GPJA #439 (Part 1): News from Aotearoa New Zealand – 21/8/12

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SAVE DISABILITY LAW UPDATE
Friday 10 August 2012: A successful hui was held last Monday, 30th July at Western Springs Community Hall. We had around 80 people attend to hear from our esteemed speakers. Huge thanks to everyone who attended and to Esther for filming and editing the highlights for us. Some highlights from the hui click below for some video info and we will add you as an email signatory to our list. If your organisation has not yet signed, ask them to s upport us. Post it to us at Auckland Disability Law, PO Box 43 201, Mangere, Auckland. Fax it back to us on 09 275 4693 or scan it and email to info Finally, you can print it out and post it directly to Minister of Justice, Judith Collins http://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/judith-collins

ECONOMIST PROF STEVE KEEN WILL VISIT NEW ZEALAND 6-10 SEPTEMBER
Professor Steve Keen, author of Debunking Economics, and recently heard on Radio NZ National with Kim Hill, is visiting New Zealand in September to present 3 seminars. He is Professor of Economics and Finance at the University of Western Sydney. A long-time critic of conventional economic theory, Professor Keen includes all relevant real world data in his economic modelling and so was able to give fore-warning of the current global financial crisis. In each seminar he will examine conventional economic theory and the alternatives, the failures of monetary economics, why the current economic situation cannot be solved with current methods. He will provide a comprehensive overview of Hyman Minsky’s Financial Instability Hypothesis. He will discuss the subjects listed below and there will also be an analysis of issues in New Zealand (housing markets, high debt levels, ownership of assets) that affect our nation’s economic well-being. Auckland seminar dates: Friday 7th and Saturday 8th September.Wellington seminar date: Monday 10th September. Further details at www.talks.co.nz

FREE WEST PAPUA CAMPAIGN IN THE LUSH CHAIN OF COSMETIC STORES IN NEW ZEALAND
Next week 20-26 August Lush will be promoting the issue of West Papua in their 12 stores. They ran this campaign in the UK and in Europe with the support of West Papuan exiles and now they are doing a similar campaign in Australasia. http://www.theecologist.org/green_green_living/health_and_beauty/1087840/the_smell_of_freedom_lush_gets_behind_the_free_west_papua_campaign.html

The banned Morning Star flag will be on display and there will be a petition to John Key promoting freedom for political prisoners, open access to West Papua and calling for NZ to support a dialogue process. There will be a ‘freedom perfume’ on sale to raise money for the cause. The aim will be to help an Australian group called ‘Rize of the Morning Star’ – a campaigning band that have put together a special West Papua concert, to come over here to raise awareness: maire

URGENT APPEAL FOR SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF RECENT RAINS AND FLOODING IN THE PHILIPPINES
PSNA Members & Supporters, For the second time in three years Metro Manila has been inundated by a flood of biblical proportions. Torrential monsoon rain is the norm in the tropics, because all the year’s rain falls in one season. A degree of flooding is to be expected. But, because of the criminal, wilful negligence of the local and central government – they do not build or maintain infrastructure to control the floodwaters, nor do they prepare for the entirely predictable effects of the annual downpours – a natural event becomes a catastrophe, with loss of life, and huge damage, impacting most on the poor. A lack of care by the ruling class rich for the vast majority who are the poor; institutionalised corruption; and skewed priorities, whereby the military gets the lion’s share of the national budget, leaves million of Metro Manila’s residents at the mercy of deadly floodwaters. PSNA has received several appeals from progressive organisations with whom we have worked over the past two decades. We have decided to forward the below one, from Karapatan, on to you. If you wish to donate, do so via PSNA and we will forward it to Karapatan in one lump sum. You can send your donation by cheque to: PSNA, Box 2450, Christchurch. Accompany it with a note saying “Flood appeal”, and include your e-mail address, so that we can acknowledge it. Or you can deposit your donation directly into PSNA’s bank account: Philippines Solidarity Network, Kiwibank, 155 The Terrace, Wellington. 389000 0792619 00. Include your name and “Flood donation”. And please e-mail us, at this address, to tell us that you’ve made the deposit, so that we can look out for it online. Once again the long suffering Philippine people, through no fault of their own, need the help of their foreign friends. Speaking as a resident of a city that was very glad indeed to be helped by our foreign friends when catastrophe struck us in 2011, I know how much these practical gestures of international solidarity are appreciated. Murray Horton, Secretary, PSNA, Philippines Solidarity Network of Aotearoa, Box 2450, Christchurch , New Zealand. cafca www.converge.org.nz/psna

