Elections are coming up. What are we thinking?

[bogan]

FML that was a terrible debate.

Here's an idea, turn off the plonker's mic who doesn't have the turn to speak; turn off both plonkers mics if the presenter is asking good questions. And get some goddamn fact checkers ffs. Jobs/unemployment up/down, land sales to who now. 2mins after each segment's ad break to just tally up the factual fauepaxs from before, pinch that time from the petty who is louder squabbling and you'd be away...
There were a number of really good questions asked, there was not a number of really good questions answered.

[Brian d marge]

Should've gone with austerity

Damn right

[avgas]

I didn't get to see if Cunliffe managed to riposte with any questions about international debt, run up by National at $450m per week. Sure, the economy has grown, and significantly, since National took power (on the back of unsustainable claims they would give tax cuts) but the really important figure, the GDP vs loan ratio, has also grown massively. Taking just that figure into account, NZ is worse off now than it was 5 years ago, despite the massive increase in export sales and GDP.

Unfortunately the national debt is now so great that there is no room for error. Current levels of GDP aren't high enough, and need to increase just to make repayments on the debt.

You won't. He is spineless.

As for the debt thing - ANY country that runs on debt, and doesn't have the guns to stop collection agencies.....is asking for trouble.

It scares me what the NZ books look like - I know why US can get away with it, who's gonna fuck with them? But NZ?
NZ will make Greece look like walk in the park.

[R650R]

As per the other thread... http://www.transport.govt.nz/researc...fety-progress/ cross referenced against party/dominant MMP leader in govt at time.
Cut and pasted so party highlighted may or may not have been in govt in the intervening years between the national/labour start dates. Eg for first one National in power from 1960 but no changes till 61.



National 1961

The Department of Transport launches its first TV road safety campaign.

1965

All new cars and light trucks are required to be fitted with safety belts. 1967 The demerit points system is introduced.

1968

Road crash data is computerised for the first time

1969

The first �breathalyser� is introduced to test drivers� alcohol levels. The legal limit was set at 100mg per 100ml of blood. In itsfirst year of operation 2,928 drivers are tested with the breathalyser. Only 214 are sober enough to drive!


Labour 1973
Helmets are made compulsory for all motorcyclists and their passengers.
New Zealand suffers its highest ever road toll, 843 deaths in a single year. Our population at this time was just over 3 million.
December: in response to 'oil shock' open road speed limit decreased to 50mph (80km/h), from 55 mph (88 km/h) or 60 mph (97 km/h).


National 1978
The legal blood alcohol limit is lowered from 100 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood to 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres.
Evidential breath testing is introduced.

1979
New Zealand introduces carless days in response to the international oil crisis. There is a subsequent, massive drop in road fatalities.
It becomes compulsory for children over the age of eight to wear a safety belt.

1983

Legislation is introduced that allows Courts to require repeat drink or drugged drivers to attend an Assessment Centre, and to be disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence.


Labour 1984

The Accident Investigation System is introduced. This allowed more detailed analysis of crash data. (oh the days of roads closed for several days after fatal crashes...)

1985

1 July: open-road speed limit increased to 100 km/h.

1987
New Zealand becomes the first country in the world to introduce a Graduated Driver Licensing System introduced, creating a staged process for gaining a full licence.
Hawk radars are introduced to catch speeding drivers. These can be used from moving patrol cars as well as stationary at the roadside.

National 1992

The Traffic Safety Service is merged with Police.

1993
Compulsory breath testing is introduced, allowing the police to breath test any driver for alcohol, anywhere, at any time.
Drink drive limits are reduced for under 20 year olds. Speed cameras are put into use.

1994
Cycle helmets are made compulsory.
Child restraints are made compulsory for 0-2 year olds.

1995
Child restraints are made compulsory for 3-5 year olds.
The National Road Safety Plan is launched. Using hard-hitting, high profile advertising and increased enforcement, it aims to reduce the road toll to 402 or less by the year 2001.

1996
New Zealand�s annual road toll is 515, the lowest number in 32 years.
New advertisements feature the slogan �If you drink and drive, you�re a bloody idiot.�

1997

Hidden speed cameras are trialled in several locations.

1998

The Crash Analysis System or CAS is launched. CAS holds information on crashes and maps their location.

