Politics Central

A Thai political party swore loyalty to the king after its stunning decision to nominate the monarch's sister as its candidate for prime minister backfired when the king called the move inappropriate and unconstitutional.
The statement of fealty comes as the country ponders a whirlwind Friday in which Princess Ubolratana Mahidol broke with tradition proscribing the monarchy's involvement with politics to become a candidate for the Thai Raksa Chart Party, only to have her brother, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, invalidate her action with a late night order.
Thai Raksa Chart's statement said the party loyally accepted the king's order and expressed deep gratitude to Ubolratana for her kindness toward the party.
Ubolratana, who is active on Instagram, did not directly mention the king's order in a Saturday message, merely thanking people for their support and encouragement and insisting on her sincere desire to see Thailand progress with rights and opportunities for all its people.
Thailand's March 24 election will be the country's first since a 2014 military coup put in place a junta determined to reshape the political system to eradicate the influence of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose allies have won every national election since 2001.
So it was not only a shock that Ubolratana was formally entering politics, but also that she was doing so in alliance with a Thaksin-backed party. Her candidacy would have pitted her against the junta leader and current Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the preferred choice for premier of the pro-royalist military.
Thaksin has been in exile since 2008, two years after was ousted by the military in a 2006 coup. Thailand's establishment has spent more than a decade trying to neuter his political machine through court rulings, constitutional rewrites and other changes to the electoral system. In addition to deepening political divisions that have flared into protests and street violence, the campaign has had little success.
"Chin up and keep moving forward! We learn from past experiences but live for today and the future. Cheer up! Life must go on!" Thaksin tweeted on Saturday.
Just eight years after ousting him, the military stepped in again to remove his sister's government.
Thaksin remains wildly popular with the country's rural majority, who were drawn to his populist policies such as universal health care and rice subsidies and were willing to overlook accusations that he was enriching himself while in office. But Thaksin's popularity made the country's Bangkok-based establishment uneasy and some saw his popularity as a threat to the monarchy itself.
Thaksin, who escaped from Thailand to avoid serving prison time on a conflict of interest conviction he insists was political, was generally believed to have been involved in setting up Ubolratana's candidacy. That shook the Thai royalists, who have long seen their campaign against Thaksin as way to protect the monarchy.
It was widely assumed that Ubolratana, thought to be close to her brother, had at least received his approval for her action. What actually had happened behind the scenes is unlikely to become public, because the royal family's private affairs are almost never leaked.
Vajiralongkorn's order stressed that Thailand's Constitution insists that the king and those around him stay above politics, and the principles of democratic government also put politics off-limits.
It directly addressed the point that his sister was a member of the royal family even though her formal royal titles had been lifted decades ago when she married a foreigner.
Her candidacy had caused great excitement, because it offered the possibility of a strong challenge to Prayuth winning his job back. Her association with the monarchy was seen as making it difficult for royalists in parliament, which picks the prime minister, to vote against her.
Prayuth had been considered the...

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Don Brash has been invited to speak at the lower marae at Waitangi, where he was once pelted with mud by protesters.
The mud was turfed in 2004, when he was National leader.
It was just a few days after his infamous speech to Orewa Rotarians in which he railed against special treatment for Māori.
He is now spokesman for Hobson's Pledge, a group which campaigns against racial separatism or favouritism under the Treaty of Waitangi.
Dr Brash told the Weekend Collective when he received the invitation to speak at Te Tii Marae he was surprised, but pleased.
"Initially I was a bit suspicious, I thought 'is this a have'? I began to wonder if the person who invited me actually have the authority, but it turned out he did have, and I'm absolutely delighted to be accepting it."
He says he has written a speech for the purpose, and he believes there will be a panel discussion. 
Brash says he was told to expect some strong opposition at that panel, and people are already making their views heard. 
He says he is pleased to have been invited, especially after his Massey University ban.
"That's an appalling thing for a university to do, and the marae leadership showed themselves to be in a completely different place to allow someone who they may not agree with to have a say."
Maori Development Minister Willie Jackson says he is not looking forward to hearing the former politician speak. 
"I have no interest in listening to Don's carry on and rhetoric."
He says there is no need to hear his rhetoric again, and he says it is a waste of time to listen him. 
Organisers say while some people are unhappy Brash is speaking, they want to hear his side of the story, and he will be safe.
 

