David Farrar is very angry that a political party is unilaterally trying to game electoral law for its own benefit. It's good to see him being so critical of National's behaviour with respect to the reform of MMP.
Read MoreSimon Power
Stop wasting our time
The National Government isn't going to bother even thinking about the Electoral Commission's recommendations to reform MMP. I wish that they'd told us this was the plan before we spent our time and effort engaging with the issue.
Read MoreIn praise of Judith Collins
My last post of 2012 said some mean things about Judith Collins. Let me make amends by starting 2013 with some nice words.
Read MoreCrusher Collins turns her vice on Power & Binnie
Justice Minister Judith Collins' silence on why she had sought a second opinion on the Bain compensation was prompting speculation she was shopping for a verdict. But who knew she's respond like this?
Read MoreIt's called covering your backside
David Bain's claim for compensation is starting to look more and more like Charlie Brown's attempt to kick the football.
Read MoreThe injustice in Simon Power's last stand
National wants to deny prisoners the right to any compensation whilst behind bars, but a shameful attack in 1993 raises questions about the messages such a law sends
Read MoreIs this really how we have to remember Simon Power?
If torturing a prisoner will lead to more money for victims of crime, then isn't that a good thing to have happen?
Read MoreBank Robbery deja vu
In 2008, a depressed man robbed a bank – not for the money but so the judge would send him to prison. He got no help in prison and three years later he did it again. Is it time for an inquiry into our judicial system?
Read MoreWhen is being tough on crime too tough?
Prisons are not the Tardis - when they fill up, then what do we do? We have to start letting people go.
Read MoreKiddies in Court
The Minister of Justice moved swiftly to change the rules on legal aid eligibility following Dame Margaret Bazley's report, but quick-as-a-flash, nothing's been done on her recommendation that creches be set up for kiddies in courts
Read MoreEnough Already - The Rozzers' Powers Need Curbing
The Police have more than enough laws to fight crime, it's just that they're not using them effectively. The two old parties - National and Labour - can just stop giving them more legislation. When did you ever hear the Rozzers say, "Thank you very much, we have enough power now."?
Read More2010: A political year of half-measures
The government ended the year on the political mountain top thanks to a lot of luck and bucket full of caution... And my belated pick for minister of the year
Read MoreAin't the new sound just like the old sound?
The Electoral Finance Act is dead. Long live the Electoral Finance Act.
Read MoreJ'accuse
The National and Act Party members of the Law and Order select committee not only have no regard for basic individual rights, but they want to give William Bell, Graeme Burton and Clayton Weatherston the vote. They are not only moral pygmies, but they are really, really dumb.
Read MoreSoftware: to patent or not to patent?
The government's decision to change the patent law regarding software has got techies and lawyers up in arms. It's out of kilter internationally and raises questions about the select committee process
Read MoreJohn Key to announce the election date soon - I hope
New Zealand should fix its election date in law. Otherwise, John Key needs to tell us when the 2011 election will be held ... and soon.
Read MoreWill National take a bullet for gun control?
The government's announcement of tougher penalties for knife crimes is a preamble to the bigger, harder issue – gun control. Will it have the courage to tackle our gun culture in this political climate? And what about online sales?
Read MoreWhen you ain't got nothing, you've got nothing to lose
David Bain has filed a claim for compensation with the Minister of Justice. He'll be damn lucky to get it.
Read MoreHow to run a referendum
The question and process for the 2011 referendum on MMP have been announced. It's all good.
Read MoreMMP referendum -- Power levels the playing field
MMP could have been overwhelmed by nay-sayers, but Simon Power's process will make for a fairer referendum, mimicing Jim Bolger in the 1990s
Read More