THE ROGER AWARD
The Roger Award For The Worst Transnational Corporation operating in New Zealand has run annually since 1997. There are no prizes for guessing whom it is named after. It is organised by CAFCA and GATT Watchdog, both Christchurch-based groups. The judges have awarded prizes for runners up, continuity and collaborators. The Award has attracted considerable interest since its inception (even from the corporate media), and has had a succession of distinguished and completely voluntary judges. The events to announce the winners have become highly memorable in their own right. Winners of previous awards and judges’ reports can be seen below. New Nominations are open for the 2012 Award. The nomination form with details of the criteria and how to make a nomination is available in Word or PDF format. Criteria are also below. Nominations close on 31 October 2012. The judges for 2012 are: Christina Stringer, a Senior Lecturer in International Business at the University of Auckland; John Maynard , from Wellington, President of the Postal Workers Union of Aotearoa, spokesperson for People’s Power Ohariu and founding member of the Brass Razoo Solidarity Band; Paul Maunder, cultural worker, curator of Blackball Museum of Working Class History and a founding member of Unite!; Sam Mahon, an artist, author and activist from North Canterbury; and Wayne Hope, Associate Professor, Communications Studies, Auckland University of Technology. They will be given a shortlist of finalists. The winner(s) will be announced at a Wellington event in early 2013. For more information http://canterbury.cyberplace.co.nz/community/CAFCA/publications/Roger/index.html

BEST ON THE WEB

GPJA PROTEST

Auckland protest against South Africa shooting http://www.3news.co.nz/Auckland-protest-against-South-Africa-shooting/tabid/1607/articleID/265923/Default.aspx

GPJA: Picketing South Africa 20 years on http://www.voxy.co.nz/sport/picketing-south-africa-20-years/5/132116

Protest in Auckland over SA mine shootings

Peace organisation blames Zuma, ANC for Marikana killings – New Zeland based Global Peace and Justice Auckland has blamed President Zuma and the ANC-led government for a shootout at the Lonmin mine in Marikana. http://mg.co.za/article/2012-08-18-peace-organisation-blames-zuma-anc-for-marikana-killings

Peace Organization Says Jacob Zuma, ANC-Led Government Have ‘Blood on Their Hands’ for Marikana Killings http://hinterlandgazette.com/2012/08/peace-organization-jacob-zuma-anc-led-government-blood-on-hands-marikana-shootings.html

1 0f 2 South African Consulate Picket in Auckland NZ 18 Aug 2012 In Solidarity with Mine Workers at Marikana Platinum – Speakers:

John Minto – Global Peace and Justice, Auckland New Zealand. Joe Carolan – Socialist Aotearoa more 2/2 Mike Treen

Why I turned down the All Blacks http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/7487607/Why-I-turned-down-the-All-Blacks

Anti-apartheid conference gets $1000 grant from NZRU http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10828047

Auckland protest over SA police shootings http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10827856

Police task force vehicle drives through Lonmin mine near Rustenburg, South Africa. where police shot dead 34 striking miners. Photo AP

NEW ZEALAND

Six Arrested In Glen Innes – Project Delayed Six Months http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00250/six-arrested-in-glen-innes-project-delayed-six-months.htm

Hone Harawira fires up over ‘racist’ bill http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/hone-harawira-fires-up-over-racist-bill-5032884

Ganging up on Patches http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1208/S00281/ganging-up-on-patches.htm

