Social democracy meets social networking
NATS CAN'T ANSWER QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO PACIFIC PEOPLE
Today I asked a very simple question to the Minister of Education - unfortunately/ fortunately (?) she wasn't here so the question was answered by Bill English. They really have no answers to questions pertaining to Pacific and so I got another pitiful attempt at a response (refer to my Question to Paula Bennett for 'part 1' of pitiful responses to questions pertaining to Pacific people).
The Question was:
CARMEL SEPULONI: Does the Minister consider Māori or Samoan language courses, such as those run at Wellington High School, to be hobby courses or to be courses that improve literacy skills?
The Answer was
Hon BILL ENGLISH: As I have said, the Government will be spending $124 million on adult and community education over the next 4 years, and anyone who is offering a course will have the opportunity, under processes set up by the previous Government, to get it funded.
Maryan Street then raised a point of order:
HON MARYAN STREET: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. That was hardly an answer to the question my colleague asked, which was about Māori and Samoan language classes being considered to be hobby courses or to contribute to literacy skills. Does the Minister have a definition of hobby courses?
The Speaker rules:
Mr SPEAKER: As I heard the answer, the Minister acknowledged that organisations that are running these kinds of courses will apply for funding for the courses to continue. The impression I got from the answer was that the Minister cannot predetermine which courses will be funded. I do not believe that a further, more precise answer to that question can be given at this stage.
OBVIOUSLY TALKING TO A NAT IS LIKE TALKING TO A BRICK WALL!
The Question was:
CARMEL SEPULONI: Does the Minister consider Māori or Samoan language courses, such as those run at Wellington High School, to be hobby courses or to be courses that improve literacy skills?
The Answer was
Hon BILL ENGLISH: As I have said, the Government will be spending $124 million on adult and community education over the next 4 years, and anyone who is offering a course will have the opportunity, under processes set up by the previous Government, to get it funded.
Maryan Street then raised a point of order:
HON MARYAN STREET: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. That was hardly an answer to the question my colleague asked, which was about Māori and Samoan language classes being considered to be hobby courses or to contribute to literacy skills. Does the Minister have a definition of hobby courses?
The Speaker rules:
Mr SPEAKER: As I heard the answer, the Minister acknowledged that organisations that are running these kinds of courses will apply for funding for the courses to continue. The impression I got from the answer was that the Minister cannot predetermine which courses will be funded. I do not believe that a further, more precise answer to that question can be given at this stage.
OBVIOUSLY TALKING TO A NAT IS LIKE TALKING TO A BRICK WALL!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Kingi on -
I saw that exchange in the house Carmel! I suppose what we can glean from their pitiful answer is that they don't give a rats behind about Maori or Samoan or any other sort of minority language, but rather than being too blatant about their inherent disregard for Maori and Pacific cultures, they instead say, "well they can apply like everyone else to get the funding". Its a load of bull. Where's another by-election to humble them again when you need it? I say Auckland Central, Maungakiekie or New Plymouth would be good places to start....
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Permalink Reply by Patrick Anderson on
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I found the way that John Key pandered to 'socially conservative' Pacific Islanders in the run-up to the election particularly nauseating. I think that Mr Key values votes but not the people casting them.
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Permalink Reply by Carmel Sepuloni on -
I agree with you entirely Partick. Watching John Key traipse through the Southern Cross Campus School (in Mangere) with Iga and Michael Jones in tow during his 2008 campaign, was infuriating given that anyone who knows the history of the National Party and Pacific people, would know that they don't have a history of supporting Pacific communities. They've proven that nothing has changed on that front by ignoring Pacific people completely in the budget!
Patrick Anderson said:I found the way that John Key pandered to 'socially conservative' Pacific Islanders in the run-up to the election particularly nauseating. I think that Mr Key values votes but not the people casting them.
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Permalink Reply by Carmel Sepuloni on
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You're right - they have absolutely no understanding of things involving Maori and Pacific and have no desire to learn. Their default position for Maori now, is the Maori Party (and their level of influence is questionable) - but there is no default position for Pacific (Sam Lotu Iiga obviously hasn't stood up for Pacific people, during his caucus meetings - or he's been completely ignored....either/ or - there is no one advocating for Pacific).
John Kingi said:I saw that exchange in the house Carmel! I suppose what we can glean from their pitiful answer is that they don't give a rats behind about Maori or Samoan or any other sort of minority language, but rather than being too blatant about their inherent disregard for Maori and Pacific cultures, they instead say, "well they can apply like everyone else to get the funding". Its a load of bull. Where's another by-election to humble them again when you need it? I say Auckland Central, Maungakiekie or New Plymouth would be good places to start....
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