Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Take 5 campaign provides windfall for phone co's


Undemocratic Take 5 campaign provides windfall for phone companies

There are serious questions to be asked by Members of Parliament about the ethics of the last-ditch anti-GE campaign being run by the Take5 group says the Chairman of the LSN, Dr William Rolleston.

“How ethical is it to suggest to people they vote on behalf of unborn children and other members of their family? Maybe they will also vote on behalf of their dead grandparents and absent aunts and uncles. Never mind whether any of these people actually support the cause.

“What value is there in lots of text messages to the Prime Minister’s cellphone from the same person saying the same thing other than to add to the revenue column of the phone companies?

“We’re sure the PM will just get a new cellphone when her existing mailbox is clogged so much she can’t possibly count the number she’s received, even if she wanted to.

“This is not democracy in action, it’s electronic bullying. These people all had the opportunity to participate in the Royal Commission, and in the Select Committee. In many cases they stood aside from the democratic process and now want to force their unacceptable ideas on the rest of us.

“New Zealand’s democracy is robust and the next few weeks will show that it’s science, informed debate and rational argument which wins; not activists’ money, manipulative images, and multiple vote bullying,” concluded Dr Rolleston.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.