The Mashup: Serco ‘kicked for touch’ and Trump’s hair raising comments

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Serco and Trump – two of the most controversial stories of the week, and the two topics top of mind for the Mashup this week.

This week, the outgoing corrections minister Sam Lotu-liga announced the prison operator’s 10-year $300 million contract to run Mount Eden Corrections Facility four years early has been cancelled.

Concerns about the prison were brought to light earlier in the year after there were revelations of “fight clubs” operating at Mount Eden.

The day before the announcement was made, however, Judith Collins – the minister who was behind giving Serco the contract – was given the Corrections portfolio.

It did not take long for Ms Collins to jump back into the limelight.

“The prime minister has realised as of late, Judith Collins has made one or two comments from the sideline interfering in other issues,” one Mashup member says.

Ms Collins hinted last week the public should ‘watch this space’ in terms of the contentious melanoma treatment drug Pembrolizumab.

But health minister Jonathan Coleman later announced the government will not be funding the drug.

“I think she has just stuck her head above the parapet and I think there is an element of ‘hey you better let me back in the club or I can make things difficult,’” the Mashup member continued.

Another political figure who has stuck their head above the parapet this week was – no points for guessing this one – Donald Trump.  

After a raft of markedly contentious comments this week, Mr Trump has become public enemy number one on social media.

Politicians for across the board came out of the woodwork to condemn Mr Trump’s comments.  

Despite Twitter exploding and a petition seeking to ban him for entry in the UK getting more than half a million signatures, Mr Trump is still polling highly in the US.

But a new NBC News and Wall Street Journal poll reveals more Republicans favour his proposal to ban all Muslims from entering the US than oppose it.

“One poll does not an election make, but this is a disturbing bit of news,” on Mashup member says.

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