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Going slowly along the fast track legislation
Rachel Brooking was somewhere between heaven and hell this week.
Southern Say
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Seeking precision and finding equivocation
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Seeking precision and finding equivocation
There are few things more appealing than some time spent talking about health sector infrastructure and investment.
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Southern Say: In the red corner
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In the red corner
There have been many great parliamentary rivalries over the years ... Muldoon vs Lange, Clark vs Brash, Michael Cullen vs anybody.
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Abandon the razor, and the dangling ETS sword
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Abandon the razor, and the dangling ETS sword
A minor change or a surrender in the fight against climate change: take your pick on what the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme Agricultural Obligations) Amendment Bill actually does.
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Looking forward to confronting the past
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Looking forward to confronting the past
With due respect to the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill — let alone the Contracts of Insurance Bill and Contracts of Insurance (Repeals and Amendments) Bill — the biggest show at...
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You won’t see nothing like the mighty Cliff
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Come all within, you won’t see nothing like the mighty Cliff
Parliamentary security is not overly fond of seeing vehicles on the forecourt - it still has nightmares about former National MP Shane Ardern driving Myrtle the tractor up the stairs in 2003.
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Walking the path to a bright tomorrow, or not
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Walking the path to a bright tomorrow, or not
Fourteen months.
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Trying to remain as angry as possible for another two years
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Trying to remain as angry as possible for another two years
Yes, the turnout for the Dunedin Hospital protest march was very impressive indeed.
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Getting a good workout during the environment estimates
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Getting a good workout during the environment estimates
Due to circumstances beyond the government’s control much of this year’s Estimates Debate was crammed into this week.
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An emotional reminder that what Parliament does matters
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An emotional reminder that what Parliament does matters
Despite the aspersions of some that the legislation which Parliament passes is not actually that important, it really, really is.
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How much do we care about right to repair?
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How much do we care about right to repair?
I do not know what cobweb-bedecked appliances the junkroom, shed or basement in your house contains, but in various places in the Southern Say household can be found PCs, laptops, juicers...
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The gun guy and the gun girl agree to disagree on reform
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The gun guy and the gun girl agree to disagree on reform
Assuming that there is such a stereotypical thing as a "gun guy", Green Taieri list MP Scott Willis would not be it.
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Ministers and backbenchers alike hunt game in the House
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Ministers and backbenchers alike hunt game in the House
To reverse a famous observation by Oscar Wilde, there is only one thing in life worse than not being talked about, and that is being talked about.
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Brooking battles through the watery preliminary round
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Brooking battles through the watery preliminary round
Preliminary, according to the pocket dictionary I’ve carried everywhere since the 1980s, means something preceding or preparing for the main act.
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Pinning the tail on the Act NZ donkey
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Pinning the tail on the Act NZ donkey
Act New Zealand Southland list MP Todd Stephenson is no-one’s idea of a wild-eyed, rabble-rousing rebel, but he unexpectedly found himself at the forefront of a mini revolt against Speaker Gerry...
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‘Dark shadow’: historic day must lead to historic actions
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‘Dark shadow’: historic day must lead to historic actions
It's not often the House is close to full late on a Wednesday afternoon, and even rarer that all MPs sit through all 12 speeches of a debate. But the debate on the final report of the abuse in care inquiry was something different.
Good morning and welcome, Dunedin is ready for visitors
Good morning and welcome, Dunedin is ready for visitors
For many, politics is the clashes at Question Time, the media scrum of the black and white tiles, and the cut and thrust of public meetings.
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Let them eat cake as the Act roadshow hits a town near you
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Let them eat cake as the Act roadshow hits a town near you
When it comes to winning votes, every little bit helps.
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All hail the dinner bell, the parliamentary lord of the rings
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All hail the dinner bell, the parliamentary lord of the rings
New Dunedin Green list MP Francisco Hernandez this week experienced a rite of passage moment for a newbie from his party: being an almost lone voice in opposition.
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Smoothing down feathers and riding out budget blowouts
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Smoothing down feathers and riding out budget blowouts
Health Minister Shane Reti spent his Tuesday ruffling feathers aplenty in Dunedin, and spent the rest of his week trying to smooth them down.