Australia and New Zealand budget days
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7:47 am, May 7th, 2018 - 23 comments
Categories: australian politics, Economy, economy, exports, labour, treasury -
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Isn’t it time we at least synchronized the New Zealand budget with the Australian budget?
The Australian budget is always launched on the second Tuesday of May each year.
The New Zealand budget will be launched on the second Thursday of May this year.
The Australian economy is an export-focused mixed market economy, just like New Zealand’s. Except theirs is worth $AUD$1.69 trillion.
We can reasonably acknowledge that by a long way it’s our most important international political and economic relationship. They do all of our heavy lifting in defence and immigration already, such that we are allowed to go off and emote endlessly about regional human rights because of the hard choices that only Australia has to make.
We have an economy about two thirds the size of Queensland.
Australia provides a level of at least 20% of stuff we import.
The New Zealand economy is worth in total about NZ$199 billion.
We are a minor part of the Australian economy, and that’s how everyone else views us.
The Prime Minister now has to make a joke about how we are actually missing off the coast of Australia on any major map. That’s the minor irony of how we rate. And it’s only ironic to us. To the rest, we’re a half-eaten lambchop.
Sure, let’s talk about our feelings and our moral superiority and our special differences, but in budgetary terms Tasmania and Western Australia have as many cultural and economic differences from each other, as we do to Australia.
In all but name we are a state of Australia.
And that’s without mentioning interbreeding. Clutch your pearls girls; Maori are Australia’s largest Polynesian ethnicity. Just like New Zealand.
We are both shifting from a manufacturing to a services economy at about the same time.
In historical terms we shifted from a super-strong state to a deregulated one in slightly faster time than they did, but thirty years on it pretty much washes up.
We said no to federation with Australia in 1901.
Even granted that, in all but name we are a branch office of Australia. 90% of our banking – including that of our own government – is owned by Australian banks. Where their interest rates go, we go.
$2 of every $5 we have in New Zealand is owned by Australia already.
Because of that straight fact of ownership, we pay tankerfulls of cash to Australia:
Beyond our banking system, in which Australia truly owns our ass
(read: owns our mortgages), Australia is far and away our biggest “foreign” owner.
Go right ahead and talk about our freedom and our nationhood and our indomitable tiny “can do” “number 8 Wire attitude”, but in reality we are a state of Australia already in all but name.
You can in fact talk about cultural identity and special uniqueness and Maori and 100% Pure if you like.
Or, just follow the money.
In the upcoming Australian budget, Australia will pay for massive date fibre line for Papua New Guinea and the Solomons.
Call it aid, call it colonization, call it do the right thing, call it the First By A Nose At Trehtham. It’s just an honest reflection of reality.
No one’s selling out or remaining ‘nationhood’, ‘manhood’, ‘ANZAC spirit’, or the Treaty of Waitangi. We’re both Westminster Commonwealth democracies under the same monarchy. We’re both reflexive liberal states. We are the same in all but minor inflected upward terminal diphthongs.
At minimum, all I’m suggesting, is we stop feigning ignorance of our real position to Australia. The New Zealand government should pick up the phone and have a conversation with the Australian Treasurer every budget time, and synchronize their budgets for the same day.
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- Raising speed limits will cost our communities
The Government’s move to disregard all evidence and increase speed limits will result in serious harm. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens stand in solidarity with Buller community
The Green Party stands in solidarity with the Buller community in its silent protest for better healthcare. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Proposed job losses devastating for Timaru
News that the Smithfield meatworks could close is devastating for the hundreds of people who work there, Timaru and the wider region. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Question mark over financial sustainability of Polytechs
The Government is taking tertiary education down a worrying path with new reporting finding that fourteen of the country’s sixteen polytechnics couldn’t survive on their own,” Labour’s tertiary education spokesperson Dr Deborah Russell says. ...2 weeks ago
- TPM issues warning to Govt: Back down or prepare for the wrath of the million Māori
Today the government announced a $30m cut to Te Ahu o Te Reo Māori- a programme that develops te reo Māori among our kaiako. “This announcement is just the latest in an onslaught of attacks on te iwi Māori,” said Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader Rawiri Waititi. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt set to break promise on Dunedin Hospital
The Green Party is calling on the Government to honour its promise to Dunedin and build its new hospital to full capacity. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Dunedin Hospital d-listed by Government
The non-announcement in Dunedin today had Ministers leaving broken promises and a likely severely diluted hospital build in their wake. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour welcomes UAE trade deal
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed today with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Hundreds more jobs cuts on housing frontline
The Government has shown its true intentions for the public service and economy – it’s not to get more public servants back to the office, it’s more job losses. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt not addressing health workforce crisis
The National Government is hiding the gaps in the health workforce from New Zealanders, by not producing a full workforce plan nearly a year into their tenure. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Government cuts fair pay for bus drivers
The Government has cut funding for bus drivers to get paid fairly for the work they do, Labour transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...2 weeks ago
- Crown Minerals Bill Advances Colonisation
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- Landlord govt finds new way to undermine public housing
Proposed cuts to Kāinga Ora reflect a failure to fully commit to fixing the housing crisis. ...2 weeks ago
