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Law and Order Select Committee Refuses to Hold Inquiry into the Unacceptably High Rates of Recidivism

Posted by Rick Barker on December 23rd, 2010

Trust us we know what we are doing, was the message from the majority National and Act Party members of the Law and Order Select Committee in declining the request for an inquiry into the unacceptably high rates of recidivism in New Zealand. 

One of the benefits of MMP over the previous First Past the Post system was to be to slackening the shackles of the executive branch of government held over the select committee process facilitating more independence, more scrutiny and to enable the select committee’s to undertake inquiries.  The phrase Washminster was coined by Sir Geoffrey Palmer to reflect a mix of Washington and the Westminster systems, but this is an illusion as the management of the Law and Order select committee demonstrates. 

With no work of any significance next year planned other than the required financial reviews, no bills to scrutinise and ample time to undertake some fresh work, the government National and Act members have used their majority to squash the proposal to inquire into what might be done to reduce recidivism. 

Presumably they believe that either; the Government has all the ideas and we are going to lead the world in best practice with world best results, better than Ireland 39% rate of reoffending compared to New Zealand’s rate of 57%; or alternatively they are apprehensive that the Select Committee’s inquiry could show up their plans as inadequate, causing some embarrassment.

This is the same committee that by majority of National and Act parties refused to allow Labour to make minority report, censorship that a Soviet Presidium would have been proud of; refused Labour’s request to have Ministry of Justice officials advise on Paul Quinn’s bill changing electoral law, they were the experts, with disastrous results by drafting that was to allow serious offenders to vote, the exact opposite of what was intended; the committee regularly cuts down time for questioning officials restricting opposition questions and regularly rejects opposition questions as part of the financial review. 

Muldoonism is alive and well in this government.  

Members of Parliament are elected with the expectation that they use the resources and opportunities at hand to make better law and improve the administration of government activities.  With the second highest rate of incarceration and world leading rates of recidivism New Zealand has an intractable problem. Despite being faced with the obvious and an opportunity to canvas the best advice available, to engage with those who understand the issues and to bring this distilled knowledge and experience forward as much needed cross party plans for improvements to reduce reoffending, this government by majority has slammed the door on opportunity. 

This is not representative democracy in action.

Filed under: law and order
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Early Childhood Education – Don’t Annoy Mum

Posted by Rick Barker on November 18th, 2010

 Estimates of up 1000 people turned up to the rally in Napier last Saturday, to protest against the cuts to early childhood education (ECE) and the government’s decision to reduce the number of trained staff required in the sector.  It was a mild mannered and respectful gathering that walked from Clive Square to Napier’s sound shell, but you got the clear impression that it was a determined group who knew what they wanted.

They listened attentively to the line-up of speakers and applauded what they agreed with.  The importance of ECE as a building block on which to build a successful education, the place where young people learned to get along with each other and to begin to appreciate the value of learning.  That this was responded to with warm applause.  Stuart Nash got a good response when he told the crowd that Labour would put children at the centre of its policy.

Parents talked of the great benefits their children had experienced from early childhood education and how it had set them up very well for compulsory education.  They vouched for the importance of trained professionals to lead the sector.  The crowd knew the truth of this.

Things turned south when local National MP Chris Tremain came to the microphone and talked about the need to balance the books, that deficits could not be sustained and that the country was coming out of a recession so not every good proposal could be afforded.  This got a negative reaction.  

The crowd knew that the government found money for the bail out of South Canterbury Finance saving wealthy investors, many living overseas, their investment and interest to the tune of $1.6 billion, there was money to increase the subsidy for private schools and to fund a film with $90 million plus, but cuts to early childhood education!  These are choices and the government had chosen these things ahead of their kid’s education.

An African proverb says that it takes a family to have a child but a village to raise one and in our case the village acts through the state.  We contribute to every child’s well-being by providing health care, education and other supports to ensure the child has the best start in life we can provide.  A successful start in education will lead to more success and we want that for every child.  The failures can in part be measured in part in our prison and unemployment stats. 

