Organising meeting for march/rally on 1 May 2011 FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE against ‘anti-social’ policies of this National-led Government.

4 May 2011

Hi folks!

Unfortunately, the next  organising meeting for this May 1 march/rally clashes with Murray Horton’s (CAFCA) speaking tour:

I’ve already committed to going to hear Murray, but will help to advertise the upcoming May 1 event.

Tuesday, April 5, 7pm, AUT WT1004, AUT Tower Building, Rutland Street entrance. Room is next door to Pacific Media Centre; take lift to 10th floor
NEW ZEALAND IS NOT FOR SALE – MURRAY HORTON SPEAKING TOUR – The November 26 election is one of the most important in decades. Both major parties are committed to policies by which the New Zealand economy is even more dominated by transnational corporations; more and more of our farmland is owned by foreigners; publicly-owned assets are privatised; and the country is locked ever more tightly into disadvantageous “free” trade and foreign investment agreements, of which the biggest one being negotiated, in secret, is the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement – this is the means to effect a free trade agreement with the US. There are some differences between National and Labour on these issues, but they are only ones of degree, not principle. A change in government will not, in itself, be enough to change the disastrous course on which this country is set, one of domination by global Big Business and the US. This country needs People Power to let the world know that New Zealand is not for sale!

Murray Horton, spokesperson of the Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa (CAFCA), will speak on: • The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and the dangers it poses to the NZ economy and to our very democracy. • Privatisation of our public assets. • The relentless takeover of NZ businesses and land by transnational corporations. • The re-absorption of NZ into the US Empire. •And, most, importantly, how the New Zealand people can fight back; it’s too important to be left up to the politicians. Local Contact Lynda Boyd 0274 797789; lyndab

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Anyone who was not  intending to hear Murray Horton, and is keen to get active in opposing privatisation/asset sales  – the anti-social policies of this John Key-led National Government,  I strongly recommend you come to this organising meeting, if you can.

Penny

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Dear Church organisations, unions and community groups,

(Please distribute as widely as possible)

A successful meeting (29th March) of a broad spectrum of groups and unions occurred to organise a mobilisation on May 1st against the anti social policies of the National led Govt.

The 90 day bill came into law last Fri ,just one example.

We encourage more representatives/individuals to attend the next meeting at the Methodist Church, Pitt St, corner of Karangahape rd at 7pm, this Tuesday 5th April. We need help and input.

The last meeting resolved to organise a march/rally on May 1st, building to another event shortly after the forthcoming budget (19th May).

This is a rallying call to all who believe that the National lead coalition is not working in the interests of ordinary New Zealanders. Please make the effort to attend. See the updated press statement below.

Meredydd Barrar (CAP)

PRESS STATEMENT (Draft)

MARCH FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE (May 1st). John Key is not working for New Zealand.

A new Coalition of community groups, people from religious organisations and unions has been formed.

Our slogan is Social Justice (meeting occurred on the 29th March 2011).

Our aim is to challenge the policies of John Key and his National led coalition.

We believe they are not serving the interests of the majority of New Zealanders.

We are organising a MOBILISATION of ordinary Kiwis on SUNDAY 1ST MAY.

Also more action when National announces the BUDGET on 19th May 2011.

Throughout the world ordinary people are challenging the Free Market prescription from government cuts to privatisation/asset sales.

New Zealanders are angry about GST, milk prices and secret Trade deals.. Cuts to Early Childhood education,social welfare reform,  privatisation of electricity and other public services .

Meredydd Barrar, spokesperson says, “Enough is enough. Recent government announcements about cuts and a Budget that will certainly condemn the majority of New Zealanders to relative poverty is not acceptable.

Children and struggling families as well as students looking to further their higher education will be penalised”.

“There is a latent anger in New Zealand at the moment. We aim to translate it into action.

Nationals policies of cut backs and austerity measures will increase the gap between rich and poor which is already the 6th highest in the OECD.

We believe this is unacceptable and uncivilised”.

‘New Zealanders deserve better than an economic philosophy that only seems to make bankers, corporate and speculators richer’.

Meredydd Barrar

The NZ Solicitor-General David Collins QC is trying to jail Vince Siemer for the FORTH time – for ‘Contempt of Court’ – Wgtn High Court Monday 4 April.

The public’s right to trial by jury, and the public’s right to know when the public’s right to trial by jury is being denied?

