Young Nationals' Chair Daniel Gordon today joined the chorus of calls for the sacking of Phillida Bunkle and Marion Hobbs over the recent out-of-town expenses debacle.

"Fraud is totally unacceptable, especially when its at the taxpayers expense by a Minister. An independent inquiry must be launched immediately and if the allegations are correct, then Bunkle and Hobbs must go," said Daniel Gordon.

"In all other democracies, MPs who abuse taxpayer provided perks end up in jail. These ministers should be thankful they are not subject to a criminal investigation."

"If the actions of these two are not bad enough, the Prime Minister then has the nerve to claim that an independent inquiry could backfire on National and therefore should not proceed. Helen Clark seems to take the view that whats good for the goose is good for the gander. This is unacceptable and demonstrates Clarks hypocrisy once again."

"Young Nationals do not support corruption or fraud in any way shape or form. It is inappropriate for the Prime Minister to attempt to subvert the integrity of Parliament in an attempt to protect her Ministers," Daniel Gordon said.

"We call for an independent inquiry regardless of the consequences. If any of our MPs have soiled themselves, which I sincerely doubt, then they can not represent National and should join Hobbs and Bunkle at the exits."

"It's time that certain Parliamentarian's cleaned up their act, regardless of the Prime Ministers attempt to avoid the issue."

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>