tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68378495794693836292024-02-21T00:26:02.609+05:30India NewsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-34565233468009423162011-10-30T21:10:00.001+05:302011-11-18T13:35:09.657+05:30INDIA NEEDS CHANGE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We are a team of high school students who wish to bring about change in our country.</span><br />
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<b>Team members:</b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We currently have 11 members in our group:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Naveena, Vidya, Benita, Rachel, Janani, Priyadarshini, Anandavalli, Brea, Karthiga, Nivedhitha and Meenakshi. Certainly we are open for more! :)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It all started when we were, and students on the bench the past they were trying to kill boredom, which killed about us. He said a friend suddenly bored "JNMA", and I, in an attempt to create a distraction, however, he asked, "What JNMA? Jeevana members of the Association naughty?" Well, that was not really a joke, but I'm supposed to be this way. My friend what it really means is that the first letters of our names, J, N, M, A, and since that time, and we JNMA true to our name, to do everything we can to create some noise.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But we have the face of "lethargic" to change studies the situation as soon as the exams. That was when we adopted the logo - a star with angel and a devil, and the sign JNMA. A naughty devil and angel on our side, our nice [involving examinations, friendship, etc.] and soon expanded to include the beautiful side to help others, and dissemination of national spirit among all people and this kind of thing. On November 14, underwent a total change goals. Do not ask me how, so I'm not sure. JNMA become more nationalist and less "lethargic."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, we decided to form an organization to do something ... Anything to improve things around us, in our country. We changed the logo and even the name ... We now change - citizens who help the country grow strong</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Questions and answers</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Decisions we have taken is a little different, so they may lead naturally to a good number of questions and confusion. The change was in the ring first and now, it's a dangerous group. No wonder that there are some moments when the division of hair you have any idea where you are going. I hope to solve this problem by having a sign full of "Questions and answers by ourselves and others around them, to save the trouble to give lengthy explanations at a time. This is mostly for our clarity to any other person:)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Q: What is the purpose of the change?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">C: to help everyone who is in need, and help our country, by all means possible.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Q: Why this decision?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A: This is not the right thing to do, and turning a blind eye problems all around us. Thus, we chose what is right.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Q: Are we in an attempt to change the world?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A: Maybe, maybe not. In the past, people who were crazy enough to think they can change the world, really are the ones who did not. We are not trying to make a difference, because what we are in and of itself makes a difference in this world;).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Q: Do you think it's possible?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A: At the present time, it is impossible to cure some types of cancer. Soon, you will become possible. It was believed by the Wright brothers invented the plane, any other object from a hot air balloon flying in the air, to be impossible. Impossible is just a big word thrown by small men who find it easier to live in a world that was given for them, to explore the power they have to change. Impossible is not a declaration. It dare, a challenge. Impossible is temporary. Nothing is impossible. [This is the truth, and not a few words put together to make it look impressive.] Buddhist monk once said: "help whenever possible. It's always possible."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Q: I will not change a clash with the studies?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A: Why should it? Chat or play or sleep in class do not conflict with the studies, is not it?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Q: What about the obstacles on the road?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A: Life is full of obstacles, and some want us to quit along the way. It is during those times that we need to remember that the focus should be on the target, not on trivial things in our way.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Q: What if we do not succeed in our mission?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A: There is no failure or success in what we decided to do. Change does not stop with the school. And will continue for the rest of our lives. Committing ourselves to this function, is in itself an achievement. There is no limit to what we can achieve. Still, in every endeavor, it's okay, if we fail, or if e did not succeed. But it's not fine if we do not try, or if it was not put in enough effort or if we are resigned.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Q: What is the future change?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A: Well, we have not really decided yet, but we certainly will do what is best when he left school and go to college. We will have certainly more exposure, opportunity and freedom.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SOURCE: <b><a href="http://newshubindia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">NEWS HUB</a></b></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-84181566097216223702011-10-13T16:04:00.002+05:302011-11-18T13:32:59.301+05:30Dodgy Grab One promotion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://newshubindia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>News Hub</b></span></a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I get the Grab One offers in my in-box regularly, and as a lover of coffee I was interested in the $20 for 10 Regular Mojo Coffees at Pure Espresso (value $44). We have one in the suburb in which I live. The promotion says:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pay just $20 for 10 regular mojo coffees at Pure Espresso and indulge in a taste that will please you over and over again. Make a quick stop before work"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In order to have a taste that will please you "over and over again" the implication is that you can use the promotion to make 10 quick stops before work.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a>Wrong.