People know about this case? In the Wellington High Court – tomorrow – Monday 4 April 2011:

The NZ Solicitor-General David Collins QC is trying to jail Vince Siemer for the FORTH time – for ‘Contempt of Court’.

Vince Siemer has defended the public’ right to know that Winkelman J claimed Kiwis called upon to serve as jurors could not be relied upon to use proper reasoning processes, by making public this ‘Court Order’ of Winkelman J.

Barrister Tony Ellis, is defending kiwisfirst publisher Vince Siemer in a prosecution where Solicitor General David Collins seeks Siemer’s imprisonment for publishing an order where Winkelman J claimed Kiwis called upon to serve as jurors could not be relied upon to use proper reasoning processes.

Pre-trial applications will be heard 4-5 April 2011 before a full bench in the Wellington High Court.

“Justice Winkelmann Admits to Rubber Stamping Suppression Orders

24 March 2011
Whether it is streamlined efficiency or a blatant violation of the elementary requirement that public court proceedings be public, Chief High Court Judge Helen Winkelmann’s associate Brent Scott admitted this week that standard suppression wording was put on the cover page of all Winkelmann J’s rulings in the R v Bailey proceedings as a matter of routine. Bailey concerns the prosecution of 18 accused variously charged with gang, drug and weapons charges. It is the subject of an open Unitied Nations Human Rights complaint and destined to be the most expensive prosecution in New Zealand’s history.

The revelation came to light as a result of an interrogatory question by Barrister Tony Ellis, who is defending kiwisfirst publisher Vince Siemer in a prosecution where Solicitor General David Collins seeks Siemer’s imprisonment for publishing an order where Winkelman J claimed Kiwis called upon to serve as jurors could not be relied upon to use proper reasoning processes.”

For more information – check out the website of this, in my opinion, leading ‘Judicial Public Watchdog’ – Vince Siemer.

http://www.kiwisfirst.co.nz

Penny Bright
https://waterpressure.wordpress.com

There’s no business like war business – Libya and WATER?

THE ROVING EYE

THE ROVING EYE
There’s no business like war business
By Pepe Escobar

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MC30Ak01.html

The water privatizers
Few in the West may know that Libya – along with Egypt – sits over the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer; that is, an ocean of extremely valuable fresh water. So yes, this “now you see it, now you don’t” war is a crucial water war. Control of the aquifer is priceless – as in “rescuing” valuable natural resources from the “savages”.

This Water Pipelineistan – buried underground deep in the desert along 4,000 km – is the Great Man-Made River Project (GMMRP), which Gaddafi built for $25 billion without borrowing a single cent from the IMF or the World Bank (what a bad example for the developing world). The GMMRP supplies Tripoli, Benghazi and the whole Libyan coastline. The amount of water is estimated by scientists to be the equivalent to 200 years of water flowing down the Nile.

Compare this to the so-called three sisters – Veolia (formerly Vivendi), Suez Ondeo (formerly Generale des Eaux) and Saur – the French companies that control over 40% of the global water market. All eyes must imperatively focus on whether these pipelines are bombed. An extremely possible scenario is that if they are, juicy “reconstruction” contracts will benefit France. That will be the final step to privatize all this – for the moment free – water. From shock doctrine to water doctrine.

Well, that’s only a short list of profiteers – no one knows who’ll get the oil – and the natural gas – in the end. Meanwhile, the (bombing) show must go on. There’s no business like war business.

Pepe Escobar is the author of Globalistan: How the Globalized World is Dissolving into Liquid War (Nimble Books, 2007) and Red Zone Blues: a snapshot of Baghdad during the surge. His new book, just out, is Obama does Globalistan (Nimble Books, 2009).

By Pepe Escobar

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MC30Ak01.html

The water privatizers
Few in the West may know that Libya – along with Egypt – sits over the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer; that is, an ocean of extremely valuable fresh water. So yes, this “now you see it, now you don’t” war is a crucial water war. Control of the aquifer is priceless – as in “rescuing” valuable natural resources from the “savages”.

This Water Pipelineistan – buried underground deep in the desert along 4,000 km – is the Great Man-Made River Project (GMMRP), which Gaddafi built for $25 billion without borrowing a single cent from the IMF or the World Bank (what a bad example for the developing world). The GMMRP supplies Tripoli, Benghazi and the whole Libyan coastline. The amount of water is estimated by scientists to be the equivalent to 200 years of water flowing down the Nile.

