Just in today – a ringing endorsement from the OECD that Finland does have something to learn from NZ.
“Finland could learn from programmes in New Zealand and Sweden that have boosted the flow of young professionals into preschool education and improved staff qualifications,” says the OECD Report.
Unfortunately, the National Government have dismantled the New Zealand programme which involved having a goal to reach 100% qualified staff by 2012 and providing funding for up to 100% qualified staff.
Now, that’s what John Key and Gerry Brownlee should be apologising for.
Sorry, Gerry. You won’t be able to use that as an example, either.
Red Alert
Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
More News on Finland
Posted by Sue Moroney on March 28th, 2012More on the Community Campaign Opposing Asset Sales: Ohariu Citizens’ Select Committee Submissions due 12th April
Posted by Charles Chauvel on March 27th, 2012The Ohariu Citizens’ Select Committee has asked me to pass on this message:
The oral submissions to the Select Committee were held on the 22nd of March in the Johnsonville Community Centre and they were a great success. Approximately 10 people got to speak for roughly 5 minutes each. They highlighted concerns about the control we might lose of our assets after partial privatisation, and also pointed out the numerous alternatives to asset sales which this government is not pursuing.
Select Committee member John Maynard also spoke about the affects the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement may have on our control of privatised assets. With the possibility of companies sueing a government over action which is not in the companies’ interests then control over 51% of state assets does not seem effective. This has happened before under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Oil companies and tobacco companiesused NAFTA and threatened to sue the Canadian government over legislation which was not in the interests of the companies. In one case the Candian government had to repeal a piece of legislation and pay $12 million in damages to a large oil company.
If you still want to make a submission to the Ohariu Citizens’ Select Committee you are very welcome to. The Committee is calling for all public submissions to be made by the 12th of April. This will allow the Committee to send a draft report as a submission on the Mixed Ownership Model Bill to a parliamentary committee on the 13th of April. Currently a final report is planned to be launched on the 28th of April.
Please send your 200 word submission, including your name and address, to
save.our.soes@hotmail.co.nz
or
Ohariu Citizens’ Select Committee
P O Box 13 367, Johnsonville
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmHpzVHmrhE&list=UUfQUto5AyIzESuaES1XL4YQ&index=7&feature=plcp
Select Committee Member, John Maynard, speaking about the connections between state asset sales and the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t7HGF-P0e8&feature=related
A Catholic priest explains why he opposes asset sales.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJD4uvdta64&feature=related
A librarian explains why the government does not need to partially privatise state assets.
To find further information on the Citizens’ Select Committee, the issues discussed, or how to make a submission, please vist our blog at peoplespowernz.wordpress.com
Back Benches this week
Posted by Trevor Mallard on March 26th, 2012PAY PERFORMANCE: Is pay for performance the best way to get the most from our teachers? How do we insure our teachers are the best they can be? Who determines what makes a good teacher? Should it good performance be based on test scores? And will charter schools be the way to lift achievement?
SPEAKING OF HIGH PAY…CEOs: Speaking of high pay—CEOs in the public sector are earning the big bucks. The average wage of bosses in the public sector is $340,000 while those running our state-owned energy companies are in the million dollar range. Are they getting paid too much? Should there be a limit how much those in the Public Sector can get paid? Or are high wages the only way to entice the best? Should CEOs earn more than the Prime Minister of our country?
Live pub politics from the Backbencher Pub: Wednesday 28th of March, 9:05pm and on TVNZ7
The Panel: Green Party Co-Leader Dr. Russel Norman, Labour MP Dr. Megan Woods, and National MP Scott Simpson.
RIP Paul Callaghan
Posted by Grant Robertson on March 24th, 2012It’s impossible to overstate the contribution that Paul Callaghan has made to New Zealand as a scientist, teacher, innovator, conservationist, thinker, writer and promoter of ideas. He had a vision and a drive to share it.
Beyond this he was a wonderful, wise and funny human being. I am grateful for the legacy he has left New Zealand to dream big for our future as a country built on talent, ideas and protecting and enhancing our environment.
