TTT 12 Whose Tasman Nations?
In this week’s episode of Trans Tasman Talk, Tim and Dieuwe discuss the latest local political news and who seems to be running the nations on either side of the Tasman: is it Chinese Communists or local bureaucrats?
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Show Description
Revelations in Australia have shown that the Chinese Communist Party tried to plant a spy as a Liberal MP. There is some actual journalism being done as Australian media investigate, but on the other side of the ditch, the reaction to CCP influence is always far more muted.
In New Zealand, American comedian Stephen Colbert was on a state-funded visit to do PR with Jacinda Ardern and announce that he’ll move to New Zealand for real next year—but Tim and Dieuwe don’t think he’ll give up his $15m salary.
Former Australian senator David Leyonhjelm has lost a defamation suit that Sarah Hanson-Young of the Greens brought against him. The court ruled that he owes her $120,000 for implying she was a misandrist and a hypocrite, in comments he made in the media after a Senate chamber dispute. Hanson-Young claimed she’d been slut-shamed, but if progressives believe that being a slut isn’t a bad thing, how can she have been shamed?
In New Zealand, the legal feud between NZ First and National continues as threats of fraud and lawsuits continue to fly. It’s all about the donors, and by now it’s clear enough that both parties have special interests buying up influence.
The extent to which the bureaucracy is running, and how disconnected MPs often are, have been highlighted by Scott Morrison’s office having transgender bathrooms, which he quickly ordered dismantled after their existence was revealed. Morrison’s image seems to be starting to fade as he shows little tangible progress on the issues that got him elected.
A Westpac scandal has rocked Australia, where it’s been revealed that 25 million illegal transactions for sex traffickers and paedophiles had been approved by the bank, amounting to $11 billion in revenue. The CEO has since resigned and been given a $2.7m “golden handshake”, after he made statements that the breach was not an issue for everyday Australians and seemed more concerned that they’d have to cancel their Christmas party.
In a more lighthearted story to round out the show, we see that 25% of Kiwibuild homes have not sold on the market, nor will Housing NZ attempt to acquire them. Comrade Jacinda is building houses that even her own government won’t buy.
NewsLinks
China tried to plant its candidate in Federal Parliament, authorities believe – Fairfax
Stephen Colbert in New Zealand: I’m Not Proud of My Country – Breitbart
N.Z. Future Forest Products Limited – KiwiBlog
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young wins defamation case against David Leyonhjelm – ABC News
NZ First Foundation trustee threatens lawsuit against National leader and MP – MSN News
‘I’ve cleared my diary’: Senior bureaucrats scrambled to act on PM’s toilet door demands – Fairfax
Westpac’s bizarre leaked comments slammed as ‘unbelievable and unforgivable’- news.com.au
Kiwibuild flops even more – KiwiBlog
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