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Ministers generally treated even mischievous questions with seriousness and respect. They replied in considered terms that did not often give much away but were usually more informative than the mutual abuse of recent years.</em></p></blockquote> <p>Yes, Muldoon might snap at you, but he would also answer the question.</p> <blockquote><p><em>Since then things appear to have deteriorated to the point that question time in the Clark years became merely sneering and nasty. The Prime Minister adopted a practice of pointedly turning and looking away from the Opposition leader while delivering dismissive responses to his questions. The advent of MMP may also be to blame. The House seemed to have a higher tone when members were addressed by their electorates rather than by name.</em></p></blockquote> <p>Sneering and nasty – apt descriptions indeed. And I do agree that it was less combative when the Opposition MPs had to be referred to as “the Honourable Member for Hunua” or equivalent.</p> <blockquote><p><em>The new Prime Minister appears to have more in common with them than its parents. He was born too late to acquire the cynicism of youth in the 1960s. And as a comparative latecomer to politics he seems better equipped to ignore its petty contests than are those who made it their career.</em></p> <p><em>He would do well to encourage his new ministers to conduct themselves with dignity and decorum in the House. The Government’s role is crucial to its conduct. Oppositions have to be aggressive and provocative, ministers need not reply in kind. Ministers have the advantage of status at question time, they should use it. A polite, restrained, factual answer to a politically-pointed question would be far more impressive on television than the tedious partisan exchanges of recent times.</em></p></blockquote> <p>While there would be lapses, I do hope Ministers do consider the wisdom of the Herald’s advice. Polite, restrained, factual answers will enhance them, not be a sign of weakness. Sure the odd question will be irresistable to bat away, but it would be nice to have Ministers from time to time exceed the minimum requirement of “addressing the question” and actually answering it.</p> <div class="sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled"><div class="robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-icon-text sd-sharing"><h3 class="sd-title">Share this:</h3><div class="sd-content"><ul><li class="share-facebook"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="sharing-facebook-29210" class="share-facebook sd-button share-icon" href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/12/answering_questions.html?share=facebook" target="_blank" title="Click to share on Facebook" ><span>Facebook</span></a></li><li class="share-twitter"><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" data-shared="sharing-twitter-29210" class="share-twitter sd-button share-icon" href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/12/answering_questions.html?share=twitter" target="_blank" title="Click to share on Twitter" 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non-answers</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2009/08/peter_gibbons_begins_to_wonder_if_he_thinks_too_much_about_question_time.html">Peter Gibbons begins to wonder if he thinks too much about Question Time</a></li> </ol> </section> <div class="postsec ad">  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1497927456195-1' style='height:250px; width:300px;'> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1497927456195-1'); }); </script> </div> </div> <div id="comments"> <section class="postsec comments"> <header> <h2 class="sectitle">Comments (16)</h2> <p class="sectitle-desc"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiwiblog.co.nz%2F2008%2F12%2Fanswering_questions.html">Login</a> to comment or vote</a></p> </header> <ul class="commentlist"> <li class="comment-li"> <article id="comment-516146" class="jumplink"> <div class="comment byuser comment-author-adolf-fiinkensein even thread-even depth-1 comdiv clearfix"> <div class="comdiv-a"> <header class="comment-author"> <h3>Adolf Fiinkensein</h3> </header> <div class="comment-content nobot"> <p>I hope Mr Key sits down for a cuppa tea with Mr Speaker and sorts out some ground rules which will ensure we are treated the the ‘new standards of accountability’ which were promised nine years ago but never delivered.