Posts Tagged ‘Parliament’

1. New iPads for MPs

   Published on Thursday, December 1st, 2011
   On arriving for their first day at Parliament yesterday, MPs were given a goodie bag with pen and notebook, iPad 2 and iPhone or Blackberry. The iPads were preloaded with key information new members could refer to during their induction programme.

   No doubt there will be some of the usual criticisms leveled at our public servants receiving anything more than the basic tools of the trade, but in reality, issuing iPads makes perfect sense and the substantial benefits will be shared by taxpayers in many different ways.

   While Danish and German parliaments have already announced their adoption of iPads, our own New Zealand Parliamentary Services are just as forward thinking and these modern tools of the trade have been sitting in Bowen House for some time ready for their new users.

   We’ve moved a long way from the desktop computer and mobile phone to a range of items that might include a laptop, smart phone and iPad.  Excessive for some, but basic essentials for others.  Schools too are making iPads essential, and while many may balk at the cost in comparison to some prior technology innovations, it isn’t as bad as we might think.

   Particularly when you bear in mind the cost of the ear-thumping stereo systems or the latest DVD player or flat screen TV – more expensive and probably a lot less essential and multi-purpose.  Even so, here’s hoping those prices continue to lower as these almost essential life tools become as commonplace as televisions and telephones.

   It’s all about the Personal Communication Mixology; the personal customisation of information, communication and technology tools and techniques we each adopt both consciously and unconsciously. This of course is influenced by individual access and ability combined with their learning and communication style.  It’s a complex space that communication specialists like Network are constantly exploring and working in on behalf of clients.

   For MPs, where the volume of reports and information around the house could probably keep a convoy of paper trucks busy, the ability to share and access information on a small device is an opportunity we would be mad to miss.

   But we know that the opportunity is far more than this.  It would therefore be fascinating to study the use of those two items provided in the goodie bags for each MP.  Perhaps someone will do this.  Meanwhile I love my iPad, iPhone and Macbook Pro which I liberally interchange depending on circumstances.  But I am also rarely without a pen and paper.

2. A Time for Self Reflection

   Published on Friday, September 23rd, 2011
   With Parliament set to rise in a couple of weeks ahead of November’s general election we are about to head into the valedictory speech season. The last ‘hurrah’ for those MPs that have decided not to stand for re-election.  This time around there will be 14 of them starting on 27th September with Green MP Sue Kedgley and finishing on October 5th with Simon Power.

   I strongly encourage you to catch as many of these speeches as you can. All will be streaming live on the Parliament website or on Sky TV.

   They will offer personal insights from our national leaders that we rarely see, regrettably due to the nature of the political game.

   Based on a very quick estimate there is more than 200 years of collective parliamentary service departing over the next few weeks. In anyone’s book that represents a phenomenal amount of parliament experience and insight into the machineries of government.

   There is no standard format for a valedictory speech other than conformance with the House standing orders. MPs are therefore free to dwell on their successes or otherwise and their musings on public life. Many with experience in the government benches reminisce about legislative triumphs, others who have spent their whole parliamentary career in the opposition benches will reflect on how they have tried to make New Zealand a better place. Some like to leave with a bang while others prefer to slip out quietly.

   The topics and tone, the highlights and lowlights will be fascinating to observe over the coming weeks.

3. Focusing on what’s worth it

   Published on Friday, June 5th, 2009
   There is nothing like a good whiff of alleged sexual impropriety to liberate the minds and pens of our parliamentary hacks, and titivate the masses.

   Regrettably in the early stages of such sagas there are always more questions than answers, and as our fledging Prime Minister has found no sooner is one curly questions or innuendo dispatched, than his answer has spawned a dozen more.

   It is not our intention to make light of the plight of the hapless and now ex-minister Worth, or those he’s alleged to have pressed his unwanted-ness upon, but there is one emerging aspect of this matter that deserves a quick squashing.

   Sadly when a feeding frenzy is on, anything and anyone associated with the target may appear fair game. This led to the media to seize upon Worth’s engagement of professional communications support as though this were another indiscretion.  The truth is when all hell has broken around you, that’s exactly when you need professional advice and support, including assistance in dealing with the media.

   So, to the media we would say, let’s keep things professional and focused on the real issues.

4. Who Would Want To Be In Politics!

   Published on Monday, March 23rd, 2009
   John Key has my admiration for the way he is publicly handling the issue of ‘retaining jobs’ for New Zealanders.

   Within weeks of leading from the front at the ‘jobs summit’ where he looked great urged employers to do all within their power to retain their workforce, he is now placed in the embarrassing position of defending the decision of TVNZ to make some 90 people redundant so that it can meet its required dividend payment to the Government.

   Getting his head around the key messages to talk about both situations publicly while not appearing hypocritical is no mean feat.

   My perception is that he is pulling it off, in part because he still comes across in public as being honest, earnest and facing up to the issues.

   When Parliament first reconvened, John started to develop a reputation among media for being a bit of a word and meaning ‘mangler’. He is no dominant, razor sharp Helen; or silken, motor-mouthed Michael.

   However, what John lacks in the way of a persuasive tongue is compensated for by his honesty, believability and his freshness.

   Conversely, Phil Goff struggles to make any cut through in the believability stakes because we have been seeing and hearing from him for 20 plus years. Try as he might, his theme that Labour ‘lost contact’ with ordinary New Zealanders and it is now on a journey of ‘reconnecting’ just does not make it in the credibility stakes.

   In the months ahead John’s challenge is to retain his believability as the nation becomes more exposed to him. It is a far easier challenge than the one facing Phil, which is to prevent himself becoming a stop gap leader before a new leader emerges 12 to 18 months ahead of the next election.