NZ: National Party conference

On the Radio New Zealand news last night I heard earthquake recovery minister Gerry Brownlee quoted as saying that the dictatorial powers used in Christchurch could be used as a template for the rest of the country.

When I listened to the next news this item was removed and there was no reference to this on the Radio New Zealand website or anywhere else on the web – so that I have to conclude that either I was hearing things, or the story was killed.

If anyone else can confirm that they heard something similar can they let me know through the 'comments'.

Joyce's attack on the Labour Party is worthy of Joseph Goebbels – you blame your enemy for the one things that you yourself are guilty of. Are they setting Labour up to take responsibility for economic and financial collapse?

This government has the appearance of being democratic and all the hallmarks of being fascist – something they share with other governments, especially in anglophone countries.

Hardline Key to rivals: Bring it on

National is telling opponents to bring it on, taking a hard line on its most contentious policies.

Stuff,

22 July, 2012

National is telling opponents to bring it on, taking a hard line on its most contentious policies.

A heavy police presence was on hand yesterday as Prime Minister John Key opened National's first conference since the election, promising more than 500 party faithful there would be no backdown on asset sales.

Signalling plans to use its 2011 election mandate more aggressively to push through other divisive policies like mineral exploration and foreign investment, Key said National had campaigned on "a very clear plan" for New Zealand, and had the "absolute mandate and authority" to implement it.

But the fighting talk from the conference floor wasn't matched on the street, where police almost outnumbered 100 or so protesters.

As many as 80 police were counted around the SkyCity Convention Centre, where a command centre had been set up.

Protest organiser, Jai Bentley-Payne, said the group would be out again today, and would be joined by the Auckland Action Against Poverty group and members of Aotearoa Is Not For Sale.

He said media reports that yesterday's response was lacklustre were wrong, and the protest had been successful, with around 400 participants.

Bentley-Payne said Key's "mandate" talk was meaningless. "A quarter of the population didn't vote last year. We want to connect with those people."

Key will use his speech today to outline details about the Government's asset sales programme, and has confirmed it will include the likely shape of sweeteners, like loyalty schemes, to keep shares in New Zealand hands.

Fears over shares in state-owned power companies and Air New Zealand falling into foreign hands have polarised public opinion, but National has been emboldened by a lack of fallout in the polls.

Ministers are now preparing a charm offensive over mineral exploration.

Finance Minister Bill English painted a gloomy outlook, warning the effects of the global financial crisis hangover could last for a generation.

But Key said New Zealand was better placed than the rest of the world, and there were plenty of reasons to feel "pretty upbeat".

Meanwhile, party rank and file have backed reforms allowing same sex couples to adopt. The party's youth wing had been pushing for the 1955 Adoption Act to be extending to include civil union partners, and they scored a victory yesterday when a remit was passed during a closed-door session.

Today delegates will also debate the next round of welfare reform.

“We will be introducing social obligations, so they will have to enrol their child in early childhood education and get well-checks at the doctor by enrolling with the local PHO," Social Development Minister Paula Bennett told 3News.

“If you have kids, then you will lose 50 per cent of your benefit. That's the worst case scenario. We hope it doesn't get to that.”

The changes come just days after the Government voted in its first round of welfare reform, resulting in harsher conditions for beneficiary teens and solo parents.

Auckland Action Against Poverty welfare advocate Sue Bradford spoke out against the changes. “It's a worry that it's now possible for Work and Income to have total control over people's lives, and the lives of their children.”

Joyce hits out at Labour 'hypocrisy'

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has accused the Labour Party of hypocrisy over its opposition to a number of economic policies promoted by the Government

Radio New Zealand,

22 July, 2012

Mr Joyce told the National Party's annual conference in Auckland on Saturday that Labour wants the economy to do poorly to help its election chances in 2014.

Steven Joyce.

Mr Joyce says Labour has opposed a number of initiatives, from mining exploration to negotiating the construction of an international convention centre in Auckland, which are similar to those it promoted when in Government.

He says Labour politicians are beneath contempt because they oppose economic development for purely political ends.

Mr Joyce says Labour doesn't want the economy to do well, so that it can say the Government has failed to create jobs and argue that voters need Labour back in government.

Oil exploration 'essential for growth'

Energy Minister Phil Heatley has criticised environmental opposition to the Government's plans for more oil and gas exploration off New Zealand's coast.

Mr Heatley has told conference that oil and gas exploration is needed to help boost the country's economic growth.

He says the Maui oil and gas field discovered in 1969 is a good example of the economic benefits which can flow from oil exploration.

The field had produced 180 million barrels of oil and provides gas to 225,000 customers.

Goodfellow re-elected

As the conference resumed on Sunday, Peter Goodfellow was re-elected unopposed as National Party president following after a unanimous vote.

The conference finishes after Mr Key gives his main address on Sunday.