thedailyblog--2020-04-16--Life in Lock Down: Day 22 – Is that a light at the end of a four week long tunnel?!

Fifteen new cases reported today , definitely a downward trend .
Best of all , no further deaths .
Our government and our Prime Minister are on the right track .
Meanwhile , Barry Soper has joined a small , select group of foolish people ( predominantly middle aged , privileged white men ) who continue to belittle the government ’ s efforts – and considerable success – to contain and eliminate covid19 .
I won ’ t link to his Herald article .
But suffice it to say he has joined a tiny , irrelevant-but-noisy clique of ‘ cup-a-soup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at containing the virus indicates our leaders “ went to far ” .
It indicates no such thing .
It demonstrates that our leaders did what they were supposed to .
Unlike the Orange Moron who squats in the White House ’ s Oval Office , who rails against others ; blaming them for the disaster over-taking the United States , and refusing to accept responsibility for his gross ineptitude .
These armchair experts point to Australia and Sweden as models we should have copied .
Let ’ s look at Australia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zealand ; Australia ’ s population is five times ours – but their death rate is seven times higher .
Sweden , which opted for no lock-down ( and may now be regretting it ) has a population a little over twice ours – but their covid19 death toll is a staggering 134 times ours .
Which underscores the craziness of critics with agendas and armchair “ experts ” who claim Aotearoa New Zealand “ over-reacted ” .
This graph – whilst not 100 % scientific , is still a bloody accurate illustration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barry Soper , Mike Hosking , Gareth Morgan , Simon Bridges , “ Dr ” Simon Thornley , et al , are peddling does not gel with the reality that our death rate is inarguably lower than Australia ’ s or Sweden ’ s .
In an exercise of bizarre reverse-logic , they have confused our success rate with the notion that we “ over reacted ” .
Without doubt our low death rate is a result of considered measures based on sound science and mathematics .
If our lower death rate is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward to celebrating a “ failure ” rate of zero new infections and zero deaths .
New Zealanders can count themselves fortunate we have the steady leadership of Prime Minister Ardern to guide us through this crisis .
Now imagine if Barry Soper , Mike Hosking , Gareth Morgan , Simon Bridges , and “ Dr ” Simon Thornley were in charge .
No , I don ’ t want to either .
No details of any travel around the Hutt Valley and Wellington – today was a sick day spent at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to watch Prime Minister Ardern ’ s 1pm public address this afternoon .
Then RNZ ’ s Checkpoint .
Unfortunately , what followed next were the usual gormless questions and whining ; “ Why can ’ t I go hunting if they can go swimming ?
Why can ’ t I leave my bubble to go live in my other home ?
Can I hug my mum ?
Why can ’ t my [ insert business here ] open ?
Why can ’ t I XYZ ?
” Up till now I never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults can be .
Even teenagers would roll their eyes in exasperation .
A zombie apocalypse starts to look like a refreshing , welcome change .
Personally , I doubt if we should be faffing around with jumping from Level to Level .
For one thing it breeds confusion .
The gormless questions read out by Lisa Owen on Checkpoint is plenty of proof of that .
Secondly , it is hard to enforce .
Level Four was more back and white .
Level Three-Plus has a wide-ranging gray area .
We should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damnable virus to extinction ( hey , it ’ s us or It ! )
; and then come off the Level System entirely .
That would provide more certainty .
And drive Hosking , Soper , Bridges , Seymour , Thornley , et al , into fits of apoplexy .
( Payback for having to hear/listen to their ignorant witterings over the last three weeks . )
Let ’ s hope our esteemed PM and her team know what they ’ re doing .
After which we can look at re-building what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding a Commission of Inquiry ( not for blame-gaming but to see how we can do better next time ) ; and reform welfare and/or implement a UBI .
We had to do too much ad hoc tinkering to the welfare system as it groaned under the burden of thousands losing their jobs .
Though on the positive side , a whole bunch of middle class folk suddenly discovered that welfare was not the “ luxury lifestyle ” many right-wing pundits and polis have lied about .
The other issue for a Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our health sector was .
I believe we got through this not by studious pandemic-planning by Higher-Ups , but by the sheer guts and initiative shown by health workers on the ground .
And while we ’ re about it , let ’ s look into DHBs .
Some of their behaviour needs scrutiny .
All too early , as yet , but after the crisis is over there will remain much work to do .
Also agitating to open up our economy ; this character .
I ’ m guessing a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Is Sweden having second thoughts on lockdown ?
RNZ : Fifteen new cases of Covid-19 in NZ , no further deaths Democracy Now : Madrid ’ s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds China in Coronavirus Deaths The Independent : Is Sweden having second thoughts on lockdown ?
The Out And Abouter : Reached For Comment , Coronavirus Says It ’ s Also Very In Favour Of Reopening The Economy Immediately Will New Zealand Be Right ?
The Warehouse – where everyone gets a virus This blogpost will be re-published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s comments may be left here ( The Daily Blog ) or there ( Frankly Speaking ) .

.
.
April 16: Day 22 of living in lock-down…
Fifteen new cases reported today, definitely a downward trend. Best of all, no further deaths. Our government and our Prime Minister are on the right track.
Meanwhile, Barry Soper has joined a small, select group of foolish people (predominantly middle aged, privileged white men) who continue to belittle the government’s efforts – and considerable success – to contain and eliminate covid19. I won’t link to his Herald article. But suffice it to say he has joined a tiny, irrelevant-but-noisy clique of ‘cup-a-soup’ instant-experts who whinge that our success at containing the virus indicates our leaders “went to far”.
It indicates no such thing.
It demonstrates that our leaders did what they were supposed to. Unlike the Orange Moron who squats in the White House’s Oval Office, who rails against others; blaming them for the disaster over-taking the United States, and refusing to accept responsibility for his gross ineptitude.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
These armchair experts point to Australia and Sweden as models we should have copied.
Let’s look at Australia and Sweden, and compare to Aotearoa New Zealand;
.
.
Australia’s population is five times ours – but their death rate is seven times higher.
Sweden, which opted for no lock-down (and may now be regretting it) has a population a little over twice ours – but their covid19 death toll is a staggering 134 times ours.
Which underscores the craziness of critics with agendas and armchair “experts” who claim Aotearoa New Zealand “over-reacted”. This graph – whilst not 100% scientific, is still a bloody accurate illustration of wilful human absurdity;
.
Acknowledgement: @gdinwiddie
.
Whatever garbage Barry Soper, Mike Hosking, Gareth Morgan, Simon Bridges, “Dr” Simon Thornley, et al, are peddling does not gel with the reality that our death rate is inarguably lower than Australia’s or Sweden’s.
In an exercise of bizarre reverse-logic, they have confused our success rate with the notion that we “over reacted”. Without doubt our low death rate is a result of considered measures based on sound science and mathematics.
If our lower death rate is a “failure”, I look forward to celebrating a “failure” rate of zero new infections and zero deaths.
New Zealanders can count themselves fortunate we have the steady leadership of Prime Minister Ardern to guide us through this crisis.
Now imagine if Barry Soper, Mike Hosking, Gareth Morgan, Simon Bridges, and “Dr” Simon Thornley were in charge. No, I don’t want to either.
No details of any travel around the Hutt Valley and Wellington – today was a sick day spent at home.
But I did get the opportunity to watch Prime Minister Ardern’s 1pm public address this afternoon. Then RNZ’s Checkpoint. Unfortunately, what followed next were the usual gormless questions and whining; “Why can’t I go hunting if they can go swimming? Why can’t I leave my bubble to go live in my other home? Can I hug my mum? Why can’t my [insert business here] open?Why can’t I XYZ?”
Up till now I never realised just how childishly whiney some supposed adults can be. Even teenagers would roll their eyes in exasperation. A zombie apocalypse starts to look like a refreshing, welcome change.
Personally, I doubt if we should be faffing around with jumping from Level to Level. For one thing it breeds confusion. The gormless questions read out by Lisa Owen on Checkpoint is plenty of proof of that. Secondly, it is hard to enforce. Level Four was more back and white. Level Three-Plus has a wide-ranging gray area.
We should stick to Level Four and drive this damnable virus to extinction (hey, it’s us or It!); and then come off the Level System entirely. That would provide more certainty. And drive Hosking, Soper, Bridges, Seymour, Thornley, et al, into fits of apoplexy. (Payback for having to hear/listen to their ignorant witterings over the last three weeks.)
Let’s hope our esteemed PM and her team know what they’re doing.
After which we can look at re-building what’s left of the economy; holding a Commission of Inquiry (not for blame-gaming but to see how we can do better next time); and reform welfare and/or implement a UBI. We had to do too much ad hoc tinkering to the welfare system as it groaned under the burden of thousands losing their jobs.
Though on the positive side, a whole bunch of middle class folk suddenly discovered that welfare was not the “luxury lifestyle” many right-wing pundits and polis have lied about.
The other issue for a Commission is to look at how well prepared our health sector was. I believe we got through this not by studious pandemic-planning by Higher-Ups, but by the sheer guts and initiative shown by health workers on the ground. And while we’re about it, let’s look into DHBs. Some of their behaviour needs scrutiny.
All too early, as yet, but after the crisis is over there will remain much work to do.
.
Postscript:
Also agitating to open up our economy; this character. I’m guessing a bit of self-interest involved?!
.
Current covid19 cases: 1,401
Cases in ICU: 3 (2 critical)
Number of deaths: 9
.
.
References
The Independent: Is Sweden having second thoughts on lockdown?
RNZ: Fifteen new cases of Covid-19 in NZ, no further deaths
Must Read
Democracy Now: Madrid’s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds China in Coronavirus Deaths
The Independent: Is Sweden having second thoughts on lockdown?
The Out And Abouter: Reached For Comment, Coronavirus Says It’s Also Very In Favour Of Reopening The Economy Immediately
Elemental: Hold the Line
Other Blogs
Will New Zealand Be Right?
Previous related blogposts
The Warehouse – where everyone gets a virus
Life in Lock Down: Day 1
Life in Lock Down: Day 2
Life in Lock Down: Day 3
Life in Lock Down: Day 4
Life in Lock Down: Day 5
Life in Lock Down: Day 6
Life in Lock Down: Day 7
Life in Lock Down: Day 7 (sanitised version)
Life in Lock Down: Day 8
Life in Lock Down: Day 8 (sanitised version)
Life in Lock Down: Day 9
Life in Lock Down: Day 10
Life in Lock Down: Day 11
Life in Lock Down: Day 12
Life in Lock Down: Day 13
Life in Lock Down: Day 14
Life in Lock Down: Day 15
Life in Lock Down: Day 16 – Bad Friday
Life in Lock Down: Day 17
Life in Lock Down: Day 18
Life in Lock Down: Day 19
Life in Lock Down: Day 20
Life in Lock Down: Day 21
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Acknowledgement: Rod Emmerson
.
This blogpost will be re-published on “Frankly Speaking“. Reader’s comments may be left here (The Daily Blog) or there (Frankly Speaking).
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= fs =


thedailyblog--2020-04-18--How the ‘chief covidiot’ has blocked world health unity with WHO freeze

