All posts tagged David Clark

Mondayising ANZAC and Waitangi Days a step closer

The Holidays (Full Recognition of Waitangi Day and Anzac Day) Amendment Bill passed its committee stages on a voice vote in Parliament tonight. Labour MP David Clark began by thanking supporters of his bill:

I want to place on record from the outset my thanks to all of those parties in Parliament that are supporting this bill. To my Labour colleagues, the Green Party, New Zealand First, the Māori Party, United Future, Mana, and Brendan Horan, they have all pledged their support for this bill and without it this bill would not pass through the House.

National and Act oppose the bill but are not trying to stop it’s passage. Clark suggested they support the bill…

So I want the National Party to get in behind this bill. I want John Key to get in behind this bill.

…but then lambasted Key…

His suggestion today in Parliament that ordinary Kiwis could not be trusted to front on Anzac Day is a disgrace. It is an outrage.

..which doesn’t look like a genuine attempt to win Key over. As one subsequent National speaker said:

MIKE SABIN (National—Northland): I find it a little ironic that the member resuming his seat, Dr David Clark, is asking for the support of the Prime Minister and then sets about beating him around the head with a frozen fish as to his rationale. It does exemplify what we have seen so often from the Opposition the beatings will continue until morale improves approach to garnering support.

Clark has done this before, being heavily critical of Peter Dunne for not supporting his Minimum Wage bill. He can have a bit of a “you’re with us or against us” attitude.

In a press release David Shearer followed a similar approach, repeating comments he had made during Question Time:

“Almost everyone except John Key and his National MPs support this legislation. Polls show most New Zealanders support it. Businesses support it. The tourism industry supports it. And even John Key once said that it was ‘fair enough’.

But there was scant support shown by Labour MPs yesterday, with only a handful participating – four plus Clark at the beginning of the debate.

MondayBill

Despite the low numbers a good debate followed with some strong speeches from both sides of the house.

National’s main objection was that Mondayising ANZAC day would detract from the commemoration aspect of the day (throughtout the speeches ANZAC Day was frequently mentioned as being the most important aspect of the pros and cons, with Waitangi Day getting far fewer passing mentions).

Sabin closed the debate with further acknowwledgment to Clark (previous speakers had also done this):

I just want to acknowledge David Clark and the work that he has done on this, and although I am new to the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee…

And went on to summarise his and National’s position:

…I also acknowledge the select committee and just reflect on the fine balance that I think is reflected here. I have listened very carefully to the contributions from across the Chamber, and mine, as I spoke to previously, does reflect very much my view that the servicemen, in particular, on Anzac Day tip that balance in favour of voting against this bill. That is certainly where my position comes from, and the reverence and importance of that day in commemoration.

He also pointed out some Labour history:

I just want to reflect on a couple of points from former Labour Party members of Parliament.

One Minister of Māori Affairs, Matiu Rata, said: “Like Anzac Day, New Zealand Day is not to be Mondayised. It is the significance of the occasion that is important, rather than the fact that it be a paid public holiday. It should not be regarded as merely an extra paid holiday.” That was one Matiu Rata who made that comment.

Another former Minister of Internal Affairs, one Hon Mr May, said: “The Government believes that Mondayising of New Zealand Day would distract from the importance of the significance of the event it commemorates.”

Another former MP, Mr Rēweti, said that the committee considered that it was justified in declaring that Waitangi Day should not be Mondayised, because the Labour Party had gone to the electors in 1972 on the policy that Waitangi Day would not be Mondayised.

Those were the heady days of the Labour Party—the working man’s party—that we remember, but I do not necessarily believe that they are represented in the Chamber here today.

Another former MP, one Mr Marshall, said: “I believe that it would greatly detract from the observance of the New Zealand Day for it to be Mondayised and turned into just another long weekend.”

I think it is quite clear that there is a shift in the modern Labour Party, if I could call it that, from the traditional values that were held. I believe that those traditional values that are actually held across the country are something that we should reflect on in this Chamber, and certainly I do in being quite happy to oppose this bill.

But the bill had sufficient support to pass on a voice vote. It will be popular – people like extra holidays, even if it’s just one or two extra days every six or seven years. Clark had promoted popular support in his speech.

