the election” stuff. I was just trying to instroduce some balance.

    As for the Affco thing, where did I say anything different to what you said? If they entered into a dumb contract they should be held to it, no matter how weird it seems.

  46. Pascal's bookie 46
    19 January 2008 at 11:58 am

    Billy, yes ACC would have been liable if not for the contract.

    lemsip: Funnily enough she has never been able to claim to lead a majority supported government. Hmmm

    That’s a pretty basic misunderstanding of MMP. In any parliamentary system in fact, a government has majority support if they have the confidence of the house.

  47. Billy 47
    19 January 2008 at 12:03 pm

    PB,

    I think the question I should have asked was: would it have been considered a workplace accident for ACC purposes if not for the contract?

  48. Draco TB 48
    19 January 2008 at 12:16 pm

    Primary source material.. That nobody has seen or is allowed to be seen. purportedly genuine correspondence that was supposedly stolen, THAT IS NOT INDISPUTABLE EVIDENCE.

    Well, somebody (in fact, quite a few people) have seen it but the fact that nobody except the intended recipient was supposed to see it could only indicate that it was leaked. As for it being “supposedly stolen”, well, that could only have happened if it actually existed in the first place. All this indicates that the “purportedly genuine correspondence” is, as a matter of fact, genuine and indisputable.

  49. Draco TB 49
    19 January 2008 at 12:24 pm

    Funnily enough she has never been able to claim to lead a majority supported government. Hmmm

    Funnily enough, neither has National. In fact, almost all National governments since 1936 have had less support than the Labour opposition.

  50. Barnsley Bill 50
    19 January 2008 at 12:27 pm

    Seen it yourself have you Draco? Know anybody other than hager who can claim to have seen it? No? Didn’t think so.
    You clowns just don’t get it, completely fixated on how people propose to spend their own money when the real criminals just dipped into the public purse after being told not to and then when caught just ramrodded retrospective legislation through to legalise it.
    Numptys one and all.

  51. outofbed 51
    19 January 2008 at 12:40 pm

    NATIONAL PRESS RELEASE JAN 2008 “Don Brash Leader of the National Party, today won the court case against Nicky Hager for the lies and half truths propagated in his book “The Hollow man. Mr Brash said I’m glad I didn’t resign, this decision shows that my stance has been vidicated.

  52. Pascal's bookie 52
    19 January 2008 at 12:57 pm

    would it have been considered a workplace accident for ACC purposes if not for the contract?

    Why would this have been a better question? The point is that they signed a contract accepting liabilty for the things normally covered by ACC on their property. In return they avided having to pay ACC levies. Now they are up for monies that ACC would normally pay and they are trying to back out of the deal. In essence they are trying to breach the contract and cage a freeride off people who stayed inside the ACC system.

    So how would your revised question shed any light? You may find it weird that ACC covers this type of thing, but that is an unrelated point. The only question here is are the Talley’s acting like wankers?

    What I find interesting and slightly more relevent is how the supposedly left wing media have covered this case, barely mentioning the contract which is the central issue.

  53. gobsmacked 53
    19 January 2008 at 1:02 pm

    Barnsley Bill

    Your ability to ignore answers and repeat the same question is very amusing but hardly effective debate.

    Follow link in my post above. Then acknowledge your error. Thank you.

  54. Billy 54
    19 January 2008 at 1:13 pm

    Calm down, PB.

    I know it’s not central to the issue, but as a related point, I simply wondered whether an employer who had not entered into such a contract would suffer higher ACC levies as a result of an injury of this kind beign treated as a work place accident. If they would, it is dumb.

    That’s all I was wondering.

  55. Jum 55
    19 January 2008 at 2:18 pm

    James Kearney

    I see your point. I’ll just watch for a while and learn, and check in again later. But please ask Dad4Justice to spell our Prime Minister’s name correctly. I don’t want to add stupidity to his many issues.

    Meanwhile, your site’s ability to put two sides to each sensationalised story in the media is great. Keep up the good work.

    Thank you

  56. James Kearney 56
    19 January 2008 at 2:38 pm

    Jum- I don’t write for the standard, I comment here like you do. I’m just getting sick of idiot right-wingers coming here and trying to disprupt it for the rest of us.

  57. lemsip 57
    19 January 2008 at 2:50 pm

    “That’s a pretty basic misunderstanding of MMP. In any parliamentary system in fact, a government has majority support if they have the confidence of the house.”

    I wonder why they call it a minority coalition government then?

