thedailyblog--2020-08-21--Shameful, deathly silence . . .

Shameful, deathly silence . . .

In the early hours of 7 August , Israeli Occupation force , in a night raid and home invasions in Jenin , shot and killed Dalia Samudi in her Jabariyat neighbourhood home .
She received several bullet wounds in the chest while trying to close a window against Israeli Army tear gas ; the soldiers even opened fire on the ambulance that arrived to take her to hospital .
Dalia was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at hospital and the 23-year-old woman ’ s new-born child is now motherless .
The local Red Crescent Director , Mahmoud al-Sa ’ adi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the ambulance , scarred with bullets , had been fired on by Israeli soldiers as it arrived to evacuate her .
On 13 August , following two Israeli air strikes and an artillery barrage on the al-Shati UN refugee camp , 20 homes were left damaged and an unexploded missile , found in a UN-run school there , caused its immediate evacuation .
One mother , Um-Muhammed Talat , described how the 2am Israeli blitz had awakened her terrified children .
At around the same time , Israeli air strikes also hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier , the Israeli Army made an incursion into Gaza , laying waste to land and , in the West Bank , two Palestinian workers were shot and wounded by Israeli forces .
Israeli settlers , in the North Jordan Valley , seized control of Palestinian farmland in two areas and , in the district of Qalqiliya , other settlers set fire to olive trees while , during the night , settler militants also invaded the village of Asira al-Qibliya , setting fire to a bulldozer and spraying racist insults , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ villagers acted to defend themselves and their property , the Israeli Army intervened , launching stun grenades and tear gas canisters , in support of the settlers .
On 15 August , at least four small children were injured during a fifth straight night of Israeli air strikes and barrages on the Gaza Strip .
An inspirational Palestinian spirit exemplifies the will to survive The Gaza Strip ’ s only power plant was forced to shut down completely on 18 August , less than a week after Israel totally cut fuel supplies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at its mercy for the supply of energy and this latest sadistic act comes on top of seven consecutive nights of air strikes .
The prospect of rebuilding the devastation in Gaza might appear hopeless but a young Palestinian woman , a qualified engineer , has come up with a remarkable solution .
Her invention doesn ’ t just lift spirits – it is so green the West could learn from her example .
An eight-month old Palestinian baby , scheduled for a lifesaving operation in Israel on 24 May but denied a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blockade , died on 18 June .
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel ( PHRI ) warn that he will not be the last .
The baby , Omar Yaghi , died from a cardiac condition at the Sheba Medical Centre in Tel Aviv .
Israel tries to escape criticism for its actions by blaming the Palestinian Civil Affairs Committee ( PCAC ) for ceasing to co-ordinate with the blockade military because of Israel ’ s declared annexation proposal .
Israel has an obligation , under international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical care for the population subjected to its military occupation since 1967 .
The Israeli blockade has already resulted in hundreds of deaths and now , with the Palestinian Authority refusing to go along with Israel ’ s impossibly obstructive ‘ permit ’ bureaucracy , there is no travel for medical care allowed at all .
It is Israel that controls the area , the crossings and the daily living conditions of the Palestinian population and , since Israel instituted its failed permit system , it shoulders the responsibility to find a quick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to receive medical treatment .
Most patients in the Gaza Strip travel for treatment in East Jerusalem and the West Bank , and their health must not be affected .
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel ( PHRI ) warns that , “ we are on the brink of medical chaos .
Right now , hundreds are affected .
Thousands will be affected soon.
” As at 7 August , the Israeli Occupation already this year , had destroyed more than 300 Palestinian homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem .
On top of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , forcing 737 Palestinians from their homes and off their land , to make way for Israeli military training zones and nature reserves .
In the same period , 419 attacks by Israeli Occupation settlers during the first half of 2020 have resulted in 78 Palestinians injured and damage to 110 hectares of land , as well as the burning and uprooting of more than 3,000 trees .
Meanwhile , the Israeli Ministry of Construction and Housing , and the Israel Land Authority have , during the first half of this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of housing units as well as commercial , industrial and service buildings , in Israeli settlements imposed upon Occupied Palestinian territory .
The future looks grim with , for instance , Israel ’ s plan to make a further 200 Palestinians homeless in the village of Farasin , where there are also precious ancient buildings and a 200-year-old well .
On 7 August , Hezbollah ’ s leader , Hassan Nasrallah , expressly denied claims that the organisation had ever stored weapons or explosives at Beirut Port .
But the important point is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stored there , Israel had convinced itself that Hezbollah was responsible .
One year ago , Israel ’ s Ambassador to the UN , Danny Danon , accused Lebanon of allowing Hezbollah to store weapons at the port and complained to the Security Council , asserting that “ The Port of Beirut has become the Port of Hezbollah.
” Lebanon ’ s President has said the explosion may have been caused by ‘ outside interference ’ .
Israel has bombed Lebanon before .
Last year , also in August , the Zionist state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanon while two drones crashed later in Beirut , one hitting a building housing a Hezbollah office .
An opponent of Hezbollah , Lebanon ’ s then-Prime Minister , Saad Hariri , described the Israeli air strikes as “ a threat to regional stability ” .
It is not unreasonable to consider , therefore , that Israel might also have been responsible for causing the latest tragedy in Beirut .
US President Donald Trump may , for once , have spoken the truth when he blurted out that the destruction may have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefings by US Defence and Security advisers .
In Iran also , since June , fires and explosions have erupted in six factories and other facilities , including the Parchin missile-production plant and the Natanz nuclear energy site .
When asked directly whether Israel was at all responsible for these , the Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz answered , “ Not every incident that transpires in Iran necessarily has something to do with us ” , which hardly served as a convincing denial .
Israel ’ s Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commented : “ Iran can not be allowed to have nuclear capabilities ” , adding that , “ we take actions that are better left unsaid.
” A joint statement issued by the United States , the United Arab Emirates and Israel on the normalisation of ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates has been greeted , variously , as a historic diplomatic breakthrough and , alternatively , as a betrayal of the Palestinian people as well as a threat to the survival of international law and respect for human rights .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , Israel and the United Arab Emirates share a similar outlook regarding the threats and opportunities in the region ” .
The agreement also looks to increase economic integration and “ closer security co-ordination ” .
The UAE has enjoyed a covert relationship with Israel that goes back to the 1990s .
Co-operation has included their intelligence agencies as well as the military – even to the extent of joint military exercises .
Israel has suspended its West Bank annexation plan , in order to secure the deal with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties will continue to recognise and support Israel ’ s on-going and tightening de facto annexation of Palestinian land .
The UAE is simply colluding with and covering for Israel , enabling the Zionist regime to avoid the threat of sanctions being imposed by its traditional European allies .
Netanyahu , no doubt , hopes the agreement will not only help divert attention away from the corruption charges that plague him but also improve his chances , politically , at home .
President Trump will , of course , bask in the light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Middle Eastern and world oligarchs will celebrate another extension of their influence and profiteering , and Israel will be allowed again to get away with murder , even more unhindered than before .
In a telephone briefing on 17 August , Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner announced , with hegemonic arrogance : “ Israel has agreed with us that they will not move forward without our consent .
We do not plan to give our consent for some time.
” Never mind international law , in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiations ’ – the US and Israel assume the right to be the sole controllers of the future of the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination !
It is no surprise , therefore , that almost immediately following the announcement of the joint statement , Netanyahu , unable to contain himself , shamelessly and triumphantly reaffirmed his determination to impose future annexation .
The objective of all this , is to eclipse the oppression of Palestinian and suffocate their pleas for justice , in order to focus attention and support for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Israel and the Gulf States .
In New Zealand , the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa is calling on our Government to demand that Israel lift its blockade of Gaza and condemn , absolutely , the crushing violence and ruin it is imposing upon Palestine .
In Auckland , on 8 August , PSNA activists organised an action for the Days of Resistance to demand an end to New Zealand ’ s complicity in Israeli war crimes , calling for our country ’ s officials to put an end to military co-operation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from passing vehicles , PSNA supporters marched to the Army ’ s headquarters to demand that we stop purchasing weapons from Israel .
Israeli attacks on civilians , especially those in UN refugee camps , should be of particular concern to the international community .
It is sad to reflect that neither our leaders nor news media pay the slightest attention to these crimes and never report , let alone condemn , them .
The PSNA is appealing to people to join the movement in demanding the suspension of all bilateral agreements with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to violate international humanitarian law .
As a matter of security for us all – never before has it been more urgent to raise the alert and speak up for Palestine .
Demand an end to the silence and challenge the lies and misinformation !