It indicates several things: the popularity of this bill, the fact that it is common sense, and that it restores to ordinary Kiwis the 11 public holidays they expect to receive every year.

Actually no, thaty’s an odd claim, it restores nothing. It gives us more than we had.

It has been universally popular since it was made clear that commemorations will still occur on the same days that they always have, that is 6 February for Waitangi Day and 25 April for Anzac Day.

The fact that a holiday follows on the Monday that follows a weekend occurrence of those days is what changes. We have a bill that makes sure that we have those 11 holidays ever year. That gives those holidays the full recognition that other holidays have. 

More than 80 percent of New Zealanders in some polls support this bill. In the only quantitative survey that has been done 87 percent of small and medium sized business owners are either in support or neutral toward this bill.

So the bill proceeds.

I think ANZAC Day will continue to be commemorated appropriately on each 25th of April, regardless if we get an additional day off on Monday occasionally.

But Waitangi Day will simply be a long holiday weekend to most people.

I don’t think anyone will be bothered by the change, it’s a minor tweak to our holidays that we will barely notice.

Video of the speeches begin: Holidays (Full Recognition of Waitangi Day and Anzac Day) Amendment Bill – Committee Stage – Taken as one debate – Part 1

by Pete George on March 28, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in General
Tagged , , , , , ,

Posted by Pete George on March 28, 2013

http://yournz.org/2013/03/28/mondayising-anzac-and-waitangi-days-a-step-closer/

Rev. David Clark – Labour party preacher

David Clark is getting good media attention, rated by some as a rising Labour star. Auckland student magazine Craccum is featuring him in a regular “debate”.

This year, Craccum will be featuring a fortnightly debate between Labour’s David Clark and National’s Jami-Lee Ross on a current affairs topic. 

This week’s question – do you support the proposed SkyCity convention centre?

This is Clark’s response:

‘Pokies’ and ‘porkies’. Those two words pretty much sum up the Government’s Sky City convention centre deal.

This issue isn’t about whether a convention centre is a good idea or not. It’s about the actions of the Ministers involved, actions the Auditor-General’s investigations found ‘were not consistent with best practice’ and were neither transparent nor fair.

He dismisses the question that was asked and launches into a political tirade. There’s no doubt that National deserves criticism over the way they have dealt with the convention centre proposals – but this not in Parliament.

Instead of addressing the question put to him Clark uses the forum as an excuse to preach from the good book of Labour PR and clichés. One of the few current verses he doesn’t use is “hands off”, because that wouldn’t fit with criticisng Key for being to “hands on” in the negotiations with Sky City. He even expands his sermon to preach about the Hobbit.

Clark totally avoids giving any opinion on whether he supports the proposed SkyCity convention centre, he sticks to political fire and brimstone.

His final comment is another party recital:

The Government must call a halt to its negotiations with Sky City and start again with a fair and open tender process. That is what Kiwis expect and deserve.

He seems to have no idea that Craccum might expect their concept of debate and their question to be respected and addressed, let alone “what Kiwis expect”. All he seems to know is what his PR masters expect him to repeat.

(Politicians speaking on behalf of everyone when it’s obvious they are pushing their own barrows is a major turnoff).

And while “start again with a fair and open tender process” sounds fine in theory it’s curious to see Labour’s Economic Development spokesperson stuck on this line when going back to the start of the process seems a futile waste of time.

The Deputy Auditor-General’s inquiry said:

We have seen no evidence to suggest that the final decision to negotiate with SkyCity was influenced by any inappropriate considerations.

Other companies who took part in the tender process have publicly acknowledged that they see little point in trying again when Sky City is the only company offering an option that won’t cost the Government anything.

Starting the tender process again seems to be a waste of time, Labour can’t really be serious about doing this. Perhaps reality hasn’t yet filtered it’s way through their PR department yet.

Or would Labour offer several hundred million dollars equally to all prospective tenderers, including Sky City. Who knows, Clark refused to give any indication of what Labour woukld do apart from oppose what has happened.

