Asset Sales: What We Didn't Vote For
The Government’s dreams of raising $7 billion by selling off 49 percent of four energy companies and Air New Zealand have come one step closer to reality with a slim win in Parliament on March the 8th this year. National’s partial asset sales legislation, or the Mixed Ownership Model Bill, was passed with just 61 votes to 60. As recently re-elected Prime Minister John Key sees it, “rightfully so; the issue was voted on in the November election, and National won.”
Striking, then, is a recent 3 News poll that revealed 62 percent of voters oppose asset sales, with only 35 percent in favour. Compared with the 60 percent opposed to the plan in early 2011 it would seem that despite a convincing win at the November elections, National failed to get voters on side regarding the biggest issue on which they campaigned. Such clear-cut evidence makes Key’s offhand remark that a public referendum regarding asset sales is not needed, as “We've had that - it's called an election”, seem all the more infuriating.
In the absence of democracy being upheld by our elected leader, lobby organisation Grey Power and the Council of Trade Unions are in the process of launching a petition to force a citizens-initiated referendum. To force such an outcome they will need signatures from 10 percent of all registered voters, that being more than three hundred thousand signatures. Even when gained, however, the results of such a referendum are not binding – that is, it can be completely ignored by Government.
Nonetheless this effort is being backed by such parties as the Greens and Labour in light of the dire consequences if nothing at all is done. Primarily, Green Party co-leader Russel Norman opposes asset sales as it will take assets owned by all New Zealanders and place them in the hands of the wealthiest. Overall asset sales will create a future that New Zealanders simply cannot afford: one where foreign ownership means profits go overseas; where partial privatisation will inevitably lead to full privatisation and an ensuing lack of control on companies that affect our daily lives. It is not hard to see how a loss of government control on the electricity market will lead to higher prices as shareholders demand increasing returns for their investments.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters recent address to Parliament summed up the situation beautifully, stating that asset sales “is a process arranged by the greedy for the greedy just like this is a Government of the greedy by the greedy and for the greedy." This blinded move for asset sales has been made by a government completely out of touch, and seemingly with no care for the opinions of, the general public.
What we need now is to coordinate the voices that oppose this move so strongly. So keep up to date, talk with friends and family, and get your name on that petition.
Ports of Aukland Dispute: We Have Been Here Before
In 1951 the management of Ports of Auckland locked out the wharfies, this led to a shut-down of the whole country and bitter ideological battles that have resurfaced again today. After more than 8 months worth of negotiations, the wharfies have been locked out once more. The Maritime union needs to keep on picketing if working conditions in New Zealand are to continue improving.
Despite the ruling of the Employment Court, whose decision implies the Port management is being unfair, the quasi 300 workers are still on the streets, unsure when they will get their next payment.
Unions across New Zealand have applauded the determination of the stevedores fighting for their livelihoods. The families of the workers have been able to get by thanks to the donations from other unions.
The management of the Ports of Auckland wants to sack the current set of workers to contract new ones, without union affiliation, who will work for worse work conditions. The Ports are already dangerous enough as it is, and the job gets more dangerous further into the night- the longer the work hours. If the Ports get their way, businesses across New Zealand will have an excuse to casualize their workforce. This will mean workers will be given less holidays, there will be less job security and they will have to work longer hours. It will also drive down wages, as each worker, without the backing of strong unions, will be under more of a threat from profit-driven capitalists.
OGNA stands behind the Maritime Union in its current struggle, and will be backing MUNZ as it comes into negotiations with Port Otago in April. Unions, as democratically-run organisations, are an example of worker solidarity. Countries with strong unions are more equal, and the workers therein earn higher wages. If we want New Zealand to leave behind the days of unemployment and low wages- stronger unions will be our best bet.
Kony 2012
Kony 2012 may be the first slacktivist campaign to go completely viral within hours. Created by the sub-par charity, Invisible Children, the Youtube video shows how a young kid is sat down and forced to believe that violence and the military can be good. Likewise the viewer is indoctrinated to believe the out-of-date information given to us by one of the charity runners, who has filled his pockets with the money of well-meaning individuals.
Joseph Kony is the founder of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). The militant group operates in 4 countries since 1987. It is believed to have abducted and trained up to 100,000 child soldiers and has been filed by the International Criminal Court on numerous counts of human rights abuses.
The 30-minute spiel is an example to follow when it comes to marketing. That is all it is though. Some reports say that only 30% of money given to the charity ends up where it was destined. The Kony 2012 video successfully pushes an empathy button- but as many have already said, liking a status is not going to change the world. Moreover, liking a bottom that supports the US' world-domination campaign through military 'peace-enforcing' is the wrong path to take.
OGNA believes Invisible Children has succeeded in creating an awareness campaign. However, instead of buying products, nonviolent methods such as petitioning governments, demonstrating before embassies and boycotting countries and products are good alternatives. The Kony 2012 campaign has enraged many Ugandans who have already started to boycott the charity's products. If we want to change the world, we have to be more active in our fight against injustices.
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