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The conditions say that this offer can only be used in one visit. Who is going to either drink 10 coffees or have 9 mates in a cafe for a quick stop before work in the suburbs? The place doesn't look like it fits 10 people.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wonder how many people will get this? So far 37 have.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">update Have made further inquiries, apparently the offer can be "used" on one visit - and that "use" on the first visit is to get a coffee card, which can be used in nine subsequent visits. Pity the ad was so badly worded, and that there is no mention of a coffee card.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-9327395115803125472011-10-13T16:03:00.002+05:302011-11-18T13:35:50.385+05:30New video released tonight: Smacking parents get CYF’d and hauled before the Courts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The other week when I was at the Family First Forum, a video was screened that featured a few couples who have been hauled before the courts after being charged with assault after they smacked their kids.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The 30 minute video and associated website is embargoed until midnight tonight and as I have been given advance copies of both I`ll be blogging about them when the embargo has lifted, and will be embedding the video in full.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When I saw the video, it reduced some to tears at the unjust treatment given to smacking parents by authorities.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a>Some parents have had their kids taken away from them, others still haven’t had them returned. I spoke with one couple who are featured in the video and may blog about their story later, but the video also features legal counsel for one of the families – who so happens to be a Labour candidate for the 2011 election – and a lead juror who presided over a smacking case she considered should never have gone to trial.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The website also features an article in this Investigate magazine which casts doubt on the thoroughness of this Nigel Latta review on smacking.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Anyway, if you have or have had strong feelings or opinions on the section 59 smacking debate, you`ll want to watch this video, no matter what side of the debate you are on.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You`ll get your chance from midnight tonight, when I blog it. The video will either make you angry at the treatment given to these families or annoyed that the treatment has been exposed in video form for the very first time.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-64675425097857286142011-10-13T16:02:00.004+05:302011-11-18T13:38:38.599+05:30The politicians have spoken on Ohariu-Belmont<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is clear that one of two people will win Ohariu-Belmont (my electorate) in 2011- Labour’s Charles Chauvel or United Future leader Peter Dunne, just like in 2008. But it always was clear.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">While a competent MP, Gareth Hughes from the Greens will not win, and is campaigning for the party vote. Many National Party supporters prefer Peter Dunne over Katrina Shanks, so Shanks has no option but to campaign for the party vote.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, if you are a Green supporter, you have been advised to vote for Chauvel, if you are a National supporter, Peter Dunne. Katrina Shanks, who is currently 55 on the party list, was so out of touch that she did not even realise a deal was done by National to have their supporters vote for Dunne.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a>The thing is, Hughes is quite happy to ask his supporters to vote for fellow list MP Chauvel, but Shanks is not so happy that her supporters are being told to vote for Dunne. She think’s Dunne is desperate. Chauvel, meanwhile says that he doesn’t particularly like such deals saying that voters don’t like being told what to do. He is saying that because he knows that the National-Dunne deal is indeed a Dunne deal and he will not be the local MP.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chauvel said he will be running a "time for a change" campaign – apparently in April. So far we’ve heard nothing in the electorate about that,( he's too busy focusing on the important issues). However he did say I`ll be satisfied with having my voice heard on the things that matter to me”.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Those in Ohariu-Belmont want to have candidates voices heard on things that matter to them.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">John Pagani writes that any voters who wanted to be represented by Mr Dunne would have supported him in 2008. Goff says Dunne is irrelevant. Chauvel calls Dunne a faceless party boss, but it is Dunne who goes to the school fairs, and sticks around to talk to people, while Chauvel just pops his head in and takes off after spinning the raffle wheel. Shanks on the other hand, pops in to a school fair and can’t remember the name of the school when she leaves.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yet the word on the ground is that lots of people deserted Dunne because of his support of the Labour Government. Many didn’t like Dunne’s support or Labour or his position on the anti-smacking legislation and voted Shanks, who also supported it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This time around those on the right have got no reason to vote for Shanks, and no reason not to vote against Dunne.</span><br />
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SOURCE: <b><a href="http://newshubindia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">NEWSHUB</a></b></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-72773353300947640932011-10-13T16:01:00.004+05:302011-11-18T13:41:23.216+05:30Our hungry kids - and our selfish parents<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 20px;"></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Was watching this programme on Campbell Live where a beneficiary on $529 a week was spending not much more than $100 a week on food and didn’t have enough to feed his three kids. He didn’t send them to school some days because he couldn’t give them lunch as he had no food.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yet not all parents who fail to give their kids breakfast are that hard up. I have kids. They get breakfast every day. They go to school and come home and tell me that many of their classmates don’t have breakfast.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It’s not that their parents can’t afford to give their kids breakfast, it’s just that they leave for work at 7.30am and drop their kids off to school and don’t want to get up earlier to give their kids breakfast.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a>So the kids miss out. And the parents no doubt have breakfast at work. This is unacceptable. It is also unacceptable that schools have to feed these kids when their parents either get Working for Families payments or are earning enough to get them over the cut-off threshold.