Clark has risen quickly up the Labour ladder. If he wants to live up to the star hype he needs to step up, and sound like he can think for himself.

Preaching pissy party pointscoring platitudes won’t earn reverence as an up and coming MP worth listening to.

by Pete George on March 12, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in General
Tagged , , , ,

Posted by Pete George on March 12, 2013

http://yournz.org/2013/03/12/rev-david-clark-labour-party-preacher/

Bryce Edwards on David Clark

Bryce Edwards writes on Labour MP David Clark in this week’s D Scene – Rookie MP takes another leap up the rankings.

He notes Clark’s rise from being placed at 49 on Labour’s party list in 2011 (remarkably that was lower than the 43 that the person he won the Dunedin North candidancy over, Glenda Alexander, was placed) up to number 12 on Labour’s bench.

Clark has been lucky, and he’s also done well with some things, and as a consequence has been talked up and praised…

In parliament and the media Clark has been a top performer. He speaks well, and is an exceptionally good spokesperson for Labour.

It could be said it’s not hard to shine amongst a lacklustre Labour caucus but most of the praise is deserved. His speech in the House on marriage equality was top stuff.

Some might grumble that he merely repeats the party’s carefully crafted talking points but that’s the nature of parliamentary politics.

I’ve been one who has criticised him for being a loyal reciter. His speaking and especially his “opposition” attacks have often lacked substance, he has been caught short on policy detail, he has made basic mistakes (for example confusing revenue with profit when talking about taxing multinationals) and he repeats dishonest claims.

But he is doing what he has been trained to do for his party.

Edwards wonders where Clark fits in the political scene.

Ideologically it’s still difficult to see what Clark stands for beyond then obvious tribal Labour policies.

Clark’s main political focus – at least in campaigning – has been on inequality and poverty.

Yes, I’ve seen that. One of his favourite election campaign stories was about visiting a cold house and seeing a poor hungry child with a runny nose.

I have no doubt that Clark genuinely wants to try and do something about inequality and the plight of the poor.

So where is Clark ideologically within the Labour caucus? He’s notably close to deputy leader Grant Robertson, who is relatively left-wing, but also incredibly pragmatic.

His vote to support marriage equality surprised some, he was expected to have a more conservative religious view but Clark seemed to be listening to and representing the younger demographic on this.

Like Robertson, Clark is increasingly famous for being able to get on with anyone – he’s widely described as a nice guy.

I’ve described him that way.

In the left-right leadership split between Cunliffe and Shearer, Clark was on the Shearer side, and his latest large  leap up the leadership ranking might be seen to owe something to this.

I think his leap was partly due to loyalty (and it seems that Cunliffe supporters were punished)…

But more than this, Clark is just the sort of politician that Labour desperately needs, because the party has failed to rejuvenate in recent years.

…but he is also one of the few options within the Labour caucus for presenting a fresh new face with a reasonable degree of competency.

Clark is very much the modern look for Labour nice but not too radical.

The same as Labour tried to promote Shearer but they don’t seem to be doing nice any more.

Nice but not too radical – Clark would be like brussel sprouts at a children’s birthday party amongst the bitter and not-so-nice Labour activists at The Standard!

Time will tell whether he’s got the actual substance to fulfil the big predictions being made for him.

Yes. He has made the start that any new politician would love to have, partly through ability and personality, partly through luck, and partly through timing (a very weak Labour).

Now Clark will have to develop substance to live up to high expectations.

And just as important, he needs to avoid being owned by the machine as Davide Shearer appears to be. Shearer promised to be a fresh new sort of politician, but he seems to have old school tentacles all over him.

Clark has the time and opportunity to become his own political personality and a strong performer for Labour – and for New Zealand. We’ll see if he develops the depth of policy knowledge to be a heavy hitter, and if he has the strength of character to be true to himself.

UPDATE: Edwards’ column is also now posted at his blog – David Clark: The political rise of ‘a nice guy’

by Pete George on March 6, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in General
Tagged , , , , ,

Posted by Pete George on March 6, 2013

http://yournz.org/2013/03/06/bryce-edwards-on-david-clark/

Labour’s ‘economic development’ needs development

New Labour spokesperson on Economic Development, David Clark, has a column in this week’s D Scene. Is this a pointer to his thinking on economic development?

