Given that the probability of Labour winning the next election is relatively low it is a reasonable assumption that National will win the next election. Which brings up the issue of who will be Minister of communications (and Telecommunications as well). Given the past experience of having Maurice Williamson basically sit on his hands and "let the market decide" do we really want to experience deja vu here? I don't. I think that pretty much, anyone would be better than him.
timestyles: Given that the probability of Labour winning the next election is relatively low it is a reasonable assumption that National will win the next election. Which brings up the issue of who will be Minister of communications (and Telecommunications as well). Given the past experience of having Maurice Williamson basically sit on his hands and "let the market decide" do we really want to experience deja vu here? I don't. I think that pretty much, anyone would be better than him.
God help us if Maurice "Do Nothing" Williams gets the IT/Telecommunications Portfolio for National, he would have to be one of the most useless & totally ineffectual ministers to ever have that portfolio.
Having said that, despite what the polls may be saying now, there is no guarantee that National will get in either. I would also like to say that David Cunliffe would be the best ever minister to take on this role, bar none.
One of the worst things National did in terms of my voting for them was giving the telecommunications portfolio back to Williamson - he's useless (and rude too in person). When Key had the telecomms portfolio I was certainly happier with them.
Cunliffe has done really well; that was a really good move by Labour to appoint him after the mess Swain made.
to be honest I'm not really comfortable with either Williamson or Cunliffe as I think most politicians struggle to deal with the technical complexity of the industry (let alone the commercial impact) - which is further reinforced by government agencies who struggle as well (why is MED the lead agency in this - and why aren't MORST more involved)? What I would like to see is someone in the position with some business and industry experience so that they know what they are talking about (Williamson is an ex teacher who worked for Air NZ for 12 years, whereas Cunliffe has worked in Foreign Affairs, then parliament).
Cunliffe to his credit has faithfully fulfilled the wishes of the public - but I'm hanging back to see what the results of these changes will be. Williamson clearly didn't do enough - but I also wonder whether or not the current environment is at the other extreme with too much legislation. Surely at some point the government needs to back off and say there you are - we've done everything you've asked for (unbundled, restructured, regulated pricing, etc) - now you need to go out and win customers the old fashion way? Is this being too harsh on the govt do you think?
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