A man of courage who I was proud to know. Rest in Peace Paul.
Is anyone listening over in the Beehive?
Posted by Annette King on March 22nd, 2012While the media and commentators have focused on Nick Smith’s folly this week the housing crisis in Christchurch has barely got a mention. Add the problems Canterbury people are facing finding a place to live to the Auckland housing crisis and alarm bells ought to be sounding in the Beehive. All we can hear however is the sound of panic, polling and bottom minding! When they finally wake up to a real issue, many people would have joined the exodus to Australia, currently running at an all time high of 1000 a week.
Citizens’ Select Committee in Ohariu – Public Submissions Tomorrow Evening
Posted by Charles Chauvel on March 21st, 2012On 1 March a community group called Ohariu People’s Power established a Citizens’ Select Committee. This Committee wants to hear the opinions of the New Zealand public on the asset sales debate and the international trade agreement called the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).
The Committee was established because of the slim majority with which the government can pass legislation allowing the partial privatisation of state assets. A Bill paving the way for partial privatisation passed its first reading at Parliament last session by just one vote, that of Ohariu MP Peter Dunne. With this being the case the Committee has been formed around voters within Peter Dunne’s Ohariu electorate. However, the committee is asking for the opinions of everyone, as everyone has an interest in the outcome of the asset sales debate and the negotiations of a very influential trade agreement.
If you would like to have your say on these important issues you can email or post the Committee a 200 word message, including your name and address (this information will be kept private), explaining your feelings.
The email address is save.our.soes@hotmail.co.nz
The postal address is Ohariu Citizens’ Select Committee
P O Box 13 367, Johnsonville, Wellington
You can also present your opinions to the Committee in person at 7:30pm on Thursday the 22nd of March,
at the Johnsonville Community Centre. You can email save.our.soes@hotmail.co.nz if you wish to present to the Committee in person.
To find out more about the Citizens’ Select Committee you can visit their blog at peoplespowernz.wordpress.com.
This is not a Labour Party initiative – I haven’t attended the group’s meetings – but the organisers have emailed me and asked me to publicise their work, which I support, and I am happy to do so.
A brief history – of great work and survival
Posted by Ruth Dyson on March 19th, 2012Between 1970 and 1988, the population of Hector’s dolphins declined rapidly from 30,000 to fewer than 8,000. Helen Clark as Minister of Conservation created our first marine mammal sanctuary, around Banks Peninsula. In 2003, Pete Hodgson as Minister of Fisheries created protected area for Maui’s dolphins. In 2008′ Jim Anderton as Minister of fisheries, put in place comprehensive measure of protection for Hector’s and Maui’s. And in 2011, Phil Heatley allowed commercial and recreational fishing into previously protected Marlborough area.
Spot the difference.
Time to talk about work
Posted by Darien Fenton on March 19th, 2012James Ritchie, National Secretary of the Dairy Workers Union has a good piece in the NZ Herald today calling for a national conversation about work. It’s a timely call, as we are seeing good jobs in our primary and export industries under threat, with pretty draconian actions being taken by some employers. James Ritchie says that insecure work is destroying our country, saying :
What about the quality of the jobs that are being created, demanded and restructured? Do employers and Government have a responsibility to provide the space to negotiate a decent job?
A decent job is one which is healthy and safe and which allows the worker to have some say over the work and the working conditions. It is an opportunity for training, personal development and ideally for a career path.
A decent job pays enough to keep body and spirit together and provides an environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and the constant threat of dismissal.
The enormous growth of insecure work in our society denies individuals opportunities for development. It is almost the only work being offered to young people entering the job market. It is common for workers to be notified to come to work, or told their daily hours, by text message and many have no guaranteed hours or guaranteed time off.
We’re not alone in this. A few weeks ago, I posted about the Precariat and the author, Guy Standing was on Radio NZ this morning talking about a global phenomenon and the risks to society and our future.