Things need to change. The minimum wage needs to rise to $15…

Clark has been campaigning on that for nearly two years. I wonder when he will discover the effect of inflation.The current minimum wage just increased to $13.75, another couple of years and it may just about be $15 anyway.

…our tax system needs reform to stop our wealthiest citizens avoiding their share of tax.

Clark uses simplistic repeat phases a lot, perhaps he will do some detail on what he would actually propose on that.

When it requires half a 40 hour wage to put a healthy meal on the table each day power and rent are a stretch.

Really?

Perhaps he could read the book Pig Tits and Parsley Sauce:

She has written about how she slashed her grocery spending from more than $200 a week for herself and two teenage children to $100, then to $75 for three people and a baby when her grandson was born and his father moved in, and now to $35 for herself and one daughter.

They are the better for it too, because they are eating more healthily, she says.

(ODT)

Clark has been caught out making dubious claims in the past, including confusing revenue with profit – see Facebook and Google tax. If he wants to be a heavy hitter in economics he needs to do some heavy duty research and do more than repeating lightweight talking points with as much substance as a leaf of lettuce.

by Pete George on February 27, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in General
Tagged ,

Posted by Pete George on February 27, 2013

http://yournz.org/2013/02/27/labours-economic-development-needs-development/

Labour BBQ

Labour deputy leader Grant Robertson supervising Dunedin MPs David Clark and Clare Curran at a BBQ.

Grant Robertson BBQ

From David Clark’s Facebook.

It’s not known if David Shearer was invited.

by Pete George on February 18, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in General
Tagged , , ,

Posted by Pete George on February 18, 2013

http://yournz.org/2013/02/18/labour-bbq/

David Clark disses John Key

David Clark has posted a major diss of John Key at Red Alert:

Voters let down by Key? Let me count the ways

He details a number of ‘let downs’, most are valid points albeit mostly overblown a bit. Second term governments usually find the going tougher, and National have been doing tough far more than they should have allowed.

Clark’s summary gets interesting. First on Key:

Key will be looking forward to throwing in the towel. Richard Worth, Pansy Wong and Phil Heatly all had to step down last term, but this term the casualties are mounting faster. He’s already said he’ll resign if National are thrown out of Government.  Pressure may mount for him to stand aside sooner.

Labour have targeted Key’s credibility, thinking that a demolition job is the best way for Labour to get back into power.

Key recently emphatically stated he woukld remain as PM to contest the next election.

And the alternative?

So how about the issues that really matter?  Labour has clear positions on education, jobs, procurement, monetary policy to support exporters, pro-growth tax reform, and savings.

It’s nowhere near as clear as Labour are trying to portray. For example with jobs – all opposition parties say they will increase jobs. The reality of government, especially during difficult times, means job growth is very difficult. The Helen Clark government did grow public sector jobs substantially but the resulting costs have become a burden.

Labour have suggested they might do more to retain jobs in coal mining, at Tiwai and in Kiwirail, but these are all struggling sectors, and the wisdom of propping up jobs that aren’t viable in the current climate is easily disputed.

The Key-Government is rapidly earning a reputation as a party distracted and not prepared to take the big decisions that a Shearer-led Labour Government would.

The Key have had plenty of problems for sure, but I think they are still seen as safer managers of the economy than Labour would have been.

It’s no wonder the polling suggests voters are turning off Key faster than ever.

“Faster than ever” is an overstatement. Polls still show support for dropping for National but still ranging from 41.5% to 48.8%, which is still substantially higher than Labour still struggling to rise out of the low thirties. This should close up as the second term stumbles on for National, but there is still a wide gap.

No one is seriously considering a certain loss for National in 2014, nor an easy win for Labour.

Talk of Opposition aspirations is now almost always of Labour-Greens. It’s not long ago that Labour on it’s own called the shots in Government under Helen Clark.

Labour have several major problems if their own.

Labour-Green-NZ First

A wariness of a Labour-Green-NZ Firstcoalition, especially if Russel Norman is given a Finance role. There is also concern about what Winston Peters might demand.

