By: Larry Williams | Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Civil Detention Orders

The Government is looking at civil detention orders.

They would be used on the worst criminals when they are due to be released. Criminals who would likely offend again.

The High Court would have to make the order.

The CDO's have come in for some criticism and there are human rights issues but at the end of the day something has to be done to stop the very worst types of criminals coming out of prison only to re-offend.

Perhaps they should have been sentenced to preventive detention in the first place.

Asylum Seekers

There's a bunch of Chinese asylum seekers heading our way.

They have stopped off in Darwin to stock up and re-fuel. The group of 10 from Falun Gong are escaping persecution in China and say they have UN refugee status.

This is all pretty doubtful and is being seen more as a publicity stunt.

Easter road toll

No fatalities on the road over the Easter weekend.

It’s the first holiday weekend on record with no deaths from road crashes.

This is an excellent result. Clogged up roads and congestion has its benefits.

Paid parental leave

Labour want to extend paid parental leave to 6 months immediately but the plan is to increase it to 12 months.

No doubt this will be part of Labour's policy at the next election because it’s not going to happen before then.

It’s simply unaffordable right now.

It would cost an extra $150m of borrowed money for the 6 month policy.

Unrealistic.

Whanau Gatherings

$6 million has been spent on food, chefs and travel for family gatherings under the Government 'whanau innovation fund".

Stuff like hui would finalise ‘spiritual balance' and 'family development'.

When we get rid of this sort of taxpayer leakage based on race the country might, just might, progress.

Mugabe

Reports that Robert Mugabe is being treated fro cancer in Singapore.

Not sure too many will be concerned about this - indeed, I think there will be some joy that the end looks near.

Sport over the Easter weekend

The Masters was dramatic. It was just the best sporting finish you could ever see.

Louis Oosthuizen and Bubba Watson head to head in the play-off.

Bubba simply the most unusual creative game you could imagine won on the second play off hole.

The Warriors were again woeful. They have real problems. The new coach doesn't look like he can get them out of their losing streak.

The Blues go down to the Rebels. It really does look to be terminal for the Blues.

The Highlanders got dished up a lesson by the Stormers. The Stormers surely the best team in the Super 15.

The Crusaders got dealt to by the Bulls. The complaint of eye gouging against the Crusaders was clearly dodgy.

The Phoenix fought bravely against Perth but dip out in extra time.

The Breakers were in the zone against the Crocs and go into the finals. Great stuff.

Alison Shanks winning gold at the World Cycling Champs - was simply fantastic.