</p> </div> <footer class="comment-meta"> <ul> <li class="voting"> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="up-516146" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_up.png" alt="Thumb up" /> <span id="karma-516146-up" style="font-size:12px; color:#009933;">0</span> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="down-516146" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_down.png" alt="Thumb down" /> <span id="karma-516146-down" style="font-size:12px; color:#990033;">0</span> </li><li class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-login" href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiwiblog.co.nz%2F2008%2F12%2Fanswering_questions.html">Log in to Reply</a></li><li> <span id="safe-comments-result-516146"><a class="hide-if-no-js" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="safe_report_comments_flag_comment( '516146', 'bb8e21ee9b', 'safe-comments-result-516146');">Report</a></span></li><li class="comdate"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/12/answering_questions.html#comment-516146">December 9, 2008 8:42am</a></li> </ul> </footer> </div> </div> </article> </li> <li class="comment-li"> <article id="comment-516149" class="jumplink"> <div class="comment byuser comment-author-krazykiwi odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 comdiv clearfix"> <div class="comdiv-a"> <header class="comment-author"> <h3><a href="http://www.getstaffed.com" class="url" rel="ugc external nofollow">getstaffed</a></h3> </header> <div class="comment-content nobot"> <p>Why was the Herald silent on these matters when the ‘nasty and sneering’ behaviour was at it’s worst? </p> <p>Another case of pious fair-weather advice from our woeful MSM.</p> </div> <footer class="comment-meta"> <ul> <li class="voting"> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="up-516149" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_up.png" alt="Thumb up" /> <span id="karma-516149-up" style="font-size:12px; color:#009933;">0</span> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="down-516149" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_down.png" alt="Thumb down" /> <span id="karma-516149-down" style="font-size:12px; color:#990033;">0</span> </li><li class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-login" href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiwiblog.co.nz%2F2008%2F12%2Fanswering_questions.html">Log in to Reply</a></li><li> <span id="safe-comments-result-516149"><a class="hide-if-no-js" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="safe_report_comments_flag_comment( '516149', 'bb8e21ee9b', 'safe-comments-result-516149');">Report</a></span></li><li class="comdate"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/12/answering_questions.html#comment-516149">December 9, 2008 8:54am</a></li> </ul> </footer> </div> </div> </article> </li> <li class="comment-li"> <article id="comment-516151" class="jumplink"> <div class="comment byuser comment-author-helmet even thread-even depth-1 comdiv clearfix"> <div class="comdiv-a"> <header class="comment-author"> <h3>helmet</h3> </header> <div class="comment-content nobot"> <p>It always galled me to see the media fawning over Helen and building up her image as a measured and fair leader, humanist and stateswoman.<br /> One only had to watch a question time, and notice her disrespect for her fellow MP’s and the conventions of our democracy to see that she was actually a nasty, vindictive, petty and rude machiavelli. She’s a poor example of the values that New Zealand (and her dear Labour party) purports to espouse.<br /> I hope her reputation is debunked and her legacy destroyed. I hope National can get parliament back on track.</p> </div> <footer class="comment-meta"> <ul> <li class="voting"> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="up-516151" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_up.png" alt="Thumb up" /> <span id="karma-516151-up" style="font-size:12px; color:#009933;">0</span> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="down-516151" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_down.png" alt="Thumb down" /> <span id="karma-516151-down" style="font-size:12px; color:#990033;">0</span> </li><li class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-login" href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiwiblog.co.nz%2F2008%2F12%2Fanswering_questions.html">Log in to Reply</a></li><li> <span id="safe-comments-result-516151"><a class="hide-if-no-js" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="safe_report_comments_flag_comment( '516151', 'bb8e21ee9b', 'safe-comments-result-516151');">Report</a></span></li><li class="comdate"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/12/answering_questions.html#comment-516151">December 9, 2008 8:57am</a></li> </ul> </footer> </div> </div> </article> </li> <li class="comment-li"> <article id="comment-516152" class="jumplink"> <div class="comment byuser comment-author-dime odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 comdiv clearfix"> <div class="comdiv-a"> <header class="comment-author"> <h3>dime</h3> </header> <div class="comment-content nobot"> <p>I also hope they take the Heralds advice.</p> <p>Dime loves the moral high ground.