If we want to reduce crime and reduce offending, then the path to that goal starts with good quality ECE.  National has cut early ECE and increased spending on prisons.  Why not increase spending on helping families and their children succeed, then maybe we won’t have problems later.  Parents know this instinctively, they want the best for their kids; they want them to do better than they did.  

Watching the crowd, the mild had become hostile and it occurred to me; the first rule I ever remember understanding – don’t annoy mum, or their will be consequences.  It’s a universal rule.  National is annoying mums and is in danger of doing another no, no – getting between a mother and her child.  In this case the mother and her child’s future.

Here is a link to a video of the speeches by Chris Tremain, followed by myself: 

http://www.ecetogether.org.nz/video/chris-tremain-followed-by-rick

10-11 ECE Rally

Protesters at the rally in Napier.

Filed under: Labour Party, education
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Bikeoi Anniversary 2010

Posted by Rick Barker on November 17th, 2010

12 months ago to the day, 8000 bikers rode and walked to Parliament, fizzing with anger at the proposed new ACC levies for bikes.  And who wouldn’t be angry with registration proposed for large bikes to be over $700!!

The anger of those gathered was palpable.  Nick Smith the Minister responsible showed up and read a carefully worded statement to the crowd and was shouted down with ‘bulls**t, bulls**t,..’

The levies were eventually set at $426.92 for a large capacity bike, some concession but bikers have never accepted that they should be treated differently from other road users and charged more, for a number of reasons.

Firstly, bikers are usually the victims of the accidents.  Making this worse is that the recording of accidents between a bike and a car as a “bike on car” accident, implying that the fault lies with the bike.  This is then used to report that the biker is usually at fault adds to the frustration.  This is just wrong.

Secondly, making the victim of the accident pay more than the party that caused the accident is rubbing more than just salt into the wound.

BRONZ (Bikers Rights of New Zealand) have not given up the fight on this issue.  The government should be aware that because there has been sullen quiet, it does not mean acceptance, far from it.  The campaign continues.

Bikers vote and their bikes are important to them; it’s a choice of recreation and means of transport.  As registrations fall due, the effect of Nick’s Smith’s decision is being felt – $430 is a lot of money – and the resentment at this unfair charge is reinforced. 

This is an issue that will not go away until there is a sense of fairness re-established with ACC.  Levies should be fair. 

 Picture 032

Me speaking to the crowd at the 2009 Bikeoi protest on Parliament grounds.

Byron Cummins, Brent Hutchison, Rick Barker

Byron Cummins & Brent Hutchison of BRONZ with myself at Parliament a year on from the Bikeoi protest.

Filed under: ACC
10 Comments

Lies, Statistics and Motorcycles

Posted by Rick Barker on May 26th, 2010

Professor Charles Lamb knows his motorcycles and statistics. On Tuesday, 18 May 2010, he held a seminar in Christchurch on the actual facts about motorcycle accidents and the conclusions that should be drawn.

Professor Lamb addressing the audience.

It was a cold damp Christchurch evening but still at least 80 bikers attended and heard a thorough and very credible analysis of the facts.

The crowd of Bikers listening to Professor Charles Lamb.

The projected wisdom, is that:

  1. Motorcycle accidents are soaring
  2. That its bigger bikes, over 600cc that are the problem
  3. That its older riders particularly those who are returning to riding after a period of riding, who are having the accidents

(more…)

Filed under: ACC
23 Comments

Kowhai Special School Update

Posted by Rick Barker on May 26th, 2010

Heather Roy has been trying, unsuccessfully to blame me for parental angst for her decision to raise the prospect of closing special schools.

How I can be responsible for her decision to list “closure” as on of the four possible options for her enquiry is beyond me and all those whom I have spoken to about this.

There is an in interesting turn in the story. The Minister is to visit Kowhai Special School on June 4, to see first hand its good work.

This raises the obvious question: Why didn’t she visit before the decision to put the school on the block for possible closure?

