Wednesday, 05 June 2024 13:55

A low bar!

Written by  The Hound

OPINION: If the old saying that ‘political leaders are the reflection of our society’ is true, we need to have a good hard look at ourselves.

The bar seems to be set depressingly low to get into Parliament and the list of fairly average behaviour by sitting MPs is long.

Most recently we have National MP David MacLeod failing to declare $168,335 in donations – similar to former transport minister, Labour’s Michael Wood, ‘forgetting’ to sell his airport shares.

Many of the holier-than-thou Green MPs have disgraced themselves recently: Julie-Anne Genter, Darlene Tana and, of course, Golriz. The list goes on.

And let’s not forget the economic mess left behind by Grant Robertson and friends.

To paraphrase Thomas Jefferson, ‘The politicians you elect are the politicians you deserve’.

More like this

Thanks Chuck!

OPINION: After six years of being passed over for every Arts luvvie in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, agriculture has finally got some overdue recognition with the 2024 King’s Honours list bestowing gongs on some of our finest.

Not biased

OPINION: Reactions to Budgets are always predictable, following well-worn tracks laid down by political tribalism and ideology.

Cut the fat?

OPINION: Fonterra's decision to exit the ‘value-add’ game and sell its consumer brands business seems to have been met with more cheers than jeers, although some commentators are wary of the strategy to simplify.

Special cases

OPINION: The old saying ‘Everyone wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to die’ seems to apply to the wailing coming from public service entities facing cuts under the new Government’s belt tightening.

Bankers!

OPINION: At a recent speaking engagement, Brendan Lindsay, cashed-out founder of Sistema Plastics opined that in his experience “banks are real fair-weather friends”.

Featured

Donated tractors welcome news

When Cyclone Gabrielle hit in February 2023, it left an estimated $13.5 billion worth of damage across New Zealand.

More choice with new distribution deal

Having taken over from the previous distributor, who represented the brand for two decades, Landini New Zealand marks the beginning of a new distribution deal with Norwood, with a first look at Fieldays.

National

Machinery & Products

Delivering tried and tested brands

Operating for around a decade, Waringa Distribution thoroughly appraises and paddocktests machinery brands prior to market introduction and before assisting…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Thanks Chuck!

OPINION: After six years of being passed over for every Arts luvvie in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, agriculture has finally…

Not biased

OPINION: Reactions to Budgets are always predictable, following well-worn tracks laid down by political tribalism and ideology.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter