Politics Central

A spokesman for China's ceremonial legislature condemned statements from U.S. lawmakers supportive of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, as more protests were planned Sunday following a day of dueling rallies that highlighted the political divide in the Chinese territory.
You Wenze called the lawmakers' comments "a gross violation of the spirit of the rule of law, a blatant double standard and a gross interference in China's internal affairs."
He said that Hong Kong's 7.5 million people and Chinese population as a whole rejected the actions of a "very small group of violent protesters" as well as "any interference of foreign forces."
You did not mention any specific lawmaker, but numerous U.S. senators and Congress members, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have affirmed the U.S. commitment to human rights and urged the Hong Kong government to end the standoff.
Congress also has the power to pass legislation affecting Hong Kong's relationship with the U.S. in ways that could further erode the territory's reputation for stability and rule of law.
That includes the recent re-introduction of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act in Congress, which would among its other provisions require the Secretary of State to issue an annual certification of Hong Kong's autonomy to justify special treatment afforded to the city.
More directly, President Donald Trump could simply issue an executive order suspending Hong Kong's special trading status with the U.S., a move that could have a devastating effect on the local economy at a time when Beijing and Washington are engaged in a bitter trade war.
On Saturday, pro-democracy protesters marched on one side of Hong Kong's famous harbor for the 10th weekend while a pro-government rally called for an end to the sometimes violent movement.
"The government right now doesn't listen to the people, and the police are too violent," said Bobby Tse, a retiree who watched the pro-democracy march from a bridge. "It didn't used to be like this. We didn't have to protest every week. But now even though we have protests every week, the government still gives no response."
At the pro-government rally, speakers on a stage said they love both Hong Kong and China and asked the protesters why they are afraid of China. Supporters gave a thumbs-up to police officers and posed for photos with them.
Driver Leo Chen said he came out because he wants peace in his city.
"Before, everyone in Hong Kong helped each other, it was very harmonious," he said. "Now to see it become like this, I'm not happy, so I've come out to show a little strength."
Earlier Saturday, thousands of schoolteachers marched to the official residence of Hong Kong's leader, Carrie Lam, to show support for the protesters who include many students.
Carrying signs that read "Protect the next generation" and umbrellas to ward off intermittent downpours, the teachers tied white ribbons to a metal fence near Government House. They said the government should answer the protesters' demands and stop using what they called police violence to disperse demonstrators who have taken over streets and besieged and defaced government buildings.
The movement's demands include Lam's resignation, democratic elections and an independent investigation into police use of force.
A rally in Victoria Park has been called for Sunday by a pro-democracy group that has organized three massive marches through central Hong Kong since June.
Members of China's paramilitary People's Armed Police force have been training for days across the border in Shenzhen, including on Sunday morning, fueling speculation that they could be sent in to suppress the protests.
The Hong Kong police, however, have said they are capable of handling the protests.

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The Government is putting $54 million into support schemes aimed at preventing people from becoming homeless.
Associate Housing Minister Kris Faafoi and Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni on Sunday announced new funding for a series of programmes aimed at keeping those at high risk of losing housing off the streets.
About $31 million will be spent over four years on 67 intensive case managers at the Ministry of Social Development, whose job it will be to help families with children and mental health needs currently living in emergency motel accommodation.
"MSD has identified a distinct group of people that face a range of complex issues that are a barrier to finding and keeping a home of their own, such as mental health and addictions, criminal history, or family violence," Sepuloni said.
Another $6.6 million over two years will go towards expanding the Government's Sustaining Tenancies programme.
The scheme gives practical budget advice, property maintenance and mental health support to people in state housing, in three cities - Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Faafoi said the new money would mean the programme could expand into five new regions, and into the private housing market.
Welfare payments for emergency housing across New Zealand skyrocketed almost 200 per cent in 2018.
In the first three months of this year, the Government paid out $23 million for emergency motel accommodation.
The grants were introduced in 2016 to help those who needed temporary housing.
The Opposition has blamed growing demand for emergency housing grants on an increasing cost of living, but Sepuloni has attributed the situation to the housing crisis.
The Government says the new funding is the first phase and a stopgap as part of a larger plan aimed at tackling homelessness.
The money is coming out of a contingency fund set aside in the May Budget for tackling homelessness and comes on top of $197 million set aside for boosting a nationwide scheme aimed at getting people into housing.
About 806 homes had been filled by that programme by June.