In the early hours of 7 August, Israeli Occupation forces, in a night raid and home invasions in Jenin, shot and killed Dalia Samudi in her Jabariyat neighbourhood home. She received several bullet wounds in the chest while trying to close a window against Israeli Army tear gas; the soldiers even opened fire on the ambulance that arrived to take her to hospital. Dalia was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at hospital and the 23-year-old woman’s new-born child is now motherless. The local Red Crescent Director, Mahmoud al-Sa’adi, confirmed to the Wafa News Agency that the ambulance, scarred with bullets, had been fired on by Israeli soldiers as it arrived to evacuate her.
Israeli air strike on Gaza leaves unexploded bomb in school
On 13 August, following two Israeli air strikes and an artillery barrage on the al-Shati UN refugee camp, 20 homes were left damaged and an unexploded missile, found in a UN-run school there, caused its immediate evacuation. One mother, Um-Muhammed Talat, described how the 2am Israeli blitz had awakened her terrified children. At around the same time, Israeli air strikes also hit the east of Beit Hanoun and Rafah. Earlier, the Israeli Army made an incursion into Gaza, laying waste to land and, in the West Bank, two Palestinian workers were shot and wounded by Israeli forces. Israeli settlers, in the North Jordan Valley, seized control of Palestinian farmland in two areas and, in the district of Qalqiliya, other settlers set fire to olive trees while, during the night, settler militants also invaded the village of Asira al-Qibliya, setting fire to a bulldozer and spraying racist insults, in Hebrew, on village walls. When villagers acted to defend themselves and their property, the Israeli Army intervened, launching stun grenades and tear gas canisters, in support of the settlers. On 15 August, at least four small children were injured during a fifth straight night of Israeli air strikes and barrages on the Gaza Strip.
An inspirational Palestinian spirit exemplifies the will to survive
The Gaza Strip’s only power plant was forced to shut down completely on 18 August, less than a week after Israel totally cut fuel supplies to Gaza. Israel knows that Gaza is at its mercy for the supply of energy and this latest sadistic act comes on top of seven consecutive nights of air strikes. The prospect of rebuilding the devastation in Gaza might appear hopeless but a young Palestinian woman, a qualified engineer, has come up with a remarkable solution. Her invention doesn’t just lift spirits – it is so green the West could learn from her example.
Palestinian baby dies after Israel denies it medical treatment
An eight-month old Palestinian baby, scheduled for a lifesaving operation in Israel on 24 May but denied a permit to travel by the Israeli military blockade, died on 18 June. Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHRI) warn that he will not be the last. The baby, Omar Yaghi, died from a cardiac condition at the Sheba Medical Centre in Tel Aviv. Israel tries to escape criticism for its actions by blaming the Palestinian Civil Affairs Committee (PCAC) for ceasing to co-ordinate with the blockade military because of Israel’s declared annexation proposal. Israel has an obligation, under international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention, to allow freedom of travel and access to medical care for the population subjected to its military occupation since 1967. The Israeli blockade has already resulted in hundreds of deaths and now, with the Palestinian Authority refusing to go along with Israel’s impossibly obstructive ‘permit’ bureaucracy, there is no travel for medical care allowed at all.
It is Israel that controls the area, the crossings and the daily living conditions of the Palestinian population and, since Israel instituted its failed permit system, it shoulders the responsibility to find a quick solution to enable patients to travel freely to receive medical treatment. Most patients in the Gaza Strip travel for treatment in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and their health must not be affected. Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHRI) warns that,“we are on the brink of medical chaos. Right now, hundreds are affected. Thousands will be affected soon.”
Palestinian homes destroyed for Occupation growth
As at 7 August, the Israeli Occupation already this year, had destroyed more than 300 Palestinian homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. On top of this, 129 eviction notices were issued, forcing 737 Palestinians from their homes and off their land, to make way for Israeli military training zones and nature reserves. In the same period, 419 attacks by Israeli Occupation settlers during the first half of 2020 have resulted in 78 Palestinians injured and damage to 110 hectares of land, as well as the burning and uprooting of more than 3,000 trees. Meanwhile, the Israeli Ministry of Construction and Housing, and the Israel Land Authority have, during the first half of this year, issued permits for the construction of thousands of housing units as well as commercial, industrial and service buildings, in Israeli settlements imposed upon Occupied Palestinian territory. The future looks grim with, for instance, Israel’s plan to make a further 200 Palestinians homeless in the village of Farasin, where there are also precious ancient buildings and a 200-year-old well.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
B eirut P ort disaster update
On 7 August, Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, expressly denied claims that the organisation had ever stored weapons or explosives at Beirut Port. But the important point is that, whether or not weapons were stored there, Israel had convinced itself that Hezbollah was responsible. One year ago, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, accused Lebanon of allowing Hezbollah to store weapons at the port and complained to the Security Council, asserting that “The Port of Beirut has become the Port of Hezbollah.” Lebanon’s President has said the explosion may have been caused by ‘outside interference’.
Israel has bombed Lebanon before. Last year, also in August, the Zionist state carried out overnight air strikes in eastern Lebanon while two drones crashed later in Beirut, one hitting a building housing a Hezbollah office. An opponent of Hezbollah, Lebanon’s then-Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, described the Israeli air strikes as “a threat to regional stability”. It is not unreasonable to consider, therefore, that Israel might also have been responsible for causing the latest tragedy in Beirut. US President Donald Trump may, for once, have spoken the truth when he blurted out that the destruction may have been the result of an attack, following briefings by US Defence and Security advisers.
In Iran also, since June, fires and explosions have erupted in six factories and other facilities, including the Parchin missile-production plant and the Natanz nuclear energy site. When asked directly whether Israel was at all responsible for these, the Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz answered, “Not every incident that transpires in Iran necessarily has something to do with us”, which hardly served as a convincing denial. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi didn’t help much either, when he commented: “Iran cannot be allowed to have nuclear capabilities”, adding that, “we take actions that are better left unsaid.”
Israel UAE agreement
A joint statement issued by the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Israel on the normalisation of ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates has been greeted, variously, as a historic diplomatic breakthrough and, alternatively, as a betrayal of the Palestinian people as well as a threat to the survival of international law and respect for human rights. The statement admits that “along with the United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates share a similar outlook regarding the threats and opportunities in the region”. The agreement also looks to increase economic integration and “closer security co-ordination”. The UAE has enjoyed a covert relationship with Israel that goes back to the 1990s. Co-operation has included their intelligence agencies as well as the military – even to the extent of joint military exercises.
Israel has suspended its West Bank annexation plan, in order to secure the deal with the UAE but, in reality, both parties will continue to recognise and support Israel’s on-going and tightening de facto annexation of Palestinian land. The UAE is simply colluding with and covering for Israel, enabling the Zionist regime to avoid the threat of sanctions being imposed by its traditional European allies. Netanyahu, no doubt, hopes the agreement will not only help divert attention away from the corruption charges that plague him but also improve his chances, politically, at home. President Trump will, of course, bask in the light of a ‘glorious achievement’, Middle Eastern and world oligarchs will celebrate another extension of their influence and profiteering, and Israel will be allowed again to get away with murder, even more unhindered than before.
Great power arrogance
In a telephone briefing on 17 August, Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner announced, with hegemonic arrogance: “Israel has agreed with us that they will not move forward without our consent. We do not plan to give our consent for some time.”
Never mind international law, in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention, or even the so-called Middle-East ‘peace negotiations’ – the US and Israel assume the right to be the sole controllers of the future of the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination! It is no surprise, therefore, that almost immediately following the announcement of the joint statement, Netanyahu, unable to contain himself, shamelessly and triumphantly reaffirmed his determination to impose future annexation.
The objective of all this, is to eclipse the oppression of Palestinians and suffocate their pleas for justice, in order to focus attention and support for the aggression against Iran fostered by the US, Israel and the Gulf States.
PSNA
In New Zealand, the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa is calling on our Government to demand that Israel lift its blockade of Gaza and condemn, absolutely, the crushing violence and ruin it is imposing upon Palestine.
In Auckland, on 8 August, PSNA activists organised an action for the Days of Resistance to demand an end to New Zealand’s complicity in Israeli war crimes, calling for our country’s officials to put an end to military co-operation with the Israeli Occupation. With much support from passing vehicles, PSNA supporters marched to the Army’s headquarters to demand that we stop purchasing weapons from Israel.
Israeli attacks on civilians, especially those in UN refugee camps, should be of particular concern to the international community. It is sad to reflect that neither our leaders nor news media pay the slightest attention to these crimes and never report, let alone condemn, them. The PSNA is appealing to people to join the movement in demanding the suspension of all bilateral agreements with Israel, so long as it continues to violate international humanitarian law. As a matter of security for us all – never before has it been more urgent to raise the alert and speak up for Palestine. Demand an end to the silence and challenge the lies and misinformation!


thedailyblog--2020-08-22--When will Michael Barnett stop whinging, whining and bleating?

