The Auditor General has found that Murray McCully (and the rest of his National Party cabinet colleagues) are not corrupt criminals. They just entered into a deal with a Saudi businessman without really knowing why, what that deal would do, or the basis for giving him some $11 million or our money.
Read Morecorruption
On the socially contextual nature of treating voters
Meng Foon's giving $20 to a long-time acquaintance is about respect, not corruption.
Read More"Power does not corrupt men; fools, however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power"
The only reason that makes any sense for giving a Saudi sheep breeder an $11 million farm is because we thought it might buy us a Free Trade Agreement with his country. It's a good thing that we're not a corrupt nation, isn't it?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday July 30
US and EU to impose strict sanctions on Russia; China's former domestic security chief investigated for corruption; military exercises over East China Sea cause flight delays and cancelations; Hamid Karzai's cousin killed in Kabul suicide bombing; Argentina close to defaulting on loan; and more
Read MoreMaybe it was a bottle of Armand de Brignac Nebuchadnezzar Champagne ...
Donghua Liu's alleged donations to Labour need more scrutiny. But the Police won't be the ones to do it.
Read MoreConfessions of a crack-smoking mayor
Toronto's Rob Ford takes the cake - well in his case the rock - in current mayoral scandals following his blubbering confession that while he has smoked crack cocaine while hammered, he's still by far the best person to run the city. Really?
Read MoreTo the last I grapple with thee; from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee
A certain blogger whose name need not be mentioned in polite company may have wounded Auckland's mayor. But "retired accountant" (amongst other things) Graham McCready has sunk a pretty big harpoon into the side of John Banks. Now, can he wriggle off it?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday August 27
British and US militaries prepare for strikes on Syria; tens of thousands protest corruption in the Philippines; US to sell eight Apache helicopters to Indonesia; Karzai asks Pakistan for help in peace process; CIA helped Saddam Hussein in chemical attacks on Iran; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday June 18
Interim Egyptian cabinet of 34 sworn in; South Korea asks to postpone plan to take operational control of troops; China rejects claims is it singling out foreign companies after making public details of alleged corruption by GlaxoSmithKline; South Africans prepare to celebrate Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday; US-Russia relationship would not be harmed if Snowden granted asylum in Russia, says Putin
Read MoreHow much is that MP in the window?
Sue Kedgley worries that there is nothing to stop our MPs selling themselves to the highest bidder. There is - so they'll have to do it quietly.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday May 14
Nawaz Sharif looks set to lead Pakistan; US and South Korea conduct joint naval exercise, provoke North Korea; Chinese authorities investigate corruption charges against top economic planning official; Taliban to release Turkish hostages; Cameron and Obama to meet; and more
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday November 7
Businessman at centre of Bo Xilai scandal had spy links, says Wall Street Journal; US and Japan begin military drill; Putin fires defense minister over corruption allegations; South African police may have tampered with evidence after deadly mining protest; and more
Read MoreJohn Banks - not unlawful, just incompetent
John Banks didn't breach the Local Electoral Act, because he doesn't bother reading the legal declarations that get put in front of him. It's lucky he doesn't have an important job or anything ... .
Read MoreWhat is necessary is never unwise ... is it?
Worst. Defence. Ever.
Philip Field is trying to clear his name by arguing that while he acted corruptly, being a corrupt MP isn't against the law.
Read MoreAuckland CCO appointments - an invitation to corrupt
Rodney Hide's recent appointments ensure the new CCOs will be wide open to suspicions of corruption, justified or not
Read MoreWhat price democracy? Ask the brave Afghans
To understand the Aghan election we will need to re-think our idea of success
Read MoreParliament: No longer virgin, but not yet a whore
Taito Phillip Field's conviction on corruption charges marks a low point for our Parliament. But if that is as low as it goes, it's still not doing all that bad
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