</p> </div> <footer class="comment-meta"> <ul> <li class="voting"> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="up-516152" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_up.png" alt="Thumb up" /> <span id="karma-516152-up" style="font-size:12px; color:#009933;">0</span> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="down-516152" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_down.png" alt="Thumb down" /> <span id="karma-516152-down" style="font-size:12px; color:#990033;">0</span> </li><li class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-login" href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiwiblog.co.nz%2F2008%2F12%2Fanswering_questions.html">Log in to Reply</a></li><li> <span id="safe-comments-result-516152"><a class="hide-if-no-js" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="safe_report_comments_flag_comment( '516152', 'bb8e21ee9b', 'safe-comments-result-516152');">Report</a></span></li><li class="comdate"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/12/answering_questions.html#comment-516152">December 9, 2008 9:00am</a></li> </ul> </footer> </div> </div> </article> </li> <li class="comment-li"> <article id="comment-516157" class="jumplink"> <div class="comment byuser comment-author-rodders even thread-even depth-1 comdiv clearfix"> <div class="comdiv-a"> <header class="comment-author"> <h3>Rodders</h3> </header> <div class="comment-content nobot"> <p>Another change that happened was that prior to the mid 1980’s, each sitting day commenced with MPs able to get the call from the Speaker and then reading that “they would move next sitting day that the house note….” These were used for pure point scoring & ridicule and could go on for quarter of an hour or so. For example, I recall once hearing Dr Cullen moving that the House note that a poll had shown that more people named Mickey Mouse as a potential leader of the National Party than Bill Birch 🙂</p> </div> <footer class="comment-meta"> <ul> <li class="voting"> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="up-516157" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_up.png" alt="Thumb up" /> <span id="karma-516157-up" style="font-size:12px; color:#009933;">0</span> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="down-516157" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_down.png" alt="Thumb down" /> <span id="karma-516157-down" style="font-size:12px; color:#990033;">0</span> </li><li class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-login" href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiwiblog.co.nz%2F2008%2F12%2Fanswering_questions.html">Log in to Reply</a></li><li> <span id="safe-comments-result-516157"><a class="hide-if-no-js" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="safe_report_comments_flag_comment( '516157', 'bb8e21ee9b', 'safe-comments-result-516157');">Report</a></span></li><li class="comdate"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/12/answering_questions.html#comment-516157">December 9, 2008 9:17am</a></li> </ul> </footer> </div> </div> </article> </li> <li class="comment-li"> <article id="comment-516159" class="jumplink"> <div class="comment byuser comment-author-hubbers odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 comdiv clearfix"> <div class="comdiv-a"> <header class="comment-author"> <h3><a href="http://www.banglebangle.co.uk" class="url" rel="ugc external nofollow">hubbers</a></h3> </header> <div class="comment-content nobot"> <p>Personally I can’t wait to see which of the prestigious international roles, that we are often told that she will be offered, Helen will accept. </p> <p>Perhaps it will be General Secretary of the United Nations and she will be able to use her well honed ‘look-away-sneer’ on the Dear Leader (the original one in North Korea). I’ll wager he’ll think twice about crossing our own Dear ex-Leader before he puts on his platforms each morning.</p> </div> <footer class="comment-meta"> <ul> <li class="voting"> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="up-516159" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_up.png" alt="Thumb up" /> <span id="karma-516159-up" style="font-size:12px; color:#009933;">0</span> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="down-516159" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_down.png" alt="Thumb down" /> <span id="karma-516159-down" style="font-size:12px; color:#990033;">0</span> </li><li class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-login" href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiwiblog.co.nz%2F2008%2F12%2Fanswering_questions.html">Log in to Reply</a></li><li> <span id="safe-comments-result-516159"><a class="hide-if-no-js" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="safe_report_comments_flag_comment( '516159', 'bb8e21ee9b', 'safe-comments-result-516159');">Report</a></span></li><li class="comdate"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/12/answering_questions.html#comment-516159">December 9, 2008 9:20am</a></li> </ul> </footer> </div> </div> </article> </li> <li class="comment-li"> <article id="comment-516164" class="jumplink"> <div class="comment byuser comment-author-dime even thread-even depth-1 comdiv clearfix"> <div class="comdiv-a"> <header class="comment-author"> <h3>dime</h3> </header> <div class="comment-content nobot"> <p>remind me why Helen is being offered anything? </p> <p>is it so JK will get a nice job when he gets ousted?