I know I ’ m not the only one fed up with the constant whining and bleating from the Chief Executive of the Auckland Business Chamber of Commerce , Michael Barnett .
I ’ m not holding a candle for the government and constructive criticism of its handling of Covid 19 response is fine .
But Barnett is in a league of his own .
I get it that Barnett hates the Labour Party , loves the National Party , hates unions and only speaks up for workers when they are prevented from slaving to enrich his big business mates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to speak up for small and medium businesses to drive a corporate agenda for the big end of Auckland .
But his constant carping against the government , reported ad nauseum by the media , is a bore .
Here are few extracts from his media diatribes from just the past week : “ … much more targeted support is needed to revive businesses wounded by the second lockdown and even worse , locked out of their livelihoods….
” “ It would be more helpful to provide other support direct to SME ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ … so many caught in this lockdown are consigned to no man ’ s land by the roll of the dice as Government picks winners and losers… ” “ Unnecessary and unacceptable delays are happening at port and road border checkpoints , disrupting freight , access to workplaces , and essential supplies… ” “ Checkpoints at the Bombay Hills between the border of Auckland and Waikato are preventing workers getting to market gardens to plant and other businesses because they haven ’ t got the ‘ paperwork ’ and truckers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and testing centres adding cost and undue delay to the transport of essential goods… ” “ Surely common sense could prevail… rather than demanding documentation and special exemptions… ” “ … but the bar is set too high for the battered sector only just inching to recovery before this lockdown knocked their confidence and balance sheets again… ” “ This two-week extension at the higher 40 per cent bar is a stretch too far , complicated to operate and not in sync with businesses who have had the rug pulled from under them… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for business to operate as alert level settings shift up and down… ” “ Business can not face on and off lockdowns .
There has to be a better , long term plan to build economic momentum… ” “ We have to learn to live with this virus… ” “ Government must resolve urgently the discriminatory list of businesses and services that can open in Level 3 while prohibiting trade by so many others… ” “ It is not the role of some agency to pick winners and losers like a pick and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and livelihoods are being played with… ” “ They should not become victims of discrimination… ” “ Trust business to do the right thing….
” “ Enterprises that do not need to be customer facing are closed for no rational reason… ” “ Government should focus on crushing the cluster , not businesses who are being denied the opportunity to trade… ” “ The system designating some businesses as ‘ essential ’ while others have to shut down when they provide the same services and products is an unfair lottery , picking winners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Party stooges in government there would have been no lockdown .
New Zealand would now resemble a small US state with the virus rampant and a huge death toll .
We are a team of five million – minus a few like Barnett .
When will he stop whining ?

I know I’m not the only one fed up with the constant whining and bleating from the Chief Executive of the Auckland Business Chamber of Commerce, Michael Barnett.
I’m not holding a candle for the government and constructive criticism of its handling of Covid 19 response is fine. But Barnett is in a league of his own.
I get it that Barnett hates the Labour Party, loves the National Party, hates unions and only speaks up for workers when they are prevented from slaving to enrich his big business mates.
I also get that he likes to speak up for small and medium businesses to drive a corporate agenda for the big end of Auckland.
But his constant carping against the government, reported ad nauseum by the media, is a bore.
Here are few extracts from his media diatribes from just the past week:
“… much more targeted support is needed to revive businesses wounded by the second lockdown and even worse, locked out of their livelihoods….”
“It would be more helpful to provide other support direct to SME’s struggling to manage reduced cash flow…”
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
“… so many caught in this lockdown are consigned to no man’s land by the roll of the dice as Government picks winners and losers…”
“Unnecessary and unacceptable delays are happening at port and road border checkpoints, disrupting freight, access to workplaces, and essential supplies…”
“Checkpoints at the Bombay Hills between the border of Auckland and Waikato are preventing workers getting to market gardens to plant and other businesses because they haven’t got the ‘paperwork’ and truckers are being delayed for hours at port control and testing centres adding cost and undue delay to the transport of essential goods…”
“Surely common sense could prevail… rather than demanding documentation and special exemptions…”
“… but the bar is set too high for the battered sector only just inching to recovery before this lockdown knocked their confidence and balance sheets again…”
“This two-week extension at the higher 40 per cent bar is a stretch too far, complicated to operate and not in sync with businesses who have had the rug pulled from under them…”
“…Government has to provide certainty for business to operate as alert level settings shift up and down…”
“Business cannot face on and off lockdowns. There has to be a better, long term plan to build economic momentum…”
“We have to learn to live with this virus…”
“Government must resolve urgently the discriminatory list of businesses and services that can open in Level 3 while prohibiting trade by so many others…”
“It is not the role of some agency to pick winners and losers like a pick and dip lottery. People’s lives and livelihoods are being played with…”
“They should not become victims of discrimination…”
“Trust business to do the right thing….”
“Enterprises that do not need to be customer facing are closed for no rational reason…”
“Government needs to play fair…”
“Government should focus on crushing the cluster, not businesses who are being denied the opportunity to trade…”
“The system designating some businesses as ‘essential’ while others have to shut down when they provide the same services and products is an unfair lottery, picking winners and losers…”
If Barnett had his National Party stooges in government there would have been no lockdown. New Zealand would now resemble a small US state with the virus rampant and a huge death toll.
We are a team of five million – minus a few like Barnett.
When will he stop whining?


