What is clear is that campaigning has stepped up a gear. If the antics of this week are any indication of what’s to come then we should buckle up – I think we’re in for a messy and potentially nasty seven-week ride to the election.
This is largely a cost-of-living election. The major parties are doing their best to convince us they’re the most credible party to manage the economy. They’re both focused on ‘bread and butter’ issues and helping the “squeezed middle” and “hard-working New Zealanders”. The minor parties are offering more extreme versions of the same policies - and in the process look like they’re offering action and a real alternative.
But this week any hope the election would be focused on having constructive debates about front of mind issues was dented as our politicians instead focused on discrediting each other.
Te Pati Maori leader Rawiri Waititi went all out, appearing to substantially breach a name suppression order in Parliament’s debating chamber.
The well-preforming ACT party came under scrutiny for some interesting candidate selections – including one candidate who had made a comment in the past comparing vaccine mandates to Nazi concentration camps. Once this was revealed she promptly resigned, which Seymour sensible accepted, even if he couldn’t stop making jokes about blowing things up.
National’s had to deal with bullying claims, with Tim van de Molen stood down from his portfolios after a Privileges Committee report found his behaviour towards Labour MP Shanan Halbert was threatening and that he was in contempt of Parliament. He was swiftly rolled out to offer an apology and accepted all the findings.
Former Minister Michael Wood likely hoped all this drama would mean everyone would forget his shares kerfuffle, but the Privileges Committee recommended he offer an apology for being asked at least 12 times to deal with a perceived conflict of interest and not doing so.
Oh, and let’s not forget National had to deny having a ‘man-ban’ after it was reported MP Michael Woodhouse had suggested he was the victim of diversity.
The Privileges Committee has been busy and it doesn’t feel like the complaints and reports are going to end anytime soon. Let’s hope these are balanced by at least some informative and constructive conversations breaking out during the grubby hit fest.
Seven more weeks. Honestly. Give me strength.
Francesca is a well known film reviewer, writes for NZ Herald's Timeout magazine, and contributes to Jack Tame's Newstalk show. This article was first published HERE
But this week any hope the election would be focused on having constructive debates about front of mind issues was dented as our politicians instead focused on discrediting each other.
Te Pati Maori leader Rawiri Waititi went all out, appearing to substantially breach a name suppression order in Parliament’s debating chamber.
The well-preforming ACT party came under scrutiny for some interesting candidate selections – including one candidate who had made a comment in the past comparing vaccine mandates to Nazi concentration camps. Once this was revealed she promptly resigned, which Seymour sensible accepted, even if he couldn’t stop making jokes about blowing things up.
National’s had to deal with bullying claims, with Tim van de Molen stood down from his portfolios after a Privileges Committee report found his behaviour towards Labour MP Shanan Halbert was threatening and that he was in contempt of Parliament. He was swiftly rolled out to offer an apology and accepted all the findings.
Former Minister Michael Wood likely hoped all this drama would mean everyone would forget his shares kerfuffle, but the Privileges Committee recommended he offer an apology for being asked at least 12 times to deal with a perceived conflict of interest and not doing so.
Oh, and let’s not forget National had to deny having a ‘man-ban’ after it was reported MP Michael Woodhouse had suggested he was the victim of diversity.
The Privileges Committee has been busy and it doesn’t feel like the complaints and reports are going to end anytime soon. Let’s hope these are balanced by at least some informative and constructive conversations breaking out during the grubby hit fest.
Seven more weeks. Honestly. Give me strength.
Francesca is a well known film reviewer, writes for NZ Herald's Timeout magazine, and contributes to Jack Tame's Newstalk show. This article was first published HERE
2 comments:
The media are doing nzers a massive disservice by making such a big deal over non-issues such as a joke by david seymour, how many woman each party have, lack of personality politics from luxon etc, and shutting down all debate by calling people racist when they clearly are not. We don't care. We want to know what their policies are. Crime, education, hospitals, roads and democracy. Why aren't the media debating co- governance, tribalism, crime and advising kiwis what our society will be like if we allow democracy to fall?
The media are not reporting or debating real news because they have been paid not to. In many first world countries the government funding mainstream media is illegal; in our little banana republic nepotism, corruption and racism are normal. Kiwialan.
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