The New Zealand Herald is reporting that John Key is looking at saving the Rally of New Zealand. He is non-committal though:
“It’s a sport that New Zealand has a very long history in, so I’m going to have a look at it and see whether it’s possible for us to play some part. I can’t guarantee we can ride in as a white knight, but we will look at it.”
As I noted previously, the Rally has a large international following and could have great spin-offs for tourism and other economic activity if the government gets behind it and does it right.
Is this just another example of Key saying whatever the person in front of him wants to hear or will he actually follow through?
What would you like him to say Chris? “Yes, absolutely, no matter what the circumstances, I will commit right now without having looked at it to do whatever and spend whatever is required to ensure it’s future”
Nathan – this is Key’s pat response to every situtation. He says this – does nothing. It’s dishonest. Which is what the post is pointing to.
Actually yes, Nathan, just once I would love to see/hear Mr. Key put something concrete on the line BEFORE the focus groups make their pronouncements. He never seems prepared to front up on anything – he’s always “having a look” at things, which really means a lot of other people “having a look” at political consequences of everything that crosses his desk. IMO that’s no way to lead.
And will he manage to save the rally before or after he sorts out the Japanese and their whaling ships? I have a feeling that both comments were made on the basis of the direction the wind was blowing at the time.
So you would like him to commit taxpayer funds to something without checking out whether it’s financially responsible to do so? In a recession?
Nathan – I would be surprised if the Minister for Sport has not already received extensive information on the economic viability and opportunity provided by the Rally from the Chair. If he hasnt then shame on RNZ.
We already have the rally, we don’t have to win a race, a world cup, a challenge nothing to keep it. YET we can secure economic benefit. The America’s Cup, for example, we haven’t got, we have to win it back THEN economic benefit flows here.
provided he doesn’t support the funding of the Americas Cup campaign then Key is being consistent.
I understand that this is something you are keen to see happen Chris – but is calling the PM “smile and wave” (I haven’t corrected your absence of capitals in what is still a title) is the right way to get him on-side? It struck me as rather childish and petulant, especially coming from a first-term back-bench MP.