thedailyblog--2020-08-22--Life in Level 2: National’s Barely Secret Agenda

National has come out of it ’ s corner fighting hard .
With Labour ’ s recent high polling on TV3 and TV1 , National faces a colossal election defeat , the worst since 2002 .
This has forced National to adapt it ’ s “ tough on crime ” cliches to the current microscopic threat against our wellbeing .
National is now “ tough on covid “ .
The phrasing is slightly altered , but the “ tough on XYZ ” image is not changed or diluted one iota .
It is appealing to it ’ s rump base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pissed of at quarantine fence-jumpers ; resent having to use their taxes to pay for Returnees ’ quarantining ; and or who feel that quarantine procedures/testing have been too lax , whether for Returnees or Border staff .
This is all fertile soil upon which National can sow its seeds of resentment and fear , and harvest a rich crop of votes .
They have not disappointed .
Their latest Border Protection policy – issued “ only ” six months after the first recorded case of Covid19 in Aotearoa New Zealand on 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions ; over promising ; vagueness ; and… of course , very much business-friendly .
It is also a masterpiece of deflection .
The document has been widely presented with the main msm narrative that all Returnees planning to board an aircraft must first present a negative covid test ; True to her “ crusher ” form , Opposition Leader Judith Collins has presented a staunch – almost authoritarian figure – determined to keep covid19 out of Aotearoa New Zealand ; “ We will make sure that it is legal because … we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We know that there will be some concerns about the Bill of Rights Act and peoples ’ human rights , we understand that .
And we also understand that this is always a balancing situation between the rights of an individual who may be feeling that they shouldn ’ t have to have a test to come back into New Zealand , but let ’ s look at it this way , right at the moment the law has been changed so when they are here they have penalties .
So what ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be .
We don ’ t want Covid-19 , and no New Zealander wants Covid-19 here.
” Those unable to get pre-tested and obtain a negative would not be allowed back into the country , according to Ms Collins .
However , aside from the sheer illegality of such a draconian step , the practicality and certainty of pre-testing Returnees prior to boarding their flights back home has been questioned .
More than one person has pointed out it is possible to be asymptomatic and return a negative result – only to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus in-flight , from others .
Ms Collins and National ’ s health spokesperson , Dr Shane Reti , both insist this policy has been written in consultation with epidemiologists .
Neither have disclosed who those epidemiologist ( s ) are .
“ We have epidemiologists who are working with us .
I ’ m not going to name them… ” Dr Reti also declined to name them ; “ We ’ re grateful for those networks of trust and those relationships .
If they want to identify themselves , they will.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not Dr Thornley , a maverick epidemiologist who has touted the “ herd immunity ” option and praised Sweden ’ s strategy of allowing the virus to sweep through the population .
( Even though Sweden ’ s death toll from covid19 now stands at a staggering – despite that country having only twice our population . )
Or perhaps it was the “ Emotional Junior Staffer “ ?
Or Michael Woodhouse ’ “ Homeless Man “ ?
National abounds with mysterious characters , it would appear .
However , a closer scrutiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Securing New Zealand ’ s border against COVID-19 ” and it ’ s in-depth version “ Securing Our Border “ , reveals that there is a ‘ fish hook ’ in their policy on handling covid-19 .
The latter document , “ Securing Our Border ” contains just four short references to the complex ( and probably unworkable ) suggestion that New Zealanders be pre-tested prior to returning home ; Receiving returning Kiwis and visitors at the border , and ensuring pre-border checks for people coming into New Zealand .
( p2 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people coming into the country to not only quarantine but also receive a test for COVID-19 , or a subsequent pandemic virus , three days before departure and provide the results of that test to airline staff before boarding their plane .
( p3 ) National would [ … ] Require people travelling to New Zealand to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test before arriving into New Zealand .
( p3 ) National would [ … ] [ Require ] Pre boarding thermal imaging and completion of health declaration card .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there is no reference made whatsoever to what would happen to a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident if they tested positive for covid19 .
The policy document does not address this critical point .
When it comes to lock-downs and business needs , the document is more fulsome .
Note the highlighted parts : Preparing for a more effective response to future outbreaks , should they occur .
Lockdowns , if needed , can be more targeted shorter in duration , while protecting our most vulnerable .
( p1 ) Facilitating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Specifically tailoring plans for small business , retailers and manufacturers .
( p2 ) This report , and the examples of high-quality contact tracing and testing systems internationally , provide confidence that similar systems in New Zealand could allow for less intrusive lockdowns in the event of an isolated outbreak .
( p4 ) National would implement the following [ … ] Ensuring consistency and capacity within the contact tracing system is critical to achieving the goals of a rapid contact tracing system that would help manage any isolated incidents of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need of intensive lockdowns across the country .
( p4 ) If lockdowns do occur , we must help our economy so that commerce can continue through lockdowns and people can continue work .
[ … ] Lockdowns are a short-term intervention that come at a tremendous cost to businesses and our economy .
In the long term , New Zealand can not afford to shut down or slow our entire economy even if there is a localised incursion .
( p6 ) National is concerned the lessons of the first lockdown were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response during the August lockdown .
Continuous improvement of our systems is required so that lockdowns become more targeted and effective , with minimal impact on our communities and the economy .
For example , where small businesses like butchers and greengrocers can demonstrate and implement or plan to operate safely , they should be allowed to do so .
( p6 ) In a press statement , National ’ s Covid-19 Border Response spokesperson , Gerry Brownlee , reaffirmed his Party ’ s intention to localise lockdowns ( alt.link ) ; “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that lockdowns become more targeted and effective , with minimal impact on our communities and the economy.
” Almost every paragraph contains a reference to limiting lockdowns .
The terms “ isolated outbreak “ , “ localised incursion ” , “ less intrusive lockdowns ” , and “ lockdowns become more targeted ” are suggestive of National pursuing the failed limited ‘ post-code ’ -based lockdowns in various Melbourne suburbs that were utterly ineffectual to contain their current outbreak ; …the current restrictions still allow significant movement of people between suburbs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still permitted , and there is no limit on the number of people in supermarkets and shopping centres .
This was National ’ s coded message to the business community : that under a National government , any lockdown would be localised and not encompass an entire city .
As much as they could get away with , it would be business-as-usual .
The over-hyped references to pre-testing returning New Zealanders ( without disclosing what would happen if they failed a covid test ) was a noisy distraction so the media and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the true message buried within the text of the policy document .
But the business community would have read the document .
They would have noticed the carefully nuanced references to “ less intrusive lockdowns ” , and “ lockdowns become more targeted ” and understood the meaning perfectly well .
Under a National Government , the economy would take priority .
End of .
National learned its lesson when it endorsed allowing foreign students to return to this country .
At a time when our MIQ ( Mandatory Isolation and Quarantine ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40,000 Returnees – Universities were noisily agitating to allow foreign students back in .
The suggestion was that Universities would look after their own quarantine facilities ; Victoria University of Wellington has a plan for international students ’ quarantine it will put to government , in the hope students will be allowed back before the border reopens .
Victoria University of Wellington vice-chancellor Grant Guilford said they had had a plan since late February for a strict quarantine .
The university had identified three facilities in the capital that could take students .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and possibly public health officials as well .
Only a few days ago ( 19 August ) , Universities were still touting and pressuring the government to re-admit foreign students into Aotearoa New Zealand ; Universities New Zealand chief executive Chris Whelan said Australia was following in the footsteps of places like Canada and the United Kingdom by bringing international students back .
New Zealand risked being left behind if students could not return by early next year , and it could take 10 years for the international student sector , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annually , to get back on track .
He believed the Australian programme could work in New Zealand .
We can all guess how that would turn out .
Not very well , would be the correct answer .
In case anyone was in doubt , this is how such a scenario might play out if Universities got their way ; First week : foreign students enter the country .
They are taken to quarantine hotels run by Victoria University staff and private security guards in Wellington .
The public is assured all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not mingle ; not leave the facility ; obey protocols , etc , etc , etc… Second week : first reports in the media of students partying ; mingling ; co-habiting ; venturing out to bottle stores to buy alcohol and pizza .
Security guards unable to stop them : they do not have police powers .
University staff : nowhere to be seen .
Third week : more reports of partying and absconding .
Local Wellington apartment dwellers tell media students are coming and going without hindrance .
Fourth week : first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Source “ unclear ” .
Fifth week : more cases of covid19 detected .
Source identified through genomic sequencing as coming from student in one of the hotel facilities .
Seventh week : Wellington goes into Level 3 lockdown .
Blogger writes shortest blogpost ever : “ I f*****g told you so !
” It ’ s always “ Systemic Failure ” – which conveniently means no one will ever be held to account ; no one will lose their job .
Apparently it ’ s never human accountability because someone stuffed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t deliver .
When foreign students from one of the country ’ s University ’ s reintroduces covid19 into the community – it will be a “ systemic/systems failure ” .
In June , National enthusiastically supported Universities having foreign students return to the country ; A National Government would be working hard to safely return tertiary international students back to New Zealand as quickly as possible , Deputy Leader and Education spokesperson Nikki Kaye and National ’ s Tertiary Education spokesperson Dr Shane Reti say .
Only two months later , National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ degrees and have now dropped it like a hot potato .
Public reaction would not have been supportive of such a risky venture – a fact National ’ s internal polling and/or focus groups would have sheeted home without any ambiguity whatsoever .
On top of which , having potentially infected foreign students entering the country , creating new clusters , would have undermined the revised narrative that new National leader , Judith Collins , was feeding the public ; “ We ’ ve said very clearly since I ’ ve been the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 in New Zealand .
I ’ ve heard lots of reports from some people that we should be much softer on this , I ’ m not prepared to be softer on this , ” Collins said .
You can only let people in if it can be done safely .
And safely means someone checking the checkers.
” She says that so well , so convincingly .
Almost with sincerity .
But a Leader who is willing to leave our fellow sick New Zealanders stranded overseas is not one to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of us .
Her “ compassion ” and concern for our safety can not be foremost in her mind when she so casually turns her back on sick New Zealanders in time of their greatest need .
Ms Collins ’ media minders have obviously noted Prime Minister Ardern ’ s concern for our safety and well-being – and have tried to transplant it on the National Party Leader .
It is not a good fit .
National have read the tea leaves ; the chicken entrails ; and most critically , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to risk reintroducing covid19 .
So they have written their Border Protection policy accordingly… but with that one , little ‘ fish hook ’ they snuck in , without anyone noticing .
And just to leave the gates open just a fraction for a future incoming National Government , they have given themselves an ‘ out ’ in that same Border Policy document : In the shorter term , the [ Border Protection ] agency will administer policy and procedures for : Considering expansion of entry qualifications and timing .
( p2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … for who ?
Foreign fee-paying students ?
New Zealanders should be careful in voting for National .
They have have made it clear where they place their priority , whether it be human lives and safety – or the economy .
If you guessed “ human lives and safety ” , you guessed wrong .
RNZ : New poll – Labour climbs to 60.9 % , National at 25.1 % Stuff media : Alleged isolation escapee told New Zealanders ‘ sick and tired ’ of quarantine breaches Stuff media : Make quarantined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to expect taxpayers to pick up the tab RNZ : Covid-19 – Lack of testing of staff at border ‘ extraordinary ’ – Skegg Otago Daily Times : Nats want everyone entering NZ to test negative to Covid first The Spinoff : The Bulletin – National changes philosophy behind border policy NZ Herald : Covid 19 coronavirus – National wants everyone entering NZ to test negative first Stuff media : Election 2020 – National wants travellers to test negative for Covid-19 before flying to NZ Mediaworks/Newshub : National ’ s border policy – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Zealand The Spinoff : Live updates , August 22 – Six new cases of Covid-19 in the community ( see : 10.15am entry ) Newsroom : Petition taken down by ‘ emotional junior staffer ’ The Conversation : Two weeks into Melbourne ’ s lockdown , why aren ’ t COVID-19 case numbers going down ?
Stuff media : Coronavirus – New Zealand ‘ risks being left behind ’ if international students can ’ t return NZ Family Violence Clearing House : Health and Disability Commissioner finds “ systemic failing ” at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Under National international students would be back ( alt.link ) Twitter : @ fmacskasy – 9:45AM Jun 12 , 2020 – no mood to go back into lockdown Life in Lock Down : Day 28 – An Open Letter to Prime Minister Ardern Life in Lock Down : Day 2 of Level 3 Life in level 1 : Newshub Nation , Q + A , and the end of Todd Muller ’ s leadership Life in Level 1 : The Doom of National Life in Level 2 : The Curious Case of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be re-published in five days on “ Frankly Speaking “ .
Reader ’ s comments may be left here ( The Daily Blog ) or there ( Frankly Speaking ) .

