11 August 2005

Libertarianz objects to busybodying over Leaders Debate

Libertarianz leader Bernard Darnton today confirmed that he would not be joining the court action which Jim Anderton and Peter Dunne are taking against TV3. "These two politicians are demanding that the court dictate to private companies what they can and can't put to air," says Darnton. "Such an action is unconscionable."

"The freedom of the press is one of the most important freedoms in our democracy, and state direction of the media through the courts is something that would not be out of place in countries such as Zimbabwe.

These politicians have criticised the regime in Zimbabwe, but are now demanding that totalitarian policies be implemented here," says a disgusted Darnton. "perhaps we could buy them both a one-way ticket to a place in which they would be more at home?"

Darnton noted wryly that a court decision against TV3 and press freedom in general would advantage the Libertarianz, at least in the short term, as it would allow him to use the court system to demand air time in political debates. Libertarianz, however, is taking a moral stand by setting aside narrow self-interest, as in the long run, we are all better off with a free press.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>