http://www.grantrobertson.co.nz Grant Robertson - Wellington Central Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:31:21 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en For those who have not been following the saga. John Key appoints Steven Joyce as Tertiary Minister because there are ‘economic’ issues to deal with in the portfolio including on student loans. Key denies they are making any major changes, but then uses the PMs statement to Parliament to say ... http://www.grantrobertson.co.nz/2010/02/20/joyce-perpetuating-myths-on-student-loan-scheme/ The dispute around the payment of Court staff is becoming increasingly concerning. This story in the Nelson Mail during the week highlights the real concern that a settlement is needed. A packed courtroom erupted with anger and frustration as Nelson court staff walked off the job again yesterday. Security fears have ... http://www.grantrobertson.co.nz/2010/02/20/justice-ministry-dispute-needs-leadership/ One of the things that concerns me the most as a politician is the sense of alientation of individuals and communities about important decisions that affect them. I am a firm believer in representative democracy, and I acknowledge that people do not necessarily want to be constantly consulted about every ... http://www.grantrobertson.co.nz/2010/02/19/cooperative-government-a-new-approach/ There is an extraordinary story in yesterday’s Sunday Star Times. It follows up the Herald on Sunday from the previous week in returning to McGehan Close, the street John Key went to as Opposition leader to highlight the “underclass”. The article repeats the concerns of the family Key made famous, the ... http://www.grantrobertson.co.nz/2010/02/15/mcgehan-close-a-cautionary-tale/ Ricki Herbert really is having a ball at the moment. His efforts in charge of the All Whites qualifying for the World Cup earned him a Halberg Award Finalist spot for Coach of the Year, and now the Phoenix have broken the NZ team hoodoo and made the play-offs in ... http://www.grantrobertson.co.nz/2010/02/13/saturday-sport-phoenix-flying/ It really is sobering stuff from Statistics New Zealand today with pretty big price increases in basic items. Everything is up, meat, vegetables, milk. As the Stats NZ Prices Manager said “Although food prices are now 2.2 percent higher than a year ago, they are 12.0 percent higher than two years ... http://www.grantrobertson.co.nz/2010/02/11/cost-of-living/ Oh dear.  I think this article in the Guardian from yesterday (their time) is  going to haunt New Zealanders living overseas. New Zealanders have long endured jokes about the extent to which they are outnumbered by sheep. But now Kiwis can expect more variety in the gags, with the country’s national ... http://www.grantrobertson.co.nz/2010/02/11/brace-yourself-for-the-cow-jokes/ In the fine print of the PMs statement there is a bit more light on National’s plans for student loans.  As noted on Red Alert last week John Key’s appointment of Steven Joyce as Tertiary Minister was an indication that National had plans in this area.   The PM has denied ... http://www.grantrobertson.co.nz/2010/02/10/national%e2%80%99s-plans-for-student-loans/ Jim Anderton has just drawn Parliament’s attention to this quote from John Key in October 2008. National leader John Key said told a press conference this morning that if National is elected and does a “half decent job” at growing the economy, then increasing GST and the top tax rate will ... http://www.grantrobertson.co.nz/2010/02/09/doing-less-than-a-half-decent-job/ One of the biggest dangers in politics is over-hyping.  It is hard to resist in this age of 24 hours news, and the need to keep the press gallery happy.  If we were to believe the media of recent days John Key’s opening statement was going to deliver the plan ... http://www.grantrobertson.co.nz/2010/02/09/in-search-of-a-plan/