PACIFIC PANDEMIC DIARY : By David Robie , who also blogs at Café Pacific .
Donald Trump ’ s sabre-rattling freeze on funding for the World Health Organisation at a time when many countries are pulling together for a global response to the coronavirus pandemic has surely earned him the epithet of the “ world ’ s chief covidiot ” .
The US President ’ s efforts at deflecting the blame for his country ’ s national public health crisis by pointing the finger at WHO and announcing that Washington would pull funding as the largest donor has shocked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and public health experts .
The impact of this shock decision is bound to be felt in the Pacific region with some countries and territories clinging precariously to their Covid-19-free status , while others – such as the US territory Guam , New Caledonia and French Polynesia – have already become hotspots .
American funding to WHO provided more than 15 percent of the international body ’ s 2018-19 budget of $ 4.4 billion .
While Richard Horton , the editor-in-chief of the Lancet medical journal , denounced Trump ’ s decision as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an “ appalling betrayal ” of every scientist , health worker and citizen – and of global solidarity , the second largest WHO donor , Microsoft ’ s Bill Gates of the Gates Foundation , described the move “ as dangerous as it sounds ” .
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says it is “ not the time ” to cut funding or to question errors .
“ Once we have finally turned the page on this epidemic , there must be a time to look back fully to understand how such a disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the globe , and how all those involved reacted to the crisis , ” he said .
Former New Zealand prime minister and ex-UN Development Programme Administrator Helen Clark accused Trump of “ shooting the messenger ” at a critical time for the world .
“ I can ’ t think of anything more foolish in the middle of a global pandemic which has gone beyond being a health crisis to being a full-blown economic and social crisis , ” Clark told RNZ Checkpoint in an interview .
Three-month review Rather pointless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
Trump ordered the blocking of funds pending a three-month review of WHO ’ s role in allegedly “ severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus ” .
The president claimed that the pandemic could have been contained “ with very little death ” if the UN agency had accurately assessed the situation in China , where the virus outbreak began in the city of Wuhan late last year .
He accused of WHO of having put too much faith in Beijing .
However , the US president had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangers of this virus that has killed more than 128,000 people and infected more than 2 million worldwide , according to figures from Johns Hopkins University .
He had declared it was all “ under control ” and as late as March 27 praised President Xi Jinping for China ’ s handling of the crisis .
According to Politico , he tweeted or addressed rallies 15 times in praise of China .
The US has now become the hardest hit country with the highest death toll of more than 30,000 and 630,000 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University figures – regarded as the most reliable – have been criticised for obscuring the degree of impact in the US by breaking up US death toll figures into individual state tallies .
Warning signs for PNG The warning signs are there for countries such as Papua New Guinea which has already drawn alarm signals from Human Rights Watch , saying that a serious outbreak there would be “ a catastrophe ” .
( Seven cases so far , with five in the past day – three of those in Western Province , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the coronavirus pandemic , the fragile health system in Papua New Guinea was underfunded and overwhelmed , with high rates of malaria , tuberculosis , and diabetes among its population of more than eight million , ” wrote an HRW associate director , Georgie Bright .
“ Access to hospitals is extremely limited , with 80 percent of the population living outside urban centres .
Prime Minister James Marape has acknowledged the country has only 500 doctors , less than 4000 nurses , and around 5000 beds in hospitals and health centres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopefully there might be mitigating factors , such as large sections of its rural population living in remote mountainous villages in the highlands : “ It could be that PNG will be spared the scale of the pandemic seen elsewhere such as Wuhan , a dense urban area with a mobile and older population.
” Vanuatu ( population almost 300,000 ) is another country with serious concerns of “ disaster ” with a possible outbreak , but Fiji ( pop .
About 900,000 ) – although it has 19 confirmed cases so far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the success of its fever clinics that have tested more than 120,000 people in the capital of Suva so far .
Timor-Leste is also on the watch list with an eight cases so far and a furore over the sacking of the acting health minister .
Pushed into the background by the relentless sad statistics and doomsday stories around the globe are some other stories in the Pacific that normally struggle to get an airing in mainstream media .
Growing concern for West Papua Just over the porous 820 km jungle border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two Melanesian provinces Papua and West Papua ruled under protest by Indonesia .
Collectively known as West Papua , the region has become a growing public health concern as Indonesia appears headed for disaster .
The coronavirus pandemic is “ exacerbating tensions ” in West Papua and exposing the “ shortcomings ” of Jakarta government policy , laments a conflict watchdog group .
The Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict ( IPAC ) says President Joko Widodo ’ s government needs to urgently appoint a senior official to “ focus exclusively on Papua @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs and longer term issues are effectively addressed .
It has appealed for greater transparency and more support for the local Papuan administrations in coping with the spread of the virus .
“ The virus arrived in Papua as tensions left over from deadly communal violence in August-September 2019 remained high , and pro-independence guerrillas from the Free Papua Organisation ( Organisasi Papua Merdeka , OPM ) were intensifying attacks in the central highlands .
“ Papua ’ s major faultlines – indigenous vs migrant , central control vs local autonomy , independence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how Papuans interpreted the pandemic and the central government ’ s response.
” The pandemic has also added new complications such as how many Papuans are “ already portraying the virus as being brought in by non-Papuan migrants and the military ” .
As a result , “ hostility and suspicion ” are growing .
‘ Jakarta six ’ episode Another episode happened in Jakarta this week that ought to have focused attention on the ongoing human rights struggle for Papuans yet was barely noticed in mainstream media in Australia and New Zealand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six Papuan activists – known as the “ Jakarta Six ” – will now be held online or long-distance amid the enforcement of large scale social restrictions to contain the coronavirus pandemic .
The accused – five men and a woman – are Paulus Suryanta Ginting , Charles Kossay , Ambrosius Mulait , Isay Wenda , Anes Tabuni and Arina Elopere .
They were arrested by police for flying the Morning Star independence flag during a protest action demanding a referendum for Papua in front of the State Palace on August 28 last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makar ( treason , subversion , rebellion ) case have been changed since the coronavirus pandemic has hit Indonesia , particularly in Jakarta .
The team of lawyers defending the six had earlier asked the panel of judges to postpone the hearing .
However , the judges refused the request but changed the mechanism for the hearing so that the defendants can remain in jail for the trial .
NZ ’ s ‘ long road back ’ Back in New Zealand , the four-week national lockdown has been going encouragingly well , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate now moving on to the “ long road back ” for the economy by relaxing controls – a little – and the manner of how this would be achieved .
A decision will be announced next Monday .
The Ministry of Health statistics show just nine deaths so far – mostly elderly rest home patients – with a fairly stable 1386 cases , just 20 new ones announces yesterday that are eclipsed by the rate of recoveries , now up to 728 .
In fact , according to the Washington Post ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anna Fifield , the country is not just on track to “ flatten the curve ” but to “ squash ” it .
The last of 18,000 stranded German and European visitors and tourists seeking repatriation have now returned to their countries .
The final Lufthansa Airbus flight had a sole incoming passenger – an Easter Bunny named Jacinda in honour of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who has gained admiration for her courageous leadership , clear communication and kindness .
Not to mention the voluntary gesture of the prime minister , her cabinet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six-month 20 percent pay cut in solidarity with the “ struggle that many New Zealanders are facing ” .
This article was first published by Asia Pacific Report on April 16 .

