mojo mathers and her note taker

[leadinjector]

so the herald, being what it is, is big on headline and low on substance with their reporting of this, so im left somewhat confused-

what is the actual deal here? that the govt itself should be paying for a note taker and isnt? that the green party should have already organised this? theres a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth but im surprised this is something that has only been brought up now by her and her party and isnt something they should have resolved months ago. from that viewpoint it looks like a cheap way to score political points.

[Ab]

Looks to me like a big Green whinefest to get themselves in the papers.

[plaz0r]

From what I've gathered, Parliamentary Services provide funding to cover 80 hours a week of time for MPs' assistants. She wants someone to do 20 hours a week of transcription of proceedings in the debating chamber, but won't (or can't?) use her existing 80 hours a week for it.

She's been employed in parliament during the last term of government, so both she and her Green colleagues have been around long enough to know how Parliamentary Services works and what they can fund. They've just left the issue until parliament is already sitting so they can get up and say "Look! Parliament won't give our disabled MP the help she needs so she hasn't been able to participate in debates!". Pretty much exactly what Ab said, in fact.

I'm not quite sure how transcription for the Hansard works, but surely if that's happening in near real-time then it would make more sense to just give her access to that somehow?

[doppelgänger of someone]

My understanding is that Parliamentary Services got most of her needs covered, except the real time transcriber (Hansard I understand doesn't do real time, they edit the transcripts to make them more accurate but that's it).

Lockwood Smith didn't say no. He said he would ask for funding because it is not up to him to decide whether Parliamentary Services can fund that. In the mean time they would have to use the Green Party parliamentary budget to fund that. Mojo and mate said no no no it is within his power to approve the funding, but he just won't.

It is all silly bitching. Greens could have waited until there is a definite 'No' from Lockwood Smith before going public (I can't imagine getting a no from him at all, whether it is for her personally or for transcribing and captioning to all debates on Parliament TV). I guess Greens are just like all the other parties. Once they get a bit of power, first thing they do when they see a problem is throwing a tantrum instead of constructively working for a solution.

[sidbo]

I'll admit to a chuckle when I see a list Mp complain that they can't do the job they "were elected for".


Carry on.

[Ab]

Originally Posted by sidbo

I'll admit to a chuckle when I see a list Mp complain that they can't do the job they "were elected for".

[spigalau]

"Electronic Note Taker" - sounds very automated, till you realise that there's a human doing the capture & trans-code.

14 Green MP's each has 80 hours a week support = 1120 hours, surely they could share the load like a good socialist party.

[fixed_truth]

Originally Posted by plaz0r

They've just left the issue until parliament is already sitting so they can get up and say "Look! Parliament won't give our disabled MP the help she needs so she hasn't been able to participate in debates!". Pretty much exactly what Ab said, in fact.

Who says that they left the issue until now?

The Greens are claiming that Mojo advised the Parliamentary Service her special requirements within a few days of her knowing she would be an MP (over 2 months ago).

[plaz0r]

Originally Posted by fixed_truth

Who says that they left the issue until now?

The Greens are claiming that Mojo advised the Parliamentary Service her special requirements within a few days of her knowing she would be an MP (over 2 months ago).

Well, they certainly left it until now before making a fuss in the media about it.

[Ab]

Originally Posted by fixed_truth

The Greens are claiming that Mojo advised the Parliamentary Service her special requirements within a few days of her knowing she would be an MP (over 2 months ago).

So if they knew 2 months ago that it was a Parliamentary Services matter, whyfuck go postal on the Speaker, who has nothing to do with it?

Oh that's right, whinefest, papers, I forgot.

[fixed_truth]

Originally Posted by Ab

So if they knew 2 months ago that it was a Parliamentary Services matter, whyfuck go postal on the Speaker, who has nothing to do with it?

Probably because they're under the impression that Smith told Mathers that Parliamentary Services will not pay for the electronic note-taking equipment and the cost would have to come out of her budget.

[chubby]

the greens have been working through 'polite channels' for months,for nix.
they have reason to belive that lockwood is being obstructive.
have you watched the parlimentary feed?
the mans a dickhead.

[Ab]

Best Speaker we've had in decades, IMHO.

[chubby]

holy crap!

[chubby]

though (truth be told) lookwoods the only speaker ive bothered watching.
if he = great... somethings badly broken.needs to be an external appontment.

[cyc]

What reason do the Greens (aka fuckwits) have to believe that Lockwood Smith has been acting inappropriately? Parliamentary Services != Speaker of the House.

[chubby]

they believe that definitions of 'support expenditure' (often used fairly flexibly) seem to suddenly have very specific and insurmountable requirements.

[DRa1N]

if the silly bitch wants to be an mp and is unfortunate enough to be born retarded, why should the tax payer pay for her? especially given mps perks and pay packets

[chubby]

hyuk hyuk.

[Ab]

[Ajax]

Originally Posted by Ab

Best Speaker we've had in decades, IMHO.

I was lucky enough to start university the year fees shot through the roof and student allowance means-testing was introduced.

Cheers, Lockwood

[xor]

Originally Posted by DRa1N

if the silly bitch wants to be an mp and is unfortunate enough to be born retarded, why should the tax payer pay for her? especially given mps perks and pay packets

I wonder how many guys like you were around when women wanted the vote.

[spigalau]

Originally Posted by xor

I wonder how many guys like you were around when women wanted the vote.

/sarcasm "obviously not enough..."

[StN]

Originally Posted by Ajax

I was lucky enough to start university the year fees shot through the roof and student allowance means-testing was introduced.

Cheers, Lockwood

Laying down the law is a far cry from climbing out the window.

Originally Posted by cyc

What reason do the Greens (aka fuckwits) have to believe that Lockwood Smith has been acting inappropriately? Parliamentary Services != Speaker of the House.

As Speaker, dosen't he chair the Parliamentary Services Comission as well?

[cyc]

Originally Posted by StN

Laying down the law is a far cry from climbing out the window.


As Speaker, dosen't he chair the Parliamentary Services Comission as well?

PSC "advises" ths Speaker about the services to be provided to MPs. It doesn't mean the Speaker can dictate to them.

[chubby]

no, it dosent.
thats where the greens belive that lockwood is over the line.

[Golden Teapot]

Originally Posted by Ajax

I was lucky enough to start university the year fees shot through the roof and student allowance means-testing was introduced.

Cheers, Lockwood

That was the year that the flood gates were also opened so that basically anyone could attend. Now, is your thanks for the fact that you were actually let in, or for something else?

[Ajax]

Originally Posted by Golden Teapot

Now, is your thanks for the fact that you were actually let in, or for something else?

Well, Golden Teapot, I'm glad you asked. My thanks is for having the good sense not to pursue a line of study that would ultimately lead to a tedious life as an actuary.

[Ab]

You couldn't make this shit up.

From Select Committee News:

Mojo Mathers (Green) asked RNZ whether people from all over the world are now listening to RNZ through the internet. Griffin responded that about 75% of internet customers are from New Zealand and the rest are from around the world. Cavanagh added that online broadcasting was hugely beneficial to RNZ as it enabled them to supply on-demand content and reach New Zealander’s anywhere in the World. Mathers suggested charging international internet users of RNZ

In her very first week in Parliament, Mathers demonstrates two of the worst traits of the Greens:

1. Ignorance about the Internet, and

2. Hypocrisy. You're not dreaming, it appear her first act in parliament was to propose that we restrict a technological tool that enables people to hear stuff.

GENIOUS.

[CCS]

Those bloody sponges! Listening to RNZ without being taxpayers!
We should restrict RNZ internet privileges to literally only those who pay tax. Too young to wor and thus pay tax? No RNZ for you! Retired? No RNZ for you!

[cyc]

Originally Posted by Ab

GENIOUS.

I demand an investigation to determine if she's related to Clare Curran.

[fixed_truth]

I don't agree with her suggestion of charging international internet users; but I think the false analogy is a bit derp ie

Originally Posted by Ab

Hypocrisy. You're not dreaming, it appear her first act in parliament was to propose that we restrict a technological tool that enables people to hear stuff.

GENIOUS.

[chubby]

beacause im sure, under no circumstances would national ever suggest that quality,state financed broadcasting should be expected to generate revenue.

[plaz0r]

Originally Posted by Ab

In her very first week in Parliament, Mathers demonstrates two of the worst traits of the Greens:

1. Ignorance about the Internet, and

2. Hypocrisy. You're not dreaming, it appear her first act in parliament was to propose that we restrict a technological tool that enables people to hear stuff.

GENIOUS.

Looks like the question was falsely attributed to her

[Ab]

I retract my derision unreservedly and apologise to the honourable member should she lurk on these forums.

[fixed_truth]

Originally Posted by plaz0r

Looks like the question was falsely attributed to her

Gold

[plaz0r]

Originally Posted by fixed_truth

Gold

heh

But yeah, it's a stupid idea regardless of whose mouth it came out of.

[aR Que]

Shes still a fucking douche`.

No no, that's not quite right, but, you get the idea.

[Farmer Joe]

Originally Posted by fixed_truth

Gold

lololol

[CCS]

Now we know that Todd McClay is a douche as well! WIN WIN!