Should we in New Zealand just lie down and accept it ? Some have resorted to arguing that any job’s a good job. There’s an attitude that people should be grateful to have a job and the gradual erosion of job security and decent pay and conditions is just a fact of life.
Some are even getting into “deserving” workers and the “non deserving” workers. I’ve heard almost no-one criticise the Oceania aged care workers (and I strongly support them), but others, like the Port workers, standing up for decent work, built up over years of negotiation and give and take are pilloried as jurassic and unreasonable, despite one of the more flexible collective agreements I’ve seen.
We can keep doing this to ourselves. But we will pay a price – and in fact, we already are. Ask many Kiwis and they’ve more than likely already booked their ticket to Australia, or likely still, their kids, like mine, have already fled. Others are depending on support from the Sallies or other organisations, or just getting by because of Working for Families. It’s not a pretty picture.
So I agree with James. Time to have a national conversation about work. Not just about jobs, not just about where are the jobs, but what kind of jobs?
Back Benches this week
Posted by Trevor Mallard on March 19th, 2012JAILHOUSE BLUES: Old regional prisons are going to be closed and replaced with a shiny new one at Wiri in South Auckland. Closing prisons—that must be a good thing, right? Well, the new prison is privately-built and run. Plus without regional prisons—will prisoners lose touch with the families? Will it impact their rehabilitation? Do the closings mean a loss of jobs? But then again—is one new modern prison better than a bunch of run down old prisons? Is a gaol from the 1860s conducive to rehabilitation?
NATIONAL vs. LOCAL: Local council debt and our rates are on the rise and the Government wants to do something about it. Local Government Minister Dr. Nick Smith is expected to announce sweeping reforms this week aimed at reducing debt levels and curbing local powers. Are the reforms needed? What should we expect to get from our council rates? What should local councils be responsible for vs. National Government? Will any reforms mean we pay less?
Live pub politics from the Backbencher Pub: Wednesday, 21st of March, 9:05pm, on TVNZ 7
The Panel: Labour MP Phil Goff, Mana Party Leader Hone Harawira, and National MP Michael Woodhouse.
David Shearer’s speech
Posted by Chris Hipkins on March 15th, 2012
This morning David Shearer spoke about his vision for New Zealand. He spoke of a New Zealand with a strong, clever and creative economy and a world-class education system that gives all Kiwis the opportunity to succeed.
I know that there will be some who argue David should have set out a detailed policy agenda for the next Labour government, just 3 months after an election we lost. Here is what David has to say about that:
I want to arrive in government on Day One with a detailed plan that will actually achieve a shift to a new, job-rich, high-value economy. We won’t be waiting around for officials to give us cautious ideas and suggest a few adjustments. We will be presenting them with detailed and far-reaching policies. Labour will spend the next two years listening, drawing up our plans. We will accept the best ideas wherever they come from. On Day One in office we will be ready to go.
That highlights a huge difference in approach between John Key and David Shearer. David resisted the temptation to rattle off a gimicky “action plan” that ticks a few boxes but doesn’t deliver the real change that New Zealand needs. Instead he set out a vision, and committed Labour to building a comprehensive plan based on the best advice and the best evidence available. That’s real leadership.
Thanks Jock
Posted by Trevor Mallard on March 13th, 2012Jock Hobbs was an All Black captain, saved rugby when Packer tried to buy it and toured rugby capitals to ensure we hosted the Rugby World Cup.
But most of all he was a good man.
Thanks Jock.
It’s Never Too Late to Talk Employment
Posted by Sua William Sio on March 11th, 2012After marching and listening to workers at the rally in Auckland yesterday, as well as listening and talking to some of the Auckland Councillors I think that despite the widening rift between the POAL management and union, it is imperitave that the two parties come together and continue talking.
Both management and the union need to be aware that Aucklanders are equally concerned for the welfare of the workers and their families affected by the dispute, and equally just as concerned for the future of teh waterfront industry in the role the ports play in building a vibrant Auckland economy.
