Wednesday, 05 June 2024 13:55

A low bar!

Written by The Hound

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

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

Times have changed

OPINION: Back in the 1960s and '70s, and even into the '80s, successive National government Agriculture Ministers and Trade Ministers were at the top of the cabinet rankings.

Hallelujah moment

OPINION: The new Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche has just had the hallelujah moment of the 21st century in his candid review of the NZ public service.

OPINION: Media luvvies have pigeon-holed the Taxpayers Union (TPU) as some right-wing lobby, but as far as this old mutt can tell, the TPU focuses on shaming poor behaviour and wasteful spending by those that govern us, no matter who's in power.

Tariff risk

OPINION: Some commentators across the ditch reckon the second Trump administration's anticipated trade protectionism, coupled with China's economic fragility, poses a significant risk for Australia's agricultural export industries.

Tractor therapy

While many MPs have been busy taking holidays in maybe exotic places, for Andrew Hoggard it's back to his old job as a dairy farmer during the so-called 'summer break'.

Featured

Forum to discuss Angus genetics and beef production

The Neogen World Angus Forum, a major event in global Angus beef industry, is set to return in 2025.

Animal welfare drives scientist’s research

Whatever an animal is raised for, it deserves a good life — and just as importantly, a “good death”.

‘Nanobubble’ trial trims irrigation water usage

North Canterbury dairy farmer and recently-elected deputy chair of DairyNZ, Cameron Henderson, is enjoying a huge reduction in irrigation water use after converting a pivot irrigator to drag perforated drip tubes across the ground instead of elevated sprinkler heads.

Editorial: Elusive India FTA

OPINION: Without doubt, a priority of the Government this year will be to gain traction on the elusive free trade deal with India.

Sport star to talk at expo

Rugby league legend Tawera Nikau is set to inspire, celebrate and entertain at the East Coast Farming Expo's very popular Property Broker's Evening Muster.