Quote of the Day - 30 August 2013

Barry Soper is back from a trip to Africa, rejuvenated, and in fine form. And he has laid into Trevor Mallard for his attack on Nick Smith during Question Time on Wednesday; check this out:

Over the next three weeks the spotlight will be on Labour and in particular the three wannabes. 
But it's a party that can't help tripping over itself as it did yesterday when Trevor Mallard flew into the bear pit, accusing the pedantic Nick Smith of bludging off the taxpayer after he tearfully relieved himself of his ministry last year when his Bronwyn Pullar conflict of interest became an embarrassment. 
Of course he's repented and is now back in the fold. Mallard claimed he'd stayed on in his taxpayer supplied ministerial home when he wasn't entitled to. 
Smith tells us he stayed on for a couple of weeks so that his kids could finish their school term which would seem reasonable in the circumstances. 
But big Gezza Brownlee wasn't going to let them get away with that. He ruffled Mallard's feathers, saying what's good for the goose is good for the gander. 
If he expected Smith to cough up some cash then what about Dithering David doing the decent thing? 
Since making the dramatic announcement last Thursday, and then refusing to take any questions about it, Shearer got on the next plane out of the capital and will be lying low for the next three weeks. 
He's still picking up his leader's salary and the perks that go with the job, which Gezza says is a bit rich given Labour's view of Smith's indiscretion. 
More points on the Tory board then as Labour again scores an own goal!

Labour simply can't take a trick at the moment. Maybe it's time for some of those who keep stuffing up to shuffle off into retirement.

Leave it out Trevor

Trevor Mallard seems to be proud of his reputation as Labour's attack dog. He has appeared in court after a fight with a fellow MP. He has attacked public servants, religious groups and American bagmen and even made homophobic interjections against a National Party MP.

With that kind of pedigree, you wouldn't think that the MP for Hutt South could stoop much lower. But this afternoon, he did.

He questioned Housing Minister Nick Smith about state houses. The primary question was innocuous enough. But the reason for his question becomes apparent when Mr Mallard gets down and dirty at around the 2:45 mark; check this out:

There's an unwritten rule in Parliament about attacking the families of MP's. Trevor Mallard didn't just break that rule today; he treated it with utter contempt. And not content with making his point under parliamentary privilege, he has followed up with a media release.

To their credit, a number of Labour Party supporters have expressed their distaste at Mallard's conduct via social media. Political differences can be put to one side when conduct such as this takes place.

Trevor Mallard needs to have a good look at himself and his motivation today in attacking Nick Smith over a family issue. With change about to occur at the top of the Labour tree, it might be the ideal time for some pruning of the lower branches.

A sensible decision

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has declined the application to build a tunnel to Milford Sound; the Beehive website reports:

Minister declines Milford Dart Tunnel proposal

The tunnel project proposed by Milford Dart Limited, through the Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks, has been declined, Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith announced today.
“I am declining this tunnel proposal because the environmental impacts are significant and beyond what is appropriate in two of New Zealand’s most spectacular National Parks and a World Heritage Area,” Dr Smith says.
The five-metre diameter, 11.3-kilometre long, one lane bus tunnel was proposed between the Dart Valley, adjacent to the Routeburn Track, through to Hollyford Valley. The $180 million project would have halved the travel time for the 420,000 visitors per year who visit Milford Sound.
“This is a significant decision and I have given it a great deal of thought and consideration. I have met the applicants, studied the major reports, sought thorough advice, visited the site, and weighed up strong views of both the supporters and opponents,” he says.
“There are three major reasons for declining this tunnel application. The first is that depositing half a million tonnes of tunnel spoil would permanently damage the natural and landscape values in Hollyford Valley. The second is the impact of the new roads and portals at each end, and particularly the impacts on visitors at the entrance to the Routeburn track. My third concern is that the engineering works and tunnel are inconsistent with the Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Park Management Plans.
“I also have concerns about the economic viability and safety of this tunnel proposal. These issues are interrelated in that making a long narrow tunnel safe requires huge investment in ventilation and emergency systems. I am not satisfied that the tunnel can be safely built for a price that makes it economically viable. The risk for the Government under these circumstances is that corners are cut or the project is left half-completed with a clean-up liability for the public.
“Milford Dart Ltd late last week outlined an alternative tunnel that would be approximately two kilometres longer and which would relocate the eastern portal about three kilometres south east. This is a significantly different proposal on which I have not received any technical advice, and of which neither the public nor the hearing commissioner has had the opportunity to consider. I have determined that I have insufficient information to make a decision on this alternative.
“I appreciate my decision will be a disappointment to the applicants and their supporters. I do not in any way criticise them for their entrepreneurial spirit or ambition to ease access for the hundreds of thousands of people who visit Milford Sound. This is a conservative decision in which I have decided that nature deserves the benefit of any doubt.”
Reports and advice regarding this decision can be found at www.doc.govt.nz/milfordtunnel

 

This is a significant decision by Nick Smith, and one that he has taken plenty of time and plenty of advice to make. And we reckon that he has made the right decision, especially with regard to safety considerations. 

 

Nick Smith's decision will disappoint the developers Milford Dart Limited, but is likely to be greeted with widespread approval. We've only ever visited Milford Sound once ourselves, but the road in was scenic and spectacular enough that we couldn't really see the point of an 11km subterranean journey!