So the offer of help by the Roman Catholic and Anglican Bishops of Auckland to mediate between the Ports of Auckland and the Maritime Union should be taken seriously by these two parties for the sake of the people of Auckland.
I think both the management and the union need to know that it shouldn’t be about whether we dumb one or the other, and that both the Ports and its workforce are equally important for teh welfare of the Auckland region and its peoples.
But it should also be said that the stronger party, namely the Ports of Auckland Limited, should recognise that their decision to sack these workers will have a direct and more significant impact on bread and butter issues for families in the Auckland region, who are already stretched and challenged with spiralling costs of electricity, food and other necessities, high unemployment, lower wages and the austerity measures by thie John Key government.
I don’t think its too late for both these parties to sit down and continue their dialogue. It should never be too late to talk about achieving productivity targets and job security, and ultimately how to build a better society for the benefit of people, and in this case for the sake of Auckland.
I would like to see the two parties take up the Church leaders offer and strive to reach an amicable agreement that will benefit the Auckland region and its peoples.
Memorable Leadership?
Posted by Annette King on March 8th, 2012Have you read the latest Management Magazine? (March 2012).
Its not a regular read of mine either. But on flicking through it yesterday I discovered an interesting article entitled ‘Memorable leadership?’ written by Reg Birchfield, a writer on leadership, governance and management.
The article is about John Key. It discusses our economic prospects initially then argues poor leadership can thwart the most promising of ( economic) circumstances.
The question is asked”Will John Key rise to the occasion, not just competently but inspirationally?Does he look like a leader determined to deliver us the promised land?”
The article then goes on to set out the reasons why it will be a stretch for Key to deliver.
“Key’s ego is overt. And generally, inflated egos and political leadership are constant companions. More relevant is whether or not he has a vision for New Zealand. If he has,he has steadfastly refused to share it. That’s usually a bad sign but, again,it’s prevalent in political leaders.
Key’s disinclination to share his vision suggests a lack of willingness to commit and reluctance to be honest about future intentions. That in turn suggests a leadership approach based on knowing what’s best,and believing that what’s best is not for sharing.
That’s strange, because principled and well-articulated visions generally stand up to scrutiny. And great visions are worth defending. The best leaders even use them to inspire people to help realise the dream.
These are complicated times. The issues confronting nations like ours are complex. Great leaders have the capacity to distil and explain issues, and to take the team with them. Key seems to have a strong personal following.He could probably sell his vision if he had one and he believed it was truly worth pursuing. The fact that he doesn’t, suggests a leadership strategy based more on expedience than inspiration”
Well Mr Birchfield said it.
Govt drops target bomb on International Women’s Day
Posted by Sue Moroney on March 8th, 2012Today, Minister of Women’s Affairs, Jo Goodhew, announced the Government will only seek to appoint 45% women on state sector boards by 2014.
The target set by Labour was to appoint 50% women by 2012.
This Government clearly lacks ambition for taking the lead in increasing women’s leadership in New Zealand, even though it is one of three priorities they have for women.
Even worse is the low expectation they have set that private company boards should only aim to get to 10% women on boards.
Today, the Grant Thornton survey found that NZ has also gone backwards in the number of women in senior management roles – dropping from 32% in 2011 to 28% in 2012.
But what else can you expect when we have a Government that doesnt lead by example.
Happy International Women’s Day!
Question of the day #4
Posted by Clare Curran on March 6th, 2012According to new Police Minister Tolley, cutting $360 million over the next three years is “managing within your budget” and somehow means more frontline staff and more crimes solved. Not cutting staff and closing police stations. Errr…
Question of the day #3
Posted by Clare Curran on March 6th, 2012Chris Finlayson pretends that the government has nothing to do with serious cuts to our foreign affairs staff. Unconvincingly.
Question of the day #2
Posted by Clare Curran on March 6th, 2012“Going through a consultation process” and “yet to be determined” seem to be the new buzz phrases for “cutting jobs”
Assets and Elbows
Posted by David Cunliffe on March 1st, 2012Can the Government tell an asset from an elbow?
