Health Minister David Clark demoted after driving 20km to beach, breaking lockdown rules...What do YOU say???
Health Minister David Clark has been demoted after driving his family 20km to a beach to go for a walk in the first weekend of the lockdown - a breach that the Prime Minister says he would normally be sacked for. "At a time when we are asking New Zealanders to make historic sacrifices I've let the team down. I've been an idiot," Clark said in a statement this morning. Jacinda Ardern said he would be demoted to the bottom of the Cabinet rankings and stripped of his Associate Finance portfolio. Clark, who offered his resignation, sounded forlorn as he started a round of media calls this morning, saying he felt "like a complete dick to be honest". And speaking to Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking, Clark said he "wasn't thinking" when he drove to the beach with his family. His wife had asked him if it was within the rules, and he had decided to go because the family would still be within its household bubble. "I make no excuses for it, Mike. I got it wrong," Clark told Hosking. "I've made a fool of myself. I need to be really clear on that and apologise to New Zealanders." He said the Health Minister in the middle of a global pandemic was an incredibly important role, and he had a long way to go to rebuild the trust of New Zealanders. Clark has already come under fire for driving about 2km last week to go for a mountain bike ride.
Ardern said: "Under normal conditions I would sack the Minister of Health. What he did was wrong, and there are no excuses. "But right now, my priority is our collective fight against Covid-19. We cannot afford massive disruption in the health sector or to our response. For that reason, and that reason alone, Dr Clark will maintain his role." But Ardern said he would pay a price for breaking the rules. "While he maintains his Health portfolio, I am stripping him of his role as Associate Finance Minister and demoting him to the bottom of our Cabinet rankings.
"I expect better, and so does New Zealand."
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Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? ๐ป๐จ๐
In the Post's article on speeding penalties, the question is asked whether speeding fines are truly about road safety, or are they just a way to boost revenue for the Crown?
What do you think? Should speeding motorists receive speeding fines or demerit points?
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36.5% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
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63.5% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
๐ Riddle me this, legends! ๐
He/She who makes it, sells it.
He/She who buys it, doesn't use it.
The user doesn't know they are using it.
What is it?
(Shezz from Ngฤruawฤhia kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Shezz!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
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Scam Alert: Bank cold calls
ASB is warning customers about reports of cold calls from scammers claiming to be from ASB. These scammers are trying to obtain personal information, including usernames, dates of birth, and verification codes sent to your mobile phone.
๐ก๏ธ The "Caller Check" Test
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and youโre unsure, just ask them for a Caller Check. You will then be able to verify the call through the app.
Remember, banks will:โโ
โ Never ask for your banking passwords, PINs, or verification codesโโ
โ Never need to know your full credit card number โ especially the CVC
โ Never ask you to download software or remotely access your deviceโโ
โ Never ask you to purchase gift cards or transfer funds.
If you have received a phone call and think your account has been compromised, call ASB on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or visit your local branch.
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