PACIFIC PANDEMIC DIARY: By David Robie, who also blogs at Café Pacific
Donald Trump’s sabre-rattling freeze on funding for the World Health Organisation at a time when many countries are pulling together for a global response to the coronavirus pandemic has surely earned him the epithet of the “world’s chief covidiot”.
The US President’s efforts at deflecting the blame for his country’s national public health crisis by pointing the finger at WHO and announcing that Washington would pull funding as the largest donor has shocked the world, triggering widespread condemnation from leaders and public health experts.
The impact of this shock decision is bound to be felt in the Pacific region with some countries and territories clinging precariously to their Covid-19-free status, while others – such as the US territory Guam, New Caledonia and French Polynesia – have already become hotspots.
American funding to WHO provided more than 15 percent of the international body’s 2018-19 budget of $4.4 billion.
While Richard Horton, the editor-in-chief of the Lancet medical journal, denounced Trump’s decision as “a crime against humanity” and an “appalling betrayal” of every scientist, health worker and citizen – and of global solidarity, the second largest WHO donor, Microsoft’s Bill Gates of the Gates Foundation, described the move “as dangerous as it sounds”.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says it is “not the time” to cut funding or to question errors.
“Once we have finally turned the page on this epidemic, there must be a time to look back fully to understand how such a disease emerged and spread its devastation so quickly across the globe, and how all those involved reacted to the crisis,” he said.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
Former New Zealand prime minister and ex-UN Development Programme Administrator Helen Clark accused Trump of “shooting the messenger” at a critical time for the world.
“I can’t think of anything more foolish in the middle of a global pandemic which has gone beyond being a health crisis to being a full-blown economic and social crisis,” Clark told RNZ Checkpoint in an interview.
Three-month review
Rather pointless right now when most countries are in crisis.
Trump ordered the blocking of funds pending a three-month review of WHO’s role in allegedly “severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus”.
The president claimed that the pandemic could have been contained “with very little death” if the UN agency had accurately assessed the situation in China, where the virus outbreak began in the city of Wuhan late last year. He accused of WHO of having put too much faith in Beijing.
However, the US president had in the early stages regularly downplayed the dangers of this virus that has killed more than 128,000 people and infected more than 2 million worldwide, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.
He had declared it was all “under control” and as late as March 27 praised President Xi Jinping for China’s handling of the crisis. According to Politico, he tweeted or addressed rallies 15 times in praise of China.
The US has now become the hardest hit country with the highest death toll of more than 30,000 and 630,000 confirmed cases.
Ironically, the Johns Hopkins University figures – regarded as the most reliable – have been criticised for obscuring the degree of impact in the US by breaking up US death toll figures into individual state tallies.
Warning signs for PNG
The warning signs are there for countries such as Papua New Guinea which has already drawn alarm signals from Human Rights Watch, saying that a serious outbreak there would be “a catastrophe”. (Seven cases so far, with five in the past day – three of those in Western Province, which borders Papua).
“Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the fragile health system in Papua New Guinea was underfunded and overwhelmed, with high rates of malaria, tuberculosis, and diabetes among its population of more than eight million,” wrote an HRW associate director, Georgie Bright.
“Access to hospitals is extremely limited, with 80 percent of the population living outside urban centres. Prime Minister James Marape has acknowledged the country has only 500 doctors, less than 4000 nurses, and around 5000 beds in hospitals and health centres.
“The country reportedly has only 14 ventilators.”
However, Bright also acknowledged that hopefully there might be mitigating factors, such as large sections of its rural population living in remote mountainous villages in the highlands : “It could be that PNG will be spared the scale of the pandemic seen elsewhere such as Wuhan, a dense urban area with a mobile and older population.”
Vanuatu (population almost 300,000) is another country with serious concerns of “disaster” with a possible outbreak, but Fiji (pop. About 900,000) – although it has 19 confirmed cases so far – seems to be holding its own with the success of its fever clinics that have tested more than 120,000 people in the capital of Suva so far.
Timor-Leste is also on the watch list with eight cases so far and a furore over the sacking of the acting health minister.
Pushed into the background by the relentless sad statistics and pandemic doomsday stories around the globe are some other issues in the Pacific that normally struggle to get an airing in mainstream media.
Growing concern for West Papua
Just over the porous 820 km jungle border from Papua New Guinea, are the two Melanesian provinces Papua and West Papua ruled under protest by Indonesia. Collectively known as West Papua, the region has become a growing public health concern as Indonesia appears headed for disaster.
The coronavirus pandemic is “exacerbating tensions” in West Papua and exposing the “shortcomings” of Jakarta government policy, laments a conflict watchdog group.
The Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) says President Joko Widodo’s government needs to urgently appoint a senior official to “focus exclusively on Papua” province to ensure that immediate humanitarian needs and longer term issues are effectively addressed.
It has appealed for greater transparency and more support for the local Papuan administrations in coping with the spread of the virus.
“The virus arrived in Papua as tensions left over from deadly communal violence in August-September 2019 remained high, and pro-independence guerrillas from the Free Papua Organisation (Organisasi Papua Merdeka, OPM) were intensifying attacks in the central highlands.
“Papua’s major faultlines – indigenous vs migrant, central control vs local autonomy, independence movement vs the state – affected both how Papuans interpreted the pandemic and the central government’s response.”
The pandemic has also added new complications such as how many Papuans are “already portraying the virus as being brought in by non-Papuan migrants and the military”. As a result, “hostility and suspicion” are growing.
‘Jakarta six’ episode
Another episode happened in Jakarta this week that ought to have focused attention on the ongoing human rights struggle for Papuans yet was barely noticed in mainstream media in Australia and New Zealand.
A hearing about the trial of six Papuan activists – known as the “Jakarta Six” – will now be held online or long-distance amid the enforcement of large scale social restrictions to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
The accused – five men and a woman – are Paulus Suryanta Ginting, Charles Kossay, Ambrosius Mulait, Isay Wenda, Anes Tabuni and Arina Elopere. They were arrested by police for flying the Morning Star independence flag during a protest action demanding a referendum for Papua in front of the State Palace on August 28 last year.
The hearings into the alleged makar (treason, subversion, rebellion) case have been changed since the coronavirus pandemic has hit Indonesia, particularly in Jakarta.
The team of lawyers defending the six had earlier asked the panel of judges to postpone the hearing. However, the judges refused the request but changed the mechanism for the hearing so that the defendants can remain in jail for the trial.
NZ’s ‘long road back’
Back in New Zealand, the four-week national lockdown has been going encouragingly well, it is into its last week with the debate now moving on to the “long road back” for the economy by relaxing controls – a little – and the manner of how this would be achieved. A decision will be announced next Monday.
The Ministry of Health statistics show just nine deaths so far – mostly elderly rest home patients – with a fairly stable 1386 cases, just 20 new ones announces yesterday that are eclipsed by the rate of recoveries, now up to 728.
In fact, according to the Washington Post’s Beijing bureau chief, New Zealander Anna Fifield, the country is not just on track to “flatten the curve” but to “squash” it.
The last of 18,000 stranded German and European visitors and tourists seeking repatriation have now returned to their countries. The final Lufthansa Airbus flight had a sole incoming passenger – an Easter Bunny named Jacinda in honour of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who has gained admiration for her courageous leadership, clear communication and kindness.
Not to mention the voluntary gesture of the prime minister, her cabinet and civil service managers to take a six-month 20 percent pay cut in solidarity with the “struggle that many New Zealanders are facing”.
This article was first published by Asia Pacific Report on April 16.


thedailyblog--2020-04-17--MUST READ: What is to become of our housing post Covid-19?

We need to be wary of the law of unintended consequences as we contemplate what our post-Covid-19 future might look like .
Many commentators are talking up the forthcoming recession as being the worst since the great depression while others are suggesting that we will become kinder and less materialist as a consequence of the threat and disruption we have faced .
Amidst such speculation two things are certain to me – our Government is spending up a storm and capitalism will prevail .
These two certainties suggest to me a number of implications which might guide us in where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two from now .
As Rahm Emanuel , Obama ’ s former Chief of Staff once said ‘ never let a serious crisis go to waste ’ and there is ample evidence of such crisis opportunism across the political spectrum .
Two examples are Federated Farmers ’ call for the Government to call a halt to its environmental reforms.and TOP ’ s renewed call for a universal basic income .
The crisis narrative may soon extend to housing once the extent of job losses and business failures resulting from the Covid-19 shutdown become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shame if such a narrative is allowed to become entrenched for at least two reasons .
We already have a housing crisis for poor families and individuals and a shift in this narrative to a housing crisis for the middle class not only risks ignoring the homeless and poorly housed but could make things worse for them .
The other reason a post-Covid-19 crisis narrative is not helpful for housing is because this might otherwise be an opportunity to correct some of the market and policy failures which have contributed to the pre-Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems likely that rents and house values will fall over the next six to 12 months at least .
This can ’ t be a bad thing for tenants and first-home buyers .
How far house prices will fall remains to be seen although we probably should look to Australia for a guide to what might happen .
Australia ’ s housing markets and especially those in Melbourne and Sydney are even more vulnerable than New Zealand ’ s .
House values as a proportion of GDP in Australia reached 342 % at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 282 % in New Zealand .
Household debt as a share of GDP was 124 % in Australia at that time while it was almost 100 % in New Zealand .
A recent Guardian article suggested that house prices could fall 20 % in Australia although it noted that auction clearance rates have remained buoyant in Melbourne and Sydney over the past few weeks .
The Australian banks which are exposed to the risks associated with an extended recession and a meltdown in house prices are of course the same Australian banks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other debt markets .
It seems unlikely that they will have much regard for New Zealanders ’ mortgage stress if they are scrambling to stay afloat back home .
For the banks this is literally a house of cards because they can not afford to push struggling debt ridden home owners and landlords to the wall for risk of a further collapse in house prices and a further fall in the security they have over the rest of their mortgage portfolio .
However , a 20 % decline in house prices in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be too catastrophic for the banks or most households with mortgages especially given the very low interest rates we have presently .
Declines of more than 40 % are probably quite dangerous for the whole stability of our financial system .
But this isn ’ t a free lunch for housing policy because any significant slump in rents and prices will most likely lead to a slump in house building and residential investment .
In other words , there is a good chance of a looming housing shortage within two years without some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will drive this shortage ?
Immigration has buoyed our housing market and has richly rewarded existing home owners with unprecedented capital gains over the past decade or so .
Half of the total growth in New Zealand ’ s population over the past decade – that is around 308,000 people of an increase of 619,000 , has been from immigration .
This net migration flow of 308,000 people saw a net of almost 170,000 New Zealand citizens leave the country permanently and almost 480,000 citizens from other countries move here on a permanent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people represents around 100,000 additional houses depending on your assumptions around house occupancy rates .
Over the past decade there were almost 240,000 consents for new dwellings issued while Statistics New Zealand estimates that the national housing stock grew by just over 206,000 dwellings .
It would be quite wrong to blame migrants for our housing problems .
These problems are due to successive policy failures which range from our unwillingness to tax wealth , our inability to plan for and pay for urban growth , our reluctance to deal to price gouging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inability to curb bank lending on over-priced housing .
Many of these failures won ’ t matter much in the immediate aftermath of Covid-19 .
Certainly some wealth gains will be wiped out and banks will become far more reluctant to lend to over-geared homebuyers and investors .
Depending on the extent and nature of the post-Covid19 recovery .
these shifts may only endure for two years however .
This will especially be so if we get back to a business as usual world where markets and the owners of capital determine our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alternative vision from Government this seems likely .
In many respects our housing future beyond the middle of 2021 lies in what happens around immigration .
While some experts have suggested that we shouldn ’ t think about any overseas travel for at least 18 months , there will be economic and political pressure to open up our border long before then .
The reality is that New Zealand ’ s growth model has relied on immigration for the last decade or so .
This immigration buoyed markets for housing and consumer goods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our aging population .
This alternative supply of labour and what at times has appeared to be unchecked employer abuses of migrant labour have helped to depress wages for unskilled workers .
For example Government estimates from late 2019 suggest that as many as 242,000 workers , or around 9 % of the workforce , are now receiving the statutory minimum wage In 2014 this proportion was just 5 % .
Not only will it be difficult , for economic reasons , to turn off the immigration tap – it will be difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well .
While a net of 170,000 New Zealand citizens left New Zealand permanently over the past decade this figure represents the balance of 520,000 leaving and 370,000 returning .
Many of these half million or so Kiwis who have left New Zealand and not returned may have a change of heart about their mother country if , or more likely when , the economy of their country of residence moves into recession and they find that their access to income and social assistance is very limited .
Australia is the obvious example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really going to keep the border closed to tens and perhaps hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders wanting to come home ?
If immigration numbers grow even higher over the next one or two years there will be increasing pressure on our housing stock and probably at a time where private sector house building is weak .
Many and perhaps most of these returning Kiwis are unlikely to be cashed up so won ’ t be candidates for the $ 600,000 + houses/apartments which appears to be as cheaply as the private sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Most likely Government will come to the rescue .
In part this will be because house building is an obvious way of restarting the economy and in part because of the potential for an even greater shortage of affordable and social housing .
It would be a shame however if this rescue was driven by a crisis narrative which shifts the focus from the homeless guy in the street or the family in a motel unit to developers going broke and CBD apartment prices plummeting .
Most likely there is actually limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic lever in part because it appears that the biggest job losses will be in the service sector – especially hospitality , and because such investment may feed into monopoly profits for building materials manufacturers and for land bankers .
A more measured approach to a new housing strategy might include measures across a number of parts of the housing policy kitset including .
• None The relaxation of building regulations to make it easier for people to build smaller units or so-called tiny homes for themselves and whanau .
• None Strengthening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the criminalisation of exploitative landlord practices like bond theft and the renting of the worst of sub-standard accommodation .
• None Development of an institutional rental housing option which no longer relies on mom and pop landlords farming capital gains but on purpose built rental housing with sound and efficient institutional frameworks .
• None Capital support for the NGO not-for-profit housing sector to begin the build at scale and in particular to develop below market secure tenure rental housing to supplement social housing .
The next few months will probably determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ package .
As this is designed and rolled out it is important that we learn from the past and don ’ t simple recreate the system we already have .
If the muscle of the state is to be used to rebuild the economy let us hope that the economy we end up with is fairer and less unequal .
Our choices around housing policy are critical to such a transformation .

