The Star: August 01, 2019

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The Star Thursday August 1 2019 PAID CONTENT 12 news online a Bewilderment over Protests in Hong Kong Protests in Hong Kong have recently drawn media attention including some local newspapers. Strangely, most international media coverage has only stressed support for protestors. As I believe serious news should recount in a comprehensive and faithful manner, more facts would be in great need. The trigger for the protests was on the surface the decision by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to amend extradition law to facilitate cooperation with mainland China as well as regions of Taiwan and Macao. Critics claimed that the amended law will harm Hong Kong’s judicial independence and dissidents may be targeted. It is ironic as HKSAR has already signed extradition treaties with more than 20 countries including New Zealand aiming to jointly combat crimes without posing any threat to judicial independence of HKSAR, why has the same arrangement with mainland China become unacceptable? The intention to amend extradition law is to further close judicial loopholes. Not long ago, a young man from Hong Kong killed his pregnant girlfriend in Taiwan and fled back. Absence of extradition arrangements between the two regions has rendered police of either side powerless in handling the case. The HKSAR authorities therefore were determined to put an end to such situations as they believe Hong Kong should not be a safe haven for criminals. Second, the amended extradition law is only concerning criminal acts and none of its 46 clauses which I have read through myself has anything to do with politics. Actually none of the 37 crimes listed in the amended law is related to freedom of speech or rally, and only criminal acts decided by judicial systems of both Hong Kong and the mainland China could be subject to extradition. Regrettably, few media reports have disclosed specific contents of the law or singled out and elaborated on which clause makes dissidents vulnerable to so-called persecution. Third, the extent of violence of demonstrations has crossed the line. After taking over and sabotaging legislative council, protestors have recently attacked the Central Government Offices in Hong Kong, causing casualties of civilians and police. It is not hard to imagine how police would react to such riots in other democratic societies like the US or Europe, and how the rioters occupying and demolishing parliaments would be treated. Media is assumed to be objective. But the reality made me totally bewildered. While Pro-Brexit and anti-Brexit demonstrations took place in the UK, both sides have been equally represented in public media. However, when more than 800 thousand Hong Kong citizens have signed up in support of the amendment of extradition law and there were large-scale demonstrations advocating restoration of law and order, such reasonable but less sensational voices seemed out of international media radar. Why has only one version of the story been told? It is hoped media could find more facts for readers. (Author: WANG Zhijian, Chinese Consul General in Christchurch) This advertorial is paid for by the Chinese Consulate RATEPAYER SUBSIDISED CHILDCARE DEBATE The Star asked city councillors what they thought of the childcare policy Mayor Lianne Dalziel did not respond. Deputy Mayor Andrew Turner – I am broadly in favour of the childcare policy, although will clearly be interested in the detail of the paper when it is presented to council. I am supportive of initiatives which allow the pool and diversity of people standing for elected positions to be broadened, and would see this as such an initiative or policy. This is relevant to both council and community board elected positions, so my position on both would be the same. Councillors Sara Templeton – I’m generally in favour of proposals that encourage a wider diversity of representation in decision making for the city as it enhances the decisionmaking that is done across the city and that benefits everyone. This proposal has come from smaller district councils that are not paid much and makes sense in those areas. We haven’t seen the proposal or report yet, but I’m hoping that it separates out council and community boards, as council is well paid and I don’t believe we need to have the allowance. It is also important to note that it is only a contribution towards the costs, not designed to cover them completely. I’d also expect and councillors who might be eligible to apply for it, to declare a conflict and not vote as they have in other districts. Vicki Buck – I am in favour of this so that local government is as inclusive as possible. James Gough – I am not supportive of childcare funding being paid for by rates. I am open-minded to a primary caregiver being eligible for a childcare subsidy as it is important to attract high-quality candidates to represent their communities, irrespective of what stage in life they might be in, however, I am not supportive of this potential provision being paid for out of rates. I would have to see the report along with its financial implications on ratepayers before I could determine how I would vote. David East – I will vote in favour if it applies to community board members. Community board members quite often have other employment and juggle time, take time off for community board meetings and are paid significantly lower than councillors. Mike Davidson – I have not received the detail of this policy or a report from council staff, so I cannot comment on how I would vote. On the face of it, I believe that councillors should not receive a childcare allowance given the remuneration they are already on. Deon Swiggs – Yes this has caused some interesting debate on both sides. I support things that remove barriers and encourage a wider diversity of representation in local government. Across the whole country only six per cent of people are under 40 years and this is not good for representation. Wider representation enhances the decision-making that is done across the city and that benefits everyone. If we keep doing the same we will keep getting the same. This proposal around childcare has come from smaller, more rural councils that are not paid much and to me makes sense in those areas. Councillors haven’t seen the report yet which outlines the proposal but I’m hoping that it separates out councillors and community board members, as previously mentioned I don’t support this for councillors due to our role being full-time with adequate remuneration. But for the smaller community boards where, for example, Banks Peninsula remuneration is very poor I am in general support if we can find a rates-neutral way to adopt it. But I haven’t seen the report yet so am still openminded going into the meeting. Pauline Cotter – Although I am very supportive of any initiatives that assist parents to continue working should they wish, to date we have not received the report which will inform me of details, costs and options. Nor would I pre determine my vote as we must listen to and be guided by debate on the day. Jimmy Chen – I have not yet received the childcare policy and the relevant information from the council staff, so I cannot answer your questions at the moment. Yani Johanson – I don’t support this being extended to councillors. We are well paid and I don’t expect the ratepayers to pay for my childcare costs additional to the remuneration that we already get paid. From my time on the community board and council, the meetings are scheduled in consultation with elected members to ensure that things like childcare commitments can be accommodated as best as possible to minimise the difficulties for those with children. I welcome that continuing. Aaron Keown – It would take a lot to convince me that we would need it. I’m leaning towards no, I can’t see any reason that ratepayers should be paying for a councillors childcare when we are on good salaries. Raf Manji – I haven’t seen the proposed policy proposal, so can’t have a position on it. In general, I think childcare is clearly an issue that needs discussion but probably more for smaller councils, where the pay is much lower, yet time requirements still high. I wouldn’t see it as a pressing issue for Christchurch City Council, where the base pay is $100k. Tim Scandrett – I’ll be voting against councillors as I believe we are paid enough to cover this. As for community board members, at this stage, I am probably leaning against this but am open to listening to arguments. I understand this issue was brought up in smaller areas which have lower pay scales and therefore agree that in some areas then yes, there should be childcare. Councillors Glenn Livingstone, Phil Clearwater and Anne Galloway did not respond.
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The Star: August 01, 2019

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