A new book has been published by John Pilger about how Gough Whitlam the Australian Prime Minister between 1972 and 1975 was rolled as Prime Minister by forces, led by the CIA. Whitlam was an incredible reformer and led an inexperienced Labour team to achieve great things. The book is called “A … [Read more...]
Local leaders best understand their communities, and are answerable to them
Here, to complete these articles on USA, is one from the Washington Post on Friday: D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) on Friday formally renamed a street outside the White House “Black Lives Matter Plaza” after ordering city crews to paint the message in gigantic yellow letters down … [Read more...]
Garry writes 2 June 2020
Each year since the early 2000’s there has been a survey by CCC of how the community is feeling about itself. When I sat at the Council table, we used it as the best independent review of the Council performance and how people were feeling about the City, other than elections. So, it was sad to read … [Read more...]
I had a chat with a guy in his workshop this week and he worried me
This self-employed guy runs his business and described himself as “right of centre”. A good man running a good business. He shared his views. Bits of the conversation warmed my heart about his concern for the community. Bits worried me. What worried me was his hindsight analysis of what the … [Read more...]
Garry 19 May 2020
Hasn’t this week been amazing. Instead of travelling overseas to catch up with old friends and family, this time we have just had to hop on our bikes and achieve the same thing. In our own City. It’s been so exciting, and scary. The lock-down gave me a chance to have a big think. The main doubt … [Read more...]
Pubs:
We were delighted when we found that on Thursday this week, we will be able to open Smash Palace. It has been a challenging time for us all and, we hope an outdoor bar, even in winter, will attract customers and we can start paying our expenses again. We have been saved by the Government’s … [Read more...]
Lets’ not stuff up the rebuild of our City and our economy as we did last time
Jim Lunday sent me his presentation for TedX just after the earthquakes this week. It is still amazing, and challenging. It’s one which Lianne Dalziel still talks about having given her a sense of hope. Unfortunately, Jim came down here to work and experienced a solid wall of resistance to his … [Read more...]
Garry writes 24 March
Last Monday morning Pam and I arrived home from Australia and now we are in splendid self-isolation. At a time like this we have to rely on each other to survive. In our penitentiary we have relied on family and friends to supply us with food and staple supplies. Like cream and biscuits. … [Read more...]
We expect sensible and visionary political leadership right now:
What a week I have had observing the world through our front fence, listening to RNZ and gazing at the computer screen. I am a complete tragic. I live, and sleep, thinking about public policy. A few short weeks ago political differences mattered. I enjoy the debates and the differences of … [Read more...]
COVID-19 happenings
Leaders will be assessed by how they have reacted in trying situations. Our current prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, has had more than her fair share of opportunities to prove herself: getting enough votes to become prime minister just seven weeks from taking over the Labour Party leadership; her … [Read more...]