We need to be wary of the law of unintended consequences as we contemplate what our post-Covid-19 future might look like. Many commentators are talking up the forthcoming recession as being the worst since the great depression while others are suggesting that we will become kinder and less materialist as a consequence of the threat and disruption we have faced.
Amidst such speculation two things are certain to me – our Government is spending up a storm and capitalism will prevail. These two certainties suggest to me a number of implications which might guide us in where we might be in a year or two from now.
As Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s former Chief of Staff once said ‘never let a serious crisis go to waste’ and there is ample evidence of such crisis opportunism across the political spectrum. Two examples are Federated Farmers’ call for the Government to call a halt to its environmental reforms.and TOP’s renewed call for a universal basic income.
The crisis narrative may soon extend to housing once the extent of job losses and business failures resulting from the Covid-19 shutdown become apparent. It will be a great shame if such a narrative is allowed to become entrenched for at least two reasons.
We already have a housing crisis for poor families and individuals and a shift in this narrative to a housing crisis for the middle class not only risks ignoring the homeless and poorly housed but could make things worse for them. The other reason a post-Covid-19 crisis narrative is not helpful for housing is because this might otherwise be an opportunity to correct some of the market and policy failures which have contributed to the pre-Covid-19 housing crisis.
For example, it seems likely that rents and house values will fall over the next six to 12 months at least. This can’t be a bad thing for tenants and first-home buyers.
How far house prices will fall remains to be seen although we probably should look to Australia for a guide to what might happen. Australia’s housing markets and especially those in Melbourne and Sydney are even more vulnerable than New Zealand’s. House values as a proportion of GDP in Australia reached 342% at the end of 2019 while they were at 282% in New Zealand. Household debt as a share of GDP was 124% in Australia at that time while it was almost 100% in New Zealand. A recent Guardian article suggested that house prices could fall 20% in Australia although it noted that auction clearance rates have remained buoyant in Melbourne and Sydney over the past few weeks.
The Australian banks which are exposed to the risks associated with an extended recession and a meltdown in house prices are of course the same Australian banks which dominate New Zealand’s mortgage and other debt markets. It seems unlikely that they will have much regard for New Zealanders’ mortgage stress if they are scrambling to stay afloat back home. For the banks this is literally a house of cards because they cannot afford to push struggling debt ridden home owners and landlords to the wall for risk of a further collapse in house prices and a further fall in the security they have over the rest of their mortgage portfolio.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
However, a 20% decline in house prices in Australia and New Zealand shouldn’t be too catastrophic for the banks or most households with mortgages especially given the very low interest rates we have presently. Declines of more than 40% are probably quite dangerous for the whole stability of our financial system.
But this isn’t a free lunch for housing policy because any significant slump in rents and prices will most likely lead to a slump in house building and residential investment. In other words, there is a good chance of a looming housing shortage within two years without some form of government intervention. But what will drive this shortage?
Immigration has buoyed our housing market and has richly rewarded existing home owners with unprecedented capital gains over the past decade or so. Half of the total growth in New Zealand’s population over the past decade – that is around 308,000 people of an increase of 619,000, has been from immigration. This net migration flow of 308,000 people saw a net of almost 170,000 New Zealand citizens leave the country permanently and almost 480,000 citizens from other countries move here on a permanent basis.
This net migration of 308,000 people represents around 100,000 additional houses depending on your assumptions around house occupancy rates. Over the past decade there were almost 240,000 consents for new dwellings issued while Statistics New Zealand estimates that the national housing stock grew by just over 206,000 dwellings.
It would be quite wrong to blame migrants for our housing problems. These problems are due to successive policy failures which range from our unwillingness to tax wealth, our inability to plan for and pay for urban growth, our reluctance to deal to price gouging in the building materials sector and our inability to curb bank lending on over-priced housing.
Many of these failures won’t matter much in the immediate aftermath of Covid-19. Certainly some wealth gains will be wiped out and banks will become far more reluctant to lend to over-geared homebuyers and investors. Depending on the extent and nature of the post-Covid19 recovery. these shifts may only endure for two years however. This will especially be so if we get back to a business as usual world where markets and the owners of capital determine our priorities. In the absence of an alternative vision from Government this seems likely.
In many respects our housing future beyond the middle of 2021 lies in what happens around immigration. While some experts have suggested that we shouldn’t think about any overseas travel for at least 18 months, there will be economic and political pressure to open up our border long before then. The reality is that New Zealand’s growth model has relied on immigration for the last decade or so. This immigration buoyed markets for housing and consumer goods and plugged labour shortages brought about by our aging population. This alternative supply of labour and what at times has appeared to be unchecked employer abuses of migrant labour have helped to depress wages for unskilled workers. For example Government estimates from late 2019 suggest that as many as 242,000 workers, or around 9% of the workforce, are now receiving the statutory minimum wage In 2014 this proportion was just 5%.
Not only will it be difficult, for economic reasons, to turn off the immigration tap – it will be difficult to do so for political reasons as well. While a net of 170,000 New Zealand citizens left New Zealand permanently over the past decade this figure represents the balance of 520,000 leaving and 370,000 returning. Many of these half million or so Kiwis who have left New Zealand and not returned may have a change of heart about their mother country if, or more likely when, the economy of their country of residence moves into recession and they find that their access to income and social assistance is very limited. Australia is the obvious example here. How are New Zealand politicians really going to keep the border closed to tens and perhaps hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders wanting to come home?
If immigration numbers grow even higher over the next one or two years there will be increasing pressure on our housing stock and probably at a time where private sector house building is weak. Many and perhaps most of these returning Kiwis are unlikely to be cashed up so won’t be candidates for the $600,000 + houses/apartments which appears to be as cheaply as the private sector can build and average sized house for.
Most likely Government will come to the rescue. In part this will be because house building is an obvious way of restarting the economy and in part because of the potential for an even greater shortage of affordable and social housing.
It would be a shame however if this rescue was driven by a crisis narrative which shifts the focus from the homeless guy in the street or the family in a motel unit to developers going broke and CBD apartment prices plummeting. Most likely there is actually limited mileage in using house building as an economic lever in part because it appears that the biggest job losses will be in the service sector – especially hospitality, and because such investment may feed into monopoly profits for building materials manufacturers and for land bankers.
A more measured approach to a new housing strategy might include measures across a number of parts of the housing policy kitset including.
The relaxation of building regulations to make it easier for people to build smaller units or so-called tiny homes for themselves and whanau.
Strengthening of tenancy laws in favour of tenants including the criminalisation of exploitative landlord practices like bond theft and the renting of the worst of sub-standard accommodation.
Development of an institutional rental housing option which no longer relies on mom and pop landlords farming capital gains but on purpose built rental housing with sound and efficient institutional frameworks.
Capital support for the NGO not-for-profit housing sector to begin the build at scale and in particular to develop below market secure tenure rental housing to supplement social housing.
The next few months will probably determine the nature of any recovery driven housing package. As this is designed and rolled out it is important that we learn from the past and don’t simple recreate the system we already have. If the muscle of the state is to be used to rebuild the economy let us hope that the economy we end up with is fairer and less unequal. Our choices around housing policy are critical to such a transformation.
Alan Johnson is the CPAG housing spokesman.