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In Politics Central, the two Tims quiz Finance Minister Grant Robertson on his tax plans. Then political analyst Ben Thomas gives his take on how Kiwis will take the possibility of a Capital Gains Tax. 

Next up medicinal cannabis, with a warning on the issue from Medical Specialist Dr Stephen Child. 

Finally, Joy Reid has the latest on the Brexit debacle, straight out of London.

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A National MP believes surf life saving clubs should receive public funding, because they're providing an essential service.
At the moment, surf clubs rely on grants, fundraising and private sponsorship to run patrols on New Zealand beaches.
Some lifeguard services are supported by local bodies, but the clubs take care of themselves.
Helensville MP Chris Penk says life saving should be recognised as an emergency service.
"They perform a vital function of keeping our lives safe, both Kiwis and visitors."
The National Party has launched a petition to recognise life savers as an emergency service.
CEO of Life-Saving NZ Paul Dalton told the Weekend Collective that the petition is interesting, but there are already discussions going on behind the scenes.
"The potential for government funding is very, very much up for discussion."
He says that it would probably cost around $20 million a year to fund the entire country. 
Dalton says that life saving is all driven by passion, with the people involved utterly committed to the work they do. 
"It is a very hand to mouth kind of a game. Every year, you start with a clean slate, and you try to get enough money to do what you need to do."
He says that Penk seems genuine, and probably does not know what is happening already, so doubts he is playing politics.

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An iconic New Zealander producer does not think there is much to worry about when it comes to Lord of the Rings filming here.
It has been reported that Amazon Studios held meetings with the New Zealand Government over filming the new television adaptation of the fantasy series here. 
However, there are concerns that a lack of studio space could prevent the show from being filmed here.
John Barnett, who has produced four of New Zealand's top 10 movies, says that it would be a good thing for the country.
However, he told the Weekend Collective that he does not think that there is much of a "crisis" to this story.
"I think that the headlines today have been a little bit of slow news day." 
Barnett says that it was likely a regular meeting that would otherwise be handled by the regulatory body.
He says we have not lost it because no one has said that the series would be filmed here. 
"The regime that we have with regard to foreign production coming here is very friendly and very conducive to this kind of production." 
Barnett says things are tight when it comes to studio space, but we do have an "elasticity" in this industry that could handle the scale of the production.
LISTEN TO JOHN BARNETT TALK WITH THE WEEKEND COLLECTIVE

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Some educators say they are willing to march on Parliament in opposition to the Government's proposed Tommorrow's Schools plan.
The board and headmaster of Auckland Grammar have written to parents, asking for help to fiercely oppose the notion, saying that the proposals are radical and would end the notion of the traditional secondary school in New Zealand.
Auckland Grammar's headmaster Tim O'Connor says the vast majority of school boards are just fine, and there's no rationale for direct state control.
"It is a proposed attack on state education as we know it, and the only winners out of this will be private schools, who will continue to be able to establish a culture and a values base and operate in a manner that is purposeful to their community."
O'Connor's main concern is idea of Education Hubs, taking over the likes of property, employment, and allocating government funding.
"That really would surpass the role of a board of trustees and boards of trustees would effectively become glorified PTA's or advisement groups to principals. So schools would lose their own personalities and their own cultures."
Macleans College principal Steven Hargreaves told the Weekend Collective that if the recommendations were to be enacted, he believes there'd be people marching on Parliament.
"I know that sounds like a crazy thing to be doing, but we would, because there are some serious things here that I feel would interfere with the way successful schools are run."
Hargreaves says that having 125 schools reporting to one hub logistically doesn't make sense. 
However, Bali Haque, Chairman of the Tomorrow's School taskforce, says that much of what the critics believe is simply wrong.
He says the whole reform is based on developing an education system that meets the needs of all our students.
"Currently, the way we've got it set out, with 2,500 independent, autonomous boards, it really isn't working. That's indicated when you look at the stats of student achievement."
Haque says that thet went around the country and spoke to boards about the proposals.
"We've attended 200 meetings, we've listened to Boards of Trustees, and what Boards of Trustees say is they want to focus on important stuff of teaching and learning, and that's what our proposals allow them to do." 
Haque is urging those claiming it will destroy the school system to calm down, sit down and read the report.
Principals' Federation believes adopting Tomorrow's Schools would be the courageous option.
Principals' Federation president Whetu Cormick says the consultation phase is really important, but then it's up to the Government.
"Will the Minister of Educations and his ministers have the courage to put in place some these courageous recommendations that are outlined in this document? So the proof will be in the pudding to see whether that really does land next year."
Submissions are open on the drastic and sweeping changes mooted in the Tomorrow's Schools report.
An online feedback survey will also be open next month and there will also be regional hui in February and March.
Cormick says feedback is important, even if it means cutting into holidays.
"Whilst it's going to mean more work for school leavers, we're up for the consultation period and we want to have a strong voice in determining what's happening in education for the next 30 years or so."