And there would be alarm if Mana ended up being required to make up the numbers.

Labour lack of depth

There is a distinct lack of depth in the Labour caucus. Labour failed to rejuvenate last term and now has a small caucus with too many underperforming MPs, some widely seen as past their use-by date.

A fresh look to the Labour front bench may help a little (shearer has talked of a reshuffle), but there are limited options.

The Labour list for 2014 will be a crucial indicator. Their lacklustre list last election was considered to be significant factorn in their poor result.

David Shearer

While Labour like to focus on John Key as the key to knocking National they have leadership issues of their own. David Shearer is not seen as the refreshing change leader he was promoted as. He has quickly become an old tired Labour machine mouthpiece with a distinct lack of eloquence.

Even on the left Shearer is widely seen as not up to the job. See this ‘James Henderson’ post at The Standard:

Supernumerary

Like many discussions on The Standard comments were heavily weighted against David Shearer. If he can’t win over staunch Labour activists and supporters he will struggle to get support from the important middle vote.

Key’s best ally

John Key has many problems to deal with, as Prime Minister and as leader of a misfiring party.

National are not suffering in the polls as much as might be expected due to Labour’s own obvious weaknesses and problems.

Key would have a much more difficult job regaining composure and cohesion and retaining power if he had a strong leader and a resurgent party opposiong him. He doesn’t.

by Pete George on October 24, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Politics
Tagged , , , ,

Posted by Pete George on October 24, 2012

http://yournz.org/2012/10/24/david-clark-disses-john-key/

Dunne labels Clark criticism ‘ignorant’

The ODT reports on a spat between Labour’s David Clark and Minister of Revenue Peter Dunne.

Criticism labelled ‘ignorant’

Revenue Minister Peter Dunne has taken a hard line with Dunedin North MP David Clark, labelling his criticism of Inland Revenue as mischievous, ill-informed and “downright ignorant”.

“He is playing typical Opposition politics and adding one and one and quite deliberately getting five,” Mr Dunne said.

Clark began with a press release: IRD’s 20-year-old system needs upgrade.

He’s right about that, plans for a major upgrade were announced earlier this year.

But Clark tries to score cheap political points rather than seriously examining the IRD computer situation, as Dunne pointed out in a response – Labour off-beam on IRD computer system.

Clark:

“The IRD’s First computer system comes dead last in supporting a functioning tax agency. There is no way it should have lasted this long and it is in urgent need of an upgrade.

“The Revenue Minister seems to have no sense of urgency about this, despite being in the role for seven years,” Dr Clark said.

The plan was to upgrade IRD’s systems over the next 10 years but who knew how many privacy breaches there would be in that period as the system creaked under pressure, he said.

Dunne points out…

…Dr Clark was wrong on every count. The recent privacy breach had nothing to do with the First computer system or IRD’s online systems. Nor was it the result of staffing levels.

It was human error. Correspondence was mistakenly placed in the incorrect envelope and sent out. Recent phone issues also had nothing to do with the department’s computer systems, he said.

Clark is trying to live up to expectations of him being an up and coming MP. If he wants to become a political heavyweight he will have to do far better than lightweight and ‘ignorant’ attacks like this.

by Pete George on October 3, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Issues
Tagged , ,

Posted by Pete George on October 3, 2012

http://yournz.org/2012/10/03/dunne-labels-clark-criticism-ignorant/

Labour’s David reshuffle

David Shearer is talking about reshuffling the Labour front bench. Stuff report:

Shearer hints at reshuffle as few shine in front row

In comments to The Nation at the weekend, Mr Shearer said there would “quite possibly” be changes to his front bench line-up.

“[I'm] certainly looking at where we can improve. Obviously you would want to do that,” Mr Shearer said.

He declined to say when a reshuffle might happen, but on announcing his line-up before Christmas last year, he indicated there would be a review within 12 months.

“With 34 MPs I need all my team contributing fully,” Mr Shearer said at the time.

“I have made clear that I will be looking closely at the performance of every MP and strong performers will be rewarded.”