</p> </div> <footer class="comment-meta"> <ul> <li class="voting"> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="up-516164" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_up.png" alt="Thumb up" /> <span id="karma-516164-up" style="font-size:12px; color:#009933;">0</span> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="down-516164" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_down.png" alt="Thumb down" /> <span id="karma-516164-down" style="font-size:12px; color:#990033;">0</span> </li><li class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-login" href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiwiblog.co.nz%2F2008%2F12%2Fanswering_questions.html">Log in to Reply</a></li><li> <span id="safe-comments-result-516164"><a class="hide-if-no-js" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="safe_report_comments_flag_comment( '516164', 'bb8e21ee9b', 'safe-comments-result-516164');">Report</a></span></li><li class="comdate"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/12/answering_questions.html#comment-516164">December 9, 2008 9:31am</a></li> </ul> </footer> </div> </div> </article> </li> <li class="comment-li"> <article id="comment-516167" class="jumplink"> <div class="comment byuser comment-author-lipper odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 comdiv clearfix"> <div class="comdiv-a"> <header class="comment-author"> <h3>Glutaemus Maximus</h3> </header> <div class="comment-content nobot"> <p>“I run the show” Cunliffe, may want to be the class clown. He has however the charm and dignity of an ARL Coach.</p> <p>Cullen’s, “you are playing with the big boys now!” looks even more ridiculous with the passage of time.</p> <p>Clarks, “Didums” encapsulates everything about her empathy and warmth.</p> <p>The New Speaker will be well advised to keep a watchful eye on the aforementioned barracking from the sidelines.</p> <p>However he has the true advantage of not having to deal to the Paliamentary Jabberwocky. By the way Winston where is the $158k you stole off us?</p> </div> <footer class="comment-meta"> <ul> <li class="voting"> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="up-516167" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_up.png" alt="Thumb up" /> <span id="karma-516167-up" style="font-size:12px; color:#009933;">0</span> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="down-516167" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_down.png" alt="Thumb down" /> <span id="karma-516167-down" style="font-size:12px; color:#990033;">0</span> </li><li class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-login" href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiwiblog.co.nz%2F2008%2F12%2Fanswering_questions.html">Log in to Reply</a></li><li> <span id="safe-comments-result-516167"><a class="hide-if-no-js" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="safe_report_comments_flag_comment( '516167', 'bb8e21ee9b', 'safe-comments-result-516167');">Report</a></span></li><li class="comdate"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/12/answering_questions.html#comment-516167">December 9, 2008 9:37am</a></li> </ul> </footer> </div> </div> </article> </li> <li class="comment-li"> <article id="comment-516174" class="jumplink"> <div class="comment byuser comment-author-_lucy even thread-even depth-1 comdiv clearfix"> <div class="comdiv-a"> <header class="comment-author"> <h3><a href="http://Kiwiblog" class="url" rel="ugc external nofollow">LUCY</a></h3> </header> <div class="comment-content nobot"> <p>Please please please let our parliment go back to being a house of grown ups and not the nasty, vindictive place that it has turned into (and that turns people off).</p> <p>I would also be interested to know what roles Helen has been offerred. I seem to remember all those years ago that Muldoon was so good in finance that he was going to be offerred all sorts of positions with the World Bank. Never happened it was just his spin doctors. Could it possibilly be the same with Helen? After all she was known in my circles as ‘Muldoon i?n a skirt’ (debatable I know the skirt bit) Lets wait and see. And yes Winston where is the $158K?</p> </div> <footer class="comment-meta"> <ul> <li class="voting"> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="up-516174" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_up.png" alt="Thumb up" /> <span id="karma-516174-up" style="font-size:12px; color:#009933;">0</span> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="down-516174" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_down.png" alt="Thumb down" /> <span id="karma-516174-down" style="font-size:12px; color:#990033;">0</span> </li><li class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-login" href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiwiblog.co.nz%2F2008%2F12%2Fanswering_questions.html">Log in to Reply</a></li><li> <span id="safe-comments-result-516174"><a class="hide-if-no-js" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="safe_report_comments_flag_comment( '516174', 'bb8e21ee9b', 'safe-comments-result-516174');">Report</a></span></li><li class="comdate"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/12/answering_questions.html#comment-516174">December 9, 2008 9:57am</a></li> </ul> </footer> </div> </div> </article> </li> <li class="comment-li"> <article id="comment-516176" class="jumplink"> <div class="comment byuser comment-author-dad4justice odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 comdiv clearfix"> <div class="comdiv-a"> <header class="comment-author"> <h3><a href="http://dad4justice.blogspot.com" class="url" rel="ugc external nofollow">dad4justice</a></h3> </header> <div class="comment-content nobot"> <p>‘Muldoon in a skirt’<br /> I don’t think so Lucy, as Sir Rob had a healthy brain while Miss Klark is the ultimate two faced liar.