- Crown should prove their rights to Foreshore & Seabed – Te Pāti Māori
Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Justice, Tākuta Ferris, has hit out at the Government, demanding the Crown prove its rights to the foreshore, following the Marine and Coastal Area Amendment Bill, passing its first reading. "Māori rights to the foreshore pre-exist the Declaration of Independence, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and ...2 weeks ago
- NZ must urgently help whanau in Lebanon
The Government must immediately help evacuate New Zealanders and Lebanese whanau caught up in the current conflict unfolding across south Lebanon. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Government will revoke oil and gas permits
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- Overseas investment changes to get New Zealand off the bench
Associate Finance Minister David Seymour says the Government has committed to action on overseas investment, where the country’s policy settings are the worst in the developed world and holding back wage growth. “Cabinet has agreed to the principles for reforming our overseas investment law. At the core of these principles ...8 hours ago - Luxon wraps up East Asia Summit
The annual East Asia Summit (EAS) held in Laos this week underscored the critical role that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plays in ensuring a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. "My first participation in an EAS has been a valuable opportunity to engage ...22 hours ago
- Feedback will improve health and safety system and grow the economy
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- Government releases more Fast-track detail
The Government has released the independent Advisory Group’s report on the 384 projects which applied to be listed in the Fast-track Approvals Bill, and further detail about the careful management of Ministers’ conflicts of interest, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says. Independent Advisory Group Report The full report has now been ...1 day ago
- Government releases plan for affordable electricity
The Government Policy Statement (GPS) on electricity clearly sets out the Government’s role in delivering affordable and secure electricity at internationally competitive prices, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand’s economic growth and prosperity relies on Kiwi households and businesses having access to affordable and secure electricity at internationally competitive prices. ...1 day ago
- Govt broadly accepts Royal Commission findings
The Government has broadly accepted the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care whilst continuing to consider and respond to its recommendations. “It is clear the Crown utterly failed thousands of brave New Zealanders. As a society and as the State we should have done better. ...1 day ago
- Brakes put on contractor and consultant spending
The brakes have been put on contractor and consultant spending and growth in the public service workforce, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “Workforce data released today shows spending on contractors and consultants fell by $274 million, or 13 per cent, across the public sector in the year to June 30. ...2 days ago
- Accounts confirm need for spending restraint
The Crown accounts for the 2023/24 year underscore the need for the Government’s ongoing efforts to restore discipline to public spending, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Financial Statements of the Government for the year ended 30 June 2024 were released today. They show net core Crown net debt at ...2 days ago
- Minister to co-chair carbon market negotiations at COP29
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will chair negotiations on carbon markets at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) alongside Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and Environment, Grace Fu. “Climate change is a global challenge, and it’s important for countries to be enabled to work together and support each other ...2 days ago
- Confirmation of Payee service to improve payment security
A new confirmation of payments system in the banking sector will make it safer for Kiwis making bank transactions, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “In my open letter to the banks in February, I outlined several of my expectations of the sector, including the introduction of a ...2 days ago
- Medicines access continues to increase
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour is pleased to see Pharmac continue to increase availability of medicines for Kiwis with the Government’s largest ever investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When our ...2 days ago
- Strengthening NZ’s emergency management system
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- Brighter days ahead for Kiwis
Today’s cut in the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 4.75 per cent is welcome news for families and businesses, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “Lower interest rates will provide much-needed relief for households and businesses, allowing families to keep more of their hard-earned money and increasing the opportunities for businesses ...3 days ago
- Sport NZ asked to update Transgender Inclusion Guiding Principles
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- Freshwater farm plan rollout set to be paused by end of year
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- New report shows improvements in air quality
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- New Zealand Climate Change Ambassador appointed
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- Plunket to help increase childhood vaccination rates
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- Holding careless builders accountable
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- Further action to tackle driver licence wait times
The Government is taking further action to tackle the unacceptable wait times facing people trying to sit their driver licence test by temporarily extending the amount of time people can drive on overseas licences from 12 months to 18 months, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The previous government removed fees for ...4 days ago
- Strengthened cyber security support for New Zealand businesses
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- Apprenticeship Boost targets key occupations
Investment in Apprenticeship Boost will prioritise critical industries and targeted occupations that are essential to addressing New Zealand’s skills shortages and rebuilding the economy, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston say. “By focusing Apprenticeship Boost on first-year apprentices in targeted occupations, ...4 days ago
