Economy versus CARING

Michèle questions how the powers that be place a value on life and safety

- MICHÈLE A'COURT Musings from our favourite Kiwi funnywoman

Maybe it's just me, but the world feels like a wacky old place right now. Not just in small ways – whole systems appear to have gone awry. Local, national and international news is brimming with enough absurdity to make Waiting for Godot feel as light as a rom-com.

To make matters worse, I've been listening to talkback radio. Not on purpose - callers with big opinions but little expertise are not my favourite. You get enough of that nonsense on social media and at family gatherings.

But my car was at my mechanic’s for its annual service and WOF, and the courtesy car is always tuned to talkback. It feels rude to twiddle about with a dial that’s not my own.

Which is how I heard what, out of the blue, sounded like a barking mad debate about our Government’s “shakeup” of New Zealand’s earthquake strengthening laws.