</p> </div> <footer class="comment-meta"> <ul> <li class="voting"> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="up-516176" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_up.png" alt="Thumb up" /> <span id="karma-516176-up" style="font-size:12px; color:#009933;">0</span> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="down-516176" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_down.png" alt="Thumb down" /> <span id="karma-516176-down" style="font-size:12px; color:#990033;">0</span> </li><li class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-login" href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiwiblog.co.nz%2F2008%2F12%2Fanswering_questions.html">Log in to Reply</a></li><li> <span id="safe-comments-result-516176"><a class="hide-if-no-js" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="safe_report_comments_flag_comment( '516176', 'bb8e21ee9b', 'safe-comments-result-516176');">Report</a></span></li><li class="comdate"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/12/answering_questions.html#comment-516176">December 9, 2008 10:00am</a></li> </ul> </footer> </div> </div> </article> </li> <li class="comment-li"> <article id="comment-516186" class="jumplink"> <div class="comment byuser comment-author-hittingmetalwithahammer even thread-even depth-1 comdiv clearfix"> <div class="comdiv-a"> <header class="comment-author"> <h3><a href="http://hittingmetalwithahammer.wordpress.com/" class="url" rel="ugc external nofollow">Murray</a></h3> </header> <div class="comment-content nobot"> <p>I don’t give a rats about the goverment answering questions. There’s a list of people on the oposition side that need to be cornered and pinned down then forced to answer a few questions.</p> </div> <footer class="comment-meta"> <ul> <li class="voting"> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="up-516186" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_up.png" alt="Thumb up" /> <span id="karma-516186-up" style="font-size:12px; color:#009933;">0</span> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="down-516186" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_down.png" alt="Thumb down" /> <span id="karma-516186-down" style="font-size:12px; color:#990033;">0</span> </li><li class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-login" href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiwiblog.co.nz%2F2008%2F12%2Fanswering_questions.html">Log in to Reply</a></li><li> <span id="safe-comments-result-516186"><a class="hide-if-no-js" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="safe_report_comments_flag_comment( '516186', 'bb8e21ee9b', 'safe-comments-result-516186');">Report</a></span></li><li class="comdate"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/12/answering_questions.html#comment-516186">December 9, 2008 10:14am</a></li> </ul> </footer> </div> </div> </article> </li> <li class="comment-li"> <article id="comment-516195" class="jumplink"> <div class="comment byuser comment-author-_lucy odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 comdiv clearfix"> <div class="comdiv-a"> <header class="comment-author"> <h3><a href="http://Kiwiblog" class="url" rel="ugc external nofollow">LUCY</a></h3> </header> <div class="comment-content nobot"> <p>Really? Dad4justice? Although I voted for him first time around I recall him loosing it (like HC) about the second term big time. He was just as controlling as she was and he was scary and I am a National supporter but I like so many others voted against National in 84 just to get rid of him. Remember Rob ended his days on the back benches. Is that Helens fate?</p> <p>Helen was Muldoon in a skirt! They both wanted to “rule us” (not govern but rule) and that was the scary bit. Anyhow has anyone heard what positions Helen is going to be offerred? Im really interested.</p> </div> <footer class="comment-meta"> <ul> <li class="voting"> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="up-516195" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_up.png" alt="Thumb up" /> <span id="karma-516195-up" style="font-size:12px; color:#009933;">0</span> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="down-516195" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_down.png" alt="Thumb down" /> <span id="karma-516195-down" style="font-size:12px; color:#990033;">0</span> </li><li class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-login" href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiwiblog.co.nz%2F2008%2F12%2Fanswering_questions.html">Log in to Reply</a></li><li> <span id="safe-comments-result-516195"><a class="hide-if-no-js" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="safe_report_comments_flag_comment( '516195', 