Things that were neat this week

by Jake Quinn

Danyl at Dim-Post summarises this week’s astoundingly predictable NZ Herald ‘Mood of the Boardroom’ with typically comedic style: “Every year the super-human titans of New Zealand business take time out from their hectic schedules (shopping for palaces, improving their golf game, vacationing with their Harem) to attend the Herald’s ‘Mood of the Boardroom’ meeting and be gazed at with glassy, doe-eyed worship by Fran O’Sullivan, who reports theirtimeless wisdom back to the rest of us.”

Bryce Edwards whips up a handy summary of a chapter by Massey University’s Associate Professor Margie Comrie in the just published book Informing Voters? Politics, Media and the New Zealand Election 2008 (edited by Chris Rudd, Janine Hayward and Geoff Craig of the University of Otago Politics department).

I feel urged to join Tim and Danyl in calling shame on the standards “leak” (that Key fired Worth for simply being unfaithful) and its mischievous conclusion: “Key has given every journo worth their salt a huge incentive to dig around the private lives of his ministers. If he applies the same standard to other ministers as he did to Worth (and to be seen as fair and honest, he must), then he will have to sack any that have strayed. That’s an easy chance for a journo who gets the right info to secure a large feather for their cap.”

Eddie from the Standard’s attempt at satire, however, was warmly welcomed. Favourite para being: “The Prime Minister claims the project will create “a gajillion jobs” and bring in “tonnes and heaps of tourists”. He estimates the project will cost “about a couple of hundred grand” based on the cost of a similar project he constructed the other afternoon playing Rollercoaster Tycoon on his office computer.”

I joined a few hundred others on Monday night to listen to and share questions with Climate Change Minister Nick Smith and Climate Change Negotiations Minister Tim Grosser. I have to say, at least in Hamilton, this came across as smooth and effective PR from the National-led government.

Nick gave a lecture to begin with where he came across as, at the very least, concerned with the probable effects of climate change and – in no way – gave voice to climate change denial. That was a relief. He was out done however by a couple of impassioned 3 minute question/speeches from what I assume were Waikato Maori Young Greens who impressed with their oratory prowess.

Oh and finally, check out ‘Join the Opposition’ – a video by Young Labour building on some Kiwibank advertising memes. It’s a touch cringe in parts but actually pretty funny, with Pete Hodgson’s cameo a highlight.

War of spin leads nowhere

by Jake Quinn

Prime Minister John Key says Labour leader Phil Goff is virtually “wallowing in the gutter” over alleged sleazy text messages and calls from Richard Worth to Labour activist Neelam Choudary.

Mr Key was much more reluctant to comment on the issue yesterday, saying he had a country to run

You know your winning the spin war when Audrey begins her NZ Herald piece with: “Prime Minister John Key says Labour leader Phil Goff is virtually “wallowing in the gutter” over alleged sleazy text messages and calls from Richard Worth to Labour activist Neelam Choudary. Mr Key was much more reluctant to comment on the issue yesterday, saying he had a country to run.”  [Bravo John, Bravo]

Meanwhile her side kick John Armstrong tears Goff something new with his daily contribution titled “Goff overplayed his hand – and suffered”, while the “leftest” every feminist (and many leftists) love to hate, Chris Trotter, jumps predictably on the victim doubting bandwagon, once again. And everyone else repeats Key’s stella line that “He has Washed his Hands of Worth”.

And all of this goes on while Prime Minister John Key hasn’t actually told anyone precisely why he fired Richard Worth.  Was it because of the texts? that would seem a bit rash, seeing as he hadn’t seen them when he fired him. Was it because of the Police investigation? that would seem a bit rash as he has denied any criminal activity and the Police investigation hadn’t even began.

So why was Worth fired? What exact behaviour was it that was not befitting of a Minister? What was it that Worth admitted to Key, that allowed him to accept his resignation sack him? This question has remained unanswered as we have all obsessed over the daily Key vrs Goff battle with the media coughing up sport-report-like coverage of what in the broader picture are insignificant matters.

[Update: Worth has resigned from Parliament, but will we ever find out precisely why?]