.
.
National has come out of it’s corner fighting hard. With Labour’s recent high polling on TV3 and TV1, National faces a colossal election defeat, the worst since 2002.
This has forced National to adapt it’s “tough on crime” cliches to the current microscopic threat against our wellbeing. National is now “tough on covid“.
The phrasing is slightly altered, but the “tough on XYZ” image is not changed or diluted one iota. It is appealing to it’s rump base and to those New Zealanders who are pissed of at quarantine fence-jumpers; resent having to use their taxes to pay for Returnees’ quarantining; and or who feel that quarantine procedures/testing have been too lax, whether for Returnees or Border staff.
This is all fertile soil upon which National can sow its seeds of resentment and fear, and harvest a rich crop of votes.
They have not disappointed.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
Their latest Border Protection policy – issued “only” six months after the first recorded case of Covid19 in Aotearoa New Zealand on 28 February – is a study in punitive restrictions; over promising; vagueness; and… of course, very much business-friendly.
It is also a masterpiece of deflection.
The document has been widely presented with the main msm narrative that all Returnees planning to board an aircraft must first present a negative covid test;
.
.
True to her “crusher” form, Opposition Leader Judith Collins has presented a staunch – almost authoritarian figure – determined to keep covid19 out of Aotearoa New Zealand;
“We will make sure that it is legal because … we will change the law if necessary.
We know that there will be some concerns about the Bill of Rights Act and peoples’ human rights, we understand that. And we also understand that this is always a balancing situation between the rights of an individual who may be feeling that they shouldn’t have to have a test to come back into New Zealand, but let’s look at it this way, right at the moment the law has been changed so when they are here they have penalties. So what’s the problem?
The answer surely must be. We don’t want Covid-19, and no New Zealander wants Covid-19 here.”
Those unable to get pre-tested and obtain a negative would not be allowed back into the country, according to Ms Collins.
However, aside from the sheer illegality of such a draconian step, the practicality and certainty of pre-testing Returnees prior to boarding their flights back home has been questioned.
More than one person has pointed out it is possible to be asymptomatic and return a negative result – only to test positive later. Or to contract the virus in-flight, from others.
Ms Collins and National’s health spokesperson, Dr Shane Reti, both insist this policy has been written in consultation with epidemiologists. Neither have disclosed who those epidemiologist(s) are.
Said Ms Collins;
“We have epidemiologists who are working with us. I’m not going to name them…”
Dr Reti also declined to name them;
“We’re grateful for those networks of trust and those relationships. If they want to identify themselves, they will.”
Such coyness.
Let’s hope it was not Dr Thornley, a maverick epidemiologist who has touted the “herd immunity” option and praised Sweden’s strategy of allowing the virus to sweep through the population. (Even though Sweden’s death toll from covid19 now stands at a staggering 5,810 – despite that country having only twice our population.)
Or perhaps it was the “Emotional Junior Staffer“? Or Michael Woodhouse’ “Homeless Man“? National abounds with mysterious characters, it would appear.
However, a closer scrutiny of National’s policy documents “Securing New Zealand’s border against COVID-19” and it’s in-depth version “Securing Our Border“, reveals that there is a ‘fish hook’ in their policy on handling covid-19.
The latter document, “Securing Our Border” contains just four short references to the complex (and probably unworkable) suggestion that New Zealanders be pre-tested prior to returning home;
Receiving returning Kiwis and visitors at the border, and ensuring pre-border checks for people coming into New Zealand. (p2)
National would follow international models and require people coming into the country to not only quarantine but also receive a test for COVID-19, or a subsequent pandemic virus, three days before departure and provide the results of that test to airline staff before boarding their plane. (p3)
National would […] Require people travelling to New Zealand to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test before arriving into New Zealand. (p3)
National would […] [Require] Pre boarding thermal imaging and completion of health declaration card. (p3)
It is interesting to note that there is no reference made whatsoever to what would happen to a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident if they tested positive for covid19. The policy document does not address this critical point.
When it comes to lock-downs and business needs, the document is more fulsome. Note the highlighted parts:
Preparing for a more effective response to future outbreaks, should they occur. Lockdowns, if needed, can be more targeted shorter in duration, while protecting our most vulnerable. (p1)
Facilitating planning with businesses to ensure safe practices. Specifically tailoring plans for small business, retailers and manufacturers. (p2)
This report, and the examples of high-quality contact tracing and testing systems internationally, provide confidence that similar systems in New Zealand could allow for less intrusive lockdowns in the event of an isolated outbreak. (p4)
National would implement the following […] Ensuring consistency and capacity within the contact tracing system is critical to achieving the goals of a rapid contact tracing system that would help manage any isolated incidents of COVID-19 beyond the border and to limit the need of intensive lockdowns across the country. (p4)
If lockdowns do occur, we must help our economy so that commerce can continue through lockdowns and people can continue work. […] Lockdowns are a short-term intervention that come at a tremendous cost to businesses and our economy. In the long term, New Zealand cannot afford to shut down or slow our entire economy even if there is a localised incursion. (p6)
National is concerned the lessons of the first lockdown were not closely studied to provide an improved response during the August lockdown. Continuous improvement of our systems is required so that lockdowns become more targeted and effective, with minimal impact on our communities and the economy. For example, where small businesses like butchers and greengrocers can demonstrate and implement or plan to operate safely, they should be allowed to do so. (p6)
In a press statement, National’s Covid-19 Border Response spokesperson, Gerry Brownlee, reaffirmed his Party’s intention to localise lockdowns (alt.link);
“Continuous improvement of our systems is required so that lockdowns become more targeted and effective, with minimal impact on our communities and the economy.”
Almost every paragraph contains a reference to limiting lockdowns. The terms “isolated outbreak“, “localised incursion”, “less intrusive lockdowns”, and “lockdowns become more targeted” are suggestive of National pursuing the failed limited ‘post-code’-based lockdowns in various Melbourne suburbs that were utterly ineffectual to contain their current outbreak;
…the current restrictions still allow significant movement of people between suburbs and to work. Face-to-face teaching in schools is still permitted, and there is no limit on the number of people in supermarkets and shopping centres.
This was National’s coded message to the business community: that under a National government, any lockdown would be localised and not encompass an entire city. As much as they could get away with, it would be business-as-usual.
The over-hyped references to pre-testing returning New Zealanders (without disclosing what would happen if they failed a covid test) was a noisy distraction so the media and the public would look elsewhere, missing the true message buried within the text of the policy document.
But the business community would have read the document. They would have noticed the carefully nuanced references to “less intrusive lockdowns”, and “lockdowns become more targeted” and understood the meaning perfectly well.
Under a National Government, the economy would take priority. End of.
National learned its lesson when it endorsed allowing foreign students to return to this country. At a time when our MIQ (Mandatory Isolation and Quarantine) facilities were struggling to cope with nearly 40,000 Returnees – Universities were noisily agitating to allow foreign students back in.
The suggestion was that Universities would look after their own quarantine facilities;
Victoria University of Wellington has a plan for international students’ quarantine it will put to government, in the hope students will be allowed back before the border reopens.
[…]
Victoria University of Wellington vice-chancellor Grant Guilford said they had had a plan since late February for a strict quarantine.
The university had identified three facilities in the capital that could take students.
[…]
Quarantine would be supervised by university staff and possibly public health officials as well.
Only a few days ago (19 August), Universities were still touting and pressuring the government to re-admit foreign students into Aotearoa New Zealand;
Universities New Zealand chief executive Chris Whelan said Australia was following in the footsteps of places like Canada and the United Kingdom by bringing international students back.
New Zealand risked being left behind if students could not return by early next year, and it could take 10 years for the international student sector, which is worth $5 billion to the economy annually, to get back on track.
He believed the Australian programme could work in New Zealand.
We can all guess how that would turn out.
Not very well, would be the correct answer.
In case anyone was in doubt, this is how such a scenario might play out if Universities got their way;
First week: foreign students enter the country. They are taken to quarantine hotels run by Victoria University staff and private security guards in Wellington. The public is assured all students will remain in strict quarantine; not mingle; not leave the facility; obey protocols,etc, etc, etc…
Second week: first reports in the media of students partying; mingling; co-habiting; venturing out to bottle stores to buy alcohol and pizza. Security guards unable to stop them: they do not have police powers. University staff: nowhere to be seen.
Third week: more reports of partying and absconding. Local Wellington apartment dwellers tell media students are coming and going without hindrance.
Fourth week: first cases of covid19 detected in Wellington. Source “unclear”.
Fifth week: more cases of covid19 detected. Source identified through genomic sequencing as coming from student in one of the hotel facilities.
Sixth week: University management blame “systemic failures” and “undertake to review systems/protocols”.
Seventh week: Wellington goes into Level 3 lockdown. Blogger writes shortest blogpost ever: “I f*****g told you so!”
It’s always “systemic failures”;
.
.
It’s always “Systemic Failure” – which conveniently means no one will ever be held to account; no one will lose their job. Apparently it’s never human accountability because someone stuffed up and promised something they simply couldn’t deliver.
When foreign students from one of the country’s University’s reintroduces covid19 into the community – it will be a “systemic/systems failure”.
In June, National enthusiastically supported Universities having foreign students return to the country;
A National Government would be working hard to safely return tertiary international students back to New Zealand as quickly as possible, Deputy Leader and Education spokesperson Nikki Kaye and National’s Tertiary Education spokesperson Dr Shane Reti say.
Only two months later, National fully reversed it’s policy 180 degrees and have now dropped it like a hot potato. Public reaction would not have been supportive of such a risky venture – a fact National’s internal polling and/or focus groups would have sheeted home without any ambiguity whatsoever.
On top of which, having potentially infected foreign students entering the country, creating new clusters, would have undermined the revised narrative that new National leader, Judith Collins, was feeding the public;
“We’ve said very clearly since I’ve been the leader that there is no tolerance for Covid-19 in New Zealand. I’ve heard lots of reports from some people that we should be much softer on this, I’m not prepared to be softer on this,” Collins said.
You can only let people in if it can be done safely. And safely means someone checking the checkers.”
She says that so well, so convincingly. Almost with sincerity.
But a Leader who is willing to leave our fellow sick New Zealanders stranded overseas is not one to be trusted to look after the well-being of the rest of us. Her “compassion” and concern for our safety cannot be foremost in her mind when she so casually turns her back on sick New Zealanders in time of their greatest need.
Ms Collins’ media minders have obviously noted Prime Minister Ardern’s concern for our safety and well-being – and have tried to transplant it on the National Party Leader.
It is not a good fit.
National have read the tea leaves; the chicken entrails; and most critically, public opinion: very few New Zealanders want to risk reintroducing covid19. So they have written their Border Protection policy accordingly… but with that one, little ‘fish hook’ they snuck in, without anyone noticing.
And just to leave the gates open just a fraction for a future incoming National Government, they have given themselves an ‘out’ in that same Border Policy document:
In the shorter term, the [Border Protection] agency will administer policy and procedures for:
[…]
Considering expansion of entry qualifications and timing. (p2)
“Expansion of entry qualifications“… for who? Foreign fee-paying students?
Sneaky!
New Zealanders should be careful in voting for National. They have have made it clear where they place their priority, whether it be human lives and safety – or the economy.
If you guessed “human lives and safety”, you guessed wrong.
.
.
.
References
Wikipedia: 2002 New Zealand general election
RNZ: New poll – Labour climbs to 60.9%, National at 25.1%
RNZ: Latest poll puts Labour at 53, National at 32
Stuff media: Alleged isolation escapee told New Zealanders ‘sick and tired’ of quarantine breaches
Stuff media: Make quarantined travellers pay: It’s unfair to expect taxpayers to pick up the tab
Mediaworks/Newshub: Coronavirus: – Recent returnee blasts ‘cowboy approach’ to PPE in managed isolation
RNZ: Covid-19 – Lack of testing of staff at border ‘extraordinary’ – Skegg
National Party: Securing New Zealand’s border against COVID-19 (alt.link)
RNZ: New Zealand confirms case of Covid-19 coronavirus
RNZ: ‘We’ll make sure it’s legal’ – Collins on compulsory testing
Otago Daily Times: Nats want everyone entering NZ to test negative to Covid first
The Spinoff: The Bulletin – National changes philosophy behind border policy
NZ Herald: Covid 19 coronavirus – National wants everyone entering NZ to test negative first
Stuff media: Election 2020 – National wants travellers to test negative for Covid-19 before flying to NZ
Mediaworks/Newshub: National’s border policy – Negative COVID-19 test required before returning to New Zealand
The Spinoff: Live updates, August 22 – Six new cases of Covid-19 in the community (see: 10.15am entry)
Mediaworks/Newshub: Coronavirus – Has Sweden’s COVID-19 approach paid off?
Worldometer: Coronavirus – Sweden
Newsroom: Petition taken down by ‘emotional junior staffer’
NZ Herald: Covid 19 coronavirus – Michael Woodhouse’s isolation homeless mystery man claim debunked
National Party: Securing Our Border
RNZ: Melbourne retailer philosophical about ‘unusual’ postcode lockdown
The Conversation: Two weeks into Melbourne’s lockdown, why aren’t COVID-19 case numbers going down?
RNZ: University has plans for bringing back international students
Stuff media: Coronavirus – New Zealand ‘risks being left behind’ if international students can’t return
Stuff media: Minister spots ‘systemic failing’, thousands of beneficiaries affected by automatic payment error
NZ Family Violence Clearing House: Health and Disability Commissioner finds “systemic failing” at DHB in child abuse case
RNZ: ‘Systemic failure’ in library closure shocks mayor
NZ Herald: Leslie Gelberger tragedy – Ports of Auckland fined $424,000 for ‘systemic failure’
National Party: Under National international students would be back (alt.link)
Stuff media: Coronavirus – National goes cold on international student policy
Additional
Twitter: @fmacskasy – 1.41PM Jun 15, 2020
Twitter: @fmacskasy – 9:45AM Jun 12, 2020 – no mood to go back into lockdown
Previous related blogposts
Life in Lock Down: Day 28 – An Open Letter to Prime Minister Ardern
Life in Lock Down: Day 2 of Level 3
Life in Level 1: Reinfection – Labour’s kryptonite
Life in Level 1: Reinfection – No, Dr Bloomfield!
Life in Level 1: The Taxpayer’s Coin
Life in Level 1: Cunning Plans, Unanswered Questions
Life in level 1: Newshub Nation, Q + A, and the end of Todd Muller’s leadership
Life in Level 1: The Doom of National
Life in Level 2: The Curious Case of the Very Invisible Virus
.
.
.
Acknowledgement: Sharon Murdoch
.
This blogpost will be re-published in five days on “Frankly Speaking“. Reader’s comments may be left here (The Daily Blog) or there (Frankly Speaking).
.
.
= fs =