    Here’s a member of the 2002-2005 minority coalition government:

    “What the voting record shows is that our minority coalition government, with just 53 of the 120 seats, has gone to extraordinary lengths to reach out and build very broad-based consensus among opposition parties to advance our legislation.”

    http://www.progressive.org.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1484

    Here’s a memebr of 1999-2002 minority coalition government:
    In just 10 years since the first MMP election, MMP has evolved and set new constitutional norms. Minority governments and coalition governments and even minority coalition governments have become usual.

    http://www.greens.org.nz/searchdocs/speech9851.html

    And here is the Office of the Clerk:
    Minority coalition & two or more parties with a combined total of 50 percent or fewer of the seats join together to form a Government, with an agreement with another party/parties on confidence votes.

    http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PubRes/About/FactSheets/0/e/7/0e7b11a6a32841bca7848ed6d9bb508e.htm

    Need More Pascal? Crawl back under your rock

  58. lemsip 58
    19 January 2008 at 2:53 pm

    James please answer my questions. You accused me of something so please have the deceny to give me your rationale (other than some generic crap) or withdraw your comments.

  59. lemsip 59
    19 January 2008 at 3:00 pm

    Pascal Bookie this is how the Office of the Clerk describes a minority coalition government:
    Minority coalition & two or more parties with a combined total of 50 percent or fewer of the seats join together to form a Government, with an agreement with another party/parties on confidence votes.

    Please tell me how that doesn’t accurately reflect each of Helen CLark’s governments?

  60. James Kearney 60
    19 January 2008 at 3:02 pm

    Lemsip I was referring to Barnsely, Dad and you. You’re better than them but my point was by answering the right’s attempts to disrupt you’re only encouraging them to go on anti-Helen rants and cloud the issue.

  61. dad4justice 61
    19 January 2008 at 4:55 pm

    Back to censorship now girls ??

    [Only of you Dad. Start behaving yourself.]

  62. lemsip 62
    19 January 2008 at 5:25 pm

    one slight correction – the greens were of course not part of the 1999-2002 govt they merely propped it up

  63. the sprout 63
    19 January 2008 at 6:47 pm

    suck it up righties

  64. dad4justice 64
    19 January 2008 at 7:21 pm

    suck it up lemon face .

  65. mausie 65
    19 January 2008 at 7:29 pm

    Billy,

    If they had not entered into the contract, ACC would have been liable for the claim. This is because, although the shooting was, by definition, not an ‘accident’, it was an injury that occurred in the workplace. ACC’s definition is well-covered in the Public Address thread, particularly here: http://www.publicaddress.net/system/topic,901,hard_news_never_let_the_facts_.sm?p=38980#post38980

  66. Pascal's bookie 66
    19 January 2008 at 7:53 pm

    “Minority coalition & two or more parties with a combined total of 50 percent or fewer of the seats join together to form a Government, with an agreement with another party/parties on confidence votes.

    Please tell me how that doesn’t accurately reflect each of Helen CLark’s governments?”

    It reflects them perfectly. The bolded part means that the minority govt is supported by other parties on C&S (which is what counts).

    Here’s what you said originally:

    “Funnily enough she has never been able to claim to lead a majority supported government.”

    It’s no biggie lemsip, and I’m sorry if I got your back up. But what you said was just plain wrong. All of Clarks goverments have had majority support, without having a majority in their own right.

  67. Buggerlugs 67
    19 January 2008 at 10:13 pm

    “tim shadbolt’s dodgy dealings with talleys”

    Fuck Tane Tutae you dumb fuck. The original post is based on a journalist interviewing their navel after reading a book predicated on dodgy evidence.

    You guys really are a bad advertisement for socialism…any ism, in fact.

  68. ak 68
    19 January 2008 at 10:19 pm

    Bitter taste lemsip?
    Could some clever youngster please list all the elections in which more people have voted Labour than have voted National?
    (just think all our new-found FFFDs (freedom-fighters for democracy) might be interested – seeing as how they’re all so deeply concerned about our precious democratic system)

  69. Pascal's bookie 69
    19 January 2008 at 10:36 pm

    Crivens! Tim Shadbolt is Phil McCarthy’s navel.

    Who knew?

  70. lemsip 70
    19 January 2008 at 10:42 pm

    i stand corrected

  71. Pascal's bookie 71
    19 January 2008 at 11:10 pm

    kudos.

    Like I said it’s no biggie, bloody trivial in fact, and I’m sorry if I came across as harsh, I just read it and thought ‘whaaaa?’

    I’ll get back under my rock now. 😉

  72. Daveo 72
    20 January 2008 at 12:22 am

    Buggerlugs see the link to The Press further up the thread. So much ill-thought out abuse – I’m noticing a pattern with the folks coming over from Kiwiblog.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/thepress/4327453a19756.html

  73. dad4justice 73
    20 January 2008 at 9:57 am

    I wonder if the Talley brothers give donate some money so our dysfunctional health system can treat some sick people on hospital waiting lists ?

  74. DS 74
    20 January 2008 at 1:24 pm

    “Could some clever youngster please list all the elections in which more people have voted Labour than have voted National?”

