Hide takes partner on taxpayer-funded trips

77 Comments

1. 
   Jon 06:27pm Friday 30th October 2009 NZDT Report Abuse

   Someone once said "Change is best effected through debate not slander", and I agree. But Laws comments are slanderous and surely a person in his position should be proposing workable solutions to a known problem and not making these rash comments. There was an Austrian fellow in the 1930s who made comments not dissimilar to these made by Laws and we all know what that led too.

2. 
   catapault 05:45pm Friday 30th October 2009 NZDT Report Abuse

   In my opinion, for what little it may be worth, the worst aspect of Laws' reported remarks is that so many people will expend energy debating whether Laws should be hung, drawn and quartered, rather then using the same energy to debate what are more practical solutions to stem child abuse. I can't say I disagree with Laws' fundamental assessment. That is: the historical approach in NZ 'ain't working'; so we need to try a different tack which does w ...

3. 
   catapault 05:37pm Friday 30th October 2009 NZDT Report Abuse

   Hi Jon, just read Laws' reported comments. I guess you get what you vote for. The citizenry of Wanganui have made their pick and seem happy with it. Laws is well-known for his red-neck comments and I dismiss it as his way of trying stir-up debate about a very serious issue. It's not the way I would do it. Again, if we ignore the individual and the rashness of his opening gambit, solving the issue (NZ's appalling child abuse record) is one that must be openly debated.

4. 
   Jon 04:33pm Friday 30th October 2009 NZDT Report Abuse

   Catapault, not sure if you are still checking online but the mayor of Whanganui, Laws, has just suggested that we "sterilize the underclass" in order to stop child abuse etc. It will prove to be very difficult to debate an issue with public servants who think like this. With MPs milking the system as they are and public servants making statements like this it does appear that the lunatics are running the asylum.

5. 
   tcrannitch 03:21pm Friday 30th October 2009 NZDT Report Abuse

   This country is a joke. That much in debt and allowing stuff like this to happen. As long as Keys mates get what they want he doesn't give a crap about the rest of society? The rich get rich and the poor get poorer maybe that should be Nationals headline. What a JOKE!

6. 
   Eddie 02:50pm Friday 30th October 2009 NZDT Report Abuse

   Where have you been Russel paul maybe you need to wake up from your of thinking in regards to this issue, these so called leader of Act they need to be held accountable not to use their position and abuse the taxpayers hard working money.

7. 
   catapault 02:50pm Friday 30th October 2009 NZDT Report Abuse

   You raise a good point Jon. Personally, I think that spouses should be regarded equally, in terms of the 'Contract Holder' entitlements. Despite this, many employers do make distinctions, regarding how spousal benefits are directed. My own employer, for example, does not provide spousal benefits in cases where the spouse's employer offers the same or better entitlements. This makes economic sense but is individually 'discriminatory', as like is not treated ...

8. 
   James 02:21pm Friday 30th October 2009 NZDT Report Abuse

   its an old saying when you lie down with dogs you end up like them well blow me with a pipe full of cow dung but hide has definitely gone around the long way to hyde this bit of ladies closet room gossip and its at the tax payers expense. I suppose whats good for my mates is good enough for me so lump it kiwis I'll do it again because I'm allowed to do it because I go to a lot of expense to ensure my relationship works. Boohoohoo sad

9. 
   Jon 02:14pm Friday 30th October 2009 NZDT Report Abuse

   Agreed catapault. Approaching this topic from a different angle. Is it fair that any politician with an unemployed non tax paying partner can travel overseas with that partner at any time and at the tax payers expense in order to keep their relationship healthy, but a politician with a permanently employed tax paying partner does not have that luxury????

10. 
    catapault 02:05pm Friday 30th October 2009 NZDT Report Abuse

    Why not debate the issue of MPs salaries and benefits constructively? What is appropriate REMUNERATION for NZ MPs? Clearly many are unhappy with the calibre of our politicians at present. Will reducing remuneration get the right people into NZ politics? Sure, some MPs would be worse off working outside of parliament, but others would be earning similar or better packages. Check out who is on the gravy train in parliament and who isn't. It's very enlightening.