Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: How hard is it for Labour to check their texts?

So I don't know what's worse, the fact that Willow Jean Prime is a lazy, disinterested waste of space in Labour's team, or the fact that Labour's been busted almost lying about this. So let me get you across what happened, and you can decide for yourself. 

In March, Willow Jean Prime took over the Labour Party education portfolio from Jan Tonetti, and her National Party counterpart, Erika Stanford, sent her a text to say congrats and I need to get you up to speed with the NCEA change process. It would be good if we could meet first and I can run you through where we're at. There is a policy advisory group of principals who are working on the details. You can have access to them as well as my officials and also NZQA. 

Willow Jean does not bother to reply. 

Two months later in May, Erica's office sends an email saying, basically, haven't heard from Willow Jean, would like to ensure cross-party engagement can continue. Can we set up a meeting? 

Willow Jean doesn't bother to reply. 

A month later in mid-Junne, Erica personally writes again, Willow Jean, yeah, you know, doesn't bother to reply. Next month, July, Erica then goes up a level and writes to Chippy. He doesn't reply either, but then the next day Willow Jean finally does reply, and she says she declines your invitation. 

Fast forward now to the 25th of July and suddenly Willow Jean writes to Erica wanting to meet because she's read in the Herald that the NCEA changes are coming soon. Erica writes back, basically says to her, mate, you missed your chance, we have already made the decisions. 

Chippy, meanwhile, complains publicly that the government, AKA Erika Stanford, hasn't been consulting with him and Willow Jean on the NCEA changes. 

So, tell me now, having heard that, what do you think is worse? That Willow Jean can't be bothered doing her job properly, or that Chippy has an amazing ability to lie with a smile? 

Now, here are the key learnings from this incident. 

Willow Jean is not a serious, hardworking, or clever person, and it is not ready to be a minister. Chris Hipkins is not as honest as his lovely smiling face would make you think. Labour is thin on the ground for talent if Willow Jean Prime is #8 in their party, and don't mess with Erica because she will pull a beautiful hit job on you, which is exactly what's happened here. 

But also, Labour are just rude and unprofessional. It doesn't kill you to reply to a message. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Heather duplicy Ellen. So I don't know what's worse the
fact that Willow Gene Prime is a lazy and disinterested
waste of space and Labour's team, or the fact that
Labour's been busted almost lying about this. So let me
get you across what happened. You can decide for yourself.
In March, Willow Gene Prime took over the Labor Party
Education portfolio from jan Toinetti and her National Party counterpart

(00:20):
Erica Stanford, sent her a text to say congrats and
also need to get you up to speed with the
NCEEA change process. Would be good if we could meet
first and I can run you through where we're at.
There is a policy advisory group of principles who are
working on the details. You can have access to them
as well as my officials and also NZQA. Willo Gene
does not bother to reply. Two months later, in May,

(00:42):
Erica's offer sends an email saying basically, haven't heard from
Willow Gene. Would like to ensure cross party engagement can continue.
Can we set up a meeting? Willow Gene doesn't bother
to reply. A month later, in mid June, Erica personally
writes again Willow Gene, Yeah, you know, doesn't bother to reply.
Next month July, Erica then goes up a level and
writes to Chippy. He doesn't reply either, but then the

(01:04):
next day Willowjene finally does reply, and she says she
declines your invitation. Fast forward now to the twenty fifth
of July, and suddenly Willow Jane writes to Erica wanting
to meet because she's read in the Herald that the
NCAEA changes are coming soon. Erica writes back basically says
to her, make you, mister chance, we have already made
the decisions. Chippy meanwhile complains publicly that the government aka

(01:26):
Erica Stanford hasn't been consulting with him and Willow Jane
on the NCAEA changes. So tell me now, having heard that,
what do you think is worse? That Willow Jane can't
be bothered doing her job properly, or that Chippy has
an amazing ability to lie with a smile. Now Here
are the key learnings from this incident. Willow Jane is
not a serious, hard working or clever person, and it

(01:48):
is not ready to be a minister. Chris Hipkins is
not as honest as his lovely smiling face would make
you think Labour is thin on the ground for talent
if Willow Gene Prime is number eight in their party,
and don't mess with Eric because she will pull a
beautiful hit job on you, which is exactly what's happened here.
But also, labor are just rude and unprofessional. It doesn't
kill you to reply to a message. For more from

(02:09):
Heather Duplessy Allen Drive, listen live to news talks. It'd
be from four pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.