More importantly, does this show a change of mind about closing Kowhai?  If so, the Minister should simply say so and put parents minds to rest.

Filed under: education
7 Comments

Kowhai Special School under threat.

Posted by Rick Barker on May 17th, 2010

Kowhai Special School is just that – special.

It is a special place to all its students and families part of its community and its under threat again; this time by a review initiated by the Act MP, and Associate Minister of Education, Heather Roy, which specifically lists as one of the four options; closure of special schools.

There aren’t many Special Schools left, as many were closed during the early nineties when it was fashionable in Wellington have these special kids mainstreamed.  The resources were supposed to follow them, but that’s another story.  A few special schools survived, Kowhai was one of them, due to a resolute school community, ably led by its outstanding Principal, at the time, Frank Fillary.

It was in the early 90’s I came to know the school and its community.  The school has had its challenges, just like its pupils and parents.  From these days I got to know the pupils and their parents.  I was deeply impressed.  I still remember the conversations vividly.

Many had tried schooling their children at other schools with disappointing results.  No particular criticism of the schools, they tried their best, but it just didn’t work for their child.  Mainstreaming can and does work for many of these children and there is much to commend the policy of enabling every child to attend their local school with the resources to support them.

But it has to be accepted that for some this policy does not work in reality and an alternative is appropriate.  Life for these parents life is extra challenging.  Being a parent is a big task in itself and these parents have a task for life that was more than any would willingly ever want to take on.

(more…)

Filed under: education
15 Comments

TV One is right about ACC

Posted by Rick Barker on March 25th, 2010

TV One’s recent piece that ACC was tightening the claims process and rejecting claims now that previously would have been accepted is right. This is particularly true for the claims that require surgery.

ACC denies this of course.

Constituent’s complaints are a very good litmus test of emerging trends. They are not precise but to provide an accurate reflection of the underlying flow of trends.

In the three electorates I work in, Taranaki King Country, Tukituki and Wairarapa, there has been a marked increase in the numbers of people approaching me frustrated by ACC; rejection of their claims. A common theme is for the claim to be rejected as the event exposed and underlying degenerative condition, therefore it was not an “accident” and their condition is simply the emergence of a pre existing condition or just age.

This is a fine line as we all age and our body does wear with time. There has always been a tension in the determining whether a condition is caused solely by an accident or is in reality a degenerative condition. This is a judgement call. The science is not precise and can be influenced. It’s increasingly being felt that the judgement criteria are shifting, tightening and rejection is more common.

ACC seems to have a line up of medical practitioners who are prepared to sign off claims as “degenerative” or “pre-existing” which makes it very difficult to argue claims.

ACC claimants are quietly being hoarded off to Work and Income for a benefit usually less advantageous and or onto public health.

Public health is being squeezed from two directions. Firstly funding is tightening, for example cuts to house help for elderly and secondly a requirement for referrals to be done within 6 months. (more…)

Filed under: ACC, health
10 Comments

The cleaners have right on their side

Posted by Rick Barker on February 17th, 2010

Parliament’s cleaners are taking industrial action and good on them.  They shouldn’t have to, they work hard during antisocial hours late at night, they deserve more than the minimum wage of $12.55 an hour.  They arrive about mid night and commence the onerous task of cleaning up the mess left by all who visited and work here.

Cleaners have a tough job, make no mistake about that.  People are generally tidier at home where they have their family to keep them in check, sadly often the standards slip when they are at work. 

Having worked as a cleaner for four years to put myself through school I have first hand experience of cleaning in hospitals, government and commercial buildings and can vouch for the poor pay for the work done, often filthy work.

Of the many disgusting messes I was confronted with one will suffice to make the point; the men’s toilet at one place always had a soiled pan, always the same one in the line, which had hardened onto the back of the bowl evidence of the individuals handiwork.  It took at least half an hour per day to clean from the two hours for cleaning the whole building.  Everyday it was the same.  It can not have gone unnoticed by the person concerned. 

