Petrol pirates are holding us ransom
Can fuel companies explain why, just across the Tasman, Australians are paying a mere $1.40 per litre at the pump? How come New Zealanders are subjected to such outrageous price increases? And now we are threatened with further possible hikes to $3 a litre... because...?
Our oil comes from the Gulf, so blaming Iran is a feeble justification. Let’s have an immediate investigation by the government before the cost of living skyrockets from the petrol pirates holding us at ransom. The shrieks of protest from the Mental Health Foundation and Phil Twyford about David Seymour’s reference to a Housing New Zealand project reach new heights of absurdity.
Seymour’s crime was that he suggested there is ‘‘a chance that some residents will have social and mental health issues’’.
Well, of course there is! The behaviour of some mental illness sufferers means that neither mortgage lenders or landlords will take them, so where else will they go?
Our discourse needs to tolerate obvious and demonstrable truths like this. It may cause pain to the lobbyists concerned, but doesn’t justify a world where truth can be suppressed.
Seymour is not fuelling prejudice; he’s fuelling the facts of life. Theatrically arguing with the Speaker about his supposed partiality toward the Government, and this straight after he had just pointed out the Opposition had actually gained about 20 more supplementary questions than the Government, Paula Bennett flounced out, disrespecting the Speaker’s legitimate authority.
Not owning up to who in the Opposition had tried to belittle Jacinda Ardern with the sexist comment ‘‘a stupid little girl’’, along with Simon Bridges ‘‘liking’’ a nasty crack on the the odious Cameron Slater’s blog about the PM’s partner are revealing examples of the Opposition’s dirty tactics to try to undermine the Government.
That Bridges reads Slater’s garbage, as did John Key and Judith Collins still, speaks volumes. After decades of pure, clean water, an envy of the world, Christchurch City Council suddenly deemed it necessary to chlorinate the water. Just a few boreheads then a few more than anticipated.
First it was a temporary measure. Then it might be permanent. The mayor claimed to be against fluoride. Now she wants less fluoride.
It is time Christchurch woke up. The privatisation of water is in the pipeline. In various parts of NZ people are jockeying for position. Companies are being set up in anticipation or knowledge of the privatisations to come.
It is my guess the ‘‘new’’ owners want the water chlorinated before purchase.
The whole of Christchurch needs to rise up and demand answers. What about a referendum? When is the next election? When a group of us built the Aurora Centre on the Burnside High School grounds, we considered then the worldwide trend in falling attendances at all major events except some popular music concerts.
The venue would succeed if is was big enough to pay for the activity through ticket prices and small enough to be filled. Big stadia can only be built by tax on the many who will never attend.
What is the social benefit? If the event did not happen, we would spend our money on and be interested in other things to make our lives better. There is no gain or loss to the economy but there is a financial gain to commercial performances and associated individuals such as with pop concerts and professional sport.
And still, the taxpayer is expected to provide, almost free of charge, a venue for that business.