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newsletter #33 for Sunday, July 2nd, 2023

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Governments making sure free speech doesn’t get out of control

Governments pushing for more legislation to be able to control the online universe. There is no telling how the government will actually apply the legislation, and it could vary considerably based on the people involved. The implied threat of censorship will be hanging over the government’s detractors. Of course, any kind of “emergency” can justify tightening the airwaves.

Economic update June 2023

Kiwis most concerned about cost of living/inflation. Next is crime, housing affordability, and the state of the economy. Bank profits soften to 18-month low. Housing market shows signs of changing.

National talks tough on crime

National has rolled out its Real Consequences for Crime policies. Policies include: limiting judges ability to discount sentences, scrapping cultural reports, and extending rehab to remand prisoners. Some say National is “fear mongering” while others applaud these policies for putting the focus back on victims.

The issues with politicised public servants

This varies with rank, but public servants are not supposed to take political positions, publicly, as part of their work. Can thoroughbred ideologues really turn their true selves off during working hours? Highly partisan reports currently produced by government officials and appointees suggest many are not able to be neutral. Can the Pandora’s box of partisan public servants be closed?

Hard to see where the news is in all the media coverage of Minister Kiri Allan

There’s been extensive coverage of supposed bullying allegations against Justice Minister Kiri Allan. Spotlight also has been on Allan taking a week’s stress leave. There’s been no formal complaints made, so why not cut her some slack? Wasn’t Labour speaker Trevor Mallard a lot worse on the bullying? But now he is a diplomat.

Hipkins at World Economic Forum (WEF) not news. Short meet and greet with China’s President HUGE news. Why?

There was a lack of media coverage in the lead up to Hipkins’ appearance at the WEF in China. In contrast, there was an overwhelming fuss about his meeting with China’s Xi Jinping. Shouldn’t there have been more talk of his WEF attendance, to nip the conspiracy theories? The WEF is fertile ground for conspiracy theories, so attendees should openly discuss it.

I'd like to live like a poor man. Only with lots of money.

- Pablo Picasso

NZ News Essentials Ltd.

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