- Funding boost to reduce wait times at Palmerston North ED
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has announced a funding boost for Palmerston North ED to reduce wait times and improve patient safety and care, as well as new national standards for moving acute patients through hospitals. “Wait times in emergency departments have deteriorated over the past six years and Palmerston ...4 days ago
- Funding boost to reduce wait times at Palmerston North ED
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has announced a funding boost for Palmerston North ED to reduce wait times and improve patient safety and care, as well as new national standards for moving acute patients through hospitals. “Wait times in emergency departments have deteriorated over the past six years and Palmerston ...4 days ago
- Significant investment for affordable housing with Waikato-Tainui
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- Unlocking the potential of ethnic businesses
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- New Zealand marks anniversary of 7 October
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters are renewing New Zealand’s calls for restraint and de-escalation, on the first anniversary of the 7 October terrorist attacks on Israel. “New Zealand was horrified by the monstrous actions of Hamas against Israel a year ago today,” Mr Luxon says. ...5 days ago
- Iwi-led and partnered projects among those referred for Fast Track approval
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- Fast-track to boost renewable electricity
The Fast-track Approvals Bill will list 22 renewable electricity projects with a combined capacity of 3 Gigawatts, which will help secure a clean, reliable and affordable supply of electricity across New Zealand, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Government has a goal of doubling New Zealand’s renewable electricity generation. The 22 ...6 days ago
- Fast-track to drive transport projects forward
The Government has enabled fast-track consenting for 29 critical road, rail, and port projects across New Zealand to deliver these priority projects faster and boost economic growth, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “New Zealand has an infrastructure deficit, and our Government is working to fix it. Delivering the transport infrastructure Kiwis ...6 days ago
- Fast-track projects released
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- Extra Government support for farmers and growers in Southland and parts of Otago
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson announced up to $50,000 in additional Government support for farmers and growers across Southland and parts of Otago as challenging spring weather conditions have been classified a medium-scale adverse event. “The relentless wet weather has been tough on farmers and ...1 week ago
- Government welcomes move to delay EU Deforestation Regulation
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay today welcomed a move by the European Commission to delay the implementation of the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by 12 months, describing the proposal as a pragmatic step that will provide much-needed certainty for New Zealand exporters and ensure over $200 million in ...1 week ago
- Response to Ministerial Inquiry into School Property
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- New Government support for residential construction market announced
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- Doubling road rehabilitation this summer to prevent potholes
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- Sir Jerry Mateparae appointed in Bougainville post-referendum moderator role
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Sure, we should leave a 3 month gap to allow time to consider retaliation carefully.
what is the advantage of the two nations releasing their budgets on the same day?
I can’t find one in the article
+111
Also doesn’t really make a good case that we’re a de facto state of Australia, either, just that Australia rents out a lot of our country back to us because we cancelled our own retirement investment scheme. You would need a lot more values commonality or governance commonality for that, and New Zealand essentially aligning its regulations with whatever Australia does on most major issues. That simply isn’t happening.
The choice of Budget date seems like small potatoes.
How about leaving it as it is and shortening the summer recess of Parliament??
A.
Queenslands parliament has a very easy time about their sitting dates
https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/sitting-dates/dates/2017
Mostly 3 days then a week off from Feb to Oct with a month off in April most of June ( plus one or two ‘ extended sittings ‘)
What actual benefit would doing this give us as a nation beyond apparently acknowledging “economic reality”?
Big hairy guy – a fair 6′ 2″ (and that’s just between the eyes) – is sitting just across me at the moment and anxiously clutching his pearls. Just saying there Ad 😉
🙂
Why dont we synchronise with Queensland then, mid June.
This idea of synchronising with Australia is batty
Why? We are a different nation. Who cares when Australia does what
Shit; John,
At the last census we had around 15% of our people possibly living in Australia at least part of the time!
So maybe we need to think who is leaving to settle in Australia part time at least for their retirement for better weather and sunshine, considering that’s what our past J Key PM has also done. (I am sure J key would approve of this idea; that I think is daft; – but;…….
What say you?
Can’t see this as a good move. We lose skills and development capability all so that everyone can start working in retail.
Which tells us that we need to ban offshore ownership. Not become even more beholden to another state.
So?
There is no reason to do so and you haven’t even attempted to make an argument to do so. All you’ve really stated is that we’re owned by Australia so we should just become Australians.
Just because previous Governments imagined open borders would help NZ, (Muldoon) and quote “It will raise the IQ’s of both nations.” Doesn’t mean it has!!
Australians own the 4 big banks, but Cullen separated their operations to have them come under NZ law, so has saved us from some predatory practices.
If we became part of Australia, we would fare worse than Tasmania IMO.
I talk to Australians often, and they find our pension and Kiwi saver superior for poorer and ordinary people, saying “to be well off in retirement one has to own a property which has to be leveraged to shares through a loan to increase wealth” I was told it can work or go very badly.