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For parents who are on low incomes, it’s tough. Its even tougher on a benefit. But you can feed your kids porridge at about $50 every three months if you buy it in bulk. The biggest cost is the milk. If parents don’t want to do this for their kids to ensure they don’t miss out on breakfast – it’s called budgeting - there is something wrong with them. For those on benefits you can get a food grant from WINZ which will pay for nine month’s worth of porridge.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kids should not go hungry because of parent’s poor choices. But they do. It is those parents who don’t have a choice that should get the assistance – such as the man on Campbell Live. Because he deserves it. In fact, if a lot more parents cared for their kids like this dad does,and fed their kids breakfast before work, our kids would be better off. But this man didn't appear to be applying for the assistance that is available from WINZ. He should.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And he doesn't eat porridge. But he does both need and deserve more support - and its good that he is getting it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">But none of it is from the government - its to make up for his substandard benefit income.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He even got a heater to heat his house. I'm so pleased.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There has been a lot of coverage about Destiny Church pastor Hannah Tamaki’s bid to be the president of the Maori Women’s Welfare League (MMWL), which at the end of May had 2850 members.<br />
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This post outlines that payments for 921 new MWWL subscriptions were paid through a Destiny Church- affiliated taxpayer-funded Urban Maori Authority, in a failed attempt to get the maximum votes for Hannah Tamaki’s presidency bid.<br />
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The 10 branches were formed just hours before several Maori MPs were asked for Whanau Ora funding at the same conference - for the very fund that the MMWL subscriptions were subsequently paid from.<br />
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Tamaki’s mother was a member of the MWWL, and Tamaki herself is not only a member but is the president of the Wahine Toa branch. This branch is one of three affiliated to Destiny church through its Urban Maori Authority, Te Runanga A Iwi O Te Oranga Ake. This UMA was given $850,000 for government contracts for social services, but the funding has now dried up.<br />
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As the Church cannot secure contracts for social services, Tamaki probably decided that becoming president of the MWWL may do the trick and secure contracts, but she needed the votes. There were 1100 women at Destiny’s annual conference on 4 June, and 921 of them - including Winston Peters' mother sister - were signed up to the League through 10 different newly formed branches all at the same time. All had between 91-93 members. A branch has to have 91 financial members to secure the maximum of 10 votes for the Presidency – so 90 extra votes for Tamaki out of 430 votes. A branch of 90 has just 5 votes, and a branch of 10, 1 vote.<br />
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However all membership fees, totalling more than $9200, were paid by one inter-bank transfer by Destiny Church – through Te Oranga Ake, who got their funding from the taxpayer. It appears however that all members were invoiced and have apparently paid their MMWL fees to Destiny Church.<br />
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So it was clear that this Destiny conference setup was done to stack votes for Hannah Tamaki’s presidency bid by well over 25 per cent , just as it was clear that Maori MPs were invited to the same conference on the same day to secure Whanau Ora funding.<br />
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However none of the 10 MMWL branches were financial as at 30 June, the date the ballot papers were sent out for the presidency, missing Tamaki’s name. Tamaki took the League to court as her name was removed, and it was revealed that the 10 branches subscriptions were paid from 1 July 2011. So while members in the new branches cannot vote, the three financial members affiliated to Destiny church can – and the court has decided that Tamaki’s name will be on the ballot paper, one of eight candidates.<br />
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Tamaki has pledged to resign from her pastoral role at Destiny should she win, and also to donate her entire presidential salary to the league.</span> </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-58370424890663286192011-10-13T16:00:00.003+05:302011-11-18T13:43:02.900+05:30The Green Paper for Vulnerable Children: we can talk about child abuse now. But don't do anything about it just yet..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://newshubindia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Green Paper</a></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The governments response to child abuse is clear: have a chat about it until 28 February 2012 when submissions to the Green Paper close. I’ve now read it. Have read most of it before. Several times.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here’s some extracts:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Government isn’t afraid to challenge itself and openly debate these issues with New Zealanders to find solutions that will help our children.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When is the open debate going to start? Am I allowed to play? The Minister says it is the “single most important debate we can have”. We should have had it years ago but we were more interested in debating whether we should smack our kids.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To achieve the best results for vulnerable children, New Zealand needs strong leadership, stability, accountability and long-term commitment.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But that has got to translate into action, not smiling and waving.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Getting good services for vulnerable children may not need new money but a more effective targeting of money already in the system and a commitment to invest in programmes with a sound evidence base</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is a “hot air” statement.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a>We may be spending on programmes and services that are not based on sound evidence or delivered effectively. When Government implements new policies, they need to be evaluated<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So if they need to be, why the conscious refusal to evaluate?