thedailyblog--2020-08-22--Singapore’s Recognition Of Success Of NZ Covid-19 Response Shows How Well We’re Really Doing

On Friday , Singapore made an announcement – New Zealanders heading there would no longer be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival .
Instead , Kiwis will simply be given a Covid-19 test and assuming it ’ s negative , they ’ ll be allowed to go on their way .
That ’ s pretty huge – and shifts New Zealand from the clade of ‘ low risk ’ countries ( such as Vietnam , Taiwan , and South Korea ) where visitors to Singapore are allowed provided they undergo 14 days isolation .
To phrase it another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Zealand ’ s measures to fight Covid-19 , that they think we ’ re doing a better job than the three Asian countries often cited as the ‘ gold standard ’ for controlling the disease .
I don ’ t think I ’ ve seen any media reports on this here in New Zealand – partially because it ’ s a recently breaking story , but also I suspect because it conflicts with the narrative that various portions of our media seem to wish to push : that the Government has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flagrantly negligent over the past three-and-a-half months since the last Lockdown ended here .
To be fair and sure , it ’ s true that over-reliance upon the perceptions of foreign governments in assessing our own Covid-19 response is a bit of a fraught avenue .
If you listen to Trump , after all , we ’ re currently in the middle of a massive disaster that means it ’ s “ all over ” for us .
Which is fairly patently not the case .
Yet even though Singapore ’ s rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and runs off a social and economic model that would be painfully inappropriate for New Zealand – one thing they ’ re generally very good at is the analysis of risk .
They ’ ve had to be .
That ’ s how they ’ ve managed to survive as a small island nation the size of Lake Taupo sandwiched between much larger and often semi-hostile neighbours .
And also raised themselves from a small colonial backwater to a prominent international economic powerhouse .
They ’ ve made the decision to regard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fruits of our Covid-19 control campaign – as below even ‘ low risk ’ .
Lesser risk than the countries which went down the pathway of eschewing major lockdowns in favour of localized control and contact tracing .
You know , what various domestic right-wing voices here are claiming we should ( or should have been able to ) have done .
And they made that decision AFTER the most recent round of Auckland-lockdown-lite had been in place already for a week and a half .
Don ’ t get me wrong – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response wherein it ’ s quite clear that somebody has dropped the ball .
I hardly need to detail them here .
And certainly , we ’ ve been incredibly lucky upon occasion , as well .
But at a time when a number of voices are seemingly attempting to portray our Government as clueless and crazy when it comes to controlling the Corona virus , it ’ s useful to be able to apply a bit of perspective .
And really compare the scale of our success – as well as our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be ‘ doing well ’ .
In this case , by making use of the perspective of another .
After all – it is notably difficult for a subject to observe itself .

