As is obvious by now, this blog is closed and I’ve been meaning to post here for a while, to explain why.

Facebook.

Sure I was busy during the election, and had no time to write.

But after the election, I found that even with the time, I didn’t need this blog anymore.

My political posts have moved to the ACT on Campus blog, but most of what I wrote here was personal, or links to fun or interesting stuff that I thought other people would enjoy.

It wasn’t a conscius decision to stop using the blog, it just happened.

All the people I know are on Facebook, I share stuff on there, and they share stuff with me too.

The interactivity of Facebook is just much more fun for that kind of post.

Add me on Facebook.

-Peter

This quote seems apt, given the current political climate in New Zealand:

“Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides.”

The person who said this certainly had the guts to do what was right. Can anyone guess who it was?

‘Bizarre’ situation of fish processed in China then shipped back

“The Green Party finds it bizarre that fish caught in New Zealand was being shipped to China for processing before the finished product was brought back to New Zealand for sale.”

Yes, I can see how that would seem ‘Bizarre’ to someone like Jeanette Fitzsimons who consistently displays a lack of understanding around basic economic issues!

Michael Cullen’s final budget can be summarised in just three words, “Tax and Spend” – much like the previous eight.

But not to worry, put those measly tax cuts out of your mind, ACT has a plan!

View ACT’s pledge card that explains our 20 point plan for New Zealand.

The ACT Party promises that if you give us your party vote and we hold the balance of power after the election, we’ll create an economy that gives the average New Zealand wage earner an EXTRA $500 A WEEK.

After fifteen years of gutless governments, the average New Zealand worker is now $450 a week poorer than the average Australian worker.

If we were a state of Australia, we’d be the poorest – $100 a week poorer than Tasmania.
If we were a state of the USA, we’d be 51st and last – $120 a week poorer than Mississippi.

Is it any wonder so many Kiwis with get-up-and-go have got up and gone?

One thing’s for sure. Unless you stop voting for politicians who bribe you with short-term treats at the expense of policies that enrich you in the long run, you’ll keep getting poorer and poorer.

Only ACT has the guts to do what’s right!

I had previously hinted as to why i’ve been really busy recently, but for those who don’t already know, here’s the major reason:

ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader Heather Roy was today delighted to announce that local student Peter McCaffrey will stand as ACT’s candidate in Otaki in the coming election.

“Currently in his third year at Wellington’s Victoria University, Peter McCaffrey (20) has been a member of ACT’s youth wing ‘ACT on Campus’ since 2006,” Mrs Roy said.

“In that time he has played an important role in advocating ACT’s principles and policies, not just at Victoria University but in a variety of different forums.

“As such, I am delighted to announce that Peter has been selected to stand for ACT in Otaki in the coming election,” Mrs Roy said.

“Labour wants everyone to finish the race at the same time – putting New Zealand on the fast track to mediocrity – and National has adopted many of Labour’s policies too,” Mr McCaffrey said.

“ACT believes people should have the opportunity to excel in a race where the rules are consistent and fair for everyone. This is the sort of environment that a government should be working to foster.

“The oldest electorate in the country deserves quality representation from a young and enthusiastic candidate with bright new ideas. It is for this reason that I am standing for ACT in my home electorate of Otaki.

“This election offers a terrific opportunity for anyone who wants smaller government and more individual freedom. Vote ACT for a change of direction, not just a change of government.” Mr McCaffrey said.

ENDS

Information:

Peter McCaffrey was born in Manchester, England, moving to Waikanae with his family in 1996. Having attended Kapanui Primary School in Waikanae and Wanganui Collegiate School, he is currently studying a BA in Political Science and a BSc in Operations Research at Victoria University of Wellington. Peter has been a member of ACT on Campus since 2006, where he is currently the Wellington President and National Treasurer, as well as the National Treasurer for the UN Youth Association of New Zealand. He can be contacted on 021 141 7026 or peter.mccaffrey@act.org.nz

National have just announced their $1.5 billion broadband “investment” plan.

National’s plan is essentially a internet subsidy for Farmers and rural communities, paid for by city folk. The fact is that it costs more money to run cables out into the country and the reduced population density makes it even harder to recoup costs. But if you choose to live in the city, you accept that you’ll have to pay higher rates, land and house prices, rents and many other expenses, whereas those in rural towns or in the country can find a house for $50,000.

It’s not as if people living in rural areas don’t have access to broadband, they just don’t always have access to cheap ADSL and they may have to pay more for a satellite connection. That’s just one of those prices you pay for living in the country – just as you pay more for delivery of mail.

This plan is like building 4-lane motorways to every rural town in the country, when (as is the actual case) we don’t even have decent roads in the cities yet. Perhaps if the government hadn’t been interfering over the last 20 years, there would have been more investment and utilisation of wireless to cover rural areas.

So, are National now further left than Labour? Sometimes.

Here are some quotes I found about the plan:

“National’s plan amounted to a state subsidy for a monopoly firm, Telecom. I see nothing but problems and trouble. It’s back to the future. This puts all of National’s eggs in Telecom’s basket and means the incumbent has both them [National] and the market over a barrel in future access pricing negotiations. The plan would create a new monopoly, waste money and reduce competition.”

- David Cunliffe, Minister for Communications

“The main problem currently is the fact that the private sector can’t make sufficient return from New Zealand’s small market from the large-scale investment needed … National’s proposal … could potentially help overcome this funding barrier.”

- Paul Reynolds, Telecom Chief Executive

“The plan is a step in the right direction.”

- The EPMU

“A government would do this as a last resort.”

- Bill English

“We’re up to the last resort.”

- John Key

This really is what you call being caught red-handed.

Two things to take away from this:

Labour seem to be leaking scandals like a sieve at the moment.
Labour haven’t worked out the Electoral Finance Act yet.

Meanwhile, I’ve heard reports from a reliable source that Labour Party staffers have been applying and interviewing for other jobs over the last couple of weeks. Rats, Ship, anyone? Expect the story to hit the media over the next few days…

Fantastic work, whoever made this!

We had some April Fools Fun on the new ACT on Campus website this morning.

This post was converted to be the entire front page.

Apparently, TV1 spent 3 hours preparing a story for the news, only to be reminded that it was April Fools Day when they contact the ACT media team.

We followed the stunt up witha (slightly) more serious press release in the afternoon, and the guys down in Canterbury had some fun of their own too.