Frustrated by being paid for 2 hours and working 2 and a half I left a note saying ‘would the person who lives on a diet of black liquorice and glue aim for the water not the bowl, please, the cleaner.’  It worked.  Every cleaner will have similar stories of just how messy and inconsiderate people can be.

Short hours are another hazard for cleaners.  Crothall’s, my employer at the time suffered a dip in profits and responded by cutting all our hours in half for every job, regardless of the work to be done.  We cleaners were all living on the edge, these cuts if given effect to would have been devastating.  At 17 and still at school I organised my first strike for the reinstatement of the hours.  We won most back but lost some.  We won the ability to shuffle the hours around to support those most in need.

The third hazard for a cleaner is the pay, universally bad, but need not be.  When I started, bad as the pay was, it was well ahead of the minimum wage.  Regrettably today, the minimum wage has too often become the maximum wage for cleaners.

Parliament is not a place that can credibly claim poverty with an inability to pay.  Selected MPs have received a substantial increase in their support budgets for their electorate work.  The there is the obvious of the increase for a certain MPs house rental that was cut back, not because there was no money, but because of public outrage.

The public would support cleaners being paid more than $12.55 an hour for cleaning up Parliament and working from midnight to the small hours of the morning.

If anyone disagrees I am sure a job swap can be arranged.  A month or more on 12.55 an hour will be a reality check for anyone. 

I am for the cleaners, the hours are short, the work is tough and the pay is bad.

Tags:
Filed under: Cost of Living, inequality, jobs, low pay, parliament, protest
14 Comments

Tread carefully Mr Key

Posted by Rick Barker on February 2nd, 2010

Announcements drifting in the wind about possible tax changes for rental property have made a surprising number of people I know apprehensive.

This is a personal story from one of my friends, who takes good advice and works hard; he left school and got a trade, he is still on the tools, and after 30 years has paid off his house.  He rides a good second hand Harley, not new, has a five year old Jap import for a car, so there is nothing excessive there, but he is concerned.

He was told to save for his retirement, and he felt he needed to after all the changes to super; cuts to rates, taxes on it, increase in age of entitlement, constant speculation about more age increase, nothing was certain, so he started saving to look after himself.

The 1987 stock market crash made him justly nervous about investing there.  He remembers Ariadne and Mr Judge: Gold Corp and Mr Smith and November 1987 when people appeared to him to be dumping share script by the rubbish bag.

Leaving the money in the bank on fixed deposit didn’t seem good enough, as the rate of return was less than inflation, so it was being eaten away over time.

Investment companies were of little interest to him and he has watched a succession of them explode like a string of Chinese fireworks so he feels good about avoiding them.  The only thing left was a rental property, which he is paying off.

This man is no bludger, no rack rent landlord, he is not highly leveraged gambling on capital gain to off set other costs, he is a hard working Kiwi and a saver.  He has done what was asked of him and now he fears that he is to be punished some how for doing the right thing, saving prudently.  He saw a house as a good investment.  Property values might go down, but he would still have the house.  Tenants might be a problem, but he would still have the house and he was in control of his investment, he wasn’t in the hands of some young, out of control investment manager such was the case for former Bearings Bank investors.

He has been prudent and saved his hard earned cash.  I am surprised by the number of friends who are in a similar position with a rental property and who have asked me what is going on.  They include a journalist, teacher, shop manager, all walks of life; they are ordinary Kiwis who have done what was asked of them, to save for their retirement.

There must be thousands of people like this who own a house, flat, apartment which is their way of saving for that extra to help them with their retirement and good on them too.

I have told them that I have no inside information and know just what they do from the public record.  They all feel put upon by the implication in the papers and from the commentary that somehow they have been gaming the system, ripping off taxes and are somehow directly or indirectly to blame for the “imbalance’ in the tax system.

These people have all worked hard.  They have saved hard, forgone big holidays and other excesses in order to pay off their first house and then save for their second property, their retirement income.

Tags: ,
Filed under: Tax
27 Comments