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Government wants all children to receive the services they, and their families and whanau, need to thrive, belong and achieve. However, some children and their families and whanau do not receive essential child services for a variety of reasons. For example, their parents may not know where or how to access services, there may be a lack of appropriate services available, they may not be able to access services, or they may not want to engage with these services.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Or because the service providers do not communicate the services that the needy need to be advised of, and that’s okay by governments.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Government wants services delivered to children, and their families and whanau, to be readily accessible, acceptable and appropriate.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And you know what, it has absolutely no idea how this should be done effectively.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This Green Paper is to National what the anti-smacking legislation was to Labour – an ineffective bandaid over a growing problem.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Minister Paula Bennett says child abuse has to stop. So, can we do something about it, then rather than adding some new ideas to previously rehashed ones that were ignored by governments.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Instead, getting National MPs to do media releases that all say the same thing with the same quotes and comments in an attempt to be seen to do something about child abuse is a bit like all those Labour MPs who smiled and nodded in unison behind Phil Goff when they wanted to do something about Goff's leadership and Labour's poor polling.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-22236585125428088842011-10-13T16:00:00.000+05:302011-10-13T16:00:11.564+05:30Political play with playcentres<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
Education Minister Anne Tolley said today that there is no risk to Playcentre funding, following the release of the independent ECE Taskforce report.<br />
<br />
Many of those involved in Playcentres have been kicking up a stink, since the report was released on 1 June, saying that they will be losing up to 70% of funding as per the taskforce report.<br />
<br />
Tolley said last month such claims were scaremongering, but didn't say why. Perhaps she didn't know why. So why she waited until today, more than two months after the ECE report was issued, and four days before consultation ends, to issue her media release is beyond me. Perhaps it was because John Key said on the radio that he has no idea why the taskforce recommended Playcentre funding should be cut.<br />
<br />
Yesterday in Parliament, Tolley was asked whether Playcentre funding cuts will be ruled out. She didn’t appear to know.<br />
<br />
She was told today that they are ruled out. Submissions to the ECE Taskforce close on Monday, but many have already submitted that they did not want Playcentre funding cut. Bit of a shambles all round, really.<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-18831042943586893102011-10-13T15:59:00.001+05:302011-10-13T15:59:27.838+05:30Inside the mind of the confused Jordan Williams of Vote for Change: "I believe that democracy is not about representation"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">Last time I looked, we lived in a representative democracy, that is to say, a type of democracy in which citizens delegate authority to elected representatives. These representatives sit in a House of Representatives and democratically represent us. We democratically elect them.<br />
<br />
But don’t tell former Green Party member Jordan Williams that. The spokesperson for anti-MMP group Vote for Change thinks that democracy is about something other than representation, namely accountability, and he explained it to us briefly at a meeting tonight. At least, he tried to.<br />
<br />
Basically he thinks that MMP is about representation and First Past the Post is about accountability – and given that the Supplementary Member electoral system is so similar to FPP, he thinks that it is about accountability too, and therefore democratic, but we are not sure to what extent because Supplementary Member has ugly list seats that he thinks are the “fundamental flaw of MMP”, but not SM.<br />
<br />
Williams thinks list seats are so bad, he says that “a vote for MMP is a vote for shutting down debate” despite the fact that it Is a vote to opening up the debate as to what type of MMP system we would like.<br />
<br />
But he thinks democracy is about accountability, which is why he likes First Past the Post, says he prefers Supplementary Member, and thinks that a select committee system under these two electoral systems – essentially a rubber stamping exercise - is about accountability – as in unbridled power.<br />
<br />
So it is no wonder that Vote for Change, which now has just <a href="http://www.voteforchange.org.nz/supporters" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;">five supporters</a>has not decided on which electoral system it is supporting, even though most prefer Supplementary Member.<br />
<br />
It has a spokesperson that is supposed to oppose MMP, but the confusing thing is that, despite opposing MMP, Williams says if there was a referendum at the 2014 election between MMP and STV ( Single Transferable Vote) he may even vote MMP (the system he says shuts down debate) even though STV ( a system he refuses to debate benefits of) has no list seats. Williams is undecided. “I don’t know which way I’d vote,” he says.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-31742399818264978752011-10-13T15:58:00.004+05:302011-11-18T13:43:42.337+05:30Why is the Government paying benefits to those who have left the country?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">About 7400 are no longer receiving benefits after failing to reapply for their benefit after 12 months and the government is saying it is a $3.5m saving. ( update its a $9.5m saving now ). According to media reports:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Half of the people who were now off it did not reapply. Of the other half, 2000 were already in work, 1400 had left the county, were in study or failed the work test.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We don’t have any idea how many were studying or how many failed the work test as the Prime Minister didn’t say and nobody appeared to ask him.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But a lot of people must have been were getting benefits they were not entitled to - like the 1400 who had left the country, and WINZ apparently had no idea that they had left the country. It’s their job to have an idea.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a>If thousands didn’t reapply, should they have been getting it at all? Some were in work, some had left the country. If they had left the country three months earlier, who is the benefit being paid to before it is cancelled? If they were in work, are the overpayments going to be recovered?<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In such cases, while WINZ should be told if there are changes that affect benefits, shouldn’t case managers be keeping tabs on their ”clients” to ensure they are paying correct entitlements, and cutting off benefits shortly after they go to work/overseas – not months later.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">John Key said it could be assumed that the people who did not reapply were in work. Yet he has no idea how many of those who did not reapply were in prison, studying, formed a new relationship, or had left the country.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So this is not a $3.5m (or $9m) “saving” – this is merely $3.5m saving less overspending, less an undisclosed amount of unrecovered overpayments paid before the benefits were cancelled.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-84127657413611905912011-10-13T15:58:00.001+05:302011-10-13T15:58:23.038+05:30Key's speech to the National Party conference<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
