garethwm

Do you really think people are that shallow? Humanity goes a long way as far as my voting patterns are concerned.

spouse of scouse

sshhhh, you're not allowed to say anything positive, you'll get shouted at I also think your PM has done a fabulous job, wish we had her here in Oz. And now I'll leave the Oz forum again for a while, there's always a senseless shit fight going on about one thing or another. Who can be arsed with that?

garethwm

New Zealand was even declaring cases in their stats when showing all the symptoms but testing negative. I don't think any other country did that so your argument doesn't hold water. The honesty and openness has been part of the success.

Beoz

Where?

People who buy bullshit about someone being a nice person are shallow. A Prime Minister needs to be a lot more than a nice person. The primary role of a PM is to provide for the people. People pay the government to provide.

If people can't have a functioning economy in order to make money then they can't pay governments to provide for the people.

Nice person versus a provider?

I will take a provider any day.

Beoz

The past 2 weeks have been great??? Sure, Anything is better than a 5 week total lockdown.

Which resorts are full? Do you mean ski resorts? Treble Cone isn't opening until July and Hutt is running 3 days a week. And they are crying out for the bubble with Australia to open, so all my ski news tells me.

Beoz

Look a bit deeper into the NZ PM and you might what many of us here see. A PM should always have substance before style. Not the other way around as it goes in NZ

garethwm

Your arguments sound like someone who's just brassed off with the fact a left leaning politician is succeeding and is willing to throw in conspiracy theories in order to prove your point. And she's not even that far left.

There's more to doing what you think best to save lives than just being nice. There's more to having people's lives as your number 1 priority than being nice. The Government took an approach that the vast majority of kiwis wanted in a bad situation. It worked (for now).

Besides, there was very little difference to Australia's and New Zealand's lockdowns at the end of the day. Sure, Australians were able to get a haircut, buy takeaways and shop at Bunnings. Both countries have had pretty successful outcomes.

the troubadour

The deeper picture gets even better. A PM that places humanity above profit. I understand it must be near impossible for you to come to terms with things called 'values'. Not all that is gold shines. NZ has a good one there.
She certainly has substance. Shame Australia has sunk so far into the profit cesspit where economy is the basis of government and citizens are basically just consumers.

the troubadour

So glad you are cheering on the great states of WA and QLD. One may have been under (what turns out to be the false?) assumption that you were more in the direction of critiquing those governments for continued closure.
In fact could have sworn you were for the opening of the borders? Of course you may have seen the light and come on over to the side of enlightenment?

UK has been a disaster for the simple reason and putting economy over good sense and closing too late in the process. Victoria can hardly be compared with Europe. NSW made some dreadful mistakes with cruise liner Ruby Princess. As usual, waste of time attempting to get to the bottom of very much in Australia. Denial and lack of accountability being the name of the game most everywhere.

Beoz

Australia's and New Zealands methods for controlling the virus were far different and this is where New Zealand came unstuck. ..... badly. Australia very much took a health and economy approach. Remember, in places like NSW where the virus numbers greatly exceeded NZ, it was finely balanced between health and the economy. You could go to work, you could go shopping, you could go to McDonalds, you could play golf. All these things involved parting with money, which kept economic activity moving along. New Zealand on the other hand was a one trick pony. There was no consideration for the economy, has been pretty much the theme from Ardern during her tenure .She had already smashed the New Zealand economy before the virus, and was looking down the barrel of an election defeat. Some skeptics would say that destroying the NZ economy further during the virus is her get out of jail card.

It has now become evident New Zealand didn't need to go full lockdown, like jurisdictions in Australia and countries such as Taiwan and Iceland as a comparable example. Of course one can say we didn't know that at the time, but other jurisdictions and countries have taken a sensible lead, looking after many facets, not just health and coming successfully out the other side. I wouldn't be so proud of your marketing princess in NZ.

Beoz

No substance mate. You can balance humanity and the economy. whooops ...... just look at Australia.

Beoz

Yep, QLD and WA should be open. But to be fair you are killing your own economy so I couldn't care less either way unless of course its affecting the wider Australian economy. However good to see that thing in QLD buckling under the sensible pressure.

Australia should not be open yet. Given NSW alone is getting 2 or 3 returning travellers testing positive the rest of the world is not ready yet. Unless of course we as the taxpayer are willing to pay for 2 week hotel stays.

the troubadour

Just take a deep breach and feel happy that NZ has a leader of calibre. This has been displayed time again. Australia has selected 'humanity' at best. The laziness of the procedure to welfare payments, omitting numerous while over paying others.
Senseless. Not to say others being over paid and/or employers abusing system.

the troubadour

Very glad WA is deciding own speed at reopening borders. It does look like QLD is buckling under pressure from The Feds. But you are correct, at least in saying Australia shouldn't open yet.

Regardless, I expect a surge of overseas students will be admitted very soon to sooth the education sectors concerns around their own economic survival. The housing industry and fellow rent seekers will no doubt be for immigration to be recommenced in order to sustain
an over priced, over protected industry that has created a terrible impact on well being.

the troubadour

Your politics are too well known. It is a question of being a statesperson like figurehead. Not purely in position to 'look after' the interests of certain big players that pay hefty amounts into Liberal coffers. NZ PM, has displayed the necessary qualities,
not purely as an accountant but as an' all rounder', which has been on display on each occasion NZ has experienced anguish and pain.
Australia saw ScoMo attitude during the bush fire sorry saga. Purely at the disposal of vested interests with little interest in well being of the Australian people. I expect he has won back a 'few admirers' from his handling of the virus crisis, but I see him doing little more than other countries, less than many. Too many missed out of unemployment payment, while gathers gained more money than when working. I know one person, that gained considerably and has put off retirement as a result.