thedailyblog--2020-04-17--Life in Lock Down: Day 23

Life in Lock Down: Day 23

It ’ s a gray , cool , overcast Autumn day .
Dead leaves are starting to cover my paths and lawns .
Pretty much another ordinary Autumn day , like so many through my years , and years to come .
Except it ’ s anything but ordinary as humanity experiences an event that will be a marker for the early part of the 21st Century .
It ’ s another work day .
Same routine ; drive past the Park N Ride ; two cars .
Along the main road to SH2 – and what do I see… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owner didn ’ t get the memo that it ’ s not Alert Level 2 just yet .
It ’ ll be interesting to see if it ’ s back tonight , on my way home .
On the motorway , traffic seems marginally busier than last week .
Of course , it ’ s a subjective assessment based on observation , memory , and a bit of guesswork .
Sighted ; police car parked up on the side of the highway ; Fulton Hogan roadworks truck ; “ ZAP ” pest control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truck ; “ Toll ” heavy truck and a “ Toll ” medium sized truck ; a bin-hire truck with a skip-bin ; a “ Geeves ” scaffolding truck ; “ Al ’ s Litta bins ” flat deck truck ; “ Budget ” rental light truck ; “ Precision ” glazing van ; “ Packaging Products ” truck ; “ Ministry of Plumbing ” plumbers van ; “ Morepork ” gravel-hauling truck ; 2 “ L.G .
Anderson ” container trucks ; a gravel-hauling truck towing a small front-end loader ; “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beaurepairs ” truck ; an empty flat deck hi-ab truck ; patient transfer ambulance SUV ; “ Downer ” ute ; “ Westward ” truck hauling various building materials ; “ Linfox ” fuel tanker ; “ Central Group ” forklifts and trucks branded truck ; “ Laser Plumbing ” van ; “ Canon Hygiene ” van ; “ Countdown ” food delivery van ; “ MGI ” van ; “ TIMG ” van ; “ Allied Security ” car ; “ ATMS ” road works truck in Vivian Street , outside of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ van ; 2 police cars in Vivian Street ; 2 “ Cory ’ s ” utes ; Salvation Army Family Store truck ; “ ATMS ” road works truck in Mt Victoria Tunnel ; “ Toll ” truck in tunnel , “ Owens ” truck… Traffic did seem a little heavier than previous weeks .
Especially travelling through the Mt Vic tunnel , activity is on the increase , without doubt .
As I drove along Vivian Street headed toward the Eastern Subsurbs , I noticed how overgrown the green park was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Design building was starting to become .
As in most post-apocalypse movies , urban scapes are soon reclaimed by nature ’ s relentless growth ; Not quite the scene from the 2007 movie , I Am Legend… — but given enough time… This afternoon , more good news mixed with tragedy .
New cases are the lowest since mid-March : eight .
If this is accurate ; if there are no asymptomatic cases floating around the country ; and if the downward trend continues , Aotearoa New Zealand will have achieved what no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from our borders .
This puts foolish , harping critics like National ’ s Paul Goldsmith and ACT ’ s David Seymour in their proper place ; as whining ‘ Cassandras ’ who are hell-bent on putting this country on a collision course with a virus outbreak along the lines of Italy , Spain , UK , USA , et al .
David Seymour made the astounding suggestion that Australia was achieving “ better results ” than Aotearoa ; “ Australia appears to be having its cake and eating it too , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than New Zealand with fewer restrictions on economic activity.
” Even the Mediaworks-Newshub article was misleading in its headline ; Misleading because it is not true .
Australia has five times our population , but seven times our covid19 death toll ; On 16 April , Australia had 6,447 cases of covid19 .
As of 17 April , a day later , the figure had jumped to 6,523 .
Australia ’ s death is also rising .
On 16 April it stood at 63 .
As of today ( 18 April ) covid19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as our government was announcing plans to reduce our Alert Level from 4 to 3 , Australia was announcing it was extending its lock-down by another four weeks .
The UK was extending its lockdown by three weeks whilst Japan had declared a national state of emergency .
National MP Paul Goldsmith is now questioning New Zealand ’ s approach , pointing out that the two nations have had similar results per capita .
Again , not true .
The above infographic shows Australia ’ s death toll worse than Aotearoa ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the facts ; being mischievous for National ’ s political agenda , or is trying to use sheer will-power to magic-up his own version of reality .
Meanwhile , David Seymour continues to tout on behalf of business interests , picking away at lock-down-mandated closure of most retailers ; “ It is not clear why a dairy with a one-in one-out policy can open , but other types of retail can not and that will be damaging and in some cases devastating for those businesses for no clear public health gain.
” Well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Mr Goldsmith and Mr Seymour in simple , easy-to-comprehend terms ; “ Germy bad .
Make people sick .
Germy make people die .
Not good .
People sad .
Put people in ground .
Other people cry.
” And here is a pretty crayon picture for Little David and Little Paul ; There is very good reasoning behind the lock-down .
The more people are out , the greater the risk of transmission .
Spain , UK , Italy , and New York City have demonstrated with great clarity how transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control .
More retailers open means more people moving about in retail areas .
The more people there are , the closer they get to each other .
Social distancing is impossible when limited areas become crowded .
( I have witnessed this on fine , sunny days around Oriental Bay when people flock to the wide footpaths to stroll , jog , and ride bikes .
Social distancing quickly becomes unrealistic .
And some just don ’ t care . )
Even supermarket ’ s can become become congested , as I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when shopping for groceries for an immuno-suppressed client .
This was the scene at the Kilbirnie Pak N Save Meats Section this afternoon at 2.30pm .
No social distancing whatsoever ; Worst still , this was the scene in just one aisle at Kilbirnie Pak N Save ; Any notion of a 2 metre distancing ( or even 1 metre ! )
became utterly unrealistic as clusters of people crowded the aisles .
If one person in those aisles was carrying covid19 and coughed or sneezed , it is likely several dozen shoppers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there were staff at all entrances to the supermarket “ controlling ” entry .
Yet , the aisles were crowded .
If Mr Goldsmith and Mr Seymour get their way , scenes like above will be repeated throughout the country , in every city , and every popular retailer .
We can not – must not – permit agenda-driven fools like Mr Goldsmith and Mr Seymour to have any influence with the government .
Or people will get sick .
Sky News : Australia in lockdown for another four weeks – PM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives govt dressing down over retail sector restrictions RNZ : Covid-19 – Coronavirus developments in New Zealand on 17 April Democracy Now : Madrid ’ s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds China in Coronavirus Deaths The Independent : Is Sweden having second thoughts on lockdown ?
The Out And Abouter : Reached For Comment , Coronavirus Says It ’ s Also Very In Favour Of Reopening The Economy Immediately Will New Zealand Be Right ?
The Warehouse – where everyone gets a virus Life in Lock Down : Day 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of a four week long tunnel ?
!
This blogpost will be re-published on “ Frankly Speaking “ .
Reader ’ s comments may be left here ( The Daily Blog ) or there ( Frankly Speaking ) .