'bb8e21ee9b', 'safe-comments-result-516195');">Report</a></span></li><li class="comdate"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/12/answering_questions.html#comment-516195">December 9, 2008 10:27am</a></li> </ul> </footer> </div> </div> </article> </li> <li class="comment-li"> <article id="comment-516216" class="jumplink"> <div class="comment byuser comment-author-stephen even thread-even depth-1 comdiv clearfix"> <div class="comdiv-a"> <header class="comment-author"> <h3>stephen</h3> </header> <div class="comment-content nobot"> <blockquote><p> Anyhow has anyone heard what positions Helen is going to be offerred? Im really interested. </p></blockquote> <p>No one has actually heard anything concrete, but speculation never really goes past some sort of international ambassador-type/UN gig.</p> </div> <footer class="comment-meta"> <ul> <li class="voting"> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="up-516216" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_up.png" alt="Thumb up" /> <span id="karma-516216-up" style="font-size:12px; color:#009933;">0</span> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="down-516216" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_down.png" alt="Thumb down" /> <span id="karma-516216-down" style="font-size:12px; color:#990033;">0</span> </li><li class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-login" href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiwiblog.co.nz%2F2008%2F12%2Fanswering_questions.html">Log in to Reply</a></li><li> <span id="safe-comments-result-516216"><a class="hide-if-no-js" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="safe_report_comments_flag_comment( '516216', 'bb8e21ee9b', 'safe-comments-result-516216');">Report</a></span></li><li class="comdate"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/12/answering_questions.html#comment-516216">December 9, 2008 11:12am</a></li> </ul> </footer> </div> </div> </article> </li> <li class="comment-li"> <article id="comment-516273" class="jumplink"> <div class="comment byuser comment-author-_lucy odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 comdiv clearfix"> <div class="comdiv-a"> <header class="comment-author"> <h3><a href="http://Kiwiblog" class="url" rel="ugc external nofollow">LUCY</a></h3> </header> <div class="comment-content nobot"> <p>or will she end her days on the back benches as Muldoon did. Wouldnt that be justice!</p> </div> <footer class="comment-meta"> <ul> <li class="voting"> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="up-516273" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_up.png" alt="Thumb up" /> <span id="karma-516273-up" style="font-size:12px; color:#009933;">0</span> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="down-516273" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_down.png" alt="Thumb down" /> <span id="karma-516273-down" style="font-size:12px; color:#990033;">0</span> </li><li class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-login" href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiwiblog.co.nz%2F2008%2F12%2Fanswering_questions.html">Log in to Reply</a></li><li> <span id="safe-comments-result-516273"><a class="hide-if-no-js" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="safe_report_comments_flag_comment( '516273', 'bb8e21ee9b', 'safe-comments-result-516273');">Report</a></span></li><li class="comdate"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/12/answering_questions.html#comment-516273">December 9, 2008 1:01pm</a></li> </ul> </footer> </div> </div> </article> </li> <li class="comment-li"> <article id="comment-516294" class="jumplink"> <div class="comment byuser comment-author-georgedarroch even thread-even depth-1 comdiv clearfix"> <div class="comdiv-a"> <header class="comment-author"> <h3><a href="http://contradiction.wordpress.com/" class="url" rel="ugc external nofollow">georgedarroch</a></h3> </header> <div class="comment-content nobot"> <p>Question time under Labour was a joke. </p> <p>Yes, before I’m labelled a socialist lickspittle, I did make this criticism on numerous occasions, both publicly and private. Margaret Wilson received emails from me about how she did not make ministers address questions that would give anyone any kind of information – and I got quoted standing orders back – ignoring the fact that while these might have been within the letter of the law, they weren’t within the spirit of them. And she allowed far too much rudeness and barracking. </p> <p>I’ll be genuinely disappointed if National don’t change this. It would be nice for a change…</p> </div> <footer class="comment-meta"> <ul> <li class="voting"> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="up-516294" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_up.png" alt="Thumb up" /> <span id="karma-516294-up" style="font-size:12px; color:#009933;">0</span> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: none;" id="down-516294" src="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/plugins/comment-rating-pro/images/1_14_gray_down.png" alt="Thumb down" /> <span