An inconvenient truth

by Jake Quinn

It is unfortunate for Labour and the women behind the Minister of “Ethnic Affairs” dirty text saga that her husband has recently been in the news for being convicted of an immigration scam.

It really doesn’t help their cause.

Considerably more disappointing than her somewhat inevitable outing and that of her husband’s past, is that the scalp or harpoon as he calls them, goes to right-wing blogger (and because of some severe editorial incompetence) occasional Close-up participant, Cameron Slater of WhaleOil.

Despite the fact that Rudman had pretty much outed her earlier that morning and that, well, everyone in the media new who she was days ago.

Unfortunately for Goff, claims for media to respect the women’s privacy have fallen on deaf ears – as they were always going to.  She never really was going to get through this without being outed.  I just hope she realised it.

If only the editorial line matched the cartoonist’s

by Jake Quinn

THE TEXTS

* Do you want to come swimming?

* How you getting on with the Goa purchase?

* Does that possibly mean you might be back [in India] in mid January with a discreet ITG group?

* You are my favourite new best friend to use a Facebook expression. RWW

* I don’t need anything. Perhaps a tie from the Indian School of Business at Gachibowli but that might be impossible. RWW XX

From yesterday’s Herald. By Rod Emmerson.

And today’s offering:

Today’s Herald editorial fairly well sums up the Richard Worth issue and suggests that Mr Key and Mr Goff really need to move on, for both of their sakes.

And a piece from Audrey Young shows that providing the content of the text messages is only going to embarrass Phil Goff and Labour, unless the juicier ones can be tracked down from the Vodafone network… [or unless someone else comes forward with fresh allegations this week]

These five are, well, underwhelming.

THE TEXTS

* Do you want to come swimming?

* How you getting on with the Goa purchase?

* Does that possibly mean you might be back [in India] in mid January with a discreet ITG group?

* You are my favourite new best friend to use a Facebook expression. RWW

* I don’t need anything. Perhaps a tie from the Indian School of Business at Gachibowli but that might be impossible. RWW XX

Goff is right, Key is wrong

by Jake Quinn

Someone once famously said, in reference to a David Benson-Pope interview just days before he resigned in relation to the Setchell business that, “it is one thing to mislead the House, but it is another thing entirely to mislead Audrey Young.”

John Key has made this mistake and for it he will be punished.

The Labour leader has made his phone log public (press release here) which shows his recollection of events was correct and that John Key (who said he was on a plane til 10pm that night) was wrong.

Audrey Blogs:  “One politician was bound to be deeply embarrassed today, Phil Goff or John Key. One would be right and one would be wrong. And the answer is that John Key is wrong.”

What was Mr Key thinking? Did he not think to check with his Chief of Staff that Mr Goff was talking nonsense before mouthing off?

This is yet another example of botched management from the ninth floor.  Surely a vacancy or two must be about to appear on jobs.govt.nz.

Oh and the “Whoops” Cartoon above, is ironically penned by a guy called Goff.

Key’s time to move on claim falls on deaf ears

by Jake Quinn

The day after John Key addressed his weekly post cabinet press conference saying he’d had enough of the Richard Worth saga and that “it’s time to move on”, the papers are packed to the gunnels with stories about just that.

John Armstrong writes: “Labour is playing a bigger game here – one that is really all about pulling a popular prime minister off his perch and making him look and behave like just another politician.”

Audrey Young writes: “hostilities between Prime Minister John Key and Labour leader Phil Goff over the matter stepped up yesterday over conflicting versions of their telephone conversation about it on May 6 – including the time of it.”

Patrick Gower writes: “Prime Minister John Key is still refusing to say what made Richard Worth’s ministerial role untenable – but has ruled out drugs, alcohol and Dr Worth failing to tell him the police were investigating a serious sexual allegation.”

Colin Espiner writes: “Another day passed yesterday without any communication between Key and an Indian woman who claims that former internal affairs minister and National MP Richard Worth sexually harassed her with phone calls and text messages.”

Tracy Watkins writes: “Police have spoken to National MP Richard Worth about a Korean businesswoman’s complaint of criminal behaviour.”

In order for the press to get bored with this story and move on they need to run out of new information and developments. And this is just not happening.

