Back on 30 December 2007 the Herald on Sunday ran a story about the Nats working over the summer. Here are a few excerpts:
[John] Key caused a few grumbles in National’s caucus before Christmas when he insisted his team would have a minimal break, and he expected them to be working their shadow portfolios throughout the summer.
Education spokeswoman Katherine Rich took him at his word, and, immediately after Boxing Day, she was hammering Labour for booming salaries in the Ministry of Education …
Similarly, National MP Simon Power stirred himself from his sun lounger to fire off an attack on the Department of Corrections for doubling the amount it spends on consultants to nearly $20 million of taxpayers’ money a year.
How things have changed in 2 years. Back when they were in opposition National MPs thought these were legitimate issues and were happy to work during the summer. Now that they are in charge, they’re outraged that the Labour opposition is holding them to account.
Yawn.
Keep digging Chris – this is hilarious.
Farrar was just having a snide dig at Labour about this on Afternoon’s on National Radio. How does he qualify as a commentator anyway.
Not so much digging as a good memory. I worked that Christmas on the responses to the National Party’s attacks.
There you go it goes both ways.
Chris,
In damage control now?
See what sort of tangent you come up with in the morning.
You are of course working through the summer?
That was the summer before they won the 2008 election – seems like their efforts paid off. No doubt (as the PM confirmed on the radio) all will be working thru the break again (as they also did last summer after winning the election).
Do you not think these very hard working MPs do not deserve a holiday break?
I suggest you get a life. This is a beat up and you know it.
Give it up Chris. Put your energy into something more useful and less annoying.
Now that they are in charge, they’re outraged that the Labour opposition is holding them to account.
By asking silly Questions, when will Labour offer an alternative view of the problems New Zealand is facing. Please tell where will we will find Labours prescription to fix the problems NZ faces Oh that’s right make them up as you go.
Ah Doug, the problem of fixing creates another problem. What you fix just pisses off others.
Repair does not work, replacement does, sometimes.
It does not matter if the Govt is Labour or National or any other agreement. It is all based on GREED of Political people.
All done by design, create confusion and stay in Power.
We all know who, NZ Govt, United Nations, USA, China.
Oil rules but also in Afganistan opium is needed for medication
Your behaviour reminds me of an attention seeking child who feels hard done by and is having a thinly veiled tantrum. Let it go, you are just making yourself look really silly.
are these rattled commenters some of the staffers that need to be outed…?
@Sherylyn – mostly reading over the next few weeks, perhaps a bit of writing, but probably not much blogging.
@Doug – policy work is always in progress. Of course, written parliamentary questions are a good way of getting the type of information you need to make good policy based on evidence, rather than the bumper sticker variety.
@Doug – policy work is always in progress. Of course, written parliamentary questions are a good way of getting the type of information you need to make good policy based on evidence, rather than the bumper sticker variety
So Chris are you admitting you have no idea and just make things up as you go? Where can i find updated policy, please help as I would like to read Labours Policy or ideas for New Zealand’s future.
Funny , that like a greek Chorus, they all rise up and tell Labour , no need to be an opposition. Dont do what we did .
You would almost think someone is pulling the strings of these sock puppets. So defensive of the Ministers they work for , especially once they are on their home computers.
@ Doug, Labour has hundreds of pages of manifesto… National hid its policy and brings out its true agenda at a whim or before Christmas… spot Bennett attacking beneficiaries in true Tory fashion, spot Ryall investingating user pays, spot Collins looking to sell off prisons, spot Smith looking to hock off ACC, check out Power apponting his mates.
Where did National say it would bring in work testing for beneficiaries? Where did National say it would sell off prisons? Where did National say it would undermine ACC in order to privatise the industry to the detriment of low wage income households? Where did National talk about a Universal healthcare system with a user pays component?
Of course, Born to Rule Tories always think smugly about themselves in power, screw the rest of New Zealand when you can appeal to the lowest common demoninator right.
Keep asking the questions Chris.
It’s great watching David Farrar show his hypocritical side like this. You’re the one digging here David, keep it up! I’m very interested now in seeing how lazy old Key answers his questions, whereas before I couldn’t really have mustered the energy to care.
I’m sure Key will be relaxed in Hawaii He wouldn’t want to be here with those who struggle
There is no doubt that the Nats want to reverse the Fourth weeks holiday that Labour bought in. The writing in on the wall it will be gone before this lot are out.
Having said that today’s Herald Editorial needs to be answered.
Our party must oppose the pay for time scam regarding hoildays with every means posssible . This was an important policy for Labour and the thought of it being lost without a fight is depressing to say the least. Please LP .MPs speak out against the Herald Editorial now,