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The mother of a 15-year-old boy killed in a drunken hit and run says she started a petition calling for a longer sentence for the teenager so other families don't go through the same pain.
Air force cadet Nathan Kraatskow, 15, died in May when a learner driver hit him at an intersection in Albany in north Auckland.
Rouxle Le Roux, 19, had drunk wine and smoked cannabis earlier in the day before her Mercedes crashed into Kraatskow as he crossed the intersection on a small bike.
Charlene Kraatskow told The Weekend Collective she is upset and angry over the way the justice system has failed her family, after Le Roux was given a sentence which was reduced because of her rough childhood.
“Why should we take the consequences of her rough upbringing? I don’t see why she should be discounted because she had a rough upbringing, that’s not our fault."
Kraatskow says she has seen social media posts from Le Roux which she feels make a mockery of the judge believing Le Roux has any remorse for what she has done.
"All of her Instagram posts, she posts nearly every day. Her captions on social media, especially the one on Halloween in the orange jumpsuit really upset us. Everything she has said doesn’t make sense."
With thousands of people showing support by signing a petition against the light sentence, Kraatskow believes something should be done to make sure this doesn't happen again.
"She took a son, brother a grandson away from us, and it is like a big joke from her. All she has got is a slap on the wrist.
This is the worst thing we have ever had to go through. I hope she learns from her mistakes, but I don’t think she will. She has been boasting to some of her friends how she got away with what happened."
LISTEN ABOVE AS CHARLENE KRAATSKOW SPEAKS TO THE WEEKEND COLLECTIVE

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The Government has announced $1.4 billion to make dangerous roads safer over three years to save lives and prevent serious injuries.
The Safe Network Programme will make 870km of high-volume, high-risk State Highways safer by 2021 with improvements like median and side barriers, rumble strips, and shoulder widening, according to Transport Minister Phil Twyford and Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter.
Genter told The Weekend Collective the issue of road safety is high up on the agenda, and will be a major issue in the coming years.
"This government has made road safety one of our highest priorities. We have looked at 870km of state highways which can be improved. Central and local government will be partnering together to improve our roads and reduce injuries."
Genter says no other industry accepted hundreds of people dying each year as normal.
"Its really good value for money when you consider what the previous government was spending on our highways. We are going to avoid 160 serious injuries per year with the improvements."
The programme will target an estimated $600m to $700m of state highway safety improvements and $700m to $800m of local road safety improvements.
LISTEN ABOVE AS JULIE ANNE GENTER SPEAKS TO THE WEEKEND COLLECTIVE

