Saturday, March 28, 2015

NSW returns the Liberal Baird Government & Northland votes out National & in NZ First's Winston Peters.

Despite the Labor Party's campaign against state asset sales, NSW voters have voted to "keep NSW working" as per the Liberal Party's election advertising message.

Premier Mike Baird has been re-elected and will lead the state for another four years.

Opposition leader Luke Foley has added another 10 seats which does strengthen the party's position in opposition.  Foley graciously accepted defeat and gave a brilliant concession speech.

Across the ditch, there was a by election in Northland.  The seat was formerly held by National's Mike Sabin until there was a recent controversy and he was forced to resign.  Long term MP and NZ First leader Winston Peters stood in the seat and won.  This is a major upset for National who have a smaller majority in the Parliament and it will be tough at the next general election in 2017.

Overall great decisions were made in Northland and NSW today.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Until we have citizenship why can't the federal & state govt just charge us a fee to enrol to vote as an nz citizen living in Australia?

Actor Russell Crowe has lied to the public this week.  He has said he can't get citizenship.  This is incorrect.  He has chosen not to apply in the past.  He has been here in Australia for 46 years so has had ample opportunity.  His parents could have applied when he was a child or he could have applied when he was married to Danielle Spencer.

There are other visas he could apply for - investor visa, special talent, or could apply for sponsorship or one of the regional visas.

It seems that Crowe just wants citizenship for free.

This said it is highly unfair that NZ citizens can work here indefinitely yet we cannot participate in democracy.  The NSW election is this week and NZ citizens could potentially live here for several years without the right to vote.  I have been here for eight years on and off and can't yet vote.  As the majority of NZ citizens are here on a permanent basis we should have the right to vote, at least at a council and state level after being here x number of years.  It wouldn't be too hard to check immigration records.

I'm planning to get citizenship myself when I have the fee.  While I don't think that Kiwi citizens should get citizenship in Australia for nothing, I do think the reforms introduced by the former Howard government need to be relaxed so that after say five years we can just pay a fee and get citizenship or even a fee to have the right to vote without citizenship.

The unfortunate thing is that those who do have the right don't care that others don't have a basic and fundamental right.  We are being excluded from democracy.

I would happily pay a fee to be able to vote in each election until I am a citizen, something like $500-$1000.  That would show commitment and loyalty to Australia.

NSW policies affect everyone who lives in the state, not just those with citizenship.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

It seems Aussie men didn't get the memo that Australian women can have careers too

This is one blog I will start by mentioning that by birth I am a New Zealand citizen.  I was raised in a country where women didn't just change nappies or stay at home while the men earned the big bucks.  When I was growing up we had the likes of Helen Clark, New Zealand's first ever elected female Prime Minister to look up to.  Regardless of whether or not you liked her policies (and I'm a right winger - she was Labour) you have to give her credit for showing that women can do anything.

Then there is reality TV executive, Julie Christie who started Touchdown Productions after a career in journalism.  She later sold it to Eyeworks and now works for Mediaworks as a consultant and strategist on reality television.

New Zealand has the likes of Susan Wood, Rachel Smalley, Hilary Barry, Heather Du Plessis Allen and Samantha Hayes as political journalists (okay the latter isn't strictly a political journalist, but she, along with David Farrier will be hosting a new evening show to replace the Paul Henry Show when that moves to the mornings),

Yes, Australia does have some prominent females - Mia Freedman who founded MamaMia, Leigh Sales, Lisa Wilkinson and a few others, however, when you look at the truly successful broadcasters they are primarily men.

Let's take a look at some of the radio stations.  If we look at 2GB, all the hosts are men aged over 50 with only one or two females, and the females are typically relegated to newsreading rather than speaking their opinions.  Or if they do speak their opinions it's on minor issues.  Take a look at Sky.  When we see Agenda who typically heads up discussions?  That's right folks, it's men, with the exception of Kristina Keneally, but she is left wing (former NSW Labor Premier).  Where are the right wing women?

Well my readers, today the co host of Channel Nine's Today, Karl Stefanovic featured in Sunday Style, and my friends, he came across as a total misogynist.  I have no issue with him saying men should be men.  That's fine.  And I have no issue with him wanting a successful career, which he does.  I do however have an issue with what he said next on News.com.au.

In discussing his wife, Cassandra, Stefanovic’s love becomes obvious, his eyes crinkling at the contentment they share. They met in Queensland – she too a journo destined for a high-profile career, arguably one that would have eclipsed his. But kids intervened: Jackson, 15, Ava, nine, and River, seven. She swapped out reporting duties for nappies, school runs and to support Stefanovic’s rise up the ranks.

“She gave up a promising career at the ABC and I’m forever thankful and tremendously appreciative of that. Cass wanted to be at home, and wants to be there now, and we’re very lucky to be in a financial position where we can do that. But should she ever want to go back to work, then of course she can,” enthuses Stefanovic.