1999
Vehicle impoundment for disqualified drivers introduced.
Road sided suspension introduced for a number of offences including driving at double the legal blood alcohol limit.


Labour The Crash Analysis System or CAS is launched. CAS holds information on crashes and maps their location.

1999
Vehicle impoundment for disqualified drivers introduced.
Road sided suspension introduced for a number of offences including driving at double the legal blood alcohol limit.

2002

Legislation is passed which requires all imported passenger cars to conform to an agreed, overseas frontal impact standard.

2003

Offences are created for street racing, wheel spinning and pouring slippery substances on the road to allow wheel spinning. Further change will be made in 2009 to help crack down on these offences.

The government launches the Road Safety to 2010 strategy, which aims to reduce the road toll to no more than 300 deaths by 2010.


National in 2008 walks into lowest New Zealand�s annual road toll at 366. The lowest annual total since 1959.

2009
The use of hand held mobile phones and texting while driving is banned.
It becomes compulsory for motorcycle and moped riders to switch on their headlamps during daylight hours (unless the vehicle was manufactured before 1 January 1980).
A law is introduced that allows police to conduct a roadside impairment test for drugged drivers.
A law is introduced that gives Police stronger powers to tackle illegal street racing and allows road controlling authorities to make bylaws prohibiting �cruising�.

2010

The government launches Safer Journeys: New Zealand�s Road Safety Strategy 2010-2020 following substantial public engagement on road safety issues. The strategy introduces a Safe System approach to New Zealand�s road safety effort, moving beyond an earlier focus on drivers to set actions for safe roads, safe speeds, safe vehicles and safe road use.

2011

A number of major changes are made as part of the implementation of the Safer Journeys strategy:
The driving age is raised from 15 to 16.
A zero alcohol limit is introduced for young drivers and repeat drink drivers.
Legislative changes are made to allow for introduction of alcohol interlocks.
Planned changes are confirmed for give way rules at intersections. These will come into force in 2012.
Changes are introduced for motorcycle and moped riders, including the introduction of a power to weight restriction on bikes for novices and a competency based training and assessment option for novices. Both measures will be implemented in 2012.

[oldrider]

The media are running the election now ... they are really upping the anti ... NZ will have the government that they tell us to have!

[Brian d marge]

The media are running the election now ... they are really upping the anti ... NZ will have the government that they tell us to have!

Or fairfax media tell us

[Stylo]

And don't include Winston Peters in the next Govt, heaven help us the older people still he think he's got some credibility. Can't work that one out ..

How many elections and promises has he made us now with zero tangible benefits ?

Sorry, the Gold card, not bad for twenty years work, my old man threw it in the bin not long after he got it

[R650R]

I did some numbers earlier based on this threads poll.
Looks like only way National can govern is with Winston... And this forum is obviously very to national, based on the ones that like to rant rather than lurk....

[oldrider]

I did some numbers earlier based on this threads poll.
Looks like only way National can govern is with Winston... And this forum is obviously very to national, based on the ones that like to rant rather than lurk....

The last thing in the world that media want is stable government .... no news (sensation) in that! Bullshit is their rice bowl! .

[Motu]

This site has always been pro National...and if another poll was taken I'd say anti MMP too.

[R650R]

This site has always been pro National...and if another poll was taken I'd say anti MMP too.

MMP, the best example ever of why letting people vote is dangerous (cause we had a referendum and voted that crap system in). And what has the 40 extra MP's bought us besides the entertainment factor, SFA!!!

[oldrider]

This site has always been pro National...and if another poll was taken I'd say anti MMP too.

Not so much pro national as anti left wing and yes I am anti MMP ... even more anti FPP and pro less politicians but with more accountability to the electorate!

[Motu]

Every National voter I come across is very anti MMP - they want black and white, just 2 choices and no funny stuff. If you don't follow the herd and vote main parties, it's good the have other choices and not abstain just because.

[MisterD]

If you don't follow the herd and vote main parties, it's good the have other choices and not abstain just because.

The problem with MMP is that the policies get decided by the politicians after everyone's voted, so there always an "out" for why the didn't do what they said they would when they were bidding for your vote.

[avgas]

Every National voter I come across is very anti MMP - they want black and white, just 2 choices and no funny stuff. If you don't follow the herd and vote main parties, it's good the have other choices and not abstain just because.

I just pissed in the ocean for you. Did it feel warmer over there?