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New Zealand First is being given little to no chance of getting its abortion referendum.
The party this week blindsided their coalition partners by revealing they were considering calling for a referendum on the issue.
This is despite Justice Minister Andrew Little working closely with New Zealand First MP Tracy Martin on the legislation, which passed its first reading on Thursday.
However, the party is unlikely to get their wish. 
Political commentator Bryce Edwards says it doesn't have support from Labour, National or the Greens for it.
He told the Weekend Collective New Zealand First already knows that.
"They need to at least for their own supporters say that they tried to get a referendum because a lot of New Zealanders wants a referendum and probably other New Zealanders as well."
Edwards says this allows New Zealand First to state it tried to give New Zealanders a say.
This morning, Andrew Little told Andrew Dickens he is not bothered by the calls.
"New Zealand First are who they are and what happened is what happened. I'm not particularly fussed by it, it go through the first reading." 
Little says he isn't a fan of referendums as he maintains MPs are elected to make decisions.

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John Tamihere says as Auckland's mayor he would create an 0800 JACINDA hotline to call if residents see rough sleepers or beggars.
Anyone who called the number would find a "person all loving and caring that knows everything about your wellbeing" on the other end, he said. A social worker would then be sent to work with the beggar.
Homeless people causing a "nuisance" by sleeping rough would be asked to go with the social worker - or find themself in breach of the law, Tamihere said in a statement this afternoon as he released his begging and homelessness policy.
Tamihere claimed he would also force social workers to change their work hours, working three shifts so they would be available around the clock.
"Under no circumstances should any Auckland citizen have a fit of conscience and believe they are doing any fellow Aucklander a favour by handing over donations to a beggar," he said.
"We have enough social workers in New Zealand, particularly in Auckland to deal with working one-on-one," Tamihere said.
"With each person found on the streets, social workers, like a lot of other workers in the supply side of our economy, must wake up to the fact that social work is a 24/7 job, and there will be a requirement that they work three shifts."
Tamihere told the Weekend Collective homelessness is not a local government issue.
"The ratepayer in Auckland shouldn't be double taxed by having to fix homelesness which is a central government issue. It's as simple as that."
That 0800 number is not up and running, and Tamihere says he wouldn't be worried if someone bought it out from under him.
"Doesn't matter. I've made the point."
The council would also build more social housing under his leadership, in partnership with central Government.
Tamihere said he was in the mayoral race because Phil Goff had decided there would be a cap on social housing on publicly owned ratepayer land.
He said he had filed an urgent claim to the Human Rights Tribunal requesting that that policy be deemed a breach of Human Rights, particularly affecting superannuitants, beneficiaries and those earning under $80,000 per year.
"Council owns some of the most strategic and important land parcels that could bring an end to homelessness in the city, but more importantly they are brownfield sites close to transport and existing infrastructure."
Last year's homeless count on September 17 found there were an estimated 800 people living without shelter in Auckland, and at least 2,874 people in temporary accommodation.
But Tamihere called the count a "$500,000 political stunt" and said he didn't need that to know the number of homeless and rough sleepers or where they sleep.
"The millions of dollars that Auckland Council splurges on subsidising central Government failure must stop," he said.
Homelessness was an issue for central Government, not local government or police, he said.