Howard League for Penal Reform: Stewart Murray Wilson http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00288/howard-league-for-penal-reform-stewart-murray-wilson.htm

Banks: I believe Bible’s account of how life began http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10828170

‘Loan sharks’ need tougher regulation and controls http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00285/loan-sharks-need-tougher-regulation-and-controls.htm

Kiwi fishing company convicted of oil dumping http://www.3news.co.nz/Kiwi-fishing-company-convicted-of-oil-dumping/tabid/1216/articleID/265726/Default.aspx

Reflections on a broken city – Matt Jones in Christchurch discusses the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake for the working people. http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/reflections-on-broken-city.html

The Glen Innes Clearances Terri discusses the war on the poor in Glen Innes. http://socialistaotearoa.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/the-glen-innes-clearances.html

Philip Pattemore: No more Mr Nice Guy, now it’s war http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10828228

Bomber Bradbury: If I was running Labour Party strategy http://tumeke.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/if-i-was-running-labour-party-strategy.html

Chris Trotter: When we went off the rails http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/columnists/chris-trotter/7471794/When-we-went-off-the-rails

Wealth counts in queue to gain admission for parents http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10827489

November date for Sanford appeal decision http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/7488964/NZ-fishing-company-guilty-of-pollution-cover-up

Legalise Love Press Release – 21 Aug 2012 http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00307/legalise-love-press-release-21-aug-2012.htm

Pro Choice Dunedin http://www.facebook.com/DunedinProChoice?ref=stream

Protest against cuts to health funds http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10826052

Charter schools a questionable experiment http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/opinion/7442900/Charter-schools-a-questionable-experiment

NZ’S AFGHAN WAR

Gordon Campbell on the latest New Zealand deaths in Afghanistan http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2012/08/20/gordon-campbell-on-the-latest-new-zealand-deaths-in-afghanistan/

Gordon Campbell on what comes next in Afghanistan http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2012/08/21/gordon-campbell-on-what-comes-next-in-afghanistan/

Not worth it http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/not-worth-it.html

Pull troops out early: Opposition http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7509437/Pull-troops-out-early-Opposition

NZ troops exiting Afghanistan ‘fast’, says prime minister http://kiaoragaza.wordpress.com/2012/08/21/nz-troops-exiting-afghanistan-fast-says-prime-minister/

Brian Rudman: Get our soldiers out of Afghanistan http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10825296

The real reasons for mission failure in Afghanistan http://readingthemaps.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/the-real-reasons-for-mission-failure-in.html

NZ pays high price for role in war on terror http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7462177/NZ-pays-high-price-for-role-in-war-on-terror

BENEFICIARIES AND POVERTY

Green Party Member’s Bill will reduce child poverty http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1208/S00226/green-party-members-bill-will-reduce-child-poverty.htm

CTU: Drug testing beneficiaries attempt to blame the unemployed for situation http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00221/drug-testing-beneficiaries-attempt-to-blame-the-unemployed.htm

Tapu Misa: Paula Bennett so sure she’s right http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10827994

Shaky Shearer puts a bob each way http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/the-wellingtonian/opinion/7487160/Shaky-Shearer-puts-a-bob-each-way

Gordon Campbell on Paula Bennett’s problems with privacy, and our deference to Big Tobacco http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2012/08/16/gordon-campbell-on-paula-bennetts-problems-with-privacy-and-our-deference-to-big-tobacco/

Ministry memo critical of plan to drug test beneficiaries http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/113447/ministry-memo-critical-of-plan-to-drug-test-beneficiaries

High cost for drug testing beneficiaries: Health ministry http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7496309/High-cost-for-drug-testing-beneficiaries-Health-ministry

Bennett slammed over child poverty claim http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10827507

Minorities don’t get fair go – watchdog http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10828021

Measurement of child poverty a necessary step http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00251/measurement-of-child-poverty-a-necessary-step.htm

Measuring poverty line not a priority – Bennett http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10827418

Submissions show Minister must deal with poverty http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00232/submissions-show-minister-must-deal-with-poverty.htm