Compare this to the so-called three sisters – Veolia (formerly Vivendi), Suez Ondeo (formerly Generale des Eaux) and Saur – the French companies that control over 40% of the global water market. All eyes must imperatively focus on whether these pipelines are bombed. An extremely possible scenario is that if they are, juicy “reconstruction” contracts will benefit France. That will be the final step to privatize all this – for the moment free – water. From shock doctrine to water doctrine.

Well, that’s only a short list of profiteers – no one knows who’ll get the oil – and the natural gas – in the end. Meanwhile, the (bombing) show must go on. There’s no business like war business.

Pepe Escobar is the author of Globalistan: How the Globalized World is Dissolving into Liquid War (Nimble Books, 2007) and Red Zone Blues: a snapshot of Baghdad during the surge. His new book, just out, is Obama does Globalistan (Nimble Books, 2009).

‘Flak’ from John Armstrong – (NZ Herald’s Chief political reporter) suggests Penny Bright may well be ‘over the target’?

3 April 2011

My 29 March 2011 “PRESS RELEASE:

“Is the attack on Phil Goff’s leadership being promoted by corporate interests who support NZ asset sales?”

got a great white (pointer) shark bite from John Armstrong – chief political reporter for the NZ Herald:

(NZ Herald, Saturday 2 April Pg A31

“One week in the life of NZ politicians

Wednesday

If you like a good conspiracy theory, then Penny Bright, the self-appointed watchdog on Auckland water supplies, is your person.

Bright, who stood for the Auckland Mayoralty last year and was an independent  candidate in last month’s Botany byelection, claims the Darren Hughes affair was a corporate media “beat up” to undermine Labour’s opposition to the state asset sales.

“Isn’t this the real reason behind the attack on Phil Goff’s leadership?”

Sorry Penny.  We doubt the media’s motives go much further than wanting to run a circulation-raising “MP enmeshed in sex scandal” type headlines.

And why would big business want to see Goff dumped?

Replace him and you risk getting someone who might pull off a (currently unlikely) election victory for Labour.

Compiled by John Armstrong”

It appears that I may have struck a rather raw nerve?

This is the Press Release to which John Armstrong, NZ Herald’s Chief Political Reporter is responding:

29 March 2011

Is this how democracy works in NZ?
We get the government the majority of big business want us to have – through corporate media manipulation?

Why aren’t corporate media focussing on helping to solve the continuing problem of the behaviour’ of MPs – by supporting a ‘Code of Conduct’ for NZ MPs?

Isn’t the real purpose of this Darren Hughes corporate media ‘beat up’ to try and completely undermine the Labour Party, as the main political party whose stated policy is opposition  to the corporate asset sale agenda?

Isn’t this the real reason behind  the attack on Phil Goff’s leadership?

Look at the Botany by-election result – the only ‘poll’ result that really counts – a binding vote of electors.
Asset sales were a key election issue. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zht3kVIwaX0 (3 minute clip – “Botany Candidates on Asset Sales” – debate 15/2/2011)

National’s Jami-Lee Ross supported the ‘partial privatisation’ (renamed)  ‘mixed ownership’ model – Labour’s Michael Wood (supported by Phil Goff), opposed it.

While Labour’s vote proportionately increased – National’s plummeted.
Pansy Wong’s electorate vote of over 17,000 dropped over 9,000.
Young Jami-Lee Ross got just over 8,000 votes.

The turnout was exceptionally low. 76% turnout in 2008 – dropped to 36% in 2011.
It’s not usually National Party voters who stay home – especially after John Key and Jami-Lee Ross effectively begged them to get out and vote. They didn’t.
More (former?) National Party voters stayed home than voted.

As an Independent Botany by-election candidate, my  own vote was not large, (124 votes), but in my opinion, the issues I raised, had an impact with a number of voters. Quarter page, page 3 advertisements which went into both the Howick and Botany Times and Howick and Pakuranga Times (which more than covered EVERY household in the Botany electorate), in the week before the by-election on  5 March 2011, included the following points:

“Why has there never been any ‘cost-benefit’ analysis of the ‘commercialise, corporatise – PRIVATISE ‘Rogernomics’ model – that this National/Act Government wants to extend?

Who has, and will benefit from future privatisation and asset sales?  The public?

