Southland Times Editorial - June 23rd
The old saying that "what goes on tour, stays on tour", should not apply to our public institutions. This is especially when it comes to decisions on how to spend our money, whether it is taxes, rates or any other publically-funded matter. We live in an age of decisions being made behind closed doors and one in which the free flow of information seems to be frowned upon. My students often shake their heads at how difficult it is to get people to make comment for stories. Simple comments for straight-forward stories often need to be put through a sanitation process (known as "public relations") before being approved for public consumption. I wonder if people fear scrutiny, and construct walls around themselves and their institutions to shield themselves from interested eyes. No one wants to be seen as saying anything. And yet most people - politicians and sportspeople in particular it would seem - freely express their views on sites like Facebook and Twitter.
The media picked up on this and for a brief period of time there were some honest opinions floating around the headlines. But now the sportspeople are banned and we've lost interest in the politicians. Last week it was announced the All Blacks would be banned from tweeting during the Rugby World Cup. Even our local body politicians have been in the gun. Regional councillor and blogger Robert Guyton was reminded of his responsibilities after being a little too effective in his public communications last month. He got told off because his blog allegedly strayed into discussion of a public excluded council matter. Councillors should know the rules and know what they can and can't say in public. The end result of the private meeting should be made in public if it's in the public interest - which it usually is with councils. The public excluded provisions is used way too often - much like people saying something is "private" when they have little or no understanding of the Privacy Act. My favourite example of the former was when a council tried to go into public excluded to approve a public advertisement of a job. Common sense prevailed and the ad got the tick. And the sun still came up the next day.
19 comments:
I think next year they are planning to have the candidate list private so people just vote for candidate A, candidate B, etc.
*whispers
pssssssst! I'll be candidate 'x'
Unless it is to do with National security, or maybe an ongoing police investigation, (And both should be subject to public review afterward) nothing done by our elected representatives in their job should be able to be hidden.
Anyone who gets paid by the public or gets public money for a commercial contract should be subject to public account.
Hey hey Bobby, wot about the polls saying that a majority of Greens voters would back a coalition arrangement with the Tories???
No no, more than that, they actually desire it.
Ooohh that must hurt bro, after all your leader could well be that nice Mr Key, you know, the one just everyone adores.
Except you of course Bobby we know where you stand in regard to the nice Mr Key.
KjT - good call. I'll pass your views onto those councillors who don't surreptitiously read my blog :-)
Lofty - the 'revelation' around the likely-hood of the Greens going with National is one that I predicted way back, and was poo-pooed for by the Right, but it's an obvious one - burn off vacillating perhaps-the-Greens voters by declaring that Green will go with Blue, as is happening here. I don't accept that the 'results' you cite are valid. There are many ways to ask a question and present a result, and my keen sense of what will happen to try to erode that new-Green vote had me prepared to see through this latest 'news'. You've been taken in, Loft, but then, it always was a failing of yours - remember your membership to the Moonie church, your Tupperware career and that embarrassing Nigerian Gentleman incident? The family's still in hock over that one.
Yes yes Bro, all those incidents in my life have helped to form me into the free thinking & successful individual I have become, particularly the Nigerian scam one, I promise to try and get your money back one day, have I ever said thanks for the loan by the way?
It is interesting to note that you have accepted that this coalition may come to pass, which I guess means you give tacit approval. Well done, Dad always said you were bigger in mind than body.
What will you call your new leader? you know the nice Mr Key, will he be #3 co-leader or #1 given his PM status?
Does this mean that the little Aussie battler gets relegated to #2 co-leader?
I just wish you could come to accept me into your new family the same way you have so generously accepted the new #1 co-leader of the Greens. I sometimes think you don't give a tinkers cuss about me Bobby.
I do care, Lofty, or at least, I try. It's your bent-out-of-shape thinking that's the bug-bear for me. If it wasn't for your gullibility (Moonies, Tupperware, Nigerians) you'd be the bro I could be proud of, but I'm always on edge, worrying that you'll be taken-in again and we'll have to fly, again, to a Bangkok prison to bail you out, (you silly mule, you!)
Green won't marry Blue. Trust me.
Are you saying that the Aussie kayaker would not enter into an arrangement in exchange for a few nice baubles???
Something like Minister of the environment or local govt or Minister of mines (imagine that Bobby) or something equally enticing.
We will see Bobby, we will see.
In all honestly Bobby, I quite like that the present load of crooks are prepared to enter into inclusive arrangements, even if they don't necessarily need to.
Believe it or not the majority of NZ'rs that I know, actually do care for the country as a whole.
