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Ardern’s Rhetoric Versus Her Delivery

The BFD. Year of Delivery cartoon credit: SonovaMin

For the next few days, I will remind the Prime Minister that we have long memories. It is only when you explore her hyperbole that you realise how much of her rhetoric was outright posturing rather than delivery. I will expose three examples a day. There is a huge volume of material.

Rhetoric:

“This government aspires for this to be a country where all are accepted, no matter who they are, where they come from”. “All who live in this country are entitled to respect and dignity; all are entitled to care and compassion. Everyone should have a roof over their head.”


Delivery:

Except for those who have “Chinese sounding names”. Your Government accused this demographic of NZ citizens of being responsible for the housing shortage through speculation, on the assumption they were offshore purchasers. This was found not only to be incorrect but highly offensive and was a deliberate race targeted criticism. The vast majority of those with “Chinese sounding names” were, in fact, found to be NZ citizens who apparently were not entitled to the “respect and dignity” promised by your Government, nor apparently, a roof over their heads!

Rhetoric:

“This government will act as a role model, showing leadership by requiring State-owned enterprises and other government organisations to pursue low-carbon options and technologies, including electric vehicles for all Government vehicle fleets.”


Delivery:

By March this year, there were just 82 electric vehicles in the 15,000-strong government fleet representing a 0.50% delivery against her promise. What role model, what leadership? Another load of bull.

Rhetoric:

“As pledged during the election campaign, any significant decisions on tax changes will not take effect until the 2021 tax year”. “This government will also give Auckland Council the ability to implement a regional fuel tax”.


Delivery:

A bulls-eye. The forked tongue of manipulation. Apparently no tax change of significance except for 1.5 million Aucklanders. Doublespeak at its best. The projects the tax was supposed to support were never delivered but the tax remains.

Plenty more to come over the next few days.

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