How will the ‘Mums and Dads’ who can’t afford to pay their power bills, going to afford to invest in the power companies? “

(Full wording of the advertisements is included at the end of this post).
Did the raising of questions about asset sales help encourage over 9,000 (former?) National Party voters to stay home?
What does that mean for the 2011 general election, and the all-important ‘party vote’ for National?

What will those (former?) 9000 National party voters do in the November 2011 General Election?
Who WILL they vote for?

Will  proposed asset sales (particularly of electricity assets) be a potentially HUGE vote loser for this John Key-led National Party?

There are arguably thousands of (former?) National Party voters, who still remember the ‘bad old days’ of the ‘inefficient’ Department of Electricity and Local Power Boards – when you could afford to turn your heater on.

There are arguably thousands of (former?) National Party voters, who still remember National’s electricity reforms under former Minister of Energy Max Bradford, http://www.linkedin.com/pub/hon-max-bradford/a/14/48a which removed the ‘economies of scale’ under the Department of Electricity and Local Power Board ‘monopoly’ – and replaced it with the current, duplicated, ‘competitive’ model.

“Energy Minister Max Bradford claimed that promoting competition in the electricity sector would bring price reductions, with gains flowing through to household and small business consumers. He identified long-term efficiency gains as the objective of the reforms (Bradford, 1998).”

“Supposedly, the first wave of reform to New Zealand’s electricity sector – deregulation and the promotion of competition – “was about efficiency, competition and accountability to customers” (Douglas, 1995). The creation as an SOE of the Electricity Corporation of New Zealand (ECNZ) resulted in a monopoly in electricity generation and transmission which, presumably, could not be sold off in one piece. This implied the need for “unbundling” and Transpower Ltd was created to separate electricity generation and transmission, leaving generation with ECNZ. Contact Energy was split out from the ECNZ in November 1995, the intention being to create competition and, eventually, privatisation of electricity generation. “

http://www.converge.org.nz/watchdog/08/06.htm

Have (former?) National Party voters, like other members of the public,  experienced electricity ‘price reductions’, under the Rogernomic$ ‘commercialise, corporatise – PRIVATISE model?   Of course not. Power bills continue to sky rocket upwards.

Does this John Key-led National Party Prime Minister think that New Zealanders have experienced some form of collective frontal lobotomy, and forgotten their experience of the above-mentioned Rogernomic$ electrivity reforms – (of which we are all reminded, every month, when we get our next crippling power bill?)

In my view, this Darren Hughes corporate media beat-up is VERY similar to the corporate media campaign against Winston Peters and NZ First prior to the 2008 election.

Continual ‘MAN ON THE MOON’ headlines in the Herald about complaints made to the Police and SFO, although no charges had been laid – let alone any convictions in Court. Nothing came of those complaints – but the political campaign to discredit Winston Peters and NZ First worked.
NZ First failed to achieve the 5% party vote threshold.

Yet when I made complaints to both the Police and SFO about  John Key’s attempt to flush out commercially sensitive information information about Tranz Rail when he had an undisclosed percuniary interest, there was not one sentence in the NZ Herald – no TV coverage.

Likewise – when I took a private prosecution against John Key (after the Police and SFO chose to do nothing).

(You Tube clip 2008 – “Is John Key shonky?” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFTYZVQo-A8&feature=related )

“All the chief executives I subsequently canvassed in a mini-survey last week told me they didn’t want either Clark or Key to have Peters in their governments.”

Fran O’Sullivan: Meurant allegations require scrutiny 5 November 2008

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10541133

Is this how democracy works in NZ?
We get the government the majority of big business want us to have – through corporate media manipulation?

My very strong recommendation is for the public and the Labour Party, is  to stay focussed on this key issue, take heart from the Botany by-election result, and don’t buy into this corporate media ‘beat-up’, the apparent aim being to undermine the main political party whose stated position is opposition to asset sales.

Penny Bright
Media Spokesperson
Water Pressure Group
Judicially recognised Public Watchdog on Metrowater, water and Auckland regional governance matters.
“Anti-corruption campaigner”.

Attendee: Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference 2009
Attendee: Transparency International’s 14th Anti-Corruption Conference 2010
Auckland Mayoral Candidate 2010.

Independent Candidate Botany by-election 2011.

https://waterpressure.wordpress.com

What I have now done, is complied the EVIDENCE which proves how there was a very similar corporate media campaign  to discredit and undermine Winston Peters and NZ First.

(Already posted today 3 April 2011)