On Friday, Singapore made an announcement – New Zealanders heading there would no longer be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. Instead, Kiwis will simply be given a Covid-19 test and assuming it’s negative, they’ll be allowed to go on their way.
That’s pretty huge – and shifts New Zealand from the clade of ‘low risk’ countries (such as Vietnam, Taiwan, and South Korea) where visitors to Singapore are allowed provided they undergo 14 days isolation.
To phrase it another way – Singapore has such confidence in New Zealand’s measures to fight Covid-19, that they think we’re doing a better job than the three Asian countries often cited as the ‘gold standard’ for controlling the disease.
I don’t think I’ve seen any media reports on this here in New Zealand – partially because it’s a recently breaking story, but also I suspect because it conflicts with the narrative that various portions of our media seem to wish to push: that the Government has been incompetent, lazy, if not outright flagrantly negligent over the past three-and-a-half months since the last Lockdown ended here.
To be fair and sure, it’s true that over-reliance upon the perceptions of foreign governments in assessing our own Covid-19 response is a bit of a fraught avenue. If you listen to Trump, after all, we’re currently in the middle of a massive disaster that means it’s “all over” for us. Which is fairly patently not the case.
Yet even though Singapore’s rather … different to us in many ways, and runs off a social and economic model that would be painfully inappropriate for New Zealand – one thing they’re generally very good at is the analysis of risk. They’ve had to be. That’s how they’ve managed to survive as a small island nation the size of Lake Taupo sandwiched between much larger and often semi-hostile neighbours. And also raised themselves from a small colonial backwater to a prominent international economic powerhouse.
They’ve made the decision to regard our people – and therefore, the fruits of our Covid-19 control campaign – as below even ‘low risk’. Lesser risk than the countries which went down the pathway of eschewing major lockdowns in favour of localized control and contact tracing. You know, what various domestic right-wing voices here are claiming we should (or should have been able to) have done.
And they made that decision AFTER the most recent round of Auckland-lockdown-lite had been in place already for a week and a half.
Don’t get me wrong – there are various areas in our Covid-19 response wherein it’s quite clear that somebody has dropped the ball. I hardly need to detail them here. And certainly, we’ve been incredibly lucky upon occasion, as well.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
But at a time when a number of voices are seemingly attempting to portray our Government as clueless and crazy when it comes to controlling the Corona virus, it’s useful to be able to apply a bit of perspective. And really compare the scale of our success – as well as our shortcomings – relative to other nations held to be ‘doing well’.
In this case, by making use of the perspective of another. After all – it is notably difficult for a subject to observe itself.


thedailyblog--2020-08-24--Thank you Michael Morrah – the state is not our friend.

Unite Union represents workers in the hotel industry including now the quarantine facilities .
We have been demanding proper personal protective equipment and mandatory use of that equipment inside those facilities from day one .
We have been asking for regular testing from day one .
So it was disappointing to see some government representatives imply there was some resistance on our member ’ s part to that happening .
That is nonsense .
Of course , criticism from the like of National and Act who have hypocritically echoed the criticism while they previously had simply echoe the “ reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be treated with the contempt it deserves .
Nevertheless , what has become clear is that large parts of the government bureaucracy is simply incapable of doing a job to protect working people .
They appear institutionally paralyzed when it comes to seeing workers as anything other than an expense to manage rather than a power to enhance to get things done effectively .
This includes ministries like health and education that we think are there to serve the people .
Not true .
They are set up to manage a hostile relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They do this even when it is obvious that shortages keep emerging that have to be plugged by importing labour from still cheaper countries to fill the gaps .
The Ministry of Health seemed institutionally incapable of demanding the use of masks in public spaces until the entire world was doing it .
Why ?
They also seemed institutionally incapable of ensuring that widespread testing was being done unless people were actually lining up for tests themselves .
Why ?
They couldn ’ t even comply with a direct request from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all frontline staff .
Why ?
Almost the entire executive leadership team has been forced to resign at Canterbury District Health Board to try and stop a bullying cost-cutting board and crown monitor from forcing through .
The Labour government appointed the same crown monitor as the National government used to impose cost-cutting budgets when they were in power .
We have the same problems with the agencies supposedly responsible for protecting workers .
Unite had one proposal for the incoming Labour government to make our job a little bit easier .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , new workers would be given a genuine choice to join the union and the collective agreement or go on an individual agreement .
We lobbied the CTU and got support , we lobbied the Labour Minister responsible , we lobbied the Green MP ’ s on the parliamentary committee .
At the end of the day , the proposal was derailed by the bureaucrats behind the scenes .
Why ?
When there was a huge fire at SkyCity this year we asked Worksafe – to government agency for work safety – to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work .
Not their job they said .
When workers were being sent back to work in fast food joints after moving to levels three and two we asked Worksafe to check if social distancing could be maintained .
They couldn ’ t do that at Level 3 because they only worked from home .
We told them they could request video footage from stores .
They didn ’ t bother .
Immigration NZ seems to operate as a protection racket for employers to bring in cheap labour to exploit and lie to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transitioning to permanent residence .
WINZ has been turned into an institution with a culture to deny beneficiaries access not enable them .
ACC is an institution with a culture designed to deny access to cover not enable it .
Child , Youth and Family became an institution that kidnapped children not protect them The government encouraged schools , tertiary institutions and low-quality Private Training Establishments to bring in fee-paying students to subsidise the existing education system rather than as a way to expand access for New Zealand residents .
Existing inequalities were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ market ” themselves with “ whiter ” more middle-class schools and suburbs preferred .
When journalists like Michael Morrah at TV3 and Phil Pennington at Radio NZ expose the lies of the bureaucrats ( and misinformation from the government ) they should be applauded not criticised .
If Labour and the Greens are able to form a government after the election we need to demand that there be radical changes at all these institutions of the state , incluing a cleaning out of a bureaucracy serving wealth , power and privilege @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ power within those agencies and in the communities they serve more broadly .

Unite Union represents workers in the hotel industry including now the quarantine facilities.
We have been demanding proper personal protective equipment and mandatory use of that equipment inside those facilities from day one. We have been asking for regular testing from day one.
So it was disappointing to see some government representatives imply there was some resistance on our member’s part to that happening. That is nonsense.
Of course, criticism from the like of National and Act who have hypocritically echoed the criticism while they previously had simply echoe the “reopen now” line of big business should be treated with the contempt it deserves.
Nevertheless, what has become clear is that large parts of the government bureaucracy is simply incapable of doing a job to protect working people. They appear institutionally paralyzed when it comes to seeing workers as anything other than an expense to manage rather than a power to enhance to get things done effectively.
This includes ministries like health and education that we think are there to serve the people. Not true. They are set up to manage a hostile relationship with their own workforces to minimise costs. They do this even when it is obvious that shortages keep emerging that have to be plugged by importing labour from still cheaper countries to fill the gaps.
The Ministry of Health seemed institutionally incapable of demanding the use of masks in public spaces until the entire world was doing it. Why? They also seemed institutionally incapable of ensuring that widespread testing was being done unless people were actually lining up for tests themselves. Why? They couldn’t even comply with a direct request from the government to ensure testing was being done of all frontline staff. Why?
Almost the entire executive leadership team has been forced to resign at Canterbury District Health Board to try and stop a bullying cost-cutting board and crown monitor from forcing through. The Labour government appointed the same crown monitor as the National government used to impose cost-cutting budgets when they were in power.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
We have the same problems with the agencies supposedly responsible for protecting workers. Unite had one proposal for the incoming Labour government to make our job a little bit easier. That where we had a collective agreement, new workers would be given a genuine choice to join the union and the collective agreement or go on an individual agreement. We lobbied the CTU and got support, we lobbied the Labour Minister responsible, we lobbied the Green MP’s on the parliamentary committee. At the end of the day, the proposal was derailed by the bureaucrats behind the scenes. Why?
When there was a huge fire at SkyCity this year we asked Worksafe – to government agency for work safety – to test if the air was safe to work. Not their job they said.
When workers were being sent back to work in fast food joints after moving to levels three and two we asked Worksafe to check if social distancing could be maintained. They couldn’t do that at Level 3 because they only worked from home. We told them they could request video footage from stores. They didn’t bother.
Immigration NZ seems to operate as a protection racket for employers to bring in cheap labour to exploit and lie to their potential clients about the possibility of transitioning to permanent residence.
WINZ has been turned into an institution with a culture to deny beneficiaries access not enable them.
ACC is an institution with a culture designed to deny access to cover not enable it.
Child, Youth and Family became an institution that kidnapped children not protect them
The government encouraged schools, tertiary institutions and low-quality Private Training Establishments to bring in fee-paying students to subsidise the existing education system rather than as a way to expand access for New Zealand residents. Existing inequalities were magnified by the school’s ability to “market” themselves with “whiter” more middle-class schools and suburbs preferred.
When journalists like Michael Morrah at TV3 and Phil Pennington at Radio NZ expose the lies of the bureaucrats (and misinformation from the government) they should be applauded not criticised.
If Labour and the Greens are able to form a government after the election we need to demand that there be radical changes at all these institutions of the state, incluing a cleaning out of a bureaucracy serving wealth, power and privilege. That starts by radically enhancing workers’ power within those agencies and in the communities they serve more broadly.