.
.
April 17: Day 23 of living in lock-down…
It’s a gray, cool, overcast Autumn day. Dead leaves are starting to cover my paths and lawns. Pretty much another ordinary Autumn day, like so many through my years, and years to come. Except it’s anything but ordinary as humanity experiences an event that will be a marker for the early part of the 21st Century.
It’s another work day. Same routine; drive past the Park N Ride; two cars. Along the main road to SH2 – and what do I see…?
A few days ago;
.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
.
This afternoon;
.
.
One missing motorhome. Obviously the owner didn’t get the memo that it’s not Alert Level 2 just yet. It’ll be interesting to see if it’s back tonight, on my way home.
On the motorway, traffic seems marginally busier than last week. Of course, it’s a subjective assessment based on observation, memory, and a bit of guesswork. Sighted; police car parked up on the side of the highway; Fulton Hogan roadworks truck; “ZAP” pest control van; “New World” heavy truck; “Toll” heavy truck and a “Toll” medium sized truck; a bin-hire truck with a skip-bin; a “Geeves” scaffolding truck; “Al’s Litta bins” flat deck truck; “Budget” rental light truck; “Precision” glazing van; “Packaging Products” truck; “Ministry of Plumbing” plumbers van; “Morepork” gravel-hauling truck; 2 “L.G. Anderson” container trucks; a gravel-hauling truck towing a small front-end loader; “Low Cost Bins” ute; “Beaurepairs” truck; an empty flat deck hi-ab truck; patient transfer ambulance SUV; “Downer” ute; “Westward” truck hauling various building materials; “Linfox” fuel tanker; “Central Group” forklifts and trucks branded truck; “Laser Plumbing” van; “Canon Hygiene” van; “Countdown” food delivery van; “MGI” van; “TIMG” van; “Allied Security” car; “ATMS” road works truck in Vivian Street, outside of Terrace Tunnel; “Spotless Catering” van; 2 police cars in Vivian Street; 2 “Cory’s” utes; Salvation Army Family Store truck; “ATMS” road works truck in Mt Victoria Tunnel; “Toll” truck in tunnel, “Owens” truck…
Traffic did seem a little heavier than previous weeks. Especially travelling through the Mt Vic tunnel, activity is on the increase, without doubt.
As I drove along Vivian Street headed toward the Eastern Subsurbs, I noticed how overgrown the green park was in front of the School of Architecture and Design building was starting to become. As in most post-apocalypse movies, urban scapes are soon reclaimed by nature’s relentless growth;
.
.
Not quite the scene from the 2007 movie, I Am Legend…
.
.
— but given enough time…
This afternoon, more good news mixed with tragedy. New cases are the lowest since mid-March: eight. If this is accurate; if there are no asymptomatic cases floating around the country; and if the downward trend continues, Aotearoa New Zealand will have achieved what no other nation has: eliminating the virus from our borders.
This puts foolish, harping critics like National’s Paul Goldsmith and ACT’s David Seymour in their proper place; as whining ‘Cassandras’ who are hell-bent on putting this country on a collision course with a virus outbreak along the lines of Italy, Spain, UK, USA, et al.
David Seymour made the astounding suggestion that Australia was achieving “better results” than Aotearoa;
“Australia appears to be having its cake and eating it too, as it gets achieves better COVID-19 health outcomes than New Zealand with fewer restrictions on economic activity.”
Even the Mediaworks-Newshub article was misleading in its headline;
MPs question New Zealand’s COVID-19 lockdown as Australia’s lighter approach produces similar results
Misleading because it is not true. Australia has five times our population, but seven times our covid19 death toll;
.
.
On 16 April, Australia had 6,447 cases of covid19. As of 17 April, a day later, the figure had jumped to 6,523.
Australia’s death is also rising. On 16 April it stood at 63. As of today (18 April) covid19 has claimed 65 victims.
Yesterday, as our government was announcing plans to reduce our Alert Level from 4 to 3, Australia was announcing it was extending its lock-down by another four weeks. The UK was extending its lockdown by three weeks whilst Japan had declared a national state of emergency.
Mediaworks-Newshub reported;
National MP Paul Goldsmith is now questioning New Zealand’s approach, pointing out that the two nations have had similar results per capita.
Again, not true. The above infographic shows Australia’s death toll worse than Aotearoa’s. Mr Goldsmith is either ignorant of the facts; being mischievous for National’s political agenda, or is trying to use sheer will-power to magic-up his own version of reality.
Meanwhile, David Seymour continues to tout on behalf of business interests, picking away at lock-down-mandated closure of most retailers;
“It is not clear why a dairy with a one-in one-out policy can open, but other types of retail cannot and that will be damaging and in some cases devastating for those businesses for no clear public health gain.”
He says it’s “not clear”?!
Well, let me make it abundantly clear for Mr Goldsmith and Mr Seymour in simple, easy-to-comprehend terms;
“Germy bad. Make people sick. Germy make people die. Not good. People sad. Put people in ground. Other people cry.”
And here is a pretty crayon picture for Little David and Little Paul;
.
.
There is very good reasoning behind the lock-down. The more people are out, the greater the risk of transmission. Spain, UK, Italy, and New York City have demonstrated with great clarity how transmission of this virus can explode out of control.
More retailers open means more people moving about in retail areas. The more people there are, the closer they get to each other. Social distancing is impossible when limited areas become crowded. (I have witnessed this on fine, sunny days around Oriental Bay when people flock to the wide footpaths to stroll, jog, and ride bikes. Social distancing quickly becomes unrealistic. And some just don’t care.)
Even supermarket’s can become become congested, as I discovered this afternoon (17 April) when shopping for groceries for an immuno-suppressed client.
This was the scene at the Kilbirnie Pak N Save Meats Section this afternoon at 2.30pm. No social distancing whatsoever;
.
.
Worst still, this was the scene in just one aisle at Kilbirnie Pak N Save;
.
.
Any notion of a 2 metre distancing (or even 1 metre!) became utterly unrealistic as clusters of people crowded the aisles. If one person in those aisles was carrying covid19 and coughed or sneezed, it is likely several dozen shoppers would likely have been infected.
Ironically, there were staff at all entrances to the supermarket “controlling” entry. Yet, the aisles were crowded.
If Mr Goldsmith and Mr Seymour get their way, scenes like above will be repeated throughout the country, in every city, and every popular retailer. We cannot – must not – permit agenda-driven fools like Mr Goldsmith and Mr Seymour to have any influence with the government.
Or people will get sick.
And people will die.
.
Current covid19 cases: 1,409
Cases in ICU: 3 (2 critical)
Number of deaths: 11
.
.
.
.
References
Mediaworks/Newshub: MPs question New Zealand’s COVID-19 lockdown as Australia’s lighter approach produces similar results
ABC: Charting the COVID-19 spread in Australia
Sky News: Australia in lockdown for another four weeks – PM
RNZ: UK lockdown extended while Japan declares national emergency
RNZ: Act Party leader David Seymour gives govt dressing down over retail sector restrictions
RNZ: Covid-19 – Coronavirus developments in New Zealand on 17 April
Must Read
Democracy Now: Madrid’s Ice Rink Turned to Morgue as Spain Exceeds China in Coronavirus Deaths
The Independent: Is Sweden having second thoughts on lockdown?
The Out And Abouter: Reached For Comment, Coronavirus Says It’s Also Very In Favour Of Reopening The Economy Immediately
Elemental: Hold the Line
Other Blogs
Will New Zealand Be Right?
Previous related blogposts
The Warehouse – where everyone gets a virus
Life in Lock Down: Day 1
Life in Lock Down: Day 2
Life in Lock Down: Day 3
Life in Lock Down: Day 4
Life in Lock Down: Day 5
Life in Lock Down: Day 6
Life in Lock Down: Day 7
Life in Lock Down: Day 7 (sanitised version)
Life in Lock Down: Day 8
Life in Lock Down: Day 8 (sanitised version)
Life in Lock Down: Day 9
Life in Lock Down: Day 10
Life in Lock Down: Day 11
Life in Lock Down: Day 12
Life in Lock Down: Day 13
Life in Lock Down: Day 14
Life in Lock Down: Day 15
Life in Lock Down: Day 16 – Bad Friday
Life in Lock Down: Day 17
Life in Lock Down: Day 18
Life in Lock Down: Day 19
Life in Lock Down: Day 20
Life in Lock Down: Day 21
Life in Lock Down: Day 22 – Is that a light at the end of a four week long tunnel?!
.
.
.
Acknowledgement: Steve Ditko (?)
.
This blogpost will be re-published on “Frankly Speaking“. Reader’s comments may be left here (The Daily Blog) or there (Frankly Speaking).
.
= fs =


thedailyblog--2020-04-17--Biodiversity and hope for our planet flourish in defiant Palestine

This month , up until 13 April , the Israeli Army had committed 54 Gaza ceasefire violations , including seven damaging incursions ( the Israeli Army invades Gaza as and when it pleases ) , 15 attacks on Palestinian fishing boats , disabling one vessel and wounding three crew members .
Besides this , Palestinian communities and agriculture came under Israeli fire every day .
In addition to the damage and risk to life and limb that Palestinians are subjected to every day by Israeli forces , there is also a spiteful , petty side to Zionist violence that reveals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature and true purpose .
For instance , on 11 April , the rooftops of Palestinian houses came under Israeli Army fire that damaged water storage tanks and the Army then went on to fire rubber-coated metal bullets , stun grenades and tear gas canisters at protesters .
Already this month , Occupation forces have bulldozed a Palestinian olive grove , destroyed a livestock shelter and opened fire on Palestinian Covid-19 emergency workers who were checking the risk of coronavirus spread .
On 5 April , Israeli aircraft sprayed toxic chemicals onto Gaza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an area near the western entrance to Beit Jallah .
As at 11 April , one Palestinian had died from wounds inflicted by Israeli Army fire , two had been beaten and six were wounded/injured .
On 5 April , militants from the Beit Hadassah Israeli Occupation settlement invaded the family home of Zidan Al-Sharbati in Hebron ’ s al-Shuhada Street and vandalised water storage tanks .
They then hoisted an Israeli flag on the roof , in place of an existing Palestinian one , while yelling insults at the family and neighbours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the roofs of houses .
On 12 April , Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian olive groves ruined hundreds of trees .
On 13 April , two hectares of grapevines were destroyed when settlers , from the Israeli Occupation settlement of Gush Etzion , pumped the colony ’ s sewage , as well as toxic chemicals , onto Palestinian farmland in Beit Ambar .
That same day at dawn , stone-throwing settlers raided the Dead Sea Wadi al-Darqa area , setting fire to two vehicles and pepper-spraying villagers .
Also on the same day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settlement bulldozed crops on Burin village farmland .
Reports of unwell Palestinian labourers , leaving their workplaces in Israel last month and being dumped at checkpoints along the Green Line , have sparked outrage .
There is video footage of an incapacitated worker , lying for hours on the ground outside a checkpoint , after being abandoned there by the Israeli Army .
With Occupation forces hindering and acting aggressively towards Palestinian COVID-19 emergency workers , the situation can only get worse .
Whenever Palestinians protest against such injustices , Israeli forces come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show who ’ s boss .
On a much more positive note though , Palestinians do far more than protest .
They also contribute a respectful alternative to the selfish power-hungry materialism that has brought the world to the present crisis of unprecedented danger .
Respect for the environment and each other The environmental impact of the Israeli Occupation on natural diversity in Palestine is profound and its effects are well understood .
With the support of Jewish Voice for Peace , Universal Unitarians for Justice in the Middle East , The Gralta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Hampshire Palestine Education Network , the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability Research Centre works to conserve at-risk biodiversity .
The Institute ’ s Palestinian founder , Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh , also a US citizen , returned to Bethlehem with his wife , Jessie , in 2008 .
He is also a director of the Palestine Museum of Natural History at Bethlehem University and both the Institute and the Museum are leading producers of scientific research on biodiversity in Palestine .
The Museum , embracing worldwide environmentalism , envisages the founding of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its place in Earth ’ s ecology and work for sustainability , in harmony with both nature and each other .
The main goals of the Museum and Institute are to research , educate and conserve the natural environment .
In this pursuit , however , the effects of the Israeli military occupation can not be ignored .
The Museum in Bethlehem is in the centre of the Israeli Occupation and , as an engineer from Nablus who is a museum partner explains , it has to be more than a project about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is getting attacked by the Israelis.
” Even before the creation of the Israeli state , the Zionist enterprise was severely interfering with the environment with its introduction of invasive species , for example , pine trees .
The needles from these alien trees have killed native plants and created havoc in the ecosystem .
The draining of the wetlands of the Hula Reserve by the colonisers , alone , resulted in the loss of 119 different species .
In addition , pine forests have been used to cover and obliterate the remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bayt Nattif , destroyed by Zionist forces during the Nakba ( catastrophe ) .
With forests standing where Palestinian towns and villages once stood , the Zionists made sure that those they had driven out would have nothing to return to .
Israeli colonisers , desirous of territory cleared of its people , carry out planned strategic land-grabs , coupled with an imposed regime of enforced ‘ permit ‘ requirements that drive increasing numbers of Palestinians into a bleak existence in overcrowded urban enclaves .
Reports of sick Palestinian labourers , leaving their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being dumped at checkpoints along the Green Line sparked outrage .
There is video footage of an incapacitated worker lying , for hours , on the ground outside a checkpoint after being dumped there by Israeli forces .
According to the GlobalFirepower ( GFP ) 2020 review , “ Israel fields one of the most capable military forces in the world – despite its size ” .
Very revealingly , GFP heads its report with a version of the Israeli flag that clearly reflects Israel ’ s military objectives .
Jews for Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Britain , is reporting about the COVID-19 situation in Palestine and Israel .
JfJfP reports on a Palestinian shoemaker swiftly starting the West Bank ’ s only mask factory , a Gaza factory that once made children ’ s clothes that now manufactures protective medical clothing and also the Palestinian Al-Quds University in Jerusalem development and production of a fully-computerised , low-cost medical ventilator for COVID-19 patients .
In addition , an interesting analysis from a Jewish Voice for Peace member , epidemiologist Rob Lipton , deals with the prospects for control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newspaper Haaretz has published news of an Israeli police raid on 14 April that shut down a Palestinian coronavirus testing clinic in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Silwan .
There are already 40 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Silwan and this assault was carried out , in spite of there being a serious shortage of coronavirus testing kits there .
The Palestine Museum of Natural History teaches how to live sustainably through a variety of techniques , including hydroponics and the perhaps less familiar aquaponic , which employs the waste from fish as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ converted into fertiliser for the plants that , clean and safe , can be returned to the fish .
The system imitates the aquatic ecosystems found in nature .
Palestine has to deal with both alien military Occupation and climate change and the people will no longer accept being parted from their culture and history .
Mazin Qumsiyeh says : “ Our job here is mental liberation and freedom from mental colonisation.
” The Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability Research Centre and the Palestine Museum of Natural History are form of non-violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palestine , and the world .
In New Zealand , the Kia Ora Gaza movement , dedicated to “ breaking the inhuman and illegal Israeli siege of Gaza ” is calling for support for the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa ’ s combined appeal to the NZ Government to call for Israel to end its blockade of Gaza and military occupation of the Palestinian territories and allow Palestinians to access the medical supplies and equipment they need to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Kia Ora Gaza call includes a Palestinian Ministry of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Gaza Strip .
Our Government needs to demonstrate consistency in upholding equal rights and international law , and – just as important – in holding to account anyone who breaks that law .
The rules-based order , signed up to by the global community following World War Two , is today under severe threat and the NZ Government needs to actively defend it .
Israel ’ s establishment as a sovereign state was secured through a process that denied the Palestinian people their right to freedom , self-determination and sovereignty .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government at least acknowledged that “ in line with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions , the Occupied Palestinian Territories ( the West Bank , including East Jerusalem , and Gaza ) are not lawfully part of the State of Israel .
The UK does not recognise Israeli settlements as part of Israel .
The UK ’ s position on settlements is clear .
They are illegal under international law .
.
.
” Empty words though , without determined action , will never suffice in the defence of international law and equal rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the world by : • Responding positively to the UN appeal for £28 million to deal with coronavirus in the Occupied Palestinian Territory ( OPT ) and continue our support for UNRWA , which delivers essential services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza , the West Bank , East Jerusalem and elsewhere .
• Demanding implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2334 , sponsored by New Zealand , which calls on all states to distinguish in their dealings between the territory of the State of Israel and Palestinian land it militarily occupies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s growing threat to unilaterally annex the whole of Palestine is undermining any remaining hope of a just peace .
Zionist Israel must be brought to account !