Had it thought through the fatal flaws in its partial privatization drive, or has it been taken by surprise? Hat tip to Clayton Cosgrove for bringing SOE sale issues to the fore. Here’s a potted summary of some emerging commercial and economic development implications:
- When the SOE’s are partially privatised they become companies with a partial public shareholding, regulated by commercial law and not the SOE Act. They are no longer SOEs. They no longer have the Crown’s good corporate citizen obigations. Elbow #1.
- That is why the s9 Treaty Clause debate is so fundamental. Iwi are 100% right to be outraged that the Crown’s obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi could be sold down the river (literally). If the Crown’s response is to indemnify the private investor and bear 100% of the ongoing Treaty obligation, then the taxpayer is effectively subsidising the private investor. Clayton nailed this last week. Elbow #2.
- Minority shareholders rights include the ability to invest in future profitable expansion plans. Dilemma for Crown: pony up its 51% of those future capital requirements or face equity dilution below 51% and loss of residual control. The Govt’s response has been to hedge how much it wil initially sell. Does 45% leave it enough of a buffer? For how long? How long is a piece of string? How does this affect its sale proceeds? In a rare moment of frankness Bill English fessed up that those proceeds are only a “guess”. You bet they are. Elbow #3.
- Magically the Government’s new-found forecasts of SOE dividend loss are not, apparenty. These were shamefully omitted from the Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU) because they were apparently too hard to calculate. They have since been found in a bottom drawer and Lo! they show there will be precious few future divvies, so little loss. Ooops Why would a private investor buy them then? Elbow #4.
- Except Air NZ of course, which will be as cheap as chips after its sad losses last year. Crazy, stupid fire sale. Elbow #5.
- Speaking of which, future takeover threats must now be managed. Minority shareholders have rights. If a future merger or takeover provides them a windfall, they have the right to sell, most likely to foreign corporates or hedge funds (subject to the 10% individual cap, if any). What would the Crown do in the face of such temptation? Could it face legal action from minorities if it blocked such a future sale? How is the public protected from future leveraged asset stripping? Elbow #6.
- Potential cross-shareholding complications arise, as confirmed by the Chair of the Commerce Commission at the Commerce Committee hearing this morning. (I can’t comment on the Committee’s views but can on the issues diiscussed in public hearing). Lets say a foreign energy company bought the maximum allowable shareholding in each of the 3 SOE generators – risks of information pooling, coordination and anti-competitive behaviour would need to be policed by the Commission. At best there would be a lag while consumers suffered and prices rose. The Crown itself would have to be subject to Commission oversight in this regard. Sound complicated? Elbow #7.
Back to the original dilemma: did John Key know about all these issues when he started this privatisation crusade? If so, why was the Government not more transparent about them all before the election – with the public and even with its potential coalition partner?
Oh yeah, I momentarily forgot. It’s politics.
That being the case, lets fight this crazy plan to the last comma.
People Power in Ohariu
Posted by Charles Chauvel on February 27th, 2012A community group has formed in Ohariu to put pressure on Peter Dunne not to vote to sell shares in Air NZ and our power companies.
The group is not aligned with or set up by (as far as I am aware) any political party. A couple of Saturdays ago it had a band playing in the Johnsonville Mall, then it tied ribbons and balloons to every power pole between Peter Dunne’s electorate Office and Parliament. They wanted to make sure that Peter saw them and was reminded of their message every time he took a limo ride from his home to his office.
I just got an email from the group about their next activity. On Thursday night (1 March) at 745pm they are holding a public meeting in the Johnsonville Community Centre (just behind the mall, near J’ville Railway Station) to appoint a citizen’s select committee to hold hearings on public views in Ohariu about asset sales.
I can’t attend the meeting on Thursday, but I think this is a great idea, and I would encourage anyone who agrees to attend. Here’s to people power!
For more information – John Maynard – bflatjohn@hotmail.com
