australian politics

Weasel Winston’s FiveEyes fudge

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 4:45 pm, June 25th, 2025 - 22 comments

Winston Peters’ Ministerial statement in Parliament yesterday was a disgrace. Echoing other FiveEyes leaders such as Keir Starmer, unable to distinguish evil from good, he accused those who can of “moral posturing.”

Coalition definitively rejected in Aussie

Written By: lprent - Date published: 10:36 am, May 4th, 2025 - 9 comments

The defining characteristic of the 2025 Federal election in Australia to me is that the Dutton model of vague way down in the future policies, and grumpy grievance now policies was soundly rejected. The voting of preferences is ongoing. But Labour has already up a sound majority in the lower house. It also looks like it will be in a much better position in the Senate – but not a majority.

Everyone must go

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 11:47 am, February 17th, 2025 - 28 comments

Chris from Marketing’s latest gimic to lead us to economic nirvana is to use money that is meant to be used for environmental enhancement to run a campaign in Australia with a slogan that is awkward and negative.

Wage theft – now that is a real crime

Written By: lprent - Date published: 5:38 pm, December 30th, 2024 - 17 comments

In Australia, the Fair Work Act is enhanced to provide for jail time and large fines for individuals and companies who deliberately indulged in wage theft. It is a Federal act with investigative powers. Our members ‘Theft by Employers’ bill looks pathetic by comparison. But worth passing in its 3rd reading. It would be a “real tough on crime” act – not weak like Mark Mitchell’s tee-shirt snatch.

ALP knows how to redress wrongs. NZ dithers

Written By: Guest post - Date published: 7:15 am, August 2nd, 2024 - 5 comments

God Bless the ALP, Bill Shorten and all the Labour MP’s across the ditch for tackling the real issues facing people with disabilities in Australia. It takes courage, fortitude, a good heart to seek redress to wrongs done to the weakest amongst us. They are taking those steps.

NZ government are just good at dithering.

Joining US military alliance not in our national interest

Written By: Guest post - Date published: 1:56 am, April 22nd, 2024 - 23 comments

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark – the safest pair of hands this country has had in living memory – gave a masterclass on the importance of maintaining an independent foreign policy when she spoke at an AUKUS symposium held in Parliament’s old Legislative Chambers on April 18.

Where Oz goes, we go? To war with China?

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 9:28 pm, February 17th, 2024 - 38 comments

Testifying to the Defence Select Committee last week, Air Marshal Short said Australia was “reshaping” its Defence Force for “a singular threat from a singular direction.” This was described as being an obvious reference to China.

John Pilger, RIP

Written By: Guest post - Date published: 8:43 am, January 2nd, 2024 - 8 comments

A bright star in the firmament of justice has gone out.   One of the greatest journalists of our era has passed away. John Pilger was always on the side of the oppressed.

Australia just made a high impact treaty with a Pacific Island state that puts a question on New Zealand about climate change

Written By: advantage - Date published: 11:30 am, November 11th, 2023 - 9 comments

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Tuvalu Prime Minister Kausea Natano have announced a deal whereby Australia is offering permanent residency to Tuvaluans affected by climate change, and a security guarantee that will bind both countries close together.

Is Manasseh Sogovare Ungrateful, Greedy, or Just Playing Us All?

Written By: advantage - Date published: 11:31 am, July 17th, 2023 - 27 comments

The Solomon Islands signed an agreement with China on law enforcement and security matters suggests that New Zealand should review the decades of support given to the Solomon Island Government.

Taihoa on AUKUS Pillar 2

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 10:16 pm, April 24th, 2023 - 63 comments

Andrew Little says our government is willing to “explore” participating in AUKUS Pillar 2, but “foreign or local voices would not be a factor.” Our leaders will decide he says. I say “taihoa.”

Will Australia Hear The Voice?

Written By: advantage - Date published: 7:07 pm, March 6th, 2023 - 10 comments

Australia’s Prime Minister Albanese is trying to get actual indigenous representation into the Australian Parliament with a referendum. Going to be tough.

The Zelensky Dump

Written By: Mike Smith - Date published: 3:27 pm, December 13th, 2022 - 311 comments

Vladimir Zelensky’s message to the New Zealand Parliament will be delivered in the last week before Christmas, in the bury-it time-slot. That seems appropriate, for much has changed since the heady days when our Parliament went straight for sanctions on Russia without discussion.

Too Old For Politics

Written By: advantage - Date published: 12:00 pm, October 13th, 2022 - 37 comments

Can you be too old to represent your people? New Zealand’s oldest person to first get elected was William Cargill at 71. Australia’ s John Howard was 68 when he retired, and Robert Menzies was 72 when he retired as Prime Minister. The previous US president is now 76 and will likely run again in […]

Ardern’s Leadership Generates Pacific Results

Written By: advantage - Date published: 8:33 am, July 28th, 2022 - 9 comments

New Zealand has been overdue to show strong results in the Pacific Islands. Not a moment too soon, this is what Prime Minister Ardern delivered.