thedailyblog--2020-08-24--Dave Macpherson: Huge delays, and high legal costs in Coroners’ Hearings for suicide cases are indef

Dave Macpherson: Huge delays, and high legal costs in Coroners’ Hearings for suicide cases are indefensible

Four and a half years after our son died while in the compulsory care of Waikato DHB ’ s Mental Health Unit , my family got the chance to have their say as part of an independent hearings process at the Coroner ’ s Court .
That was four and a half years of upset , grief , anger , sleepless nights and ‘ what ifs ’ for our family .
That was four and a half years of fights with lawyers , protests and presentations to health and Government authorities , and spending all our spare money on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a few months ) .
And it was followed by months more of the same – as a direct result of a health system that objected to being held accountable for their inaction and attempted ( unsuccessfully ) to get the Government to overturn the Coroner ’ s findings .
But , as long and painful as that time was for us , there are many families who have been – and still are – waiting longer , much longer in some cases , for their chance to tell the story of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Court .
Some families have been waiting over six or seven years for their promised Coroner ’ s Hearings , and in two cases mentioned in a recent media article , the families have ‘ been through ’ three different Coroners , and are yet to get Hearing dates .
Having a chance to speak for your dead loved one , and to put the alternative view on the care they received to that of the sham ‘ internal DHB reviews ’ and other medical system-mandated snow jobs , is a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We felt enormous relief at having completed the Hearing , even well before the Coroner ’ s findings upheld our views .
It ’ s an outcome that the Ministry , and Minister , of Justice would do well to remember is one of the primary purposes of Coroners ’ Hearings in suicide cases .
Unfortunately , things don ’ t yet seem to be moving in the right direction .
Statistics from the Ministry of Justice show that the proportion of families of suicide victims waiting for hearings for more than 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to nearly 50 % in the last five years ( see graph ) .
These terrible delay statistics are well known to Government and its responsible Ministry of Justice arm – in the last year they have appointed eight new part-time Coroners to help cope with the workload , but at the same time have lost five full-time Coroners to retirement and other jobs – ironically the Coroner for our son ’ s hearing has now retired , while another was appointed as the new Suicide Prevention Office Director .
They ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but are finding the water is overflowing the flood protection wall above them !
To add insult to injury , the tax-funded institutions involved in the care of suicide victims are “ lawyering up ” as the Coroner in our son ’ s case described it , causing further delays and often massive extra legal costs for all involved .
We had 4 lawyers arrayed against us – two of them QCs – but for most of the four and a half years we had to handle the case ourselves after our money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one phone conference call , my partner and I were arrayed against a QC for the Doctor responsible for our son , a QC for the Police , a medical lawyer for the DHB , a lawyer for a community care facility that had earlier been responsible for our son , a lawyer for the Coroner , and of course the Coroner himself , another lawyer .
All of their holidays and other work commitments had to be co-ordinated to make anything happen , while we were often the last ones consulted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office to be helpful .
Even though our son Nicky was a compulsory patient of the DHB when he died , the DHB twice refused to give us one cent towards our legal costs , yet spent a six-figure sum on trying to cover their backsides in the Hearing , and then to overturn the Hearing result when it wasn ’ t favourable towards them .
My partner Jane worked hundreds of hours to prepare materials for the Hearing , and we were extremely lucky that a good friend of the family – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself , but from a distant city – helped with the final preparation and flew up to Hamilton to help with the hearing itself .
Almost all families of suicide victims are facing the same sort of legal hurdles , or worse , as they try and get a voice for their loved ones .
We were lucky to get some help – most do not .
Almost all institutions involved in the mental health and legal side of theses cases are determinedly resisting change , with the honourable exception of individual Coroners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Justice Andrew Little , who we have a lot of time for , was reported in the media discussion as saying he might look at ‘ Legal Aid ’ for families in this situation – the problem with Legal Aid is that it is pathetic , because we had one and a half salaries we didn ’ t qualify , and even if we had , we would have been required to pay it back .
And , almost by definition , if you ’ ve only got ‘ Legal Aid ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decent lawyer anyway !
The families get their lives wrecked , and have to pay time and money for the privilege , while the ‘ responsible ’ authorities and their lawyers get funded to defend their system .
In our case , the DHB , even though the Coroner ruled that Nicky ’ s death while in their care was “ avoidable ” , didn ’ t have to pay a damn thing as a result , even after their attempt to reverse the result fell over .
Justice in cases like suicides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Government must recognise that , and start redressing the imbalance .
Dave Macpherson – TDB mental health blogger & Former Waikato DHB Elected Member whose son was killed by public health incompetence .

Four and a half years after our son died while in the compulsory care of Waikato DHB’s Mental Health Unit, my family got the chance to have their say as part of an independent hearings process at the Coroner’s Court.
That was four and a half years of upset, grief, anger, sleepless nights and ‘what ifs’ for our family.
That was four and a half years of fights with lawyers, protests and presentations to health and Government authorities, and spending all our spare money on our own lawyer (that part only lasted for a few months).
And it was followed by months more of the same – as a direct result of a health system that objected to being held accountable for their inaction and attempted (unsuccessfully) to get the Government to overturn the Coroner’s findings.
But, as long and painful as that time was for us, there are many families who have been – and still are – waiting longer, much longer in some cases, for their chance to tell the story of their loved ones in a Coroner’s Court.
Some families have been waiting over six or seven years for their promised Coroner’s Hearings, and in two cases mentioned in a recent media article, the families have ‘been through’ three different Coroners, and are yet to get Hearing dates.
Having a chance to speak for your dead loved one, and to put the alternative view on the care they received to that of the sham ‘internal DHB reviews’ and other medical system-mandated snow jobs, is a very important part of the grieving process. We felt enormous relief at having completed the Hearing, even well before the Coroner’s findings upheld our views.
It’s an outcome that the Ministry, and Minister, of Justice would do well to remember is one of the primary purposes of Coroners’ Hearings in suicide cases.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
Unfortunately, things don’t yet seem to be moving in the right direction. Statistics from the Ministry of Justice show that the proportion of families of suicide victims waiting for hearings for more than 12 months has risen from about 30% to nearly 50% in the last five years (see graph).
These terrible delay statistics are well known to Government and its responsible Ministry of Justice arm – in the last year they have appointed eight new part-time Coroners to help cope with the workload, but at the same time have lost five full-time Coroners to retirement and other jobs – ironically the Coroner for our son’s hearing has now retired, while another was appointed as the new Suicide Prevention Office Director. They’ve stuck their finger in the dyke, but are finding the water is overflowing the flood protection wall above them!
To add insult to injury, the tax-funded institutions involved in the care of suicide victims are “lawyering up” as the Coroner in our son’s case described it, causing further delays and often massive extra legal costs for all involved. We had 4 lawyers arrayed against us – two of them QCs – but for most of the four and a half years we had to handle the case ourselves after our money ran out in no time.
On one phone conference call, my partner and I were arrayed against a QC for the Doctor responsible for our son, a QC for the Police, a medical lawyer for the DHB, a lawyer for a community care facility that had earlier been responsible for our son, a lawyer for the Coroner, and of course the Coroner himself, another lawyer. All of their holidays and other work commitments had to be co-ordinated to make anything happen, while we were often the last ones consulted, despite attempts by the Coroner’s office to be helpful.
Even though our son Nicky was a compulsory patient of the DHB when he died, the DHB twice refused to give us one cent towards our legal costs, yet spent a six-figure sum on trying to cover their backsides in the Hearing, and then to overturn the Hearing result when it wasn’t favourable towards them.
My partner Jane worked hundreds of hours to prepare materials for the Hearing, and we were extremely lucky that a good friend of the family – who happened to be an experienced QC himself, but from a distant city – helped with the final preparation and flew up to Hamilton to help with the hearing itself.
Almost all families of suicide victims are facing the same sort of legal hurdles, or worse, as they try and get a voice for their loved ones. We were lucky to get some help – most do not.
Almost all institutions involved in the mental health and legal side of theses cases are determinedly resisting change, with the honourable exception of individual Coroners and some other legal practitioners.
Minister of Justice Andrew Little, who we have a lot of time for, was reported in the media discussion as saying he might look at ‘Legal Aid’ for families in this situation – the problem with Legal Aid is that it is pathetic, because we had one and a half salaries we didn’t qualify, and even if we had, we would have been required to pay it back. And, almost by definition, if you’ve only got ‘Legal Aid’ you won’t be getting a decent lawyer anyway!
The families get their lives wrecked, and have to pay time and money for the privilege, while the ‘responsible’ authorities and their lawyers get funded to defend their system. In our case, the DHB, even though the Coroner ruled that Nicky’s death while in their care was “avoidable”, didn’t have to pay a damn thing as a result, even after their attempt to reverse the result fell over.
Justice in cases like suicides is truly not a level playing field.
The Government must recognise that, and start redressing the imbalance.
Dave Macpherson – TDB mental health blogger & Former Waikato DHB Elected Member whose son was killed by public health incompetence.