Most New Zealanders do care for our country, Lofty?
Of course we do. Some don't have the where-withal to fight for it though, and I admire those who do.
Our Aussie kayaker's willing to get out there and find out what needs to be done, then stand up and say it, loud (even at risk of being shoved by Chinese thugs :-)
You, Lofty? You get out on the water, just like Russ. Are you translating your concerns into action? If not, the squeaky aussie ginga's got one on ya!
I don't doubt the actions require to be taken Bobby, I do say well done to your Aussie whiner.
He has got one on me only in the sense of public profile.
I will keep you updated on my actions as time goes by.
I must say it is interesting the more I research and get my head around water quality issues.
From what I have read and discovered so far, I have found no reason to change my view that the degredation of our fresh waters is down to dirty farming as the chief cause (fertilizer application forms part of this as you know) combined with runaway subdivision development etc.
In Southland, Lofty, field tiles are a hidden and significant factor. It doesn't make much sense to plant the edges of streams, when the field tiles pass underneath and empty their phosphate and nitrate laden contents straight to the stream. What would you do about that?
I'll ask Russ at the same time and compare answers :-)
mmm I did not know that this practice was carried out.
I suppose in fairness the tiles were placed in days gone by when the current problems were not apparent.
I could say the obvious things I suppose Bobby, but I also understand that the "solving" issue is a complex and dificult thing.
I was not blessed with the wisdom of Solomon without careful consideration.
I will get back to you.
PS.. I do not have the advantage of many agenda driven people whispering in my lug, like your aussie champion.
If you want me to enter into some sort of perverse competition, just so you can say I told you so, at least give me a level playing field.
If I was in any way sceptical, I could ask tongue in cheek, after you publish "his" solution...Is that your own original idea Russel Normans? But I would not, I am far to nice a person for that.
I'm not really suggesting a pissing contest between you and Russ, Loft. It was tongue in cheek and anyway, there's your bladder 'issue', eh!
No, seriously, I appreciate that you are thinking about and working on water quality issues and I salute you for that. The field-tile issue is more than vexatious, it seems insurmountable, though I've a few ideas. They have transformed the soggy Southland Plains, but in my view, not in a good way. Agriculturalists disagree, as you might imagine. I worked for iwi for two years, developing mahi nga kai resource in a 1000 acre valley and while I was at it, developed an 'alternate' view on farming the whenua. Draining wetlands for pasture is a major mistake and one that has been de rigeur in Southland for ever. Improving the state of the water and land here now is enormously challenging but could be done and is being done incrementally. The council has plans and now that farmers have a sniff of them, the temperature is rising fast. I'll post on the skirmishes as they come in and on the outcome, once we've secured that :-)
Have you seen my photo in your members area yet Bobby? taken only this morning after a good nights sleep, with few effects of the 2 bottles of really very good Spanish red I shared with my good wife.
I do appreciate your knowledge around the issues we fart with, I am on a steep learning curve, and in a perverse way quite enjoy that, as my whole life is about teaching & learning in very interesting fields.
Now that I think about it field tiles are an issue all over NZ, I had to dredge the memory banks to get a picture, but I have.
Lofty - just as I pictured you, only fresher. I don't know why, but in my mind's eye, I saw a wizened plum. Or raisin.
Your 'whole life is about teaching & learning in very interesting fields.'!
Now my interest is piqued! Will you share with us? I mean that sincerely. What have you been up to?
blog.
go on - you know you want to.
Bobby, in reply to what it is I do...
I am a Co director and run, hands on, 2 very successful companies 1 of which is a registered private training establishment specialising in emergency response and readiness type training for industry and indivduals.
our fields are ever increasing in knowledge and research is ongoing.
Commenting on blogs and sometimes venting my spleen helps to keep me sane,although I annoy myself sometimes by shooting from the lip, and going off half cocked.
So if I sometimes seem off target or rude I apologise, but it is the way it is. I comment in my few down moments. It is fun.
Business is our thing, employment and training/upskilling of our 26 staff is my priority, we have 26 fantastic team members and as an employer we see a large part of our responsibility as
1. ensuring future employement for staff,
2. Training and upskilling for whatever life brings
3. Offering superb and quality service to clients
4. Enjoying life while we do it.
Hope that answers your question.
PS the offer still stands to sort your angst re oil exploration. ;-)
Lofty - great stuff! I'm impressed by and I agree with you on many of the things you describe. Best comment in there' "it is fun" :-)
And yes, I'll take you up on your offer.
Please sort my angst.
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