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The Government has unveiled the first tranche of its cancer plan, announcing a $25 million spend on 12 new radiation machines nationwide.
But the plan, announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Health Minister David Clark at Wellington Hospital today, stops short of a commitment to setting up a National Cancer Agency.
Ardern said the Government would be unveiling a further "major announcement" when it releases its Interim Cancer Action Plan later this month.
The new linear accelerator machines will replace older ones in places such as Hawke's Bay, Taranaki and Northland.
Linear accelerators (LINACs) are used to deliver external beam radiation treatments to cancer patients. They can provide individualised treatments based on a patient's specific needs and are operated by radiation therapists.
Ardern said the new machines offered radiation treatment in more regions than ever before, ensuring improved treatment and fairer access to cancer care in the provinces.
They will provide more precise treatment to patients and would help lead to faster recovery times.
"We know for some lung cancers, newer technology can reduce treatment times from as much as six weeks to as little as three days. It can also mean improved life expectancy when every day is precious," Ardern said today.
"A cancer plan that works has to be comprehensive and must include radiation treatment as well as pharmaceuticals and preventative measures."
Ardern said that one in two people with cancer would benefit from the use of radiation therapy.
"But in New Zealand only one in three are currently accessing these services. That's why we are making the single largest Government capital investment in it."
The $25 million spend over three years comes as part of the $1.7 billion the Government earmarked for health services in May's Budget.
At the moment, if someone living in Northland, Hawke's Bay and Taranaki need treatment, they have to travel to larger cities.
Ardern said today's announcement will mean 1200 people each year will be able to access radiation treatment locally rather than travelling long distances.
The second tranche of the Government's cancer response plan will be the release of the Interim Cancer Action Plan later this month.
Before the 2017 election, Labour promised to put $20 million towards setting up a National Cancer Agency.
Speaking to Breakfast last week, Clark hinted that a plan for such an agency was being developed and would be unveiled soon.
"I'm determined to get the plan right – we won't be rushed into doing that; we want to make sure we get the plan right and that's backed up by action."
New machines will be installed this year at the Auckland, Canterbury, Capital & Coast (Wellington) and MidCentral (Palmerston North) DHBs (two machines).
MidCentral is intending to locate a replacement LINAC in Hawkes Bay in 2020/21 and Taranaki the following year.

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Green co-leader James Shaw has told supporters that they can't always get what they want as the party comes under fire from some supporters. 
High ranking Green Party member Jack McDonald, the party's policy co-convenor, is stepping down ahead of next year's election. In a Twitter post, he made the decision because of the party's centrist drift under James Shaw.
He says we don't have time for centrism or moderation. He also cited his disappointment at Metiria Turei's resignation in 2017.
McDonald also ran on the party's list in last election, but will not be seeking re-election.

Excited to be at the Green Party AGM in Dunedin this weekend. I announced I won't be standing for re-election to the leadership position of Policy Co-convenor. I've also decided that I won't be standing as the Greens' candidate for Te Tai Hauāuru in next years' general election. pic.twitter.com/KDfhKoB17J
— Jack McDonald (@tautokai) August 2, 2019
Shaw told the Weekend Collective it's what happens in a MMP government.
"This is always going to be part of the transition from being a party of opposition into a party of government, especially when you make up one of three parties. You're not always going to get everything that you want."
The controversy has overshadowed the party's latest announcement at their annual conference in Dunedin. The Greens announced that they are ready to negotiate a rent-to-own policy as part of the Government’s KiwiBuild reset.
Co-leader Marama Davidson says it's about giving people a secure home of their own and a sense of belonging in a community.
Other proposed reforms include changes to the Residential Tenancies Act, and a mandatory warrant of fitness to enforce proper standards.

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National's promised to put $200 million towards fighting cancer - if the party makes its way out of opposition.
Leader Simon Bridges has unveiled the plan today during the second day of their annual conference in Christchurch.
He says a National Government will fund an independent Cancer Agency and set up a multi-million dollar fund dedicated to cancer drugs.
He told the Weekend Collective that everyone in the country is touched by.
"People shouldn't have to start a GiveaLittle page, they shouldn't have to move country to get the cancer drugs that people can get in Australia." 
Bridges says that there are big cancer drugs that are funded in Australia that are not speculative and have proven results, but are not funded here.
He says that the Government has the $50 million a year to spend but are spending it instead on programmes such as the Provincial Growth Fund.
The agency would be implemented if National wins the 2020 election, but Bridges insists that is capable despite only polling around 40 per cent.
He says that leaked poll results last week shows that Labour is spooked by the threat of National. 
"Halfway through, they haven't got the confidence, they haven't delivered." 
Asked if they have the coalition partners to get back, Bridges says that NZ First and Greens may not reach the five per cent threshold. He also suggested that a Christian or "true Greens" party might come up organically, but denied that National has any role in setting one up.