This month, up until 13 April, the Israeli Army had committed 54 Gaza ceasefire violations, including seven damaging incursions (the Israeli Army invades Gaza as and when it pleases), 15 attacks on Palestinian fishing boats, disabling one vessel and wounding three crew members. Besides this, Palestinian communities and agriculture came under Israeli fire every day. In addition to the damage and risk to life and limb that Palestinians are subjected to every day by Israeli forces, there is also a spiteful, petty side to Zionist violence that reveals, even more clearly, its hateful nature and true purpose.
For instance, on 11 April, the rooftops of Palestinian houses came under Israeli Army fire that damaged water storage tanks and the Army then went on to fire rubber-coated metal bullets, stun grenades and tear gas canisters at protesters. Already this month, Occupation forces have bulldozed a Palestinian olive grove, destroyed a livestock shelter and opened fire on Palestinian Covid-19 emergency workers who were checking the risk of coronavirus spread. On 5 April, Israeli aircraft sprayed toxic chemicals onto Gaza farmland and the Army pumped sewage into an area near the western entrance to Beit Jallah. As at 11 April, one Palestinian had died from wounds inflicted by Israeli Army fire, two had been beaten and six were wounded/injured.
On 5 April, militants from the Beit Hadassah Israeli Occupation settlement invaded the family home of Zidan Al-Sharbati in Hebron’s al-Shuhada Street and vandalised water storage tanks. They then hoisted an Israeli flag on the roof, in place of an existing Palestinian one, while yelling insults at the family and neighbours, as they trampled their way across the roofs of houses. On 12 April, Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian olive groves ruined hundreds of trees. On 13 April, two hectares of grapevines were destroyed when settlers, from the Israeli Occupation settlement of Gush Etzion, pumped the colony’s sewage, as well as toxic chemicals, onto Palestinian farmland in Beit Ambar. That same day at dawn, stone-throwing settlers raided the Dead Sea Wadi al-Darqa area, setting fire to two vehicles and pepper-spraying villagers. Also on the same day, saboteurs from the Yitzhar Israeli Occupation settlement bulldozed crops on Burin village farmland.
Reports of unwell Palestinian labourers, leaving their workplaces in Israel last month and being dumped at checkpoints along the Green Line, have sparked outrage. There is video footage of an incapacitated worker, lying for hours on the ground outside a checkpoint, after being abandoned there by the Israeli Army. With Occupation forces hindering and acting aggressively towards Palestinian COVID-19 emergency workers, the situation can only get worse. Whenever Palestinians protest against such injustices, Israeli forces come down on them with ruthless violence to show who’s boss. On a much more positive note though, Palestinians do far more than protest. They also contribute a respectful alternative to the selfish power-hungry materialism that has brought the world to the present crisis of unprecedented danger.
Respect for the environment and each other
The environmental impact of the Israeli Occupation on natural diversity in Palestine is profound and its effects are well understood. With the support of Jewish Voice for Peace, Universal Unitarians for Justice in the Middle East, The Gralta Foundation, Alliance for water Justice, New Hampshire Palestine Education Network, the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability Research Centre works to conserve at-risk biodiversity.
The Institute’s Palestinian founder, Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh, also a US citizen, returned to Bethlehem with his wife, Jessie, in 2008. He is also a director of the Palestine Museum of Natural History at Bethlehem University and both the Institute and the Museum are leading producers of scientific research on biodiversity in Palestine. The Museum, embracing worldwide environmentalism, envisages the founding of a future in which humanity will recognise its place in Earth’s ecology and work for sustainability, in harmony with both nature and each other.
The main goals of the Museum and Institute are to research, educate and conserve the natural environment. In this pursuit, however, the effects of the Israeli military occupation cannot be ignored. The Museum in Bethlehem is in the centre of the Israeli Occupation and, as an engineer from Nablus who is a museum partner explains, it has to be more than a project about protecting the environment “because the environment is getting attacked by the Israelis.”
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
Even before the creation of the Israeli state, the Zionist enterprise was severely interfering with the environment with its introduction of invasive species, for example, pine trees. The needles from these alien trees have killed native plants and created havoc in the ecosystem. The draining of the wetlands of the Hula Reserve by the colonisers, alone, resulted in the loss of 119 different species.
In addition, pine forests have been used to cover and obliterate the remains of Palestinian villages, one example being Bayt Nattif, destroyed by Zionist forces during the Nakba (catastrophe). With forests standing where Palestinian towns and villages once stood, the Zionists made sure that those they had driven out would have nothing to return to. Israeli colonisers, desirous of territory cleared of its people, carry out planned strategic land-grabs, coupled with an imposed regime of enforced ‘permit‘ requirements that drive increasing numbers of Palestinians into a bleak existence in overcrowded urban enclaves. Reports of sick Palestinian labourers, leaving their workplaces in Israel last month, and being dumped at checkpoints along the Green Line sparked outrage. There is video footage of an incapacitated worker lying, for hours, on the ground outside a checkpoint after being dumped there by Israeli forces.
According to the GlobalFirepower (GFP) 2020 review, “Israel fields one of the most capable military forces in the world – despite its size”. Very revealingly, GFP heads its report with a version of the Israeli flag that clearly reflects Israel’s military objectives.
COVID-19
Jews for Justice for Palestinians (JfJjP), based in Britain, is reporting about the COVID-19 situation in Palestine and Israel. JfJfP reports on a Palestinian shoemaker swiftly starting the West Bank’s only mask factory, a Gaza factory that once made children’s clothes that now manufactures protective medical clothing and also the Palestinian Al-Quds University in Jerusalem development and production of a fully-computerised, low-cost medical ventilator for COVID-19 patients. In addition, an interesting analysis from a Jewish Voice for Peace member, epidemiologist Rob Lipton, deals with the prospects for control of COVID-19 in Palestine.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz has published news of an Israeli police raid on 14 April that shut down a Palestinian coronavirus testing clinic in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Silwan. There are already 40 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Silwan and this assault was carried out, in spite of there being a serious shortage of coronavirus testing kits there.
Sustainability
The Palestine Museum of Natural History teaches how to live sustainably through a variety of techniques, including hydroponics and the perhaps less familiar aquaponics, which employs the waste from fish as food for bacteria that can then be converted into fertiliser for the plants that, clean and safe, can be returned to the fish. The system imitates the aquatic ecosystems found in nature.
Palestine has to deal with both alien military Occupation and climate change and the people will no longer accept being parted from their culture and history. Mazin Qumsiyeh says: “Our job here is mental liberation and freedom from mental colonisation.” The Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability Research Centre and the Palestine Museum of Natural History are forms of non-violent resistance that offer a rational future for Palestine, and the world.
New Zealand’s role
In New Zealand, the Kia Ora Gaza movement, dedicated to “breaking the inhuman and illegal Israeli siege of Gaza” is calling for support for the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa’s combined appeal to the NZ Government to call for Israel to end its blockade of Gaza and military occupation of the Palestinian territories and allow Palestinians to access the medical supplies and equipment they need to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kia Ora Gaza call includes a Palestinian Ministry of Health video press release about the conditions in the Gaza Strip.
Our Government needs to demonstrate consistency in upholding equal rights and international law, and – just as important – in holding to account anyone who breaks that law. The rules-based order, signed up to by the global community following World War Two, is today under severe threat and the NZ Government needs to actively defend it. Israel’s establishment as a sovereign state was secured through a process that denied the Palestinian people their right to freedom, self-determination and sovereignty.
On 16 April 2019, the UK Government at least acknowledged that “in line with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, the Occupied Palestinian Territories (the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza) are not lawfully part of the State of Israel. The UK does not recognise Israeli settlements as part of Israel. The UK’s position on settlements is clear. They are illegal under international law. . .”
Empty words though, without determined action, will never suffice in the defence of international law and equal rights. Our Government should set an example to the world by:
Responding positively to the UN appeal for £28 million to deal with coronavirus in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and continue our support for UNRWA, which delivers essential services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and elsewhere.
Demanding implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2334, sponsored by New Zealand, which calls on all states to distinguish in their dealings between the territory of the State of Israel and Palestinian land it militarily occupies, colonises and controls.
Today, Israel’s growing threat to unilaterally annex the whole of Palestine is undermining any remaining hope of a just peace. Zionist Israel must be brought to account!