id="karma-516294-down" style="font-size:12px; color:#990033;">0</span> </li><li class="reply"><a rel="nofollow" class="comment-reply-login" href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiwiblog.co.nz%2F2008%2F12%2Fanswering_questions.html">Log in to Reply</a></li><li> <span id="safe-comments-result-516294"><a class="hide-if-no-js" href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="safe_report_comments_flag_comment( '516294', 'bb8e21ee9b', 'safe-comments-result-516294');">Report</a></span></li><li class="comdate"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/12/answering_questions.html#comment-516294">December 9, 2008 1:25pm</a></li> </ul> </footer> </div> </div> </article> </li> <li class="comment-li"> <article id="comment-516304" class="jumplink"> <div class="comment byuser comment-author-gd odd alt thread-odd thread-alt depth-1 comdiv clearfix"> <div class="comdiv-a"> <header class="comment-author"> <h3>gd</h3> </header> <div class="comment-content nobot"> <p>One is hoping ones employees in Wellington will now adopt a more grown up approach to their job of governing.</p> <p>It will be refreshing to see ones tax dollars being spent in a responsible fashion rather than the past 9years of watching ones hard earned cash being wasted on a bunch of cretins one would fail to employ to scrub ones toilet</p> </div> <footer class="comment-meta"> <ul> <li class="voting"> <img style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 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href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2008/12/answering_questions.html#comment-516304">December 9, 2008 1:39pm</a></li> </ul> </footer> </div> </div> </article> </li> </ul> </section> <section class="postsec addcomment"> <div id="respond" class="comment-respond"> <h2 id="reply-title" class="sectitle">Add a Comment <small><a rel="nofollow" id="cancel-comment-reply-link" href="/2008/12/answering_questions.html?trk=%7Berror-page%7D-community-guidelines#respond" style="display:none;">Cancel reply</a></small></h2><p class="must-log-in"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiwiblog.co.nz%2F2008%2F12%2Fanswering_questions.html">Login</a> to comment or vote</a></p> </div> </section> </div> <div class="postsec ad"> <script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1540502408087847" data-ad-slot="8854396132"></ins> 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class="sectitle">Highlights</h2><ul><li><div class="li-a"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2024/10/health_target_5_-_elective_treatments.html"><span class="himage"><img width="140" height="120" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-9.png?resize=140%2C120&ssl=1" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-9.png?resize=140%2C120&ssl=1 140w, https://i0.wp.com/www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-9.png?resize=280%2C240&ssl=1 280w, https://i0.wp.com/www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-9.png?zoom=3&resize=140%2C120&ssl=1 420w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 160px) calc(100vw - 20px), 140px" /></span><span class="htitle">Health Target 5 – elective treatments</span></a></div></li><li><div class="li-a"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2024/10/health_target_4_-_specialist_appointments.html"><span class="himage"><img width="140" height="120" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-8.png?resize=140%2C120&ssl=1" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-8.png?resize=140%2C120&ssl=1 140w, https://i0.wp.com/www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-8.png?resize=280%2C240&ssl=1 280w, https://i0.wp.com/www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-8.png?zoom=3&resize=140%2C120&ssl=1 420w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 160px) calc(100vw - 20px), 140px" /></span><span class="htitle">Health Target 4 – Specialist appointments</span></a></div></li><li><div class="li-a"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2024/10/health_target_3_-_emergency_dept_waiting_times.html"><span class="himage"><img width="140" height="120" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-7.png?resize=140%2C120&ssl=1" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-7.png?resize=140%2C120&ssl=1 140w, https://i0.wp.com/www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-7.png?resize=280%2C240&ssl=1 280w, https://i0.wp.com/www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-7.png?zoom=3&resize=140%2C120&ssl=1 420w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 160px) calc(100vw - 20px), 140px" /></span><span class="htitle">Health Target 3 – Emergency Dept Waiting Times</span></a></div></li><li><div class="li-a"><a href="https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2024/10/health_target_2_-_immunisations.html"><span class="himage"><img width="140" height="120" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-6.png?resize=140%2C120&ssl=1" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-6.png?resize=140%2C120&ssl=1 140w, https://i0.wp.com/www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-6.png?resize=280%2C240&ssl=1 