At today’s National Party conference, John Key flagged some changes (some of which weren't changes) he hopes will prevent 16-17 year old's going onto the unemployment benefit. Instead they will have jobs, education or training – and receive a copy of “Playground Battle” from the feelers, as it has the song “Stand Up”, the theme song from the conference.<br />
<br />
Actually, they`ll miss out on the feelers – and the training incentive allowance. Some will miss out on most of their benefit too, as it will be put on payment cards that can't be used on cigarettes and alcohol( which they can't legally buy anyway). If they study part time, perhaps if they get accepted in a tertiary institute in a few years, they won’t get $1000 course-related costs, like I did when I was studying.<br />
<br />
The Government is going to amend the Privacy Act and the Education Act to require schools to reveal when 16- and 17-year-olds leave during the year, and share this information between the Ministries of Education and Social Development. That is because it has no idea where 16-17 year olds have come from – mind you the MSD has no idea when people leave the country either and are paying thousands each week to ex-pats who they think are in NZ, but have never checked.<br />
<br />
The government will also fund community and other organisations to provide comprehensive and concentrated support.<br />
<br />
In fact the Government has been doing this for years through programmes like Training Opportunites – but while funded for training, it is measured on employment outcomes, so the policy design wasn’t the best as if they were fully trained and didn’t get work the outcome was less positive. But it is very similar to what Key announced today. Government funding would go to organisations to 'transition' in to work or training, perhaps by building skills or training, but assessed on employment outcomes.<br />
<br />
The implication is that these teens do not have a competent adult in their lives to manage their money and to assist them to get ahead in life. So these support providers in community groups will be these competent adults, and in some cases will pay their bills from their benefits and help them get into education, training and work – or the Ministry of Social Development will do it.<br />
<br />
Actually, the MSD can pay money for bills for young people directly out of benefits - So why isn’t it?<br />
<br />
Further, young people who are receiving these payments will have clear obligations, for example; to attend budgeting or parenting programmes.<br />
<br />
WINZ offers budgeting advice. Why aren’t these young people being referred to it? Why is National announcing policy that, in part, it can implement now, but isn’t to a significant degree?<br />
<br />
Key says “you measure a society by how it looks after its most vulnerable. You also measure a society by how many vulnerable people it creates”.<br />
<br />
Obviously, the more vulnerable people a society creates, the harder that society has to work to look after its most vulnerable. But if “competent adults” are to be place alongside vulnerable teens, God help us if these people are WINZ case managers or similar.<br />
<br />
Key said we can’t continue to give young beneficiaries money and trust they will do the right things with it. That approach has not worked.<br />
<br />
So can we trust WINZ case managers to do the right thing for all vulnerable teens on benefits, and offer budgeting advice, training opportunities, and bill payments out of benefits?<br />
<br />
No policy or legislative change is necessary – just the ability to implement and evaluate it - and tweak it further. It appears they are doing the latter only.<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-58730678205188549042011-10-13T15:57:00.003+05:302011-10-13T15:57:54.590+05:30National’s welfare policy is hot air on a cold day – it won’t happen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
National’s plan to get tough on 16-18 year olds will not happen – and listening to John Key defending the policy on Morning Report today I suspect Key actually doesn’t even believe that it will be implemented the way he would like. I don’t think it will be implemented properly at all – because most things can be done without a policy change and they are just not being done now.<br />
<br />
What would help is if the Government was as loud on the desirability of intact stable two-parent families as they were on waving a stick at teen beneficiaries whom nobody wants to employ or train. Perhaps he could ask why WINZ has put these teens in the too-hard basket, along with those who have been receiving a benefit for 10 years.<br />
<br />
Young sole parents would be required to be in work or training – but there are not enough work or training opportunities for the ones that have not got themselves pregnant or dropped out of school.<br />
<br />
There are between 8500 and 13,500 aged 16 and 17 not in work, training or education – and of those about 4000 are on benefits. The policy costs at least $20m a year to implement, (that’s about a few hours of borrowing). That’s $5,000 per person if each person was assisted in the first year. If only a third were assisted that’s $15,000 a person – and that’s if they are not back on a benefit after three months because there is no job follow up.<br />
<br />
Not even a third will be assisted. The policy won’t be targeted properly, therefore it won’t be implemented correctly. This policy is not about getting people into work or training - it is about getting few people off benefits without saying how that will happen, who is going to do it, how it will be implemented and if it will be evaluated. If a vulnerable pregnant teen was supported by her parents and didn’t need a benefit, do you think the WINZ or any other government funded group will help her find training or a job?<br />
<br />
No they won’t – even though, legally, any teen 16 and over can register with WINZ as a job seeker and should get training opportunities if they want to skill up or get a get a job – even if they are not receiving a benefit.<br />
<br />