Women shouldn't have to give up careers to support husbands and men shouldn't shirk their parenting responsibilities.  Both men and women can do both with flexible working conditions and a change in attitudes. 

The later quote "should she ever want to go back to work, then of course she can" is so offensive.  I didn't realise that women needed to seek permission from their husbands to do something.  I didn't realise that women couldn't make up our own mind about things.

The disturbing thing is that women are expected to sacrifice everything but where were Karl's sacrifices?  In fact, in general where are men's sacrifices?  It takes two to have a family and two to pay the bills, not just the women and Australian men obviously didn't receive the memo that is 2015, not 1940.


To go back a few years to former Prime Minister Julia Gillard's tenure, she was heavily lambasted by the Australian media and while some of it was on the basis of the party's poor policy, a great deal of it was because she was a woman.  The same can be applied to Foreign Minister Julie Bishop being asked if she would bear her breasts.  A man would NEVER EVER be asked the same thing.

So Australian men, it's time to realise that you can still be a man while raising a family and not expecting your wife to stay at home so you can have a career while she sacrifices her financial stability should you ever divorce.

Australia, you're a great country and I love you but seriously, you need to get out of 1940 and realise it's 2015 and women can have careers too.  I won't go into the biology of reproduction but it is not just about the woman, the man is involved too, so how about taking responsiblity and not expecting your wives to give up their careers.

Monday, March 16, 2015

Natalia Kills & Willy Moon first ever X Factor Judges to be sacked in NZ

For about 20 years now there have been televised talent searches.  Popstars first aired in New Zealand in 1999 and saw the creation of True Bliss who went on to have a couple of number 1s and a national your before going their separate ways

The Next franchise was Idol, created by Simon Cowell.  It first made its way to New Zealand in 2003.  Ten years later the Idol franchise has been replaced with X Factor and Got Talent.  The basic premise of these shows is to find the next big artist.  

The second season of NZ's X Factor began airing a few weeks ago on tv3 and has not been without controversy.  First they allowed a contestant on who was a convicted killer.  TV3 was forced to apologise for their decision and said the contestant would not feature.  They kept their word.

Following on from that Judge Willy Moon, originally from Wellington and Married to co judge Natalia Kills was accused on Sunday of abusing a woman in a Kingsland bakery car park.  Apparently he called her a derogatory name I'm not going to repeat here.  

Then last night Natalia ripped into contestant Joe Irvine and said he lacked originality and that she was embarrassed to be in his presence.  She said he shouldn't wear a suit (it should be noted just about every man owns a suit).  Willy chimed in and said that he thought Joe was going to kill the entire audience.

The comment generated such a reaction that a petition was started on Change.org to have Natalia removed, so by association, and because of his abusive rant on Sunday there were calls for his removal too.  Sponsors McDonalds and Two Degrees were very unhappy and contacted TVWorks to have action taken.

Just after midday it was announced that Kills and Moon had both been dumped as judges and in all likelihood they'll never work in New Zealand again unless they seriously transform themselves but the best thing they can do is to stay out of the limelight for a while and take a long hard look in the mirror.  I won't comment on Natalia and Willy's personal backgrounds but it all adds up to their abusive rants.

The new judges have not yet been announced but it looks like Ginny Blackmore (whose album is out next month) is a top contender.

The problem with these shows, and I watched some bad audition videos as research is that is the shows format.  People will get abused, not to the extent that Natalia laid into Joe.  Not even Simon would have done something like that, not even when he was the mean judge.  He did actually have some moments when he was kind to the contestants.

The sad part of this event is that while standing up for bullying is excellent, NZ has lowered themselves on social media and there has been major vitriol directed at Natalia and Willy.  While I don't think they'd care, bullying the bullies helps nobody and doesn't send the message that bullying isn't to be tolerated.  People should simple say the bullying isn't okay, take action and then move on.  Natalia and Willy behaved very badly but calling them names in return just denigrates the name called and lowers them to that level.

Moving on though, let this be a lesson that there is a line between bullying and entertainment and bullying should never be tolerated regardless of whether or not you truly do despise someone and their actions.  The only true way to put an end to reality TV bullying is simply to stop auditioning.  If nobody auditions and nobody watches the shows will end.

You attract more flies with honey than you do vinegar.

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Indonesian Ministers are now on board with not killing those on death row

Well, the Indonesian Government says that they will proceed with the executions of Bali Nine members Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan.  However it has to be noted that earlier in the week Australia's Grand Mufti urged Indonesia not to, as has Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson.  Australia's Government Ministers and the Prime Minister Tony Abbott have made it very clear that the killings should not take place.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his Attorney General H.M. Prasetyo are remaining adamant they will not grant clemency.  They have delayed the shootings for several weeks now citing legal reasons.  Prior to the delays several media organisations in Australia started questioning whether or not they were using the oldest trick in the book - do nothing and hope people forget.  It looks that way.  My guess is that the prisoners will remain on Nusa Kambangan until the heat dies down and will then be moved back to Kerobekan Prison in Bali.

