In this episode of Solid Ground, Simon critiques media bias in reporting hate crimes, especially related to recent arson attacks on Christian churches. He also discusses the double standards in political activism within sports, where some messages are endorsed and others are censored. Simon also calls out the Green Party tax policies and the Maori Party’s inability to submit financial statements for over two years.
On this episode of Solid Ground, Simon addresses the tragic fire at St. Mary’s Church in Auckland, suspected to be arson, and discusses the double standards in media reporting on hate crimes involving churches compared to other places of worship or significance.
- Church Fire in Auckland: Simon discusses the recent fire at St. Mary’s Church in Avondale, believed to be arson. He emphasises the lack of media coverage on such incidents compared to hate crimes involving other religious sites, pointing out the inconsistency and bias in media reporting.
- Green MP and Historical Monuments: Simon criticises Green MP Tamatha Paul’s calls to remove colonial monuments, predicting it could lead to more extreme measures like the desecration of Christian graveyards and potentially discriminating against people deemed as colonial. He clarifies that while there is no evidence linking Paul directly to recent graveyard desecrations, the underlying ideology has parallels.
- Maori Party’s Financial Accountability: Simon critiques the Maori Party’s failure to submit financial reports for two years, calling it either an act of hiding information or sheer arrogance.
- Misleading Tax Statements by the Greens: Simon disputes Green MP Chloe Swarbrick’s assertion that single mothers working multiple jobs pay more tax than millionaires. He explains the tax structure and the benefits of ‘Working for Families,’ which likely make Swarbrick’s claims false and likely knowingly so.
- Double Standards in New Zealand Sports: Simon points out the continuing hypocrisy in how political expressions are treated in sports. He references a Black Ferns’ player placing a ‘land back’ message on their hand with little consequence, and reminds viewers of what happened to the likes of Israel and Maria Folau.