All the significant matters – direct crediting power, pre-loaded payment cards, budgeting advice, obligation to look for work or be in training, training on literacy and numeracy, can be done now. If John Key thinks the current system is “abandonment” this that perhaps reflects the government’s attitude to these people – abandonment, with nice words.<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-60695550542485598942011-10-13T15:57:00.001+05:302011-10-13T15:57:26.118+05:30Wellington Mayor picks and chooses in answering the “burning questions"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
Wellington Mayor Celia Wade Brown did the equivalent of a #Goffchat today at the Dominion Post. The DomPost, in advertising the event said “Got a burning question for the mayor?” I thought I’d ask a question.<br />
<br />
The chat started at 1pm so I asked my question at 12.50pm as soon as the site opened.<br />
<br />
It wasn’t addressed. So I got someone else to ask it. It still wasn’t answered. The Mayor was picking and choosing which questions she would answer.<br />
<br />
So what ”burning questions” were actually answered? Questions like what the mayor’s favourite cafe is, and what her favourite TV show is. She was asked who of Hilary Clinton or Julia Gillard was hotter – actually, perhaps that is what they meant by the “burning question”.<br />
<br />
She was asked to rank the four main centres, but didn’t – just saying Wellington was number one. She was asked what she can do about the trains running on time, she said it was the Regional Council’s responsibility.<br />
<br />
She was asked if she regretted biking out to see Hilary Clinton at the airport, she raved on about being one of a few “cycling mayors of cities” - without naming the actual cities.<br />
<br />
Even the Dominion Post got to ask its own question – and that was of the few serious questions that were adequately answered.<br />
<br />
She said having American Ambassador, Swiss Ambassador and others join her on a bike to Work ride was one of her top five achievements as Mayor. Ratepayers would be wanting more than that, surely.<br />
<br />
Perhaps I should have asked her if she mounts her cycle on the left side or the right side. I’m sure that will be a burning question for some.<br />
<br />
She may have even answered it. I`m sure she would have said the left side.<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-45841344201403443222011-10-13T15:56:00.003+05:302011-10-13T15:56:58.880+05:30Key may have minister from a minor party even if National were to govern alone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">I attended my first political party conference today for two reasons: One it was just down the road from where I live, and Prime Minister John Key was there.<br />
<br />
John Key has lived in Peter Dunne’s electorate. Key and Dunne obviously have a good relationship, and will continue to do so after the election. Key said Dunne has done an “excellent job” as a minister in a complex portfolio. At the stand up after Key’s speech, he said even if National governed alone, conversation lines will still be open with “all minor (parliamentary) parties like Act and United Future.<br />
<br />
I asked Key if his relationship with Dunne, who is associate Minister of Health and Revenue Minister, would change. His first word in his reply was no. Nor did he rule out a leader from a minor party –like Dunne in UnitedFuture –from having a ministerial role in a situation should National govern alone.<br />
<br />
That would be a first.<br />
<br />
Key said any minor party ministerial roles would depend on what expectations minor parties had in ministerial roles – but it is pretty clear what Dunne’s expectations are.<br />
<br />
It is clear that Key obviously wants Dunne back in Parliament. Gossip among the press gallery is that Dunne is in danger of losing his seat – and would have lost it in 2008 had the Greens and Labour tag-teamed. Key was asked by reporters if his invite to the UnitedFuture conference was to drum up support for Dunne. He laughed that off, as expected, and said his standard line that it is up to the people of Ohariu who they give their candidate vote to but National will be running a strong party vote in the electorate.<br />
<br />
That said, Key sees Dunne as someone who he sees as a like-minded person whom can work through sensible compromises. As long as Dunne has a reasonable chance of being elected in Ohariu-Belmont, the National candidate will be told to run a strong party vote campaign, and be told their entry to parliament depends on their list placing. National will hope its supporters will split their vote.<br />
<br />
At the conference, Dunne also announced changes to child support, including the reduction in the number of nights a year used to determine shared care being reduced from 40 percent to 28 percent of nights. Child support payments will be deducted directly from the paying parent's wages.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-30565017444703946052011-10-13T15:56:00.001+05:302011-10-13T15:56:18.776+05:30Key pushes the minor party vote at the expense of National candidates<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">Last week there was a rumour that Phil Goff asked his front bench if he should resign as leader. Goff has denied this and <a href="http://www.3news.co.nz/Poll-shows-National-far-ahead-of-Labour/tabid/370/articleID/222931/Default.aspx" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;">said today </a>”I think you`ll find that that spin has its origins in the National Party”.<br />
<br />
Earlier today John Key emphatically denied that this came from the National Party, saying that National has “no interest in the Labour leadership”.<br />
<br />
However, while Key is interested in speaking at conferences of minor parties – fronting to Maori Party and Act conferences, and, today, the United Future conference, he has no interest in debating their leaders on TV, but wants at least two of them to win their seats - in Ohariu-Belmont and Epsom - and is therefore encouraging supporters to list vote National – but split their vote.<br />
<br />
While some New Zealanders what to be informed on minor party policies, Key thinks that this should not happen while he shares the TV screen, saying today “it wouldn’t do a lot about informing New Zealanders”.<br />
<br />
So informing New Zealanders about minor parties is somewhat pointless to Key. Does he expect National to govern alone? The TV3 poll came out today showing the <a href="http://www.3news.co.nz/Poll-shows-National-far-ahead-of-Labour/tabid/419/articleID/222931/Default.aspx" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;">Greens on their highest ever polling of 9.3 percent </a>- in fact their polling is way higher than NZ First, United Future, Act, Mana and Maori parties combined. The Greens would have nearly a third of the number of seats that Labour would have, and Labour just under half what National would have. Labour would likely lose six seats if the election were held today. Mana would get two seats if they win an electorate seat. National could govern alone – but may choose to include Peter Dunne as part of the government, if he wins his seat, as is likely. </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-67987699794299617762011-10-13T15:55:00.001+05:302011-10-13T15:55:27.115+05:30Wellington drivers to be refunded thousands of dollars of parking fines<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