The Sydney Morning Herald today reported that President Widodo has no experience in foreign affairs.  It shows.  Someone adept at dealing with other nations and cultures would have either explained why the killings will proceed or at least backed down.  For some reason Indonesian MPs have been disrespectful to Australia and other governments, even going so far as to say it is none of our business.  As Chan and Sukumaran are Australian citizens it is every bit our business.  It is our government's duty to protect Australian citizens.

It has come to light that several allies of Widodo are urging him not to go ahead.  He is yet to be convinced but this is the most promising sign so far that the termination of lives won't happen.

Friday, March 6, 2015

It looks like Indonesia is having a change of heart on the termination of lives

I don't know what more to write about the imminent termination of lives on Nusakamgan Island in Indonesia.

There has been so much toing and froing and it looks hopeful that Indonesia is doing the right thing and not proceeding with their plans to terminate the lives of ten prisoners on death row.

Initially the Indonesian Government was unrelenting and said they would proceed but now it looks like they won't.

The Australian Government needs to play it so carefully because one wrong move.....We're walking a very fine line.  Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has offered money for drug rehabilitation programs in addition to the prisoner swap.  Now I would have offered these things a few weeks ago but it appears that they are making a difference.  It also appears as if the Indonesian Government is having second thoughts based on assessing the cases of other prisoners on death row.

Several media organisations have reported that the termination of lives is delayed indefinitely while they explore legal avenues and re-assess the merits of every case.

The problem is there have been local protests in Indonesia while internationally the termination of lives by the Government is being condemned.  Indonesia's president Joko Widodo must somehow strike a balance between keeping people happy internationally and keeping his people happy.

It's very tough.

To paint a picture of what happens when the Indonesian Government terminates lives of prisoners, they tie them to a post, Jesus style, and then the prisoner is given the option of having their heads covered or not.  It's just absolutely horrible.  The shooters are lined up and all fire at the same time, half with blanks so that nobody knows who fired the fatal shot.  It's barbaric and just horrible.

I can only hope that Indonesia lets everyone on death row live and I cannot imagine what all the prisoners are going through.  May Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan live to continue their good work.  If they do live it's clear that when they return to Kerobekan Prison there will not be a song and dance like there was going to Nusakamangan Island.  Indonesia will want to keep this out of the spotlight.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

The road is ending, the unthinkable is happening tomorrow.

The journey has come to a tragic end for Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran charged with smuggling heroin out of Indonesia in 2006.

It's reported they will be transferred to Nusakambangan Island tomorrow.

From there they will only have 72 hours.

Indonesia has lost the plot.  This is cold blooded murder.  Killing people won't help others.  It will actually make things worse and misses the point.  Drug education is better and more effective.

Why not let Chan and Sukumaran be the hope they never had and encourage them to share their stories of why they got mixed up in the wrong crowd.

I hope the Australian Government recalls all officials and ceases trade with Indonesia immediately.

This decision is disgusting and shows Indonesia's president Widodo to be very weak.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

The leadership garbage continues...what really needs attention.

People say today's news is tomorrow's fish n chip paper.  Never had that been more true when you consider the Australian and NZ media won't let the leadership crap go.

Now they're saying Foreign Minister Julie Bishop should be the leader instead of Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

How about no. 

The Liberals were elected in 2013 fairly and squarely and it seems journalists have forgotten that.

Prime Ministers are never going to be loved by everyone and people need to realise that we are talking a $1 trillion economy and you can't treat that like an after school job.

A New Zealand journalist, at a joint press conference with NZ PM John Key asked Tony Abbott doesn't just stand down.  The question not only shows a lack of understanding of the importance of the position.  It also mitigates the day that voters have.  Let's not forget there are people in Australia who don't even have the right to vote and these discussions undermine democracy and peoples say.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott may be unpopular amongst certain groups and that's fine but he hasn't committed a crime.  The only time a Prime Minister should be overthrown and booted out is if they've committed a crime or lose an election.

If you don't like Abbott, that's okay but this is why we have elections every three years.  If it's the Liberal party's policies you don't like that's fine too.  Write a letter to your local MP if you aren't allowed to vote, or join a party if you'd like to influence policy.

Politics is also not a popularity contest.  It's about running the country and doing what's best for it and sometimes decisions will be made that are unpopular.  What's amazing is that while Abbott and Treasurer Joe Hockey were being criticised for their proposed tax reforms which may see GST increased, journalists never asked why 32.5% taxation kicks in for every dollar earned over $37,000.  Nobody living in Australia today would think that is a large amount of money, so shouldn't our taxation levels reflect the current wages and cost of living?  Rather than mocking and criticising the individuals in Government shouldn't they be looking to the future and focusing on ensuring we prosper.  We can hardly do that if we are being overtaxed because the mainstream media are wetting themselves over silly things that don't actually affect us.  High taxation does.  Where is the outrage about an outdated tax system?