Paula Bennett misleads country on drug testing costs http://tumeke.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/paula-bennett-misleads-country-on-drug.html

BURGER KING EXPLOITATION EXPOSED

BK workers claim pressured to leave union (2:03) http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/bk-workers-claim-pressured-leave-union-video-5033470

Network hopes to improve NZ’s migrant worker conditions http://www.3news.co.nz/Network-hopes-to-improve-NZs-migrant-worker-conditions/tabid/1607/articleID/265967/Default.aspx#ixzz23yIp5oW9 VIDEO http://www.3news.co.nz/Network-hopes-to-improve-NZs-migrant-worker-conditions/tabid/370/articleID/265967/Default.aspx

Union steps up fight against Burger King http://www.3news.co.nz/Union-steps-up-fight-against-Burger-King/tabid/423/articleID/265981/Default.aspx

Unite Union’s National Director Mike Treen speaks out for Migrant Workers at Burger King and elsewhere, at a seminar organised by Dennis Maga and Migrante Aotearoa

Burger King trying to hide from criticism http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00274/burger-king-trying-to-hide-from-criticism.htm

Union meeting today to discuss Burger King http://www.3news.co.nz/Union-meeting-today-to-discuss-Burger-King/tabid/1607/articleID/265952/Default.aspx

Paddy at Burger King store http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10827840

Burger King protest over migrant workers’ treatment http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/7506608/Burger-King-protest-over-migrant-workers-treatment

Sunday Best: Joe Carolan on Burger King and South Africa – Unite activist and Sunday Best regular Joe Carolan joins Angus to discuss the background behind today’s Burger King protest and briefly touches on the recent industrial action turned fubar in South Africa. http://www.95bfm.com/default,206964.sm

Burger King Teach In and Protest http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.459933010705076.104298.100000651420214&type=1

New migrant workers network to combat exploitative practises http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00254/new-migrant-workers-network-to-combat-exploitative-practises.htm

Union protests outside fast-food store http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10828020

Burger King Caught Hiding Evidence Of Assault From Police http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00305/burger-king-caught-hiding-evidence-of-assault-from-police.htm

WORKRIGHTS NZ

New union offers advice for migrant workers http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/new-union-offers-advice-migrant-workers-5033503

Parliament’s cleaners seek pay rise – Cleaners want $15 an hour, and respect http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/7486277/Parliaments-cleaners-seek-pay-rise

Worker wants port’s apology for leaking details of wife’s death http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10823398

Christchurch Rail Workers Revolt Against Cost Cutting Plan http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00233/christchurch-rail-workers-revolt-against-cost-cutting-plan.htm

KiwiRail workers discuss possible strike http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10827421

Labour: Urgent investigation needed into migrant exploitation http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1208/S00214/urgent-investigation-needed-into-migrant-exploitation.htm

Minister promises action on underpaid migrants http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10827500

Port transparency overdue http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00240/port-transparency-overdue.htm

Maritime Union Backs New Ports Bill http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00258/maritime-union-backs-new-ports-bill.htm

Fishing: Immigration approves 1744 foreign workers http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/7478452/Immigration-approves-1744-foreign-workers

NZ ECONOMY

Unemployment – the stat that sinks govts http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10826097

Stats show shocking truth of growing inequality in NZ http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00303/stats-show-shocking-truth-of-growing-inequality-in-nz.htm

Overseas Investment Office Says Rupert Murdoch Is Of Good Character – Because He Told Them So! http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00261/oia-says-murdoch-of-good-character-because-he-told-them-so.htm

TPPWatch Action Bulletin #15 – 15 August 2012 http://tppwatch.org/2012/08/15/tppwatch-action-bulletin-15-15-august-2012/

CTU: Record Outflow to Australia http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00310/record-outflow-to-australia.htm

Smoke and Mirrors: The strange tale of Fletcher Building’s ‘1000 new jobs’ for Christchurch. http://nzagainstthecurrent.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/smoke-and-mirrors.html