To Jacinda

Helen has been to see the mess that's happening during Question Time in 2024, but you're probably too busy.

It's surreal. The whole vibe is real high-security: there's cops in the galleries, and often secret service guys as well. Brownlee is strikingly partisan, and very much a party man.

Combined with the new security uniforms, it's a bit of a darkest timeline feel, and the lackluster answers of the ministers aren't all that rousing. Our theatrics are limited: it seems that the new administration doesn't want us to be in their eye line, and Gary reckons that he'd find it too triggering. -

Parliament is more informal, though. Regular absences at Question Time, particularly from the Greens. I'd say that the shock of Efeso's death humanised the process, but that this increased informality is also leading to increasingly 'robust' debate. -

On a personal level, I think that the coalition's approach to transparency is a serious danger to our democratic process. I mean, why bother submitting if they're just going to implement their agenda under urgency?

Or lie about having received advice?

I think we, the left, need to reconsider the role of the executive. Though it's not as sexy as tax cuts, I think that it's an area where TPM and the Greens could lead, with Labour giving some support (while protecting themselves by offering incremental versions).

-

And what about AMPP, you ask? Well, no members as of yet. Amber considered it, but works for the courts and wanted to remain politically neutral. Gary's keen on the idea, but in an advisory role.