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An Auckland school is facing criticism for making a Christmas lesson overly religious. 
Katherine Hogg told Stuff that she kept her seven-year-old son at home from school after his class was asked to act out the Nativity.
She told the newspaper that her son did not want to join in, but would have to move to another class if he did not participate. 
Hogg said she was unhappy that Stanmore Bay School had made the Christmas activities biblical.
The Secular Education Network agrees. 
The Public Relations Officer David Hines says that it crosses a line.
"I'd agree that schools have a proper role of putting books of popular culture, religious and non-religious, into their program, but when you get them to act in the play, I feel you're getting into the territory of training in Christianity."
The network's Jeff McClintock told The Weekend Collective that we expect schools to cover different cultures, but this school went too far. 
He says the teacher told a student who said they didn't believe in Santa was told to be quiet and not interrupt other people's learning. 
"That's where the teacher crossed a line between teaching about Christmas and promoting her own views." 
McClintock says he does not want schools to avoid talking about Christ when teaching about Christmas, but it should be done in a manner that is inclusive to everyone.
He says that in this case, the student who voiced their non-belief was "banished" to another classroom. 
"You wouldn't banish Maori kids to another classroom because you're teaching about European history. That's off." 
But Amanda Gregan, the communications advisor for the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, disagrees.
"The nativity is central to the celebration of Christmas."
Gregan says that Christmas is central to the Christian faith.
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The rumble of armoured police trucks and the hiss of tear gas filled central Paris on Saturday, as French riot police fought to contain thousands of yellow-vested protesters venting their anger against the government in a movement that has grown more violent by the week.
A ring of steel surrounded the president's Elysee Palace — a key destination for the protesters — as police stationed trucks and reinforced metal barriers throughout the neighbourhood.
Stores along the elegant Champs-Elysees Avenue and the posh Avenue Montaigne boarded up their windows as if bracing for a hurricane but the storm struck anyway Saturday, this time at the height of the holiday shopping season. Protesters ripped off the plywood protecting the windows and threw flares and other projectiles. French riot police repeatedly repelled them with tear gas and water cannon.
Saturday's yellow vest crowd was overwhelmingly male, a mix of those bringing their financial grievances to Paris — the centre of France's government, economy and culture — along with groups of experienced vandals who tore steadily through some of the city's wealthiest neighbourhoods, smashing and burning.
Police and protesters also clashed in other French cities, notably Marseille, Toulouse and Bordeaux, and in neighbouring Belgium. Some protesters took aim at the French border with Italy, creating a huge traffic backup near the town of Ventimiglia.
The French government's plan was to prevent a repeat of the Dec. 2 rioting that damaged the Arc de Triomphe, devastated central Paris and tarnished the country's global image. It did not succeed, even though it was better prepared.
Although Saturday's protest in the French capital started out quietly, tear gas choked the Champs-Elysees Avenue by early evening.
Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said that 135 people had been injured and 974 taken into custody amid protests around the nation. Paris police headquarters counted 71 injuries in the capital, seven of them police officers.
An estimated 125,000 people demonstrated around France while 10,000 took their anger to the streets of Paris, double the number in the capital last week, the interior minister said. Toughening security tactics, French authorities deployed 8,000 security officers in the capital alone, among the 89,000 who fanned out around the country.
A Starbucks near the Champs-Elysees was smashed wide open and people were seen stepping over broken glass and serving themselves to beverages. The window of a nearby bank was smashed in with a wrought-iron decoration used to encircle city tree trunks.
All of the city's top tourist attractions — including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre museum — shut down for the day, fearing the kind of damage that hit the Arc de Triomphe a week ago. Christmas markets and soccer matches were cancelled. Subway stations in the city centre closed and the U.S. embassy warned citizens to avoid all protest areas.
Yet in a sign of the financial disconnect that infuriates many of the protesters, a few blocks from the famed boulevard, people were sitting in Paris cafes, drinking cocktails and chatting.
Amid the melee, President Emmanuel Macron remained invisible and silent, as he has for the four weeks of a movement that started as a protest against a gas tax hike and metamorphosed into a rebellion against high taxes and eroding living standards.
The mayor of the city of Saint-Etienne, a town in southeast France hit by violence Saturday, castigated Macron for failing to speak out, saying it "feeds the resentment."
"This silence becomes contempt for the nation," the mayor, Gael Perdriau, of the opposition conservative party, said on BFMTV. "He has a direct responsibility in what is happening. He can't remain closed up in the Elysee."
France's yellow vest protesters have political stances...

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