    1935 (counting Reform/United as National), 1938, 1943, 1946, 1957, 1972, 1978, 1981, 1984, 1987, 1999, 2002, and 2005. Labour also came within a handful of votes in outpolling National in 1954 (though lost the seat count by a fair margin), and 1993 (where it was Nat 35% Lab 34% and Alliance 18%).

    In fact, the only occasions in the last 36 years where the Nats have really beaten Labour are 1975 and 1990. In 1978 and 1981 Labour got more votes but lost the election, in 1993 there was a split Labour/Alliance vote, and in 1996 you had Winston Peters and his “vote for me and get rid of National” promise.

  75. the sprout 75
    20 January 2008 at 2:31 pm

    d4j i’m happy to get you treated now, where do i send the cheque?

  76. ak 76
    20 January 2008 at 5:47 pm

    Many thanks DS:

    “In fact, the only occasions in the last 36 years where the Nats have really beaten Labour are 1975 and 1990.”

    Billboard-worthy. Where were our tory freedom-fighters and our fearless and valiant Heraldic defender of democracy all those years?

  77. milo 77
    20 January 2008 at 8:58 pm

    Is this post a party political advertisement for the Labour party?

  78. Aj 78
    20 January 2008 at 10:31 pm

    Other contributors to Shadbolt’s folly include the Richardson Group and NZAS. Owners of these firms are well know to lean hard right.

  79. milo 79
    20 January 2008 at 10:33 pm

    And who is funding these attacks on Shadbolt? And what are their political persuasions? And what is hard right anyway? Or is it just an elastic term of abuse for those you disagree with?

  80. Oliver 80
    21 January 2008 at 3:33 am

    Your right, we should follow the money. Is this blog supported (through cash or kind) by any NZ political parties, unions or lobby groups?

  81. rod 81
    21 January 2008 at 4:03 pm

    I feel rather sorry for old Tim. He’s thrown all his jellybeans out the cot.
    From Lovable Leftie to Tory Stooge.

  82. burt 82
    21 January 2008 at 8:31 pm

    The Standard

    Have I got this correct, you are posting that Shadbolt is funded by the hollow men when it appears that Labour funds the standard?

    Did you forget to mention it on the “about” page or is it something you hypocrites at the standard don’t want to talk about? It’s a bit like supporting the requirement for people to publish their full name and residential address when expressing political opinions – while posting anonymously.

    You guys are epitomise why people are turning away from the Labour party. “Do as I say and not as I do – we know how to run your lives better than you do”.

  83. Daveo 83
    21 January 2008 at 10:17 pm

    Burt man you’re behind the times. Lynne Prentice explained it all on the Kiwiblog thread last night. You’ve got like 24hrs to catch up on. Russel Brown’s even gone and summed it up nice and simple for ya-
    http://publicaddress.net/default,4762.sm

  84. burt 84
    21 January 2008 at 11:00 pm

    Daveo

    Public Address executes a perfect “Ad hominem tu quoque” ( see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hominem ) with;

    Meanwhile, in similarly-themed news, it turns out that Tim Shadbolt’s bold and independent stand for free speech is actually being bankrolled by Hollow Men stars the Talley brothers. Shadbolt claims he had no idea who they were, they just gave him a lot of money …

    Not cutting it for me sorry, they just gave me an IP address is sounding a lot like ‘they just gave me money’ to me…

  85. Outofbed 85
    21 January 2008 at 11:14 pm

    well burt try reading it again
    think cock up not conspiricy

  86. RANDAL 86
    30 January 2008 at 9:31 pm

    tim is a twerp

  87. Aj 87
    30 January 2008 at 10:19 pm

    “The actions of Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt had brought the whole city into disrepute, a senior city councillor said at last night’s meeting’

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/southlandtimes/4379741a6011.html

  88. Zazpar 88
    30 June 2008 at 6:56 am

    Wow

    judging from the extremely childish, finger pointing, mudslinging & name-calling nature of the above posts I can only assume that you are all beehive politians behavior practising for their next day’s ‘work’

    The goofy thing is that most of you are most likely adults and that most likely makes me mostly decide that no matter who wins what election & wether or not whatever government is, has been or will be brought down would not make the slightest bit of difference anyway as things would probably just carry on exactly as they do regardless.

    God save the future from the present which is most likely just a never ending rerun of the past.

  89. randal 89
    2 August 2008 at 6:38 pm

    all things being equal tim is still a twerp…hehehe

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Decision allows for housing growth in Western Bay of Plenty
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Speech to New Zealand China Council
    Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today.    Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Modern insurance law will protect Kiwi households
    The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government recommits to equal pay
    The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Transforming how our children learn to read
    Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.  “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • NZ not backing down in Canada dairy dispute
    Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable children
    The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Streamlining Building Consent Changes
    The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.      “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-03T16:53:57+00:00