280w, https://i0.wp.com/www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-6.png?zoom=3&resize=140%2C120&ssl=1 420w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 160px) calc(100vw - 20px), 140px" /></span><span class="htitle">Health Target 2 – Immunisations</span></a></div></li></ul></section><section id="custom_html-5" class="widget_text section notop nobot widget_custom_html"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><iframe width="300" height="371" src="https://www.curia.co.nz/embed/poll/large/" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></section><section id="custom_html-10" class="widget_text section notop nobot widget_custom_html"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"> <div 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Incidents on Sunday</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='http://nominister.blogspot.com/'>No Minister</a></li> <li><a class='postlink' href='https://thestandard.org.nz/?p=3579485'>Daily review 25/11/2024</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='http://thestandard.org.nz/'>The Standard</a></li> <li><a class='postlink' href='https://www.statschat.org.nz/?p=20196'>Top 14 Predictions for Round 11</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='http://www.statschat.org.nz/'>Stats Chat</a></li> <li><a class='postlink' href='http://homepaddock.wordpress.com/?p=174646'>Word of the day</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='http://homepaddock.wordpress.com/'>Hompaddock</a></li> <li><a class='postlink' href='http://pointofordernz.wordpress.com/?p=33910'>Watts will be bracing for the cold in Antarctica while Luxon is bracing for a White House change (and Trump’s taste for tariffs)</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='https://pointofordernz.wordpress.com/'>Point of Order</a></li> <li><a class='postlink' href='https://nopunchespulled.com/?p=6399'>BISHOP BRIAN TAMAKI</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='https://nopunchespulled.com'>No Punches Pulled (Bob Jones)</a></li> <li><a class='postlink' href='https://thedailyblog.co.nz/?p=195804'>Green Party out of the woke frying pan into the woke fire</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='http://thedailyblog.co.nz/'>The Daily Blog</a></li> <li><a class='postlink' href='https://www.nzcpr.com/?p=40178'>Treaty Principles Debate</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='http://www.nzcpr.com/'>NZCPR</a></li> <li><a class='postlink' href='http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2024/11/justice-in-brazil.html'>Justice in Brazil</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='http://norightturn.blogspot.com/'>No Right Turn</a></li> <li><a class='postlink' href='https://bobmccoskrie.com/?p=29927'>The transgender agenda sunk Kamala</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='http://bobmccoskrie.com/'>Bob McCoskrie's McBlog</a></li> <li><a class='postlink' href='http://croakingcassandra.com/?p=72205'>What does “reciprocity” mean in New Zealand laws?</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='https://croakingcassandra.com/'>Croaking Cassandra</a></li> <li><a class='postlink' href='https://www.kiwipolitico.com/?p=19735'>Media Link: “A View from Afar” on the US elections.</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='http://www.kiwipolitico.com/'>Kiwipolitico</a></li> <li><a class='postlink' href='http://offsettingbehaviour.blogspot.com/2024/11/this-will-not-end-well.html'>This will not end well</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='http://offsettingbehaviour.blogspot.co.nz/'>Offsetting Behaviour</a></li> <li><a class='postlink' href='http://thecivilian.co.nz/?p=357'>Tory Whanau may have to sell Wellington mayoralty to make ends meet</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='http://www.thecivilian.co.nz/'>The Civilian</a></li> <li><a class='postlink' href='http://imperatorfish.com/?p=20514'>The Accidental Engagement</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='http://www.imperatorfish.com/'>Imperator Fish</a></li> <li><a class='postlink' href='https://publicaddress.net/legalbeagle/election-23-the-special-votes/'>Legal Beagle: Election '23: The Special Votes</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='http://publicaddress.net/'>Public Address</a></li> <li><a class='postlink' href='https://medium.com/p/1fceb11ec17c'>Making this movie might have been a mistake</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='https://medium.com/@_hehir_'>Liam Hehir</a></li> <li><a class='postlink' href='https://thekiwifirewalker.blogspot.com/2019/05/why-i-am-retiring-from-political.html'>Why I am retiring from political blogging</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='https://thekiwifirewalker.blogspot.co.nz/'>Kiwi FireWalker</a></li> <li><a class='postlink' href='http://dan.moskovitz.co.nz/?p=144'>Angie Warren-Clark: Meet the Newbies</a><br /> <a class='sitelink' href='https://dan.moskovitz.co.nz'>Dan Moskovitz</a></li> </ul> </section><section id="custom_html-2" 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