Options are then discussed, with Chris Hipkins being an obvious candidate for promotion, the manner and effectiveness of his approach was highlighted in parliament last week.

Whether the Davids Parker and Cunliffe would be reshuffled is not mentioned but will surely be of most interest. Parker is seen more as an earnest economy boffin, Cunliffe can be a strong performer but is also polarising.

But Stuff gives most attention to the other David, Clark.

The stand-out candidate for promotion elsewhere would appear to be first-term MP David Clark, who has had a strong run since taking over the Dunedin North seat from the retiring Pete Hodgson at last year’s election.

Dr Clark is leading a bill to “Mondayise” public holidays and had a bill to lift the minimum wage to $15 an hour narrowly defeated last month.

Mr Shearer announced last month that Dr Clark had been awarded a seven-week Eisenhower Fellowship to study in the United States in March next year.

“In his first year as an MP, David has already marked himself out as one to watch,” Mr Shearer said at the time.

David Clark has been noticed and talked up by a few political journos.

He had a very lucky beginning in parliament with ‘his’ Mondayise bill being drawn from the ballot. He was actually handed the bill after it was initated by Grant Robertson.

He is also lucky that it looks like he will (just) get the numbers to get his bill through, due to Peter Dunne providing the deciding vote. Clark did nothing to earn this vote, Dunne offered it because he and United Future agreed with the bill, despite Clark throwing mud at Dunne over the MOM bill.

Clark was also lucky to draw a second bill from the next ballot, the minimum age bill. He was unable to get this past the first vote. He had a reality check on this in his first big TV interview (on Q+A), not being able to answer basic questions on it regarding costing. He was also taken to task for making claims trying to support the case for the bill that couldn’t be supported.

Hopefully he learned from that experience.

Clark is also lucky that the Labour lineup is so small and weak at the moment. It’s an easy situation for those who get noticed. It doesn’t matter whether they are noticed through luck or efforts and ability.

David Clark is a nice guy, means to do well in parliament, and has an interesting and varied CV. And he doesn’t have a union background.

He started in his political career as a party parrot – if he wants to widen his support he will need to establish his own political credentials and prepare himself better for the rough and tumble of political debate and media exposure.

And he should learn to listen to a wider audience, and not just to his faithful supporters.

If Clark gets fast tracked up the Labour ranks it will in part be due to luck on several counts. There’s no problem with that, success often involves luck.

The key will be how well Clark takes advantage of his lucky run, and how well he lifts his performance to match his position.
It’s early days in his political career, not yet a year into his first term, so he has time to learn and grow.

by Pete George on October 1, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Politics
Tagged , , , , ,

Posted by Pete George on October 1, 2012

http://yournz.org/2012/10/01/labours-david-reshuffle/

Labour’s plan – redistribution of wealth

David Clark is Labour’s spokesman on Revenue. He said on his blog yesterday:

My bill to raise the minimum wage to $15/hr was narrowly defeated. But I’m determined to keep up the fight for a fairer distribution of our country’s wealth.

David Clark is rated as an up and coming Labour MP. On live chat on Thursday Duncan Garner rated him:

7:38
Comment From Guest

I thought David Clark’s questioning of the Minister of Small business was the best light hearted moment of the week. ESP. Asking him how he would describe a director who signed a document he didn’t read
7:39
Duncan Garner:

Guest

yes it was hilarious. he’s actually impressive. i rate him. Labour should promote him and demote some of the useless ones. Clark is one to watch. Nice fella too.

And David Shearer said in a party announcement on Wednesday:

This is a tremendous opportunity for David Clark.  As an Eisenhower fellow he will get access to heavyweight thinkers and decision makers, and will make important contacts that will last a lifetime.

In his first year as an MP, David has already marked himself out as one to watch.

In Clark’s weekly Red Alert post, By The Numbers:

1.50 -  the dollar amount National and its coalition partners couldn’t see fit to give to our lowest paid workers as they voted down my member’s Bill.

That’s not just talking about giving workers Government (our) money. It’s also forcing many businesses to increase their costs, to redistribute not ‘wealth’ but scarce resources in very difficult economic times.

Clark is spokesman on Revenue, that’as the Ministry that collects taxes off us.

