When China made its bid for the 2008 Olympics, Chinese authorities promised improvements in human rights. Since then, the harsh methods used to prepare the country and Beijing for the games have actually made things worse. Find out what's going on and and why we should stand up for the human dignity the games are supposed to represent.
Clark and Cosgrove must challenge Games web censorship
Currie must stop discouraging free speech for athletes
Pity the British Royal Family. A few centuries ago they could indulge their sexual peccadillos and eccentric pomposity in total privacy. Now what do we have? Tabloid journalists posing as footmen in Buckingham Palace.
The redeployment of the SAS to Afghanistan will again put New Zealand troops in the midst of the 'War on Terror'. Everyone from Amnesty to the UN has been having a go over the mistreatment of prisoners. How clean are New Zealand's hands on this issue?
The Government has sent SAS troops back to Afghanistan, to a war commentators frequently describe as ‘unwinnable’. Opinion polls in countries that are actively engaged in the war – such as Australia, Britain and Canada – show a majority in favour of withdrawing combat troops. Going into Afghanistan now in a combat role is akin to deciding to send troops to Vietnam in late 1974.
After a seven year wait, my Head of State Referenda Bill was finally pulled from the Member’s Ballot. This is my own private member’s bill. I hope to win enough support in Parliament to send it through for Select Committee consideration.