thedailyblog--2020-04-18--Urgent action needed to raise and individualise benefits – first step to a basic income for all

In Australia the government almost doubled the value of the unemployment benefit to $ 557.85 a week .
New Zealand should do something similar .
I propose that for at least the next six months we should give all unemployed , sickness , invalid and sole parent beneficiaries a tax-free benefit equal to the net national superannuation rate for a single person – $ 425 a week with a tax on all other income of 39 % .
I will explain where I got this idea and how it will work a bit later .
$ 425 a week is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wage which is what adult unemployment benefit values were in the 1980s before being slashed to about 33 % in the 1990 budget .
Since 1990 their value has dropped again to only 20 % of the average wage because they have only been increased by the Consumer Price Index movement rather than the average wage movement .
This was changed in this year ’ s budget and the increase matched the average wage increase but the damage has been done and without a substantial real increase the losses over two decades will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a near halving of the percentage of people qualifying for an unemplyment benefit around 2008 when deliberate and punitive barriers were put in place to block people being able to access benefits despite their legal right to do so .
This has been an important part of what has driven the explosion of poverty levels , homelessness and dependence on foodbanks over the last decade before the most recent crisis .
It is this sector of society who have suffered the most over the past decade and needs the biggest help during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be made into a first step towards a universal basic income at a meaningful value to make a difference .
Economist Susan St John has proposed something similar for those on national superannuation that hasn ’ t been given the attention it deserves .
Susan St John was proposing this change to National Superannuation as a fair and progressive alternative to the right-wing economists demanding cuts to national superannuation because it is allegedly “ unaffordable ” .
Her proposals would have saved a lot of money but be much fairer than raising the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example .
She proposed we establish a non-taxed basic income grant equal to the current living alone net national superannuation income of $ 425 a week .
All other income would then be taxed at a set rate to ensure those on high incomes do not benefit unnecesarily .
That rate could be set at any number , but Susan gave two examples in her paper .
In one she used a 39 % tax rate which would mean anyone earning over $ 123,000 a year would lose the entire benefit .
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to $ 20,000 and then 45 % beyond that which would cut off any benefit at around $ 100,000 .
The beauty of these simple suggestions is that the benefit doesn ’ t get paid to people who don ’ t really deserve it but national superannuation would retain its universal character and be available to everyone at age 65 .
In Susan ’ s proposals Superannuitants earning more than the cut off points would simply choose not to receive the benefit .
But in my view , it makes sense to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 39 % or 45 % apply on all incomes over $ 100,000 or $ 123,000 examples as well to help fund an extension of the benefit to others .
Personally I would then add even more marginal rates at higher incomes until we reach 100 % at $ 250,000 .
We should also bring in wealth taxes and death duties for anyone with accumulated wealth above $ 5 million to make sure that this class of people ( property owners in particular ) who have avoided taxation their entire lives can no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at a Financial Transaction Tax but would prefer that to be used to replace the regressive GST tax .
But with a universal non-taxed grant in place for those aged 65 and over , Susan St John did think it could easily be extended to other groups if we chose to .
She suggested we may want to start with sole parents , or those aged 60 and over have worked in manual jobs .
But the same basic income grant could be extended to anyone who was unemployed , and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the income to pay for it .
At the moment , when were are in a crisis , and we are literally printing money to deal with the problems we face , then we need immediate steps to deliver money to the poorest sections of society and those who have suffered the biggest loss of income – the newly unemployed and those already on benefits .
Current benefit levels are simply starvation rates – $ 250 net for an adult .
It is only $ 200 each for a couple .
Youth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age .
And you can ’ t access a benefit if your partner works .
Then to add insult to injury a sole-parent family loses $ 75 a week from an In Work tax Credit for their child if they lose their job .
That also must change .
We need all benefits ( including national superannuation ) individualised so you aren ’ t punished for being in a relationship .
All benefits should be set at the single rate for national superannuation ( $ 425 a week ) , made tax free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
Making these benefits as universal as possible also undercuts the ability of some groups to criticise others for receiving them .
It has been interesting that there was little criticism of the winter energy payment ( now $ 40 a week for singles ) going to beneficiaries and others on low incomes , when it was also given to those on national superannuation .
The wage subsidy has been effective in keeping most people in employment for at least the next three months .
But tens of thousands of workers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grow to several hundred thousand .
Many workers in grey areas of the economy doing cash jobs also could not access support .
Workers on temporary visas have also missed out on support if they lose their jobs .
These workers need much more support immediately .
We can certainly “ afford ” to do it for six months while we debate the wealth and other taxes that may be needed to sustain this proposal longer term .

In Australia the government almost doubled the value of the unemployment benefit to $557.85 a week.
New Zealand should do something similar.
I propose that for at least the next six months we should give all unemployed, sickness, invalid and sole parent beneficiaries a tax-free benefit equal to the net national superannuation rate for a single person – $425 a week with a tax on all other income of 39%. I will explain where I got this idea and how it will work a bit later.
$425 a week is about 40% of the average net wage which is what adult unemployment benefit values were in the 1980s before being slashed to about 33% in the 1990 budget. Since 1990 their value has dropped again to only 20% of the average wage because they have only been increased by the Consumer Price Index movement rather than the average wage movement. This was changed in this year’s budget and the increase matched the average wage increase but the damage has been done and without a substantial real increase the losses over two decades will never be made up.
There was also a near halving of the percentage of people qualifying for an unemplyment benefit around 2008 when deliberate and punitive barriers were put in place to block people being able to access benefits despite their legal right to do so.
This has been an important part of what has driven the explosion of poverty levels, homelessness and dependence on foodbanks over the last decade before the most recent crisis.
It is this sector of society who have suffered the most over the past decade and needs the biggest help during the crisis period.
It can also be made into a first step towards a universal basic income at a meaningful value to make a difference.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
Economist Susan St John has proposed something similar for those on national superannuation that hasn’t been given the attention it deserves.
Susan St John was proposing this change to National Superannuation as a fair and progressive alternative to the right-wing economists demanding cuts to national superannuation because it is allegedly “unaffordable”. Her proposals would have saved a lot of money but be much fairer than raising the age or cutting the value, for example.
She proposed we establish a non-taxed basic income grant equal to the current living alone net national superannuation income of $425 a week.
All other income would then be taxed at a set rate to ensure those on high incomes do not benefit unnecesarily. That rate could be set at any number, but Susan gave two examples in her paper. In one she used a 39% tax rate which would mean anyone earning over $123,000 a year would lose the entire benefit. Another alternative was 20% on all income up to $20,000 and then 45% beyond that which would cut off any benefit at around $100,000.
The beauty of these simple suggestions is that the benefit doesn’t get paid to people who don’t really deserve it but national superannuation would retain its universal character and be available to everyone at age 65.
In Susan’s proposals Superannuitants earning more than the cut off points would simply choose not to receive the benefit. But in my view, it makes sense to have the respective marginal tax rates of 39% or 45% apply on all incomes over $100,000 or $123,000 examples as well to help fund an extension of the benefit to others. Personally I would then add even more marginal rates at higher incomes until we reach 100% at $250,000.
We should also bring in wealth taxes and death duties for anyone with accumulated wealth above $5 million to make sure that this class of people (property owners in particular) who have avoided taxation their entire lives can no longer do so. I’d also look at a Financial Transaction Tax but would prefer that to be used to replace the regressive GST tax.
But with a universal non-taxed grant in place for those aged 65 and over, Susan St John did think it could easily be extended to other groups if we chose to. She suggested we may want to start with sole parents, or those aged 60 and over have worked in manual jobs.
But the same basic income grant could be extended to anyone who was unemployed, and also used to replace student allowances if we had the income to pay for it.
At the moment, when were are in a crisis, and we are literally printing money to deal with the problems we face, then we need immediate steps to deliver money to the poorest sections of society and those who have suffered the biggest loss of income – the newly unemployed and those already on benefits.
Current benefit levels are simply starvation rates – $250 net for an adult. It is only $200 each for a couple. Youth rates apply aup to 24 years of age. And you can’t access a benefit if your partner works. Then to add insult to injury a sole-parent family loses $75 a week from an In Work tax Credit for their child if they lose their job. That also must change.
We need all benefits (including national superannuation) individualised so you aren’t punished for being in a relationship.
All benefits should be set at the single rate for national superannuation ($425 a week), made tax free and all other income taxed at 39%.
Making these benefits as universal as possible also undercuts the ability of some groups to criticise others for receiving them. It has been interesting that there was little criticism of the winter energy payment (now $40 a week for singles) going to beneficiaries and others on low incomes, when it was also given to those on national superannuation.
The wage subsidy has been effective in keeping most people in employment for at least the next three months. But tens of thousands of workers have still lost work and that could easily grow to several hundred thousand. Many workers in grey areas of the economy doing cash jobs also could not access support. Workers on temporary visas have also missed out on support if they lose their jobs. These workers need much more support immediately.
We can certainly “afford” to do it for six months while we debate the wealth and other taxes that may be needed to sustain this proposal longer term.