The Wellington City Council is to waive and refund thousands of dollars of parking tickets to motorists after wardens and council contractors blatantly ignored Council policy in issuing parking infringements.<br />
<br />
I first wrote about it here.<br />
<br />
According to information released through the Local Government Official Information and Meeting Act, parking wardens ignored policy in issuing $10,860 worth of tickets at clearways in the past two years. Most were issued in one street since July 2010 when a covert “dash-cam” - a Council vehicle with a camera - was introduced. This dashcam has taken thousands of photographs of up to six parked cars in one frame – that’s up to $360 per frame for the Council if unchallenged.<br />
<br />
According to the Council’s parking manual [not online], infringement notices are “not issued…until six minutes after a (clearway) restriction begins, or within six minutes of when the restriction ends”. Yet in the past two years, 181 were – including people parked for a matter of seconds, still in their vehicles. The Council’s manual also states that “when the person in charge of the vehicle is present, then he or she in the first instance should be moved on”.<br />
<br />
But instead hundreds have been covertly ticketed; most of the 181 were ticketed from the dash-cam in the past year, three-quarters actively targeted in Bowen Street moments after parking.<br />
<br />
I asked Parkwise Manager Denis de Groet why his staff were repeatedly breaching council policy. "I'm not going to tell you," he said.<br />
<br />
After the decision to photograph cars within this six-minute “grace” period, another decision was made to again ignore council policy, and spend ratepayers money by getting 154 vehicle registration checks, posting tickets to all registered owners – many of whom simply paid up.<br />
<br />
As a direct result of my request, the Council’s Parking Services Manager, Colleen Thessman told me that $5100 (excluding legal costs) will be refunded to 85 vehicle owners as their tickets should not have been issued or enforced in the first place. An additional 16 tickets ($960) - about to be enforced through the courts or currently in the court system – will be waived. In addition, 76 vehicle owners - most parked in Bowen Street, had to go through the arduous process of successfully appealing tickets they should never have got in the first place.<br />
<br />
I was one of these 76. I was told I was “considered to negatively impact on the safety and congestion around our city” after parking for 30-45 seconds without even turning my car engine off. I wrote to Thessman who told me that, despite the council’s policy, my ticket would not be waived - and to request a court hearing if I refused to pay. So I wrote to the Council’s Chief Executive - and later got the ticket waived, interestingly, a few days after I sent my OIA.<br />
<br />
In Bowen Street, parking wardens have historically hidden among roadside bushes out of sight of motorists, emerging within the six minute “window” to ticket unsuspecting drivers who locked and left their vehicles. Other drivers drove away to avoid being ticketed –and Parking Services managers told me that as a result, the Council was unable to generate enough money – hence the dash-cams.<br />
<br />
Now, drivers, realising that they are at parking spaces minutes early, quickly vacate- only to be pinged $60 from the impeccably timed dash-cam.<br />
<br />
Yet Colleen Thessman claimed that the council had no idea that Council policy was being breached– despite my photographic evidence to the parking warden contracts manager as early as last year. I asked a couple of weeks back whether owners of other vehicles in my “dash cam” photo would similarly get their tickets waived or refunded – Thessman said no, they wouldn’t.<br />
<br />
This week she changed her mind.<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-61988409011794362322011-10-13T15:54:00.001+05:302011-10-13T15:54:39.738+05:309/11 -what I was doing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">I expect to be hit by a deluge of emails on 9/11 stories overnight, as part of the monitoring I do, but as a journalist have not written any 9/11 stories for two reasons: I haven't been assigned any and I cant be bothered finding any.<br />
<br />
Many people knew what they were doing when they found out about 9/11 - as they did when Princess Di died and as they did when they found out that Elvis Presley died. To me, these were the three most significant " what were you doing when..." events.<br />
<br />
Churches and media outlets world wide are 9/11ing. Its full on with sermons and stories. Its hard to believe that the terror was 10 years ago. So in the spirit of 9/11( because it is 9/11 today in the US) I`ll recall what I was doing on the day. It was a working day and I was in my car on the way to work about 8am - I was a journalist for a community newspaper - and I turned on the radio. All I heard was high pitched urgent commentary and that was the first I knew of 9/11. It didn't take me long to realise that something significant was happening in the US, but I had no idea of its significance.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until I got to work and sat myself in front of the TV for the next two hours - as the rest of the office did - and took in the tragedy. I managed to write a few stories and then rushed home to get the TV on and it was on pretty much constantly.<br />
<br />
And those images wont go away any time soon.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-27635435478766777682011-10-13T15:53:00.003+05:302011-11-18T13:48:10.381+05:30Gay marriage in Australia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 20px;">Over the past few weeks there has been an interesting debate in the Australian Parliament over marriage equality.<br />
<br />
Just to recap, in September last year, the Greens reintroduced a Marriage Equality bill in Parliament, but in November Parliament couldn’t agree to a conscience vote on the issue and there was no way a party vote would progress the bill. PM Julia Gillard opposes marriage equality.<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 20px;"><a name='more'></a>So the Greens got a motion through the House that meant MPs had to consult their constituents. The response was interesting for several reasons: Most MPs oppose gay marriage, most Labor MPs support gay marriage ( even though its official policy reflects Gillard’s position) , most Australians support gay marriage – the latest Roy Morgan poll on the issue had it at 68 per cent - but, of the MPs who reported back to Parliament after the consultation, most stated that their constituents did not support it.<br />
<br />
Labor has its annual conference in December and a conscience vote among Labor is being discussed to avoid party in-fighting at the conference. Yet, as 2/3rds of Aussie politicians oppose gay marriage( but 2/3rds of the public support it), it remains to be seen whether such a conscience vote in Parliament on gay marriage – if it ever happens any time soon - is a vote reflective of an MPs own conscience or the collective conscience of constituents' they polled and represent.<br />