The saga of the meeting – ignored, agreed then cancelled – of the Auckland Indian women and the PM, continues to drag on.

Throw into the mix that the Police having discussed the complaint of criminal behavior with Worth and his impending ‘return‘ (he’s due back to Parliament in a week remember) and this story is only just nearing its midpoint.

Sorry John, no one else thinks “it’s time to move on”.

Sour note finishes tough week in politics for nats

by Jake Quinn

A TVNZ Mt Albert by-election poll released yesterday put David Shearer on a staggering %59, Melissa Lee on %21 and Russel Norman on %15.  I understand that this is consistent with other private polling.

Predictions: Russel will beat Lee on polling day because apathy will see both Nat and Lab voters stay at home (as the result appears to be a foregone conclusion), plus the leftist protest vote will go to Norman instead of Shearer now that they’ve seen the poll result that Shearer is “safe”. Shearer will still win comfortably, but not by anything like this margin.

A strong victory for Shearer and Labour in Mt Albert is a strong endorsement of Phil Goff’s leadership of the Labour Party and will see questioning of his leadership off the agenda for sometime.

Today’s Herald leads with an Audrey Young piece about the poll capping a bad week for National and explains: “Labour may even increase its majority in the seat this weekend, which would be a big boost to the authority of new leader Phil Goff within the Labour Party.”

It was also interesting to hear John Key backtrack on his odd endorsement of John Banks for Super Mayor of Auckland. NZPA reports: “A spokesman from Mr Key’s office said this morning there were no endorsements for any candidates and it was up to the people of Auckland to decide who they wanted as mayor.”

This is yet another example of botched political management from John Key and his staff. How could the words “Can I start by acknowledging the mayor – more importantly the Super Mayor of Auckland city – John Banks,” be seen as anything but an endorsement?

His “arch-nemesis” (please read inverted commas as an indication of sarcasm) Paul Henry was kind enough not to ask any tough questions about this on Breakfast this morning, rather he ended his piece with “it’s [the tough last week] character building, and you’ve got a good character”. Thank you Paul.

Thought for the day: Goff has got John Key and his “Minister for Ethnic Affairs” Richard Worth “by the texties”.

Questions asked of Key’s ninth floor management

by Jake Quinn

One of the side issues arising in the media coverage of National and Key’s sloppy handling of the Richard Worth saga is that of the effectiveness of current ninth floor political management.

Bill Ralston departs from his usual style of spending 2-3 minutes coughing up his weekly column and provides us with some rather insightful analysis, introduced like so: “What a mess. You look at the rolling political disaster of the Richard Worth scandal and it is obvious that this Government has passed through the speed wobbles I mentioned a couple of weeks ago and it’s now in danger of suffering what air crash investigators would call “catastrophic failure”.”

And John Armstrong explains: “The Beehive’s political management has improved since the debacle surrounding Christine Rankin’s appointment to the Families Commission. But there is still a sense of the Government reacting to untoward, unexpected events, rather than managing them when they happen.”

Others have also picked up ex-National Party media advisor Richard Griffen’s concern expressed on Q+A this morning that that there seems to be a lack of coordination from Prime Minister’s office around political issue management and that this becoming a serious problem for the government.

It is reasonably well accepted, from what I’ve heard, that Kevin Taylor is good at his job (he’s the Chief Press Secretary). So the issue is not so much a case of lackluster day-to-day media management, but of the higher level political management more broadly.

This responsibility falls squarely with Key’s Chief of Staff Wayne Eagleson, who is Kevin’s boss.

Interestingly, questioning the efficacy of the ninth floor Chief of Staff is something quite new for the press gallery. Clark’s number two, Heather Simpson (who is now in New York working for her former boss), was unquestionably in control of day-to-day political management.

Her hands on approach to, well, almost everything, ensured that not a lot slipped through the gaps.  The trust and faith held between her and the PM provided a backbone for the Beehive which in turn gave faith to the other Ministers, MPs and their staff that the place was being run by a group who were up to the task.

Paula Oliver, before heading to Key’s office herself as a press secretary, wrote an interesting piece about Wayne Eagleson’s and Heather Simpon’s differences – its worth a read.

