Sitting on a perch and parroting platitudes
The populace of Dunedin must be firstly commiserated with and congratulated for both the almost biblical 120mm downpour which has recently ravaged their defenceless region, and the commendable productivity of the designated officials in bringing a renewed semblance of order.
The secondary factor consists of further condolences for an outrageously dire medical misadventure, or calamitous deja vu. Namely the further betrayal regarding the future (a somewhat perilous lack of, incidentally) of the monumentally struggling Dunedin hospital.
Infrastructure minister Chris Bishop and the continually mute Health Minister Shane Reti have simultaneously payloaded a shattering nuclear salvo by announcing an inexplicable monetary and capability downgrade of the aforementioned hospital project, despite apparent solid assurances a fortnight beforehand that no such downgrade would eventuate.
In response to the naturally aggravated 35,000-protester separate marches at Dunedin, Westport, and Reefton, our second-rate prime minister balanced majestically upon his birdcage perch and monotonously parroted that the controversial hospital would still proceed (but was petulantly emphatic that the rebuild would not exceed a predetermined $1.9 billion cost estimate).
But since (unless current events prove otherwise) no actually concrete decision has been formulated in regard to the altogether ludicrous alternative options broadcasted, how can such a promise be declared legitimately valid?
[Abridged — length. Editor.]
Damaging stance
Drs Jenkins and Jutel (Opinion ODT 9.10.24) are urging Otago University to join the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, (BDS) Movement against Israel because it is "ethical" to do so.
Universities should be neutral and joining BDS is far from that. Calling BDS "ethical" makes it sound that what BDS stands for is a universally accepted position. This is far from the case.
If the university took such a prejudiced stand, it would no longer be a neutral and safe platform for debating ideas and issues, directly undermining the traditions of all universities. It will harm academic standards by excluding Israeli academics from collaborating with the university’s educational and research efforts.
Discussion and debate are an essential part of education at Otago and its pursuit of knowledge, and excluding Israeli researchers and teachers from them ironically harms Jenkins and Jutel’s cherished free speech ideals.
Jemkins and Jutel’s emotive virtue signalling refrains from addressing the root cause for the suffering in Gaza: Hamas' atrocities and use of Gazans as human shields and civilian infrastructure.
Yet, the authors don’t call for Hamas’ surrender, hostages release, demilitarisation and deradicalisation of Gaza, and recognising Israel as the Jewish people’s homeland – the actions most likely to advance their goal of "ending Palestinian suffering".
Their call to boycott Israel and its universities, while completely ignoring other conflicts, also impedes Otago’s mission to "create, advance and apply knowledge". Caving to this advice will also cause Otago to miss out on expertise in relevant areas.
Considering Otago’s drop in international rankings, the virtuous academics should therefore shift their focus from Israeli universities, who are ranked above them, to their own work.
ORC rates response not rated by readers
Otago Regional Council general manager finance Nick Donnelly’s response to three letters of complaint to the editor re rate increases completely /deliberately misses the point. The question really is – did the council really consider the massive problem of affordability for so many?
Nor has the council addressed the issue of their performance. I, like so many, cannot identify one area of council expenditure which could be considered value for money. Pest management, and biosecurity appear to be complete failures. Public transport is difficult to comment on as we have no public transport in most of Central Otago.
Mr Donnelly refers to government directives adding cost. Would that include Minister Simmonds’ directive to delay notifying the Land and Water plan? How many members of the public sought the ORC to increase spending during consultation? How much has your new headquarters risen by, from the $50 million budgeted cost?
[Gerrard Eckhoff is a former ORC councillor. — Editor.]
So it’s very convenient of the general manager of the ORC to say rates are up because of public feedback to do more in some areas including public transport. Seemingly, ORC is also selective in wanting to implement government directives. Well people in rural areas not serviced by Orbus are not happy to be paying 10% of the cost of a service that we cannot access. As for new environment initiatives, in my recent submission I asked the ORC to trim its bloated governance budget of $20m by 10% to pay for suggested environment initiatives. Even with the latest land and water plan, ORC seem not interested in the effect these have on rural communities.
New Zealand is not a business, it’s a country
Greg Edwards (Letters ODT 9.10.24) wrote that our country is a business. It is not.
While a country and a business may share some similarities, like managing resources and making decisions, there are key differences.
A country exists to serve its citizens, uphold laws, and provide public services, whereas a business' primary goal is profit. The purpose and responsibilities of each are distinct.
This perspective separates the economic aspects from the broader role of governance.
With reference to Greg Edwards re his comments that the last government is the reason for the cost blowout, I would respectfully remind him the previous National government, which was in power for nine years, had a major impact. If it had not sat on its hands the hospital would have been close to completion by now.
On the other hand
In reply to Grant Edwards, finally a common sense letter. What don't these keyboard numpties who continually barrage the ODT with negative comments get?
They obviously don't have an accountant: if funds are not available you can’t continue to spend.
Yes the Labour government was a great social spending government, making handouts to all. But every time National come to power they inherit a massive debit blowout.
There will be pain for the country, as the coalition endeavours to increase GDP and reduce our debit. Get industry back on track and we will get a new hospital.
Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@odt.co.nz
