Christopher Luxon, New Zealand Prime Minister 2023

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BDFL - Memuneh
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#3319668 12-Dec-2024 17:29

Let's override the Immigration NZ decision... I know the minister can do it, but, really?

This person was denied entry because she was denied entry in Australia, and we have rules precisely for these situations.

But yes, let's have a Holocaust denier come into the country to agitate the alt-right.

Candace Owens: Chris Penk reverses Immigration NZ’s visa denial for controversial US commentator - NZ Herald

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freitasm

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#3319670 12-Dec-2024 17:44

What a stupid decision:

After considering representations made to him, including the importance of free speech”, Penk reversed the Immigration NZ decision and has granted Owens her visa for an event next year, a spokesperson for his office told Stuff.

She wasn't denied a visa because of her speech. She was denied a visa because she was previously barred from entering Australia:

“Under section 15(1)(f) of the Immigration Act, an individual may not be granted a visa to come to New Zealand if they have been excluded from another country,” Immigration NZ said announcing its original decision."

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#3319671 12-Dec-2024 17:44

What a stupid decision indeed, I hope no one goes to see her. I fail to see how she's adding any value to anything with her horrible views on, well, everything.

The Spinoff had a look here: https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/12-12-2024/what-we-should-have-done-with-candace-owens-was-nothing

This isn’t even to suggest that I think Candace Owens should never have been granted a visa. In fact, part of me believes if she had simply been granted an Australian one, granted a New Zealand one, and held a mediocre event for her fans, it would have been less embarrassing and potentially less harmful than this.

Granting a visa is fine, if frustrating for some. Denying a visa is also fine, if frustrating for others. Denying a visa then granting it after a minister has had a free speech 101 chat with someone is the worst of all worlds.

What we should have done, at any point in this mess, is nothing.

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#3319674 12-Dec-2024 17:48

This is not a visa to visit, as tourist, but a 'Work VISA', she only wants to come here if she gets paid!

""Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk has stepped in and reversed Immigration New Zealand’s decision to deny a work visa for controversial right-wing commentator Candace Owens.""

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#3319676 12-Dec-2024 17:59

Ironic as I've seen some of the crap she spouts online and I wouldn't even listen to her for free.

tdgeek

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#3319705 12-Dec-2024 19:23

GV27:

Handle9:

Cherry picking the ferry cost in isolation is dumb. What is relevant is the total project cost relative to the project benefits, whether the project has been competently scoped and will be run properly. That was the problem with the iRex project, none of those things were done. A business case that was pitched as NPV positive was a load of crap.

According to Grant Robertsons correspondence with Kiwirail, the iRex ferries were prematurely ordered and Kiwirail couldn't give a good reason for why that happened. The project was never actually funded but Kiwirail went YOLO and caused this mess.

If Robertson was true to his word that he gave on the $2.6b cost escalation then a similarly drastic response would have been warranted when he was then told in November about yet another $400m that was the final nail in the coffin - the $400m that popped up between Willis being briefed as incoming minister and then an additional update within the same month.

I have a pretty middling opinion on Robertson's effeciacy as a Finance Minister but his objections to both the quality of the analysis behind the decision to go with the rail ferries and the ongoing cost escalations are well-documented and amounted to a 'final warning' already.

Title of the thread isnt about Robertson

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tdgeek

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#3319707 12-Dec-2024 19:26

sir1963:

ACC Levies to be increased.... "Everyone who works or owns a business in New Zealand pays levies, which cover injuries."

"The 5% increase for three years on the Earners’ and Work levy meant a worker earning $70,000 a year will see an increase of $42 worth of deductions in the 2025 to 2026 financial year, which was 80 cents a week, and an increase of $140 in three years’ time from this year’s levy rate which was $973."

So... how about some additional levies for the people who create greater risks for the rest of us.

ACC levy for drunk and disorderly, instant "Fine" of $100+

ACC levy on ALL traffic fines (including parking, expired WOF/Registration) (boy racers make it $1000+)

ACC levy on car/motorbike/bike/etc tyres

ACC levy on escooters , the lack on helmets is astounding

ACC levy on fireworks + fire levy + "insurance" to cover damage

ACC levy on councils etc for road potholes

ACC Levies to be increased.

Sounds über sensible, but we are talking Swedish rounding. Vote catcher, but not a deal made in heaven

tdgeek

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#3319708 12-Dec-2024 19:28

SaltyNZ:

sir1963:

ACC Levies to be increased.... "Everyone who works or owns a business in New Zealand pays levies, which cover injuries."

ACC levies on Ministers for causing so many cardiovascular and neurological conditions

Yes, I though Health was in a precarious position. So we are cutting Health it appears. But its a great saving..../S

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#3319839 13-Dec-2024 08:09

I used to appreciate some of her views (and more particularly her debating style), but some I thought too rigid (e.g a woman's right to choose). I didn't realise her more recent stance on the holocaust etc which is certainly a step too far (even it seems for the daily wire crew).

GV27

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#3319852 13-Dec-2024 09:51

tdgeek:

Title of the thread isnt about Robertson

My post is regarding the cost escalation presented to Willis when she took over as Finance Minister.

Do you have anything of actual substance to add?

tdgeek

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#3320082 13-Dec-2024 15:21

GV27:

tdgeek:

Title of the thread isnt about Robertson

My post is regarding the cost escalation presented to Willis when she took over as Finance Minister.

Do you have anything of actual substance to add?

Every party took over something from the others. From what I read she said she's fixed it, so not much more to add from here on

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gzt

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#3320284 13-Dec-2024 20:53

NYPost gets it horribly wrong..

NYPost: Penk, who is allowed discretion on visa decisions, granted Owens a visa “after considering representations made to him, including the importance of free speech,” the statement said. Owens, who has denied being an antisemite after emerging as a critic of Israel, praised the decision.

In reality Owens was an obvious supporter of antisemitic remarks long before her own obvious and escalating remarks on many occasions this year. The real problem is Owens was booted from a well paid job with no prospect of landing another one like it. Chris Penk to the rescue.

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#3322293 19-Dec-2024 14:22

NZ in deep recession it says. We're so lucky to have National 'in charge' then. Just think how much worse it would be if Labour were....yes, that is sarcasm.

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

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