Comments on: Dr Smith continues to defend the indefensible

By: Draco T Bastard

Draco T Bastard — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 11:25:04 +0000

One story after another about inequality and lack of social justice – and its the same groups that keep getting smashed:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/3635449/Warning-to-councils-by-Carter

We had to act here in Canterbury because the situation was untenable if we are going to seriously make progress in delivering this irrigation,” he said.

“I would have thought what happened recently with Environment Canterbury would be a signal to all regional councils to work a bit more constructively with their farmer stakeholders.

But they are starting to admit that the removal of democracy in Canterbury was for the farmers (comes with taxpayer subsidy for the farmers as well) and that they now expect all the other councils to jump into the NACT line. This is something that Labour and every other party need to be on top of and making a lot of noise about. This really is an attack on our democracy and it’s by the rich for the rich.

By: Ianmac

Ianmac — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 11:21:19 +0000

Spud: I think that whatever the outcome the media and other MPs would have to be very careful at this stage about what they said or wrote in case they defamed or slandered.

After all we have to protect the Privacy of Paula Bennett don’t we! Roars with laughter at the irony of it all.
As you would say Spud Oh the agony!

By: Spud

Spud — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 10:01:23 +0000

Can’t wait to see the news in half an hour

By: A Mother

A Mother — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 08:24:00 +0000

I hope so. Its a huge mess.

By: Ianmac

Ianmac — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 08:14:41 +0000

It did occur to me that that unlucky 13 year old girl in Napier who was molested by an intruder, must be absolutely terrified. I wonder if she will get the professional help if she asks for it?

By: Anne

Anne — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 08:03:37 +0000

Realised that Ianmac. Wasn’t sure whether you had also seen the 6pm news item. Even if Bully Bennett has succeeded in convincing Ms Fuller to withdraw the complaint (and having gone through what she appears to have… I hope she sees it through to the end) I don’t think the media nor Labour (I hope) will let go of it too easily.

By: A Mother

A Mother — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 08:03:34 +0000

It was on Campbell Live too. Watching with interest.

As for “then it is likely that avoidable self harm by some will occur”

It already has. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10641028

By: Ianmac

Ianmac — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 07:48:02 +0000

Anne I was commenting on the Campbell Live item, as above.
Either this story has more to come, or it will be shut down when the complaint is withdrawn. Place your bets.

By: Anne

Anne — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 07:35:56 +0000

@ Ianmac. The bulk of the story (thus far) was contained in an item on the TV3 6pm news. It mentioned the emails and a piece on Natasha Fuller. It also included a brief interview with Annette King. It seems pretty clear that Paula Bennett visited Ms Fuller at Cambridge yesterday. The on-line video is available.

By: Ianmac

Ianmac — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 07:28:09 +0000

The interview just showed a Minister refusing to confirm or deny, but as a viewer it would be very hard to draw the conclusion that Bennett had visited Cambridge. Otherwise she would have been able to say definitely not!
Secondly was there an offer of monetary recompense? Bennett denied that there had been, but I rather wondered if that was because there was no evidence that it had been discussed.
A slippery woman but lacking in grace and humility.

The question of the e-mails was not discussed -yet. More to come? Will Sean Plunkett interview Bennett closely on Morning Report? Ha!
I suspect that this story of an apparent attempt of a Minister to block a complaint of loss of Privacy has more legs, unless the complaint is withdrawn in which case the matter is closed.