Worth muck won’t stick to Goff

by Jake Quinn

On Friday a nasty turn to the Worth saga began to take hold, but it failed to get traction that evening on television news because of the David Bain verdict.

A few journalists, following attempts by Farrar and Cactus Kate, tried to stick some of the Worth muck to Phil Goff, implying that he was part of the whole stink because he’d dropped the bomb about the second and unrelated case of alleged wrong doing, and that he had been cunning and strategic in doing so.

This however, was not the case at all. Mr Goff had been approached by media, not the other way around, in regards of the case of the Labour Party member who says she received offensive and lewd text messages and phone calls from Dr Worth.

This morning on TVNZ’s Q+A Phil Goff explained that after Key broke the news of Mr Worth’s resignation, Key mentioned Goff’s complaint to journalists, who then when straight to Goff for comment.

So Goff didn’t “hang on it, waiting for the prime moment to drop it” as some have suggested. In fact he probably had no intention of going public with it at all, until Key and the media forced his hand.

Obligatory Worth round up

by Jake Quinn

The NZ Herald’s Patrick Gower tells us: “The woman who laid a complaint with police against Richard Worth says he invited her to Parliament, hosted her in his ministerial capacity then took her to a hotel room he had arranged for her where a sexual encounter took place.”

While Audrey Young reports on a separate case of alleged wrong doing: “She alleges that Dr Worth offered her [Not Audrey, good lord – but the complainant] a job as his ethnic adviser and as a board member – on the Lottery Grants Board, Mr Goff says – and that she received about 40 text messages and 60 phone calls from him. “Several of the phone calls made by Dr Worth to me were vulgar, sexually explicit, and I believe were made when he was drunk,” the statement says. She said he started ending his texts with “xxx”.”

Meanwhile Dr Worth insists: “I have not committed any offence. I am presently cooperating fully with the police and will continue to do so… I maintain that I am innocent of any crime.”

Last night Prime Minister John Key spoke to RNZ Checkpoint’s Mary Wilson. It is worth a listen. The transcript is here. Key begins by saying he will not have a private meeting with Goff’s source (the complainant) and that she should go public with her evidence. Mary Wilson presses him for about 30 seconds. He then changes his mind suggesting that perhaps a meeting would be a good idea, after all. Moments later, Goff tables the evidence (text msgs etc) in Parliament. Mary Wilson shows herself in this interview as one of New Zealand’s most effective political interviewers.

xxx

Update: Cartoon from the Herald’s Rod Emmerson:

Worth NEVER to return

by Jake Quinn

Key on Worth – He will never return

We have now gone, in the space of 30 hours, from ‘no comment’ & ‘personal matter’ to ‘he will never return as a Minister’ without any information changing in the PM’s understanding of events.

How his position can so drastically evolve without Worth providing him any new information is a mystery.

The next and final move will be the removal of Worth as a Facebook friend of John Key’s.

Richard Worth, the gift that keeps on giving

by Jake Quinn

Only one thing sells more newspapers than a good political downfall and that is a good (alleged) sex scandal. Please don’t misinterpret my use of the word ‘good’ in the latter part of the last sentence.

Throw in a smattering of ‘how well did our much adored swashbuckling Prime Minister handle his first serious political scandle’ and we’ve got ourselves a swingin’ media hootenanny.  Buckle up.

Matthew Hooten, my new favourite neo-con-ultra political commentator, offers his increasingly insightful analysis of John Key’s handling of the issue so far on 9-noon this morning.

Hooten suggests that if, as PM, the Leader of the Opposition comes to you in confidence with an issue as serious as the one in question they are either being serious or setting you up. If you think they’re serious, take it very seriously. If you think that it’s a set up, take it even more seriously. Seriously. 

Seriously though, questions remain about: how seriously the PM took Mr Goff’s complaint in the first place, the PM’s decision to kick the issue from budget week to post budget week because of its impact on govt PR, the outside chance that the PM mislead the House in expressing confidence in all his Ministers last Tuesday, and the changing position of the PM throughout yesterday.

Please don’t misinterpret my use of the word ‘giving’ in this post’s headline.

Update: Goff on Breakfast this morning