Finance is the ministry that chooses where to spend and give that money. Labour’s Finance spokesman is David Parker, who has had a close association with David Clark. In a recent speech Parker spoke about fairness too:

We need a breakthrough in our economy.

History shows that the fair distribution of the rewards of work is necessary for a fair and prosperous society.

This is why the UN Declaration of Human Rights gives prominence to freedom of association – the right of workers to join unions so they can better negotiate their share through collective bargaining.

A fair share for workers, higher wages and higher productivity go together.

So it looks like there is a strong emphasis within Labour on “the fair distribution of the rewards of work”.

That means taking more money off some people (employers and higher earners) and giving more money to other people.

And it means forcing businesses to increase their Labour costs whether it makes business sense or not. And if it doesn’t make sense they’ll employ less people. Or close their business.

Increasing the minimum wage substantially more than the current rates that increase with inflation was a major focus of David Clark’s and Labour’s election campaign in 2011.

And Clark has vowed to do the same next election in an interview on Channel 9:

Dunedin Labour MP David Clark has vowed to take his campaign for an increased minimum wage to voters at the next election.

That follows the close defeat last night of his Private Members Bill to raise the wage from $13.50 to $15 an hour.

While Dr Clark says the increase would have had no effect on employment, his claims are not supported by a local employer’s association.

(More details in linked video)

And Labour has other policies designed to redistribute money, including Paid Parental Leave and David Shearer’s own plan to feed children at school – Education (Food in Schools) Amendment Bill.

This is just how the Labour Party and it’s MPs are leaning.

If Labour form a coalition with the Green Party that would put a greater emphasis on redistribution of money. Metiria Turei is currently promoting giving Working For Families payments to beneficiaries.

And if the Mana Party is also needed to get Labour’s numbers that will further push the redistribution, especially if Sue Bradford and John Minto become crucual votes.

by Pete George on September 22, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Politics
Tagged , , , , , ,

Posted by Pete George on September 22, 2012

http://yournz.org/2012/09/22/labours-plan-redistribution-of-wealth/

Wendy – the roof painter’s ex wife?

Whale Oil has blogged about David Shearer and his beneficiary roof painter story, with an emphasis being put on ‘story’:

Shearer Admits Rufus Paynter Is Ergh..Maybe… Not Real

Can we believe if what MPs are telling us, is true or a descriptive story? Maybe they should be open and honest.

From the draft transcript from parliament yesterday. Is ‘Wendy’ the ex wife of Rufus the painter?:

Dr DAVID CLARK (Labour—Dunedin North): I move, That the Minimum Wage Amendment Bill be now read a first time. If it becomes apparent during the debate that scales have fallen from sufficient National members’ eyes and the Minimum Wage Amendment Bill has the necessary support, I will nominate the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee to consider the bill.

I want to start by telling the story of a woman I met recently. We will call her Wendy. Wendy is up at 4 a.m. and off to her first cleaning job. She works two jobs. She is home at 6 p.m. and tuckered out.

Wendy does not smoke and she does not drink.

Wendy cannot afford luxuries, and for her that now includes heating her house.

She recently suffered a broken leg on the job, and receiving 80 percent of her wage whilst off work meant she could not meet her rent. This proud woman, who has successfully raised six kids, mostly on her own, had to rely on assistance from a family member for help.

The story does not stop there. Wendy still has one kid at home—a teenager with hollow legs.

Feeding her family comes first, but, as a diabetic, her health is suffering in the long term. Her doctor tells her she should eat a more balanced diet. She knows what that is, but can no longer afford the ingredients. White bread is cheaper than brown bread.

Wendy is on the minimum wage and has worked all her life. Restrictions on adult and community training mean she cannot afford to retrain.

She fears she will one day have to reside in a boarding house.

A minimum wage of $15 an hour will mean $60 a week for our lowest-paid workers over a 40-hour week.

by Pete George on August 30, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Politics
Tagged , , , , ,

Posted by Pete George on August 30, 2012

http://yournz.org/2012/08/30/wendy-the-roof-painters-ex-wife/

« Older Posts
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 76 other followers