Further, we love the winter warmth and seeing all our family over there, son, brother and cousins. We find food shopping cheaper because of fierce competition, but then discovered the growers sometimes were offered below costs prices for their crops as the supermarkets tied them to contracts.
Granted, we often add an imaginary GST amount to our bill, (as there is no GST on whole foods) and marvel at the difference, 15% which allows us to eat out twice a week over there.
Remember though, their top rate of tax is 45%.
They also have an upper and lower house in parliament, plus each State has their own laws for just about everything, with over riding Federal Law as well.
Car Rego in QLD is about $680.00 for a moderate 4 seater.
They have Medicare, but it has been trimmed and Aussies now have to have Hospital insurance. Very American in many ways. Also Bill, each State has a budget, as well as the Federal one.
Australian GST is applied to supermarket prices at 10%, but they have exception for ‘basic food’ , ie vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, bread milk , basic canned goods
Your supermarket bill should show GST, so you dont need to guess. Just think 15% of the total – minus the GST shown on your bill.
Your claim of eating out twice a week on the 15% of supermarket bill , Im guessing $250 pw which 15% gives $ 37.50 for meals out for 2 twice a week. Maybe a pizza each ?
No, dukeofurl, we go to the pubs and clubs for their lunch or dinner special for pensioners. I should have said we afford one outing and the GST savings pays for the other) I didn’t express that very well sorry.
Pensioner specials are often 2 courses for $10.00. One pub had fish and chips for $7.50 .. mind you if you wanted two fish it was an extra $5.00. Coffee /Tea complimentary, and free entertainment as well. Twin Towns and the Pub in Coolangatta’s Ocean Plaza complex Gold Coast, plus the Bowls Club at Burliegh Heads All have Cheap Tuesday. Cheers.
We have Police Clearances, and joined a House sitting Club in Australia…Aussiehousesitters.com Have a look. Free accommodation for 2 to 12 weeks .You can do a profile online and apply for sits to mind homes and pets. We do this, as well as visit family, and pay for apartments shared with friends.
Bribie Island is lovely and going through Bribie Island Real Estate you can hire private units, apartments or beach houses, starting at $375 a week for two Queen bed 2 bath unit near the club and beach Shared with cleaning it is $210 per couple. Cheaper than most NZ camp grounds. (add on airfares of course, though as we go for 4 to 6 months each winter, it is a spread cost.. about $80 dollars a month.)
I realise we are lucky to have an established son and brother over there happy to have us stay should arrangements fall over. We have been doing this since we got the pension 11 years ago, and hope to go two or three more times. We might come home early IF I get a specialist appointment in October for my hip, but Dr. supports what we are doing while we wait. Quote”Live your life Trish…76 not out”
“Isn’t it time we at least synchronized the New Zealand budget with the Australian budget?”
Probably not at Ad, unless……
– your focus and vision is all about the economic rather than the social
– and unless you’re prepared to have Australia to continue to regard us as “their little brothers” who should know their place
– and unless you’re happy with the comparative way in which Okkers treat their indigenous and ‘New Australians’ until they become subservient enough to accept that an amporphous mass that gives them accreditation to the Australia – land of ….WHATEVER THE FUCK ITS BECOME” versus the lesser evil in the way we’ve treated our indigenous (AND even that’s fucking scandal)
– and unless you’re advocating for what you see as an economic structure and its viability being supreme (dominated by an Australian view of how we should conduct ourselves) versus what is acceptable to Koiwois – many of whom are now coming ‘home’ (“home”)
– etc
– or unless you’re a comfortably off little fuckwit somewhere down south that thinks they’re intellectually and academically superior, and who has a guaranteed venue to express his/her views in place (ooops ‘space’) that has ‘left-wing legitimacy – at least let winf ‘cred’ , and that those qualifications should reign supreme. All of course in the very best interests and concern for ‘the people’.
-etc
PLEASE @Ad …… ‘THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!!!’ (/sarc)
Oh goody. A pointless symbollic and meaningless gesture. What was the word count on this? Could it not have been tweeted?
Large piece of cynicism Ad. You have grabbed at a few things and corralled them together to fit your story. Just a join the dots exercise, I’m afraid.
Shall we use the same currency as well?
Australia is almost a state of the U.S anyway.The present P.M is first to stand by U.S foreign policy,no questions asked.
NZ needs more independence,not less.
Hey its ok. The same shadow globalists who run Australia also run New Zealand. Once the CP-TPP is signed it will all make sense.
I cannot see any point in both budgets being on the same day – we are independent countries.
Good to see that Australia will be including tax cuts though.
I saw no valid reason from moving the budget announcement from July as it always was to May in the first place.
Like the Aussies would ever even consider aligning anything they do with this country unless it was to benefit them first.