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With Britain's departure from the European Union due in less than 100 days, new Prime Minister Boris Johnson is a man in a hurry. But he's not rushing off to Brussels.
The U.K. leader has no meetings scheduled with EU officials. Instead, he was in central England on Friday, talking about his promise to recruit 20,000 more police officers. In the coming days he'll speak on other aspects of a packed domestic agenda that looks suspiciously like an election platform.
Britain's next scheduled election is three years away, but signs suggest Johnson may be preparing for a snap poll within weeks or months to break the Brexit impasse that defeated his predecessor, Theresa May. She resigned after failing, three times, to get Parliament's backing for her divorce deal with the EU.
Johnson won a contest to replace her as Conservative leader and prime minister by promising that the U.K. will leave the 28-nation bloc on the scheduled date of Oct. 31, with or without a divorce deal.
But Tim Durrant, senior researcher at the Institute for Government, an independent think-tank, said Johnson "has exactly the same parliamentary arithmetic to deal with as May" — no overall House of Commons majority and a set of lawmakers who so far have rejected all attempts to leave the EU either with or without a divorce deal.
"He is clearly positioning himself as the person to get Brexit done, and the way to change the parliamentary arithmetic is to have an election," Durrant said.
Asked Friday if he would rule out calling an election, Johnson said: "Absolutely." But his predecessor, Theresa May, also insisted she would not hold a snap election — and then did, in 2017.
In the House of Commons on Thursday, Johnson said Britons had had multiple chances to vote recently, with two elections and an EU membership referendum in the past four years.
"The people of this country have voted in 2015, 2016 and 2017, and what they want to see is this Parliament delivering on the mandate that they gave us" to leave the EU, he said.
Laying out his priorities in his first Commons statement as prime minister, Johnson said he wanted Britain to leave the EU with a deal. But he also insisted the EU make major changes to May's spurned withdrawal agreement, including scrapping an insurance policy for the Irish border that has been rejected by U.K. lawmakers.
The EU, which has long said it will not change the agreement, called Johnson's stance combative and unhelpful.
Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney said Friday that Johnson was putting himself on a "collision course" with the bloc.
"The approach that the British prime minister seems to now be taking is not going to be the basis of an agreement," he said. "And that's worrying for everybody.
"From a Brexit negotiating perspective, it was a very bad day yesterday."
From a British political perspective, however, there's a logic to Johnson's moves. University of Nottingham politics professor Steven Fielding said the prime minister was preparing to blame Brussels if the Brexit talks fail and Britain faces a disruptive no-deal exit.
"The most likely scenario is Boris goes off to Brussels, Brussels says no, Boris says 'Brussels is dictating to us . We want to do a deal but they won't let us do a deal,'" Fielding said. "Ramping all of that up and then saying, 'Come and support me on the road to our glorious Brexit' — and call an election."
Fielding said "it makes more sense for him to go to the country before Brexit than after" because of the potential upheaval that could follow a no-deal exit.
Economists warn that leaving the bloc without an agreement on terms would disrupt trade by imposing tariffs and customs checks between Britain and the bloc. The British government's financial watchdog says that could send the value of the pound plummeting and push the U.K. into recession.
British election campaigns last five weeks, so Johnson would...

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The head of the Maori Council says the impasse at Ihumātao is a broader issue than a dispute over historic Maori land.
Thousands of protesters have descended on the South Auckland site, buoyed now the Prime Minister's stepped in to pause planned housing development.
Maori Council head Matthew Tukaki told the Weekend Collective we need to have a broader national discussion about the pressures of population growth.
"This is not just a Maori issue. This is very much an issue for all New Zealanders to say what is the future of our country when it comes to population density, where we should be building, and what sites should we be protecting for future generations."
He says that the land is significant to all New Zealanders, and likens building houses here as akin to demolishing Auckland Town Hall to build a casino. 
"This may be a Maori protest, but there is a broader national discussion to be had around planning and discussion by-laws." 
Tukaki says that successive governments have stuffed this up, but it dates back to the initial confiscation of the land in the 1860s. 
Former MP Hone Harawira told the Weekend Collective that he expects that the protesters will remain on the site for some time. 
"I don't think it's a case of winning or losing," he says, but he would like to see the Government and Fletchers come to a deal to return the land to other people.
He thinks the Government could give Fletchers other land around the country in return for the land.

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A political commentator says it's over the top to claim the National Party is our biggest climate change threat
Columnist Simon Wilson wrote this week that National's refusal to endorse the Zero Carbon Bill, among other things, is undermining the country's effort to address climate change.
But Vernon Tava told The Weekend Collective this isn't true.
"Labour and it's coalition partners could get this bill through on numbers, so to then claim that the whole scheme is being threatened by National opposition is pretty over the top." 
Tava is widely expected to launch his own so-called Blue/Green Party in time for next year's election.

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