<br />
Anyway, story<a href="http://www.anglicanjournal.com/nc/news-update-items/article/australian-catholic-politician-favors-same-sex-marriage-10040.html" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;"> </a>on an Australian Catholic politician who, along with his constituents, supports gay marriage - yet his party and his church officially don't.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-6011730613549970702011-10-13T15:53:00.000+05:302011-10-13T15:53:12.881+05:30Nearly half those who come off the dole don’t get jobs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
Last month the Minster of Social Development announced that more than 6,700 New Zealanders went off welfare and into work in July 2011.<br />
<br />
I was curious, so I asked the minister’s office if that meant that everyone who went off the unemployment benefit in July went to work. I was told that was correct.<br />
<br />
I have now found out -via the OIA - that this is now incorrect and have also been told that the Government has no idea as to whether the work was full time or not. Paula Bennett says, “Some of the trends we’re seeing are more full-time jobs, more women in work, increasing wages and more hours for workers.”<br />
<br />
Yet she has no idea whether how many full time jobs are secured by those off benefits. Many may well be on short term or part time contracts (like doing work associated with the Rugby World Cup) and end up back on the benefit shortly after.<br />
<br />
What Bennett didn’t say was that in July, 7496 left the unemployment benefit but only 4213 went to work. So 44 per cent of those who came off the unemployment benefit in July did so for reasons other than work. Most started full time study, probably because they couldn’t find a job.<br />
<br />
I also sought to find out why benefits were being paid to those who were not supposed to be getting benefits after 7400 benefits were cancelled after beneficiaries failed to reapply for their benefit after 12 months.<br />
<br />
According to media reports<br />
Half of the people who were now off it did not reapply. Of the other half, 2000 were already in work, 1400 had left the county, were in study or failed the work test.<br />
<br />
Prime Minister John Key said it could be assumed those people were in work. But 300 of them had failed a work test and were on a stand down period, 365 had entered study as they could not get a job. A third of the 1400 had left the benefit for reasons other than stated. Around 230 had left New Zealand, but WINZ was not prepared to tell me how long each had received a benefit before leaving without charging me. Nearly 400 were cancelled for “other” reasons which WINZ simply could not tell me.<br />
<br />
Of the 7400 benefits cancelled, WINZ does not know why half (3698) didn’t reapply – nor could they tell me how long they paid benefits before cancelling. Some may have simply left the country.<br />
<br />
But there is a pattern. Just half those who leave an unemployment benefit get work. Meaning that when the workforce increases, a good proportion of the increase is from those who were not previously receiving the unemployment benefit.<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-27552960796495894372011-10-13T15:52:00.001+05:302011-10-13T15:52:21.785+05:30In Australia, Catholic priest accused of rape was named in parliament<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">A Catholic priest is seeking to clear his name after being accused in the Australian parliament of raping a trainee priest 40 years ago.<br />
<br />
Adelaide priest Monsignor Ian Dempsey was named by Senator Nick Xenophen under parliamentary privilege last week as the alleged rapist of former Catholic priest John Hepworth, who is currently primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion.<br />
<br />
“For four years allegations have been outstanding that priest Ian Dempsey raped John Hepworth, and that church leadership has failed to make appropriate inquiries into this matter,”<br />
<br />
Dempsey said he had “absolutely not” had a sexual relationship with Hepworth, and may make a statement in the Senate to clear his name.<br />
<br />
In a letter to Xenophen, Dempsey accused the senator of smearing and denigrating his reputation.<br />
<br />
“I have a reputation for honesty and integrity. I am innocent of these allegations for which you used parliamentary privilege to name me.”<br />
<br />
“You did not even bother to find out about any matter relevant to this case except from one source, John Hepworth. You never contacted me.”<br />
<br />
Hepworth told the Church of the allegations in 2007, but Xenophen told parliament that Adelaide Archdiocese vicar-general Monsignor David Cappo failed to properly investigate.<br />
<br />
Cappo denied allegations were investigated inappropriately, and resigned his appointment as chair of the Australian government’s new Mental Health Commission.<br />
<br />
Hepworth said he broke from the Catholic Church because of rapes by three priests, two of whom are deceased.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-29844799085180612192011-10-13T15:51:00.001+05:302011-10-13T15:51:28.091+05:30Don Brash wants to decriminalise smack<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">Act leader Don Brash is calling for the decriminalisation of smacking.<br />
<br />
He says prohibition of smacking hasn't worked, and policing it costs tax payer dollars and clogs up the court system.<br />
<br />
He told Big News there are other ways to restrict the use of smacking.<br />
<br />
"It's estimated thousands of New Zealanders smack on a fairly regular basis, many are persecuted every year, and thousands of tax payer dollars is spent to police this law," says Mr Brash.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6837849579469383629.post-79850108263253015722011-10-13T15:10:00.002+05:302011-11-18T13:46:52.008+05:30learn about blogging<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;">There are hundreds and thousands of blog-related articles on the Web. A lot them teach how to blog differently and uniquely among others, and some even offer crazy Web tricks to get clicks and readers. They always reiterate that we should think outside the box, with a clear goal in mind, a specific target niche and market. These are good ideas and reading them repeatedly on the Web is helpful as well. But all these things can be simplified and summarized into three simple essentials.<br />
<div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Learn SEO</div><div>Whether you like it or not, if you really want to have a decent place in every leading search engine, you have to learn the basics of SEO. There are still bloggers who see no good about search engine optimization, but if you are into business and not just casual blogging, having at least the rudiments of it is an advantage. Nowadays, it really is hard to rank without knowledge of proper keyword research, sturdy link building network, and organized traffic management</div></div></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221129321883529493noreply@blogger.com0